VPFAL Monthly Action Guide: March 2025

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. 

Progress Through the Ranks (PTR) for July 1, 2025

Units should begin the annual performance evaluation process for faculty by sending a request for Annual Activity Reports and Paid Activity Reports to all faculty members and librarians. These should be submitted to unit heads at the end of April (following divisional norms).

Research & Study Leaves

Recruitment

  • As recruitment efforts continue, be sure to factor in visitor visa processing times for those who need it. The current visitor visa processing time for people coming from the US is 16 days. The average processing time is 108 days.
  • If you plan to invite international contributors to campus, you should work with your Dean’s office or HR office to confirm the current protocols and obtain updated template letters.
  • Please also consider attending the Hosting International Collaborators session on March 26 (information below).

Save the Date: Retreat for New Academic Administrators

  • The Retreat for New Academic Administrators takes place on June 23-25 at the Faculty Club (41 Wilcocks Street)
  • Newly appointed Chairs; Graduate Chairs; Directors; Deans; and Vice and Associate Deans with portfolios related to faculty, academics, and graduate education will receive an invitation in the coming months.
  • Any continuing academic administrator who wishes to attend the Retreat is welcome to do so and should contact vpfal.prof.dev@utoronto.ca for registration information.

Save the Date: New Faculty & Librarian Orientation

  • The New Faculty & Librarian Orientation takes place on August 11 & 12 at the Faculty Club (41 Wilcocks Street)
  • Faculty members who are appointed to the tenured/tenure stream and continuing stream teaching stream, and librarians will be sent an invitation in July.

March & April Programming for Academic Administrators

Highlighted below are the sessions occurring in the next two months. To see the complete list of scheduled workshops for academic administrators, please visit the VPFAL programming page. Please note that these sessions are not recorded nor are the slides shared.

Administering Subsequent CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Appointments – for AAAs and Staff (online)

March 3, 2025, 1-3pm

Session leader: Labour Relations

Note: CUPE 3902 Unit 1 includes 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.  

Register Now

Hosting International Collaborators for Academic Administrators, Faculty, Principal Investigators and Staff from Single Department Faculties (online)

March 26, 2025, 10am-12pm

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.

Register Now

March & April Programming for Faculty

Please share with your faculty.

Building the Momentum: Finding Your Post-Continuing Status Pathway (in-person)

March 19, 2025, 12-2pm

Thinking about next steps after continuing status? This session, intended for Associate Professors, Teaching Stream who achieved continuing status between 2020-21 and 2023-2024, is a conversation about post-continuing status pathways. A panel of teaching stream faculty will share how they have continued to grow exciting and dynamic careers after achieving continuing status. This session is moderated by Vice Provost, Faculty & Academic Life, Heather Boon at the Faculty Club (41 Willcocks Street).

Register Now

Building the Momentum: Finding Your Post-Tenure Pathway (in-person)

March 25, 2025, 12-2pm

This interactive panel, intended for Associate Professors who achieved tenure between 2020-21 and 2023-2024, is a conversation about exploring post-tenure pathways. Experienced faculty will share how they navigated the immediate post-tenure period. This panel is moderated by Vice Provost, Faculty & Academic Life, Heather Boon at the Faculty Club (41 Willcocks Street).

Register Now

Retirement Information Videos and Q&A Session

The retirement resources below are intended for faculty and librarians enrolled in the University Pension Plan, ages 54-72, who are thinking about retirement, who have entered phased retirement, or who have submitted their Notice of Intention to retire. Eligible colleagues have been sent an email about these offerings:

  • Retirement Information Pre-Recorded Video Series (available February 28 – June 30, 2025): These videos cover the University Pension Plan (UPP), the University’s Phased Retirement Program, and retiree benefits. Register to receive a link to the videos. The link will arrive to the registrant’s email a few days after registering.
  • Retirement Information Q&A Session (April 8, 2025, 1-3pm, via Teams): This is a Q&A session only, most helpful to those who have reviewed the pre-recorded videos. Register for the Q&A session.

NCFDD Programming (online)

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

NCFDD Post-Tenure Pathfinders Program (May 19-August 10, 2025)