Monthly Action Guide: February 2024
This email 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.
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 2023-24 Academic Year
- The University and UTFA have agreed that for the 2023-34 academic year, 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.
- See PDAD&C#15 issued November 10, 2023 for more details.
Tenure Review
- Please see the January 2024 Action Guide for links to a series of helpful links about tenure reviews.
February & March 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.
Contracts & Agreements for AAAs (Online)
February 1, 2024, 1-2pm
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 8, 2024, 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.
This session will not be recorded and the slides will not be shared.
Managing Teaching Assistants and Sessional Lecturers for AAAs and Staff (Online)
February 27, 2024, 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.
This session will not be recorded and the slides will not be shared.
Administering Subsequent CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Appointments for AAAs and Staff (Online)
March 7, 2024, 2-4pm
Session leader: Labour Relations
Note: CUPE 3902 Unit 1 include PhD and Masters 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.
This session will not be recorded and the slides will not be shared.
February, March, and April Programming for Faculty
Please share with your faculty.
Interim and Tenure Review – For Faculty (Online)
February 6, 2024, 1-3pm
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.
This session will not be recorded and the slides will not be shared.
Probationary and Continuing Status Review – For Faculty (Online)
February 13, 2024, 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.
This session will not be recorded and the slides will not be shared.
Promotion in the Tenure Stream – For Faculty (Online)
March 5, 2024, 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.
This session will not be recorded and the slides will not be shared.
Promotion in the Teaching Stream – For Faculty (Online)
March 21, 2024, 2-3pm
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.
This session will not be recorded and the slides will not be shared.
Retirement Information Session – For Faculty (Online)
April 30, 1-3pm
This session is for faculty between the ages of 54-72 who are thinking about retirement, who have entered phased retirement, and who have submitted their Notice of Intention to retire.
The Retirement Information Session is an opportunity to engage in a discussion about the financial elements relevant to this next stage in the academic career. Co-led by the Director of Pensions, Benefits, and Payroll and representatives of the University Pension Plan (UPP), this session will provide an overview of the University’s Phased Retirement Program, the UPP, as well as retiree benefits.
Webinars from NCFDD
NCFDD offers on-demand access to programs and resources designed to help faculty members “achieve extraordinary writing and research productivity while maintaining a full and healthy life off campus”
Activate your NCFDD membership to access webinars
March Programming for Academic Administrators, Faculty, and Staff
Hosting International Collaborators for Academic Administrators, Faculty, Principal Investigators, and Staff Across All Faculties (Online)
March 20, 2024, 1:00-2:30pm
Hosting international colleagues, researchers, expert knowledge holders, students or visitors to your department, lab, or office requires advance planning and must include immigration considerations. There can be a variety of negative repercussions if there are errors or omissions in the process. This session will guide participants on where to seek assistance. We will provide an overview of the Canadian immigration system, offer information on ways to invite and host international collaborators, and answer general questions about immigration processes and options.
This session will not be recorded and the slides will not be shared.