This section continues to evolve. Please check back regularly. (last updated 07/14/2026)

Question: How can you host events with Industry or Alumni using Allen School resources (i.e. funding, spaces, etc.)

Answer: Work in partnership with the Director of External Relations!

Core Philosophy

Working together to maintain strong relationships with companies through successful events while protecting the Allen School’s brand.

Shared Goal(s): (Why should events be in partnership?)

1. Enhance the student experiences by helping to ensure events have high turnout and smooth logistics

2. Facilitate connections between Allen School undergraduate students, Industry professionals, and alumni

3. Establish and maintain good rapport with companies and their teams through successful events and sustained relationships with the Allen School as well as current leadership in student organizations

   • Continuity of relationship with the Allen School is important with constant changing of student organizational leadership. This is where support from the Allen School and the Director of External Relations will support.

   • Protects you as a student and student organization – the Director of External Relations can intervene if any inappropriate behavior or decisions occur on the company/alumni end that need to be addressed. 

How to work with External Relations:
(aka how can you host an Industry/Alumni event in the Allen School?)

1. Fill-out the Event Proposal Form (deadlines: Summer Round- August 10, 2026 & Winter Round- December 18, 2026)

   • If your event is approved by the committee, your organization is required to meet with Kay to finalize plans for the Event 

2. If your organization is  working with a company or some sort of partnership and you plan to use Allen School resources, report the company + ask/make requests via External Relations Request Form (Request Form)

3. Reach out to Director of External Relations (via email and CC Sr SLDS) if you want to discuss idea(s) for upcoming year

   • Note: Events will still need to be approved through the Event Proposal Form 

4. Sign-up to collaborate on events that External Relations has begun planning with Companies – Director of External Relations will provide a list of possible events and how many RSOs can collaborate.

   • Hackathon, Boutique Events 

Benefits of Partnership

When you partner with External Relations, your group unlocks the following support:

• Access to Industry Affiliates and Alumni (communication facilitated by the Director of External Relations)

• Co-branding and marketing for events within the Allen School (inclusion in the weekly newsletter for company events (internal) and in communication to corporate partners)

• Clearer understanding of what events are planned and when to avoid conflicts

External Relations Policies:

Allen School Affiliated Student Organizations cannot host or collaborate with Industry or Alumni in Allen School spaces without partnering with the Allen School Director of External Relations. 

1. If a student organization is found to be hosting a company/alumni related event in an Allen School space that is not in partnership, it will result in a loss of Allen School resources (e.g. funding, space) for your event. Specifically:

   • If you have a room reservation in the Allen School, it will be cancelled. 

   • If you planned to use Allen School student org funds, funding will be revoked.

2. If Allen School Affiliated Student Organizations are collaborating on an Industry or Alumni-related event, they must report the companies, industry professionals, and/or alumni they have invited, as well as the “ask” or invitation they have shared.

   • More details available shortly.

3. Allen School organizations that would like to contact Industry Affiliates can reach out to the Director of External Relations (Kay Beck-Benton) with their request – who will reach out to companies and initiate communications.

   • Student Organizations will provide a list of requests to the Director of External Relations. 

   • External Relations will share requests out to companies and initiate communications.

4. If Allen School Affiliated Student Organizations are already in contact with companies, they must include the Director of External Relations (Kay Beck-Benton) into the conversation (i.e. email).

Historical Context and Expectations of Companies When Collaborating 

Corporate recruiters and hiring teams operate on strict metrics. The following scenarios have been noted by corporate partners and alumni as the Impact of NOT partnering:

• Event attendance: Some events that have been coordinated with corporate partners have had lower attendance. Event attendance is a key metric for many recruiters. Several company partners have shared their frustration around this experience - which then leads to less engagement on their part with the Allen School.

• Outreach fatigue: When multiple student groups - and the Allen School - independently reach out to the same companies for volunteers or money, it overwhelms our partners. The lack of coordination can cause companies to pull back from engaging with the Allen School and student groups entirely.

• Fractured corporate and alumni relationships: Student organization leaders turnover every couple of years and result in student organization contacts being outdated quickly. Partnering with our External Relations Director ensures that relationships are maintained long-term. 

By working with External Relations, we can protect these corporate and alumni relationships to ensure future engagements.