This post was updated May 22 at 9:48 p.m.
UCLA has spent at least $213 million on the Ascend Finance Transformation project, and yet, seven years after the project’s launch, it has few concrete accomplishments.  
“I can’t say that I’ve actually seen a live screen for Ascend,” said Reem Hanna-Harwell, a former member of the project’s steering committee. 
The initial reported budget for the project was $120 million, but, according to a presentation given during the May 2024 Ascend 2.0 quarterly town hall, the estimated total cost was projected to be roughly $286 million. 
The university declined to answer exactly how much money has been spent on the project since its official start date in April 2018. 
The Ascend project involves a transformation of UCLA’s financial system – moving from the current mainframe system to Oracle Cloud, modernizing the chart of accounts and upgrading all business applications which contribute data to the central finance, research and budget systems, according to the 2021 project charter.

This post was updated April 30 at 4:47 p.m.
Erin Su and 14 other students found themselves trapped in one of the Westwood Chateau elevators.
They called dispatch, only to be told it would take an hour for someone to come help the students.

Luis Jimenez was an exemplary son who sought unity between family and friends, helped with household chores and promised to spend his first paycheck taking his family out to eat. 
From a young age, he was noble, friendly and always ready to lend a helping hand.

Editor’s note: This article contains descriptions of hazing, drinking and sexual assault.
Alumnus Susan Moore can still recall a picture-perfect day on Lake Arrowhead, laughing with her closest friends while soaking up the sun on a pontoon boat.

A prominent UCLA ecologist on involuntary leave filed a lawsuit against the University earlier this month, alleging wrongful suspension, harassment and racial discrimination.
Ecology and evolutionary biology professor Priyanga Amarasekare joined UCLA in 2005, but she was suspended in July 2022 for a year with no pay by then-Chancellor Gene Block.

This post was updated Nov. 5 at 8:44 p.m.
Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly stated that Laura Doan did a lateral transfer to Los Angeles County Correctional Services primary care.

As she darted out of the Ralphs parking lot, with an order for a vape in hand, Duffl racer Lucy McHenry experienced what all scooter-riding students in Westwood dread – she was hit by a car.