Victors Way Open Houses

Join us from 8am – 4pm to learn more about Victors Way.

• See the Skedda scheduling system in action
• Guided tours available on the hour 9 am – 4 pm
• Assistance setting up Follow Me printing

Project Purpose and Background

The University of Michigan is undertaking the next major phase of its strategic space optimization efforts by relocating staff from Wolverine Tower to new and reconfigured space at Victor’s Way and other locations. This transition aligns with the Campus Plan 2050 objectives and supports the University’s goals of modernization, improved space efficiency, and a better-aligned hybrid work environment.

As Wolverine Tower winds down its operations, we are committed to ensuring a smooth, well-communicated, and staff-centered relocation experience for all affected departments and employees.

Project Scope

This project covers all communications, logistics coordination, and stakeholder engagement associated with relocating departments and personnel from Wolverine Tower to Victors Way or alternative designated spaces. Specifically, this phase includes:

In Scope:

Partnering with departments to:

• Identify staff workspace needs (e.g., shared, individual, flexible, or specialized spaces)
• Align departmental needs with available space at Victors Way or other designated locations
• Support move readiness through checklists, walkthroughs, labeling, documentation, and training
• Coordinate communications to staff around the timing, rationale, and logistics of the move
• Facilitate reviews of internal paperwork, records, and storage to support physical and digital cleanup
• Support departments in managing:
  • File shredding, imaging, or archiving
  • Equipment or furniture disposition
  • Staff communications
• Execute targeted communications to:
  • Inform staff of milestones
  • Reinforce key expectations (e.g., remote work agreements, space use policies)
  • Provide orientation and welcome materials for Victors Way
• Facilitate executive decision making around:
  • Capital construction or space modifications
  • IT infrastructure implementation beyond standard desktop moves
  • Leasing or high-level space allocation policy decisions

Objectives

• Ensure that all applicable staff are informed, supported, and prepared for their transition
• Deliver timely and clear communications that build understanding and reduce anxiety
• Support departments in identifying and preparing for their future space
• Strengthen internal alignment through check-ins, briefings, and collaboration with local administrative leads
• Reinforce the university’s vision of a modern, shared, and adaptable workplace

Project Governance and Roles

Key Deliverables

• Departmental Move Readiness Checklists
• Communications Toolkit (FAQs, Key Dates, Packing Guide)
• Orientation & Welcome Materials for Victor’s Way
• Space Needs Summary Reports
• Furniture & Asset Disposition Plans
• Staff Transition Support Resources

Timeline (Milestones)

Success Measures

• 100% of impacted staff receive move guidance and communications
• All departments report readiness prior to their move date
• Positive feedback from post-move surveys and welcome events
• No disruption to essential services or operations during the move
• Consistent messaging delivered across all departments and leadership levels

The comprehensive list of Project Communications can be found here

Will there be an attendant at the lobby front door for security and to assist with visitors coming to Victors Way?

Yes – a Department of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) Guest Services attendant is in the the lobby M-F from 9-5

Will the front desk be staffed during lunch from 12-1?

Yes – the Business office covers the desk during lunch hour.

Do we use our umich ID for scanning access?

Yes, to access the doors to the building and for copying/printing.

Will we be required to wear our MCards on our person while in the building?

It is not required to visibly display your MCard while in the building, but we encourage you to keep it handy for access to Follow me printing. You will also need it to swipe into the building before 9am and after 5pm.

Will WoTo bldg access carry over to the SSC bldg, or, does it need to get activated for SSC access?

We are working behind the scenes to convert access for all the teams who need it at Victors Way.

Will the fourth floor be the only floor that requires swipe access? And, how will the conference rooms be accessed?

The 2nd and 4th floor UHR suites will both require card swipe access. All other areas of those floors and the other building areas are open for staff and visitors.

Really hoping that we can access the building after hours whenever needed, especially evenings and weekends?

Yes – Employees have access to the building with their MCard for after hours business; similar to at WoTo today

What will parking be like?

The parking at the SSC is ample and free. Based on staff feedback, this is a big issue. Our aim is to find a parking arrangement either the same as Wolverine Tower or free.

Is there anything being considered re noise cancelling spaces?

Yes there is a building-wide white noise system in place today. There are several private spaces for reservation or drop in on each floor as well.

What are “flex rooms”?

Rooms that can be accessed by all staff as private touchdown space.

Will the Flex Rooms be large enough for 2 people to have a private conversation, sitting down?

Yes – some flex rooms will be set up for only one occupant, but the majority will be for two people

How do phone rooms and flex space rooms differ?

Flex spaces are a bit larger, and many can handle more than one person, whereas a phone room is a bit smaller and is for a single occupant – to take a zoom call or private phone call.

How many people will the largest conference room hold?

The maximum capacity of the 4th floor assembly space will be around 75 people when both rooms are utilized together, and this would be classroom seating with chairs only. With tables, the rooms together easily accomodate 50 or more.

Are there single stall/all genders restrooms in the building?

Yes, there are two on the ground floor across from the fitness rooms.

On what floor will there be a room for breastfeeding and how will that be reserved/accessed?

This room is located on the first floor, adjacent to the fitness room and shower rooms

Do we need to sign up for use of fitness center through MHealthy?

No it’s accessible to all at Victors Way.

Are there vending machines? If so, do they use the same company as Woto? In other words, do I need to spend all the money on my account before I leave Woto?

Yes – we will have Continental supply vending machines. We do encourage you to carry forward a zero balance as the setup may change from Wolverine Tower to Victors Way.

Is coffee and tea provided in the cafes?

Coffee and tea are currently ordered and stocked in the kitchenette on each floor.

Will vaccine clinics – flu and covid – be offered at SSC building (as they were at WoTo)?

In the past for these clinics were offered at Victors Way, so there will be future consideration once construction is complete.

Will the offices be equipped with ergonomic items, like foot rests under the desks?

This is a departmental decision, please work with your supervisor related to this topic.

I’m wondering about our mailing address – in particular during the interim AFTER we move out of WoTo, but BEFORE our new space is ready. What will our mailing address be? Will there be a temporary location that will receive our mail, including packages, and how will we retrieve that? Any guidance for planning purposes would be helpful.

All mail from Wolverine Tower must be forwarded to 1000 Victors Way (except for OUD exceptions). A department business mail forwarding application should be submitted to USPS by November 12th. Please see the Mail Cutover Guidance below for more clarifications.

Mail Cutover Guidance:

As a reminder – you can begin now to start sending business mail to 1000 Victors Way.  We ask that you use the attached document to help answer your questions about Mail Cutover Guidance

Victors Way Mail Cutover Guidance

Each department needs to refer to this guide for help with:

• Internal and external change of address notifications 
• Forwarding your department business mail via USPS – Deadline to forward is November 12th
• Ordering a new Mail Barcode from Print/Copy/Mail
• Receiving your mail in the final days at Wolverine Tower

For groups that are remote but part of the move, and who are not in the office: where will their mail go?

Mail will go to the Victors Way Mail room where it can be collected at your convenience

Will the HR forms drop box move to Victors Way?

Yes, a dropbox is being installed outside the building for 24/7 drop offs of forms.

When and how will the new address and information be given to the university at large?

Our communications team is working on sending this information through many channels, including the Record, Michigan Medicine Headlines, and other pathways.

Will all conference rooms have zoom screens and zoom access?

Conference rooms that fit 4 or more people will be converted to Zoom rooms; smaller rooms will have a display, but do not require a Zoom room setup

Will our personal/individual work phone numbers (attached to our Zoom accounts) transfer with us to Victors Way? Or are these phone numbers attached to Wolverine Tower?

No, your Zoom phone number is cloud-based and accessible wherever you log into your Zoom account.

What type of access to copy/print machines is available at Victors Way?

Printers are available at Victors Way throughout construction, and they are set up with secure Follow Me Printing. For more information see ITS Knowledgebase article.

When will the Skedda scheduling system for hoteling reservations be ready for use?

We are making updates this week, and the scheduling system will be ready by the end of October

Does Skedda have functionality to cancel a reservation if the person does not show up? Asked another way, do we “check-in” to make sure the space is being used and not just reserved and forgotten about?

Yes, you can update or cancel your reservation at any time. There currently is a feature that requires check in to the reservation and will cancel the reservation if you do not check in.

Will there be a Skedda reservation kiosk in the lobby of Victors Way for people to use if they drop in? or, is it all to be used via app?

There are no plans at this time for a lobby kiosk as the app/browser on either a phone, tablet or laptop/PC is available to access Skedda

Will there be additional trainings for skedda and printing once the renovation is complete?

Yes, there will be training materials availble and the Business Office can help too

For teams who need to be on site Jan until build out is done, who can assist them with finding space for the interim?

Teams who have critical onsite work needs will be able to reserve space at Victors Way. Your leadership should work with project leaders on the plans to accomodate your group.

Are only “Critical Onsite Work” staff for “Essential onsite work” -to be in Victors Way during construction? Is this the expected future state after we move in?

Staff that have been identified by their leadership as needing to conduct “Critical Onsite work” should be the only staff onsite during construction. When your teams have access to your new space, you will work with your leadership to direct the right level of onsite presence for your work

Is it alright to change address for PCard holders or will it automatically be change as a department?

This is not an automatic process. PCard holders will need to evaluate what address to move to – as many pcard holders already use their home address, they may not need to change. If they are using 3003 S. State, they will need to change the address on the PCard’s website.

Will people be able to use the Flex Rooms all day if they are unable to reserve a cubicle if they need to work onsite?

No, the Flex rooms are intended for shorter meetings, not all day use.

How long is the Victors Way lease?

3 years with option to renew for a 4th and 5th year.

Will the moves into each floor be phased as construction is done on each floor? ex: 1st floor moves in first?

The moves are rolling based on need, and some of our Student Life partners will remain in their buildings on North Campus until it’s time to move in.

Will there be a MCommunity group for the building occupants for building wide announcements?

Yes, the project team is working on this and there will be a Victors Way website as well.

Are there renderings/images of the final space design?

These are in the final stages of preparation and will be provided to all teams.

How was this decision made?

Last year F&O commissioned a Facility Condition Assessment of Wolverine Tower.  The results of that assessment indicated that the level of investment needed to sustain the Tower (without enhancements) would be cost prohibitive. This was consistent with the feedback received from multiple stakeholders represented by the Wolverine Tower Utilization Co-chairs group.

Who is on the decision-making committee? How are all U-M Wolverine Tower tenants being represented?

The project is being led by the major stakeholders at Wolverine Tower in collaboration with representatives from smaller groups.  The sponsor team includes representatives from Finance, the Office of University Development, the Office of the Vice President for Research, University Human Resources, the Shared Services Center, and Student Life Administration.  The transition team includes these groups in addition to the Ethics, Integrity and Compliance Office, Audit Services, and the ITS Neighborhood Hub located in WoTo.

Some teams store inventory at Wolverine Tower that campus and Mich Med units periodically pick up from the building. Will the new location have onsite storage?

Storage is being considered, and teams are being asked to identify (and, where possible, pare down) what they have in storage in preparation for a move. As we seek out new space for these teams, storage will be considered.

WoTo is on a direct campus bus line. Will this be the case for a new home for these teams?

The 1000 Victors Way location of the SSC  is very near a bus line and the project team will be working with the Ann Arbor Area Transit Authority (AAATA) to ensure service as close as possible to the building. As we know more about the future homes for all teams, we will share more information about bus routes.

Why was the decision to move made before a new site was determined?

We want teams in Wolverine Tower to have as much time as possible to consider the ins and outs of relocating. And wanted to be responsive with the information we had as soon as we had it.

What’s happening to Wolverine Tower?
The university owns the building and the site, and has already begun assessing how it can best be integrated into the campus masterplan.

When should we start to pack up?

Relocating will likely happen at the end of the calendar year, so it’s still early for boxes, but not too early to take stock of what you might need to take with you. Since we’ll be asking teams to assess how much storage they really need, you can begin ASAP working with your supervisor to sort through physical pieces, like equipment, and plan projects for digitizing paperwork with SSC Document Imaging. 

What if my team’s projects make moving out at year’s end impossible?

Since every team is different, we will work with each to gain insights and solutions. 

Is the open floor concept being replaced with more offices on all floors?

Each floor was designed using the business requirements for that team.

Can you please confirm that there is NO apostrophe in Victors Way? :)

Yes – No Apostrophe :-)