University Space Planning Group

During FY22, in preparation for future strategic planning, the University engaged in an analysis of its capabilities and capacities, including a review of its physical assets on the Reynolda Campus and its peripheral real estate. This analysis included our work with SmithGroup on a Reynolda Campus Space Utilization Study, and a real estate valuation of two major holdings (2400 Reynolda and UCC). In FY23, the President is creating the University Space Planning Group (USPG). It is charged with implementing a new process for the continued analysis and coordination of the University’s current and future space demands. This is core to our furthering the goals of excellence in acting on the University’s academic mission and strategy. 

The USPG is advisory to the Provost and the Executive Vice President, who make recommendations on space-based core guiding principles, strategic plans, reports and analyses to the President for decisions. The USPG membership will consist of senior university leaders with oversight of and/or financial responsibility for significant University physical assets, as well as those with roles responsible for the critical facets needed for managing the University’s physical assets.

The USPG will work to ensure that the University makes all consequential campus and peripheral property space decisions with intention, coordination, and care, prioritizing academic mission, effectively stewarding its financial resources, and with awareness of the implications each space decision has on current and future needs, including technology infrastructure.

Update

October 2022: SmithGroup has provided Wake Forest with a summary of the Space Utilization Study. View the summary here »

Charge

The USPG is charged by the President with:

• Establishing the University’s core guiding principles for space management to provide a framework to guide its decision making, including the prioritizing of the academic mission.
• Advising the President regarding  strategic and coordinated deployment of space resources.
• Establishing and providing oversight for an integrated process for requesting new space in any University-owned or leased space. Establishing, as needed, task forces in specific focus areas (e.g. academic spaces, administrative spaces), or special projects (e.g. D3) that bring proposals to the USPG that include planning, prioritization, logistics and/or costs.  
• Providing direct input and guidance to the campus master planning efforts, capital project planning, and real estate transaction/strategy processes
• Supporting the Provost in developing and enacting a policy for shared University classroom utilization that maximizes efficiency of resources and available space for the benefit of all.
• Advising on  strategy for ensuring that shared classroom/meeting room technology is “universal” and part of predicted update cycles.
• Advising on a process for allocation of swing space that supports the University’s capital project and renovation priorities, and ensures cost-effective management of such swing space.

Guiding Principles

University physical space is one of our most valuable resources.  It is allocated to support the academic mission and values of the university.  The following principles guide the USPG’s  work:

• All space belongs to the University and is subject to assignment and reassignment to achieve the institution’s academic mission and strategic priorities. 
• Space use will be consistent with university policies, in alignment with approved strategies and goals, and informed by the campus master plan.
  • Dedicated staff offices will be prioritized for those working full-time, in person on our campuses. 
  • Full-time, permanent faculty will be assigned one dedicated office space. 
• Space decisions should seek to support improved efficiency, functionality, flexibility, utilization, and sustainability.
• Space decisions should aim to co-locate related activities and services, as well as seek opportunities for synergies across and among departments/units in identifying locations and design.

• All units and departments should demonstrate effective management of existing space allocations as criteria for making additional space requests.