Volunteer Policy

The College of Life Sciences welcomes volunteers who support research, teaching, and outreach activities. All volunteers must comply with BYU’s Volunteer Policy. This policy outlines who can volunteer, the nature of volunteer services, and the distinction between volunteers and other groups.

The sponsoring faculty or unit is responsible for providing training, appropriate oversite, personal protective equipment, and medical surveillance as applicable based on a risk analysis for each volunteer activity.

• BYU Students: Current BYU students participating in experiential learning or mentored research are typically exempt from the volunteer policy if the activities directly support their academic and professional development. If the work is not related to their field of study or intended career path, the volunteer policy applies.
  
• Current BYU Employees: Employees may volunteer only if the service is substantially unrelated to their paid job responsibilities. Volunteering within their own college, division, or department is not permitted unless specifically approved by Human Resource Services. Additional requirements are outlined in the Volunteer Policy.
• BYU Alumni and Former Employees: Alumni and former employees (including former student employees) may volunteer if the activity is substantially unrelated to their previous job duties and does not take place within the same college, division, or department where they were employed—unless approved by Human Resource Services.
  
  • Recent BYU Alumni may be eligible to be hired as temporary part-time staff to complete research projects. Contact the college HR Business Partner for more information.

• Individuals outside the BYU community: Individuals who are not affiliated with BYU may volunteer in research activities, depending on the nature of the project and approval from the relevant stakeholders. Contact the college Safety and Compliance Officer or the college Human Resources Business Partner for more information.

  A volunteer’s services may not displace another employed worker, intern, or student registered for mentored research credit.

• Students employed for research activities: Students who receive compensation for their research work—such as paychecks, hourly wages, or research assistantships—are not considered volunteers.
• Interns: Students participating in formal internship programs related to research are not considered volunteers.
• Students Enrolled in an Academic Course: Students taking academic courses that include research participation as part of the curriculum are not considered volunteers, as their involvement is directly tied to their academic program.
• Human research subjects, including minors, are governed by the Human Research Protection Policy and not the BYU Volunteer Policy.
  

• Minors: Minors (individuals under 18) cannot participate in activities that require a volunteer agreement. Refer to the BYU Volunteer Policy for a list of activities that require an agreement.
• Health Insurance Coverage and Workers’ Compensation: Volunteers are not covered under the university workers’ compensation program or any other BYU insurance.
• Liability for Personal Property Damage: Volunteers assume personal risk for participation.
  

Current BYU students participating in experiential learning or mentored research who are not employed or receiving academic credit for their involvement are generally exempt from the volunteer policy, provided the activities directly support their academic and professional development.

However, a Participation Agreement is required if the project involves any of the following:

• Activities or settings normally associated with a typical laboratory environment
• Activities or settings normally associated with field research
• All activities involving chemical or biological materials, as defined by OSHA
• All activities involving operation of heavy equipment (ATV, snowmobile, boats)
• Off campus field research
• Activities requiring medical surveillance
• Activities involving human or animal research subjects
• Activities involving direct interaction with minors

These are general guidelines. Specific details regarding exemptions and volunteer eligibility should be discussed with the college Safety and Compliance Officer and/or Risk Management.

Approval Process

BYU Experiential Learning or Mentored Research Participants

1. Faculty Supervisor Responsibilities:
   
   • Complete the "Participant Activity Risks" section of the participant form before the student signs.
     
     • Provide a clear description of the activity.
     • Conduct and document a risk analysis, if applicable to the activity.
     • Identify required training.
2. Submission for Approval:
   
   • Submit the completed form to the college Safety and Compliance Officer for review and approval.
   Mentored Research Participant Form

1. Faculty Supervisor Responsibilities:
   
   • Complete the "Volunteer Activity Risks" section of the volunteer form.
     
     • Provide a clear description of the volunteer activity.
     • Conduct and document a risk analysis, if applicable to the activity.
     • Identify required training.
2. Department Chair Review:
   
   • Submit the completed form to the department chair for review and approval.
   • The department chair will assess whether the volunteer activity displaces a mentoring or employment opportunity for a BYU student.
3. College Safety and Compliance Officer Review:
   
   • If approved by the department chair, the form is forwarded to the college Safety and Compliance Officer for review and approval.
4. Risk Management Review (If Needed):
   
   • The college Safety and Compliance Officer will forward the form to Risk Management for additional approval if deemed necessary.
5. Human Resource Clearance
   
   • Each non-affiliated volunteer must be entered into Workday before they can begin their volunteer activity. To start the position request process complete the Non-Student Volunteers form. Contact your department business manager or the College Human Resource Business Partner for questions.
6. Volunteer Signature:
   
   • Once all required approvals are obtained, the volunteer can sign the form.

The College of Life Sciences offers STEM-related programs for minors in compliance with BYU’s Minor Protection Policy.

• All programs must register in the Minor Protection System.
• Authorized adults must complete background checks and Minor Protection Training.
• No one-on-one interactions; supervision must always include two adults or a parent/guardian.
• Duty to report any suspected abuse is mandatory.

How to Request a Research STEM Experience for a Minor:

Note: For programs not directly related to individual STEM experiences, contact the Program Director listed in the Minor Protection System.

Faculty or staff interested in hosting a high school student STEM experience should:

1. Review the College STEM Research Experience for Minors Procedure.
2. Contact college Safety and Compliance Officer at least 30 days before the project begins to register all supervising personnel in the BYU Minor Protection System.
3. Complete background checks and Minor Protection Training.
4. Complete a Minor Participation Agreement for each participant.