Volunteer Activities Program

A Message From the Dean of Students

Dear Students,

The Volunteer Activities Program (VAP) is an initiative designed to enhance holistic learning for students placed on disciplinary probation because of misconduct. We understand that our students face many challenges. Yet, those challenges also provide opportunities to address core issues and re-envision the ideal student experience. We invite you to join us!

At its core, VAP is educational in nature. It affords students an opportunity to engage in service programs or projects that contribute positively to the campus or their local communities. Students can choose from various service opportunities, including ones that align with their academic and/or professional goals (i.e., pre-med, prelaw, sociology, etc.).

Successful completion of the Program will result in shortening the time period for the external reporting of the student conduct records by the Dean of Students. This “clean slate” is particularly beneficial for students with future aspirations for graduate school, military service, or employment with law enforcement.   

We look forward to assisting you.

Dr. Ryan C. Holmes, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Volunteer Activity Program (VAP) Steps

To be eligible, the period of disciplinary warning/probation and all other aspects of your prescribed sanction must be completed.

1. Email a written request for VAP admission to doso@miami.edu.
2. VAP admits will receive an email with forms required for VAP enrollment.
3. Complete and submit enrollment forms for approval.
4. VAP admits begin service at their approved 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.
5. Submit documentation of completion of at least 50 community service hours.
6. Upon verification of hours, attend an exit meeting with the Dean of Students. 

Upon successful completion of the program, student conduct records are immediately listed as inactive. Inactive student conduct records are no longer reported externally by the Dean of Students. However, these files will be retained as inactive. Suspension and expulsion records are maintained as active files indefinitely.

For more information, please contact the Dean of Students Office at (305) 284-5353 or doso@miami.edu.

• Who is eligible for the program?

  Under normal circumstances, a student must have completed the time frame of the warning/probation and all other aspects of their prescribed sanction prior to being approved to begin the Program.

• How do I apply?

  The student must make a written request to Dr. Ryan C. Holmes, Associate Vice President & Dean of Students, who has sole authority to grant such a request. Email your request to Dean Holmes at doso@miami.edu.

  Once admitted, Dean Kinney (akinney@miami.edu) is the dean who supervises VAP admits.

• How many hours of community service are required to complete the program?

  Eligible students must complete at least 50 community service hours at an approved 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

• What is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization?

  501(c)(3) is a designation provided under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. It states that charitable or nonprofit organizations must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests. Additionally, no part of section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual (irs.gov).

• How do I know if a company is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization?

  Information on an organization's 501(c)(3) status is often listed on the organization’s official website. This information can usually be found on the ‘Donate’, ‘Volunteer,’ ‘About Us’, or similar web pages. If the information is not on the website, call the organization and ask if they are a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization (or if they have tax-exempt status).

• The University of Miami is a tax-exempt organization, can I volunteer at UM?

  Yes, there are some areas and departments within UM that have been approved for VAP participation. For example, VAP admits have been approved for completing service hours through UM Hillel and the Office of Disability Services. UM students should also feel free to visit the Butler Center for Service and Leadership’s volunteer website at volunteer.miami.edu for more service opportunities. Note, however, that VAP admits are responsible for making their own arrangements to serve by speaking directly with the appropriate person in the area or department where they would like to perform service. For this reason, community service arranged through group or student organization activities will not apply to VAP.

• Can I be paid?

  No. To qualify for VAP, all 50 community service hours completed at their approved 501(c)(3) charitable organization must be unpaid.

• Can service hours completed with my student organization count for VAP?

  No. VAP admits are responsible for making their own arrangements to serve by speaking directly with the appropriate person representing the charity where they would like to perform service. For this reason, community service arranged through group or student organization activities will not apply to VAP.

• What is the difference between VAP and traditional volunteering?

  Traditional volunteers are individuals who dictate the terms of when and where they participate in community service. Under VAP, the terms of your community service must be approved by the Dean of Students Office.

• Can I align my VAP service hours with my career and/or educational goals and interests?

  Yes. However, when students volunteer based on career or professional aspirations, the primary beneficiary may very well be the students themselves. For example, students pursuing careers as medical professionals are urged to serve at hospitals or clinics as a co-curricular or supplemental experience to their career development or professional preparation. VAP is intended to be a unique experience whereby students provide meaningful service that primarily benefits the public or public spaces. Therefore, under VAP, the terms of your community service must be approved by the Dean of Students Office.

• Can I volunteer at a hospital?

  Although some hospitals are not-for-profit, VAP enrollees cannot serve at hospitals or clinics. Students pursuing careers as medical professionals are already urged to serve at hospitals or clinics as a co-curricular or supplemental experience to their career development or professional preparation. VAP is intended to be a unique experience whereby students provide meaningful service that primarily benefits the public or public spaces. Therefore, under VAP, the terms of your community service must be approved by the Dean of Students Office.

• Is there a time limit for completing VAP?

  There is no time limit, however, the record remains active/reportable until all 50 community service hours are fulfilled, and the student has completed their formal exit meeting with the Dean of Students.

• If I do not complete VAP, how long will the Dean of Students Office continue to report my student conduct record?

  Active records are reported externally for two years beyond when the student either graduates or withdraws from the University.

• Who typically requests a student’s conduct records?

  Other undergraduate, graduate, or professional schools, the Federal or any State or Local Bar Association, civil or public service agencies, and the Federal Government.

• Do you keep a list of approved places where other VAP students have volunteered?

  The Dean of Students Office does not keep a list of previously approved sites because staffing and contacts at community service agencies are always changing. If a VAP admit is having difficulty locating a place to serve, please inform the dean who supervises VAP admits. They should be able to provide a list of recently approved places where VAP students have served.