Page 147 - 2020 Statistical Abstract

Facilities

Of the 35,467,021 square feet of assignable space in Fall 2019, research institutions occupied 48.7%,

comprehensive teaching institutions 31.1%, technical colleges 18.6%, and two-year regional campuses of

USC 1.5%. Assignable area can be identified either by function category or room classification. These are
separate categorization systems assigning each defined area within a facility with both a function and room

classification. Room function categories determine the service the space is being utilized to provide; for
example, in Fall 2019 the function auxiliary enterprises accounted for the largest use of assignable space at

11,898,292 square feet. Room classification determines the specific use of a space the majority of the time;

for example, in Fall 2019 the room classification office space accounted for the largest use of assignable
space at 6,480,507 square feet.

The CHE collects facilities data from all public institutions three times a year. Institutions provide room
identification data along with course data, allowing for the calculation of facility utilization metrics, such as

the percentage of student station utilization. These metrics were designed to assess institutional

performance compared against standard benchmarks set by the South Carolina General Assembly in
collaboration with the State’s public colleges and universities.

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