Non-U.S. Citizen Student Engagement

VOTE
Non-U.S. Citizen Student Engagement

Not eligible to vote? Not a problem! There are still many ways to become civically engaged, in different forms and at multiple levels of political participation–all of which are valuable in a democratic society. Students are members of the St. Olaf community, regardless of their nationality and citizenship status, and can contribute to political discussions and highlight how many issues affect them as individuals and in communities they belong. Many campus conversations will touch on the election, so learning about the issues, the candidates, and the possible outcomes offers you an opportunity to connect with others on campus and deepen your understanding of U.S. culture and politics.

Take a look at the the ideas on the right for ways that non-U.S. citizen students can get engaged this electoral season!
*Source: “Understanding the U.S. Elections As an International Student” from University of Michigan*

Just because you might not be eligible to vote doesn’t mean that you can’t encourage others to exercise their civic rights! Join our peer-to-peer networking initiative by becoming an Election Ambassador today. Get trained on how to share nonpartisan information about voting and the elections with your peers and walk through completing the Pledge to Vote form.

When planning out your political engagement there are some important things to keep in mind. Review the below tabs for more information about how to get involved while also not impacting your status.

If you choose to engage off-campus, given the current climate, while you are engaging in political discourse or activism we encourage students to be mindful of St. Olaf College policies, immigration regulations regarding your status, and U.S laws both criminal and civil. Violations of these laws and policies, or perceived violations (being in the wrong place at the wrong time) can potentially result in your inability to continue your studies at St. Olaf College.

For students whose immigration status is sensitive, some off-campus engagement activities can be problematic for example, canvassing, or any activity where you would need to register with identification documentation, could expose your status in an unsafe way.

The US Federal Elections Commission limits participation by foreign nationals. “Even though a foreign national cannot make campaign contributions or expenditures, he or she can serve as an uncompensated volunteer for a campaign or political party. However, the individual may not serve in a decision-making capacity within the committee. For example, a foreign national is allowed to attend campaign strategy meetings and events, but may not be involved in the management of the committee.”

All St. Olaf College international students are required to maintain F-1 status while in the U.S. To maintain F-1 status, students must be enrolled full-time, be making progress towards completion of their degree, and follow all F-1 rules and regulations.

Unpaid engagement opportunities like volunteering should be considered carefully as it could impact future visa applications. Whenever possible students are strongly encouraged to consider Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization.

It is a common misperception that if you are not receiving payment, you are just “volunteering” and not really employed. However, this is a complicated area involving both immigration regulations and employment law. It is your responsibility to be aware of the relevant regulations and laws that pertain to your activities in the United States.

What is “volunteering”?

A “volunteer” is “individual who performs hours of service . . . for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered.” (29 C.F.R.553.101). Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, a person may not volunteer services for for-profit private sector employers.

To be considered a volunteer, the work performed by the individual must meet the following criteria:

No expectation of compensation;
The volunteer cannot displace a genuine employee;
The services provided by the volunteer should not be the same services for which he or she was previously paid and/or expects to be hired and paid for in the future; and
Services are performed for a non-profit organization for public service or religious or humanitarian objectives.

F-1 students do not need employment authorization for opportunities that meet the criteria above. However, international students are encouraged to discuss any off-campus opportunities with the Assistant Director of International Engagement to insure they fully understand the regulations and risks involved.

Elections can sometimes bring on added stress and other emotions. If at any point in time you are feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or uncomfortable due to the political climate and discussions, please seek out on-campus support!

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