Summer Space Use Optimization Initiative – Summer 2026
As part of UCLA's Strategic Plan initiative, Effective UCLA, and the university's ongoing commitment to responsible stewardship of campus resources, UCLA will continue its Summer Space Use Optimization Initiative for Summer 2026.
The initiative is designed to better understand the operational, energy, and sustainability benefits associated with concentrating summer academic and program activity into a smaller portfolio of campus spaces.
This initiative is distinct from facilities-related curtailment programs and heat-response measures and is coordinated separately to provide greater clarity, predictability, and advance planning for campus departments and building occupants.
Building on prior years' efforts, UCLA is implementing a targeted Summer 2026 operational strategy designed to improve understanding of summer space utilization and operational efficiency.
Key elements include:
- General assignment classrooms in designated buildings will be unavailable for scheduling and routine use from June 19 through September 11, 2026.
- Administrative, research, and support spaces will generally remain open and continue receiving Facilities Management services, including HVAC and custodial support.
- Service schedules may be adjusted based on occupancy and operational requirements.
- Select buildings or spaces will participate in targeted closure activities to evaluate operational, energy, and sustainability impacts.
- Most campus buildings will remain open under normal summer operations.
The removal of general assignment classrooms from summer scheduling does not mean an entire building is closed. Unless specifically identified below, buildings will remain open for approved administrative, research, and operational activities throughout the summer.
| Building | Space Impacted | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Boyer Hall | General assignment classrooms unavailable | June 19 – Sept 11 |
| Bunche Hall | General assignment classrooms unavailable | June 19 – Sept 11 |
| Dodd Hall | General assignment classrooms unavailable | June 19 – Sept 11 |
| Dodd Hall | Full building closure | June 27 – July 5 |
| Engineering IV | General assignment classrooms unavailable | June 19 – Sept 11 |
| Engineering V | General assignment classrooms unavailable | June 19 – Sept 11 |
| Hershey Hall | General assignment classrooms unavailable | June 19 – Sept 11 |
| Hershey Hall | Building closure on Fridays (except Aug. 14) | June 19 – Sept 11 |
| Rolfe Hall | General assignment classrooms unavailable | June 19 – Sept 11 |
| Royce Hall | General assignment classrooms unavailable | June 19 – Sept 11 |
| SEIS | General assignment classrooms unavailable | June 19 – Sept 11 |
| Young Hall | General assignment classrooms unavailable | June 19 – Sept 11 |
| Young Hall | Auditorium rooms CS24, CS50, and CS76 closed | June 19 – Sept 11 |
Facilities Management is coordinating directly with building stakeholders to support critical operational needs.
Critical activities may include:
- Research operations
- Specialized equipment
- Climate-controlled spaces
- Data closets and infrastructure
- Other approved operational requirements
An exception process remains available for essential needs requiring additional access or services. Requests may be submitted through the Smart HVAC Scheduling Exception Application.
Q: Which buildings are fully closed versus unavailable for classroom scheduling?
A: Most buildings included in the Summer Space Use Optimization Initiative will remain open for approved administrative, research, and operational activities. In many cases, only general assignment classrooms are unavailable for summer scheduling. Select buildings or spaces may undergo full-service shutdowns during designated periods, as identified in the Summer 2026 Pilot Buildings and Space Impacts table.
Q: How is this different from the summer energy curtailment program?
A: This initiative focuses on summer space utilization and scheduled operational planning. The Smart HVAC Scheduling Program is a separate summer energy curtailment program activated in response to peak demand, utility constraints, or extreme weather conditions. While both initiatives support energy conservation, the Summer Space Use Optimization Initiative is planned in advance and based on anticipated space usage.
Q: Does removal of general assignment classrooms mean the building is closed?
A: No. In most cases, only general assignment classrooms are removed from summer scheduling. Administrative, research, and support spaces may continue operating normally unless specifically identified as part of a building closure.
Q: What does "full building closure" mean?
A: During a full building closure:
- Building access is restricted
- HVAC and normal air circulation may be suspended
- Routine custodial services are suspended
- Only approved critical operations may continue
Facilities Management will coordinate directly with affected stakeholders.
Q: Which buildings will be fully closed?
A: Summer 2026 includes limited closure activities:
- Dodd Hall: June 27 – July 5
- Hershey Hall: Fridays only (except August 14)
- Young Hall auditorium spaces (CS24, CS50, CS76): June 19 – September 11
All other closures are limited to general assignment classroom scheduling.
Q: What types of service adjustments should I expect during Summer 2026?
A: Depending on occupancy and operational needs, some buildings or designated areas may experience:
- HVAC scheduling changes
- Custodial service modifications
- Building access adjustments
- Targeted operational reductions
Facilities Management will coordinate directly with impacted stakeholders regarding operational changes.
Q: What if my building, room, equipment, or research activity requires continued service?
A: Requests for continued operations, access, HVAC support, or other services during a closure or reduced-operations period may be submitted through the Facilities Management exception review process. This process helps ensure that critical research, safety, operational, and infrastructure needs are appropriately evaluated and supported.
Additional information and exception request procedures can be found through:
Q: How will decisions be made about service levels in my building or space?
A: Facilities Management will coordinate directly with building stakeholders to determine appropriate service levels. This includes ensuring that critical operational needs, such as research activities, specialized equipment, climate-controlled spaces, and essential infrastructure, continue to be supported
Q: Will Perloff Hall be affected by Summer 2026 space optimization efforts?
A: No. Based on stakeholder input and program needs, Perloff Hall will remain fully operational during Summer 2026 and is not included in the Summer 2026 optimization footprint. This approach may be reassessed in future years as part of ongoing space planning efforts.
Q: Are the Court of Sciences lecture halls (CS24, CS50, and CS76) available for use this summer?
A: No. CS24, CS50, and CS76 will not be available for Summer 2026. Other instructional spaces, including classrooms in Geology, will remain available based on approved summer scheduling.
Q: How will classroom space be allocated for Summer 2026 and beyond?
A: Summer space planning will remain an adaptive, demand-driven process. Instructional and event spaces will be allocated each year based on confirmed program needs, enrollment levels, and submitted use requests.
Q: How will Facilities respond if there is a summer heatwave or utility curtailment?
A: Facilities Management Energy Services has developed separate curtailment protocols to reduce energy use while maintaining indoor air quality and occupant safety. These actions are coordinated independently from the Summer Space Use Optimization Initiative and may be implemented in response to extreme weather or utility constraints.
For additional information, please visit the Campus Cooling Response Plan webpage.
Q: How will energy use be managed in buildings used for Summer 2026 classes and events?
A: Facilities Management Energy Services and Building Controls teams will align HVAC operations with confirmed summer class and event schedules in designated buildings. Where possible, building systems will operate on adjusted schedules during periods of lower occupancy to reduce unnecessary energy use while continuing to support instructional, programmatic, and operational needs. These efforts help improve system efficiency and support UCLA's sustainability goals.
Q: Who should I contact regarding building operations, service adjustments, closures, or exception requests?
A: Questions regarding building operations, HVAC schedules, full-service shutdowns, reduced summer operations, or requests for continued service should be directed to Facilities Management Energy Services:
Gabrielle Nardecchia
Energy Engineer, UCLA Facilities Management
Email: gnardecchia@fm.ucla.edu
Ray Oey
Energy Engineer, UCLA Facilities Management
Email: roey@fm.ucla.edu
Requests for exceptions requiring continued access, HVAC support, or other operational services during a closure period should be submitted through the Smart HVAC Scheduling Exception Application process.
Space Occupancy Pilot
Another project supporting this priority initiative is the Space Occupancy Pilot, which involves space-use technologies to enhance data environments, evaluate occupancy accurately and at scale, optimize energy demand management and enable data-driven space decisions. The data collected from the pilot will allow space planners, departments, and occupants to review their space uses, occupancy trends, and other patterns related to occupancy over a period of time such as peaks, average use, and total traffic.
The planning for the Space Occupancy Pilot launched in October 2024 with the goal of deploying occupancy sensors to five buildings on campus beginning February 2025. This pilot is overseen by the Space Oversight Committee co-chaired by UCLA’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost and the Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer. The space occupancy project utilizes occupancy detection devices to provide building and floor occupancy information to:
- Improve the campus's efficiency, sustainability, and functionality.
- Ensure campus resources are used effectively to support the growing needs of students, faculty, and staff.
- Reduce costs, align with sustainability goals and minimize the campus's environmental footprint.
- Facilitate smarter decision-making, resource allocation, and maintenance, ensuring a well-maintained and forward-thinking campus environment.
- Charles Turner (FOS)
- Jack Tchilingirian (FM)
- Amit Singh (FM)
- Robert Striff (FM)
- Sean Wilder (FM)
- Valerie Vahling (ITS)
- Ju Kim (ITS)
- Larry Armstrong (ITS)
- Chris Bates (ITS)
- Hilda Duggan (ITS)
- Chris Lechner (ITS)
- Gerrie Zvara (OED)
- Amanda Ogden (OED)
- Install occupancy sensors in selected UCLA locations.
- Gather occupancy data to assess space utilization.
- Integrate real-time occupancy data with HVAC building controls to minimize energy consumption.
- Contribute to UCLA’s institutional effectiveness and resource efficiency goals.
- Five Buildings total
- Occupancy Data Collected at Full Floor Level or Department Level
- Three Data Collection Systems: ITS WiFi, Occuspace, Butlr
- Test Direct Digital Control (DDC) Integration Capabilities at Young
Building | Data Collection System | Floor Level Data | Department Level Data |
|---|---|---|---|
Murphy Hall | Occuspace, ITS WiFi | A, 1, 3, 4 | Floor 2 |
Mathematical Sciences | Butlr, ITS WiFi | 1,2,3 | 4 & RRs |
Young Hall | Bultr, ITS WiFi | Floor level data and DDC in 3 lecture halls | |
Psychology | Occuspace, ITS Wifi | 1, 2, 3, A | n/a |
Life Sciences | Occuspace, ITS Wifi | 1, 5, A | 2, 3, 4 |
Data collected from the space use pilots will inform various analyses and decision processes related to space use, operations, energy use, and space planning. Some examples include:
- Energy reduction and optimization for rooms with integrated heating and air conditioning (HVAC) controls,
- Dynamic service delivery including the flexible deployment of custodial teams to locations with the highest traffic, and
- Space use planning opportunities where underused or unused spaces can be reallocated based on fair standards and defined outcomes.
Data from the pilot project will be safely collected and stored in databases overseen by IT Services. Dashboards will be created to visually display key metrics by building, floor, and neighborhood (zone within a floor). Data will also be shown based on historical trend, daily/hourly use, average occupancy, peak occupancy, and other metrics. The dashboards are under development through Spring 2025 and will be presented to the Space Oversight Committee for their input and feedback. Subsequently, the dashboards will be refined and shared with various stakeholders including the specific building coordinators, chairs, deans, and various operational units involved in the pilot. A broader rollout may occur once the dashboards and primary stakeholders have provided feedback on the dashboard design and data sets.
UCLA selected Occuspace as a sensor vendor for this pilot. To start, these sensors meet UCLA’s privacy policies and requirements related to privacy and securing sensitive data. The vendor provides a layer of privacy protection which anonymizes data for all devices it senses in the zone of the building floor. Some of the safeguards worth noting related to Occuspace sensors include:
- Occuspace collects zero personally identifiable information (PII) and is fully GDPR and CCPA compliant
- Occuspace sensors never connect to any devices, and can only passively observe the Bluetooth (BLE) and WiFi activity in a space being measured
- Occuspace does use a unique identifier for each BLE and WiFi signal being measured. This unique identifier is based on the broadcasted MAC address of each radio
- Modern smartphones, laptops, and other consumer devices randomly rotate the MAC address of the BLE and WiFi radios for consumer protection
- Occuspace further enhances privacy by irreversibly hashing the broadcast MAC addresses into the unique identifiers used in data analysis
- MAC addresses are irreversibly hashed immediately on the sensor itself with the original MAC address value never stored locally or in the cloud
- Hashing is performed with SHA256 and reduced (truncated) in size to make it impossible to reverse
- The sensors only transmit hashed data to the Occuspace cloud
- After hashed data is successfully sent to Occuspace it is permanently deleted from the sensors
Butlr utilizes thermopile technology (body heat signatures) to detect and measure space utilization.
- Butlr is completely anonymous at the source - ie. +1/-1 technology for a space, not able to ID or track
- Butlr's data is all hosted in Amazon Web Services (AWS-West 2)
- Butlr sensors communicate to Hives (networking gateways) via a proprietary mesh networking protocol.
- Butlr is SOCII Type 2 certified and uses industry standard encryption methodologies - both AES-256 encryption for at-rest data and TLSv1.2 for in transit communication.
- Event data from Butlr sensors is analyzed and computed and output into Butlr's web application platform which is accessible via a username/password.