University Space Planning Group

During the 2021-22 academic year 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 holdings. This analysis included working with SmithGroup on a Reynolda Campus Space Utilization Study, and a real estate valuation of two major holdings (2400 Reynolda and UCC). In response to the Study’s findings, President Wente established the University Space Planning Group (USPG), charged with implementing a new process for the continued analysis and coordination of the University’s current and future space demands to support its academic mission.

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.
• Implementing 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, as well as a process for renovation requests with costs anticipated to exceed a threshold of $50,000.  
• 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.
• Developing strategy for ensuring that shared classroom/meeting room technology is “universal” and part of predicted update cycles.
• Developing and managing 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.

• 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.