Guiding Principles

Guiding Principles for Space Allocation

1. 1. 1. Space as a Shared Resource: Space is a limited university resource and is not owned by individual units or current building occupants. All space allocations are subject to change based on shifts in enrollment, departmental needs, and university priorities.

      2. Space Planning and Utilization: Space allocation decisions will align with the university's strategic plan, ensuring optimal use of space while considering future needs such as planned construction, remodeling, or renovations. These decisions will be guided by the university's Strategic Plan, as well as the objectives of individual units. Space planning and usage will be informed by, but not limited to, the Campus Master Plan, FGCU Strategic Plan, and FGCU Facilities Planning & Construction Standards & Requirements

      3. Sustainability and Efficient Use of Space: All space planning decisions must support the university’s sustainability goals. The goal is to maximize the efficient use of resources and ensure that space is used in the most effective way possible.

      4. Vacated Space Management: When faculty or staff depart, any vacated office or facility will be reassigned based on current needs. If a department has a funded position vacancy, the space may be reassigned within that department for up to six months. After six months, the space will return to the vacant office pool for reassignment. Reallocating space within a dedicated office suite is not included, as these suites are designed to keep individuals with similar functions or interests together, and spaces are not intended for use by members of other departments.  

      5. Office Space Prioritization:

         1. 1. Full-Time Faculty and Student-Facing Staff : Office space for full-time faculty and student-facing staff will be given the highest priority, particularly in the campus core areas. Faculty offices will be allocated primarily based on rank, with professor-track faculty receiving the highest priority. These spaces should support teaching, research, and student interactions.

            2. Adjunct Faculty: Adjunct faculty will have access to common workspaces that foster collaboration and student interaction. These spaces are intended to provide flexibility while ensuring that adjunct faculty have an environment conducive to their teaching responsibilities.

            3. Department Chairs and Program Directors: Department chairs and program directors will be allocated office space to accommodate their leadership and administrative responsibilities. These spaces should be centrally located to facilitate communication and coordination within their departments.

            4. Staff : Staff members who provide direct support to programs, services, or operations will be allocated office space based on their roles and departmental needs. These staff members may require individual offices or workstations that support efficient work and collaboration. Administrative Assistants shall utilize open workstations located within shared office environments in lieu of enclosed offices, except in instances where such open workspaces are unavailable.

            5. OPS Workers and Student Workers: OPS workers and student workers will utilize open workstations within shared office spaces. These workstations will be designed to support flexible work arrangements and foster collaboration, while providing access to necessary resources for their roles.

            6. Visiting Faculty and Researchers: Office space for visiting faculty, researchers, and temporary staff will be allocated based on the duration and nature of their engagement with the university. These individuals may be assigned shared or temporary office spaces as needed.

            7. Courtesy Faculty: Courtesy faculty, who are not employed full-time by the university, will generally not be allocated office space on campus. They may be provided with access to shared resources or common workspaces, depending on availability.

      6. Collaboration and Co-Location of Units: Wherever possible, related units will be co-located to promote collaboration and synergy. This strategy will help optimize space usage across the campus.

      7. Remote Work and Space Utilization: Employees whose duties allow remote schedules will free up office space, allowing departments to arrange workspaces that accommodate both remote and in-person workers. Remote workers will share on-site space using flexible workstations, ensuring maximum occupancy and efficient use of available resources.

      8. Research Space Allocation: Research spaces are not permanent assignments and may be reassigned, shared, or reallocated as necessary to ensure optimal use of available space. New research space will only be considered after maximizing the use of existing facilities and before pursuing new construction, renovations, or leasing off-campus spaces.

      9. Inventory Management and Auditing: The Office of Facilities Planning is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date inventory of all campus space. A bi-annual audit will be conducted to ensure that the space inventory reflects current needs and is accessible to the campus community for effective planning.

      10. Classroom Space Scheduling: All classroom and teaching laboratory spaces will be scheduled by Records & Registration to ensure maximum utilization for academic-credit courses. Any classroom space not scheduled by Records & Registration after each semester’s add/drop period will be made available for event scheduling through the Office of Campus Reservations. Classrooms shall not be scheduled for events during final exams week.

      11. Specialized Space Scheduling: Departments with highly specialized spaces, such as recital halls or clinical laboratories, retain control over the use of these spaces, but must work with Records & Registration for scheduling to ensure efficiency.

      12. Coordinated Scheduling: All reservable spaces on campus will be scheduled through the University’s Room Calendar, maintained by Campus Reservations with the exception of:

          1. 1. Athletic Spaces: Intercollegiate Athletics will manage scheduling for athletic facilities such as Alico Arena, Swanson Stadium, Soccer Fields, Softball Complex, and Tennis Courts.

             2. Recreation Spaces: University Recreation & Wellness will manage scheduling for spaces like the Aquatics Center, Recreation Fields, and the Waterfront.

             3. Housing Spaces: Housing & Residence Life will manage scheduling for spaces in South Village, North Lake Village, West Lake Village, and housing multipurpose areas.

      13. Endowed Space Commitment: Endowed spaces must be used in accordance with the donor's intent and the university’s strategic plan. These spaces should support academic, research, or student functions, aligning with the university’s priorities. Any changes or reassignments require approval from university leadership and donor relations

      14. Storage Space Allocation: Long-term storage needs will have a lower priority in the campus core. Storage space will be provided through outlying buildings or external outsourcing, managed by Administrative Services.

      15. Optimal Utilization of Existing Space: Any request for new space will trigger a review of existing space to ensure it is being utilized to its fullest extent. Insufficient utilization of current space may impact the recommendations of the FGCU Space Committee.

      16. Space Allocation Process Transparency: The allocation and reallocation of space will be a transparent process, involving the relevant occupants and units. Future commitments of space related to hiring, grants, or new programs must be approved through the appropriate space allocation process.