You don't have to stick with Calibri, Cambria, or worse again Comic Sans (shudder). The best part about Microsoft Word is that you can choose the default font — this command differs by version, but the most reliable way is to click Format > Font, select the attributes you want, and then click Default. It should never be Comic Sans.  

The AVC is pleased to invite you to a guest presentation entitled “Why equity, diversity, and inclusion?” on Wednesday, January 26, at 12:30 p.m. AST, featuring Dr. Carlton Gyles, professor emeritus, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Dr. Gyles will describe the importance of the terms equity, diversity, and inclusion, and will review efforts made by Canadian universities to develop and implement procedures to create a culture of equity on their campuses. He will focus on activities in professional schools and highlight the ongoing work in the five Canadian veterinary schools.

Finally, he will speak about the Black Veterinary Association of Canada and introduce its plans to contribute to equity in Canadian veterinary education and the profession. At the conclusion of his presentation, he will be joined by Dr. Jennifer Ogeer who will speak about initiatives happening in the United States. Although this presentation is targeted towards veterinary students, the veterinary community, or pre-veterinary students, anyone is welcome to attend. 

To attend: https://bit.ly/GylesAVC
Meeting ID: 642 2320 1205
Passcode: 807107

The UPEI Work-Integrated Learning department has several upcoming virtual workshops for helping students and recent graduates strengthen their professional skills. Topics include interview skills, teamwork, conflict resolution, and more. 

Students can learn more and register for these free workshops on Eventbrite. 

These workshops are part of the work-integrated learning digital badge programs. Students who participate in these workshops will be eligible to receive digital badges to recognize their participation. For more information on these programs, visit our digital badge programs webpage.

Questions? Please email experientialed@upei.ca or call (902) 566-0336

Rather than returning to an imagined “normal” that existed in pre-pandemic times, in this talk you are invited to explore the future of our teaching and learning environments. What do they look like? What should they look like? How are they organized, and in what ways should they be designed to be equitable, empowering, and flexible? Grounded in ongoing research projects examining student and faculty experiences with online and remote learning, studies speculating on the future of education, and a healthy dose of hope, this talk invites us to recognize that various pre-pandemic teaching, learning, and institutional practices considered to be “normal” were problematic. What might be better futures for students, faculty, and institutions of higher learning, and how do they capitalize on technology while rejecting its solutionist tendencies?

For more information and to register for the Zoom link

The Scholarships and Awards Office is accepting applications for the 2nd Semester Award Cycle. Students are encouraged to review the 2nd Semester Award Cycle webpage for more information.

Not only can students now apply to numerous awards with a February 1st, 2022 deadline through our Scholarship and Award Application portal, but there are other awards with a separate application process conveniently listed on the same webpage for review. Deadlines for the separate application awards vary. Be sure to click the links, review the criteria, and submit in time for the deadline!

If you have questions about the application processes, award criteria, or deadlines, please contact scholarships@upei.ca. Best of luck to all who apply!

UPEI Athletics and Recreation is pleased to announce NEW online fitness classes. Pilates, Yoga Fusion, and Absolute Abs & Glutes classes are free for Sports Centre members and full-time UPEI Students.  Non-members: $5+hst per class.

To register:

1.  Log into portal at recreation.upei.ca.
2.  After signing in click on the Fitness Programming icon.
3. Click on Membership Fitness Classes and follow the prompts.

The Faculty of Business invites members of the campus community-–students, faculty, and staff–-to attend a virtual research presentation by Hannah Johnston for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Management position, with a focus on human resource management (HRM). 

Candidate Bio:

Hannah Johnston is a postdoctoral researcher at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, where she researches algorithmic management in the platform economy and in Amazon’s warehouses. Hannah has worked for the International Labour Organization and with the European Trade Union Institute on various projects at the intersection of industrial relations and the future of work, and she maintains an ongoing research affiliation with Oxford Internet Institute’s Fairwork project. Her doctoral research (Queen’s University) focused on the New York City taxicab industry where she examined the collective organizing strategies used by drivers to improve working conditions and pay, and to strengthen regulation. Her work has been published in edited volumes and various journals including International Labour Review, ILR Review, Labor Studies Journal, and Global Networks.

Presentation Title:  Managing on-demand services in the gig economy: Evidence from a natural experiment

Abstract:

This paper uses data from a natural experiment to address one of the most contentious issues in the on-demand platform economy—whether gig work is compatible with employment. On one hand, platforms have argued that formal employment would increase firm costs and curtail flexibility for drivers, and that it is incompatible with their “business model”. On the other, critics cite the significant control that platform firms have over their workers as evidence of employment misclassification, which has left workers without the rights and protections afforded by a formal employment relationship. Opportunities to conduct data-driven assessments of the merits of these arguments, however, are rare. This paper analyzes a US-based package delivery platform that shifted a subset of its workers from independent contractors to employees. Using operational data and interviews with key informants, it examines whether the shift reduced platform workers’ flexibility and scheduling autonomy, and whether it contributed to the firm's predictability and control over its labor supply. Amidst continuing debates about platform regulation and management, this paper presents important insights into the needs and challenges of firms providing on-demand services.

The presentation will take place on January 26 from 1:00–2:00 pm (Atlantic Time) via the following Zoom link:  

https://upei.zoom.us/j/67307878666?pwd=cEJhSzk2c1hGTjZ0Mnk5eE9HdU5NZz09

Meeting ID: 673 0787 8666
Passcode: 664733

For further information, please contact Shelly Kavanagh at businessfac@upei.ca.

The Faculty of Business invites members of the campus community-–students, faculty, and staff–-to attend a virtual lecture (teaching demonstration) by Hannah Johnston for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Management position, with a focus on human resource management (HRM). 

Candidate Bio:

Hannah Johnston is a postdoctoral researcher at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, where she researches algorithmic management in the platform economy and in Amazon’s warehouses. Hannah has worked for the International Labour Organization and with the European Trade Union Institute on various projects at the intersection of industrial relations and the future of work, and she maintains an ongoing research affiliation with Oxford Internet Institute’s Fairwork project. Her doctoral research (Queen’s University) focused on the New York City taxicab industry where she examined the collective organizing strategies used by drivers to improve working conditions and pay, and to strengthen regulation. Her work has been published in edited volumes and various journals including International Labour Review, ILR Review, Labor Studies Journal, and Global Networks.

Lecture Title: Evidence-Based HRM: Pay for Performance

The lecture will take place on January 26 from 10-11am (Atlantic Time) via the following Zoom link:  

https://upei.zoom.us/j/64547786030?pwd=NTdMQVFMakx0RjJKTjNCZFhEY1VCQT09

Meeting ID: 645 4778 6030
Passcode: 684011

For further information, please contact Shelly Kavanagh at businessfac@upei.ca.

The UPEI Health and Wellness Centre began offering on-campus COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Clinics on January 13 by appointment only. Appointments have been in high demand so additional clinics are being added as clinics become full.

To check availability and to book an appointment for a vaccine booster (or to obtain your first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine), visit this link: https://app.upei.ca/HCBookings.

Please note the following:

• you must be 18+ years of age.
• if you are currently self-isolating, do not come to the clinic.
• if you have symptoms of COVID-19, please obtain a negative test and wait for your symptoms to subside before booking your appointment.
• you need to bring a valid provincial health card or proof of international medical insurance. There is no charge for the vaccine. If your PEI health card has expired, please renew it at https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/pei-health-card. If your health card is from a jurisdiction other than PEI, please contact your insurer to renew your health card.
• you must be a faculty, staff, student, or immediate family member (living with) to attend this clinic.

The clinics will be held in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre—look for signs that will direct you!

The AVC is pleased to invite you to a guest presentation entitled “Why equity, diversity, and inclusion?” on Wednesday, January 26, at 12:30 p.m. AST, featuring Dr. Carlton Gyles, professor emeritus, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Dr. Gyles will describe the importance of the terms equity, diversity, and inclusion, and will review efforts made by Canadian universities to develop and implement procedures to create a culture of equity on their campuses. He will focus on activities in professional schools and highlight the ongoing work in the five Canadian veterinary schools.

Finally, he will speak about the Black Veterinary Association of Canada and introduce its plans to contribute to equity in Canadian veterinary education and the profession. At the conclusion of his presentation, he will be joined by Dr. Jennifer Ogeer who will speak about initiatives happening in the United States. Although this presentation is targeted towards veterinary students, the veterinary community, or pre-veterinary students, anyone is welcome to attend. 

To attend: https://bit.ly/GylesAVC
Meeting ID: 642 2320 1205
Passcode: 807107

Map the System competition information sessions on Feb 1 and Feb 2

Are you inspired to create change in our world? Join Map the System, a competition challenging you to research issues from a systems perspective!

Map the System is a one-of-a-kind challenge that requires students to use a systems-thinking approach to demonstrate a deep understanding of a pressing social or environmental challenge.

• Join a global movement committed to systems change
• Compete for cash prizes and an opportunity to present before a global audience
• Learn new skills to address the world’s most pressing issues
• Bring awareness to a social or environmental issue you are passionate about
• Connect with socially-and environmentally conscious students, researchers, and practitioners across Canada

Map the System is a competition run by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and delivered in partnership with educational institutions around the world.

Students from all disciplines and levels can register to participate individually or as part of a team of up to 5 members. There is no cost for students to register and participate in the Map the System competition.

The Environmental Studies program will host two online information sessions:

• February 1 at noon AST
• February 2 at noon AST

Zoom link to attend the sessions:

https://upei.zoom.us/j/66070335807?pwd=UFVzN0J2dGcxVzcxajNGY0oreDhBUT09

If you are interested in participating but are unable to attend the sessions, or if you have any questions, please contact Dr. Nino Antadze at nantadze@upei.ca.

For more information about the competition, visit www.mapthesystem.ca.

Register to participate in the competition by February 11, 2022, at https://fs24.formsite.com/vwIEr0/2022Ex/fill.

Reminder:

UPEI employee ID cards that have been programmed to open Salto electronic locks must be updated every 30 days in order to have continued access to spaces. Please present your card to any wired Salto reader on a wall beside a door, parking gate, or an after-hours access door for any UPEI building with a Salto reader and hold it there until the reader stops flashing. This will not work with readers on a door where a key lock would normally be installed.

Thank you

PEI Student Financial Services has completed their initial George Coles Bursary reviews resulting in approved recipients having funding applied to their UPEI student account for the 2022 Winter term. Eligibility criteria must be maintained throughout the term to retain funding. 

If eligible students do not see funding applied to their account, then it is recommended that they complete a George Coles Bursary Appeal Form. To be included in the first round of appeals, submit your appeal form by February 4 to the Scholarships and Awards Office in Dalton Hall, room 202. Appeals will be processed thereafter in batches until the appeal submission deadline of May 31, 2022. 

Any questions relating to this message or the George Coles Bursary can be directed to scholarships@upei.ca.

The UPEI Work-Integrated Learning department has several upcoming virtual workshops for helping students and recent graduates strengthen their professional skills. Topics include interview skills, teamwork, conflict resolution, and more. 

Students can learn more and register for these free workshops on Eventbrite. 

These workshops are part of the work-integrated learning digital badge programs. Students who participate in these workshops will be eligible to receive digital badges to recognize their participation. For more information on these programs, visit our digital badge programs webpage.

Questions? Please email experientialed@upei.ca or call (902) 566-0336

Rather than returning to an imagined “normal” that existed in pre-pandemic times, in this talk you are invited to explore the future of our teaching and learning environments. What do they look like? What should they look like? How are they organized, and in what ways should they be designed to be equitable, empowering, and flexible? Grounded in ongoing research projects examining student and faculty experiences with online and remote learning, studies speculating on the future of education, and a healthy dose of hope, this talk invites us to recognize that various pre-pandemic teaching, learning, and institutional practices considered to be “normal” were problematic. What might be better futures for students, faculty, and institutions of higher learning, and how do they capitalize on technology while rejecting its solutionist tendencies?

For more information and to register for the Zoom link

The new hours for the weekly COVID-19 Testing Clinic for partially and unvaccinated students, staff, and faculty will be 9:00--11:00 am on Fridays. The clinic will continue to be held at McMillan Hall, next to the Tim Hortons in the WA Murphy Student Centre.

UPEI Athletics and Recreation is pleased to announce NEW online fitness classes. Pilates, Yoga Fusion, and Absolute Abs & Glutes classes are free for Sports Centre members and full-time UPEI Students.  Non-members: $5+hst per class.

To register:

1.  Log into portal at recreation.upei.ca.
2.  After signing in click on the Fitness Programming icon.
3. Click on Membership Fitness Classes and follow the prompts.

The Healthy Campus Committee is pleased to offer online yoga classes for UPEI students, faculty, and staff. 

To register:

1.  Log into portal at recreation.upei.ca.
2.  After signing in click on the Fitness Programming icon.
3. Click on Specialty Fitness Classes and follow the prompts.

The Faculty of Business invites members of the campus community-–students, faculty, and staff–-to attend a virtual research presentation by Hannah Johnston for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Management position, with a focus on human resource management (HRM). 

Candidate Bio:

Hannah Johnston is a postdoctoral researcher at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, where she researches algorithmic management in the platform economy and in Amazon’s warehouses. Hannah has worked for the International Labour Organization and with the European Trade Union Institute on various projects at the intersection of industrial relations and the future of work, and she maintains an ongoing research affiliation with Oxford Internet Institute’s Fairwork project. Her doctoral research (Queen’s University) focused on the New York City taxicab industry where she examined the collective organizing strategies used by drivers to improve working conditions and pay, and to strengthen regulation. Her work has been published in edited volumes and various journals including International Labour Review, ILR Review, Labor Studies Journal, and Global Networks.

Presentation Title:  Managing on-demand services in the gig economy: Evidence from a natural experiment

Abstract:

This paper uses data from a natural experiment to address one of the most contentious issues in the on-demand platform economy—whether gig work is compatible with employment. On one hand, platforms have argued that formal employment would increase firm costs and curtail flexibility for drivers, and that it is incompatible with their “business model”. On the other, critics cite the significant control that platform firms have over their workers as evidence of employment misclassification, which has left workers without the rights and protections afforded by a formal employment relationship. Opportunities to conduct data-driven assessments of the merits of these arguments, however, are rare. This paper analyzes a US-based package delivery platform that shifted a subset of its workers from independent contractors to employees. Using operational data and interviews with key informants, it examines whether the shift reduced platform workers’ flexibility and scheduling autonomy, and whether it contributed to the firm's predictability and control over its labor supply. Amidst continuing debates about platform regulation and management, this paper presents important insights into the needs and challenges of firms providing on-demand services.

The presentation will take place on January 26 from 1:00–2:00 pm (Atlantic Time) via the following Zoom link:  

https://upei.zoom.us/j/67307878666?pwd=cEJhSzk2c1hGTjZ0Mnk5eE9HdU5NZz09

Meeting ID: 673 0787 8666
Passcode: 664733

For further information, please contact Shelly Kavanagh at businessfac@upei.ca.

The Faculty of Business invites members of the campus community-–students, faculty, and staff–-to attend a virtual lecture (teaching demonstration) by Hannah Johnston for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Management position, with a focus on human resource management (HRM). 

Candidate Bio:

Hannah Johnston is a postdoctoral researcher at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, where she researches algorithmic management in the platform economy and in Amazon’s warehouses. Hannah has worked for the International Labour Organization and with the European Trade Union Institute on various projects at the intersection of industrial relations and the future of work, and she maintains an ongoing research affiliation with Oxford Internet Institute’s Fairwork project. Her doctoral research (Queen’s University) focused on the New York City taxicab industry where she examined the collective organizing strategies used by drivers to improve working conditions and pay, and to strengthen regulation. Her work has been published in edited volumes and various journals including International Labour Review, ILR Review, Labor Studies Journal, and Global Networks.

Lecture Title: Evidence-Based HRM: Pay for Performance

The lecture will take place on January 26 from 10-11am (Atlantic Time) via the following Zoom link:  

https://upei.zoom.us/j/64547786030?pwd=NTdMQVFMakx0RjJKTjNCZFhEY1VCQT09

Meeting ID: 645 4778 6030
Passcode: 684011

For further information, please contact Shelly Kavanagh at businessfac@upei.ca.