MBA Student Information

What is SRI?
SRI helps connect nonprofit organizations with MBA student teams at UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business for project-based consulting assignments.  It is coordinated by the Center for Leadership Development and Team Development (CLTD). Each quarter, CLTD publicizes a number of short-term consulting projects (6 to 8 weeks long) to the MBA students who then select projects to work on to fulfill the requirements of one of their classes.  Each team consults with the nonprofit and produces a report and recommendations on the issues identified by the organization.

Is SRI a volunteer organization?
No.  Each project must be taken on with a team in association with a class and with the approval of the professor.  SRI is neither an internship or a volunteer opportunity.

Is SRI an independent study class?
No.  SRI projects are taken on in association with already existing classes. 

For example, one requirement of a marketing class might be a quarter-long project to develop a marketing plan for a business or organization of your choice.  Rather than make up a fictional organization, students can choose to take on an SRI project where a local nonprofit organization needs a marketing plan.

Where can I view all the SRI projects?
All projects are posted on Catalyst under the Center for Leadership Development  and Team Development “File Vault”  each quarter.

I found an SRI project I want to be involved with.  How do I apply?
In order to claim a project, you must assemble a team of 3 to 6 people within a class and get verbal approval from your professor.  Once you have those two pieces in place, e-mail Anna Liza Garcia at the Center for Leadership Development and Team Development, algarcia@uci.edu with the following information:

1. Team members’ names and e-mails
2. Contact phone number for the team leader
3. The project you want to claim
4. A back-up project you would like if your primary project is not available

We will e-mail you a confirmation of your project and make an “e-introduction” for you with the organization. 

The faster you assemble your team, the more likely you will get the project you want.  

Can I claim an SRI project without a team?
No.  You must have at least 3 members on your team and get verbal approval from your professor before you can claim a project.  You can always add more people to your team, but we require a minimum of 3 to be able to claim a project.

Can I claim an SRI project if I am not in the full-time MBA program?
Yes.  However,  you must be an MBA student and the team rules still apply.  Also, you will need to meet with the organization face-to-face which you will have to do during regular business hours.  Make sure your team takes this into account before you claim a project.

Can I assemble a team of people from different classes?
It is preferable to have people from the same class. 

Are there any prerequisites to be involved with SRI?
You must be a graduate MBA student at UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business.  That is the only prerequisite.

When can I claim an SRI project?
SRI projects are available on a first-come-first serve basis.

What if I find a project with an organization that is not currently associated with SRI?
Great!  We welcome organizations that are not yet associated with SRI.  Our only requirement is that they must be a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organization within driving distance so the team can meet with them face-to-face.

If you would like to set up a project with an outside nonprofit organization, contact Anna Liza Garcia, Associate Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Team Development at algarcia@uci.edu. We are happy to facilitate the relationship and can give the organization all the background information they need to have a positive and successful SRI experience.

Do you have more information about the SRI projects or organizations apart from what is posted in the File Vault?
You can visit the web site of the organizations for more general information.  In terms of the projects, what is posted is all the information currently available.

Can I contact the organization for more information?
We request that you do not contact the organization directly so they are not overwhelmed with phone calls and questions.  If you have questions, please contact Anna Liza Garcia, CLTS Associate Director at algarcia@uci.edu. If we cannot answer your question, we will find out the information and get back to you.

What are our responsibilities as a team?
If a team claims a project, here are the team responsibilities. 

• Communicate with the organization consistently.  This is critical to ensure good customer service for the organizations.  Even if there is no new information to give the organization, you still need to contact them an update them on your progress. 
• Meet face-to-face with the organization at least once at the very start of the project.
• Discuss and agree upon deliverables with the organization
• Conduct yourself as a professional
• Deliver to the organization and to the Center for Leadership Development and Team Development the final analysis, report or any other promised deliverables at the end of the quarter.

What if the project doesn’t quite fit the needs of our class? 
Talk with your professor about the project.  See if he or she will accept the project or what changes would make the project acceptable.  Then contact Anna Liza Garcia at the Center for Leadership Development and Team Development at algarcia@uci.edu.  We can contact the organization to find out if they want to participate in the newly proposed project. 

What if the organization wants us to commit more time than we are able? 
When your team meets with the organization, you will need to agree upon the team deliverables based on what is realistic for the team and for the organization.  Your priority is your class requirement. Each organization will be reminded that each student's priority is the class project requirement.
 

Does the Center for Leadership Development and Team Development need our deliverables?
Yes.  We keep a file of all SRI projects.  Please e-mail all deliverables to Anna Liza Garcia at algarcia@uci.edu at the end of the quarter.