University Space Committee

The University Space Committee serves as an impartial body charged with evaluating and recommending decisions about campus space allocation in a way that benefits the university community as a whole. While its members may come from various colleges, departments, or administrative units, they are expected to set aside individual or departmental interests in order to uphold the university’s broader academic, research, and operational goals.

The process typically begins with the Office of Space Management, which facilitates the initial analysis and either prepares a “consent package” for straightforward approvals or presents a set of space allocation options for the committee’s consideration. The University Space Committee then reviews these options, applying established space management principles, standards, and university policies to ensure equitable and strategic use of space resources. Specialized sub-committees may be engaged for more complex requests related to research or instructional space.

Once deliberation is complete, the committee makes a recommendation to the Provost and Executive Vice President, often in consultation with the Vice President for Finance and Administration for certain space types. The Provost and Executive Vice President holds final authority to approve the recommendation or return it to the committee for further analysis. Throughout this process, the committee’s impartiality and focus on institutional priorities help ensure space decisions are made transparently and in service of the university’s mission.

University Space Committee's Role 

1. Office of Space Management facilitates process and recommends either a “consent package” for approval by the committee, or a set of options to University Space Committee to evaluate and provide recommendation to the Provost and Executive Vice President, or designee.​

2. University Space Committee reviews options and makes determination in alignment with space management principles, standards and applicable policies.​ Sub-committees are engaged for research space and instructional space.​

3. Committee recommends to the Provost and Executive Vice President (with VPFA for certain space types) and makes decision. ​

4. Provost and Executive Vice President approves or returns decision to University Space Committee for further analysis.​

Members

• Chair: Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning and Management
• One college dean (single 2-year term) 
• Vice President for Student Affairs or designee
• Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs or designee
• Vice President for Research and Innovation or designee
• Director of Space Management (advisor to the USC)
• University Architect (advisor to the USC)

Space Management Governance

1. Provost and Executive Vice President (VPFA for certain space types)
2. College/Division Leader
3. Space Liaison 
4. University Space Committee
5. Space Subcommittee (Research and Instructional)
6. Office of Space Management