Monthly Action Guide: February 2023
This post contains reminders of key deadlines and administrative tasks related to academic HR. Please share with faculty or staff who would find this information relevant.
Contact vpfal.prof.dev@utoronto.ca to be added to the distribution list or with any questions.
VPFAL Website
- We have made some changes to our website.
- The content is largely the same but we have tried to ensure that it is more clearly targeted toward the primary audience for the website (i.e., academic administrators and staff).
Academic Searches
- You may find it useful in the current context to consult the document on Best Practices for Virtual Faculty Interviews.
Tenure Committee Meeting Protocols: Modifications for 2022-23 Academic Year
- The University and UTFA have agreed to a change in the tenure process to affect all Tenure Committees meeting between now and June 30, 2023. See PDAD&C#12, issued October 28, 2022.
- Tenure committees may continue to convene virtually, and that the decision about whether or not to hold a Tenure Committee meeting in person or virtually is a decision that should be made by the Tenure Committee Chair in conversation with Committee members.
Tenure Reviews
Please see the January Guide for links to a series of helpful links about tenure reviews.
February & March Resources & Programming for Academic Administrators
Highlighted below are the sessions occurring in the next two months. To see the complete list of scheduled workshops, please visit the VPFAL programming page.
Bias in the Context of Academic Reviews – Recording Now Available
The recording from the Bias in the Context of Academic Reviews session (autumn 2022) is now available to faculty members.
This workshop was intended for Provostial, SGS, and Decanal assessors; members of any committee that involves peer assessment (e.g., search, PTR, tenure, continuing status); as well as Deans, Principals, Chairs, and Directors.
The goals were to:
- offer the tools to identify bias
- introduce practical strategies to interrupt bias in the moment
- discuss what a unit might consider/discuss/put in place to help mitigate bias in academic review processes and assessments
Contracts & Agreements for AAAs (Online)
February 2, 11am-12pm
Session leader: Rachael Ferenbok, Associate University Counsel
Deans, Chairs, and Directors often find themselves working with contracts. This session will cover the risks of signing contracts, how to interpret legal terms, and how to handle the business aspects of running a unit. We will review contract policy and guidelines, explore case studies, and discuss common pitfalls.
Hiring TAs, Course Instructors, and Sessional Lecturers for AAAs and Staff (Online)
February 9, 2-4pm
Session leader: Labour Relations
This session will provide Chairs, Directors, Associate Chairs, TA Coordinators, and Administrative Staff responsible for the administration of CUPE 3902 appointments with the tools and information necessary for posting, hiring, and filling positions under the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 and Unit 3 Collective Agreements. Topics will include: subsequent appointment assignments, job security commitments, timelines, job postings, and navigating the hiring criteria.
Managing Teaching Assistants and Sessional Lecturers for AAAs and Staff (Online)
February 28, 2-4pm
Session leader: Labour Relations
This session will provide Chairs, Directors, Associate Chairs, Vice/Associate Deans, TA Coordinators, and Administrative Staff responsible for the administration of CUPE 3902 appointments the tools and information necessary for managing employees under the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 and Unit 3 Collective Agreements. Topics will include performance management, accommodation, workload, leaves, and all other relevant processes under the Collective Agreements for the duration of an employee’s contract.
Administering Subsequent CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Appointments for AAAs and Staff (Online)
March 8, 2-4pm
Session leader: Labour Relations
Note: CUPE 3902 Unit 1 includes PhD and Master’s students performing work, primarily as TAs. There are instances where the performance of Course Instructorships will be considered.
This session, run by Labour Relations, will provide Chairs, Directors, Associate Chairs, TA Coordinators, and Administrative Staff responsible for the administration of CUPE 3902 Unit 1 appointments with the necessary information to manage and administer subsequent appointments within a Department.
February & March Programming for Faculty
Please share with your faculty. Highlighted below are the sessions occurring in the next two months. To see the complete list of scheduled workshops for faculty, please visit the VPFAL programming page.
Building the Momentum: Finding Your Post-Tenure Pathway (In-Person)
February 13, 12-2pm
This interactive panel intended for Associate Professors who achieved tenure between 2018-19 and 2021-2022 is a conversation about exploring post-tenure pathways. Experienced faculty will share how they navigated the immediate post-tenure period. This panel will be moderated by Acting Vice Provost, Faculty & Academic Life, Randy Boyagoda at the Faculty Club (41 Willcocks Street).
Interim and Tenure Review – For Faculty (Online)
February 2, 10am-12pm
This session is for tenure stream faculty only.
Achieving tenure is an important milestone in the life cycle of tenure-stream faculty. Understanding expectations and knowing what constitutes a complete and thorough file is critical. This session, intended for pre-tenure faculty who are preparing for their interim or tenure reviews, will cover the process and associated timelines for each review.
Probationary and Continuing Status Review – For Faculty (Online)
February 28, 1-3pm
This session is only for teaching stream faculty in continuing appointments who are prior to their continuing status review.
Achieving continuing status is an important milestone in the life cycle of teaching-stream faculty. Understanding expectations and knowing what constitutes a complete and thorough file is critical. This session, intended for pre-continuing status faculty who are preparing for their probationary or continuing status reviews, will cover the process and associated timelines for each review.
Promotion in the Tenure Stream – For Faculty (Online)
March 29, 2-3pm
This session is for tenured faculty only.
The University expects that most tenure stream faculty will achieve the rank of Professor during their career at this institution. This session is intended for Associate Professors in the Tenure Stream who are preparing for promotion to Professor. We will discuss the process and timelines, how candidates may be identified, and how they can develop a professional development plan in preparation for promotion in the tenure stream.
Promotion in the Teaching Stream – For Faculty (Online)
March 30, 11am-12pm
This session is only for teaching stream faculty who have already completed their continuing status review and have been promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, Teaching Stream.
The University anticipates that many teaching stream faculty will achieve the rank of Professor, Teaching Stream. This session is intended to help associate rank teaching stream faculty prepare for promotion. We will discuss the process and timelines, how candidates may be identified, and how they can develop a professional development plan in preparation for promotion to Professor, Teaching Stream.
Webinars from the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) Programming
Activate your NCFDD membership to access webinars.