Universities and colleges are a critical component of the nation's research system. The condition and availability of research facilities at these institutions influence the work of current and future scientists. Recognizing the need for information on the amount and quality of scientific and engineering (S&E) research space, Congress mandated that the National Science Foundation gather this information and report it to Congress. This document reports on the results of a 1994 survey on the nation's academic research facilities and places these findings in historical context by comparing current results with those from earlier surveys. Key questions regarding S&E research space in research-performing universities and colleges include: (1) How much space is available for S&E research, and how has this changed over time? (2) How much more space is needed? (3) How good is the existing space, and what improvements are needed? (4) What is being done to address these needs? (5) Where does the money come from? and (6) What more remains to be done? The final section profiles Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and a select group of academic institutions that are primarily oriented to undergraduate education. Appendixes include technical notes, lists of sampled institutions, and the survey questionnaire. Contains 12 references. (ZWH)