RFP: Partner/Client Responsibilities

If selected, a partner/client should commit to semester-long participation between Loyola SMC and your organization, including at least two classroom visits (one at the beginning and end of the semester), one site visit by the entire class (if feasible) and ongoing contact with students over the course of the semester through a specified contact person at your organization. (See below.)

The partner/client should treat students with respect as academic partners equipped with resources to serve your organization and provide a project that will help students acquire the following competencies:

  • strategic thinking and strategy development
  • communication skills: research, writing, media relations, event management, relationship building, evaluation

The partner/client must provide specific written feedback to students’ final written and oral presentations within one week of receipt, if requested by the course professor.

Partner/ Client Contact

A contact person must be available throughout the semester to work with students and to address questions and concerns. The person should be responsive to students and willing and able to provide constructive criticism from beginning to end.

The contact person must be available to meet with students during class time during the first week of classes for the semester. He/she should meet with student agency representatives at least one hour every two weeks and respond promptly to other communication between meetings, such as weekly or bi-weekly progress reports, either by conference call, face-to-face meeting or e-mail.

Where students work in groups, student agency account executives (AEs) from the various groups within the class will maintain communication with your organization, including weekly or bi-weekly progress reports.

Ideally, the contact person should be interested in working with undergraduates and have the authority to approve projects. This person should have an orientation toward public relations and/or communication, either through professional experience, job responsibilities with the partner agency or board duties.