Carruthers Hall History: Reflecting on UVA's Transition to Oracle

Carruthers Hall History

At UVA, transformation has long been part of our story. Although many of us experienced Finance Strategic Transformation (the implementation of Workday Finance), it's worth remembering that change is nothing new. More than 20 years ago, UVA underwent another seismic shift: moving into Oracle Financials. Patty Marbury recalls this pivotal time in UVA's history. 

When Marbury joined UVA in June 2000, the Oracle project was already in full swing. "We had MANY different systems that went into Oracle," she says. "It pulled together all the various systems that different units had into one system--about 26 major systems. We got as close as we could to having one system."

By July 2001, Oracle Financials went live, marking a new chapter in UVA's operations. It wasn't just a technological shift; it also marked a cultural change. Marbury describes an era where purchasing was still done by phone, fax machine, or even teleprinter. 

Marbury's role began with training development, and once the system launched, she and the rest of the training team found themselves on the front lines of the Oracle helpdesk. Located in one of the Michie buildings, the helpdesk occupied a top-floor conference room filled with row after row of tables, phones, and computers. The atmosphere was noisy and chaotic, with a steady stream of calls flooding in, "We worked from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.," she recalls. "It was all hands on deck. Anyone on the project team--trainers, subject matter experts, you name it--pitched in." 

Despite the long, busy hours, Marbury describes it as one of the best times of her professional life. "Looking back, it was so much fun," she said. "It was my first experience at UVA, and I'll never forget it."

The Oracle rollout didn't end with financials. The next phase was the implementation of human resources functions, which meant another stint at the helpdesk. Over time, UVA formalized the helpdesk into a dedicated, integrated support team for HR and Finance Oracle issues. Initially run in-house, the helpdesk was eventually outsourced.

Technology also advanced during this period. Marbury remembers using AOL's instant messenger to communicate quickly, and a ticketing system called Remedy, which served as the Salesforce of its day. "Remedy allowed us to enter information after calls, build a database of solutions, and eventually pull those answers when needed," she explains. After working on multiple Oracle phases and helpdesk assignments, Marbury eventually transitioned to working directly with UVA's HR team. Nine years ago, she came to UVAFinance, where she has remained a valued team member since.

As UVA continues to evolve with modern tools and systems, it's worth reflecting on past transitions and the dedication of our colleagues. Change is constant, but the shared sense of teamwork and resilience has always been a hallmark of UVA's story. 

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If you have memories to share from your time at UVA and the changes you've seen, please contact bv8h@virginia.edu.