VCU Space Strategy and Planning Pilot Program

Understanding how VCU uses academic, administrative and research spaces is critical to support our mission, aid in capital planning, make strategic decisions about space, and be good stewards of university resources. Optimally using university space also supports a dynamic and collaborative work environment, provides areas for confidential conversations, and inspires innovation. Additionally, it helps VCU plan for strategic property acquisitions to provide the space necessary to support academic and research growth and operations.

To help enhance our space data collection, understand occupancy trends and plan for strategic property acquisitions, VCU is implementing the Space Strategy and Planning Pilot Program on the Monroe Park Campus using Occuspace sensors and on the MCV Campus implementing CampusIQ technology.

This program will help supplement the space utilization data collected for each space in VCU-owned buildings on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses via the annual space survey

MCV Campus

The Space Strategy and Planning Pilot Program on the MCV Campus will consist of utilizing CampusIQ technology in strategically chosen academic, administrative and research spaces on the MCV Campus (locations listed below) to help VCU understand how often spaces are used and by how many people. CampusIQ will collect aggregated, anonymized data from VCU’s existing wireless network log files to gather insights on space use while ensuring that the data remains de-identified and anonymous. 

VCU prioritizes data security and complies with all established university policies and guidelines. The data collected in this program is fully anonymous, ensuring the privacy of all individuals. CampusIQ guarantees that the data remains anonymous by: 

  • Masking all identifying information (e.g., names, VCU eIDs and email addresses) before processing data
  • Utilizing de-identification and anonymization techniques
  • Focusing on larger spaces (e.g., large meeting rooms and entire floors) and excluding small, individually-owned space (e.g., single-person offices)
  • Aggregating data focus
  • Implementing strict data handling protocols
  • Not tracking individual behavior
  • Complying with federal and state privacy standards 

Locations

The CampusIQ technology, a prominent space occupancy platform in higher education, will collect occupancy data in three three buildings on the MCV Campus. These locations were strategically chosen not only to evaluate space utilization, but more importantly, to explore how the university can reimagine the future design, functionality and future property acquisition of our academic, administrative and research spaces and initiatives. 

Building name and floor  Occupants
Hermes A. Kontos Medical Sciences Building Facilities Operations, Office of the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, and School of Medicine
Molecular Medicine Research Building (MMRB) Facilities Operations, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, School of Engineering, and School of Medicine 
Sanger Hall Facilities Operations, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Office of the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, School of Engineering, School of Medicine, and VCU Health System

Timeline

The CampusIQ technology will be implemented in the spaces referenced above in late July 2025 and will remain in place until summer 2026. After this time, VCU Space Management will work closely with university leaders to analyze the occupancy information, determine whether the information gathered yields valuable insight into understanding occupancy trends, and decide if it should be implemented in other VCU-owned buildings. 

Monroe Park Campus

The Space Strategy and Planning Pilot Program consists of installing Occupancy sensors in strategically chosen academic, administrative and research on campus. The sensors anonymously scan for bluetooth and Wi-Fi signal activity within a given area and pick up laptops, cell phones, wearables (e.g., smart watch), and other connected devices. They then use machine learning algorithms to estimate the number of people within the area. This information will help VCU understand total foot traffic, how many people are in a space, and time spent within a given space and time. 

The sensors do not show who is in the space but rather indicate the number of people in a space with 95% accuracy. The occupancy information is collected for the floor, not individuals or individual offices, classrooms, or workspaces. 

VCU prioritizes data security and complies with all established university policies and guidelines. The privacy-first Occuspace sensors do not collect any personal information. You can read Occuspace’s privacy policy here.

Sensor locations 

The Occuspace sensors are installed in three buildings on the Monroe Park Campus. These locations were strategically chosen not only to evaluate space utilization, but more importantly, to explore how the university can reimagine the future design and functionality of our academic, administrative, and research spaces. Higher education institutions around the country have been successful in leveraging the Occuspace technology for similar purposes. 

Building name and floor  Occupant
Hibbs Hall, second, third, and fourth floors College of Humanities and Sciences
Oliver Hall Physical Sciences Wing, second and third floors College of Humanities and Sciences
College of Humanities and Sciences College of Humanities and Sciences

Timeline

The Occuspace sensors were installed in the spaces referenced above in early April 2025 and will remain in place until summer 2026. After this time, VCU Space Management will work closely with university leaders to analyze the occupancy information, determine whether the information gathered yields valuable insight into understanding occupancy trends, and decide if it should be implemented in other VCU-owned buildings.