Fresh Features, Smarter Security: Your Newest Microsoft 365 Roundup 

We're committed to making your digital work experience easier, more secure, and better connected — whether you're hosting a class on Teams, managing research data, or simply replying to email. Here's what’s new and what’s coming across Microsoft 365 at UTM this spring. 

Strengthening Security & Simplifying Access 

Renewing Our Microsoft Agreement 

We’re currently renegotiating our Microsoft agreement to support faculty needs across all campuses. The goal? A stable, long-term contract (5 years + optional 3-year extension) that helps control costs while improving access to tools. 

• What it means for you: Better licensing for casual staff and reduced administrative roadblocks. 

• What’s changing: The outdated online toolkit will be retired. A smoother system for assigning tools and licenses is on the way. 

Safer Email with DMARC 

Our DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) project is moving forward. It’s part of a broader InfoSec effort to ensure emails that say they’re from U of T are actually from U of T. 

• Impact: Fewer phishing emails, more trusted inboxes. 

• What’s next: Stronger enforcement of sender authentication like SPF and DKIM records. 

Duo for Admins – New Login Step 

Starting May 29, MFA will have a slightly new login prompt as part of enhanced Duo authentication. 

• Why this matters: Adds a layer of protection without affecting day-to-day users. 

Smarter Communication Tools 

Microsoft Teams Premium Pilot 

UTM is hosting a user experience pilot for Teams Premium, testing helpful features like: 

• AI-generated meeting recaps 

• Smarter recording tools 

• Improved data sharing 

Interested in joining? Let us know — spots are limited! 

New: End-to-End Encryption for Teams Calls 

We’ve enabled end-to-end encryption for Microsoft Teams calls to help protect your conversations and enhance privacy. 

While this upgrade boosts call security, features like captions and transcription will be temporarily disabled when encryption is active. 

Improved Teams Provisioning Process 

To help streamline new Microsoft Teams requests, a new form and divisional approval step are being introduced through a collaborative effort across U of T — with UTM playing a key role in the process. 

• Benefit: Reduces duplication and improves clarity about who’s using what. 

Storage, Licensing & Archiving Updates 

Casual Staff Licensing & Storage Management 

A new system is being developed to help better assign storage and tools to casual staff. This includes exploring Microsoft’s archival tools to shift older data to more affordable storage options. 

Email Archiving Coming Soon 

We’re preparing to enable online email archiving for both students and staff. 

• Why it matters: It helps manage inbox size and stay within storage limits. 

• What to expect: A phased rollout starting with students, with more details and instructions to follow soon. 

Storage Reporting Underway 

An external partner is analyzing our current file storage practices. 

• Goal: Identify large file holders and find better ways to manage digital space across departments. 

• No action needed yet: Just know improvements are in motion! 

Better Systems for Provisioning & Onboarding 

Student Offboarding Process Improvements 

We’re working to automate how students are removed from systems after graduation, including: 

• Timely email deactivation 

• Clearer communication 

• Guidelines on email usage after leaving U of T 

Need Help or Have Questions? 

We’re here to support you. If you have questions about any of the updates or tools mentioned, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We're happy to point you in the right direction or connect you with the right resource. 

Wrapping Up 

Each of these updates is designed with your daily workflows in mind — whether it’s making Teams meetings more intuitive, ensuring your inbox is less cluttered with spam, or simplifying how you access digital tools.