While Quercus is unavailable, CTSI is providing recommendations for managing your course using U of T’s Microsoft 365 tools in the short term. We will be providing further advice should this situation persist.
Teams, Zoom, and other teaching technology tools remain available.
Stay updated
CTSI will continue posting recommendations and updates on this page while Quercus remains unavailable.
You can also monitor U of T’s System Status Page for updates on Quercus availability.
Organize Course Content on OneDrive
Create a course folder
Sign in to OneDrive with your University credentials. Create a folder for the course (e.g., “ABC123 Spring 2026”) and add your syllabus, readings, slides, and any other materials students will need in the short term.
Share the folder with students
In OneDrive, select the folder and choose Share.
- Change link settings to People at University of Toronto
- Set permissions to Can view
- Copy the link and share it with students by email or during class
Please note that anyone at the University of Toronto with the link will be able to view these materials. You may therefore wish to share only the materials students need for the coming week.
Need help? Consult Microsoft’s guidance on sharing files and folders in OneDrive.
Communicate with Students via Email
If you are not meeting with students in person, send an email to your class.
Request your class list
Your departmental or divisional registrar can provide a list of enrolled students and their U of T email addresses.
Include key course information
In your email to students:
- Share any preparation needed for the next few days
- Remind students how they can contact you
- Let students know the course will temporarily use email and OneDrive in place of Quercus
- Consider attaching your syllabus for quick access
Library Reading List
Instructors currently using Library Reading List for the Summer term are encouraged to contact Syllabus Service to investigate access options outside of Quercus, including the creation of direct links to their Reading List. Email syllabus.service@library.utoronto.ca for more information.
Additional Resources
FASE’s Education Technology Office: How to Continue Teaching During a Quercus Outage provides guidance on using Piazza, Crowdmark, email, OneDrive/SharePoint, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams to support communication, content sharing, assignment collection, and online class meetings while Quercus is unavailable.
UTM: Teaching without Quercus at UTM provides practical guidance on course communication, syllabus access, reading lists, assignment collection, content sharing, Zoom and Teams meetings, and Microsoft 365 tools while Quercus is unavailable.
CTSI: Tools Beyond Quercus outlines considerations for using third-party and cloud-based tools outside the U of T Academic Toolbox, including guidance related to privacy, student data, accessibility, intellectual property, and alternative access for students.
Need Support?
CTSI staff are available to help you think through communication, teaching activities, assessments, and short-term course continuity options while Quercus is unavailable.
You can also contact: q.help@utoronto.ca