Functionalization Definitions

This table contains descriptions for the various functionalization (sometimes referred to as cost pool or usage) categories which are utilized for indirect cost recovery (ICR) negotiations.Ìý These definitions and codes are what has been used in the past and will be updated soon for the current ICR survey period.Ìý Each specific room on campus is classified with one or more functionalizations based on the usage of the space.Ìý Download an Excel copy of this table here.Ìý There can be more than one functionalizationÌýper organization per room; visit the Room OrganizationÌýand FunctionalizationÌýSplits page to learn more.

*Updated on 02/08/2022
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Space Optimization Functionalization Definitions
FunctionalizationCodeDescription
Instruction/Departmental ResearchINDepartmental Research includes space used for general research that is not organized research and is not separately budgeted and accounted for. Preliminary research and individual research efforts that do not receive external or specific internal funding are also included.Ìý Seed money or start up funds; funds given to a new faculty member so they can conduct some research in the hopes of getting external awards or funding in a space, are also included.Ìý Included as well are bridge money or funding; funds given to a faculty member when one external award ends and another one has not yet started.Ìý Instruction is included as well which is space used for course preparation and grading, academic advising, or actual teaching for credit, summer, or non-credit course. Classrooms and class labs are normally associated with this function.Ìý Sponsored Instruction is included which is space used for sponsored training activities (other than training in research techniques) including course preparation, classroom instruction, study areas for students, space of graduate research assistants working on their thesis, academic advising of students by faculty, and any other activities that involve credit and non-credit courses that are funded by a grant, contract or cooperative agreement.
Organized ResearchREOrganized Research includes: Sponsored research, which is space used for research that is separately budgeted and accounted for, and projects funded from outside sources (federal and non federal).Ìý University Research, which is space used for internally funded separately budgeted and accounted for projects where an individual applied for funds through a formal competitive application process.ÌýResearch Training, which includes space used for activities involving the training of individuals in research techniques. Space used for departmental research, professional development and other faculty activities should be included in the Instruction/Departmental Research function defined in the above section.
Departmental AdministrationDAIncludes space used for the administration of Colleges, Schools and Academic Departments. It includes offices occupied by deans, department chairs, departmental administrators and other managerial, administrative and clerical support staff. Also included are facilities such as shops, storage rooms, darkrooms, copy rooms and computer labs, etc. that support both the Instruction and Research functions when users of those facilities are not charged for the services provided. Included as well is common space utilized by the entire department such as conference rooms or break rooms.Ìý
General AdministrationGAIncludes space occupied by the general executive and administrative offices of the University. It includes such offices as the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellors for Academic Affairs and Administration, accounting, budget, buying andÌýcontracting, human resources and payroll.
LASP- Instruction/Departmental ResearchL-INThe Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP)Ìýis a research institute that has a separately negotiated F&A rate. As such, a distinct coding for LASP is followed.Ìý
LASP- Organized ResearchL-RE
LASP-ÌýDepartmental AdministrationL-DA
LASP- General AdministrationL-GA
Sponsored Project AdministrationSPIncludes space used by units established primarily to administer the sponsored programs of the University. This includes space used by the Vice Chancellor for Research, Office of Contracts and Grants, and Research Financial Services.
Student Services AdministrationSAIncludes space used for the administration of student affairs and for services provided to students. This would include the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and related organizational units, the Registrar and the Admissions office.
Operations & MaintenanceOMIncludes space associated with the operation, maintenance, preservation and protection of the University’s physical plant and buildings. It includes the space occupied by Facilities Management, Warehouse and Property Management, Security, Environmental Health & Safety and Research Properties.
LibraryLIIncludes space used by the main Library system including Norlin and the branch libraries for Business, Earth Science, Engineering, Math/Physics, Music and Law. Space in academic departments for departmental libraries, reading rooms, collections, etc. should be included in the Departmental Administration function unless funding and catalog reference services are provided by the main library.
Other Sponsored ActivitiesOSOther Sponsored Activities includes space used for an activity that is neither research or instructional, but is funded by an external source (grant, contract, cooperative agreement).Ìý Also included is space used for public service that is externally funded.Ìý Examples of programs and projects are health service projects, drug studies (human subjects), community service programs, etc.
Other Institutional ActivitiesOIIncludes space used to conduct allowable activities not defined as Instruction, Research, Administration, or Operations & Maintenance as well as space used for public service that is NON externally sponsored. The OI function mainly includes space occupied by auxiliary operations that charge for services provided and are considered self-supporting as well as space rented to any outside organizations. Examples of auxiliary operations include dormitories, residential apartments, dining halls, conference centers, fitness centers, copy centers and the student bookstore. Examples of space rented to outside organizations include the credit union, shops in the UMC, and state and Federal government agencies and other non-profit research organizations renting space from Research Property Services. Specialized Service Center space is classified as OI but the space of Other Internal Service Centers is classified according to the functions of each internal service center’s applicable customer base.Ìý If space cannot be classified elsewhere, use OI.
Intergovernmental Personnel Act RateIPFor more information on this and when this rate applies, refer toÌý U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 's website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/intergovernment-personnel-act/
UnallowableUAIncludes the space of activities that are not allocable to Federally sponsored programs. Unallowable activities include Institutional Relations, Alumni Association, University Foundation and Development, and the President’s Residence.
Unassigned/VacantUNIncludes any assignable space not currently assigned to a department. Examples of unassigned space include vacant offices and offices in transition.Ìý This is space that is not being used now and is expected to be vacant for more than six months of the fiscal year.Ìý
NonassignableNAIncludes common areas of a building used for systems or traffic.Nonassignable space include corridors, stairwells, restrooms, mechanical, telecom, custodial, etc.
ExcludedEXUsed to track excluded spaces includingÌý open to below spaces/vertical penetrations (not shafts), roofs, structural, and exterior elements.
UnusedÌýConsists of space that is currently not being used for any purpose. In most cases the space is under renovation and will be used again in the near future. The Unused function is also assigned to the space in buildings that will no longer be used by the University and will either be sold or demolished.

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