Space Planning Committee

Space Planning and Management

Saint Martin's University physical facilities, like its personnel and financial assets, are resources to be planned, managed and maintained in a manner which most contributes to the university’s mission of instruction. The goal of space planning, management and allocation is to make the best possible use of these physical assets and to plan for future needs. To assess whether campus facilities are being used most efficiently and economically, the governing Space Planning Committee was established. The guiding principles below are interrelated and should be considered together.

Guiding Benedictine Charisms

Much of the culture and purpose of Saint Martin's is conducted through the lens of the Benedictine charisms. For this committee, the below three charisms help guide dialogue:

• Stewardship: To appreciate and to care lovingly for all the goods of this place. "Regard all utensils as if they were the sacred vessels of the altar." — Rule of St. Benedict 31 
• Stability: To cultivate rootedness and a shared sense of mission. "To stand firm in one’s promises." — Rule of St. Benedict 58
• Awareness of God: To look for God not in the abstract but in the ordinary events of every day. “We believe that the divine presence is everywhere.” — Rule of St. Benedict 19

Guiding Principles 

• Space will be allocated according to Saint Martin's mission, strategic priorities, and overall needs while meeting all university policies and aligning with the Benedictine charisms 
• University space belongs to the University and is subject to assignment and reassignment to achieve the institution’s mission and strategic priorities.   
• Space usage will be consistent with university policies and in alignment with strategic plans and goals.    
• Space decisions should support improved efficiency, functionality, flexibility, and utilization. 
• Co-location of programmatically related activities should have a higher priority than co-location of non-programmatically related activities. 
• Schools, colleges, and units are expected to effectively manage their existing space allocation before making a request for additional space.    
• Space is owned by the Board of Trustees and allocation decisions are ultimately the President’s responsibility. Donor restrictions on space usage will be honored. 
• Academic activities, classrooms and research space, have priority over administrative activities such as offices. 
• Space assignments that save money, enhance revenues or encourage interdisciplinary interaction will be given priority. Synergistic or like activities should be housed in proximity to one another. 
• Any space vacated by relocation or program changes is allocated back to the University. Any space may be reallocated to optimize productive use at any time. 
• Space specifically allocated for time-limited uses (i.e., grants) reverts to unassigned status after completion of the specified time period, and must be vacated by the user. Extensions will be considered as needed if the space remains available.  
• Moves that impact accreditation, audit, etc. will take priority.