Hey UPEI students!

Learn about the IT basics you should know as you begin the semester at UPEI with the Student IT Checklist! This is a starting guide to help you navigate the IT resources offered by IT Systems and Services at UPEI.  

From connecting to the campus Wi-fi to online safety, we want to help you learn more about the IT resources offered on campus. So, check out the Student IT Checklist at https://go.upei.ca/studentitchecklist to get started!   

To learn more about the IT services offered at UPEI, check out the ITSS site at https://go.upei.ca/ithelp. For IT-related assistance, please contact the ITSS Helpdesk at helpdesk@upei.ca. 

Justin Shaw is a proud alumnus of the University of Prince Edward Island. Since graduating in 2014, he has gained professional experience in the performing arts, the non-profit sector, and the world of business. Shaw credits much of his eclectic portfolio to the skills acquired and honed during his time as an undergraduate at UPEI.

Join this entertaining presentation at the UPEI Performing Arts Centre as Shaw aims to provide a compelling answer to the oft-grating question: What can you do with an Arts degree?

This free presentation will include a conversation and Q&A session facilitated by Dr. Greg Doran, coordinator of Theatre Studies, and will conclude with refreshments.

RSVP HERE: https://forms.gle/D41dD6QWkPT7HuzcA

Pickleball Indoors for UPEI staff/faculty/retirees

Tuesdays, Noon–1 pm, September 17–December 3

Try this very popular sport. We have paddles for you to use, but feel free to take your own if you have them. No experience necessary. A great environment to try out the sport and connect with colleagues. This program is FREE for UPEI staff/faculty/retirees and provided by the Healthy Campus Committee.

UPEI staff/faculty/retirees will be able to register six days in advance each week.

Mindful Yoga and Body Awareness class for UPEI staff/faculty/retirees

Thursdays, 12:10–12:55 pm, September 19 & 26 and October 3 & 10  

This yoga class provides gentle stretching, promotes flexibility, and teaches participants to tune into the body with their breath. As we move through body awareness, you'll notice areas that feel tight, tense, or restricted. This class teaches techniques to release this tension and the stress we hold in our bodies. There is a short five–seven-minute savasana at the end. 

This class is FREE and only for UPEI staff/faculty/retirees. Must register weekly. Participants can pre-register six days in advance of class.   

For both options above:

• Log into recreation.upei.ca or the Panther Recreation app
• Click on Wellness Icon
• Go to icon of program listed above
• Review information
• Register for class

The UPEI Alumni Association invites students, staff, and faculty to join us on Thursday, September 26, at 6:30 pm at Alumni Hall (618 University Avenue) as we recognize and celebrate the recipients of the 2024 Distinguished and Young Alumni Awards.

The 2024 Distinguished Alumni are Bernadine Chapman (BA 1986) and Hon. Alonzo Wright (BA 1989). The 2024 Inspiring Young Alumni are Ellen Dixon (BSc 2012); James Muhato (BBA 2013); and Jonah Tendepi Chininga (BBA 2018). 

This free event is open to interested members of the public and campus community, but for planning purposes, we ask that you kindly RSVP by email to Stephen Loo at sloo@upei.ca by September 20.

For more information about our Distinguished and Young Alumni Awards, including a list of past recipients, or to submit a nomination for 2025, please visit https://www.upei.ca/alumni/awards-and-recognition.

As UPEI begins the process of developing its next five-year strategic plan (2025–2030), we are launching a series of conversations and consultations to learn more about what matters to University members and priorities for the future.

UPEI faculty, staff, and students are invited to join in upcoming campus conversations hosted by UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Wendy Rodgers.

Bring your brown bag lunch and help us be forward thinking about our University’s future. Light refreshments will be provided, and door prizes will be drawn!

The first conversations will be in-person, small group ‘flipped’ sessions. The questions we will be exploring are provided below. Please come prepared to discuss and share your input on the topics.

Tuesday, September 24 
Topic: UPEI CULTURE 
11:30 am to 1:00 pm 
Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall

Please think about the following: 
What are the key indicators of a positive, thriving culture? 
How will we know when we get there? 
How will we know if we are slipping in our efforts?

Thursday, September 26 
Topic: UPEI PRIORITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES 
11:30 am to 1:00 pm 
McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre

Please think about the following: 
Some of the key priorities that have emerged through consultations to date include sustainability; building trust; reconciliation; streamlined processes; and renewing university values. Other priorities such as student experience and success; budget transparency; and completing the UPEI Action Plan and subsequent Implementation Plan are also important to our University community.

What are UPEI’s greatest opportunities in these priority areas? 
How do we assess or measure these priorities?

Additional conversations and consultations, including hybrid sessions, are being scheduled for the Fall. All University members will have an opportunity to participate in providing input and feedback throughout the strategic planning process.  

Show your Panther Pride and your support of our UPEI Panther athletes by wearing your green and white no matter where you are! On September 28, take a photo of you wearing your swag and post it to social media with the hashtag #UPEIHOCO for a chance to win some awesome UPEI swag.

While Green and White Day falls on Saturday this year, UPEI community members are encouraged to participate any day of the week during homecoming and have the opportunity to win a swag item from the UPEI Alumni Office!

Need some new green and white gear? The UPEI Bookstore has you covered! From Thursday, September 26, to Friday, September 27, save 30% on select Panther Gear!

Go Panthers Go!
 

UPEI has a current posting (for both internal and external candidates) for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Children, Youth, and their Educational Geographies.

The posting details are available on the UPEI HR site.

Please contact UPEI’s Research Services Office (mlsteele@upei.ca) for eligibility details, and consult the CRC Program for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria (http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx). 

It's homecoming season at UPEI!

There are several great events in store for the Panther community from September 23–29, including

• Homecoming Art Gallery
• “What Can You Do with an Arts Degree?”, featuring comedian and storyteller Justin Shaw (BA’14)
• Music Through the Decades - Homecoming Trivia
• 33rd Annual Distinguished and Inspiring Young Alumni Awards
• UPEI Panthers Pep Rally

For the full homecoming schedule with event details, please visit upei.ca/homecoming

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the UPEI Alumni Office at alumni@upei.ca

Are you trying to find some dedicated time to finish a writing project that needs focused attention?  A "Time to Write" retreat will be offered from October 15 to 18, 2024, at the North Rustico Cottages in North Rustico.

"Time to Write" retreats offer concentrated time to support your writing efforts and can be instrumental in the initiation or completion of scholarly work such as an article, book or book chapter, grant proposal, curriculum or OER development, conference presentations, or other scholarly, creative projects. Time to work on writing projects away from home and campus for a few days can be incredibly productive. Participation in a writing retreat with colleagues at various stages of their career not only provides quiet, focused writing time away from teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities, but it also offers mentorship and networking opportunities with colleagues from a range of disciplines. The retreat provides an opportunity to develop a supportive writing group with colleagues from across campus and join group discussions on writing and publishing. 

Participants must have a project (e.g., grant application, research publication) at a stage where sustained writing time makes sense with background research and/or data collection and analysis completed to the point that they are ready to write. Participants must be prepared to commit to the full program--a total of three days focused on writing--and contribute $300. The retreat is open to faculty (term and sessional faculty are encouraged to apply) and librarians in any academic unit at UPEI.

Interested participants will email an expression of interest consisting of a summary of the project they plan to work on and their writing goals for the retreat to TLC@upei.ca by 12:00 noon on September 27, 2024. Five participants will be accepted for this "Time to Write" retreat.  
 

The UPEI Writing Centre, located in Robertson Library 274, is now open for appointments.

To book an in-person or online appointment, please visit upei.mywconline.com. Drop-ins are also welcome. We are still operating on reduced hours but will add more availability soon. 

For information about the Writing Centre, please go to https://library.upei.ca/writingcentre or email the coordinator: jschneider@upei.ca.

Please note that the old Writing Centre Facebook page is no longer in use.

We look forward to working with you!

The UPEI Philosophy Reading Group, facilitated by Dr. Max Schaefer, sessional instructor, Faculty of Arts, will hold its first meeting of the 2024–2025 academic year on Wednesday, September 25, from 7:00–8:00 pm, at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre, 97 Queen Street. 

At this meeting, the group will discuss a reading from Gernot Böhme’s The Aesthetics of Atmospheres. A theory of atmospheres first began to take shape in psychiatrist Hubertus Tellenbach’s study and treatment of certain mental disorders and has been a growing movement in philosophy in recent years. To date, atmospheres have been studied in relation to a variety of fields, including psychopathology, politics, advertising, architecture, and urban studies.

The group meets once a month at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre and is regularly attended by students and faculty across a range of disciplines. If you are interested in attending this upcoming meeting or any in the future, please contact Dr. Schaefer at mschaefer@upei.ca for more information.

Welcome to "Yes, Here Too," an educational display dedicated to exploring the profound and shameful history of Indian Day Schools and Residential Schools in Canada’s Maritimes. This exhibit aims to illuminate the experiences of Indigenous children and families who endured these institutions and to foster a deeper understanding of their generational impact. 

What You’ll Discover: 

1. Historical context: Learn about the origins and development of Indian Day Schools and Residential Schools in the Maritimes. Discover how these institutions were established as part of broader colonial policies aimed at assimilating Indigenous peoples and erasing their cultures. 
2. Cultural impact: Explore how these schools sought to suppress Indigenous languages, traditions, and identities, and the lasting effects this has had on communities. Understand the broader implications of these policies on Indigenous cultures and heritage. 
3. The 94 Calls to Action: Discover current initiatives and ongoing efforts toward reconciliation, healing, and justice for survivors and their families. Learn about the role of education, community support, and policy changes in addressing the legacy of these institutions. 
4. Interactive elements: Engage with interactive displays and multimedia presentations that provide deeper insights into the experiences of students and the historical context of these institutions. 

This display is a crucial step toward acknowledging and understanding the complexities of colonization. We encourage visitors of all backgrounds to attend, reflect, and engage in meaningful dialogue about reconciliation and the ongoing journey toward justice and healing.

Content warning: Subject matter and supplemental conversation include abuse, violence, assault, death, abduction, racism, sexism, classism, and cultural genocide. Conversation may also include suicide, substance use, and police brutality. The contents of this activity are based on real events in Canadian history and may be emotionally and intellectually challenging to engage with. 

Location: Kelley Memorial Building, Rooms 115-118 (Building 11 on the campus map) 
Dates: September 23 to September 27, 2024 
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm 

The northeast entrance of the Kelley Memorial Building features an automatic door with a 36-inch clearance. The door swings outward and leads to a ramp that is 62 inches wide. Please note that the ramp makes a sharp right turn, after which the width reduces to 36 inches.

At the end of the ramp, you will find the exhibit entrance, which has a door clearance of 32 inches and a small bump at the threshold. We encourage all visitors to reach out if you require additional assistance or have any questions regarding accessibility.

The Faculty of Science Graduate Studies Committee invites the campus community to the first presentation of the 2024-25 Environmental Sciences and Human Biology seminar series on Friday, September 20, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. in Duffy Science Centre 204.

Emma Ladouceur, UPEI Department of Biology and the School of Climate Change and Adaptation, will present “Disturbance, regeneration and restoration from land to sea.” 

All are welcome.

UPEI is preparing to engage in a series of consultations with our campus and community partners. These consultations will inform planning and development of our next five-year strategic plan.

Before beginning the formal consultation process, we would like to hear more from members of our campus community on what they feel are priorities and opportunities for UPEI over the next five years (2025–2030).

Please take a couple of minutes to share your input through our feedback form. The form builds on Town Hall discussions held in July 2024 that focused on broad themes and priorities for our campus community.

Responses will be collected until September 24, 2024.

Thank you!

Members of the UPEI community are invited to a Fireside Chat on Monday, September 23, from 10–11 am in the amphitheatre in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC 121S) where Shannon MacDonald, Chair of the Board of Governors and Dr. Wendy Rodgers will discuss initial priorities, goals, and activities for the period June 1, 2024–June 30, 2025. To participate via Teams, join at this link. 

Don’t miss AVC’s Open House on Saturday, September 28, from 10 am to 2 pm. Everyone is invited to attend this free fun family event, featuring all kinds of demonstrations and exhibits. Learn about different dog breeds at the Dog Parade, check out farm animals, dress up like a surgeon, and much more.

Kids, bring your stuffed toys for a check-up and treatment at the Teddy Bear Clinic, get some temporary tattoos, and pick out your favourite balloon animal during the balloon animal adoption event.

Organized and run by AVC students, AVC Open House is one of the largest, most successful open houses in Atlantic Canada. The event is one of many activities taking place during Homecoming Weekend (upei.ca/alumni/homecoming).

For more information, call (902) 566-6786.

Justin Shaw is a proud alumnus of the University of Prince Edward Island. Since graduating in 2014, he has gained professional experience in the performing arts, the non-profit sector, and the world of business. Shaw credits much of his eclectic portfolio to the skills acquired and honed during his time as an undergraduate at UPEI.

Join this entertaining presentation at the UPEI Performing Arts Centre as Shaw aims to provide a compelling answer to the oft-grating question: What can you do with an Arts degree?

This free presentation will include a conversation and Q&A session facilitated by Dr. Greg Doran, coordinator of Theatre Studies, and will conclude with refreshments.

RSVP HERE: https://forms.gle/D41dD6QWkPT7HuzcA

There will be a basic biosafety training session on October 8, 2024, at 1:00 pm in AVC 287N. Topics will 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, you must pre-register by contacting Jacky Buell by the end of the day on October 1, 2024, by email (hse@upei.ca) or by phone (902-566-0901). Please provide your name, department, your supervisor’s name (if applicable), email address, phone number, and if you are a graduate student. 

NOTE: An online basic biosafety training refresher course is available for those who need it. 

Are you trying to find some dedicated time to finish a writing project that needs focused attention?  A "Time to Write" retreat will be offered from October 15 to 18, 2024, at the North Rustico Cottages in North Rustico.

"Time to Write" retreats offer concentrated time to support your writing efforts and can be instrumental in the initiation or completion of scholarly work such as an article, book or book chapter, grant proposal, curriculum or OER development, conference presentations, or other scholarly, creative projects. Time to work on writing projects away from home and campus for a few days can be incredibly productive. Participation in a writing retreat with colleagues at various stages of their career not only provides quiet, focused writing time away from teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities, but it also offers mentorship and networking opportunities with colleagues from a range of disciplines. The retreat provides an opportunity to develop a supportive writing group with colleagues from across campus and join group discussions on writing and publishing. 

Participants must have a project (e.g., grant application, research publication) at a stage where sustained writing time makes sense with background research and/or data collection and analysis completed to the point that they are ready to write. Participants must be prepared to commit to the full program--a total of three days focused on writing--and contribute $300. The retreat is open to faculty (term and sessional faculty are encouraged to apply) and librarians in any academic unit at UPEI.

Interested participants will email an expression of interest consisting of a summary of the project they plan to work on and their writing goals for the retreat to TLC@upei.ca by 12:00 noon on September 27, 2024. Five participants will be accepted for this "Time to Write" retreat.  
 

The UPEI Writing Centre, located in Robertson Library 274, is now open for appointments.

To book an in-person or online appointment, please visit upei.mywconline.com. Drop-ins are also welcome. We are still operating on reduced hours but will add more availability soon. 

For information about the Writing Centre, please go to https://library.upei.ca/writingcentre or email the coordinator: jschneider@upei.ca.

Please note that the old Writing Centre Facebook page is no longer in use.

We look forward to working with you!