College and university leaders across the country are wondering how they can improve their campus facilities and plan for a post-pandemic future. The traditional campus environment is going to change and grow, as new practices and distance learning become more normalized. In this growth, campus leaders may find that many of their campus spaces have been underutilized. This scenario presents a new challenge, but this is also an opportunity to think about how higher education missions can evolve and how institutions can thrive in our post-pandemic world.

Space utilization is essential in all campus aspects – in classrooms, lounge areas, cafeterias, dorm rooms, libraries and more. There are so many ways to utilize precious space, and when making that a high priority, campus leaders will see how much more space they have for students and teachers alike. Taking the time to create a utilized space will make schools more flexible and resilient for the future to come.

Classrooms

Utilizing spaces that are used every day is arguably the most important part of campus space planning. Classrooms are some of the most used spaces on college campuses and it is essential to keep them neat and organized. Classrooms need the proper storage solutions so students have enough space for chairs and desks, and teachers have enough space for their desk and belongings. But in order to prepare for the future classroom, we have to leave room for potential social distancing. It is also a good idea to allow classroom seating some flexibility, because moving around and sitting in different spots boosts student learning and productivity.

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Spacesaver Day Use Lockers mounted on a carriage-and-rail system serve as the basis for the movable room dividers. The partitions can be pushed together at one end of the room to create a large, open space for guest speakers or other events, or they can be moved anywhere along the rails to create smaller spaces for collaboration or independent work. Lockers in a variety of sizes and configurations are designed to accommodate personal belongings and students’ work in progress. The partitions also feature whiteboards and monitors to facilitate collaboration, and furniture on casters adds even more flexibility to the space.

Libraries

Campus libraries are often the most important space that students and faculty can utilize. In the library, the world’s information is right at your fingertips, and the quiet atmosphere gives you the time and focus you need to get to work. However, without the right storage solutions, many campus libraries won’t be able to keep on collecting books. They will eventually run out of space, and they will be forced to throw away priceless pieces of their collections.

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Spacesaver High-Bay Shelving is the perfect storage solution for any active library. This storage solution allows you to fully maximize your floor space and double the storage capacity as compared to that of conventional high-bay archival shelving. This means doubled storage capacity or potentially smaller building footprints. Most books, bound journals or other paper archival collections absorb moisture like sponges and must be stored in humidity and temperature controlled warehouse facilities to avoid damage or degradation. The costs to keep and operate these buildings can be extensive, and the bigger the warehouse, the larger the costs. Using a Spacesaver Mobile High-Bay system keeps your building footprint smaller. Less aisles are required for access so less floor space is used.

Labs

Storage for science labs is particularly challenging because labs need to provide plenty of space for students and researchers to work while also storing equipment and materials like fragile glassware and electronics, combustible fuel, and potentially hazardous chemicals.

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Spacesaver Locking Steel Anatomy Lab Cabinets are the perfect solution for any college lab. These storage units will keep expensive lab equipment safe and dry and will utilize the rest of the classroom to its utmost capacity. In many college curriculums, hands-on lab activities are absolutely vital and allow students to gain a more complete understanding of their scientific field of choice. By using these storage cabinets, campuses will be able to store these expensive items in their lab rooms while also leaving room for tables, chairs, books and other essential lab room items.

Taking the time to create a utilized space will make schools more flexible and resilient for the future to come.

A Flexible Future

By utilizing campus spaces, there will be more room for the things that matter most. There will be more room for students to learn, grow, and to experience what college has to offer. As we navigate higher education during the aftermath of the pandemic, it becomes as apparent as ever that education is going to keep evolving, and our storage solutions need to evolve with it.

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