The next deadline for submitting biosafety applications, including new applications, renewals, and/or amendments, is Friday, September 25, 2020. These applications will be reviewed at the October 2020 meeting.

As of June 1, all research compliance applications, including biosafety application forms, must be submitted through the researcher portal. The new online process and system is paired with electronic approvals to replace the hard-copy signatures process.

Earlier versions of the application forms will not be accepted.  

Information about the researcher portal, including instructions for using the site, is available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms. Contact researcherportal@upei.ca if you have any questions about accessing or using the researcher portal.

For more information about the IBC review and approval process, please contact Joy Knight (Compliance Coordinator) at mknight@upei.ca

Scheduled Maintenance - Online Credit Card Payments (September 18th, 2020)

On Friday, September 18th, 2020, our third party vendor will be conducting routine maintenance on the credit card payment portal from 4 am to 8 am ATL. During this time, there may be intermittent access and performance issues when accessing and making a deposit or tuition credit card payment through the online portal. If you experience difficulty making a credit card payment outside of this period, please contact accounting@upei.ca. We appreciate your patience during this time.  

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, October 2nd, for the October meeting.

Please note that as of June 1, 2020, all animal user protocols must be submitted through UPEI Researcher Portal at https://upei.researchservicesoffice.com/Romeo.Researcher/

For new protocols, select ‘applications,’ and for renewal or amendment protocols, select ‘events’.

To view any UPEI ACC SOPs and Codes of Practice, they can be accessed through myUPEI at https://portal.upei.ca/facultystaff/administrativeservices/AVCAnimalCare/Pages/default.aspx. 

Those protocols received after the deadline will be reviewed the following month.  The Committee requires at least one month for processing applications.

UPEI Accessibility Services would like to remind students that they must have a UPEI approved Mask Exemption Card to be exempt from wearing a mask in campus buildings. This can be acquired by providing valid medical documentation from an appropriate health care provider to Accessibility Services and registering for the mask exemption accommodation. Please contact studentserv@upei.ca or call 902-566-0488 to make an appointment.  

ACENET’s fall training begins next week, and all sessions are open for registration.  Courses are on different days and times

Details can be found at the link below, but sessions include:

• ACENET Basics
• Research Computing Workshop Using Python
• Research Computing Workshop Using R
• Cloud from A to Z
• Basics in Programming Workshop for Humanities and Social Sciences
• An Introduction to Graph Convolution Neural Networks and Background Theory
• Safety First! Securing Your Compute Canada Virtual Machine
• Plus, sessions from our regional partners...

All training is online.

Link to details and registration:

https://mailchi.mp/ece30cf754b6/fall-training-starts-next-week-3922633

ACENET is a consortium of post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada created to serve the computationally intense and large scale data based research needs of researchers.  

https://www.ace-net.ca/who-we-are/acenet/

The UPEI Co-operative Education program is currently accepting applications for students interested in joining the program for 2020-2021. Eligible students have completed their first year of undergraduate studies at UPEI, or transferred in equivalent credits, and are enrolled in any of the following: BBA/BBST (all specializations and general business), BSc (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Foods and Nutrition (non-dietetic focus), Physics, and any major within SMCS), or BA (Economics and ACLC).

Through the Co-op program, students complete three non-credit professional development courses, and three paid, for-credit work terms. The program supports students in applying their classroom learning to a work environment, exploring career interests and options, building their professional networks, and earning income to support the costs of their university studies.

Applications are open until Wednesday, September 23rd.

Interested students can visit https://www.upei.ca/co-op/students/apply-for-co-op for criteria and to submit their Co-op application. 

For questions or more information, you're invited to contact co-op@upei.ca.

The UPEI Health & Wellness Centre will be offering the flu shot on campus again this fall. Notices will come out the week of October 12th with additional information on the flu clinics. They will be held in the WA Murphy Student Centre in late October. Stay tuned :).

The Department of Student Affairs has adapted our usual in-person, walk-in approach for academic advising for this September to virtual “walk-in” meetings. This will allow us to meet the needs of students studying out of province and to limit the potential spread of covid-19.

This service will run on a first-come, first-served basis from Tuesday, September 8, to Friday, September 11, and Monday, September 14, to Friday, September 18, from 9:00,am-12:00,pm and 1:00-4:00,pm.

Returning students and students with prior post-secondary credit can speak to an advisor to discuss their courses during that time by visiting our virtual waiting room here: 

https://ca.bbcollab.com/guest/f1820e81264a41cb8ca0b99bae6e149c

First-year students can access a first-year advisor by visiting the First-Year Advising virtual waiting room room here:

https://ca.bbcollab.com/guest/976cb28c357a4d418f14278bd85a10ae 

You'll be asked for your name, and then you'll join our waiting room on the blackboard collaborate platform where a short video will explain how to check-in and provide a quick tutorial on how to use the interface while you wait to meet with an advisor.

More details are posted on our website: https://www.upei.ca/student-affairs/online-advising

Applications are open! Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ - Prince Edward Island Program

The goal of Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ – Prince Edward Island is to support international students to live, work, and stay in Prince Edward Island post-graduation.

Eligibility: Applicants MUST be beginning their final year of study in fall (September) 2020 and expect to graduate from their program of study in spring or fall 2021.

Applicants from one of the following PEI post-secondary institutions are welcome to apply:

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Holland College, and Collège de I’île

Students who successfully gain entry into the Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ – Prince Edward Island program will be provided with enhanced support during their final year of study. This will equip students with the cultural, language, career, and networking skills needed to launch a successful career and fulfilling life in Prince Edward Island.

Review the eligibility criteria and apply here: http://studypei.ca/

Please help us share with your network. Thank you.

Any questions, please contact:

Study and Stay PEI Co-ordinator 

studyandstaypei@upei.ca

ACENET’s fall training begins next week, and all sessions are open for registration.  Courses are on different days and times

Details can be found at the link below, but sessions include:

• ACENET Basics
• Research Computing Workshop Using Python
• Research Computing Workshop Using R
• Cloud from A to Z
• Basics in Programming Workshop for Humanities and Social Sciences
• An Introduction to Graph Convolution Neural Networks and Background Theory
• Safety First! Securing Your Compute Canada Virtual Machine
• Plus, sessions from our regional partners...

All training is online.

Link to details and registration:

https://mailchi.mp/ece30cf754b6/fall-training-starts-next-week-3922633

ACENET is a consortium of post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada created to serve the computationally intense and large scale data based research needs of researchers.  

https://www.ace-net.ca/who-we-are/acenet/

The UPEI Co-operative Education program is currently accepting applications for students interested in joining the program for 2020-2021. Eligible students have completed their first year of undergraduate studies at UPEI, or transferred in equivalent credits, and are enrolled in any of the following: BBA/BBST (all specializations and general business), BSc (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Foods and Nutrition (non-dietetic focus), Physics, and any major within SMCS), or BA (Economics and ACLC).

Through the Co-op program, students complete three non-credit professional development courses, and three paid, for-credit work terms. The program supports students in applying their classroom learning to a work environment, exploring career interests and options, building their professional networks, and earning income to support the costs of their university studies.

Applications are open until Wednesday, September 23rd.

Interested students can visit https://www.upei.ca/co-op/students/apply-for-co-op for criteria and to submit their Co-op application. 

For questions or more information, you're invited to contact co-op@upei.ca.

The UPEI Health & Wellness Centre will be offering the flu shot on campus again this fall. Notices will come out the week of October 12th with additional information on the flu clinics. They will be held in the WA Murphy Student Centre in late October. Stay tuned :).

IT Systems and Services (ITSS) is finalizing preparations for access to virtual student computer lab applications for the Fall 2020 semester. We kindly ask that all faculty and/or lab facilitators who require access to virtual student computer lab applications for their courses, please submit their requests via the form provided here.

Please complete this form if you are facilitating a course in the upcoming Fall 2020 semester and your students will require virtual access to applications typically found on UPEI ITSS managed student computer lab workstations.

Please complete this form, even if you have previously contacted ITSS regarding your request.  In some specialized cases, there may be costs and approvals associated with provisioning virtual labs. In these cases, ITSS will contact you to discuss next steps.

The UPEI Health & Wellness Centre provides high-quality health services to all students as well as faculty, staff, and their families.  Like everyone, we are trying to navigate our way through the impacts of COVID-19 and keep you and our staff safe! Some tips to make things go smoothly:

- Wear a mask. The University has made the wearing of non-medical masks in campus buildings mandatory, effective September 8. 

- Come to your appointment prepared. Please bring your provincial health card or proof of international insurance.  Ensure they have not expired. If they have, we will require you to renew prior to your appointment or re-schedule. This link will provide contact information to provincial health card sites: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-cards.html. If you have been given forms to complete, please ensure they are complete before you arrive.

- Please be on time. To avoid having too many people congregate, come no more than 10 minutes early. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you may need to re-schedule your appointment.

- Avoid dropping in to make appointments.  As the physical space is small, we are trying to avoid having too many people in the space at one time. It is preferred if you would telephone us (902-566-0616) or email us (healthcentre@upei.ca) to make an appointment rather than dropping in.  

- Unless absolutely necessary, please come alone to appointments.  Again, to ensure proper physical distancing, we are trying to minimize the number of people in the health centre and so we are asking that you not bring a friend or family member with you to your appointment unless it is absolutely necessary.

- COVID-19.  If you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or have been outside the Atlantic Bubble in the last 14 days, please do not visit the health centre.  If you have symptoms or been in contact with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19, contact 8-1-1 for directions regarding potential screening for COVID-19. 

- First-time visitors. Please note that we have some standardized forms that all patients must complete the first time they visit the health centre. We appreciate your patience as we develop a new chart.

- Types of visits. We provide in-person visits, telephone visits as well as virtual visits (Zoom Healthcare).  Feel free to request any of these options.

It is our hope that you will experience professional, high-quality services at the health centre. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions.  Stay safe!

Applications are open! Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ - Prince Edward Island Program

The goal of Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ – Prince Edward Island is to support international students to live, work, and stay in Prince Edward Island post-graduation.

Eligibility: Applicants MUST be beginning their final year of study in fall (September) 2020 and expect to graduate from their program of study in spring or fall 2021.

Applicants from one of the following PEI post-secondary institutions are welcome to apply:

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Holland College, and Collège de I’île

Students who successfully gain entry into the Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ – Prince Edward Island program will be provided with enhanced support during their final year of study. This will equip students with the cultural, language, career, and networking skills needed to launch a successful career and fulfilling life in Prince Edward Island.

Review the eligibility criteria and apply here: http://studypei.ca/

Please help us share with your network. Thank you.

Any questions, please contact:

Study and Stay PEI Co-ordinator 

studyandstaypei@upei.ca

The Arts and Sciences Equity and Inclusion committee invites the campus community to recognize and participate in what is being called “Scholar Strike Canada” (https://scholarstrikecanada.ca/)—an initiative being organized for September 9 and 10. As the name suggests, faculty across Canada will be joining thousands of academics in higher education to protest anti-Black, racist, and colonial police brutality and violence in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere. (There’s a large Scholar Strike action being organized in the U.S. also). For these two days, faculty are invited to use teaching and administrative time as much as they are able to raise awareness of how systemic racism impacts the daily lives of Black, Indigenous, and people of colour in Canada—including in academia. Colleagues at other universities have organized a series of digital teach-ins; the program is available on the website, and freely available to everyone. The A&S Equity and Inclusion committee will also be organizing discussions of some of the issues raised by those sessions as part of our ongoing reading group series.

For more information, contact the committee co-chairs: Ann Braithwaite, abraithwaite@upei.ca and Chris Power, cdspower@upei.ca

The Health, Safety and Environment Department (HSE) is offering Emergency & Standard First Aid/CPR training sessions:

Standard First Aid/CPR
September 14 & 15, 2020
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
HSB 104

This comprehensive two-day course offers first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills for those who need enhanced training as a work requirement (high risk areas such as labs).

Emergency First Aid/CPR 
September 16, 2020
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
HSB 105

This basic one-day course offers lifesaving first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills. 

Cost of registration will be covered by HSE for all UPEI faculty and staff, including students who require training for on-campus employment. Students who do not require training for on-campus employment are welcome to attend; however, the cost of registration will not be covered. Please note that lunch will not be provided.

As space is limited, please pre-register by contacting Shelly Kavanagh by the end of the day Thursday, September 10, via email (hse@upei.ca) or by phone (902-566-0901).

The Department of Student Affairs has adapted our usual in-person, walk-in approach for academic advising for this September to virtual “walk-in” meetings. This will allow us to meet the needs of students studying out of province and to limit the potential spread of covid-19.

This service will run on a first-come, first-served basis from Tuesday, September 8, to Friday, September 11, and Monday, September 14, to Friday, September 18, from 9:00,am-12:00,pm and 1:00-4:00,pm.

Returning students and students with prior post-secondary credit can speak to an advisor to discuss their courses during that time by visiting our virtual waiting room here: 

https://ca.bbcollab.com/guest/f1820e81264a41cb8ca0b99bae6e149c

First-year students can access a first-year advisor by visiting the First-Year Advising virtual waiting room room here:

https://ca.bbcollab.com/guest/976cb28c357a4d418f14278bd85a10ae 

You'll be asked for your name, and then you'll join our waiting room on the blackboard collaborate platform where a short video will explain how to check-in and provide a quick tutorial on how to use the interface while you wait to meet with an advisor.

More details are posted on our website: https://www.upei.ca/student-affairs/online-advising

In order to accommodate the start of the fall semester, ITSS will be temporarily extending support services from 8 am to 8 pm until further notice. 

Please take note that physical access to ITSS is limited to appointments only, and the best way to reach ITSS for support is via our email helpdesk@upei.ca, or by submitting a request on our MyUPEI site. You can also reach us by phone at 902-566-0465.

IT Systems and Services (ITSS) is finalizing preparations for access to virtual student computer lab applications for the Fall 2020 semester. We kindly ask that all faculty and/or lab facilitators who require access to virtual student computer lab applications for their courses, please submit their requests via the form provided here.

Please complete this form if you are facilitating a course in the upcoming Fall 2020 semester and your students will require virtual access to applications typically found on UPEI ITSS managed student computer lab workstations.

Please complete this form, even if you have previously contacted ITSS regarding your request.  In some specialized cases, there may be costs and approvals associated with provisioning virtual labs. In these cases, ITSS will contact you to discuss next steps.