Campus Notices

The University community is cordially invited to join the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development; the Honourable H. Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island; and Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island, for a special announcement regarding a strategic investment on the UPEI campus. The announcement will take place on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 1:15 pm outside in the Quadrangle, in front of Dalton Hall. To view the official invitation, visit the UPEI Events Calendar listing.

 

The Environmental Sciences and Human Biology Seminar Series continues on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 12:30 pm in the Duffy Science Building, room 204. Graduate students Derek Ellis and Hannah Gehrels will present the following talks:

Derek Ellis (PhD-c), “Development of PEI’s climate change adaptation strategy:  A comparison and evaluation of local and international approaches”

Hannah Gehrels (MSc-c), “Habitat mediated predation:  How habitat structure affects green crab (carcinus maenas) predation rates”

All are welcome!  The next seminar is on October 14 when Dr. Ruth Cox will present: “Field expeditions with Operation Wallacea: ecological and conservation research on the Aegean Island of Greece.”

Join us on October 12 at 7 pm in the UPEI Faculty Lounge, SDU Main Building, for the first History of Medicine Society event for the fall, as Master of Arts (Island Studies) student Sara Underwood presents some of her research on the more than 200 children who were settled in Prince Edward Island between 1893 and the early 1920s, as part of the child emigration movement by Middlemore Home in Birmingham, England. She will present information from reports and correspondence related specifically to the children’s health. All are welcome!

 

In July 2011, the family of Harry and Marjorie MacLauchlan of Stanhope, PEI made another leadership gift to UPEI to create a substantial program of awards to encourage and recognize student writing achievement. The gift is to honour H. Wade MacLauchlan’s twelve years of service as UPEI president and vice-chancellor, and to recognize the importance of effective writing as a foundational skill for academic success and lifelong learning.

The MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing is the largest such student-oriented program in Canada. There are up to 60 prizes available for returning undergraduate students who produced outstanding written work in the previous academic year (September 1–August 31), as a substantive role in their academic course work or for the broader community audience, and who showed most improvement through a writing support program coordinated through the Webster Centre.

There are also up to 3 prizes available for faculty or staff members, who have shown exceptional leadership in the development of writing among students at UPEI.

For application information, please check out the following links:

MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing (Academic) – up to 35 prizes
MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing (Community) – up to 11 prizes
MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing (Webster) – up to 11 prizes
MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing (Staff/Faculty) - up to 3 prizes

For more details regarding this awards program, please feel free to contact Keith Lawlor in the Scholarships, Awards and Financial Aid office at kjlawlor@upei.ca or (902) 620-5187.

UPEI Athletics and Recreation is pleased to partner with award-winning Prince Edward Island band, The Paper Lions. They will be performing on campus following the UPEI Basketball home openers on November 4, 2016.

Support our friends (and alumni) - the Paper Lions - this month at their "Super Show" on September 30, 2016 at the PEI Convention Centre (Delta Prince Edward Hotel). Some expect it to be the largest show by PEI-based artists in history. Tickets can be purchased at Panther Central at the UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre for only $20.

 

In August, the Physics department moved its teaching labs from the Duffy Science Centre to the new School of Sustainable Design Engineering building. Many items were identified as surplus and are currently being stored in DSC309 and DSC310. Examples include old electronics equipment such as oscilloscopes, function generators and analog meters, etc.; glassware; metal weights; metal stands; scales; and some office items. UPEI faculty and staff are invited to view these items for potential use elsewhere on the campus. Please contact Lisa Steele (ldsteele@upei.ca) or Megan Glover (mglover@upei.ca) to view the items by Wednesday, October 5.

 

The campus community is invited to visit with and watch second-year engineering students on Thursday, September 29 from 3:30-5:00 pm in the hallways of the School of Sustainable Design Engineering building, as they attempt to make the most efficient machines possible in a sustainable way. Free energy? Not quite, but certainly sustainable and efficient.
 

The Harry MacLauchlan Scholarships in Entrepreneurial Leadership are open to full-time UPEI students entering their third year in any school/faculty, who have demonstrated entrepreneurial initiative through past or current experience, have plans to undertake an entrepreneurial career on PEI, and have achieved a minimum of 75% or greater in their first two years of study. The three, renewable $5,000 awards were created by the MacLauchlan family to honour the memory of the late Harry MacLauchlan, one of PEI's greatest entrepreneurs.  Deadline to apply is October 1, 2016.

For more details regarding this awards program, please feel free to contact Keith Lawlor in the Scholarships, Awards and Financial Aid office at kjlawlor@upei.ca or (902) 620-5187.

UPEI Student Affairs and the International Relations Office are hosting a public panel discussion to help address the issue of drink tampering and what to do if you suspect your or your friends’ drinks have been drugged. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 4 from 6–8 pm at McMillan Hall in the W. A. Murphy Student Centre.

Victims are not responsible for their drinks being drugged nor are they responsible to prevent the situations that can arise from this illegal behaviour. The discussion—featuring panelists from the medical, legal, and law enforcement communities—is aimed at equipping the audience with the know-how on how to avoid a dangerous situation and to stay as safe as possible. Lawyer Gary Demeulenaere from Stewart McKelvey, Constable Tim Keizer with Charlottetown Police Services, QEH emergency room physician Joanne McGinn, and PEI Victim Services Manager Susan Maynard will also help guide participants about what to do if they suspect their or their friends’ drinks have been tampered with. They will explain the reporting process and describe the services available for victims on PEI.

All are welcome.

The Psychology Department is pleased to announce the first talk of the 2016 Dr. Fiona Papps Colloquium Series. On Friday, September 30 at 12:30 pm in MCDH 328, Dr. Chris Sears will present, "Making students happy: What are the factors that contribute to students’ satisfaction with their psychology degree program?"

Dr. Sears is a Cognitive Psychology professor at the University of Calgary.

Please pass the message along to your classes.  All are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Stacey MacKinnon at smackinnon@upei.ca

 

The Comptroller's Office wishes to remind the campus community that effective October 1, 2016, the HST rate will increase from 14% to 15%. The new rate will consist of the provincial component of 10% and the federal component of 5% for the combined rate of 15%.

If you have any questions about how this change may affect your functions on campus, please contact Danny Jenkins, Manager-Financial Services at 566-0470 or by email at drjenkins@upei.ca.
 

The UPEI Rainbow Alliance will be selling raffle tickets(lottery license 13997) for a draw on October 8th.  All proceeds go to help island high school students, and UPEI students, attend the International GSA Conference in Windsor, Ontario in Spring 2017.  Tickets are $2 each, 3 for $5 or an armlength for $10.  There are over 25 prizes to be won, including items from UPEI, Happy Potter, Starbucks, Timothy's, Beanz, Butcher & Butcher, Upstreet Craft Brewery, The Reach Foundation, Melanie Hutchins Artistry, Confederation Centre for the Arts, Red Island Baked Potato, Liquid Gold, Of The Earth PEI, Nevaday Jay Graphic Design, One Earth, and more!  To see a list of items for donation (we are still accepting donations so more will be added) go to: http://upeira.wixsite.com/fair/raffle.  You can purchase tickets from Zak Court or Elyse Cottrell in Student Affairs, or at the UPEI Craft Fair which has free admission, and is on Saturday October 1st from 10am to 4pm in McMillan Hall, there are over 16 vendors, view: http://upeira.wixsite.com/fair/vendor-list

 
If you have any questions e-mail rainbow@upeisu.ca

Please join facilitator Jamie MacSwain from Morneau Sheppell who will deliver a 1-hour Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP) Seminar.

EFAP Seminar - "Effective Communication at Work"

WHEN: Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - 12:00PM-1:00PM

WHERE:  Kelley Board Room, Second Floor Room 234

SPACE IS LIMITED so don't delay, sign up today!

In order to communicate effectively, individuals have to master the techniques of effective listening and self-expression. These skills involve verbal and non-verbal behaviours as well as the ability to speak with persuasion and confidence. This session will look at both of these essential sides of the communication equation. It will address key communication elements such as active listening and show participants how to present messages in a way that is more compatible with the receiver’s style.

Learning objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to do the following:
• Understand the three major communication styles.
• Develop techniques to communicate assertively.
• Speak effectively when conversing about conflict.
• Recognize the barriers that can get in the way of listening.

SIGN UP: 

Release-time from your department is generally needed to participate.

Space is limited so please pre-register by contacting Glenda Burgoyne by email at gburgoyne@upei.ca or telephone 902-566-0605, no later than Monday, October 3, 2016. 

The UPEI Department of Music Recital Series 2016-2017 and the Royal Canadian College of Organists is pleased to present 
 
a) a Concert with Helios Vocal Ensemble featuring Eszter Horvath (soprano), former music director at All Saints Cathedral, Halifax; Elisabeth Stones (soprano), National Youth Choir alumna; Andrew Pickett (alto), former lay clerk at Manchester Cathedral; Garth MacPhee (tenor), music director at St. George’s Round Church, Halifax; and John Mark Dawson (bass), former boy chorister at Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa.
 
When: this Friday evening, September 30
Time:  7:30 PM
Where: Dr. Steel Recital Hall UPEI Campus
Cost: $20 adults & seniors/$15 students
Tickets may be purchased in advance on line through the following link:
http://upeiconcert2.bpt.me
 
or tickets may be reserved by calling 902-566-0507  or by email music@upei.ca
 
and 
 
b) a few members of this same group will be conducting a workshop on Saturday, October 1.  The workshop is intended for choristers as well as choral directors.  They will be working on ensemble techniques.  So if you like singing in choir and would like some tips on how to enhance your ensemble singing please come out to St. Paul's on  Saturday.  
 
When: Saturday October 1
Time: 10:00 AM
Where: St. Paul's Anglican Church
Cost: $10 per person, registration at the door

Faculty and staff are asked to encourage get 4th year students interested in a career with Stats Can, to attend an information session being held on Tuesday Sept. 27 in AVC A- N at 4:00 pm. The session will help with the application process and help answer any questions students may have regarding working with Stats Can. This is the first time Stats Can will be to UPEI so it's a great opportunity to take advantage of. 

Stats Canada is part of the Post Secondary Recruitment (PSR) campaign. For application and information on the PSR, including testing, please visit: http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/psr-rp/index-eng.php . For further information visit: 
https://emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/page1800?tog…

Dr. Khashayar Ghandi, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry,  Mount Allison University will present a seminar on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 12:30 pm. The presentation is entitled "Beta Decayed Spectroscopy and Nanostructures". The seminar will be held in the Duffy Research Centre, Lecture Theatre, Room 212.

All are Welcome!

 

WM&M (1993) Ltd has been awarded the Steel Building Level one Renovations. The project consists of an interior fit-up, including heating upgrades and replacement of some windows on level one, the newly renovated space will house Kinesiology.

Brighton Construction has been awarded the 618 University Avenue Renovations.  The project consists of an interior fit-up of the property at 618 University Avenue, the newly renovated space will house Development and Alumni Engagement.

Construction has begun and is expected to be completed by the end of November 2016. While the contractors have been instructed to limit the inconvenience to the campus community, a certain amount of disruption is inevitable.

Facilities Management appreciates your patience and understanding as we proceed with this exciting renovation project that will enhance the services, facilities, and environment provided to students, faculty, staff and University guests.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jackie MacPhail at 902-566-6034 or jmacphail@upei.ca.

The Campus Life Program, the Mawi'Omi Centre, and the Native Council of PEI are partnering to do an Escape Room fundraiser. Proceeds will be split between the UPEI Mawi'Omi Centre, and the Native Council, which are fundraising for their 25th Annual PowWow next summer. On Tuesday October 25 from 4pm to 10pm we will be offering 2 different escape rooms:  Escaped Serial Killer (scary), and Escape From Toyland (not scary).  

Cost is $20 cash per person, and registration is required. Students, Staff, and Faculty are welcome to participate! Visit: http://tinyurl.com/escapeupei for more information or to register (teams will be in groups of 5, groups with less than 5 people may have other people added to them to make a full team).
 
Contact Elyse with any questions: ecottrell@upei.ca

There is a new article entitled “Spirit Guides” on the SCENT blog this week. The article is about mentoring and the importance of the relationship between professors and students. Head on over to the site (http://projects.upei.ca/scent/), read the article, and tell us what you think! Any questions? Email Gerald at fdo@upei.ca.

Effective September 16, the process to discontinue a course has been streamlined to reduce the pressure on students. 

Instead of having two course "drop" dates each semester, UPEI will now have one final discontinuation date, at the end of October for First Semester (Fall) and at the end of February for Second Semester (Winter). UPEI has also increased the refund rate to 50% of the course fee (from 40%). 

The change will allow students more time to gather feedback before deciding whether it is in their best interest to continue with or to drop a course. 

To seek advice or more information, students are encouraged to visit the Student Service Zone at the Registrar's Office.