May 2026: VPFAL Action Guide

This post contains some reminders of key deadlines and administrative tasks related to academic HR for the month ahead. Please share with faculty or staff who would find this information relevant.

Please contact the VPFAL Programming team at vpfal.prof.dev@utoronto.ca to be added to the distribution list, or with any questions. 

Unit Workload Policies

  • All units should review the date of their most recent unit Workload Policy. The University’s Workload Policy and Procedures states that “Unit Workload Policies shall be reviewed at least every three years by the unit.” (WLPP, 2.16)
  • If your unit workload policy was last reviewed three or more years ago, it is time to review it again to ensure it continues to serve the unit well. Policies require approval: in a Multi-Department Faculty, please reach out to your Dean’s Office; Single Department Faculties should contact VPFAL.
  • The process of considering your unit workload policy is meant to be a collegial one: your workload policy committee “should be reasonably reflective of the membership of the Unit, including reflecting the types of appointments that faculty members in the unit hold.” (WLPP, 2.2)

Reminder: Unit Head’s Responsibilities Relative to Workload

Unit heads should be aware that no later than June 30th, they are responsible for:

  1. Providing a written assignment of workload.
  2. Making workload letters available via a secure site.
  3. Preparing a Unit Workload Document annually setting out information regarding the assigned teaching and assigned service workload for each member in the unit and providing access to all members of the unit and to UTFA by June 30th each year. The Unit Workload Document is due by June 30, 2026.

Changing US Requirements & Reminder to Register for International SOS

Interim Review (Tenure Stream)

  • Tenure stream faculty members should have their performance “reviewed no earlier than May 1 of the third year of [their] contract … Normally no later than 30th June, the appointee should be asked to submit an account of research or creative professional activity which has been completed or undertaken since the time of initial appointment … The appointee will not normally be required to complete the submission prior to August 31” (PPAA, II.8).
  • See the AAPM Section on Interim Review.

Tenure Review

  • In units with faculty members coming forward for tenure review, “Each division head or chair of the department in the multi-departmental divisions shall have the responsibility … to notify the candidate, normally no later than June 30th, that he or she will be considered for tenure in the following spring and when the process of review, including assembling of documentation, is about to begin and when it will be completed. Candidates should normally be provided with a period of at least 6 weeks in which to assemble and prepare the documentation required from them as set out below and will not normally be asked to submit their research dossier prior to July 1” (PPAA III.14.ii, emphasis added).
  • See the AAPM Section on Tenure Review

Probationary Review (Continuing Stream, Teaching Stream)

  • Continuing stream teaching stream faculty members coming forward for their probationary review should be notified of their upcoming review “normally no later than May 1” and given a deadline for submission of their dossier (they “will not normally be required to complete the submission prior to June 30”) (PPAA, VII.30.vii).
  • See the AAPM Section on Probationary Review.

Continuing Status Review

  • In units with faculty members coming forward for continuing status review, “The division head or chair shall … notify the candidate of the final composition of the continuing status committee and when the process of review, including assembling of documentation, is about to begin and when it will be completed. The candidate, with appropriate assistance and advice from the division or department head, will prepare a dossier in accordance with Divisional Guidelines for submission to the continuing status committee by June 30th” (PPAA, VII.30.x.b, emphasis added).
  • See the AAPM Section on Continuing Status Review

Retirement Notice

Please share this information with your faculty

Save the Date: 2026 Retreat for Academic Administrators

  • The Retreat for Academic Administrators takes place on June 22-24, 2026, at the Faculty Club on St George campus.
  • Newly appointed Chairs, Graduate Chairs, Directors, Deans, and Vice and Associate Deans will receive an invitation in the coming months.
  • We strongly encourage continuing academic administrators to attend sessions relevant to them. Registration details will be available closer to the date.

Save the Date: 2026 New Faculty & Librarian Orientation

  • The New Faculty & Librarian Orientation takes place on August 10 & 11, 2026, at the Faculty Club on St George campus.
  • Faculty members who are appointed to the tenure stream, faculty members appointed to the continuing stream teaching stream, and librarians, with start dates between September 2, 2025 and September 1, 2026 will be sent an invitation in July.

NCFDD Programming

The 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.