Dear Colleagues:
As we move through midterms and approach the end of spring quarter, I’m pleased to share highlights of our recent progress. These efforts reflect strong collaboration across campus, and together, we are making meaningful strides to modernize and secure our digital environment. For more details on each initiative, please visit the IT Executive Dashboard.
- We’re excited to share that UCLA’s Information Technology Services (ITS) is now UCLA Digital & Technology Solutions (DTS). This rebranding reflects both our organizational transformation and our renewed focus on delivering modern, strategic technology solutions that advance UCLA’s mission, as outlined in our UCLA DTS 2025 Strategic Priorities Report.
- The FACET project team, comprised of team members from UCLA's Financial Aid & Scholarships Office and DTS, continues to make strong progress toward the full implementation of Bruin Financial Aid with its fourth release. Over 18,000 financial aid packages have been processed, including 14,000 for newly admitted and 4,000 for transfer students. The system will begin packaging for continuing students in mid-May and will disburse aid for the first time to summer students. Student engagement and support volumes remain stable, reinforcing confidence as implementation advances.
- The Bruin Connect & Secure team is driving key efforts to meet UCOP requirements by May 28, 2025, including the development of a central asset repository, enforcement of Trellix via Duo Desktop Agent and the enablement of enhanced reporting and compliance enforcement for the annual UC cybersecurity training course. Network Unification is progressing through vendor selection, pilot prep and campus engagement with the launch of a new Network Advisory Committee (NAC) and design strategy reviews with IT Strategic Partners.
- UCLA’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) program continues to advance well with our 60+ campuswide pilot projects using ChatGPT Enterprise licenses. Several projects nearing completion have been selected for external conferences and award nominations. In partnership with the Enrollment Management division, DTS has also released an AI-powered assistant for Financial Aid, trained using UCLA’s content, to support students through the aid process.
Thank you for your ongoing engagement and collaboration. I look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to drive meaningful progress for the Bruin community.
Best regards,
Lucy Avetisyan
Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer
