Columbia University Department of Medicine Space Policy

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1. All research-related space allocated to the Department of Medicine by the University remains under the stewardship of the Chairman and the Vice-Chair of Research. This includes laboratories, offices, equipment rooms, cold rooms, and other storage rooms. When a Division relinquishes space because an investigator vacates due to retirement, resignation, or failure to obtain grant support, stewardship of the space reverts to the Department of Medicine, NOT the previously-occupying Division. It is possible that the Division will be allocated the space again at some time in the future, but there is no guarantee.


2. Allocation of laboratory space is dictated by the programmatic needs of the Department. While high funding density is desirable and deserving of recognition, it does not per se determine space allocation. Increases in grant support will thus not necessarily result in greater space allocations.


3. Divisional allocations of laboratory space are under continuous review, and decisions about space rest ultimately with the Chairman. In general:


1. Commitments of new space must be adequately used within two years of allocation;
2. Both new and existing space can be reallocated after two years if there is not adequate funding. Major NIH funding can go through two reasonable cycles of review before space is lost; allocation can be extended only with percentiles better than 30%;
3. Priority for space will be given to independent investigators with NIH support or other peer-reviewed funding. Priority will be given to allocations of space to younger faculty rather than to the expansion of existing facilities for established investigators. Although priority will be given to NIH and other peer-reviewed funding, industrial funding can also be used as a measure for assigning space.


4. The extent of an investigator's contributions to Departmental activities will be an element in consideration of assigning laboratory space.


5. To request additional laboratory space, equipment space, shared storage space, offices, or construction plans related to research in the Department of Medicine, the Division Chiefs must submit the Department of Medicine Research Space Request online. The Division Chiefs and investigators involved will be contacted in writing with a decision after the next monthly meeting of the Space Committee.


6. Even if the Division intends to be responsible for all logistics and costs associated with research space allocation and modification, the Chairman must still approve all Departmental space changes.


7. Under no circumstances will any faculty, administrator, or staff member have more than one office at a time.


8. Shared spaces such as equipment rooms, freezer rooms, and cold rooms are under the auspices of the Department of Medicine, not individual divisions. The Department will perform an annual audit of shared areas to enforce a fair distribution of space for freezers, refrigerators, supplies, centrifuges, incubators, etc.