The Technical Communication (TC) Corporate Affiliates Program is designed to enhance interaction between corporate and other organizations and TC. Affiliates enjoy a special relationship with TC including information exchange, joint educational and research activities, and opportunities for the Affiliates in recruitment of and interaction with students. TC will also work with Affiliates to identify other areas in which there is mutual interest.

Information Exchange
The Corporate Affiliates Program provides numerous opportuniteis for information exchange between the department and affiliated organizations.

Affiliates are invited to appoint a representative to serve on TC's visiting committee. This representative will be invited to attend a yearly meeting sponsored by TC in which current activities and future directions of TC are discussed. Although the goals of TC, as a University-level educational program in a research institution, cannot of course be identical with those of our Affiliates, we expect that such open discussion can uncover a large number of common or complementary directions that can be jointly pursued.

Affiliates receive current information on faculty research interests and copies of faculty publications. Affiliates also receive notices of seminars, workshops, and other events of interest. They receive a list of upcoming graduate and undergraduate courses along with detailed supporting information.

In return, TC would be pleased to receive reports, studies, and other documents prepared by Affiliates that will increase TC’s understanding of the activities of the Affiliate and in turn enhance the possibilities for cooperative endeavors.

The affiliate relationship serves as a mechanism for arranging faculty presentations at the affiliated organization as well as faculty participation in symposia and problem-solving sessions. Representatives from affiliated organizations also have the opportunity to present guests lectures to classes and other forums.

Joint Educational and Research Activities
Affiliates are encouraged to suggest problems and issues that they consider appropriate for faculty and graduate student research projects. In cases where TC faculty or students undertake a suggested project, Affiliates are kept apprised of the progress made on these projects and are encouraged to provide input. Affiliates and TC may collaborate on research projects, possibly with funding provided by the Affiliate. In addition, Affiliates and TC may work jointly on research proposals to government agencies and other funding organizations.

Recruitment of and Interaction with Students
Affiliates receive a list of graduating seniors and graduate students along with all available resumés. In addition, students are kept apprised of internship, co-op, and other employment opportunities available from affiliated organizations.

Starting in Fall 2002, Corporate Affiliates will have access to a special website on which they can post job and internship announcements and announcements of other projects and opportunities. The postings by Affiliates will be identified to students as "premiere" jobs to recognize the organization's status as a special friend of the department.

Affiliates are encouraged to sponsor tours and other educational activities through which undergraduate and graduate students can learn about the affiliated organization.

Other Areas of Interaction
TC seeks strong and lasting collaborative relationships with its Affiliates. Therefore, we will work with each Affiliate to identify further means of cooperation. We are committed to making TC a valuable resource to the corporate community.

Arrangements
TC will conscientiously respect proprietary information, and non-disclosure agreements will be signed when appropriate.

TC faculty regularly consult with corporations and other organizations. Consulting is a private matter between faculty and client and will normally remain separate from activities conducted under the Affiliates Program.

By mutual agreement, a TC faculty member will be appointed the TC representative to each Affiliate. The Affiliate will assign one or more individuals to coordinate with the TC Representative.

How to Participate
First, determine (through discussion with Judith Ramey, Chair of Technical Communication, or other members of the TC faculty Corporate Affiliates Committee) that participation by your company or organization is likely to be mutually beneficial and productive.

Then sign a Corporate Affiliates Program Description customized for your organization.

There is an annual gift to the TC Department of $7,500 associated with participation in the Corporate Affiliates Program. In some instances, other forms of support can be substituted for the gift. For UW accounting purposes, the gift to the department should be directed to the TC Chair's Discretionary Fund. Make checks payable to the University of Washington and include a letter of intent that identifies the check recipient as the Department of Technical Communication Discretionary Fund.

For more information, contact Dr. Judith Ramey, Chair ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or 206-543-2588).