Planning, Space Management and Capital Projects

One of the responsibilities of the Division of Planning, Space Management and Capital Projects is campus planning. This includes both facility planning and master planning.

Facility planning involves connecting the users of a physical space with the people who manage and maintain it, as well as with the architects and designers who construct it. A building is simply a building—facility planning ensures that Western's buildings and facilities are used in a way that benefits its users and achieves its full potential.

Master planning deals with the entire physical campus, not just individual buildings or spaces. It looks at how successfully the physical space of the campus supports the University's goals, mission and obligations.

Campus planning is important in supporting the University's vision to be "learner centered, discovery driven and globally engaged". This is an essential focus when planning each new development for Western Michigan University.

Related links

• Master Plans
• Five-year Capital Outlay Master Plan Reports
• State Required Use and Finance Reports

The Planning, Space Management and Capital Projects Division provides space management for Western Michigan University, including evaluating and providing recommendations and processing requests for space changes with the Space Advisory Committee. Planning, Design and Construction representative(s) is a non-voting member of the Space Advisory Committee.

Generally, departments and/or divisions will manage space assignments in their own areas. However, departments and/or divisions must engage the Space Advisory Committee (SAC) when a project includes any of the following:

• Space assignment or re-assignment crosses divisions.
• Planning renovation cost equals or exceeds one-million dollars ($1M).
• Changes to the primary function of a room, where within or across departments/divisions.
• New construction request (addition or new building).

Space Management Policy

Goal

To assure all University owned, occupied or leased spaces at the Western Michigan University campuses in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek are properly managed.

Objectives

Objectives of the University space management system are to:

• Maintain and provide a space inventory, including architectural floor plans and related text data.
• Provide meaningful data analysis and modeling of existing and projected space needs.
• Conduct on-going facility audits with the objective of physically verifying all spaces on campus.
• Conduct a review of space allocation on a periodic basis.
• Enable informed decisions and the equitable allocation of space through the Space Advisory Committee.

What is a capital project?

Capital Projects involve planning, design and construction by professional teams working with a variety of WMU stakeholder groups. These projects can have a focus on academic or residence life facilities, as well as campus infrastructure. Each capital project must reflect the University's strategic goals and objectives.

Current projects

• New Residence Hall
• Pedestrian Green Space
• West Hills Modernization

Recently completed projects

View some of our recently completed projects.

Capital outlay requests

• Knauss Hall Renovation and Addition