SCHEV Guidelines
Classroom utilization has become a very important topic at SCHEV (State Council of Higher Education in Virginia) over the past couple of years. In SCHEV’s publication “Guidelines for Higher Education Fixed Assets for Educational and General Programs” (dated February 10, 1995), very specific guidelines are stated for classroom utilization. They are as follows:
- CLASSROOMS
Within the educational and general space at an institution, the guideline for the utilization of all classroom stations (seats) is an average use of at least 24 hours a week. This guideline is the equivalent of using classrooms an average of 40 hours a week and filling an average of 60 percent of the stations in those classrooms when they are in use.
- CLASS LABORATORIES
Within the educational and general space of an institution, the guideline for the utilization of all class laboratory stations is an average use of at least 18 hours a week. This is the equivalent of using class laboratories an average of 24 hours a week and filling 75 percent of the stations in those laboratories when they are in use.
Definitions
- CLASSROOM (110)
A room used for scheduled classes and that is also not tied to a specific subject or discipline by equipment in the room or the configuration of the room. These rooms may be called lecture rooms, lecture-demonstration rooms, seminar rooms, and general purpose classrooms. A classroom may be furnished with special equipment (e.g., globes, pianos, maps) if this equipment does not render the room unsuitable for use by classes in other areas of study. At Virginia Tech, because of the general nature of classrooms, all "classrooms" are controlled by the Registrar.
- CLASS LABORATORY (210)
A room used primarily for formally or regularly scheduled classes that require special purpose equipment or a specific room configuration for student participation, experimentation, observation, or practice in an academic discipline. This special equipment normally limits or precludes the room's use by other disciplines. These rooms may be called teaching laboratories, instructional shops, typing or computer laboratories, drafting rooms, band rooms, choral rooms, (group) music practice rooms, language laboratories, (group) studios, theater stages areas used primarily for instruction, instructional health laboratories, and similar specially designed or equipped rooms, if they are used primarily for group instruction in formally or regularly scheduled classes.
- OPEN LABORATORY (220)
A laboratory used primarily for individual or group instruction that is informally scheduled, unscheduled, or open. It is designed for or furnished with equipment that serves the needs of a particular discipline or discipline group for individual or group instruction where 1) use of the room is not formally or regularly scheduled, or 2) access is limited to specific groups of students. These rooms may be called language labs, music practice rooms, studios, computer laboratories, etc.