Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Chairs and directors are responsible for stewardship of space assigned and should approve any space requests before submission. Chairs and directors may designate persons to submit applications on their behalf.

A facilities request is any application for allocation or modification of space, including:

• New space – Unit requests more space than currently allocated
• Refresh – Unit requests new flooring and/or paint within currently assigned space
• Change of use – Remodeling that changes the primary use of any space (e.g., lab into office, office into storage)
• Renovation or alteration – Remodeling project requiring trade coordination in any space

You can request space by using the online form

A. Requests for space allocation are subject to review by the Dean or the Dean’s designee, at regular increments and as required by the Dean. Criteria used in the review process will include an evaluation of the unit’s space utilization metrics, as approved by the Dean or the Dean’s designee, and disseminated to the chair or director.

B. A review of space utilization and related efficiency metrics will be conducted.

C. During the review, the Dean or the Dean’s designee will review data with the chair or director to identify concerns, and develop strategies and timelines for addressing the concerns.

D. Please see the policy (pdf) for more detailed expectations.

SMPH facilities will maintain a space inventory database and work with departments and centers to review and update the space data. SMPH facilities intends to maintain this data in a web-based structure that will allow interaction with units. The final database is under construction.

Use of instructional space is managed by SMPH classroom and AV services. All instructional space needs take precedence over other reservation requests.

The SMPH Space Advisory Committee serves an informational and advisory role to the Dean’s Leadership Team (DLT) in respect to implementing space policy at the SMPH. The committee, with reference to developing standards considering peer institutions, is responsible for:

• Creating and implementing a space allocation plan with approval from the Dean’s Leadership Team
• Working with departments, centers, institutes and programs to adapt specific allocation plans
• Reviewing space allocation plans annually
• Reviewing and recommending action on selected space proposal requests passed to the committee by the SMPH facilities group

SMPH Space Allocation and Usage Policy number 50.20 (pdf) was approved by the Dean’s Leadership Team and made effective January 1, 2017. As a leading academic medical center, SMPH must support its mission through the efficient utilization of space.

The SMPH dean is responsible for space allocation. At the dean’s discretion, space may be allocated to chairs or directors for space assignment at the unit level.

Contact Craig Kramer, director of space management, at craig.kramer@wisc.edu.

Represented on the Committee are members of the SMPH’s Dean’s office, clinical and basic science departments and UW Health. Committee members are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Dean.

• Request does not comply with the Space Allocation and Usage Policy (pdf)
• Request does not align with the context of the strategic priorities of the SMPH