GW's Space Utilization Study

In order to better understand GW’s spaces across its campuses, the Facilities Planning, Construction, and Management team will collaborate with experts in higher education planning, design, and space utilization this fall and through the spring to assess the current use of campus space. The assessment will help guide recommendations for the future use, renovation, and reallocation of campus space in support of the programmatic needs for academic and administrative units on GW’s three campuses. 

The study will analyze data such as room assignments, capacity, enrollment, and course schedules. It will also analyze de-identified data collected from existing Wi-Fi access points to identify how often spaces are used, and by how many people. No personal or individual information will be used in the analysis. GW will not analyze individual residence hall rooms or faculty offices, and at no time will personal or individual information be shared. The university consulted the Data Privacy Consultative Committee when developing the space utilization study.

The information gathered through this project will enable the university to develop proposals to share during a comprehensive and collaborative community outreach effort in academic year 2025-2026 with students, faculty, staff and other key GW stakeholders.

Updates will be provided as the planning process continues.

If you have additional questions, please email Facilities Planning, Construction, and Management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the space utilization study? 

The space utilization study is an integral part of the university's strategic planning efforts. This initiative aims to assess how campus spaces are currently used and is part of a broader effort to optimize space utilization and guide future campus development. The study, conducted in collaboration with Sasaki Associates, Inc. and Degree Analytics, will gather anonymous data on space occupancy to inform strategic decisions that align with the GW’s long-term goals.

How will this space utilization study benefit GW?

This study will provide valuable insights into how university spaces are used, which will help in optimizing resource allocation, improving space functionality, and guiding future campus planning decisions. The results will help GW align its space utilization with its strategic goals, ensuring that campus spaces effectively support the needs of the university community, both now and in the future.

What information is collected?

The study will leverage data sets such as floor designs, registrar data (to understand classroom bookings and other scheduled uses), and other relevant institutional data. Additionally, the study will collect anonymous data to determine the usage density of space across campus, gathered through existing Wi-Fi access points. This comprehensive approach allows for a detailed analysis of how spaces are utilized across the campus.

How is this data used?

The data collected through this study will be used to gain a comprehensive understanding of how spaces on GW’s campuses are utilized. Examples include:

• Optimizing Space Utilization: By analyzing the usage density of space, the university can identify underutilized areas that might be repurposed for higher-demand activities. For instance, if certain classrooms or labs are consistently under booked, they could be redesigned or re-allocated to departments with growing needs.
• Enhancing Learning Environments: The data will help in assessing whether existing classrooms and labs are effectively supporting the current pedagogy.
• Supporting Strategic Growth: The study will inform decisions on where to invest in new facilities or renovations. 
• Improving Operational Efficiency: The data will allow the university to fine-tune operations, such as scheduling and maintenance. For example, by understanding patterns of space usage throughout the day and week, GW can optimize cleaning schedules, HVAC settings, and lighting, leading to cost savings and a more sustainable campus.
• Facilitating Collaboration and Community Building: The data can highlight opportunities to bring related departments or activities closer together. For instance, if the data reveals that students and faculty frequently move between certain buildings, the university could explore creating connected spaces or shared facilities to foster collaboration.
• Planning for the Future: The data will be essential in long-term campus planning, helping the university anticipate future needs based on trends in space usage. For example, if the data suggests increasing demand for certain types of spaces (like maker labs or wellness centers), GW can plan to expand these facilities in the coming years.
• Supporting Equity and Access: By analyzing how different groups use campus spaces, the study can help identify ways for students, faculty, and staff to have equitable access to high-quality facilities. For instance, if the data shows that certain groups are concentrated in older, less equipped buildings, the university might prioritize upgrades or reallocations to address these disparities.
• Sustainability: By analyzing how space is used across campus, the university can identify opportunities to reduce its environmental footprint.  Additionally, underutilized areas may be redesigned with eco-friendly features to enhance energy efficiency, promote sustainable practices, and lower overall resource consumption on campus.  This data-driven approach supports GW’s commitment to sustainability and helps align campus operations with broader environmental goals.

This project will use these examples show how the data will be used in multiple, impactful ways to not only improve current campus operations but also to strategically plan for GW’s future as part of the comprehensive master plan.

Is the data collected truly anonymous?

Yes, the data collected in this study is fully anonymous and de-identified, ensuring the privacy of all individuals.

Here’s how we guarantee that the data remains anonymous:

• No Personal Identifying Information (PII): All identifying information is masked before processing, ensuring that personal information, such as names, UserIDs, and email addresses are never stored.
• De-identification and Anonymization Techniques: Advanced de-identification methods are employed to safeguard that any data collected cannot be traced back to individual users. For instance, the system uses unique, randomized identifiers for devices rather than any persistent or recognizable user IDs, making it impossible to track individual movements or activities over time.
• Exclusion of Individually Owned Spaces: We intentionally exclude small, individually owned spaces, such as single-person offices and residence hall rooms, from the data collection process. This is so that no data can be linked to a specific individual’s presence or absence in their office or room, maintaining complete privacy for those working or living in smaller, private spaces.
• Focus on Larger Spaces: The study is designed to gather data from sufficiently large spaces, such as classrooms, libraries, large meeting rooms, and entire wings or floors of office spaces. These areas are typically used by multiple individuals throughout the day. The data will reflect general patterns of usage rather than individual behavior.
• Aggregate Data Focus: The study focuses on collecting data at a macro level. For example, instead of monitoring which specific individuals are in a classroom, the system records the total number of connections to the network to determine density. This aggregate data is then used to analyze overall patterns of space utilization.
• Strict Data Handling Protocols: All data collected is stored securely, with strict protocols in place to prevent unauthorized access. Only authorized persons involved in the space utilization study have access to the data, and even then, they only interact with the data in an aggregate, non-identifiable format.
• No Tracking of Individual Behavior: The study does not involve tracking individual behavior, browsing history, or internet usage. The focus is on understanding the density of spaces being used at certain times.
• Compliance with Privacy Standards: The study adheres to all relevant federal and state privacy laws, ensuring that the methods used to anonymize data meet or exceed legal standards for data protection. The university and its partners have committed to transparency and ethical data practices, regularly reviewing their methods to align with the latest privacy guidelines.
• Transparency and Community Assurance: To maintain trust, the university is transparent about the data collection process to provide for  anonymity. Information sessions, detailed documentation, and community engagement are used to inform and reassure the GW community about the stringent measures in place to protect their privacy. 

By implementing these rigorous measures, the data collected will be  anonymous, focusing solely on improving space utilization while fully respecting the privacy of the GW Community.

What spaces are being studied?

The study will cover all buildings on GW’s three campuses, including classrooms, libraries, common areas, and general office space. The exception is residential hall rooms and faculty offices. 

How will people in those buildings be impacted?

The study will be conducted passively, using existing Wi-Fi infrastructure. There will be no direct impact on individuals using the spaces. The GW community can continue their regular activities without interruption.

Will this study change my space?

The study itself will not directly change any spaces. However, the data collected could inform future decisions about how spaces are organized, used, or repurposed to better serve the university community.

Can I opt out of this study?

Since the data is collected anonymously through existing Wi-Fi infrastructure, course registration data, floor plans, space assignments and other datasets, individual opt-out options are not available. We would like to reinforce that no personal data is being tracked or recorded.

How does this study protect student and faculty privacy? Will this study view or collect my internet activity?

The study only collects anonymous density data, such as how many devices in a room are connecting to the Wi-Fi data ports. This study does not monitor or collect any internet usage. Privacy is our top priority. The methods used in this study are designed so that no personal information is gathered.

Who did the university consult about this assessment/study?

The Facilities Planning and Construction Management office, the primary lead for drafting and approval of GW’s campus plans, consulted with University leadership, the Board of Trustees, the Data Privacy Consultative Committee, the Campus Space Committee and the Division of Information Technology.

How does the Strategic Framework process inform this assessment/study? 

The assessment/study will be conducted in the context of this ongoing university initiative and potential resulting space recommendations.

Who will have access to the data collected?

Access to the data, which includes anonymous occupancy information, floor designs, and registrar data, will be restricted to authorized personnel involved in the space assessment project. The data will be used strictly for the purposes of improving campus space utilization and planning.

How long will the study last?

The study started in November 2024 and will continue through May 2025.

What happens after the study is completed?

The study will assist in creating recommendations to optimize current spaces and guide future planning efforts. The results will be shared with relevant stakeholders within the university.