New Faculty Orientation & Back to School Series for New and Returning Faculty

TO:         Principals, Deans, Academic Directors & Chairs

FROM:       Edith Hillan, Vice Provost, Faculty and Academic Life

DATE:             July 11, 2012

RE:         New Faculty Orientation & Back to School Series for New and Returning Faculty

I am pleased to announce a series of upcoming events for new and returning faculty hosted by the Office of the Vice-President and Provost and the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation (CTSI), in partnership with the Office of the Vice-President Research, Dual Career Connection and the Family Care Office.  We encourage you to share this information with your new and returning faculty.

New Faculty Orientation Session

August 27, 2012

10:00am - 4:00pm (Main Dining Room, Faculty Club)

(NB: This day and the following sessions are for new tenure and teaching stream faculty)

Getting Started at the University of Toronto 10am - 11:45am (Main Dining Room, Faculty Club) In this morning session, new faculty will be introduced to the University of Toronto's structure, organization, culture and students. Information will also be provided on topics and resources that support teaching at U of T. 

(NB: This session is open to ALL new tenure and teaching stream faculty.)

Lunch and Roundtable Discussions with the President's Teaching Award Winners 11:45am - 1pm (Main Dining Room, Faculty Club) Participants will have an opportunity to meet with UofT's President's Teaching Award winners over lunch (which will be provided).

(NB: This session is open to ALL new tenure and teaching stream faculty.)

Break-out Sessions:

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Research Orientation (Main Dining Room, Faculty Club) In this session tenure-stream faculty will be provided with an overview of the resources available to support their research. They will be introduced to the range of funding opportunities and have a chance to ask questions about related protocols and procedures.

(NB: This session is open to tenure-stream faculty only.)

Creating a Successful Career Path as a Lecturer (Primrose Room, Faculty Club) Teaching-stream faculty are invited to attend this session for information on the career path of the lecturer and to hear from colleagues who will share their experiences and strategies for success.

(NB: This session is open to teaching-stream faculty only.)

Orientation for Partners and Spouses of New Faculty (Main Lounge, Faculty Club) Faculty Relocation Services and Dual Career Connection will provide partners and spouses of new faculty with an orientation to the city and an introduction to the job search process.  Resource people will be on hand to answer questions about housing, schools, immigration and benefits. If required, childcare will be available for children under 6 years of age.  Please request it when you register, giving the age(s) of your child(ren).

Welcome BBQ for New Faculty and their Families 4:00pm-6:00pm (Main Dining Room & Patio, Faculty Club) This year's orientation series will include a BBQ for new tenure and teaching stream faculty, their partners and families at the Faculty Club. The Family Care Office will provide activities for children during this event.

Please note: New tenure and teaching stream faculty will receive a personalized invitation via email to register and attend the New Faculty Orientation on August 27th and to participate in the Back-to School Workshop Series, August 28-30th.  A registration link will be provided in the email. 

Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation's Back-to-School Workshop Series

(NB: These sessions are open to all new and returning faculty) From August 28-30, 2012 the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation will host a series of "Back-to-School" sessions on a range of teaching topics.

Tuesday, August 28 2012

9am - 12noon            Setting the Tone for Success: The First Day and Beyond

1pm - 4pm         Discussion Techniques to Support Active Learning

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

9am - 12noon            Assignment Design

9am - 12noon            Getting Started: Building Your Portal Course

1pm - 4pm         Elements of Effective Lesson Planning

Thursday, August 30, 2012

10am - 12noon     Myths & Realities about Grading

1pm - 4pm         Supporting Student Learning: What Instructors Can Do and Who Else Can Help

1pm - 4pm         Getting Started: Building Your Portal Course

To register for the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation's Back-to-School workshop series, please visit: http://www.teaching.utoronto.ca/about_ctsi/servicesexpertise/ctsi-workshops/b2s-2012.htm. 

For more information on any of these events, please contact Thuy Huynh, Programs Coordinator, CTSI at 416-946-3325; thuy.huynh@utoronto.ca or Bethany Babinchak, Program Assistant, CTSI at 416-946-3799; bethany.babinchak@utoronto.ca.