Academic Space Allocation Guidelines

Academic Space Allocation Guidelines

Effective: November 19, 2011

Last Updated: November 19, 2011

Policy Owner: Academic Affairs

Academic space assignment is the purview of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Academic space will be used as fully and efficiently as possible.  The Minnesota Facilities Model (MFM) space allocation recommendations will be a baseline reference in evaluating requests for space and in justifying the assignment or justification of additional campus space.

Highest priority for the use of space in areas housing classrooms and academic unit offices will be for instruction, offices, and teaching and research laboratories/studios. Student instructional space, including computer laboratories, will be maintained, and expanded if necessary, to satisfy the demand (number of classes, class size, physical requirements, etc.) for such space. Non-instructional space will be assigned according to the general criteria for space allocation presented below. Library and NRRI space will be assigned by the respective directors.

Criteria for use of Non-Instructional Space in Academic Units

  1. Office space (and research space as appropriate) will be first assigned to full time faculty. 
  2. Office space for full-time professional staff supporting academic activities will be provided as the next priority.
  3. Remaining office space will be assigned to part-time faculty, teaching/research assistants, visiting faculty, and staff supporting outreach activities.  Except under unusual circumstances these individuals will be assigned shared office space.
  4. Administrative units and personnel most contingent to the space will have highest priority for its use, according to need.
  5. Space for externally funded research and creative activities will be allocated after the above needs have been met.  Priority in allocation of space for such (funded) activities will be as follows (highest to lowest priority):
    • Projects that provide direct or indirect cost funds to the campus and identify faculty members as principal investigators or managers.
    • Mission-related grant projects supervised by UMD faculty or professional staff.
    • Outside projects that provide direct or indirect funds to the campus.
  6. Whenever possible, space will be provided for student groups, student study and lounge areas, and staff lounge areas.