Facilities Strategy

Overview

The Facilities Strategy is designed to support Northeastern University London’s (the University) mission by ensuring that the physical or online environment (‘Facilities’) in which the students’ teaching takes place is of the standard required.     

Overarching Approach 

The overarching approach that should be taken by the University in relation to Facilities is to ensure that the audiences to which the University is responsible; students, staff, visitors and other people who use our Facilities can enjoy them in a safe way. Secondly to advance the University’s Mission in a way that strikes a balance between sustainability, affordability and utility.  

In practice this means that the University adopts best practice in terms of health and safety and is continually seeking ways to use its building(s) or online capabilities efficiently in providing a high-quality learning environment.

Objectives

The Facilities objectives of the University are to: 

• Provide a top-quality learning environment that is safe and legally compliant and which best utilitises the resources of the University, the Northeastern University’s Global Campus System and the surrounding location. 
• Anticipate and respond to changing students and staff numbers and requirements. 
• Prevent injury to people and damage to buildings and equipment.

These objectives will be achieved by: 

• The University’s approach is to rent, on a long-term basis, core accommodation in central London. By core this means a building(s) where teaching and administration of the University can take place as well as areas for students and faculty to interact and socialize outside of the classroom environment. 
• In addition, where class size or lack of availability dictates, alternative arrangements will be made.
• Once additional long term rental accommodation is required due to a growth in student numbers, Northeastern London Board will review and agree upon further long-term accommodation to be leased.
• Allied to this approach is the use of Senate House library as the key physical library facility and access to Northeastern’s library and online resources. There is a contract between Senate House and the University and includes the placing of collections for the sole use of Northeastern University London students within Senate House.                
• In the medium term reviewing the building(s) being rented long term by the University to ensure that they fulfil the requirements being placed on them. 
• Using external experts to ensure that we are compliant with Health and Safety requirements. 
• Ensure that those rooms/spaces being rented by the University on a short term, ad hoc basis are compliant with all relevant Health and Safety regulations and are fit for the purpose for which they are being rented.  
• Having robust systems for online delivery of teaching or a hybrid mixture of online and face to face delivery.    
• Preparing contingency plans in case of issues with the buildings occupied. 
• Having adequate insurance in place where this is deemed to be cost effective.

Allocation of Roles and Communication of Expectations

Northeastern London Board has ultimate responsibility for the Facilities used by the University.

This is delegated to Executive Committee (ExCo), and with ExCo specifically the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and from him/her to the Director of Resourcing and Operations 

As required, the Dean of Faculties will report to the Academic Board in relation to any facility issues, taking the lead from the work done by the CEO for Northeastern London Board and ensuring that, in addition, any facility issues specifically relating to the remit of Academic Board are covered.