Allocating research space in the university medical center: use of a mathematical formula

Allocation of research space often is one of the most emotional and contentious issues facing a university medical center. With decreasing dollars available for building new research laboratories in medical schools, the assignment of laboratory space to basic science and clinical departments presents a difficult problem for deans, chairmen, and faculty. In this article, the authors outline a formula in which net square feet of traditional research space (ie, wet-bench laboratories) may be allocated on the basis of research dollars, output of manuscripts and abstracts averaged over 3 years, and the number of personnel who will use the space. Caution is urged for arbitrarily applying a space formula when it does not apply, ie, nontraditional research, and when insufficient consideration has been given to the individual case. The formula is most useful when applied within a specific institution and primarily for comparative purposes. Nonetheless, once the formula is established, it provides an objective mechanism by which the need for space and the relative merits of space assignments within a department or among departments can be more effectively determined and managed.