The department of civil service may create and develop a Michigan internship office to conduct a Michigan internship program to provide opportunities for students to learn through participation in government affairs.

     The purposes of the Michigan internship program shall be:

    (a) To provide immediate personnel assistance to government agencies through the work of students concerned with government affairs.

    (b) To provide constructive service-learning opportunities for students seeking to participate in the solution of government problems.

    (c) To encourage young people to consider careers in government programs.

    (d) To provide additional avenues of communications between institutions of higher learning and government programs by making the resources of the universities and colleges more accessible to government agencies and providing a means for relating curriculum, teaching, and research to contemporary societal needs as expressed in government programs.

    (1) The department of civil service shall:

    (a) Have general supervision over the Michigan internship program established in section 2.

    (b) In cooperation with the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, develop academic, stipendiary, and volunteer internship programs with governmental agencies.

    (c) Offer the opportunity for participation in the internship program to the broadest possible spectrum of students enrolled in Michigan postsecondary education programs.

    (d) Seek and develop sources of public and private support for the growth of internship programs in this state.

    (2) The department of civil service may apply for and receive from a person, or a federal, state, or local governmental agency, or a private foundation appropriations or gifts to carry out the purposes of the internship program.

     An advisory board to the Michigan internship office is created to assist in assuring the educational quality of the internship program. The advisory board shall consist of 12 members, of whom 4 shall be representatives of the department of education, 4 shall be representatives of the department of civil service, and 4 shall be representatives from institutions of postsecondary education. Appointments to the advisory board shall be made by the state personnel director. Expenses of the advisory board members shall be assumed by their respective participating agencies or institutions.

     The governmental agency selecting and accepting a student intern shall plan and supervise the intern's specific assignments and activities in cooperation with the Michigan internship office and the educational institution in which the intern is enrolled.

     The department of civil service shall report to the house and senate education committees by March 31, 1977, on the status of the Michigan internship office.

     General fund moneys shall not be used for the purposes of performing the administrative functions of the Michigan internship office.