Space Management Space Standards & Target Utilization Rates
100.00 Introduction and Purpose
The space standards and target utilization rates are a guideline for allocating space
to employees to
support the University Strategic Plan1 as well as to advance the academic enterprise through
stewardship of spaces while balancing efficiency with flexibility. Space allocations
shall follow the space -
per - person standards. The guidelines are not a guarantee that an individual will
receive a specific office
type or amount of square feet, but rather defines the parameters and maximum net assignable
square
feet (NASF) a person in a specific role will be allocated.
Target utilization rates will assess how well a space is being used including efficiency
as well as whether
certain improvements can be made to the existing space to make it more functional.
Similar to space
standards, the rates are intended to be a guideline for improving the academic experience
for students
through improved stewardship of MSU’s space resources.
200.00 Space Standards
This document is herein referenced in the Space Management Policy2 and shall be used by the Office of
Space Planning and Management (SPM)3 in determine appropriate office space layouts as well as by the
Space Management Committee when making recommendations to the President for approval.
When a
Space Occupant Classification does not match a personnel type or employment SPM will
recommend
the closest existing classification be used when determining office type and square
footage.
1. Space occupants may not reflect official MSU job titles or classifications. The
purpose is to show
the relationship between role, space type and attributes, and NASF to assist office
space
decisions when allocating space.
2. Flexibility is balanced with efficiency to ensure stewardship of spaces; as such,
shared offices
and labs will be prioritized to achieve collaborative environments while providing
“introvert”
spaces for conducting work.
3. FTE consistent with MSU Human Resources translation of faculty work load units.
Includes TT,
NTT, post docs and graduate assistants.
4. Non-Employee Appointments correspond to the policy adopted by MSU and outline the
specific
personnel associated with this classification (Non-Employee Appointment policy)4.
5. Building layout and existing constraints will be factored into decisions regarding
office space to
optimize use without causing an undue hardship on units.
201.00 Space Standards
Space Occupant Classification |
Recommended | ||
Space Type | Space Attributes | NASF per person | |
Executive (Provost, Dean, VP, Director) |
Private Office | Conference table/chairs or private meeting space | 120 - 200 |
Academic Full-Time (Dept. Head, Tenure Track, Non-Tenure Track = 1.0 FTE) |
Private/Shared Office | Private meeting space or shared office depending upon need and availability of space | 80 - 140 |
Academic Part-Time (Non-Tenure Track < 1.0 FTE, Emeritus) |
Private/Shared Office Cubicle/Open Workstations |
Collaborative and introvert spaces | 48 - 100 |
Staff Senior/Professional |
Private/Shared Office Cubicle/Open Workstations |
Collaborative and introvert spaces | 80 - 140 |
Staff Classified/Fixed-Term |
Shared Office Cubicle/Open Workstations |
Collaborative and introvert spaces | 48 - 120 |
Non - Employee Appointments | Cubicle/Open Workstations | Collaborative and introvert spaces |
36 - 60 |
202.00 Furniture Packages
SPM in coordination with Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC)5 is responsible for creating a “kit of parts” for furniture packages to accompany office layouts. The kit provides up to three different layouts for faculty and staff to select. This ensures all divisions, colleges, departments, units, etc receive similar furniture and can be interchanged as moves occur. The kit also improves efficiency with design and delivery, meets warranty and ADA standards for the University, and reduces complications when ordering replacement parts. CPDC staff including the University Architect are responsible for approving furniture layout and design packages.
300.00 Target Utilization Rates
Target utilization rates shall be used as a guideline for all space resources on campus including instructional spaces such as classroom and laboratory facilities; office and study facilities; and special and general use facilities. Specific room types are included in each facility description according to the space use codes listed in the Facilities Inventory and Classification Manual (FICM)6.
*Classroom, lab and special use rates: 40-hour week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
*Conference room and general use rates: 45-hour week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
*Office rates: Number of workstations in use per room.
Space Type | Room Use |
Utilization Rate (Hrs) |
Utilization Rate (%) | Utilization Rate (# Stations/Room) |
Classroom |
1-24 Seats | 30 | 75 | -- |
25-50 Seats | 32 | 80 | -- | |
51-100 Seats | 32 | 80 | -- | |
≥ 101 Seats | 34 | 85 | -- | |
Classroom/Lab Seats | All Classrooms & Instructional Labs | -- | 85 | -- |
Lab |
Research Lab | TBD | TBD | -- |
Instructional Lab | 34 | 85 | -- | |
Office |
Private | -- | -- | 1 |
Shared | -- | -- | ≥ 2 | |
Open Office/Cubicle | -- | -- | ≥ 3 | |
Flexible Work Stations | -- | -- | ≥ 4 | |
Conference Room |
1-6 Seats | 30 | 67 | -- |
7 – 15 Seats | 30 | 67 | -- | |
≥ 16 Seats | 36 | 80 | -- | |
Special Use |
Study Room | 28 | 70 | -- |
Clinic | TBD | TBD | -- | |
Demonstration Area | 20 | 50 | -- | |
General Use |
Assembly/Lounge | TBD | TBD | -- |
Meeting Room | 25 | 56 | -- |
References
1Montana State University Planning Council, 2012. Montana State University’s Strategic Plan. [online]. Bozeman. Available from: http://www.montana.edu/strategicplan/ [Accessed May 2022]
2Space Management Policy, 2022. [online] Bozeman. Available from: Space Management Policy [Accessed May, 2022]
3Office of Space Planning and Management. (n.d.). Available from: http://www.montana.edu/spm/ [Accessed May, 2022]
4MSU Human Resources, 2016. Non-Employee Appointments Policy. [online]. Bozeman. Available from: Non-employee policy [Accessed May, 2022]
5Campus Planning Design and Construction. (n.d.). Available from: http://www.montana.edu/pdc/ [Accessed May, 2022]
6U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2006). Postsecondary Education Facilities Inventory and Classification Manual (FICM): 2006 Edition (NCES 2006-160). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics. Available from: https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/ficm/content.asp?ContentType=Section&chapter=4§ion=3 [Accessed May 2022]