Space Planning Strategies
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UB uses a strategy of space management principles and processes to provide a comprehensive framework for the effective management of space resources.
Introduction to Space Planning
The campus must manage its space resources with the utmost care to fully realize our academic potential and the full value of our facilities. As a result, current space assignments may need to change, and when new buildings are completed, the disposition of space in the new buildings and the released space in existing buildings must be allocated consistent with our institutional goals and objectives and to remedy critical space shortages.
Key Guidelines for Space Management
- They should be conceptually simple, consolidating various formulaic elements into single standards whenever possible
- They should be administered flexibly, encouraging creativity at campus, provostial, vice presidential, School/College and departmental levels
- They should be interpreted broadly and not become highly specific design standards where exact sizes of rooms are dictated without regard to need, function or facility constraints
- They should be accompanied by strong accountability and reporting requirements
- They should be reviewed on a regular basis
- They should not be changed unless a compelling case for change can be demonstrated *.
* A Capacity for Learning: Revising Space and Utilization Standards for California Public Higher Education. California Post Secondary Education Commission, Summary, 1990.
Space Planning Principles
UB adheres to principles in planning for new space and the management of all space for the University at Buffalo — whether located on campus or off-campus. These principles apply to all university units — academic, administrative, housing and student services.
Principle Framework
- The State University of New York “owns” all University at Buffalo space, both on campus and off-campus not built by private funds outside of its administrative aegis.The student housing units built with University at Buffalo Foundation (UBF) funds are “owned” by the UBF until the debt service is paid for the mortgage on these units. The President has overall responsibility for the equitable and optimum use of space resources and has final decision authority for the planning, allocation, assignment and reassignment of all spaces.The President may choose to delegate that authority to other institutional officers as he/she would determine.
- The President (or the Provost as designee) is responsible for analyzing and determining appropriate space assignments and planning for future space projects within a larger vision for the development of the university and its constituent campuses through appropriate bodies as designated and charged by the President (or the Provost as designee).
- Unless prohibited by contract or funding source obligations, policy or statute, space is reassignable. For space that has an outstanding debt, a reassignment of space also involves a proportionate assumption of that outstanding debt.
- Principle considerations for the use of any building space will be the original intent, current function and the sources of funds that built, renovated or currently maintain that space. These considerations are not the exclusive guidance in evaluating space assignments or reassignments but are fundamental elements in any space use discussion.
- Campus space should not be assigned to unaffiliated organizations for other than fee-based temporary or occasional use. The campus may choose to rent space to affiliated entities consistent with campus policies at fair market value if these agreements advance the goals and objectives of the institution.
Space Management Processes
Criteria for Establishing Space Need
All Spaces
| We have proposed the quantitative and technical considerations throughout this document that will be used as a guide in evaluating space need |
| Specific programmatic needs may modify the quantitative considerations for evaluating space need |
| Even though a space may be large enough when compared with our space standards, the location, functional layout and/or other attributes of the space may modify the considerations about the effectiveness of the particular space to meet the needs of a particular program |
| The establishment of new programs may require an allocation of additional space to a unit |
| Existing programs may be disbanded, combined or reorganized thereby requiring a reevaluation and probable reallocation of the space associated with the original program |
| Codes and regulations governing the availability of lavatory facilities, safety, handicapped accessibility, energy conservation and environmental concerns will be considered when allocating and developing space |
Instructional Space
| Workload factors (FTE students, faculty staff, student course enrollments, and weekly student contact hours in facilities) together with space standards suggested in Attachment A should drive the calculation of a broad envelope of space need for instructional facilities. These standards are intended to be used as overall planning and budgeting tools. They should not be applied to individual programs without a thorough review of the program and necessary adjustments to the standards |
| Changing instructional methodologies and changing curricula may increase or decrease the space needs for instructional facilities |
Research Space
| The standards will also drive the calculation of a broad envelope of research space need. Again, these standards provide a guide for planning and budgeting purposes |
| Research space should be used productively. The review of proposals for the reassignment of space and the ongoing management of research space should involve periodic examination of the research activity generated in the assigned space. It may be necessary or appropriate to reassign space based upon continuing reviews of unit or faculty space productivity |
| The level and nature of research activity and the different and changing state-of-the-art instrumentation required to support research may call for more or less space than specified |
| Unique programs have unique space requirements and must be allocated space based upon their particular need |
Academic Office Space
| There will likely be the need to prioritize the assignment of academic and administrative offices. To the extent possible, office space sizes should be determined (for new buildings) and allocated for existing buildings based on the office space guidelines |
Unit directors (Provost, Deans, Department Chairs) allocate academic offices. The following guidance is offered for the priority allocation of these spaces in an academic organization:
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Individuals should not be assigned more than one academic office.
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Space Management Conclusion
The foregoing principles and processes will govern the planning for use and review and reassignment of our physical space in a rational, flexible manner. Not only will these formulations guide our internal planning, but create the management structure and the information analyses that guide the creation of a long-range capital facilities master plan and the case for capital investment we can make with our public land to private benefactors.
Contact an Expert
Kelly M. Hayes Mcalonie FAIA, LEED AP
Director
Campus Planning