Planning, Space Management and Capital Projects
Planning
One of the responsibilities of the Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) division 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 (WMU).
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Space Management
The PDC division provides space management for WMU, including evaluating and providing recommendations and processing requests for space changes with the Space Advisory Committee. PDC 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 WMU 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.
Space allocation guidelines
University-wide office space allocation guidelines provide a consistent framework for assigning and managing office space across WMU. The guidelines support equitable space allocation, efficient utilization, long-term planning, and alignment with institutional priorities and industry best practices.
Applicable to new construction, renovations, space reassignments and periodic utilization reviews, these standards help ensure that University space resources are managed strategically and consistently across all divisions.
PDC, in coordination with SAC, oversees the implementation of these guidelines. University-wide standards take precedence over individual college, school or departmental space practices. Any exceptions require formal review and approval.
Capital Projects
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 capital projects
Recently completed capital projects
- West Hills Modernization
Capital outlay requests
- Knauss Hall Renovation and Addition