The weeks leading up to summer break can be stressful for instructors and administrators, as they are ultimately responsible for inspecting and cleaning up their STEM education facilities to ensure a safer start the following academic year. In this article, the authors present a three-pronged approach to aid in safely closing down a makerspace or…

A facilities audit first helps establish priorities--which buildings have the greatest need based on the severity of their physical and functional problems. Second, it helps to forecast capital improvement funding needs for the next several years. (Author/MLF)

Guidelines are offered for setting priorities on neglected maintenance deficiencies: breaking down the aspects of buildings into various categories, and weightings within these categories; conducting a campus audit; and convincing the administration that the maintenance work recommended is vital to the institution's continued operation.…

Implementing a computer-aided facilities management program begins with establishing priorities, determining the computer capability available, and determining the necessary budget. A space planning and management model is presented with techniques for the collection and storage of the required data. (MLF)

Presents a quantitative method developed at Stanford University that allows administrators to accurately assess the future capital requirements necessary for renewal and replacement of campus buildings. (MLF)

Two years of homework resulted in approved funds for a major computer upgrade in a state institution. Discusses some major questions: academic need for three-campus community colleges, technical instructional needs, how larger computers can aid in the management and operation of the college, and agencies that might be served by new facility. (MLW)