Campus Notices
On Wednesday, Feb 2, IT Systems and Services will conduct routine maintenance on the Moodle learning management system. Maintenance will begin at 10:00 pm and is expected to be completed by midnight. During this time, there may be brief periods of interrupted service.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact helpdesk@upei.ca.
Student Affairs is pleased to be partnering with the Canadian Mental Health Association on a Health Canada project to develop a structured, on-campus peer support program for mental health. This project will develop a certified training curriculum for peer supporters and implement an on-campus peer support program for fellow students. As a project about students, for students, all stakeholders agree that student representation on the committee is essential.
Want to get involved? We are looking for a student interested in making an ongoing commitment to participate on this national committee to help develop and implement this exciting project. Further details are available here: https://tinyurl.com/24tcu9fc. Please submit a statement of interest (approx. 250 words), including (within respect for your personal boundaries) your lived experience with mental health challenges (either personal or in a supportive capacity). In light of the history of marginalized and diverse populations being underserved and largely ignored in conversations and responses to mental health, please include how your participation would contribute to diversity and awareness of intersectionality on our committee. An honorarium of $650/year will be provided. If you would like to be considered for this position, please submit your statement of interest to James Reddin, jareddin@upei.ca no later than Friday, January 28, 12 noon.
The UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre is organizing another reading group for the winter semester. Our first reading will be Chapter 1 from Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher by Stephen Brookfield (available through the Robertson Library). Colleagues interested in sharing ideas in an engaging conversation are welcome. Want to join the reading group? Email TLC@upei.ca. Once we know who is in the reading group, we'll decide on meeting times.
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.
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?
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.
Register now for a live orientation webinar.
Our EFAP provider, LifeWorks, is holding orientation webinars for employees, faculty members, and their dependents who want to know more about how their UPEI EFAP benefits work.
2022 dates offered are January 27, February 17, March 24, April 14, May 26, June 23, July 14, August 25, September 22, October 13, and November 17.
To register:
- Click this link to view the brochure.
- Choose the best date (please note the time zone is listed in EST).
- Click the date to open the registration window.
- You will receive an email confirmation that has the log-in and call-in details.
About EFAP
EFAP offers a short-term, solution-focused approach to professional counselling to assist you in resolving your concerns and issues. EFAP provides counselling that best suits your needs and busy schedules, whether it is in person, by telephone, or online (e-counselling), as well as immediate help with crises.
In addition to professional counselling, employees and their eligible family members can access a wide range of programs that provide telephonic consultation with qualified advisors who can help answer questions and clarify concerns that affect us all. Services include legal, financial, family, and nutritional.
For EFAP counselling, work-life programs, and information services 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year, call (English) 1-844-880-9142, or visit www.workhealthlife.com
More information on the UPEI EFAP benefit can be found on MyUPEI STAFF or FACULTY.
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 is joining in the 12th annual Bell Let’s Talk initiative by assembling resources and partnering on a number of activities taking place all week. Below are some ways to participate. Read more
Bell Let’s Talk—Virtual Photo Booth
Date: All Week Long
Time: Anytime
Description: A fun way for students, faculty and staff to create awareness by capturing selfies and sharing a personalized mental health message. Share how you take care of your mental health.
Access: https://bellletstalkphotobooth.ca/
Bell Let’s Talk Day—Join the Conversation!
Date: Wednesday, January 26
Time: All Day
Description: On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long distance call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk; every Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video; and every use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat lens.
Bell Let’s Talk—Thought Bubbles & Free Toque!
Date: Wednesday, January 26
Time: 11 am–4 pm
Description: Share a message, a hashtag, or a resource to help contribute to the mental health conversation! Blank thought bubbles, markers and tape will be located throughout campus, and you are invited to add a message, and hang your bubble. There is no scheduled time, and you may drop by when you can. Please ensure to respect masking and distancing guidelines. Afterwards, pick up a free Bell Let’s Talk Blue Toque!
Location: W.A. Murphy Student Centre Concourse, Robertson Library Breezeway, AVC Breezeway (Outside the AVC Cafeteria)
Student Affairs is pleased to be partnering with the Canadian Mental Health Association on a Health Canada project to develop a structured, on-campus peer support program for mental health. This project will develop a certified training curriculum for peer supporters and implement an on-campus peer support program for fellow students. As a project about students, for students, all stakeholders agree that student representation on the committee is essential.
Want to get involved? We are looking for a student interested in making an ongoing commitment to participate on this national committee to help develop and implement this exciting project. Further details are available here: https://tinyurl.com/24tcu9fc. Please submit a statement of interest (approx. 250 words), including (within respect for your personal boundaries) your lived experience with mental health challenges (either personal or in a supportive capacity). In light of the history of marginalized and diverse populations being underserved and largely ignored in conversations and responses to mental health, please include how your participation would contribute to diversity and awareness of intersectionality on our committee. An honorarium of $650/year will be provided. If you would like to be considered for this position, please submit your statement of interest to James Reddin, jareddin@upei.ca no later than Friday, January 28, 12 noon.
The UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre is organizing another reading group for the winter semester. Our first reading will be Chapter 1 from Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher by Stephen Brookfield (available through the Robertson Library). Colleagues interested in sharing ideas in an engaging conversation are welcome. Want to join the reading group? Email TLC@upei.ca. Once we know who is in the reading group, we'll decide on meeting times.
This report offers insights into changes to teaching and assessment practices in response to the pandemic with case studies drawing from 19 different disciplines at three universities, identifies lessons learned and new practices, and presents four broad principles with implications for university communities to consider.
Matthews, K. E., Lawrie, G., Mårtensson, K., Roxå, T., Bovill, C., & McLaughlin, C. (2021). Learning together in a global pandemic: practices and principles for teaching and assessing online in uncertain times. University of Queensland. Direct link
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
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?
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.
Register now for a live orientation webinar.
Our EFAP provider, LifeWorks, is holding orientation webinars for employees, faculty members, and their dependents who want to know more about how their UPEI EFAP benefits work.
2022 dates offered are January 27, February 17, March 24, April 14, May 26, June 23, July 14, August 25, September 22, October 13, and November 17.
To register:
- Click this link to view the brochure.
- Choose the best date (please note the time zone is listed in EST).
- Click the date to open the registration window.
- You will receive an email confirmation that has the log-in and call-in details.
About EFAP
EFAP offers a short-term, solution-focused approach to professional counselling to assist you in resolving your concerns and issues. EFAP provides counselling that best suits your needs and busy schedules, whether it is in person, by telephone, or online (e-counselling), as well as immediate help with crises.
In addition to professional counselling, employees and their eligible family members can access a wide range of programs that provide telephonic consultation with qualified advisors who can help answer questions and clarify concerns that affect us all. Services include legal, financial, family, and nutritional.
For EFAP counselling, work-life programs, and information services 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year, call (English) 1-844-880-9142, or visit www.workhealthlife.com
More information on the UPEI EFAP benefit can be found on MyUPEI STAFF or FACULTY.
On June 1, 2021, eye protection became mandatory in all UPEI laboratories. This includes Containment Level One and Containment Level Two laboratories that manipulate biohazardous materials, and laboratories in chemistry, physics, and engineering that handle materials other than biohazardous substances that could pose an ocular risk. At a minimum, safety glasses that meet the standards and specifications of CSA Standard Z94.3-20 are required. However, if a task presents a higher risk, then the laboratory supervisor is responsible for completing a workplace hazard risk assessment to identify appropriate eye and face protection, as necessary. Please visit Section 4.5 Eye and Face Protection in the UPEI Laboratory Safety Manual on the UPEI website for more information. The definition of "laboratory" is provided on page 3 of the manual.
For any questions regarding eye and face protection in your lab, please contact the Health, Safety, and Environment Manager, Liz Rostant-MacArthur at lrostant@upei.ca or call (902)-566-0516.
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
