Facilities Management Assessment (BRICK & MORTAR INSTITUTIONS)

The Facilities Management Assessment (FMA) is a standard used by the Global Education Accrediting Commission (GEAC) to evaluate an institution's management of its physical facilities. The FMA is designed to ensure that an institution's facilities are safe, healthy, accessible, and conducive to learning. This overview will be divided into several sections to provide a detailed understanding of the FMA.

I. Purpose of the FMA
The primary purpose of the FMA is to evaluate an institution's management of its physical facilities to ensure that they provide a safe, healthy, accessible, and conducive learning environment for students. The FMA assesses the quality and adequacy of the institution's facilities, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, dormitories, dining halls, athletic facilities, and administrative offices.

II. Components of the FMA
The FMA has several components that assess different aspects of an institution's facilities management, including:

A. Safety and Security
The FMA assesses an institution's efforts to maintain safe and secure facilities. This includes evaluating the institution's emergency preparedness plans, fire safety measures, security protocols, and building maintenance practices.

B. Health and Sanitation
The FMA evaluates an institution's management of health and sanitation in its facilities. This includes assessing the cleanliness of facilities, the availability and quality of sanitation facilities, and the institution's efforts to prevent the spread of disease.

C. Accessibility
The FMA assesses the accessibility of an institution's facilities to ensure that they are available and accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. This includes evaluating the institution's approach to accommodating students with disabilities and providing access to facilities for all students.

D. Sustainability
The FMA evaluates an institution's efforts to maintain sustainable facilities. This includes assessing the institution's energy and water conservation practices, waste reduction efforts, and use of environmentally friendly materials.

III. Process of the FMA
The FMA process involves several steps, including:

A. Self-Evaluation
Institutions seeking accreditation must first conduct a self-evaluation of their facilities management practices. This self-evaluation is used to identify any areas of weakness or opportunities for improvement.

B. External Review
After the self-evaluation, an external team of evaluators visits the institution to conduct an evaluation of the institution's facilities management practices. This evaluation includes interviews with staff, a review of relevant documents, and an assessment of the institution's physical facilities.

C. Report and Recommendations
The external team of evaluators prepares a report detailing their findings and recommendations regarding the institution's facilities management practices. This report is submitted to the GEAC committee for review and a final decision.

IV. Benefits of the FMA
The FMA provides several benefits for institutions seeking accreditation, including:

A. Improved Facilities Management
The FMA helps institutions improve the quality, safety, and sustainability of their physical facilities, ensuring that students have a safe and healthy learning environment.

B. Recognition of Excellence
Institutions that meet the FMA standards are recognized for their excellence in facilities management, demonstrating their commitment to providing students with a high-quality learning environment.

C. Ongoing Improvement
The FMA requires institutions to engage in ongoing evaluation and improvement of their facilities management practices, ensuring that they continue to provide students with the best possible learning environment.