July 10, 2026
Successful Mainframe Operating System Upgrade
Campus Solutions
In collaboration with Enterprise Platforms, Data to Insights (D2I)
Enterprise Technology completed the upgrade of the mainframe operating system to z/OS version 3.2 on June 20, following a period of extensive planning, coordination, and pre-implementation testing. The team coordinated with a group of developers from D2I, Enterprise Platforms, and Campus Solutions following the upgrade to verify all existing functionality.
The mainframe underpins much of the university's critical data processing. This upgrade improves system stability and security and positions the mainframe to support future enhancements. Collaborative testing with developers helped minimize post-implementation issues, enabling uninterrupted service for critical administrative and academic systems.
The Mainframe and Administrative Systems team led the effort, working closely with developer testers to execute thorough validation. This coordinated approach ensured readiness and contributed to a successful deployment of the updated operating system.
Campus Wi-Fi Optimization Initiative Advances Scalable, Reliable Wireless Infrastructure
Infrastructure
In collaboration with Engagement & Experience, Operations
Enterprise Technology initiated a comprehensive Wi-Fi Optimization effort, establishing a phased plan to assess coverage gaps, design modern wireless solutions, and implement improvements across campus buildings, while aligning to a standards-based approach for long-term sustainability.
The initiative will enhance connectivity across 229 buildings over three years, improving reliability and capacity while enabling a Wi‑Fi first strategy that reduces infrastructure costs and support demands for campus technology teams.
Growing teaching, learning, research, and operational demands have driven the need for stronger wireless coverage. This initiative addresses coverage deficiencies through surveys, modern design standards, and implementation in E&G spaces, with future planning for auxiliary facilities.
UT Smooths Out Financial Aid Payments to Prevent Surprise Student Debts
Enterprise Platforms
UT changed how it pays out financial aid so students no longer see their balances swing up and down during the day. The system now gathers all of a student's aid adjustments and applies them together once each night. Before, some payments posted instantly while related deductions waited until the evening, and in that gap a student's account could briefly show a debt that wasn't real.
The change reaches a large share of the student body. More than 20,000 students receive grants or scholarships each year (about half of all undergraduates), and a majority of students get some form of financial aid. For those students, account balances now stay steady and accurate instead of shifting through the day, and staff spend less time answering confused questions and manually correcting accounts.
The old timing created avoidable problems. When a student's aid changed during the day, one payment could temporarily displace another and leave the account showing a debt until the nightly cleanup ran. That confused students and created rework for two teams: the Texas One Stop staff who field student questions, and the accounts team who had to reverse the false debts by hand. Running every payment together at night keeps the numbers right the first time and takes that work off both teams.
AI Tools Launch Drives Strong Engagement Across Faculty and Staff Communications Channels
Operations
Enterprise Technology successfully launched new AI tools for faculty and staff, through a coordinated communications strategy including an email announcement, and AI website relaunch. Efforts focused on increasing awareness, driving adoption, and helping the University community understand and engage with AI Studio.
Email announcements of AI tools achieved a 51% open rate and 13% click rate. The AI tools webpage generated over 6,000+ views and contributed to 46,127 total sessions. Outside of the AI campaign, LinkedIn reached 3,749 impressions, and Instagram engagement increased, with 865 views and stronger performance on reels.
The initial phase of the campaign supported the rollout of new AI tools and a refreshed AI website through targeted, multichannel communications to faculty and staff. Messaging highlighted available tools, including free and tiered options, to build awareness, encourage adoption, and support effective use across the University.