The University of Toronto’s Information Technology Services (ITS) has successfully launched the TA Administrative Management System, designed to streamline the hiring and management of over 6,300 Teaching Assistants across the university each year. Once fully implemented, the new system will increase security and save administrators time.
Currently, the system has been implemented in departments at four faculties, with more to follow this summer.
“Faculties and departments have been using manual processes to hire and manage TAs, and it takes up an enormous amount of time and resources,” says Swetlana Signarowski, executive director at Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI). “We’ve worked with areas across the university to create an accessible enterprise solution that optimizes processes, improves user experience and realizes cost savings.”
Unlocking key benefits
“There are so many benefits to this solution,” says Gary Raposo, associate director, AMS/SAP at EASI. “The new system will streamline tasks, save users time and reduce the administrative burden. Enhanced security measures will better protect sensitive data, and the new system ensures compliance with U of T’s HR, finance and agreement requirements.”
By automating manual processes, the system will improve accuracy and minimize errors associated with data entry. Additionally, the system supports diverse roles beyond TAs, including research, sessional, writing, and clinical instructors. It also provides a robust platform for future evolution, allowing for efficient deployment of new features to meet emerging business needs.
Collaboration across U of T
Implementing the application has involved close collaboration with areas across U of T.
“We consulted with various faculties to understand the challenges they faced, performed an assessment, and provided recommendations,” says Signarowski. “We then collaborated with them to find an optimal solution, presented our findings, and worked with IT@UofT Governance Boards to get project approvals.”
To date, specific departments at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), Rotman School of Management, the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, the Faculty of Information, and the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design have onboarded to the new system.
Throughout the summer, additional departments at UTM will be onboarded, along with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education.
Transforming TA hiring process
The system aligns with the IT@UofT Strategic Plan, focusing on administrative systems transformation and improved service management, providing a robust platform for future evolution.
“The application has been put to the test and has succeeded with flying colours,” says Raposo. “Select faculties used the system beginning in June for hiring new TAs starting in September 2025 and will continue to use it throughout the summer for hiring taking place in winter 2025.”
Once fully implemented, the governance of the application will be a shared responsibility, with ongoing collaboration between executive sponsors, participating units, and ITS.
“We’re really excited that we could collaborate with areas across the university to address an immediate need,” says Signarowski. “We’ve now set the stage for this system to continue to evolve, advancing operational efficiency and improving access to services.”