Assigning Research Lab Space: Difference between revisions

Revised Date: '''12/14/15'''<br />

Reviewed Date: '''12/14/15'''<br />

==Basis for Policy==

Rapid expansion of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) research enterprise has led directly to the development of a merit-based system for assignment of research space. This policy exists to ensure that the procedure for assignment of research space is transparent and that all research space assignments are subject to the same evaluation criteria and standards. This policy applies to all research laboratory space on the UNMC campus and is based upon research expenditures. Research expenditures are more stable than grant/contract award data and are in alignment with the methodology utilized by the NU system. Decisions regarding assignment of laboratory space will be made by the UNMC Research Space Committee in conjunction with the appropriate college dean or institute director. It is expected that Deans, Directors and Chairs will collaborate with the Office of Research to ensure that the assignment of research space under their aegis aligns with this policy.

Research space assignments will be reviewed annually by the Office of Research Resources with status reports being issued to college deans, institute directors and department chairs. Deans, directors and chairs are considered stewards of the space their faculty occupy and will be able to use these reports as tools to ensure thatresearch space assignments are in alignment with this policy. Upon a lapse in research expenditures, investigators will have an appropriate grace period to re-establish funding. The exact duration of the grace period will be determined by the overall needs of the UNMC research community, but will not exceed three (3) years. <br />

Research space vacated when a researcher leaves UNMC reverts to unassigned status under the control of the appropriate UNMC Research Space Committee (comprised of VCR and Facilities Management and Planning leadership along with the relevant college dean/institute director and department chair and other representatives as designated). Investigators who have been most successful in attracting extramural federal funding will be given the highest priority for the UNMC Type A laboratories.  

A space plan for location and amount of space should be discussed and agreed upon with the VCR Office prior to the faculty signing their employment contract. However, the final location of the space and evacuation of that space will not be initiated until the faculty recruit has signed and returned the proposed contract.

*Type A, state of the art laboratories (e.g., those in the Durham Research Centers, Lied Transplant Center, Scott Research Tower, Lozier Center or renovated Eppley Cancer Institute);

*Type B, older laboratories that are useable (e.g. Wittson Hall, Williams Science Hall , College of Dentistry, Eppley Science Hall, Munroe Meyer Institute);  

*Type C, older laboratories that require renovation to be useable (e.g. some in Eppley Science Hall).  

Research space may be requested by using the appropriate college or institute Space Request Procedure (links can be found at the bottom of this page or are under construction). Research space requests will be considered by the appropriate UNMC Research Space Committee (comprised of VCR and FMP leadership along with the relevant College Dean / Institute Director and Department Chair and other representatives as designated). A response to the request can be expected within one month.