Institutions like Northwestern have traditionally welcomed the contributions of certain persons who volunteer their efforts. Such groups include Contributed Service faculty in the Feinberg School of Medicine; docents in the Block Museum; Visiting Scholars who are paid by their home institutions and participate here in research or other projects; and interns who render uncompensated service to gain experience integral to their educational programs.

Apart from persons in specified categories, persons may not render uncompensated service to Northwestern University unless special arrangements have been approved. See:

http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/forms/WorkWithoutCompStaff.pdf

The University does not permit arrangements whereby anyone begins or continues to work without compensation. Also prohibited is retroactive compensatory payment to a person after that person receives either proper immigration status or funding to support the position.  One may not "volunteer" his or her services prior to becoming employable as a result of gaining appropriate immigration status or access to funding for salary.

Individuals whose immigration status has lapsed or whose funding has ended and who await funding from new or renewed sponsored projects may apply for a leave of absence for a calendar quarter, renewable up to one year of leave, enabling them to continue access to University benefits while waiting for funding or visa renewal. During the leave of absence, individuals without funding or current visas may not work without compensation.

Visiting Scholars who are supported by entities other than the University may work without compensation from the University, provided that the Office for Research has approved their status as Visiting Scholars.

Members of the faculty are expected to ensure adherence to this policy.