GreenShield, our EAP provider, is offering additional support and resources for members who have been impacted by the tragic events in Tumbler Ridge, BC. We encourage you to use the following resources for anyone who may be impacted:

Three free hours of mental health support: Through GreenShield Cares, Canadians can access three free hours of culturally appropriate virtual therapy by visiting our website and following these steps to register: 

1. Navigate to https://app.greenshieldplus.ca/en/sign-up/org-code?ref=TR
2. Consent to Terms and Conditions
3. Enter your email address and select Continue
4. Enter the verification code that you received at the email you provided and select Continue.
5. On the Organization Code screen, enter the organization code GSCARES3
6. On the Personal Details screen, enter your information. Select Continue.
7. On the Contact Details screen, enter your Address Information. Select Continue.
8. On the Create New Password page, enter the password you would like to use for your account, then select Continue.
9. Select Sign In.

GreenShield’s 24/7 crisis line: Members seeking support can call 1-833-707-4747 to speak with mental health professionals and access additional resources.

The week of February 16-20 is not only Reading Week but also the beginning of holy seasons for many. Lent and Ramadan follow a similar schedule this year.  

The Chaplaincy Centre will NOT be hosting a pancake breakfast on Tuesday February 17. We encourage UPEI pancake lovers to enjoy IKERAS Faculty-Led Program for Study Abroad to New Zealand on Saturday February 14 at The Local Pub.

The Chaplaincy Centre will have Mass on Ash Wednesday, February 18 at 4:00 pm.  

The UPEI Writing Centre will be closed during the Mid-Semester Break week. We look forward to seeing you again on Monday, February 23.

To see availability and to book a session, please visit https://upei.mywconline.com/ or drop by for a walk-in appointment (Robertson Library 274).

At UPEI, our people make the difference. The University Awards of Excellence recognize employees who go above and beyond in teaching, research, service, leadership, and more! Categories include: 

• University Teaching Excellence Award
• University Research Excellence Award
• University Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision
• University Award for Exemplary Service
• University Ambassador Award
• University Award for Support of Student Success

Taking time to nominate a colleague or an individual who has made a difference in your experience at UPEI is a powerful way to show appreciation and foster a culture of gratitude. Recognition can bridge gaps, uplift individuals, and strengthen our sense of belonging

Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, and students.

Submit your nomination today! 

Nominations close on Friday, February 27, 2026

For more information about each award, including eligibility and the nomination process, please visit the University Awards of Excellence page.

You're invited to the Robertson Library Book Club! Throughout Winter Term 2026, we will read and discuss three books on the topic of indigeneity in the region of Turtle Island known as Canada. Book club meetings will be co-hosted by Morgan Varis, a sessional instructor from IKERAS (Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies). These meetings will take place on the last Monday of each month from January - March and will be held in the Robertson Library lobby at noon (12pm); light refreshments will be provided. 

Our next meeting is Monday, February 23, 12pm-1pm, discussing Out of the Depths: The Experiences of Mi’kmaw Children at the Indian Residential School at Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia by Isabelle Knockwood (nonfiction)

"Daring to break the code of silence imposed on Aboriginal students, residential school survivor Isabelle Knockwood offers the firsthand experiences of forty-two survivors of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School. In their own words, these former students remember their first day of residential schooling, when they were outwardly transformed through hair cuts and striped uniforms marked with numbers. Then followed years of inner transformation from a strict and regimented life of education and manual training, as well as harsh punishments for speaking their own language or engaging in Indigenous customs. The survivors also speak of being released from their school — and having to decide between living in a racist and unwelcoming dominant society or returning to reserves where the Aboriginal culture had evolved." -Fernwood Publishing

Copies of all three books are available to borrow from the Robertson Library (courtesy of PEI Public Library/Service des bibliothèques publiques ÎPÉ and their book club kit program):

Birdie by Tracey Lindberg
Out of the Depths by Isabelle Knockwood
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Hope to see you there!

The Faculty of Education invites all to attend the public presentation of Christina Perry's PhD Dissertation Defense, "Undergraduate Students’ Sense of Belonging in Course-Based Environments: A Case Study from an Atlantic Canadian University."

Please join us in person at Memorial Hall, Room 417 or through Teams: see the link below:
Christina Perry - PhD Dissertation Defense | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

The campus community is invited to join a seminar organized by the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research (CVER) at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC). CVER will host the visit of Professor Elaine M. S. Dorneles, a Brazilian scholar. She will work with Professor Sanchez during her visit. Professor Dorneles will give a seminar as part of CVER academic activities. 

• Speaker: Elaine Maria Seles Dorneles, DVM PhD, Professor, Federal University of Lavras, Brazil
• Title: From farm to public health: A One-Health perspective on zoonotic diseases in Brazil
• Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
• Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm
• Location: AVC Lecture Theatre B

Bio: Dr. Elaine M S Dorneles is a veterinarian and professor at the Federal University of Lavras (Universidade Federal de Lavras, UFLA), Brazil. She works in the field of animal health and public health. Her research focuses on zoonotic diseases, particularly brucellosis and tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases affecting dairy cattle, with emphasis on One Health, antimicrobial use and resistance, and milk quality and safety. She coordinates and participates in research and extension projects aimed at improving disease control strategies at the farm level and reducing risks to public health.

The next Town Hall will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026—the second annual edition of "Hearts and Flowers." February is a month sometimes known for giving “hearts and flowers,” as well as for the short days of midwinter. Our Town Hall will be an opportunity to share examples of success, what we are proud of at UPEI, and to give heart emojis and flower bouquets! Let's give a shoutout to campus community members and celebrate our Panther Pride.  

President's Town Hall: Hearts and Flowers!
Thursday, February 12, 2026 
3:00–4:00 pm 
Amphitheatre, Performing Arts Centre and Residence building (PAC121S)  

If you are unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join us virtually at this  Teams Town Hall link.

We are pleased to officially launch the new Low-Value, Low-Risk Fee for Service (FFS) Process, effective February 9, 2026. 

What’s Changing? 

Under the new process, Fee for Service engagements valued at $50,000 or less that meet established low-risk criteria no longer require Fee for Service Agreements.  

Documentation 

A process overview document explaining the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS Process, along with supporting materials to assist staff, are now available on the Procurement SharePoint.  

Departments are required to review these materials before initiating an engagement under the new process.  

Updates Based on Feedback 

We thank members of the campus community for the feedback shared throughout development, including during recent campus presentations and information sessions. This feedback has informed updates to our materials. The most up-to-date documentation is available on the SharePoint page. Reference documents include version dates to track changes, and significant updates will be communicated to the campus community. 

Questions, Support, and Feedback 

For questions or assistance with the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS Process, please contact the Contracts and Insurance Office at contracts@upei.ca. Our team is happy to provide general guidance and to assess specific scenarios on a case-by-case basis. 

The UPEI Office of Study Abroad & International Partnerships is excited to host a Study Abroad Information Session on Thursday, February 12, from 1:00-2:00 pm in the Robertson Library Annex, Room 209.  We will explain the different Study Abroad Programs, explore UPEI's various partner schools, discuss funding opportunities, share past student experiences, and answer any questions you may have! To claim a seat, please sign up here!

The University Teaching Excellence Award recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching in one or more of the following areas: teaching effectiveness; teaching innovation; clinical instruction; and scholarship of teaching and learning and educational leadership. 

Nominated candidates will have demonstrated outstanding contributions to teaching at the University. Among the factors to be considered by the Committee will be: evidence of sustained and superior performance in one or more areas of teaching; excellence in the classroom, laboratory, clinical setting, online teaching, and/or undergraduate student supervision; teaching innovation such as the development of new and effective teaching methods; and, scholarship of teaching and learning and educational leadership including scholarly publications or activities that promote teaching excellence at the University.

• Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, students, or a combination thereof.
• Nominations must be supported by two nominators. At least one nominator must be a member of UPEI's faculty or staff.
• Nominations must include a dated statement of no more than two (2) pages proposing the nomination, describing and justifying the achievements in the category for which the application is being made. Nominations must provide specific examples to support the nomination.

Nominations are submitted in confidence through the online nomination form.

Questions may be directed to universityawards@upei.ca.

Nominations close on Friday, February 27, 2026

For more information about each award, including eligibility and the nomination process, please click here

The Office of Research Services and the Teaching and Learning Centre are collaborating to put on a workshop about incorporating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) in Research*.   

Dr. Shilpa Dogra is Professor in Kinesiology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University. Dr. Dogra’s diverse research program has been funded by NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR. Some of her CIHR funded projects focus on the inclusion of older adults from equity deserving groups in research. She has co-authored papers on the development of a sex and gender-based analysis tool (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0323834), a call to action on Indigenization and EDIA (https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/22/6/article-p644.xml), and has served on several CIHR review panels, including the Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award.   

Dr. Dogra will join Dr. Nola Etkin, Dr. Josh MacFayden, Dr. Marissa Clapson, Dr. Cinthya Guzman, and Research Grants Coordinator Leslie Cudmore for an interactive workshop on incorporating EDIA into grant applications.   

In this session, researchers will explore their positionality, integrate EDIA into their proposal and highly qualified personnel (HQP) sections, and leave with actionable material to include in their next grant application.  

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026 

Time: 10:00 am–12:00 pm 

Location: FSDE 128A 

Open to all faculty members. Please RSVP here: EDIA in Research Workshop – Fill out form 

Storm date: Friday, February 20, 2026, 1-3 pm. FSDE 128A

*This session was previously marketed as a Indigenization and EDIA in Research Workshop. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the Indigenization portion has been removed from this session. We hope to run a separate Indigenization in Research session in the future.   

Questions can be directed to Julie VanLeeuwen (jmvanleeuwen@upei.ca), Research Navigator. 

This week, the TLC highlights digitized primary sources that support historical inquiry and critical analysis in post-secondary courses. A Black People's History of Canada (Dalhousie University project) provides extensive Canadian collections, including digitized documents, curricula, and media on Black Canadian history from 1604 for discussion and assignments.

Calling all Panthers! On Friday, February 13, we’re inviting students, staff, faculty, and alumni to join us at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre for a Paper Airplane Toss during halftime at the Women’s basketball game! 

UPEI Alumni and Experiential Education has partnered with Provincial Credit Union to provide the opportunity for UPEI students interested in banking and finance to connect with employees working at Provincial Credit Union.

Remember to RSVP on UPEI Connect to receive FREE game snacks and drinks for you and your friends and family.

Arrive as early as 5:15 pm to talk with students/alumni and start crafting your winning plane. At halftime, it's time to see whose plane flies the furthest. 

This is a fun, laid-back chance to connect with the UPEI community, boost your Panther pride, and build lasting connections. 

Friday, February 13 | 6PM
Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre
Students, get your game tickets online - https://upei.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1485
Airplane-making materials provided
Prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place

***Please note: To receive your complimentary FREE game snacks and drinks, you must sign up for the event via UPEI Connect. Register today. 

UPEI is seeking input from community members and users of the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on whether to develop a high-performance strength and conditioning facility for UPEI and PEI athletes. A dedicated high-performance training centre would support approximately 250 varsity and 200 club student-athletes. UPEI is considering the creation of this training centre by redeploying 3,146 square feet of space in the Sports Centre from current use as squash courts and “Studio One” (a flexible exercise space). For more details, click here. Please provide input to Tim Walker, Vice-President, Administration and Finance, at vpaf@upei.ca by February 20, 2026. 

Are you looking for talented and motivated students or recent graduates to join your team? If so, don’t miss the chance to register as an employer for the 2026 UPEI Summer Job and Career Fair!

The Summer Job and Career Fair is a great opportunity for UPEI departments to connect with potential employees or interns. You will be able to meet with hundreds of students and alumni from various disciplines and backgrounds and promote your department’s employment opportunities.

The fair will take place on March 11 (storm date: March 12, same time) from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre.

Space at the fair is limited and restricted to employers hiring for 2026 summer jobs or looking to hire May 2026 graduates or recent grads. Registration is FREE for all UPEI departments, but you need to register by February 21 at 4:00 pm to secure your spot.

To register, please fill out this form: UPEI Departments - Summer Job and Career Fair Registration 2026 – Fill out form.

Registration includes a folding table, two chairs, electricity (upon request), and wireless internet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Community and Industry Outreach Coordinator Jess Cameron at careerfair@upei.ca or (902) 894-2817. 

We hope to see you at the fair! 

The Local Pub and Oyster Bar is sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, February 14 from 8am - 10am for the upcoming UPEI, IKERAS Faculty-Led Program for Study Abroad to New Zealand in May 2026! Only $15 per person for delicious pancakes (includes tea/coffee) and is being served by our students! 

The Faculty of Education invites all to attend the public presentation of Christina Perry's PhD Dissertation Defense, "Undergraduate Students’ Sense of Belonging in Course-Based Environments: A Case Study from an Atlantic Canadian University."

Please join us in person at Memorial Hall, Room 417 or through Teams: see the link below:
Christina Perry - PhD Dissertation Defense | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, March 6 for the March meeting. 

Please note that as of June 1, 2020 all animal user protocols must be submitted through UPEI Researcher Portal at https://upei.researchservicesoffice.com/Romeo.Researcher/

For new protocols select ‘applications’ and for renewal or amendment protocols select ‘events’.

To view any UPEI ACC SOPs and Codes of Practice, they can be accessed through myUPEI at https://portal.upei.ca/facultystaff/administrativeservices/AVCAnimalCare/Pages/default.aspx. 

Those protocols received after the deadline will be reviewed the following month. The Committee requires at least one month for processing applications.

Curious about where an Engineering degree can take you?

Attend Industry Impact: The Value of an Engineering Degree on Friday, February 12, starting at 4:00 pm in the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering Building, Rooms 128 A/B.

Hear from industry and academic professionals, including:

• Dr. Stephanie Shaw, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering
• Nick Thibodeau, P.Eng., Structural Engineer, Harbourside Engineering Consultants
• Spencer Lynch, P.Eng., Business Development Manager, AKA Energy Systems
• Sophie Hayes, Junior Engineer, City of Charlottetown

This session is a great opportunity to network, gain real-world insights, and explore career pathways, whether you are planning your next steps after graduation or considering a career change into engineering.

Thanks to Harbourside Engineering, two lucky students will win a $200 cash prize and $100 in bookstore merchandise. Simply attend to be entered in the giveaway. 

Food and drinks will also be provided.