Skip to Main Content

CIO Message | May 2024

Dear Colleagues:

As we journey toward the end of the academic year, I’d like to share the IT Executive Dashboard and a few notable highlights with you.

  • The Ascend 2.0 team is focused on the stabilization of BruinBuy Plus, including the reduction of invoice backlog and ongoing continuous improvement in the procurement and accounts payable processes. It was also announced during the Ascend 2.0 May Town Hall that the Bruin Finance go-live will be delayed with future updates to be announced in the coming weeks.
  • FACET successfully concluded System Integration Testing (SIT) for Release 1 and 2 of the new Bruin Financial Aid system – as outlined in the Implementation Timeline – in collaboration with partners across campus. Additionally, the team completed 2024-2025 financial aid year mainframe updates and training driven by FAFSA Simplification requirements.
  • Security Transformation will implement a phased approach for Trellix – UCLA’s endpoint protection security platform – balancing the urgency to reduce our cybersecurity risk with competing campus priorities. Furthermore, the team is in the final stages of mobilizing the Unit Information Security Leads (UISL) operating model and enhancing Incident Response capabilities.
  • Google Workspace Service Adjustments (GWSA) released a set of communications, segmented by affiliation (e.g., faculty, staff and students), about the June 27 implementation of baseline quotas. The GWSA website contains important information, including exception forms and extension eligibility, to prepare users for the upcoming changes.

As a final note, on August 1, UCLA will migrate @ucla.edu email forwarding to Google’s service to enhance security for incoming emails. In the coming weeks, those who are not utilizing forwarding in Google Workspace will receive instructions to ensure successful email forwarding functionality.

I look forward to sharing more of our progress with you next month.

Best regards,

Lucy Avetisyan
Associate Vice Chancellor
Chief Information Officer 
Information Technology Services

Resources

Key Initiatives

For questions or more information on the IT Services portfolio resources, please email ocio@ucla.edu.