Timeline

Timeline for Written Report/Analysis

This is a step-by-step review of what happens before, during, and after a typical “SG Consultation”

Step 1: Determine Date/Sign Contracts

You first confirm the time and dates for the Consultaton, negotiate the consultant fees based on the complexity of your organization and issues, then sign the Consulting contract.

Step 2: Pre-Consultation Research

By interviewing members of your team by phone, our consulting team will learn about your specific issues and will develop the primary goals and agenda for the Consultation. You will participate in a pre-consultation survey, which includes identifying your goals, identifying institutional interest in the process, identifying any limitations on who can be interviewed, a projected time-line for progress and completion of the report, and other relevant details.

Step 3: Research/Inteviews/Case Analysis

(Typically we engage in 10 to 40 hours of research and analysis.)
  • We will research your institution, learn as much as possible about your SG, its image, and its history, and will try to understand what problems and issues you’re facing. We educate ourselves about your strengths and weaknesses, your influence and effectiveness on campus, your major projects, successes, and failures, problem areas you’ve had in the past, and will also gain an historical perspective on how SG has been perceived on your campus over the past decade. We will learn what administrators, staff, and faculty think about SG and what they see your role as.
  • We will extensively interview your e-board, advisors, and other members of your SG by phone.
  • We will research peer institutions in your state, region, or across the nation as needed.
  • We will interview other key “players” at your institution, including Trustees/Regents, administrators, members of the student press, former student leaders, current students, and the student leaders of other major campus organizations and groups who either work directly or indirectly with your Student Government. Unless indicated in writing in the Contract, there will be no limitations on who we can speak with.

Step 4: Formal Consulting Report in Writing

Eight to 12 weeks after concluding all research and interviews, we will mail a formal written “Consulting Report” (usually 100 to 200 pages) outlining our recommendations and offering analysis addressing issues, problems, and challenges that were discovered. The Report will include an overview of the Consulting process, research, interview subjects, your SG’s positives and negatives, observations by category, and a detailed Action Plan tailored to you.

Step 5: Bonus Post-Consultation Discussion

After you and your Student Government have had time to digest the written Consulting Report, we will offer two additional hours of consulting time by phone and/or e-mail to comment on the “Consulting Report.”

Timeline for Written Report/Analysis With On-Site Visit

This is a step-by-step review of what happens before, during, and after a typical “SG Consulting Visit”

Step 1: Determine Date/Sign Contracts

You first confirm the times and dates for the consultation, negotiate the consultant fees based on the complexity of your organization and issues, then sign the consultant contract.

Step 2: Pre-Consultation Research

By interviewing members of your team by phone and e-mail, our consultants will learn about your specific issues and will develop the primary goals and agenda for the on-site visit. You will participate in a pre-consultation survey, which includes identifying your goals, identifying institutional interest in the process, identifying any limitations on who can be interviewed, a projected time-line for progress and completion of the report, and other relevant details.

Step 3: Research/Inteviews/Case Analysis

(Typically we engage in 10 to 30 hours of research and analysis.)
  • Prior to an on-site consultation, we will research your institution, learn as much as possible about your SG, its image, and its history, and will try to understand what problems and issues you’re facing. We educate ourselves about your strengths and weaknesses, your influence and effectiveness on campus, your major projects, successes, and failures, problem areas you’ve had in the past, and will also gain an historical perspective on how SG has been perceived on your campus over the past decade. We will learn what administrators, faculty, and staff think about SG and what they see your role as.
  • We will extensively interview your e-board, advisors, and other members of your SG by phone.
  • We will interview other key “players” at your institution, including Trustees/Regents, administrators, members of the student press, former student leaders, current students, and the student leaders of other major campus organizations and groups who either work directly or indirectly with your Student Government. Unless indicated in writing in the Contract, there will be no limitations on who we can speak with.
  • Two weeks before the visit, we will confirm the agenda.
  • One week before the Consulting visit, we will confirm the topics and any last-minute items to be covered.

Step 4: The Consultant Visit

During your consultant visit, we will give you our complete attention. We will be at your disposal at any time, day and night, in group meetings or in private sessions (based on the agenda that we have predetermined). We also will lead workshop sessions or keynotes, if desired. We will meet with students, staff, administrators, and faculty, and will spend time with your e-board, individual officers, your senate, your advisors, or any other group you wish.

Step 5: Formal Consulting Report in Writing

Eight to 12 weeks after the formal consultant visit and research concludes, we will mail a formal written “Consulting Report” (usually 100 to 200 pages) outlining our recommendations and offering analysis addressing issues, problems, and challenges discussed during the visit. The Report will include an overview of the Consulting process, research, interview subjects, your SG’s positives and negatives, observations by category, and a detailed Action Plan tailored to you.

Step 6: Bonus Post-Visit Consultation

After you and your Student Government have had time to digest the written Consulting Report, we will offer two additional hours of consulting time by phone and/or e-mail to comment on the “Consulting Report.”