Dear Colleagues:
I am pleased to share October updates on UCLA’s key digital initiatives. Across campus, collective engagement continues to shape how technology services are delivered in support of teaching, research, and the broader Bruin experience.
Advancing One IT
Nearly 1,900 members of the UCLA community participated in the first One IT Town Hall, with more than 300 questions submitted, including over 200 in advance. During the session, the discussion focused on ten themes that were most important to participants, including service quality, departmental autonomy, academic alignment, fiscal responsibility and modernization. The Town Hall video, FAQs and an opportunity to share additional feedback are available on the One IT website. New questions and answers will continue to be added to the FAQs page regularly to keep the campus informed and engaged.
An overview of One IT discovery efforts was presented to the Academic Senate, inviting its consultation to ensure faculty input and collaboration as this initiative progresses. In parallel, discovery activities are underway to collect data on staffing, services, systems and technology resources across all units. This foundational work, combined with the development of the One IT governance model, including the campus working groups, will support broad participation in shaping a future IT operating model that best serves UCLA’s mission.
Enhancing Financial Aid Administration at UCLA
Partnering with Enrollment Management, Digital Technology and Solutions (DTS) continues to support the disbursement of financial aid and graduate student funding through the new Bruin Financial Aid (BFA) system. To date, more than $382 million has been distributed across 29,300 disbursement transactions since July 1 for the summer and fall terms. This total includes students enrolled in both terms.
DTS is also actively collaborating with the Division of Graduate Education’s Fellowships & Financial Services, as well as with graduate and professional schools, to identify and address challenges with the new system and related processes. We recognize that these issues have impacted operations across several programs, and we are working closely with campus partners to develop targeted training, practical guidance and enhanced support resources for Student Affairs Officers and staff. Our goal is to ensure that all staff are fully equipped to navigate the new system confidently and to provide consistent, reliable support for students as we continue to improve the BFA experience.
Safeguarding Our Technology Environment
The Asset team continues to collaborate with campus units to meet UC Information Security policy requirements by December 19. In partnership with departmental subject matter experts, the team is hosting office hours and offering training sessions to help units adopt tools and processes that enhance device management and classify the criticality of university data and systems.
Building a Unified Network
The Bruin Connect and Secure program continues to make progress toward implementing a unified, campuswide network. Equipment has begun arriving to support network buildout, and migration and remediation plans are being developed to guide implementation. The team is finalizing the pilot phase, scheduled to begin in early 2026, by defining scope, objectives and timelines to ensure strong engagement as UCLA transitions to a modern, reliable and secure network infrastructure.
Enhancing Teaching and Learning
UCLA’s Classroom Modernization Pilot continues to provide operational support for all pilot classrooms while gathering valuable feedback from faculty and students to guide future efforts. Plans for a dedicated faculty training space have been finalized, and permitting is now underway to provide an environment where instructors can explore and prepare to use new classroom technologies.
Elevating AI at UCLA
UCLA advanced this month with the successful launch of ChatGPT Edu for faculty and staff, announced through a campuswide BruinPost. This initiative provides secure, responsible and cost-effective access to advanced AI tools. Work continues on developing AI literacy resources to help faculty and staff engage thoughtfully with these technologies and explore their potential to enhance teaching, research and administration.
Thank you for your continued partnership in building a digital campus that is modern, secure and aligned with UCLA’s mission.
Best,
Lucy Avetisyan
Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer
