Monday Memo Announcement
September 22, 2025
UC Merced has launched a campus-wide study, supported by multiple divisions, to evaluate how administrative and academic office spaces are used and how often they are occupied. The findings will primarily support more efficient and effective use of existing campus space, while also informing future planning and design.
To support this effort, POPD Space, Capital Planning & Real Estate (SCPRE) will use a range of data collection methods tailored to each space, including direct observations and sensor-based technologies. Student employees will conduct brief, unobtrusive walkthroughs to verify occupancy, while sensor systems will analyze WiFi and Bluetooth signals to estimate occupant numbers. All data will be anonymized to reflect general occupancy levels without identifying individuals.
Beginning the week of September 29, buildings with office space may be visited periodically through November 14 to conduct scheduled space audits. Additional data collection methods, including sensors and WiFi triangulation, will also be deployed in select buildings during this period. More information can be found by visiting the SCPRE website.
Return to Campus Space Study Page
