The study emphasizes responsible space stewardship, including reallocating administrative functions, improving classroom usage, and aligning research space with active funding. Findings included vacant or oversized offices affected by hybrid work schedules, classrooms with partial scheduling, and research labs with inactive grants or surplus space. The study also guides the university toward a more efficient use of its facilities by ensuring that each square foot supports instruction, research, or operations that align with UCF’s long-term vision. The outcome is a campus environment that works better for students, faculty, and staff and supports the university’s mission through smarter planning. This effort is expected to result in significant cost avoidance and generate new revenue opportunities through lease transitions and better use of university-owned facilities, creating a more purposeful and supportive environment for those who teach, learn, and work on campus.

The space utilization study encompasses a thorough inventory and evaluation of nearly 2,700,000 SF of instructional, administrative, faculty office, research, and clinical space across five UCF campuses. This scope included a detailed assessment of existing space utilization, informed by data on course schedules, personnel, and research expenditures, all integrated into a comprehensive space database. Each building was physically reviewed to verify inventory conditions and confirm use. The study identifies minimum utilization standards, some of which exceeded state guidelines, to push the boundaries of space efficiency. A robust engagement process was employed, involving multiple rounds of discussions with administration, facilities, real estate leadership, and representatives from affected units to incorporate subjective insights into the data analysis.

We began implementing the study’s recommendations by relocating and right-sizing administrative departments into new office space. UCF also adopted policies for centrally scheduled courses, collaborating with the University Space Committee to implement the new space standards proposed in the study. The study identifies opportunities to improve adjacencies, reflect hybrid work models, and optimize use of space through targeted departmental migrations. The project team developed conceptual fit-to-program studies for office, academic, research, and student support areas to evaluate how they could be upgraded or relocated for better alignment with university needs. The resulting framework helps UCF make the best use of its campus resources while supporting each department with space that meets programmatic and institutional goals.