Dear Colleagues:
As we begin the new year, I want to thank you for your continued partnership in strengthening UCLA’s digital environment. I’d like to share a brief update on several efforts underway to better support teaching, research, and campus operations.
Advancing One IT
The One IT initiative continues to progress through its discovery phase with strong engagement across academic and administrative units. Teams are actively partnering with campus stakeholders to gather and validate data on IT staffing, processes, technologies and security, helping establish a shared understanding of UCLA’s current IT environment. Twelve working groups are currently underway, with broad participation from faculty, staff, students and IT professionals. To support transparency and engagement, the enhanced One IT website now reflects an approved extended discovery and design timeline through FY27 (June 2027). This extension allows additional time for data-informed planning, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based decision-making for future transitions.
Strengthening Financial Aid and Student Support
Throughout January, teams in Financial Aid & Scholarships, the Division of Graduate Education, and Digital & Technology Solutions focused on maintaining Bruin Financial Aid system stability while advancing readiness for the upcoming aid year. This work included completing core winter processing, progressing required financial aid programs, refining internal workflows, and implementing incremental improvements informed by partner feedback and operational insights.
Core financial aid transactions and disbursements continue to be delivered at expected historical levels, with overall funding outcomes remaining consistent with last year, even as the user experience continues to be optimized. Clear feedback and escalation pathways are in place for campus partners to surface issues, prioritize enhancements, and address emerging risks, ensuring the platform continues to evolve in alignment with student needs and institutional expectations.
Elevating AI at UCLA
The UCLA AI Committee continues advancing a coordinated and responsible approach to AI adoption, with a focus on governance, literacy, and innovation. Current efforts include aligning AI governance with campus priorities and defining year one objectives. In parallel, Digital & Technology Solutions is conducting a campuswide inventory of AI tools and has launched a pilot for AI-Enabled Development with 35 participants. The pilot is evaluating common development use cases and multiple code generation models to help inform future AI investment and adoption decisions across UCLA.
Safeguarding Our Technology Environment
Following the December 19 Phase 2 deadline of the Asset project, compliant units have transitioned to ongoing sustainment, including regular upkeep of records as IT assets change. Remaining units continue automation and enrichment efforts toward full compliance by the end of March. In parallel, teams are advancing readiness activities for cloud asset discovery in support of campus audit requirements.
Building a Unified Network
The Bruin Connect and Secure team remains focused on core infrastructure development to support network pilot readiness, as well as advancing campus migration and pilot planning. Efforts are underway to prepare for an upcoming community program update and to support pilot and migration readiness.
Advancing Campuswide Digital Accessibility
In January, the Digital Accessibility Steering Committee focused on implementation planning and risk assessment. Action Risk Teams are being launched across six areas, including academic and course content, web content, applications, research, health, and procurement. These teams will complete structured assessments and develop prioritized recommendations to support compliance with digital accessibility requirements. This work continues in coordination with the UC Office of the President as revisions to the Presidential Policy on Information Technology Accessibility move forward. Additional information on the Action Risk Teams and available resources can be found on the Digital Accessibility website.
As we move into the year ahead, our focus remains on strengthening UCLA’s digital foundation through thoughtful planning, collaboration, and shared accountability. The work underway across One IT, Digital Accessibility, and broader Digital Campus initiatives reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency, service quality, and alignment with UCLA’s academic and research mission. Thank you for your continued engagement and partnership.
Best,
Lucy Avetisyan
Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer
