RSO Volunteer Portal Guidelines & Expectations

The University of Cincinnati Volunteer Portal (volunteer.uc.edu) is intended to connect students with meaningful community service opportunities. Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) that use the Volunteer Portal are responsible for ensuring that opportunities posted through their organization are appropriate for the portal and comply with University guidelines.

By using the Volunteer Portal, RSOs agree to the following expectations.

Opportunities must provide a meaningful benefit to the broader community and align with Student Financial Aid's Scholarship Service Limits. Students must actively participate in service. Attending an event or being present does not constitute community service. Posting an opportunity in the Volunteer Portal does not guarantee that the activity will qualify for scholarship service hours. Final eligibility is subject to Student Financial Aid requirements. RSOs should contact the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) before posting an opportunity if they are unsure whether an activity is appropriate for the Volunteer Portal.

Service hours may not be awarded for:

• Attending general RSO, chapter, executive board, or informational meetings.

• Routine RSO operations, leadership responsibilities, recruitment, marketing, or promotion.

• Fundraising activities that directly benefit the RSO 

• Donating money, food, clothing, hygiene products, or other goods.

• Social activities or other activities that do not provide meaningful service to the broader community.

• All other activities prohibited by Student Financial Aid's Scholarship Service Limits.

Donation drives may not be posted as service opportunities when students receive service hours based on the amount or value of items donated. Service-hour conversions such as "one item = one service hour," "five cans = two service hours," or "$10 donated = one service hour" are prohibited. Opportunities offering service hours in exchange for donations will be immediately deactivated. Donation-related projects may be appropriate when students actively perform eligible service, such as assembling kits, sorting donated materials, or distributing supplies. Hours may only reflect the time students spend actively completing eligible service.

• Service hours must reflect the actual amount of time spent performing eligible service.

• RSOs may not inflate, multiply, round up, award bonus hours, or create alternative conversions for service hours.

• RSO representatives should only verify hours they can reasonably confirm were completed.

• RSOs must provide sufficient information to verify participation if requested by Student Financial Aid.

In order to establish an RSO account in the Volunteer Portal, the requesting RSO must be in good standing with the Center for Student Involvement. RSO accounts on the Volunteer Portal are required to include the current staff/faculty advisor in the list of organizational managers. RSOs are required to use the established naming convention in the Volunteer Portal that identifies student organizations.

RSOs are responsible for ensuring that Volunteer Portal postings:

• Clearly describe what volunteers will be doing and how the activity benefits the community.

• Include accurate information regarding the date, time, location, and expected volunteer responsibilities. 

• Identify an appropriate contact responsible for the opportunity.

• Are updated if the activity or volunteer responsibilities substantially change.

• Comply with Student Financial Aid's additional requirements for on-campus service when applicable.

An RSO may only post opportunities that it is conducting, coordinating, or otherwise authorized to manage. RSOs may not advertise an opportunity as "Cincinnatus-approved," "guaranteed scholarship hours," or otherwise imply that Student Financial Aid has certified an activity's eligibility for scholarship service credit.

RSOs are responsible for ensuring that officers and members with Volunteer Portal access understand and follow these expectations. The organization is responsible for activity conducted through its Volunteer Portal account regardless of which officer or member created the posting. 

When RSO leadership changes, current leaders are responsible for ensuring that incoming leaders have access to the organization’s account and that the Primary Manager is updated accordingly.When an RSO advisor changes, current leaders are responsible for ensuring that the incoming advisory has access to the organization’s account.

CCE may review Volunteer Portal opportunities and reported service hours and may request additional information when necessary to determine whether an activity meets these expectations.CCE reserves the right to edit, deny, deactivate, or remove opportunities that do not align with University guidelines, UC’s Student Code of Conduct, Student Financial Aid's Scholarship Service Limits, or the purpose of the Volunteer Portal. Publication of an opportunity in the Volunteer Portal does not constitute a guarantee of scholarship service-hour eligibility or prevent CCE from subsequently reviewing or deactivating the opportunity. 

If CCE deactivates or removes an opportunity, the RSO may not repost the same or a substantially similar opportunity without approval from CCE. Repeated or significant violations of these expectations may result in temporary or permanent loss of an organization's Volunteer Portal posting privileges. 

1. First Violation: Education and Correction 
   CCE will notify the RSO of the violation and provide guidance regarding the applicable Volunteer Portal expectation. The opportunity may be edited, deactivated, or removed as appropriate. The RSO will be expected to correct the issue and comply with the expectation moving forward.
2. Second Violation: Written Warning 
   CCE will issue a written warning to the RSO. The opportunity may be edited, deactivated, or removed, and the organization may be required to review the Volunteer Portal Expectations Agreement. The RSO's staff/faculty advisor and/or the Center for Student Involvement may also be notified.
3. Third Violation: Temporary Suspension of Posting Privileges 
   The RSO may temporarily lose the ability to create or post opportunities through the Volunteer Portal. CCE may require the organization and its staff/faculty advisor to meet with CCE and/or the Center for Student Involvement before posting privileges are restored.
4. Fourth Violation: Extended or Permanent Loss of Volunteer Portal Privileges 
   The RSO may lose Volunteer Portal posting privileges for an extended period or permanently. CCE may also refer the matter to the Center for Student Involvement and/or the Student Conduct and Community Standards office for additional review.

CCE may consider the nature, severity, frequency, and circumstances of a violation when determining an appropriate response. Significant violations may result in immediate suspension or loss of Volunteer Portal privileges without progressing through each step outlined above.

By applying for a profile on volunteer.uc.edu, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and understand the Registered Student Organization Volunteer Portal Expectations Agreement. You understand that your organization is responsible for following these expectations and for ensuring that individuals using the Volunteer Portal on behalf of your organization understand and comply with these requirements.You understand that failure to follow these expectations may result in the removal of opportunities and/or the suspension or loss of your organization’s Volunteer Portal privileges.