Updates to Custodial Service Levels

Beginning in April 2025, Facilities Management transitioned offices and cubicles to a self-service waste model. Starting January 20, 2026, we will implement additional adjustments, including reduced cleaning frequencies in conference rooms and research laboratories to better align Custodial Services with available resources.

We recognize these changes require some adaptation and appreciate your cooperation. As we move forward, Facilities Management will continue working closely with campus partners to address concerns and respond to challenges together.

What’s Changing?

January 2026

• Conference rooms will shift from daily service to weekly service (trash removal, spot cleaning, furniture reset).
• Research labs will shift from daily service including trash removal and spot mopping to twice weekly service. 

April 2025 (Already in Effect)

• Custodial Services no longer provides trash or recycling collection in offices and cubicles.
• Office occupants are responsible for keeping their individual spaces tidy and waste-free.
• Direct Cost Agreements for office cleaning were discontinued in July 2025.

What Stays the Same?

Despite reductions, essential custodial services continue across campus:

• Daily cleaning of classrooms, teaching labs, restrooms, and common areas.
• Daily emptying of common-area bins including lobbies and hallways.
• Specialty services — deep cleaning, rug shampooing, window washing — remain available on a recharge basis.
• What Custodial Services cleans and how often.

Learn More in the News Articles

• Conference Room & Research Lab Service Changes (Jan. 2026)
• Office and Cubicle Service Changes (2025)

FAQs

• What services does custodial offer and when?
• Custodial Services follows a structured schedule that outlines which tasks are performed daily, weekly, monthly, and annually in campus facilities. This ensures consistent cleaning across classrooms, restrooms, halls, stairwells, laboratories, conference rooms and more. In addition to routine services, Custodial Services also offers a range of add-on services—such as deep cleaning, carpet care, and window washing—on a recharge basis. You can explore these additional services and rates here.
• How are service reduction decisions made?
• Custodial Services relies on the APPA cleaning standards, developed by the Association of Physical Plant Administrators, which provide colleges and universities with a framework for assessing, implementing, and maintaining consistent cleaning operations across diverse facilities like ours. These standards also help determine appropriate staffing levels based on square footage. By using APPA guidelines, UC Davis can make informed, consistent decisions about where daily service is essential and where reduced cleaning frequency is still appropriate.
• When will my building transition to the new service levels?
• Office and cubicle changes took effect in April 2025.
  New conference room and research lab service levels begin mid-January 2026.
• What level of cleanliness can be expected?
• According to cleaning standards developed by APPA, the Association of Physical Plant Administrators, there are five recognized service levels of cleanliness, each tied to an organization’s staffing capacities: Level 1 (Orderly Spotlessness), Level 2 (Ordinary Tidiness), Level 3 (Casual Inattention), Level 4 (Moderate Dinginess), and Level 5 (Unkempt Neglect).
  
  Based on our custodial budget, UC Davis is funded to maintain a service level between 3 and 4. In other words, our facilities will regularly experience everything from dirt, dust on surfaces, to dirty base moldings, stains and worn floor finishes. Learn more.
• Why are these additional changes happening?
• To meet a $1.6 million budget reduction while maintaining essential services, Custodial Services must adjust its service frequencies. With 86% of the unit’s budget tied to compensation, staffing-related efficiencies are the only viable area for meaningful savings.
• Can reduced cleaning affect lab safety or compliance?
• Custodial Services will continue to empty lab trash on their scheduled, twice-a-week service days. While their frequency is changing, they will monitor usage and work to add additional centralized bins if needed to help maintain safe, compliant lab environments. This approach aligns with common practices at peer research universities. We recognize this is a significant adjustment and are committed to working with labs to develop practical solutions as they arise.
• How will this affect conference room use?
• Conference rooms will be cleaned once a week. If trash accumulates before the next scheduled service, occupants are encouraged to dispose of waste in the building’s larger, centralized bins. 
  
  Building occupants and facility managers can report concerns first by creating a service request in AggieFacilities. For urgent requests, contact the Customer Experience Center at 530-752-1655. As a last resort, emailing [email protected] is also an option, but the inbox is not monitored after hours.
• How will this affect research labs?
• Custodial Services will visit labs twice weekly to spot clean floors and empty waste. If trash accumulates before the next scheduled service, occupants are encouraged to dispose of waste in the building’s larger, centralized bins. Research teams should continue maintaining work surfaces and equipment as usual.
• Will plastic liners still be provided for desk-side bins?
• No. Plastic liners were eliminated as part of the 2025 office transition.
• How will this change impact my routine?
• Office and cubicle occupants will now dispose of their personal trash and recyclables in designated common-area bins which will be serviced daily by custodial staff. Office and cubicle occupants will also be responsible for tidying their own spaces.
• How do I know where the centralized bins are located?
• Shared spaces such as kitchens, hallways, and breakrooms have designated waste sorting stations. Some buildings may receive additional bins to accommodate increased use. If you are not sure where your centralized bins are located, please contact your facility or office manager or reach out to Facilities Management at [email protected].
• Am I responsible for cleaning my own office?
• Yes. Office occupants are responsible for maintaining their individual workspaces. While custodial staff previously emptied trash and occasionally spot cleaned floors, office upkeep has always been the responsibility of occupants. Common-area waste stations remain serviced daily.
• Can I pay for office upkeep?
• To maintain consistency and efficiency across the campus, individual departments cannot contract for office cleaning services. However, deep-cleaning services remain available on a recharge basis for those with specialized cleaning needs.
• Can my department pay for additional cleaning?
• To maintain consistency and avoid inequities, departments cannot independently contract for routine office or conference room cleaning. Specialty services remain available via recharge.
• What if our spaces need additional services?
• Building occupants and facility managers can request additional services on a recharge basis by submitting a service request in AggieFacilities. For urgent needs, contact the Customer Experience Center at 530-752-1655. Emailing [email protected] is also an option, but please note that this shared inbox is not monitored after hours.
• Does this change impact my Direct Cost Agreement with Custodial Services for office cleaning?
• As part of this transition, any existing contracts for additional cleaning services within individual offices will also be discontinued. This change affects a small number of campus units that have direct cost agreements with Custodial Services. If your unit currently has an active cleaning contract, you will be contacted about the change.
• What if my building doesn’t have enough centralized bins?
• If you notice a need for additional bins or servicing, please report concerns first by creating a service request in AggieFacilities. For urgent requests, contact the Customer Experience Center at 530-752-1655. As a last resort, emailing [email protected] is also an option, but the inbox is not monitored after hours.contact [email protected].
• Will there be layoffs as a result of these changes?
• We do not anticipate layoffs. We expect any future staffing adjustments to be managed through normal attrition.
• What if I have additional questions or concerns?
• If you have non-urgent questions, please email [email protected]. This shared inbox is monitored between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., and a Customer Experience Center representative will follow up. We’re here to help ensure a smooth transition. For after-hours emergencies, please call 530-752-1655.