From: Randy Boyagoda, Acting Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life
Date: June 2, 2023
Re: Provostial Funding for the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity’s Faculty Success Program & Post-Tenure Pathfinders Program, 2023-24

This memo is intended to remind Deans, Principals, Chairs, and Directors that the University continues to maintain an institutional membership with the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD), which supports “faculty members, postdocs and graduate students in making successful transitions throughout their careers”. Faculty and graduate students may register for a free subaccount at https://www.facultydiversity.org/institutions/utoronto.

Since 2015, more than 1,600 University of Toronto faculty and students have registered for a subaccount with the organization. More than 1,200 have participated in the 14 Day Writing Challenge and more than 190 have participated in the Faculty Success Program. Many faculty have let us know that they find the resources and webinars, which we highlight in our Monthly Action Guide, to be valuable.

In addition, I want to remind you that the Provost’s Office will contribute 50% of the cost associated with the NCFDD’s Faculty Success Program provided that the home unit or Dean’s Office contributes the remainder of the funds. Tenure stream faculty, tenured faculty, and part-time faculty in continuing appointments at the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor, and professor are eligible for funding.

The Faculty Success Program (FSP) is an intensive 12-week online-based program for tenure stream faculty, tenured faculty, and non-tenure stream faculty whose activities are similar to those in the tenure stream. The program is intended to help faculty “improve research productivity through intense accountability, coaching, and peer support and…propel their work-life balance and personal growth.” Faculty work directly with a coach (tenured faculty member) and a small peer group. The program is offered in the fall, spring, and summer of each year.

• The fall session of the Faculty Success Program will run August 27-November 18, 2023. The deadline to apply is July 21 and the Early Bird Discount ends on July 19.

The Provost’s Office will also contribute 50% of costs associated with NCFDD’s Post-Tenure Pathfinders Program, again provided that the home unit or Dean’s Office contributes the remainder of the funds. Tenured (or soon-to-be tenured) Faculty Success Program alumni are eligible for funding.

The Post-Tenure Pathfinders Program is a 12-week online-based program, suitable for tenured (or soon-to-be tenured) Faculty Success Program alumni.The program runs several times per year and is intended to be “a space for a group [of 36] tenured faculty to pause, engage in a discovery process about what’s possible in their next chapter, and build the support network necessary to move powerfully in that new direction.”

Process for Reimbursement for Both Programs

1. Review eligibility for funding, as detailed above. Direct any questions to vpfal.prof.dev@utoronto.ca.
2. Faculty members attending the program (or their Dean’s Office) will be responsible for registration and direct payment to NCFDD. We encourage early registration which carries the discounted fee.
3. The Dean’s Office will notify the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life (VPFAL) of their commitment (or the commitment of the unit) to fund 50% of the cost of the program on behalf of a particular faculty member. Please send notification to academic.hr@utoronto.ca.
4. VPFAL will confirm that the candidate is eligible for 50% reimbursement from the Provost’s Office.

It would be more efficient from an administrative standpoint to handle the reimbursement as a one-time transfer of an amount to cover all applications rather than as individual requests. We recommend that Faculties fund the full portion of the expense for approved faculty members. Then, on an annual basis, Faculties are asked to complete a spreadsheet and submit it to academic.hr@utoronto.ca.