IT@UofT STRATEGIC PLAN ANNUAL REPORT
SEPTEMBER 2021 to AUGUST 2022

The Academic Toolbox introduced several new licenced technologies, integrated into Quercus for ease of use by instructors and students across all three campuses. These include:

• Zoom integrated in Quercus for online video conferencing and collaboration
• Hypothes.is for social annotation
• Piazza and Ed Discussion for online asynchronous discussion

Availability of these and other teaching tools has been enhanced by a full update of the Educational Technology support website, as well as the introduction of a new course design program for instructors, the Flexible Learning Initiative.

• High-bandwidth wireless  is being improved with a planned replacement of almost 10,000 wireless access points with Aruba Networks infrastructure deployed by the time this multi-year project is completed. This tri-campus project provides enhanced guest services, improved Wi-Fi connectivity for students in residence, advanced artificial intelligence analytics to assist in services like wayfinding and network operation and reduced operational cost through sustainable energy initiatives.
• UTmail+ upgrade took place over a six-month timeline for more than 145,000 remaining accounts, with all active email users guided through the move to the new Microsoft platform. Benefits include integration of other Microsoft 365 tools, better synchronization between devices, significantly more storage space, automated system updates and improved security.
• Microsoft device management services have been extended to four divisions through the new Distributed Intune Access initiative. This new offering takes advantage of central U of T Microsoft 365 services while still supporting management of computer equipment within local units. Divisional administrators and local IT teams can now provision and remotely manage devices for rapid, personalized service for their own community members, also enhancing security and incident response.

• Upgrade of the latest SAP technology underpinning all Administrative Management Systems.
  • Initiated first steps for renewing the core Human Resources system with SuccessFactors Employee Central for a full hire to retire process, a new onboarding module and a streamlined, consistent digital user experience. This sets the stage for identifying potential efficiencies in HR support and moving core business processes to cloud-based services.
  • Implemented SAP Plant Maintenance and Asset Manager applications to support Facilities & Services data access for improved management, maintenance and quick issue resolution for campus buildings and utilities.
• Compensation Planning Tool has introduced “made @ U of T” customizations for the financial planning community, while retaining the robust security, performance and familiar interface.
• My Research Applications & Agreements (MRA) now provides the U of T research community with modernized and user-friendly tools for submitting research funding applications and non-funded agreements. Recent upgrades to MRA have included building and integrating functionality for university block grants, automating access for teaching stream faculty and librarians and directly linking applicants to research security resources.
• Electronic Funds Transfer pilot successfully completed with 33 Canadian currency vendors transitioning from payments by paper cheque to direct deposit, increasing payment speed while reducing processing costs.
• Timetable Builder, Degree Confirmation and other innovative tool renewals support steps throughout the student lifecycle.

New strategies that improve information security remain a priority to ensure the protection of data and continuity of core services across the University community.

• Multi-factor authentication allows the U of T community to protect their UTORid account against credential theft, enabling them to securely access their data wherever they are.
• Significant improvements to UTmail+ security gives all community members access to new Microsoft Defender features such as Anti-Impersonation, Safe Documents, Safe Attachments and Safe Links that increase protection of personal data while using email. Users have assurance that suspicious activities are identified and neutralized, including controlling spoofed malicious emails to external recipients.
• New research information security program aims to increase research productivity through provision of security advice to scholars; assistance in assessing security needs for large research projects; and guidance to research teams in the adoption of security frameworks aligned with funding requirements.

New initiatives supporting professional development and capacity building are essential to achieving the transformation anticipated by the IT@UofT strategic plan.

• The Microsoft Power BI Centre of Excellence was introduced to support professional development and access to institutional data analysis and availability of Power BI services to all faculty, staff and students.
• Consultations with academic divisions were critical in determining the state of their current IT services and preparing for future transformation.
• The new Hybrid Hub website and expanded Connect+Learn programming on the use of Microsoft tools supported the return to campus in fall 2022.
• The annual IT@UofT 2022 conference explored change, resilience and adaptation in higher education with 654 staff and faculty members from across the University participating.

In response to requests from the community, the architecture and implementation process will be advanced to provide agile divisional access to Microsoft Azure hosting services.

• An enterprise-scale initiative will provide Azure landing zones and a turn-key architectural model that creates an Azure subscription with all the required security, roles, access, pre-built APIs and other services.
• Expanded and improved network security services will support cloud digital transformation while enhancing data security and ensuring resiliency.

Continued gathering of requirements and building a proof of concept for identity management. This includes governance and administration in Phase one of a multi-year process to renew UTORauth and Azure Active Directory access systems. In response to community requests, important goals include providing granular controls for local divisional units, improved onboarding and offboarding and a streamlined user experience.

• Securing endpoints against advanced security threats by providing the community with options for Next-Generation Anti-Virus and Malware platforms.
• Managing risk to critical assets by proactively identifying, tracking and reporting security vulnerabilities.
• Timely detection and response to security threats through use of tools such as threat intelligence service and delegated visibility into security alerts, allowing divisions to minimize adverse impact on the community.

ITS is supporting institutional initiatives aimed at developing foundational learning analytics process frameworks and infrastructure. The initial focus of Learning Analytics at U of T is use of course data by instructors and program leaders to improve student learning. With stakeholder input, infrastructure planning has advanced planning in the following areas:

• Instructor engagement to explore and analyze Quercus learner data to inform course design through the D3:QA Project.
• Community consultation in planning for a set of user-friendly dashboards, which can be accessed by any instructor to inform course design and pedagogical outcomes.
• Quercus record store will allow the institution to leverage Canvas Data Services to ingest, store, process and analyze Learning Management Engine usage data securely and at scale.

• Further expansion of our 365 product sets and security will explore the advanced features of the M365 platform available to the University. Some of the features we are currently investigating are the Power Apps low-code development environment, Power Automate automation services and Sensitivity Labels to protect content in Office 365 applications.
• VoIP telephony integration into Microsoft Teams environment will simplify telephone calling, leveraging the nearly ubiquitous MS Teams app that most users are already familiar with, and deliver additional cost savings across divisions and administrative units.

• Digitization of financial, paper-based processes will take advantage of the significant upgrades of the SAP/Finance systems to SAP S/4 HANA. In partnership with Financial Services, a pilot initiative and long-term planning will modernize and streamline foundational procurement and accounts payable processes at the University.
• My Research Funds will provide an improved user experience and enhanced tools to aid researchers and administrators in managing research funding at the University of Toronto in partnership with the Division of the Vice-President Research and Innovation, updating My Research On Line and Funded Research Digest.
• New centralized software system for Environmental Health and Safety will reduce the risk of non-compliance and ensure institutional safety demands are met through sharing of information, automation of reminders and consolidated communication processes (e.g., inspections, training, equipment, biosafety, chemical safety and radioisotope management).

• Accommodation Testing Services will be further expanded from instructor functionality to a full roll-out of the administrative application and a student request module in ACORN.
• New end-to-end Syllabus Builder Module will be developed within the Course Information System for the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering with future roll-out to the Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto Scarborough and University of Toronto Mississauga.

Learning Renewal and expansion of tools for student learning assessment is on track for the coming academic year, including computer-based solutions that may offer additional capabilities including lock-down browser features. Requests for proposals will be issued through University of Toronto Procurement to address the need for:

• Exam delivery software
• Grading tools
• Online proctoring service renewal

The Centre for Research & Innovation Support (CRIS) provides researcher-centred, practical and coordinated supports to faculty and divisional research offices. In partnership with ITS, 2023 will see CRIS offering and expanded and enhanced CRIS Resource Hub, with an online self-serve catalogue of research and innovation resources and supports for ease of access and discoverability for the University of Toronto academic community.

It has been another extremely active year for digital disruption. It was great to see our students return to campus and to feel the energy that creates. There are number of new initiatives for the upcoming year with a strong focus on information security and there is a role for everyone in our Secure Together program. In addition, we will be rolling out a new governance model to drive even more engagement, especially from the academic side of the house, while adding agility to our decision making.

Bo Wandschneider
Chief Information Officer (CIO), ITS