<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><br><div dir="ltr"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse;border:none">
<tbody><tr style="height:21.55pt">
<td width="623" colspan="2" valign="top" style="width:467.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;height:21.55pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span lang="EN"><img src="cid:ii_mk4lsy360" alt="image.png" width="140" height="43"></span></b><b><span lang="EN"></span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span lang="EN"><font size="2"> </font></span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:27pt">
<td width="623" colspan="2" valign="top" style="width:467.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;height:27pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"><b>January 7, 2026</b><b><span lang="EN"></span></b></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:0.2in">
<td width="53" valign="top" style="width:39.55pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;height:0.2in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span lang="EN"><font size="2"><b>To</b>: </font></span></p>
</td>
<td width="571" valign="top" style="width:427.95pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;height:0.2in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2">Campus HR Partners<span lang="EN"></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:0.2in">
<td width="53" valign="top" style="width:39.55pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;height:0.2in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span lang="EN"><font size="2"><b>From</b>: </font></span></p>
</td>
<td width="571" valign="top" style="width:427.95pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;height:0.2in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2">Central Human Resources
& ITS<span lang="EN"></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:0.2in">
<td width="53" valign="top" style="width:39.55pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;height:0.2in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span lang="EN"><font size="2"><b>Re</b>: </font></span></p>
</td>
<td width="571" valign="top" style="width:427.95pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;height:0.2in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2">Important Update:
R’Employee Service Center Launch & Next Steps for HR Partners</font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:34.65pt">
<td width="623" colspan="2" valign="top" style="width:467.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;height:34.65pt">
<div style="border-top:none;border-right:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:1.5pt solid windowtext;padding:0in 0in 1pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;border:none;padding:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"> </font></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"> </font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="623" colspan="2" valign="top" style="width:467.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2">Dear HR Partners, SSC Leaders, and Subject Matter
Experts,</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2">As we move into 2026, we are prioritizing quality
and transparency through the <a href="https://hr.ucr.edu/avanti" target="_blank"><b>Avanti </b>initiative</a>, a collaborative effort
to transform the UCR employee experience by implementing automated technology
solutions that streamline processes and enhance service excellence. </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"><br></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2">The purpose of our recent soft launch was to
stress-test the R’Employee Services portal in a real-world environment.
Thanks to your active engagement, practicing within the system, and honest
feedback, this phase has been a success. You have helped us identify critical
technical issues, pinpoint where we need additional guidance, and highlight
future enhancements that will make this tool truly "campus-ready."</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(0,61,165)"><b>We have heard you and we’re extending
the soft launch.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(0,61,165)"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2">Your confidence in this system is our top priority.
Following a comprehensive review of survey and meeting feedback, and to
ensure everyone feels comfortable before we open the portal to the entire
campus, we are extending the soft launch period. Our E.T.H.O.S. (Employee
success, Technology, Human capital, Operational agility, and Service
excellence) dictates that we do not simply launch on time, but that we launch
with <b>Service Excellence</b>. This extension allows us to refine the system
based directly on the feedback you provided.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:rgb(0,61,165)">The Path Forward: Co-Creation and
Validation</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:rgb(0,61,165)"><br></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(0,61,165)"><font size="2"> </font></span><span style="font-size:small">We are not simply moving the date; we are using this
window to deepen our partnership with you. To ensure a successful launch, we
are moving into a phase of </span><b style="font-size:small">Deep-Dive Validation</b><span style="font-size:small">, and we need your
expertise and continued engagement to get us across the finish line.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:rgb(0,61,165)">Over the coming weeks, we will be
engaging our HR Partners and SSCs in the following:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:rgb(0,61,165)"><br></span></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"><b>Extended
User Acceptance Testing (UAT):</b>
To maximize our time, we will repurpose several upcoming training
sessions into hands-on UAT sessions. This will allow us to validate
complex, real-world scenarios together.</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"><b>End-to-End
Process Walkthroughs:</b> We will
conduct "Process Clinics" to validate the entire journey—from
the moment an employee submits a request in the portal to the final
processing within the SSC. We must ensure every hand-off is seamless.</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"><b>Refining
the Experience:</b> We will work
together to ensure that the portal's communications and workflows
reflect our commitment to a person-centered HR experience.</font></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:rgb(0,61,165)">What This Means for Your Teams</span></b></p>
<span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><ol><li><span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>January
8th Town Hall:</b></span><span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b> </b>This meeting
will proceed as <a href="https://ucr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0vWMSlb3RTqcWmDAQZ0P1Q" target="_blank">scheduled at 9:00 AM</a>, but the focus will shift. We will
provide a Project Progress Update to discuss the feedback we
received and how we are incorporating it into our revised plan.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>New
Launch Date:</b></span><span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> We are currently
evaluating a new go-live date that ensures system stability and avoids
peak academic deadlines. We look forward to sharing this updated
schedule with you.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Extended
Soft Launch:</b></span><span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b> </b>Please continue
processing your cases in the live system (<a href="http://hr.ucr.edu/agent" target="_blank">hr.ucr.edu/agent</a>). If you do
not yet feel comfortable using the live environment, you may use the
test environment (<a href="https://ucrsupporttest.service-now.com/now/hr/agent/home" style="color:rgb(70,120,134)" target="_blank">ucrsupporttest.service-now.com/now/hr/agent/home</a>)
to gain further experience and familiarity with the workflows.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Process
Clinics and UAT:</b></span><span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b> </b>Please plan
to attend existing meetings and training sessions, as these will be
repurposed to perform the process clinics and other testing. Once the
technical changes are implemented, we will need your expertise to
validate the end-to-end process. We will share more information
regarding the schedule for these sessions shortly.</span></li></ol></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2">We want to thank you for your honesty and dedication
to the Avanti vision. By taking the time to get this right, we are ensuring
that the future of HR at UCR is built on a foundation of trust and service
excellence.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">If you have questions or feedback about the changes, please send an email to <a href="mailto:hrpolicy@ucr.edu" target="_blank">hrpolicy@ucr.edu</a>.<span style="font-size:12pt"><font size="2"></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><font size="2">Let’s continue <i>moving forward—together.</i></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2">Sincerely, </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><font size="2">S. Alex. Nájera</font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><i><font size="2">Chief HR Officer and Associate Vice Chancellor</font></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><font size="2">Matthew Gunkel</font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><i><font size="2">Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice
Chancellor</font></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span lang="EN"><font size="2"> </font></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="623" colspan="2" valign="top" style="width:467.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><font size="2"> </font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:0.2in">
<td width="623" colspan="2" valign="top" style="width:467.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;height:0.2in">
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:black"><font size="2"> </font></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table></div>
</div></div>