Center for Facilities Research (CFaR)

CFaR Background

The Center for Facilities Research (CFaR) was established in 2002 by APPA to organize and consolidate research in educational facilities management. APPA promotes leadership in educational facilities for professionals seeking to build their careers, transform their institutions, and evaluate the value and recognition of facilities in education. APPA provides its members the opportunity to explore trends, issues, and best practices in educational facilities through research, publications, professional development, and credentialing.

CFaR Mission

The mission of CFaR is to advance the body of knowledge of facilities management through research, discovery, and innovation. To accomplish this mission, CFaR has been established by APPA to function through its Directors and project-specific Peer Review Panels. Adding to the information and body of knowledge related to educational facilities occurs at many levels. The development of information and knowledge may occur from simple inquiries between members to preparation for a presentation to specific, well-defined research projects.

CFaR Audience

Strategic connections between effective planning and facilities management may not always be obvious. The more that institutional administrators, Boards of Trustees or Regents, and legislators understand these links, the easier it will be to justify resources, make changes in modernization and renewal funding formulas, and develop consistent design and energy management standards in the areas of facilities and management.

The primary audiences for CFaR engagement are assistant/associate vice presidents for facilities, allied associations, as well as directors, managers, first-level supervisors, and front-line employees involved in facilities issues. Intended audiences also include other administrative areas within the college, university, or school environment such as the business office, information technology, environmental health and safety, state governing bodies, regulatory agencies, foundations, and federal agencies.