UPEI has launched a new Mental Health Toolbox microsite in collaboration with Holland College. This resource will provide UPEI employees and their dependents with quick access to assessment tools to help determine where you are on the mental health continuum and what resources will be most helpful. The site also hosts a comprehensive guide of available resources through UPEI and within the province to help you access services more quickly.

You can access this resource through myUPEI or at https://mentalhealth.ca.gobenefits.net/upei-holland. If you have any questions or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact employeeservices@upei.ca.

Mentoring programs help faculty members meet their full potential and can be a rewarding experience for both mentors and mentees.  

Are you a 

• pre-tenure faculty member interested in mentorship from a colleague outside your faculty/department who has recently navigated the tenure process?
• tenured faculty member willing to share your early-career experiences navigating major milestones such as obtaining your first grant, achieving tenure, planning a sabbatical, etc.?

Come to the Teaching and Learning Centre, Robertson Library Annex, Room 230, for one of our Q & A sessions to learn what is involved and how the mentoring program might work for you.

Dates:

• Thursday, September 15, from 12:00--1:00 pm
• Friday, September 16, from 2:30--3:30 pm

The UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre is setting up a series of Teaching Squares for the Fall 2022 semester. Teaching squares are interdisciplinary groups of instructors from a range of career stages and appointments. Participants visit the classes of their teaching square colleagues to observe and reflect on their own teaching. Participation involves three class visits to colleagues' classes, welcoming these same colleagues to your own classes, and two meetings at the beginning and end to discuss goals and share reflections. In addition to helpful insights from taking time to reflect on teaching practices, this is a terrific way to demonstrate your efforts to continue to grow as an instructor for tenure and promotion purposes. Each teaching square is limited to four colleagues. Please email TLC@upei.ca to indicate your interest. 

Registration is limited.  

Are you looking for an opportunity to learn more about teaching and learning practices? Are you looking to explore what inclusive teaching practices and structures look like in university learning environments? If so, consider joining 11 other colleagues as a participant in our Fall Reading Group. Colleagues from across campus will be exploring the book, Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for Promoting Equity in the College Classroom (2022). The Fall Reading Group is open to all faculty (sessionals too), librarians, instructional staff, post-docs, and PhD students at UPEI.

By signing up for the Fall Reading Group, you commit to attending the four scheduled meetings across the Fall 2022 semester. Participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

Things you need to know:

• Registration is limited to 12 participants.
• An e-book copy of Inclusive Teaching is available through the Robertson Library.
• You will read, explore, and collaboratively discuss the book, Inclusive Teaching, by Kelly Hogan and Viji Sathy.
• The reading group will meet in-person for up to 90 minutes, four times this semester.
• All sessions will be on Thursdays, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm, on the following dates:
•       October 6 – Preface, Chapters 1 & 2 (61 pages)
•       October 27 – Chapters 3 & 4 (56 pages)
•       November 17 – Chapters 5 & 6 (90 pages)
•       December 8 – Chapter 7 and reading group wrap-up (27 pages).

About the book:

Recently reviewed in Science, Inclusive Teaching is praised for “…translating the sometimes-dense literature of education research into clear, accessible, and actionable steps for instructors” by “…[weaving] firsthand accounts into the narrative, describing the continual improvements they have made in their teaching over their respective careers.”  

The book review continues, stating: “The book addresses several underexplored, but critical, areas where instructors can play vital roles in promoting inclusion outside the classroom. A whole chapter, for instance, focuses on modeling inclusivity with students, including suggestions for proactively emailing struggling students; promoting transparency and sharing norms about office hours; reducing bias in grading; and providing structured feedback to encourage students. Similarly, another chapter is devoted to institutional change, discussing how instructors can reflect and document their inclusive teaching practices and use their efforts to advocate for change” (Hsu, 2022).

Registration for Fall 2022 Reading Group is until September 16, or until all spaces have been reserved. Email TLC@upei.ca to register.

UPEI faculty and students are invited to attend a free online workshop, "ACENET Basics: Introduction to Linux," on September 21, 2022, from 10 to 11:30 am.

This core session is designed to help those with no prior experience working with a terminal interface. Linux is the terminal interface used to enable you to use the ACENET and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (the Alliance) HPC clusters from your desktop. It's the tool you need to get your data on the clusters, run your programs, and get your data back. In this session, learn how to get started with Linux, how to create and navigate directories for your data, load files, manage your storage, run programs on the computing clusters, and set file permissions. This workshop is designed for those with no prior experience in working with a terminal interface.  

DETAILS & REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/acenet-basics-introduction-to-linux-tickets-413030263637 

UPEI faculty and students are invited to register for a free ACENET training session, "Basics of Computers," which will be held online on September 16 from 11 am to 1 pm.

Most of us have experience using a computer, whether for school, work, or entertainment, but how many of us have actually had an expert teach us how to use it? This talk won't teach you how to troubleshoot everything, but will give you insight to how media, programs and data are encoded and used by computers, so you can make more sense of why computers behave the ways they do, and solve some of your problems with greater efficiency and less frustration. We will provide an approachable overview of how a computer works, by both looking at their history and breaking one down to explain individual components, before highlighting some of the trade-offs to consider when buying a computer. We will provide practical, simple, and actionable advice on digital security and show you a few "pro tips" on how to make the most of your workstation, phone, or whatever device you happen to use. Whether you have a lot or a little experience using your digital technology, if you want to learn how to use your devices more effectively, this workshop is for you! 

For details and registration, go to https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/acenet-basics-of-computers-tickets-413034486267 
 

Susan Graham and Amy MacFarlane from the Faculty of Business will share some of their findings from their study exploring and examining the experiences of minoritized students when doing group work. Join us in the Teaching and Learning Centre, Robertson Library Annex, Room 230, on Wednesday, September 14, at 11:30 am.

With the new term, prayer schedules resume at the Chaplaincy Centre. There are spaces and opportunities for personal and communal prayer throughout the week. Please check with Sister Sue to confirm availability.

Catholic Mass on Sundays at 6:00 pm resumes on Sunday, September 11. Liturgy of the Word with Communion on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:05 pm resumes on Monday, September 12.

Thank you!

Sister Sue

On Thursday, September 15, 2022, UPEI Research Services and the Office of Commercialization, Industry, and Innovation are pleased to host an in-person session with Matt Adams, Mitacs business development specialist, from 1:30 to 3 pm, in Room 287N, Atlantic Veterinary College (please note that this is a new location for this session).

Matt will provide details on the Mitacs programs. This session will interest researchers hoping to develop or expand partnerships with industry, not-for-profit, or other partners. There is also time for one-on-one sessions with Matt to answer specific questions.  

Please pre-register to attend the in-person and/or one-on-one sessions by emailing researchservices@upei.ca.

For more details, visit https://data.upei.ca/funding/mitacs-program-information-session

The UPEI Health & Wellness Centre is pleased to offer another year of the CHANGE Program. The program is for individuals at risk of or living with metabolic syndrome.  People with metabolic syndrome have at least two of the following five conditions: pre-diabetes/diabetes, high triglycerides, high "bad" cholesterol (LDL), low "good" cholesterol (HDL), high blood pressure, and abdominal adiposity (carry your weight in your middle).  

The program is offered in communities across PEI and at UPEI. It is a year-long program; you will meet 28 times over the course of the year. The focus is on diet and exercise. With the dietitian, you will focus on the Mediterranean diet, and with the kinesiologist, you will learn how to exercise safely in your own home. You do not need to purchase any equipment, and the program is free. 

For more information or to register, contact the CHANGE Program by email at change@upei.ca or telephone 902-620-5156. 

There will be a UPEI Basic Biosafety training session on Wednesday, September 28. Topics that will be covered include basic biosafety principles and how they are applied at the University of Prince Edward Island, as well as biosecurity training. This session is open to everyone including graduate students.

To attend the Basic Biosafety course, you must pre-register by contacting Jacky Buell, before September 19, 2022, by email (hse@upei.ca) or by phone (902-566-0901).

Please provide your name, department, your supervisor’s name (if applicable), email address, and phone number in your email or voice message. Please indicate if you are a graduate student. 

NOTE: An online Basic Biosafety Training Refresher course is available for those that need their refresher. 

The UPEI Health & Wellness Centre will provide COVID-19 Booster Clinics on September 14 and 15 in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The clinics will provide first dose, second dose, and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines to students, faculty, and staff, as well as family members who are 18 and older. First come, first served. There is no need to make an appointment, and there is no charge for the vaccine. Vaccines are provided by the Province of Prince Edward Island's Chief Public Health Office (CPHO). Please bring your provincial health card or UPEI ID as we need to provide a record to the CHPO.

Overview: Communication is critical to success in every field, especially in business and the workplace. In this certificate program, participants will gain knowledge and practical experience in all key areas of communication, including proper workplace writing, public speaking and presentation skills, blog posts, websites, social media, and other forms of communication essential to functioning and growth in the professional world, as well as in-depth communication plans. This certificate is hybrid in nature; some content is online and asynchronous, and some content is in-person.

*Please note: If you already have completed the Intro to Workplace Writing course, you can take the rest of the certificate, and the price of the Intro to Workplace Writing course will be subtracted from the cost.

Designed for: People who deal with communication in businesses/organizations and in the workplace, from administrative professionals to communication officers, entrepreneurs, and executives

Type of Delivery: Virtual and in-person

Duration: Three courses for a total of approximately 28 hours

Facilitator: Christine Gordon Manley, Tracy Stretch, and Ann Worth

Cost: $1,800 for the entire certificate; $599 plus HST for Intro to Workplace Writing; $499 plus HST for Event Communication; $720 plus HST for Public Speaking Fundamentals

For more information, go to https://www.upei.ca/professional-development/certificates/professional-communications-certificate 

Overview: The Certificate in Customer and Client Service is designed to give the knowledge, skills, and tools for individuals to improve customer and client service within their organization. Not only are the benefits of improved customer and client service positive feelings and loyalty, but it also improves the workplace morale, which in turn leads to better production and results.

At the end of this certificate, participants will be able to elevate customer and client service both internally and externally within their organization, turn customer and client service failures into learning opportunities—which will lead to positives—and create a culture that will make great customer and client service consistent and a priority among all members of an organization.

Designed for: All people involved with customer and client service, both in a retail and a multi-level organizational sense.  Especially relevant for all executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who deal with other people within their workplace.

Type of Delivery: In-person.

Duration: One course for a total of six (6) hours.

Facilitator: Tracy Stretch

For More Information: https://www.upei.ca/professional-development/certificates/customer-and-client-service

Overview: The New Managers Certificate program is designed for those who are new to the manager/supervisor role or aspire to be a manager/supervisor. In this certificate program, the following topics will be explored in-depth: personal leadership styles, communication, strategic thinking, change management, performance management, creating effective teams, managing conflict, and cultural awareness in the workplace. After the completion of this certificate, participants will have the tools, techniques, and confidence to provide effective leadership within the workplace.

This program is designed for people who have just become a manager or supervisor, or are interested in becoming a manager and/or a supervisor, within either the public and private sector.

Individual courses:

• The Leader in You
• Cultural Awareness in the Workplace
• Effective Teams
• Communicating as a Leader
• Managing Conflict in the Workplace
• Performance Management
• Change Management
• Strategic Thinking

Type of delivery: In-person or virtual.

Duration: Eight courses for a total of 48 hours. If conducted in-person – eight modules over eight days. If conducted virtually – eight modules over sixteen half-days, with each day lasting three hours.

Facilitators: Laura Johnson, Elizabeth Pederson, Wendy MacIntyre, and Lisa Dollar

Start date: October 19, 2022

More information: https://www.upei.ca/professional-development/certificates/new-managers-certificate

UPEI has launched a new Mental Health Toolbox microsite in collaboration with Holland College. This resource will provide UPEI employees and their dependents with quick access to assessment tools to help determine where you are on the mental health continuum and what resources will be most helpful. The site also hosts a comprehensive guide of available resources through UPEI and within the province to help you access services more quickly.

You can access this resource through myUPEI or at https://mentalhealth.ca.gobenefits.net/upei-holland. If you have any questions or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact employeeservices@upei.ca.

All employees should have submitted their online applications for parking in General lots B. C, G, and F by now as enforcement will begin shortly.

Mentoring programs help faculty members meet their full potential and can be a rewarding experience for both mentors and mentees.  

Are you a 

• pre-tenure faculty member interested in mentorship from a colleague outside your faculty/department who has recently navigated the tenure process?
• tenured faculty member willing to share your early-career experiences navigating major milestones such as obtaining your first grant, achieving tenure, planning a sabbatical, etc.?

Come to the Teaching and Learning Centre, Robertson Library Annex, Room 230, for one of our Q & A sessions to learn what is involved and how the mentoring program might work for you.

Dates:

• Thursday, September 15, from 12:00--1:00 pm
• Friday, September 16, from 2:30--3:30 pm

The UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre is setting up a series of Teaching Squares for the Fall 2022 semester. Teaching squares are interdisciplinary groups of instructors from a range of career stages and appointments. Participants visit the classes of their teaching square colleagues to observe and reflect on their own teaching. Participation involves three class visits to colleagues' classes, welcoming these same colleagues to your own classes, and two meetings at the beginning and end to discuss goals and share reflections. In addition to helpful insights from taking time to reflect on teaching practices, this is a terrific way to demonstrate your efforts to continue to grow as an instructor for tenure and promotion purposes. Each teaching square is limited to four colleagues. Please email TLC@upei.ca to indicate your interest. 

Registration is limited.  

Are you looking for an opportunity to learn more about teaching and learning practices? Are you looking to explore what inclusive teaching practices and structures look like in university learning environments? If so, consider joining 11 other colleagues as a participant in our Fall Reading Group. Colleagues from across campus will be exploring the book, Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for Promoting Equity in the College Classroom (2022). The Fall Reading Group is open to all faculty (sessionals too), librarians, instructional staff, post-docs, and PhD students at UPEI.

By signing up for the Fall Reading Group, you commit to attending the four scheduled meetings across the Fall 2022 semester. Participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

Things you need to know:

• Registration is limited to 12 participants.
• An e-book copy of Inclusive Teaching is available through the Robertson Library.
• You will read, explore, and collaboratively discuss the book, Inclusive Teaching, by Kelly Hogan and Viji Sathy.
• The reading group will meet in-person for up to 90 minutes, four times this semester.
• All sessions will be on Thursdays, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm, on the following dates:
•       October 6 – Preface, Chapters 1 & 2 (61 pages)
•       October 27 – Chapters 3 & 4 (56 pages)
•       November 17 – Chapters 5 & 6 (90 pages)
•       December 8 – Chapter 7 and reading group wrap-up (27 pages).

About the book:

Recently reviewed in Science, Inclusive Teaching is praised for “…translating the sometimes-dense literature of education research into clear, accessible, and actionable steps for instructors” by “…[weaving] firsthand accounts into the narrative, describing the continual improvements they have made in their teaching over their respective careers.”  

The book review continues, stating: “The book addresses several underexplored, but critical, areas where instructors can play vital roles in promoting inclusion outside the classroom. A whole chapter, for instance, focuses on modeling inclusivity with students, including suggestions for proactively emailing struggling students; promoting transparency and sharing norms about office hours; reducing bias in grading; and providing structured feedback to encourage students. Similarly, another chapter is devoted to institutional change, discussing how instructors can reflect and document their inclusive teaching practices and use their efforts to advocate for change” (Hsu, 2022).

Registration for Fall 2022 Reading Group is until September 16, or until all spaces have been reserved. Email TLC@upei.ca to register.