Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is a day dedicated to remembering and honoring the lives of transgender people lost to violence, discrimination, and injustice. In honour of this day, we are hosting an interactive art display that will travel across campus throughout the week of November 18. The display will feature a canvas that everyone is invited to add to—whether through words, art, or messages of love and support—and is an opportunity to express yourself and reflect on the significance of TDOR.

Additionally, we’ll be offering pronoun pin-making with our button maker. Create your own pronoun pin to wear and share, or simply stop by to chat, and learn more about the history of TDOR. We will be at the following locations as listed:

Wednesday: Health Science Building Lounge, outside Room 103, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Thursday: Chemistry Lounge, outside K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre 104, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Thursday: Student Lounge, W.A. Murphy Student Centre (beside Tim Horton's), 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Friday: Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering building, wide corridor next to the front entrance or the common area on the second floor, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Friday: Robertson Library, lounge area on the first floor next to the stairs, 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

The University of Prince Edward Island will observe the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, November 20, by flying the transgender flag and lowering all flags to half-mast. The Transgender Day of Remembrance has been held every year on November 20 since 1999, after the deaths of Rita Hester and Chanelle Pickett, transgender women in the United States. The day calls attention to the transgender and gender diverse people who have lost their lives due to anti-trans violence, and raises awareness around the continued adversity that trans people face in our society.

UPEI welcomes diversity and is committed to creating a culture of trust, safety, and inclusion for transgender people. Together, we can foster a campus community of inclusivity and support, ensuring that everyone feels safe and valued. Read more

As part of UPEI's membership in the Academics Without Borders (AWB) Network of colleges and universities, faculty and staff are invited to a Massey Dialogue on The Pursuit of Equity in International Higher Education at the University of Toronto on Wednesday, November 20, 6:00-7:00 pm AST. Ian Graham, chair of the AWB board, and Edith Hillan, AWB volunteer and U of T professor of nursing, will engage in a conversation with Massey Junior Fellow alumna and Scholar at Risk Nataliya Machalina and Massey Junior Fellow Alison D’Cruz (moderator) on the role that colleges and universities can play in helping to build capacity in high education institutions in low- and middle-income countries. Nancy Gallini, executive director of AWB,  will join remotely. Participants can attend in person or remotely at the link provided here.

We hope you can join the conversation and come find out more about AWB's work! For more information, contact Ann Braithwaite at abraithwaite@upei.ca

Depending upon the work requirements of University Departments, the holiday schedule will be in effect from December 24, 2024, through January 1, 2025, inclusive. Office and regular business hours will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Pay Date Deadlines:

The following days will be given to permanent and term staff as paid time off: December 24, 27, 30, and 31, 2024 (4 gift days).  For those employees who must work on any of these days, time off will be given at a later date. 

Please note: Students, and casual are not eligible for the “gift” days of December 24, 27, 30, and 31. 

The holiday schedule for specific departments is as follows:

• Security Services will continue over this period, 24 hours a day. 
• Shipping/Receiving and Mail Services will resume regular hours on January 2, 2025.     
• Development and Alumni Engagement will be open December 30 and 31, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Veterinary Teaching Hospital will be available for emergency service only throughout the holiday period. It Will resume regular hours on January 2, 2025.
• Chi‐Wan Young Sports Centre will be closed on December 24, 25, and 31, and January 1. It will be open on December 23 from 8 am to 8 pm, December 26 from 9 am to 5 pm, December 27 from 8 am to 8 pm, December 28 and 29 from 9 am to 8 pm, and December 30 from 8 am to 8 pm. Regular operating hours will resume on January 2, 2025. Hours are also posted at https://www.upei.ca/ar/athletic-facilities/chi-wan-young-sports-centre/hours
• Diagnostic Services will be closed on December 25, 26, and 29, and January 1. It will be open on December 24, 28, and 31 from 8 am to 12 pm, and on December 27 and 30 from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Regular operating hours will resume on January 2, 2025.

Departmental authorities who require support staff over the holiday period should make their requirements known to the Human Resources Department no later than two weeks prior to the holiday. 

From November 25 until December 10, Canada observes 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. This international campaign raises awareness of gender-based violence and calls us to take action to make our communities safer for everyone. 

This year, the UPEI Student Union's Mental Health team and the UPEI Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office (SVPRO) invite everyone to join us in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre, on November 27, from 12:00 to 3:00 pm, as we make a community “quilt” for gender-based violence prevention.

Each participant may create a canvas square for the quilt with a message about gender-based violence prevention:

• Paint an image 
• Create a poem 
• Write a message of support to survivors

Art supplies, snacks, and some goodies will be provided!

The Faculty of Science Graduate Studies Committee invites the campus community to the next presentation of the 2024-25 Environmental Sciences and Human Biology seminar series on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. in Duffy Science Centre, Room 204.

So Yeon Shim (MSc ESC Candidate, SCCA, Farooque lab) will present “Effect of fall cover crops on greenhouse gas emissions in PEI potato fields.”

Bruno de Mendonca (PhD ESC Candidate, Biology, van den Heuvel lab) will present “Stock assessment of Atlantic salmon and Striped bass spawners in the Gulf: 2024.”

All are welcome.

The UPEI Writing Centre will remain open until 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 5. We will then close for the exam period and the holidays.

There are still appointments left, so book one now (https://upei.mywconline.com/) or drop by to see if we have room for walk-ins. We hope you have a smooth end to the fall semester!

The UPEI Department of Music Showcase Recital celebrates the solo and collaborative work of advanced instrumental and voice majors taking applied courses in performance. These young artists will perform classic works of the 18th and 19th centuries by composers such as Mozart and Chopin as well as contemporary works by emerging North American composers including Nova Scotia's Hope Salmonson. 

The recital will take place in the Steel Recital Hall on November 21, starting at 7:00 pm.

Accessible parking is available, and accessible entry to the Steel Recital Hall is available via elevator.

From November 19 to 23, 2024, stop by the Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and receive 20% off your meal! That is ALL YOU CAN EAT for less than $10.00!  

A quick peek at the menu...

Japanese-style curry beef stew, Monday, November 18 (dinner)

Camphouse Chowdown, Tuesday, November 19 (dinner)

Taco burger, Wednesday, November 20 (lunch)

Roti shop, Thursday, November 21 (lunch)

Fish n' chips, Friday, November 22 (lunch)

Texas breakfast, Saturday, November 23 (breakfast)

Attention UPEI staff and faculty members! 

The UPEI M365 Project is looking to verify UPEI’s staff and faculty telephone information to ensure that our system catalogue is accurate and up to date.

By participating in this activity, you are helping support the planning and implementation of our new telephone systems once we are ready to deploy them on campus. 

We encourage all staff and faculty members to take part in this survey even if you have recently updated your telephone data. We appreciate your individual confirmation to ensure that our records are accurate.

The first group who will be engaged are those who have a single assigned telephone number or share a telephone (number) with other team members. For those who meet these criteria, you will receive an email the week of November 25 from M365Project@upei.ca with further information and a link to the survey.

Mobile phones and associated numbers are excluded from this activity.

This survey will take 1-2 minutes to complete.

Thank you for your time and support. 

M365 Project Team

Join us on Monday, November 25, at 3:00 pm in the Health Sciences Building, Room 104, for our monthly Pizza Seminar. Dania Tamayo-Vera, assistant professor in the School of Mathematics and Computational Sciences, will speak about the immense effects that generative AI has had and will have in the future, and how we can position ourselves to lead in this new era. Stick around afterward for free pizza and pop.

GreenShield is hosting a free webinar on November 20, 2024, at 1:00 pm AST, that delivers honest and unfiltered conversations about mental health.

We continue our series on topics that matter with Canadian broadcaster and mental health advocate Michael Landsberg. This month’s focus: The link between chronic disease and mental health.

To mark Diabetes Awareness Month, Michael will share a pre-recorded segment with NHL player and author Max Domi, who will talk about how he balances the demands of a high-endurance sport with managing Type 1 diabetes. Former Team Canada goalie Kendra Fisher and other guests will discuss diverse perspectives on the strong link between chronic diseases and mental health.

This event is open to everyone. Register at https://events.zoom.us/ev/AgqQOAwWUZkbAdLM2z5HpZeBkXZLEKZ35vRfPWf4pzMqzfsSpf54~AmWP68Xh9-jUBfiBYl4U7DI3UblNxC6MXLojM-YgAASIkiaOyALj2pG1hw?lmt=1730929037000

If you have any questions, please reach out to Human Resources at employeeservices@upei.ca.

Reminder: Have you connected with Accessibility Services but have not yet completed your registration? The end of the semester and final exams are fast approaching, and this is a reminder to complete this registration if you wish to receive accommodations for the 2024 Fall term exams.

Please note: To qualify for exam accommodations during the 2024 Fall exam period, registration with Accessibility Services must be completed by November 27 at 4:00 pm to ensure time to meet the final exam booking deadline. If you are experiencing any technical issues, an email must be sent to accessibility@upei.ca by November 27h at 4:00 pm at the latest.

*Note* Intake appointments before the deadline are limited.

Registration is considered complete when students have met the following conditions:

1. Intake form has been submitted in Accommodate - DOC PDF VIDEO
2. Medical documentation has been uploaded in Accommodate - PDF VIDEO
3. Appointment request has been submitted - DOC PDF VIDEO
4. Student has attended their intake appointment with an Accessibility Advisor.
5. Accommodations have been approved.

Students who complete their registration after the deadline of November 27 may be eligible for accommodations for the winter 2025 semester.   

IMPORTANT: Accessibility Services requires medical documentation to support approval of accommodations. If you are unsure about what documentation can be accepted, please use the Guide to Medical Documentation as reference.

Best of luck with the remainder of the semester, and please reach out if you have any questions.

EXAM BOOKING DEADLINE: Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 11:59 pm 

All final exams are now available to be booked through Accommodate! This deadline is to provide our Testing Services and Accessibility Services team with enough time to coordinate rooms and individual accommodations. 

Please note: The 7-day booking minimum DOES NOT apply for final exams. If you have any technical issues, an email must be sent to astesting@upei.ca by December 1st at 11:59 pm at the latest.

Due to the high volume of accommodated exams for finals, late bookings will not be accepted. Please doublecheck in Accommodate that you have all your exams booked.

How to book a test/exam: Video | Step-by-step guide

You will receive an email confirmation with the location of your exam at least 3 days in advance. Any adjustments to the start time of your exams will be communicated through email – please book 7:00 pm exams at the scheduled time, and we will manually adjust these bookings.

PRIZE DRAW BONUS: If you register for your final exams in Accommodate by Wednesday, November 20, at 11:59 pm, your name will be entered into a draw to win some prizes, including Tim Hortons and Starbucks gift cards, provided by Accessibility Services! If you do not have any final exams and would still like to enter, please email astesting@upei.ca to let us know and your name will be entered into the draw. 

Best of luck with your exam preparation and please reach out if you have any questions.

Scent-Free Policy: Accessibility Services is scent-free to accommodate members with fragrance sensitivities. Please refrain from using scented products like perfume or cologne. If you are wearing a product that causes discomfort or adverse reactions to any community members, you may be asked to leave. Thank you for your cooperation in creating a comfortable environment for all.

 Thank you,

Accessibility Services Team
 

Come to the UPEI Self-Care Fair on Wednesday, November 20, from 10:00 am-2:00 pm,  at McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre. There will be FREE food, prizes, and a variety of health and wellness booths! Spin the prize wheel for a chance to win. 

We will accept non-perishable food donations in support of the UPEI Campus Food Bank. The fair is brought to you by the UPEI Healthy Campus Committee.

On November 29 at 2:00 pm, the campus community is invited to MacLauchlan Arena (Rink A) at the Bell Aliant Centre to watch the UPEI Women's Hockey team take on a team of UPEI faculty and staff. Come cheer on your fellow student-athletes and/or colleagues in what is sure to be an entertaining game. Admission is free. However, "admission by donation" is encouraged to support the Panther Women's Hockey program. Last year's game was a nail-biter, with the staff clinching the win in overtime. Both teams are excited for another thrilling matchup this year. We look forward to seeing you there!  

On Wednesday, November 20, ITSS will conduct routine maintenance on the myUPEI portal and related services from 8:00 pm to midnight. During this time, there may be intermittent access to and performance issues with myUPEI, Self-Service, and Colleague.

We encourage students, faculty, and staff who may need documents or links located on myUPEI to plan ahead and bookmark or download the resources they may need during this period.

As a reminder, you can access Moodle directly using https://moodle.upei.ca and Outlook email using https://outlook.office.com.

If you have any questions, please contact the ITSS Help Desk at 902-566-0465.

Dr. Kelsey Harvey, assistant professor, Cape Breton University, is conducting a SSHRC-funded study about interprofessional education (IPE) along with partners from Canadore College, Brock University, and the University of Toronto.

We are surveying and conducting interviews with community service providers in a health and/or social service field who oversaw a student co-op, placement, internship, or similar work-integrated learning experience between 2022-2024. You are eligible to participate if

1.    you are a community service provider in a health and/or social service field

2.    you have supervised (or are currently supervising) a student co-op, placement, internship, or similar work-integrated learning experience anytime in the last two years (2022-2024),

3.    the student(s) were enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary program (university or college).

Please share within your network.

We are inviting you to participate in a brief survey and/or virtual interview. The survey will take about 15-30 minutes, and the interview would take about one (1) hour to complete (using Zoom or Microsoft Teams). Interviews will be conducted in English. To ensure you meet study eligibility criteria, you will be asked a few screening questions prior to participating in this study.

Link to survey: https://surveys.mcmaster.ca/limesurvey/index.php/453586?lang=en

If you are interested in getting more information about taking part in the study, please contact Dr. Harvey directly at Kelsey_Harvey@cbu.ca. Dr. Harvey will not tell your employer or anyone at the university/college with whom you partnered who participated in this study. Taking part or not taking part in this study will not affect your employment or partnership with the college/university IPE program.

This study has been reviewed by and received ethics clearance from the McMaster Research Ethics Board (#5986) and the UPEI REB (#6012830).

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

IT Systems and Services, in collaboration with the Robertson Library, now offers extended hours of technical support to cover evening classes. Extended support hours will run from 4:30 to 8:00 pm Mondays through Thursdays, and 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Fridays.   

This service will be delivered by the Robertson Library Service Desk (reference@upei.ca, 902-566-0583). 

Support areas include password resets, account locks, wifi, and basic computer/podium troubleshooting. 

The UPEI Department of Music Showcase Recital celebrates the solo and collaborative work of advanced instrumental and voice majors taking applied courses in performance. These young artists will perform classic works of the 18th and 19th centuries by composers such as Mozart and Chopin as well as contemporary works by emerging North American composers including Nova Scotia's Hope Salmonson. 

The recital will take place in the Steel Recital Hall on November 21, starting at 7:00 pm.

Accessible parking is available, and accessible entry to the Steel Recital Hall is available via elevator.

The Multicultural Choir and Song Circle celebrates diversity through cultural music and group singing. It’s a space for connection, learning, and student leadership, where everyone is welcome to share songs from around the world. Enjoy hot beverages and snacks before or after sessions, make new friends, and learn a few songs. Join us on Tuesdays at the Chaplaincy Centre from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Let’s sing together as one voice!

Please contact us for further questions or register at multiculturalchoir@upeisu.ca