What is OSM?
The Office of Space Management
OSM runs the central or 'shared' space at UofT.Let's say department "X" has a building with 45 classrooms, but they really only need 35. The remaining 10 classrooms can be designated as 'central' and their management is handed over to OSM. OSM takes over all the maintenance costs for the rooms, and rents out the space to departments across campus. If department "X" finds it sometimes needs more than 35 rooms, they can rent from OSM the 10 OSM rooms - in their building - when they need them. So OSM is "space on demand".
What's the Benefit?
The department benefits because it only pays for the maintenance of space that it actually uses. If a department is in a building larger than it requires, it can out-source (to OSM) the maintenance costs of the unused classrooms.The University benefits because it gains access (on a rental basis) to more square footage. If another department - department "Y" - sometimes needs 3 rooms more than it has in its building, it can rent out the unused space in department "X"'s building.
This is the UofT ecosystem: a community of departments that maintain a healthy autonomy while still being able to reap benefits of belonging to a much larger community.
How does it work?
Departments and groups can rent OSM rooms and spaces through our website. Academic departments are given booking priority. If you have general University space usage requests, contact our office.
For these rooms, OSM becomes responsible for booking, room equipment and furnishings, and technical support - in short, everything inside the room envelope. But if it's not an OSM (or 'central') room, than OSM won't be able to help you with booking or technology. In that case you'll have to find out who owns and operates the space you want, and contact them.
How does OSM make the University better?
OSM makes space usage at the University more efficient. It allows blocks of space on campus to be defined by who uses them - not just by which building they are in.
What else?
Because OSM spends so much time handling classrooms for all different sorts of departments we are the classroom experts.
OSM creates and implements standards for classroom design, providing specifications for our own rooms and consultation advice on other builds and renovations. We work closely with manufacturers to select the most usable (and durable) classroom furnishings, and develop audio-visual systems in-house in conjunction with major suppliers. This includes working with accessibility services in providing the space and furnishings required for the broad spectrum of student physical needs in the classroom. Test and Exam Services, a test centre catering to specific needs, is under OSM jurisdiction.
OSM is not just rooms in buildings. We manage Convocation Hall (a one-classroom building), Test and Exam Services (in the Exam center), the Exam Center, and Front campus field (a shared University resource).
In addition, the office books and monitors commercial film productions on campus and manages private photography appointments.
(sign by the elevator on the 4th floor of the McMurrich building)
