UniForum is a data collection and benchmarking program that we are using to evaluate the distribution and effectiveness of services at the University of Toronto. The program is designed to provide us with information about end-to-end processes and resourcing of services and activities that support our academic mission and purpose. It also provides insight into the satisfaction levels of our core services.
Thirty-six post-secondary institutions worldwide have adopted UniForum— including 10 in Canada, 15 in the United Kingdom and Europe, and 11 in Australia and New Zealand. Each university participating in the UniForum program conducts its own data collection, while following the same rigorous process and framework to allow for benchmarking of the data.
Step 1: Service Effectiveness Survey
The Service Effectiveness Survey provides a closer look at end-users’ satisfaction levels with our core services.
Step 2: Service & Activity Data Collection
The Service & Activity Data Collection looks into 160+ services and activities, provided by both suppliers and employees of the university. Our goal is to better understand — at an organizational level — how we deliver specific services and where those services are housed.
Step 3: Participant Experience Survey
The Participant Experience Survey is a short, optional questionnaire that seek feedback from members who participated in the Service & Activity Data Collection. This item provides feedback to the Executive and Steering Committee on the UniForum@UofT experience.
With the data we have now and the data to come, we commit to being thoughtful about the information gathered, seeking opportunities to better understand the ways of working at U of T, and continuing conversations with interested stakeholders.
2023 Data Collection Timeline
Selected Key Dates
The fiscal and staffing landscape has changed considerably since 2019, when we committed to an inaugural four-year period of data collection. While we continue to benefit from the rich data made available to us through the collection and surveys, we are also cognisant of the time and effort it takes not only to collect the data but, more importantly, to actually use the data.
We are therefore pleased to announce that we have recommitted to the UniForum program to April 2030, but on a new and unique-to-UofT “off year/on year” data collection model. 2024 will be an “off year” with no data collection, and with collections scheduled for spring 2025, 2027 and 2029.
Off years are opportunities for divisions to collaborate closely with uniforum@utoronto.ca on data analysis and deep dives as we seek to leverage and maximize our resources to support and enhance our core teaching, research, service and student experience goals. And while we always seek to find efficiencies and cost savings, we have not undertaken benchmarking to reduce staffing. Rather, our goal has always been to make sure our time and our talent is being used as effectively as possible, and that we’re able to provide our community with the best possible services and supports. To that end, we encourage you to reach out to the uniforum@utoronto.ca team to schedule a data deep dive, or for information on the data available to you as you launch your own initiatives.
For U of T employees completing in this year collection, please go here for more information and resources.