In April 2023, Universities Canada released their “Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation” document, which outlines six commitments in response to the TRC Calls to Action. A group of UPEI colleagues have been researching what this looks like in Atlantic Canada Universities. Join them in the TLC on November 4 at 10:30 am to learn more. 

It’s time to get spooky! Celebrate Halloween and el día de los muertos with a Robertson Library movie night. Visit the library to vote for your favourite popcorn flick. Then join us on Tuesday, October 29, in RL Room 235 for the main event; doors open at 6:00 pm, show time at 6:30. All UPEI students, faculty, and staff are welcome, and costumes are encouraged. Movie selections from the library's video databases: Audio Cine Films offers access to hundreds of feature films from Disney, Pixar, Sony, MGM, United Artists, and more; Criterion-on-Demand's title selection includes classics, new releases, foreign films, literary adaptations, documentaries, animated titles, and independent features. 

Do you know what to do if there is a building evacuation? Are you a chief warden, floor warden, or guardian for your building? Do you have questions about your role as a warden or guardian or the evacuation procedures for your building?

UPEI Health, Safety, and Environment, and Security Services will hold a building emergency plan session for chief wardens, floor wardens, and guardians on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 9:00 am in Bill and Denise Andrew Hall Room 142. 

Please let hse@upei.ca know if you are interested in attending.

Got a business idea that’s haunting you? Don’t let it ghost you! Join the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship for MiniPitch on Wednesday, October 30, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. It’s a fang-tastic chance for students to brew up their presentation skills and conjure up new ideas. Just prepare a spine-tingling three-minute pitch, face a ghoulish three-minute Q&A, and sink your teeth into a two-minute feedback session to discover what you did wonderfully, where you can lift your spirits, and what spells you should consider to move forward with your idea! Don't be scared! It's going to be a scream!

The first eight presenters to register will have their spots booked, and we will have some wildcard spots at the event if you don’t get registered in time!

Register here!

Join us in sharing songs from around the world weekly on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30 pm in the Faculty Lounge, SDU Main Building.

Relax, have fun, and sing! No experience is necessary

Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Come one, come all! 

Sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf12pyvSYhvdXaZHUx93UiHC57bP1lNo-Bc8BgYTGnrCdmkag/viewform?usp=sf_link

Knock, knock, who’s there? It’s ransomware! 

It’s the fourth week of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we at ITSS have an important message for you!

Engaging online with malicious websites, software, and files allows cybercriminals to steal and hold your information and data for large sums of money. The worst part? There is no guarantee they’ll return your information! Horrifying? Yes, indeed. 

That is why we encourage you to be careful and click on trusted sources while surfing the web. 

If you are an employee at UPEI (i.e., staff or faculty), complete cybersecurity awareness training via the Terranova Cybersecurity Awareness Training Portal to learn more about ransomware. Log in securely to Terranova with our UPEI SSO! 

Everyone is welcome to explore the “Become CyberSafe” section of our website at https://go.upei.ca/ithelp.  You can even help promote cybersecurity by talking about it with your colleagues.

And don’t forget! Tune into Technology Tip Tuesday next week for our last tip for Cybersecurity Awareness Month. 

As UPEI's Human Resources team has grown and services have expanded, we would like to re-introduce you to the members of our team.

We have put together an informational document outlining our services and respective team members. 

This guide can be found by visiting myUPEI>Menu>Administrative Services>Human Resources. The PDF link will be found at the top of the Human Resources page, under our contact information. You can also visit the document by clicking here.

This will be a living document, so please check back from time to time to ensure you are referencing the most up-to-date information. 

Registration is open for BUILD, a 15-week virtual program designed for Black entrepreneurs and early-stage founders with an initial product or service in place. If you're ready to scale your business, this program will equip you with essential tools in leadership, marketing, finance, and human resources, with the added potential for consultancy funding.
The start date is November 5. 

Register now to join the BUILD program!

Attention UPEI Students!

St. Francis Xavier University is excited to announce its first-ever Impact X Pitch Competition! This is a fantastic opportunity for students to harness their entrepreneurial mindset and skills to drive social change.

Why participate?

• Showcase your innovative social venture ideas.
• Gain invaluable feedback from industry experts.
• Build your network with like-minded changemakers.
• Compete for a share of $10,000+ in prize money.

Participants can choose between

• early-seed or late-seed streams
• either a 1-min elevator pitch OR a 7-min pitch

Not ready to pitch? No problem! You can still apply to attend Impact X and soak in the learning and inspiration.

For more details, visit impactxsummit.ca

Join us for a Lunch and Learn session on Saturday, November 2, at noon, to discover how Mikinduri Children of Hope (MCOH) is making a powerful impact in Kenyan communities, providing education, health care, and essential resources to create lasting change.

The event will take place in the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering building, Room 128 A and B. Parking is available in Parking Lot C at no cost. The cost is $5 for students and $15 for the general public (cash only).

Prospective students and anyone interested in UPEI are invited to attend our Fall Open House on Friday, November 1, from 12 noon to 4:00 pm. This event offers a great opportunity to explore the campus, meet faculty and staff, and discover what it’s like to be part of the Panther community!

The day will feature

• faculty fairs and information sessions
• campus tours
• application support
• presentations from a variety of campus supports, programs, and campus life

Those who register and attend will also receive an application fee waiver code for Fall 2025 admissions!

Register today at https://www.upei.ca/events/2024/11/fall-open-house-2024.

For questions, contact us at apply@upei.ca. We hope to see you there!
 

As we continue to build a culture of trust, safety, and inclusion, we must continue to listen with curiosity, make sure all voices are heard, welcome diverse points of view, and embrace opportunities to challenge our thinking and learn new things.  

Your insights are crucial in helping us understand what we are doing well and where we can do better. UPEI is committed to fostering a workplace that supports your professional growth and well-being, and your feedback will guide our efforts. Starting on November 4 and running for two weeks, we will be conducting an online employee engagement survey that covers a wide array of topics about our workplace. 

The survey will be conducted by TalentMap, a company that specializes in employee engagement measurement and benchmarking. Keep your eye out for the survey link, which will be sent directly to your UPEI e-mail address.  

Each employee who completes a survey is eligible to enter into a draw for UPEI swag. You can enter the draw by delivering your survey confirmation page in person to Human Resources at Kelley Memorial Building 143, or you can e-mail a screenshot to hrengage@upei.ca, by no later than November 22. 

Please visit myUPEI for more information about the Employee Engagement Survey: myUPEI – Employee Engagement. The survey will be open to faculty, staff, and student employees. If you do not receive an e-mail link and think you should have, please contact hrengage@upei.ca 

Should you need a quiet place to complete your survey, please feel welcome to attend a computer lab on one of the dates indicated below. UPEI’s Employee Engagement Officer will also be available to provide support if needed. 

November 5: 12:00–3:00 pm, Duffy Science Centre, Room 202 

November 6: 2:30–6:30 pm, Robertson Library, Room 265 

November 7: 10:00 am–2:00 pm, Atlantic Veterinary College, Room 218S  

November 12: 10:00 am–2:00 pm, Duffy Science Centre, Room 202 

November 13: 12:00–3:00 pm, Robertson Library, Room 264 

Together, we will build a supportive community where everyone can thrive—Your Voice, Our Future! 

It’s time to get spooky! Celebrate Halloween and el día de los muertos with a Robertson Library movie night. Visit the library to vote for your favourite popcorn flick. Then join us on Tuesday, October 29, in RL Room 235 for the main event; doors open at 6:00 pm, show time at 6:30. All UPEI students, faculty, and staff are welcome, and costumes are encouraged. Movie selections from the library's video databases: Audio Cine Films offers access to hundreds of feature films from Disney, Pixar, Sony, MGM, United Artists, and more; Criterion-on-Demand's title selection includes classics, new releases, foreign films, literary adaptations, documentaries, animated titles, and independent features. 

Join Island Studies for the first of our Island Studies film series on October 28, at 7:00 pm in SDU Main Building 211. We will screen "The Grand Seduction," a comedy about a small fishing community in Newfoundland that tries to seduce a doctor from away into being their doctor to secure a contract for a factory to be built on the island. Following the screening, Island Studies faculty will lead a discussion about the film, drawing out its island themes of isolation, limited resources, and the resilience of Islanders. 

This event is free. All students and faculty are welcome. The event runs from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. 

Do you know what to do if there is a building evacuation? Are you a chief warden, floor warden, or guardian for your building? Do you have questions about your role as a warden or guardian or the evacuation procedures for your building?

UPEI Health, Safety, and Environment, and Security Services will hold a building emergency plan session for chief wardens, floor wardens, and guardians on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 9:00 am in Bill and Denise Andrew Hall Room 142. 

Please let hse@upei.ca know if you are interested in attending.

The UPEI Health and Wellness Centre is offering COVID-19 vaccine appointments throughout November for all students, faculty, and staff.

The updated COVID-19 vaccine is designed to target current variants more effectively, boosting your immunity and reducing the risk of severe symptoms. Protect yourself and those around you by scheduling your appointment today.

To book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, email healthcentre@upei.ca with “COVID” in the subject line. Also, members of the campus community attending the flu vaccine clinics on October 23, 24, or 30 may book their COVID-19 vaccine appointment at that time. 

Important details:

• It is recommended that booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are scheduled 3-6 months after your last dose or 3-6 months after COVID-19 illness (whichever is later).
• Vaccines are provided at no cost.
• Please note that we cannot administer COVID-19 vaccines to children under 12 years of age.
• Bring a valid provincial health card or your student ID for registration.
• A 15-minute observation period is required after your vaccination to monitor for any adverse reactions. Please plan your visit accordingly.

Protect yourself and help to reduce the spread in your community. Get vaccinated this November!

Got a business idea that’s haunting you? Don’t let it ghost you! Join the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship for MiniPitch on Wednesday, October 30, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. It’s a fang-tastic chance for students to brew up their presentation skills and conjure up new ideas. Just prepare a spine-tingling three-minute pitch, face a ghoulish three-minute Q&A, and sink your teeth into a two-minute feedback session to discover what you did wonderfully, where you can lift your spirits, and what spells you should consider to move forward with your idea! Don't be scared! It's going to be a scream!

The first eight presenters to register will have their spots booked, and we will have some wildcard spots at the event if you don’t get registered in time!

Register here!

The UPEI Health and Wellness Centre will offer flu vaccine clinics in October to all students as well as faculty, staff, and their families.

Flu clinic schedule:

• Wednesday, October 23, 10:00 am-3:00 pm, McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre
• Thursday, October 24, 1:00–7:00 pm, McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre 
• Wednesday, October 30, 12:00 noon–7:00 pm, The McCain Foundation Learning Commons Atrium, Atlantic Vet College

Important details:

• Vaccines are administered on a first-come, first-served basis—no appointment is necessary.
• This service is free of charge.
• We are unable to administer vaccines to children aged 2 and under.
• Please bring a valid provincial health card or student ID for registration.
• You are required to wait 15 minutes in the post-vaccine waiting area after receiving your flu shot to ensure no allergic reaction. Please plan your time accordingly.

COVID-19 vaccines will be available in November. Members of the campus community who attend one of the flu vaccine clinics can book an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccine at that time, or they can email the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre at healthcentre@upei.ca to make an appointment. If you are booking an appointment by email, please put COVID in the subject line. 

Stay healthy this flu season - come get vaccinated!

The SSHRC Exchange Publication Awards support the publication of manuscripts—written or edited by UPEI faculty—by Island Studies Press (ISP). These awards are being funded by a SSHRC Institutional Grant, therefore, the subject matter of the publication must be compatible with SSHRC’s mandate (see http://science.gc.ca/eic/site/063.nsf/eng/h_FEE7261A.html for more information). One (1) award is available for 2024.

The award of $7,000 will be disbursed to Island Studies Press to cover publication costs (including editing, photo and other permissions, design, printing, marketing, and other costs associated with publishing a book). Authors will be offered ISP’s standard publication contract, which ensures authorial copyright and includes a royalty structure. Authors will also see their manuscripts reviewed through a peer-review process where appropriate.

ELIGIBILITY:

• Eligible applicants must be Tenured, Tenure Track, Term or Sessional UPEI Faculty, who are employed by UPEI at the time of application.
• Manuscripts may be single- or multi-authored results of academic research projects; textbooks; edited proceedings of a conference; or works of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, or drama that pertain to the author(s)' discipline.
• The subject matter of the manuscript must meet SSHRC’s mandate.
• Past recipients of the SSHRC Exchange Publication Award or UPEI Internal Publication Award cannot apply for support for the previously funded manuscript.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 1, 2024
Submit documents electronically to UPEI Research Services at researchservices@upei.ca

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applicants are to submit a package that includes: 

• Book proposal/summary (maximum of one page)
• A completed or close-to-complete manuscript and a Table of Contents. Note: the manuscript must be complete no later than three months after winning the award
• A curriculum vitae that includes your credentials as author(s)/editor(s) 
• Two letters of support (e.g., from your Department Chair, Dean, professional association)

Selection Committee: A selection committee comprised of the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Institute of Island Studies, plus two members of the ISP Publishing Committee, will assess the proposals and make a recommendation to the Associate Vice-President Research. The Managing Editor of the ISP will be a member of the Committee in a non-voting capacity. To assist in making its recommendations, the selection committee will use a single-blind peer review of the submitted manuscript. Final decisions on publication remain with the Island Studies Press and the Institute of Island Studies.

Reporting: A copy of the book, along with a narrative outlining the publication process—prepared in collaboration with staff at Island Studies Press—must be submitted when the book is complete. Previous recipients of the UPEI Internal Publication Awards include Lori Mayne, Department of English, Laurie Brinklow, Institute of Island Studies, Linyuan Guo-Brennan, Faculty of Education, and Josh MacFadyen, Faculty of Arts.

For more information on the Publication Awards program, contact Dr. Laurie Brinklow at brinklow@upei.ca or 902-894-2881.

UPEI graduate students and post-doctoral scholars are encouraged to register for the FREE virtual 2024 Canadian Career Symposium for graduate students and post-doctoral scholars, presented by the Graduate and Postdoctoral Development Network (GPDN). REGISTRATION IS OPEN: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1028291406277

The career symposium, spanning Tuesday, November 19 to Thursday, November 21, is three half-days of virtual career content (workshops and panels) specifically for graduate students and post-doctoral scholars studying in Canada. The content is applicable to both research-focused and course-based scholars, with topics including the role of values in career decision-making, applying your research skills to career planning, networking strategies for graduate students, and more! View the full Career Symposium Agenda here.

The career symposium will feature PEI-based speakers:

• Sasha Nandlal, UPEI PhD Ed candidate, a panelist on: "What I Learned from Serving on a Faculty Search Committee"
• Monic Vokey, Recruitment Consultant, PEI Public Service Commission, a panelist on: "Exploring Careers in the Public Sector"

Registration gives access to attend the live-streamed virtual sessions from 2:00 to 5:00 pm each day and to access the recordings* for up to one year after the symposium. Attendees are welcome to attend all sessions, or join just those of special interest. (*Panels will be available only as live-streams.)

Registration is free for UPEI graduate students and post-doctoral scholars due to sponsorship and coordination support of the symposium by the UPEI Faculty of Graduate Studies.