Space allocation decisions in schools of allied health

Growth is continuing in schools of allied health in terms of faculty, enrollments, the use of university-based clinics and in the volume of training facilities required for allied health education. At the same time, budgets for future expansion of facilities are likely to become more stringent. Thus, the efficient allocation of physical space within schools of allied health is extremely important and it will become more important in future years. This paper examines procedures for evaluating space needs in allied health schools. A number of possible approaches, and their strengths and weaknesses, are explored. Influences of the physical environment--of which space is a primary component--on behavior is considered in the context of allied health education and their implications for space allocation are explored. The likely effects of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations on space utilization are also examined. Throughout the analysis recommendations are made for the safe and effective use of the available physical space within which allied health education occurs.