The Space Committee advises the executive cabinet in maximizing utility of existing space and accommodating university growth in appropriately sized and modern facilities through space reassignment, the annual call process, and capital project opportunities.

Space Planning and Assignment

Guided by the university's Space Assignment Policy, the Space Committee monitors the facilities needs of all university departments and functions and make changes to space assignments when necessary to enable the ongoing renewal and renovation of the entire campus. Special consideration is given to avoid disruption to instruction, research activities, student life and university services.

The Space Committee also provides oversight of the planning, design and construction of capital projects on behalf of the executive cabinet.

Annual Calls

The Annual Call process was developed for the solicitation, review and prioritization of the campus requests for facilities upgrades, renovations, and equipment.  The process results in a prioritized list of projects and equipment for the near term and upcoming fiscal years.  The projects incorporated into the Annual Plan reflect the university's overall strategic vision, campus master plans, and academic initiatives.  For efficiency, three (3) Annual Calls have been rolled into one Annual Call process and timeline: 

  1. Annual Call - Submit requests for space improvements or requests for planning studies.  The spaces can be specific to your department or they can be common public areas, interior or exterior.
  2. Research Infrastructure Annual Call - A new UMass Lowell process developed to support the planning, prioritization, and funding of research-related infrastructure projects across campus.  It is intended to complement the Equipment Call by addressing broader infrastructure needs that enable and sustain research activity, including upgrades, renovations, and shared research environments. 
  3. Equipment Annual Call - The equipment call is open to all equipment requests; however, priority will be given to equipment for instructional spaces.  Capital equipment is defined as equipment not permanently affixed to buildings, has a useful life greater than two years and has a unit cost of $5,000 or more. 

Annual Call requests are submitted through the Deans and Vice Chancellors. More information on the Annual Call.

Office Space Guidelines

To ensure equitable allocation of appropriately sized office space, the Executive Cabinet has adopted Office Space Guidelines for Space Committee and Facilities Management to plan and make recommendations for capital projects and space assignments.

The Space Request Process

To submit a request to the Space Committee, please inform your Dean or Associate Vice Chancellor of your space request and ask them to contact their Space Committee representative. Requests may also be submitted to Facilities Planning by email: planning@uml.edu. 

Space Committee Members

Co-Chairs

  • Noureddine Melikechi, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
  • Brian Arrigo, Deputy Chief Finance and Operations Officer, Administration and Finance

Members

  • Brenda Evans, Dean, Student Affairs and Wellness
  • Mary Gallant, Dean, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences
  • Anne Maglia, Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation
  • Mai Nguyen, Registrar, Office of the Registrar
  • Leanne Peters, Executive Director, Planning, Design and Construction, Facilities Management
  • Jean Robinson, Associate Vice Chancellor, Facilities Management
  • Susan Roberts, Dean, College of Engineering
  • Craig Thomas, Director, Urban and Community Development
  • Richard Yeager, Director, Planning and Facilities Information Systems, Facilities Management