Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning

Space Management Governance Overview

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Space Governance Overview

Appalachian State University manages space and real property decisions through a structured, multi-committee process designed to ensure transparency, consistency, and alignment with institutional priorities and UNC System policies. The University assigns space to colleges and divisions. Space requests progress through three coordinated committees based on scope, cost, and complexity. 

Space Management Governance Groups


How are decisions made? 

 

Space Management Guiding Principles: 

 

  • Prioritize Existing Space: Exhaust all options to share, repurpose, and measure current space before requesting funds for buying, renovating, renting, or building.

  • Adhere to UNC System Policy: All space planning and requests must align with the UNC space utilization metrics.  For current data, visit the Space Management dashboard on the IRAP website.

  • Evidence-based Decisions: Make all space requests based on measured usage rather than predicted, assumed, or historical usage.

  • Standard Allocation:  Standard office space is calculated by multiplying the Adjusted Headcount (AHC), which accounts for remote, hybrid, and part-time status, by 130 square feet:

    • 130 square feet x AHC = Assigned Square Feet

  • Justification for Under-Utilization: Departments performing below utilization goals must provide a robust, data-backed defense to justify any requests for additional space.

  • Strategic Placement: Priority support for specific requests may be given to units with ongoing in-person or public-facing mandates or roles.

  • Promote Shared Space: Committees actively support and prioritize the implementation of shared offices environments

  • Utilize the Lenoir Warehouse: The University’s 37,000 square foot warehouse in Lenoir must be fully utilized before any external storage space is considered.

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