Campus Notices
This semester's highly anticipated Bioscience Ecosystem Tour is happening on Thursday, February 19!
Presented in partnership with the @peibioalliance, this semester's ecosystem tour is looking more engaging than ever!
Registration for the tour opens on Friday, February 6 at 1:00 PM AST, with the first 20 students who sign up being invited to attend. Make sure you apply as soon as registration opens!
Any full-time UPEI student is eligible to apply to participate, and there is no cost associated with participating. Transportation between field sites is available, and lunch is provided by the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship.
Register here on February 6 at 1:00 pm: https://forms.office.com/r/bsqMKcPDJL
There will be a scheduled maintenance of the UPEI internet access on Saturday February 7, 2026. The maintenance will result in an internet access outage and will start at 9:00 am and is scheduled to last one hour. Internet access is scheduled to be available again by 10:00 am
During the maintenance, all inbound and outbound access of the internet from the UPEI campus as a whole will be unavailable (both the UPEI wired and Wi-Fi/wireless networks). The outage will impact email, Teams, and any other internet based services including remote access from outside the UPEI network.
Internal UPEI access to internal UPEI resources will not be impacted.
The Faculty of Education invites members of the campus community – students, faculty, and staff – to attend a public presentation by Elizabeth Blake outlining her research agenda and how the work contributes to and advances the field of French Education and related fields. Elizabeth Blake is candidate for the conversion of a term position to tenure-track position in French Education (B2.6b).
The presentation takes place on Monday, February 9 at 3:00 pm in Memorial Hall, Room 417.
A Microsoft Teams link is available here: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/25590255599880?p=8PWl2TS7sLsaySxVA4
Meeting ID: 255 902 555 998 80
Passcode: BY7Zg9Se
For further information, contact Karen-Anne O’Halloran.
The UPEI departments of Human Resources and Athletics and Recreation are excited to invite staff and faculty to two Panther Pride events— “Why We Walk” on Thursday, February 5, and “Panther Sport Night and Employee Social” on Friday, February 6, 2026.
Why We Walk, hosted by the UPEI Men’s Basketball Panthers
Thursday, February 5, 2026 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Why We Walk is a campus-wide walk created to raise awareness and show unified support in the ongoing fight against breast cancer, bringing athletes, students, and the UPEI community together in a meaningful and visible way. This guided walk will take place around the campus beginning at a central location and ending at a final gathering point. Along the route, participants will stop at three interactive stations, each designed to encourage reflection, expression, and awareness.
Panther Sport Night and Employee Social
Friday, February 6, 2026
This high-energy night of sport will bring our campus community together to cheer on the UPEI Panthers as they near the finals—while also supporting an important cause.
The UPEI Women’s Basketball Panthers will host Shoot for the Cure, a fundraising initiative in support of breast cancer awareness and research. Dedicated to advancing breast cancer research and awareness, Shoot for the Cure has become a longstanding tradition in Canadian university sport, uniting athletes, coaches, and fans around a common cause.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK!
The Faculty of Science's Seminar Series invites the campus community to Dr. Brent Robicheau (Department of Biology) presentation entitled "Marine nitrogen fixers - a new era of understanding emerges".
February 6, 12:30 pm, Duffy Science Centre, Room 204
Everyone is welcome.
Faculty members and post-docs who supervise, mentor, and/or instruct graduate students are invited to join the upcoming Community of Practice on Excellence in Graduate Supervision session.
Being a graduate student is just one of the many concurrent identities of the students we supervise/mentor/instruct. When competing priorities or impactful world events arise but research deadlines are looming, it can be difficult to know how to strike a balance between expecting progress and being compassionate in our supervision. Join peers for a dialogue about experiences, insights, and tools to support being mentors/supervisors/instructors of the whole grad student.
What: CoP: Mentoring and Supervision of the whole grad student – Balancing accountability with compassion
When: 10:30-11:45 am, Wednesday, February 18
Where: Rm 230 – Teaching and Learning Centre, UPEI Robertson Library Annex
Light refreshments will be provided.
For questions or more information, please contact Charlene VanLeeuwen at cvanleeuwen@upei.ca or Kendra Mellish at kmellish@upei.ca
The UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre is hosting its annual full-day Teaching Community Conference on Tuesday April 28, 2026. This year’s theme will be: Connected Teaching: Connecting with Community, Self, and Place. Please plan to join us and save the date in your calendars.
The Teaching Community Conference is an opportunity to breathe further life into our strategic commitment to innovative and connected teaching, research, and scholarship by sharing our experiences, challenges, and opportunities of advancing teaching and learning at UPEI. Conference participants are invited to reflect on this theme and consider relevant questions such as:
- What supports, skills, and critical capacities do faculty need to embrace the relational and connected nature of teaching?
- As we consider expanding the walls of our classrooms and broadening our partnerships, how do we ensure we aren’t simply supplementing traditional teaching practices but rather transforming what teaching itself means?
- How does a commitment to relational and connected teaching help build faculty capacity to recognize and respond to structural barriers students face?
We are looking for proposals from the UPEI community that highlight current teaching and learning initiatives, share new ideas, and build collaborative strategies for a more inclusive accessible, and courageous university. Proposals from staff and faculty are welcome. There are four formats suggested for proposals:
- Traditional Oral Presentation: Presenters share a talk about a teaching and learning project or topic related to the theme, speaking for about 20 minutes, followed by 5-10 minutes for questions.
- Lightning Talk: "Small Shifts, Significant Gains." Presenters share a teaching strategy or practice that they’ve found effective in supporting student learning, speaking for about ten minutes, followed by a short group discussion.
- Interactive Workshop: A hands-on session that encourages active participation and collaboration among attendees. The workshop could involve group activities, discussions, practical exercises, etc.
- Indigenous Sharing Circle: A facilitated, safe space for individuals to come together to discuss topics related to the theme, share their experiences, listen to each other, build relationships, offer support, and connect with each other.
- Facilitated Roundtable Discussion: A structured, collaborative conversation led by a facilitator to encourage open dialogue, balanced participation, and exploration of shared issues among participants. The session is guided by clear objectives and prompts, resulting in documented insights and agreed‑upon themes or recommendations.
The deadline for submissions is Monday, February 23, 2026. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to TLC@upei.ca.
Proposals can be submitted here.
Beginning at 9:00 am on Monday, February 2 and until further notice, anyone accessing electronic resources (e-journals, e-books, databases, etc.) subscribed to by the Robertson Library will be prompted to enter their UPEI username and password, even when connected to a UPEI computer network. Logging in with UPEI credentials is a long-standing requirement for accessing Library e-resources from off-campus, but not on UPEI computing networks. The need for a temporary “on-campus login” arrangement at this time arises from an initiative led by ITSS to consolidate UPEI-owned IP addresses. This has, in turn, made it necessary for the Library to reconfigure the EZProxy server that we use to manage access to our e-resources.
During the EZproxy reconfiguration, the only way to reliably access databases and other e-resources will be through the links on the Library's website. If you have saved or bookmarked links that do not include the word "proxy" in the URL (web address), please note that these will not work during this time. You can fix those URLs using our Creating Persistent Links to Content in Library Databases tool.
If you encounter any difficulties accessing Library e-resources during this EZproxy reconfiguration, or have questions about it, please contact us. For information about the broader UPEI IP initiative, please contact Graham Nixon, Manager, Infrastructure and Technology, ITSS. For updates see Change in Online Access to Library Resources.
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!
Graduate students are invited to come to the TLC on Feb. 5, 2026 at 12:00 to learn about creating an academic CV and some strategies for helping it grow as your career develops. If you are a Graduate Supervisor, consider encouraging your students to attend.
Our EFAP provider, Green Shield, is hosting orientation webinars for all employees, faculty members, and their dependents who would like to learn more about how their UPEI EFAP benefits work.
2026 dates offered: February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5 and December 3.
To register:
- Click this ZOOM link to register
- Please select the best date (note that the time zone is listed in EST).
- Complete the Webinar Registration.
- You will receive an email confirmation that has the log-in and call-in details.
This comprehensive, confidential, and accessible program offers a wide range of services to support your mental health and overall well-being, including:
5 hours of individual counselling (Green Shield will closely monitor usage and will provide additional hours to those who need further support, to ensure that no one is denied access to the program because of insufficient sponsored hours in any policy year) and 5 hours of couples therapy
Additional program highlights include:
- Flexible therapy options via phone, video, or in-person, with 30, 60, or 90-minute sessions
- Personalized therapist matching that considers DEI preferences
- Unlimited 15-minute consultations to help members find their ideal therapist
- Innovative, value-added services in areas such as children’s mental health, nutrition, and overall well-being
- Unlimited financial and legal consultations
- Self-guided digital CBT, well-being coaching, and personalized care navigation
- Digital pharmacy and nutrition services
Create your account to explore services, including Mental Health Support: Get convenient, personalized mental health support from a qualified therapist best suited to you, or explore our self-guided online therapy program at your own pace.
We hope you’ll enjoy this integrated and convenient health experience.
ACCOUNT AS AN EMPLOYEE
Create your account to access GreenShield+ services today.
Your Organization code is: UPEI
Sign Up
To access your EAP on GreenShield+:
- Make a note of your Organization Code "UPEI"
- Go to app.greenshieldplus.ca/en/sign-up
- Select Through an Employer or Organization
- Select I have an Organization Code
- Follow the steps to register
ACCOUNT AS A DEPENDENT
Before You Begin: You should only choose through a family member if you are a dependent (e.g. partner, spouse, child) of a person with a plan member ID or organization code.
For questions, contact Human Resources at employeeservices@upei.ca
This online Lunch & Learn session with Dr. Elizabeth Wells from Mount Allison University has been postponed. A new date later in the semester will be shared soon.
The UPEI departments of Human Resources and Athletics and Recreation are excited to invite staff and faculty to two Panther Pride events— “Why We Walk” on Thursday, February 5, and “Panther Sport Night and Employee Social” on Friday, February 6, 2026.
Why We Walk, hosted by the UPEI Men’s Basketball Panthers
Thursday, February 5, 2026 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Why We Walk is a campus-wide walk created to raise awareness and show unified support in the ongoing fight against breast cancer, bringing athletes, students, and the UPEI community together in a meaningful and visible way. This guided walk will take place around the campus beginning at a central location and ending at a final gathering point. Along the route, participants will stop at three interactive stations, each designed to encourage reflection, expression, and awareness.
Panther Sport Night and Employee Social
Friday, February 6, 2026
This high-energy night of sport will bring our campus community together to cheer on the UPEI Panthers as they near the finals—while also supporting an important cause.
The UPEI Women’s Basketball Panthers will host Shoot for the Cure, a fundraising initiative in support of breast cancer awareness and research. Dedicated to advancing breast cancer research and awareness, Shoot for the Cure has become a longstanding tradition in Canadian university sport, uniting athletes, coaches, and fans around a common cause.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK!
Join Ashton Dougan (Nursing) and Marissa Clapson (Chemistry) for an interactive lunch-and-learn on February 26 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the TLC, Robertson Library Annex, Room 230, where you won’t just hear about escape rooms--you’ll experience one.
In this session, participants will take part in a mini educational escape room, explore the tactile and digital materials we use to design them, and learn how escape rooms can promote engagement, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving across disciplines. We will share examples from nursing and chemistry, discuss student reactions and learning outcomes, and walk you through the first steps of planning your own classroom escape room. Whether you teach in the sciences, health, or beyond, you’ll leave with practical ideas, adaptable resources, and inspiration to bring playful, high-impact learning into your courses.
The Office of Research Services and the Teaching and Learning Centre are collaborating to put on a workshop about incorporating Indigenization and equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) in Research.
Funders (especially the Tri-Agencies) are increasingly looking for Indigenization and EDIA to be included in grant applications. This session will help researchers explore their positionality and incorporate Indigenization and EDIA into their proposal and highly qualified personnel (HQP) sections.
Event details
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Location: FSDE 128A (in-person only)
More information and a registration link will be available shortly. Questions can be directed to Julie VanLeeuwen (jmvanleeuwen@upei.ca), Research Navigator.
Volunteers wanted for sauna and blood sugar and sauna study
Research study at the University of Prince Edward Island
Principal Investigator: Dr. Étienne Myette-Côté
Study Title:
The Effects of Acute Sauna Therapy on Glucose Control in Individuals at Risk for Metabolic Impairments.
What’s involved: Help us understand how a single 45-minute infrared sauna session affects blood sugar levels. Participants will complete two sessions (sauna and rest), wear a small blood sugar sensor (CGM), and attend a total of three lab visits. All meals for study days will be provided.
You may be eligible if you
- are 30–49 years old
- have a body mass index of ≥ 27 kg/m2
- have a waist size >102 cm (men) or >88 cm (women)
- have access to transportation for the last 2 visits (e.g., car, public transit, or drop-off) or live within a five-minute walk of the university.
- are cleared for participation based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+).
You cannot participate if you
- take medications that affect blood sugar
- exercise intensely 2+ times/week
- have diabetes, heart issues, low blood sugar or pressure
- are pregnant
- regularly use saunas or other heat therapy
Location: All sessions take place at the University of Prince Edward Island.
Interested? Contact us to learn more or see if you're eligible: researchupei@outlook.com
Upcoming Information Sessions: Reducing Administrative Burden for Low-Value, Low-Risk Fee for Service Agreements
You spoke. We listened!
As part of our ongoing effort to live UPEI’s core value related to the Pursuit of Excellence, UPEI’s Contracts and Insurance and Procurement teams — along with a cross-functional process improvement group including representation from administrative staff, Privacy, ITSS, and the Office of the VPAF— have worked collaboratively to reduce administrative burden related to UPEI’s Low-Value, Low-Risk Fee for Service (FFS) agreements.
Did you know?
In 2025, UPEI processed 195 FFS agreements.
These agreements are currently subject to 28 touch points across seven UPEI departments and consume, on average, four hours of employee time each. That’s 780 employee hours per year!
These agreements average 26 days to process from start to completion.
Most interestingly, 79% of the FFS agreements are valued at less than $50,000.
Many of these FFS engagements pose minimal risk but require significant administrative effort.
What’s new?
Effective February 9, 2026, UPEI’s Procurement and Contracts and Insurance teams are proposing to eliminate FFS agreements for engagements valued at $50,000 or less, provided they meet "low risk" criteria.
The new Low-Value, Low-Risk Process reduces administrative steps from 28 to 7 - a 75% reduction - while maintaining key safeguards, including insurance.
This streamlined process will result in a significant reduction in paperwork and annual hours spent on FFS engagements each year, as well as shortening the time to complete while reducing potential frustration for UPEI staff and external vendors.
What do you need to know?
The Contracts and Insurance Office invites all members of the campus community to attend upcoming information sessions regarding the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS process.
These pre-launch sessions are intended to help departments prepare and ask questions ahead of implementation.
Sessions will include overviews of the Contracts and Insurance Office; FFS agreements; and the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS process; and offer an opportunity for Q&A
Session details: February 4, 2026 | 9:00–10:00 am | TBD | Register Here
Questions: If you have questions or require additional information, please contact the Contracts and Insurance Office at contracts@upei.ca
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.
The Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship is hosting a workshop focused on teaching the basics about creating a business plan on Wednesday, February 3, from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. Participants will learn about the major components of a business plan and what sort of information should be included in the document.
Attendees participating in the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program will also receive suggestions, tips, and tricks for how to make the most of their business plan for their written award submissions. The event is open to the public, but those participating in the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program Accelerate stream will have the event count towards their attendance boost for the Entrepreneurial written awards if present.
Beginning at 9:00 am on Monday, February 2 and until further notice, anyone accessing electronic resources (e-journals, e-books, databases, etc.) subscribed to by the Robertson Library will be prompted to enter their UPEI username and password, even when connected to a UPEI computer network. Logging in with UPEI credentials is a long-standing requirement for accessing Library e-resources from off-campus, but not on UPEI computing networks. The need for a temporary “on-campus login” arrangement at this time arises from an initiative led by ITSS to consolidate UPEI-owned IP addresses. This has, in turn, made it necessary for the Library to reconfigure the EZProxy server that we use to manage access to our e-resources.
During the EZproxy reconfiguration, the only way to reliably access databases and other e-resources will be through the links on the Library's website. If you have saved or bookmarked links that do not include the word "proxy" in the URL (web address), please note that these will not work during this time. You can fix those URLs using our Creating Persistent Links to Content in Library Databases tool.
If you encounter any difficulties accessing Library e-resources during this EZproxy reconfiguration, or have questions about it, please contact us. For information about the broader UPEI IP initiative, please contact Graham Nixon, Manager, Infrastructure and Technology, ITSS. For updates see Change in Online Access to Library Resources.
