2.12 Instructional space

Purpose

To assign responsibility and parameters  for the control and assignment of university instructional space in a manner  that fosters and supports  student learning and success, effectiveness in faculty delivery of instruction, efficiency in use of university resources (including, specifically, energy), campus safety, services to the university community and revenue generation.

Policy Statement

Space on campus is an important, finite university resource which must be utilized for the maximum benefit of the entire university.  The assignment of all instructional space will be by the Office of the University Registrar. Class offerings should be developed in a manner that best supports the evolving nature of student needs and faculty instructional approaches, maximizes efficiency in space utilization, utilizes the benefits of scheduling systems and supports campus sustainability efforts.

  1. All instructional space and the designated usage of that space in areas classified as 110 classrooms, following the definition established by the Postsecondary Education Facilities Inventory and Classification Manual [FICM] of the United States Department of Education, will be under the sole control of the Office of the University Registrar. 
Chapter 2: Administrative Policies
  1. The definition of a classroom in this series is: "A room or space used primarily for instructional classes and that is not tied to a specific subject or discipline by equipment in the room or the configuration of the space.  These spaces may be called lecture rooms, lecture-demonstration rooms, seminar rooms, and general purpose classrooms."  
  2. All instructional space and the designated usage of that space in areas classified as 210 class laboratories, following the definition established and as published in the [FICM], will be under the control of the Office of the University Registrar; though priority of usage will be given to the academic departments in the academic buildings where the laboratories are located.  The Office of the University Registrar will retain the authority to schedule 210 spaces when not used by the departments.    
  3. The definition of class laboratories in this series is:  "A space used primarily for formally or regularly scheduled instruction that require special purpose equipment or a specific space configuration for student participation, experimentation, observation, or practice in an academic discipline. A class laboratory is designed for, or furnished with, equipment to serve the needs of a particular discipline for group instruction in formally or regularly scheduled classes." 

Procedures

  1. The Office of the University Registrar will assign space for instructional activities within the parameters of this policy.  
  2. The Office of the University Registrar shall assign scheduling priority for individual rooms to academic units when such action enhances programmatic offerings and efficiency and/or to meet identified instructional needs such as may exist related to specialized equipment.  
  3. The Office of the University Registrar, working with Facilities Services, may assign scheduling priority for individual rooms or buildings in order to maximize the efficient use of University resources including energy.  
  4. The assignment of space by the Office of the University Registrar may take into account needs of students and/or faculty who may be entitled to accommodation as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.  
  5. If, after informal consultation with the University Registrar,  an academic department wishes to appeal a room assignment made by the Office of the University Registrar, the department head, with concurrence of the Dean of the College, may appeal to the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.  
  6. The Office of the University Registrar shall be responsible for maintaining records of instructional space utilization.

Office of the University Registrar, approved February 16, 2009
Vice President for Student Affairs, approved March 27, 2009
President's Cabinet, approved June 9, 2009