Finding temporary meeting space for recognized campus groups just got a lot simpler. With the launch of Phase I of Campus Room Finder (http://campusroomfinder.studentlife.utoronto.ca ) in May, an online and mobile friendly application, students from recognized campus group can search for available space at the St. George Campus that is managed through the Office of Space Management (OSM), Hart House and Student Life. This online database is searchable by date and allows for further filtering on features such as room type (i.e. classroom or general-purpose meeting room), accessibility, types of A/V equipment, etc. Detailed information on room size and capacity, location, images of the room and building address are also available in the room finder. Students can easily compare rooms, as well as save and email their search results for future reference. To simplify the booking process in Student Life managed space (Centre for International Experience, Multi-faith Centre and Sussex Clubhouse), a new online request form is available. For OSM and Hart House, students will need to contact these offices directly to book spaces for events and activities.
Campus Room Finder was developed in response to a recommendation of the Advisory Committee on the Temporary Use of Space (http://www.viceprovoststudents.utoronto.ca/actusdraft.htm ) that called for the development of a database of temporary spaces available for booking by internal groups and the ability to book regular meeting space during an entire semester. Other recommendations from the advisory committee were that the University minimize or eliminate the charges associated with student use of audio/visual equipment. To address this recommendation, Professor Jill Matus, Vice-Provost, Students announced the waiving of day-time A/V charges (Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for approximately 100 St. George classrooms that have standard teaching stations, and a trial project where the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students will cover most standard AV equipment charges for evening and weekend on-campus student group use. For further details, contact Joan Griffin (joan.griffin@utoronto.ca) in the Office of the Vice Provost Students.
“This application represents an impressive collaboration, with many coming together to help improve the student experience,” says Professor Jill Matus, Vice Provost, Students. “Firstly, it began as a recommendation from students on the advisory committee; secondly, OSM, student life and Hart House needed to work together to develop the database of rooms; and finally, the Office of Student Life provided the technical expertise to develop the web-friendly application itself.”
As part of Phase II, the Campus Room Finder database will be extended to include space managed by other offices, such as the Faculty of Arts and Science colleges.