Campus Space Management

In fall 2025, the university launched the Campus Space Management Program based on recommendations from the campus space use study conducted in 2024 and final report received in spring 2025. The study was done in partnership with SmithGroup, a consultant specializing in space and design planning, and is the result of the hard work and dedication of many people across campus.

The Campus Space Management Program is a proactive measure that will allow the university to maximize its current space to best meet the needs of our students and employees as well as plan for future growth. This program will also develop a framework for aligning opportunities and needs regarding campus space with other university-wide planning efforts.

Objectives for the program include:

  • Establishing a campus space management governance structure with broad campus representation
  • Aligning space management policies and related business processes
  • Providing data-informed and transparent decision-making around space management, space allocations, and capital planning efforts
  • Developing solutions to optimize existing space
  • Gaining a better understanding of current space utilization and how space needs may evolve
  • Implementing recommendations from the campus space use study

To support this initiative, a tiered committee structure has been established that includes an Executive Committee (EC) and Advisory Committee (AC). The EC is comprised of the following members, or designees:

  • Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
  • Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration
  • Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
  • Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

The AC members are selected by the EC and include representatives from academic and administrative units across campus. The AC advises on space management topics and proposes solutions to meet campus space needs. Subcommittees may be established by the AC to provide input on specific space typologies and space management topics as deemed appropriate.

In addition, the Campus Space Management Program is supported by two new positions: a director of research infrastructure and a director of space management.

For more information about the program, contact Natalie Emmons, project manager and director of strategic academic affairs, at nemmons@uark.edu.