As we move into spring, individuals who enjoy working in the gardens or tackling renovations will get going on their projects. One of the issues that should be addressed is ensuring you are up to date with your tetanus boosters, which are due every 10 years. 

Tetanus is a serious and often deadly disease caused by bacteria that live in dirt, dust, and soil.  

What are the symptoms?

The toxin that is released into the body affects the nervous system, causing painful muscle spasms. The first symptom is usually a spasm of the jaw muscles ("lockjaw") followed by painful spasms of muscles in the face, neck, chest, abdomen, arms, and legs.

How is it spread?

Most people think they can get tetanus from stepping on a rusty nail. While this is true, you can get tetanus just as easily from a small scrape or a cut. You can get tetanus from any object that breaks open your skin while working in the garden or doing repairs to your home, or even from an animal bite.  

Who is at risk?

People of all ages can be affected by tetanus.

What vaccine is used to prevent it?

For adults: Tdap: Tetanus and diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine is most commonly used on PEI for adults, and it is recommended to receive a booster every 10 years for continued protection. If you have a PEI health card, you can access this vaccine at no cost at the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre and Public Health Nursing. If you do not have a health card, you can purchase the vaccine at cost at pharmacies or travel clinics. 

Video: https://youtu.be/4EeVUHA4tmQ

Helpful sites: https://immunize.ca/diseases-vaccines

Do you know any students who would like to attend the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) annual conference in June? Full-time university students are invited to apply to the STLHE bursary fund to receive financial assistance to attend the 2023 STLHE conference. Priority for funding will go to students presenting at the conference. The precise amount of each bursary award will depend on the number of successful bursary applications but will not exceed $500 per student. The deadline to apply is April 28, 2023. Application details can be found here 

Happy Spring (hopefully)!

So, this means it's time to clean up your inbox. Search "unsubscribe" and unsubscribe from all the newsletters, blogs, coupons, etc. that you do not need. Do it. 

Effective immediately, two contacts are required on every door hazard sign (lab spaces and chemical storage rooms with the hazard diamond) in order to ensure efficient communication for emergency situations or any reason that may require contacting authorized personnel.

The first contact should be the principal investigator (PI) with Their name, UPEI cell phone number, office room, and office phone number.

The second contact should be a lab user, e.g., area lead, lead hand, or other with their name, UPEI cell phone number, office room, and office phone number. 

For PIs or authorized personnel that do not have a UPEI cell phone, by default someone that has a UPEI cell phone (such as the dean) will be placed as the contact for the lab hazard signage. If there are PIs who would prefer to use their personal cell phone number, they have the option of choosing to list that.

If there is no other lab user besides the PI, the second contact should be the chair, dean, director, or other authorized person in charge of the space. The contact information would include their name, UPEI cell phone number, office room, and office phone number. This also applies if the first or second contact does not have a UPEI cell phone numbers.

Any changes to your door signage must be requested by placing an FM work order through SchoolDude and attaching the completed lab hazard signage form, located on the UPEI Facilities Management page here.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Health, Safety, and Environment department at hse@upei.ca.

Due to the ongoing UPEI Faculty Association strike, the UPEI 2023 Summer Job and Career Fair, scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled. The Experiential Education Department reminds students that there are other avenues to find a summer job or full-time work. 

• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for other opportunities and supports 
• Email us anytime at experientialed@upei.ca to find out more about what services are available 
• Register for our workshops on our Eventbrite page 

UPEI fiscal year ends on April 30, 2023.

Purchasing Cut-Offs

• Requisition/purchase order:

The last day to create a requisition/purchase order for the 2022-23 fiscal year will be on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at noon with guaranteed delivery date on or before April 30, 2023.

Requisitions/purchase orders created after April 13, 2023, must have a requisition date changed to May 1, 2023, and the goods and services must be delivered on or after May 1, 2023.

Receiving Goods/Services Cut-Off: April 30, 2023

Goods and services must be received on campus by April 30, 2023. Only the goods that have been physically received or completed services should be accepted at this time. This will ensure that these goods and services are paid in the 2022-23 fiscal year.  Any items received in myUPEI after April 30, 2023, will be considered new fiscal year goods and services and will then be deducted from your new fiscal year budget (2023-24).

All departments are required to look at their outstanding purchase order list to see if there are any purchase orders that need to be cancelled. This functionality can be accessed through the myUPEI Self-Service Menu under "Financial Information" and the “Receive Goods and Services” selection.

If the items have been back-ordered for some time, you will need to check with the supplier to see if they are still on their records as back-ordered. If they are not back-ordered, then please email procurement@upei.ca to cancel your purchase order.

If you are in receipt of vendor invoices, forward these to invoices@upei.ca ASAP. Please contact apadmin@upei.ca with questions or concerns regarding billing and invoicing.

Need assistance? 

Please take a look at the “Financial Tools Reference Guide” under the "Self-Service Help" tab on myUPEI. 

The Rhodes Scholarships program offers fully funded scholarships each year for full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Rhodes Scholarships are for young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others, and show promise of becoming value-driven, principled leaders for the world’s future.

Information sessions for students in Eastern Canada interested in applying for a Rhodes Scholarship are scheduled for Wednesday, April 5, from 3:00 to 4:00 pm ET.

Registration link: https://rhodeshouse-ox-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ll03iJOOT0iy7GAjfjxVDQ

There will be two national sessions, one in English and one in French, prior to the opening of applications:

English: May 24, 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET: https://rhodeshouse-ox-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nHRVoGmURCqG9F5PKds0Gw

French: May 24, 6:00 to 7:00 pm ET: https://rhodeshouse-ox-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xgGYnmM4RtOImr8cyY80Cw

Applicants might also find these additional resources helpful. The first is the Rhodes YouTube channel with lots of video resources including information on preparing the Academic Statement and the Personal Statement. Another resource is the Canada information page for Rhodes Scholarships –https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/applications/canada/

Note that applications for a Rhodes Scholarship require an endorsement from the university.  Please make sure to allow adequate time for this process in advance of the final application deadline.  

WCB will be combining these two presentations:

Workplace Safety for Supervisors
Supervisors play a critical role in ensuring health and safety in the workplace. Because they direct the work of others, supervisors are well-positioned to impact safety culture at work. This session will introduce participants to the concept of due diligence, and inform them of the legal responsibilities supervisors have for worker safety.

Young Worker Safety: Changing the Culture
Participants will learn what is now known about the significant influence supervisors can have on young worker safety, and how employers and supervisors might capitalize on this. Participants will hear what young PEI workers say about their hesitation to raise their workplace safety concerns, and what they can do to encourage young workers to speak up.

This session is for anyone on campus in a supervisory role.  To register, please contact Jacky Buell at hse@upei.ca or (902) 566-0901 by April 4, 2023.

Effective immediately, two contacts are required on every door hazard sign (lab spaces and chemical storage rooms with the hazard diamond) in order to ensure efficient communication for emergency situations or any reason that may require contacting authorized personnel.

The first contact should be the principal investigator (PI) with Their name, UPEI cell phone number, office room, and office phone number.

The second contact should be a lab user, e.g., area lead, lead hand, or other with their name, UPEI cell phone number, office room, and office phone number. 

For PIs or authorized personnel that do not have a UPEI cell phone, by default someone that has a UPEI cell phone (such as the dean) will be placed as the contact for the lab hazard signage. If there are PIs who would prefer to use their personal cell phone number, they have the option of choosing to list that.

If there is no other lab user besides the PI, the second contact should be the chair, dean, director, or other authorized person in charge of the space. The contact information would include their name, UPEI cell phone number, office room, and office phone number. This also applies if the first or second contact does not have a UPEI cell phone numbers.

Any changes to your door signage must be requested by placing an FM work order through SchoolDude and attaching the completed lab hazard signage form, located on the UPEI Facilities Management page here.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Health, Safety, and Environment department at hse@upei.ca.

The UPEI Writing Centre remains open for online appointments. Keep us in mind if you have a question about or need support with writing or research assignments. See our schedule and make an appointment at https://upei.mywconline.com/.

Also, the posting for tutoring positions to begin in September 2023 is now available. See additional details and application instructions at https://www.upei.ca/hr/competitions.  The closing date for applications is Tuesday, April 11.

Due to the ongoing UPEI Faculty Association strike, the UPEI 2023 Summer Job and Career Fair, scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled. The Experiential Education Department reminds students that there are other avenues to find a summer job or full-time work. 

• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for other opportunities and supports 
• Email us anytime at experientialed@upei.ca to find out more about what services are available 
• Register for our workshops on our Eventbrite page 

Hockey skates, figure skates, and helmets are available from January to mid-April, as long as Bell Aliant Centre is hosting free skates from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. The equipment is located in Room 225, Robertson Library. Bring your UPEI student ID.

To find out more, email studyandstaypei@upei.ca.

The Rhodes Scholarships program offers fully funded scholarships each year for full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Rhodes Scholarships are for young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others, and show promise of becoming value-driven, principled leaders for the world’s future.

Information sessions for students in Eastern Canada interested in applying for a Rhodes Scholarship are scheduled for Wednesday, April 5, from 3:00 to 4:00 pm ET.

Registration link: https://rhodeshouse-ox-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ll03iJOOT0iy7GAjfjxVDQ

There will be two national sessions, one in English and one in French, prior to the opening of applications:

English: May 24, 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET: https://rhodeshouse-ox-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nHRVoGmURCqG9F5PKds0Gw

French: May 24, 6:00 to 7:00 pm ET: https://rhodeshouse-ox-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xgGYnmM4RtOImr8cyY80Cw

Applicants might also find these additional resources helpful. The first is the Rhodes YouTube channel with lots of video resources including information on preparing the Academic Statement and the Personal Statement. Another resource is the Canada information page for Rhodes Scholarships –https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/applications/canada/

Note that applications for a Rhodes Scholarship require an endorsement from the university.  Please make sure to allow adequate time for this process in advance of the final application deadline.  

The use of tobacco products is not permitted on University property as per the Smoke-Free Campus Policy. This applies to every person present on campus. Tobacco products include but not limited to cigarettes, vapes or other smoking devices, cannabis or any other form of tobacco product. University property includes all campus buildings and associated property for the main campus, Alumni Hall, CCCCA, and the new medical school. Main campus property includes all grounds as indicated in the Campus Map and all UPEI vehicles.

The University of Prince Edward Island community is saddened to learn of the recent death of Dr. Kai Liu, assistant professor in the School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences. 

Dr. Liu joined UPEI as an assistant professor in 2017 after completing his PhD at the University of Waterloo in Statistics and Actuarial Sciences. He was an accomplished teacher, contributing to courses throughout the School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences at UPEI, and specializing in actuarial science course offerings. He led an active and successful research program, publishing widely on topics related to actuarial science, statistics, and computer science. He supervised several post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and honours students.

The flags in front of Kelley Memorial Building have been lowered to half-mast in honour of Dr. Liu. The University extends condolences to Dr. Liu’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Read the message sent to the UPEI community yesterday. 
 

The UPEI Writing Centre remains open for online appointments. Keep us in mind if you have a question about or need support with writing or research assignments. See our schedule and make an appointment at https://upei.mywconline.com/.

Also, the posting for tutoring positions to begin in September 2023 is now available. See additional details and application instructions at https://www.upei.ca/hr/competitions.  The closing date for applications is Tuesday, April 11.

Due to the ongoing UPEI Faculty Association strike, the UPEI 2023 Summer Job and Career Fair, scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled. The Experiential Education Department reminds students that there are other avenues to find a summer job or full-time work. 

• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for other opportunities and supports 
• Email us anytime at experientialed@upei.ca to find out more about what services are available 
• Register for our workshops on our Eventbrite page 

The clarinet quintet recital by Dr. Karem Simon and other musicians scheduled for Hillcrest United Church in Montague on March 31 has been postponed. A decision will be made next week about the recital planned for April 8 at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Charlottetown.

Hockey skates, figure skates, and helmets are available from January to mid-April, as long as Bell Aliant Centre is hosting free skates from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. The equipment is located in Room 225, Robertson Library. Bring your UPEI student ID.

To find out more, email studyandstaypei@upei.ca.

The Scholarships and Awards Office is encouraging applications for Convocation, Senior Class, and year-end scholarships and awards! The application deadline for the following awards is Saturday, April 1, 2023. Click the links provided below to access the application and/or recommendation forms for more information. Please submit your application(s) and any supporting documents electronically to scholarships@upei.ca or in person to Dalton Hall 202.

• Arlie Parks Scholarship - In Memory of Dr. Kenneth MacIntyre (Science)
• Marylou Hughes Scholarship (Science)
• Gerald M. Gerry Birt Memorial Award (Science/Nursing/Arts)
• David Austin O'Malley-Keyes Memorial Award (Arts/Music)
• Frank J. Costello Scholarship (Arts/Education)
• Joseph A. Ghiz Memorial Scholarship (Law)
• PEI's Famous Five Graduating Student Award (Arts/Campus Community)
• Dr. Graeme and Alberta Bryant Boswall Award (Campus Community)
• Dr. Regis Duffy Academic Achievement Award (Campus Community)
• UPEI Class of 1989 Award (Campus Community)
• Matilda "Tildy" MacMillan Good Mentorship