The
following points address aspects of client responsibilities
for participation in the UWREN capstone program.
Project Review & Oversight | Client Resources | Permitting & Internal Permission
1.
Project review & oversight
The capstone experience was designed so that student teams would
be working for a client in an interactive fashion. This means
that the client cannot expect to be a passive participant in
the process. Clients are required to provide timely feedback
to the student team at critical junctures in the development
and installation of the project. In January and February, student
teams will be developing a proposal and detailed work plan in
response to the client's Request-for-Proposal (RFP).
This will be reviewed by peers, instructors and the client.
It is done electronically on a web discussion board. There is
a limited window for review - the client must be willing to
adhere to this schedule (usually they have 3-4 days to review
it and comment). Sometimes multiple iterations of documents
need to be reviewed if client requests changes. In essence,
the client must be willing to be engaged in the process and
communicate in a timely fashion. To facilitate a smooth and
effective client – project team relationship we ask that
a single person act as the client representative in interacting
with the students. Obtaining approval and input from multiple
parties often severely delays project implementation.
The
client must also be willing to come to the final symposium in
early June (if at all possible in their schedule - or send some
other representative) and be willing to meet with the student
group occasionally in the field during installation (April -
May). The client must also meet with the team in late May or
early June for the students to train them in the maintenance
and monitoring plan.
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2.
Client resources
Though we prefer projects where resources are already available
to support projects, some projects will be considered if clients
are willing to actively be engaged with the student team in
procuring such resources. This may include reviewing and endorsing
funding proposals written by the team. Ultimately the client
is responsible for securing the plants and materials for the
project if the final proposal and work plan has been approved
by the client.
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3.
Permitting & Internal Permission
The client is solely responsible for making sure all
required city, county, state and federal permits are in order
before the restoration project begins. We do encourage our students
to be involved with and learn the permitting process. However
given the time restraints of the course and the typical time
frame needed to submit and process permits it cannot be expected
that permits can wait until the beginning of the course in late
September. Clients are also responsible for ensuring that all
stakeholders in the project, especially the property owner (private
or public) have given approval for the project to go forward
and are regularly informed of the projects progress by the client.
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