Dear Future Downtown Campus Center Staff,
Move-in is almost around the corner for UC Merced’s newest building: the University of California, Merced Downtown Campus Center (DCC). Prominently located at the corner of 18th and N Street, the three-story, sustainable building has been designed as a beautiful, modern work environment that is also conducive to teamwork and collaboration.
This note includes some of the latest information as we get ready for this exciting next step in UC Merced’s growth.
1. Furniture Plans have been finalized and a Move-in Schedule is under development
With the help of many UC Merced staff, the project team has finalized the building’s “neighborhoods” and furniture plans. In addition, a preliminary move–in schedule is being reviewed. Please be sure to stop by the Promenade Lobby in Building A to see a mockup of a typical DCC workstation featuring electric sit-to-stand capabilities, as well as a sample treadmill desk and a sample laptop-friendly seating pod. The construction team will begin installing furniture, network and audiovisual equipment in November.
2. Building tours are available October 6th through December 15th
Beginning October 6th, the project team is offering tours of the new building for groups of incoming staff. Each tour can accommodate up to ten staff members and will be held every Monday and every Friday, October 6th through December 15th from 8 - 9 am. Please note that while hard hats and safety vests will be provided, closed toe shoes are required. Your team may contact Joanie Leidich at (209) 228-4043 or jleidich@ucmerced.edu to reserve a date for your group to tour the DCC. Additional information will be available on the DCC website before the end of September.
3. Operations, Parking and Arts Committees Updates
As the first moves will begin in only four months, it is time to begin to define how the DCC will operate on a day-to-day basis. To that end, the DCC Governance Board has created three new working committees composed mostly of DCC occupants:
· The DCC Operations Planning Committee
· The DCC Parking and Security Committee
· The DCC Arts and Culture Committee
These advisory committees will assist the DCC Governance Board in the review, approval and dissemination of topic specific policies and preferences.
Operations Planning Committee convened
The DCC Operations Planning Committee is focused on developing plans for operating the printer and breakrooms as well as guidelines for matters such as reserving and booking the focus, huddle and conference rooms.
Parking and Security Committee convened
The DCC Security and Parking Committee is working hard to develop parking instructions and security protocols for the DCC.
Arts and Culture Committee seeks members
The Arts and Culture Committee is charged with developing recommendations for decorating the walls in the conference rooms and public areas and guidelines for personalizing the neighborhoods. The Arts and Culture Committee will meet for the first time the week of October 9th and membership is open to any new DCC occupant that would like to get involved in the discussion. If you are interested in helping to form the culture of the new DCC, please contact Joanie Leidich directly at jleidich@ucmerced.edu.
4. DCC Website launches in late September; Digitization effort in phased implementation
In late September, UC Merced Space Planning and Analysis will launch a new Downtown Campus Center website for the campus community. The new web presence will make it easier for campus staff to stay up to date as January approaches.
In addition, a scanning and digitization project for important files is moving forward in phases. More will be available on this related, but separate, project shortly.
Thank you for your patience over the past 18 months. I especially want to applaud the very fine work of Maggie Saunders, Allison Costa and Sara Anastos from UC Merced Space Planning and Analysis on organizing this stage of the Downtown Campus Center effort. If you have any questions, please just send a note to spaceplanning@ucmerced.edu.
E. Edw. Klotzbier
