Frederick Community College Facilities Master Plan Chapter 4 Needs Assessment 4-13 May 12, 2023 Utilization of Instructional Space Introduction Utilization analysis provides a measure of adequacy and how efficiently spaces are being used. The focus of this analysis is the regularly scheduled instructional spaces (classrooms and class laboratories). This utilization analysis does not measure other uses of instructional spaces such as for meetings, noncredit continuing education classes, or other uses that may not be regularly scheduled. Although other spaces, such as open laboratories, libraries and offices are used intensely, their use is not scheduled, therefore, not lending themselves to utilization analysis with any degree of confidence. Information and findings are presented that represent the results of an analysis of readily available input data pertinent to the utilization of instructional spaces. Utilization focuses on both classroom and class laboratory/studio space. Nevertheless, a preface is appropriate with reference to classrooms. Although efficient use of all spatial resources is important, classrooms offer the best barometer of whether or not space is being used efficiently and effectively. When determining the enrollment capacity of a campus, the focus should be on classroom space. This is because nearly every student needs and uses classroom space, while only some students use all other kinds of space. Most other kinds of space will not impact an institution’s enrollment capacity. While it is generally understood that it is impossible to use classrooms every hour of the day, there are always opportunities to improve their utilization. The primary reason that utilization goals that approach 100% are not realistic is that the use of classrooms is market driven. That is that both students and faculty, for varying reasons, prefer certain times of the day and week for attending and teaching classes. There are many factors that can impact the utilization of instructional spaces. Some factors that can adversely affect utilization can be directly influenced by the College, such as: Incomplete or inaccurate facilities databases such as facilities inventory and course data Non-standardized course starting and ending times Non-standardized course meeting times Tablet armchair seating Outdated technology Oversized classrooms Antiquated layout and physical condition Frederick Community College would have more difficulty influencing other factors that can impact utilization of classrooms: Student preference for class times Faculty preference for class times Competition with laboratory sections Competition with continuing education courses Time constraints of the working student Time constraints of the adjunct faculty Student course loads The consultants used the inventory of assignable spaces and floor plans as well as course enrollment data provided by FCC for the 2019 fall semester to use as the basis for preliminary analysis of how classroom and class laboratory spaces are used. For the most part, these two sources were used without field or major data clean-up. In order to insure adequate data linkage and consistency, only data with complete
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