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IT Service Status

Space Planning: Updates, Next Steps, and What to Expect

We continue to shape the future of our workspace and have some exciting updates and critical milestones to share about our space planning efforts. While this journey is about physical changes to our workspace, it’s also about creating an environment that supports our hybrid work model and fosters collaboration and innovation. Thank you to everyone for their commitment to this effort so far.

Recent Progress

The project is moving forward and gaining momentum, and here are some highlights since our last update in August:

  • Staff in 1800 on the Move – Individuals on the second floor are relocating temporarily to the first or sixth floors. The Endpoint Device Management (EDM) and Information Security Office Security teams have relocated to the seventh floor.
  • Second Floor Work – Renovation work in suite 2200 started on Monday, and the entrance next to conference room 2252 is temporarily closed.
  • Workspace and Common Area Clean Up – Staff on floors one and two have undertaken a significant effort to clean up both their personal workspace and common areas. Thank you to everyone for meeting the assigned deadlines on clean up thus far.
  • Weekly Drop-In Calls – We are holding weekly drop-in calls with directors and managers and have held three sessions thus far. These meetings aim to walk leaders through updates since our last drop-in, outline the next steps for the week, including what to communicate to staff, and address any questions.
  • Standardizing AV Needs – The Media and Technology Innovation team presented a proposal to create a consistent and uniform plan for the audio/visual technology across our two floors to ensure everything works seamlessly together.
  • Bathroom Modernization: Facilities has confirmed bathrooms will be updated to the existing building standard, and the work is scheduled to be completed alongside that of the first and second floors.

Key Dates to Remember

Here are some important dates to keep in mind:

  • September 23–27 – Renovation activities are underway in suite 2200 near conference room 2252.
  • September 27 to October 18 – Renovation activities are scheduled to begin in suite 2206 (VP/CIO, OPM, and former Change Management sections) and the section of 2200 surrounding the kitchen.
  • Late October: Likely beginning around October 21, the first floor will undergo its transformation, with a planned staff vacancy for approximately four to five weeks.
  • Early December – The reopening of all sections on floors one and two is scheduled. This will mark the beginning of our hotdesking initiative, with more details to be unveiled as December approaches.

Next Steps

With renovation activities picking up, we continue to make decisions and plan for the eventual implementation of our hotdesking initiative. Here are some immediate next steps.
  • Technology Testing – We are developing an evaluation process and identifying testers for various technology needs (e.g., headsets, monitor risers, etc.) in our future environment. If you are interested in participating, please contact your manager or director.
  • Inventory and Collection – The inventory process for printers and shredders is underway. We are also collecting unwanted desk phones, technology, and office supplies on the first floor.
  • Key Remaining Discussion Points – As the physical work progresses, leaders are meeting regularly to ensure continued satisfaction with our hybrid work environment and increase meaningful in-person interaction. A set of guidelines for collaborating effectively while hotdesking will also be developed in the weeks ahead. 

Staff feedback continues to inform our planning decisions. Please continue asking questions and providing feedback using the NUITWorkplaceFeedback@northwestern.edu inbox.

If you are a relocated staff member, remember that technical support is available. The EDM team is available via the IT Service Desk to assist with connecting computers and telephones and mapping to printers. Also, if there are issues connecting to certain services, using the GlobalProtect VPN on campus is a recommended workaround.