The UPEI Student Health Centre is closed for the holidays (December 13, 2013 - January 6, 2014). If you require the assistance of a physician, check the Health Centre website (http://www.upei.ca/studentlife/student-affairs/health-services) for links to information regarding walk-in clinics. If you have an emergency, call 911 or seek medical attention at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Emergency.

UPEI staff and faculty are invited to the 2013 President's Holiday Social on Thursday, December 19 from 3:00-5:00 pm in the Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall for refreshments, music, and holiday cheer. All are welcome to attend!

Moodle courses should now be on the site. If you need any help please email: moodle@upei.ca.

The UPEI Student Health Centre is closed for the holidays (December 13, 2013 - January 6, 2014). If you require the assistance of a physician, check the Health Centre website (http://www.upei.ca/studentlife/student-affairs/health-services) for links to information regarding walk-in clinics. If you have an emergency, call 911 or seek medical attention at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Emergency.

The Dr. Tim Goddard International Photography Contest recognizes and celebrates international development related work of UPEI students, faculty and staff. Members of the university community are encouraged to submit up to three photos to the 2014 contest. The submission date for this year is Tuesday, January 28, 2014. For detailed submission guidelines please visit: http://www.upei.ca/iro/dr-tim-goddard-international-photography-award. For further questions and inquires about the photo contest please contact Digafie Debalke at ddebalke@upei.ca.

The Department of Student Affairs is excited to welcome the Canadian Mental Health Association of PEI to campus for a two-day training session on Mental Health First Aid. This is an opportunity for members of the UPEI community to receive training on mental health issues. This training is ideal for staff and faculty who see a number of students or clients in the run of a day. Space is limited, so register early. The training will be held on February 6 and 7 in Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, room 142, from 9:00am–4:00pm at a cost of $200 per person. Nutritional breaks will be provided, but please bring your own lunch. To register please contact Krystal Mayne at kmayne@upei.ca. For more information contact Treena Smith, Manager of Student Affairs at 566-0674 or trlsmith@upei.ca.

The Dr. Tim Goddard International Photography Contest recognizes and celebrates international development related work of UPEI students, faculty and staff. Members of the university community are encouraged to submit up to three photos to the 2014 contest. The submission date for this year is Tuesday, January 28, 2014. For detailed submission guidelines please visit: http://www.upei.ca/iro/dr-tim-goddard-international-photography-award. For further questions and inquires about the photo contest please contact Digafie Debalke at ddebalke@upei.ca.

The Department of Student Affairs is excited to welcome the Canadian Mental Health Association of PEI to campus for a two-day training session on Mental Health First Aid. This is an opportunity for members of the UPEI community to receive training on mental health issues. This training is ideal for staff and faculty who see a number of students or clients in the run of a day. Space is limited, so register early. The training will be held on February 6 and 7 in Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, room 142, from 9:00am–4:00pm at a cost of $200 per person. Nutritional breaks will be provided, but please bring your own lunch. To register please contact Krystal Mayne at kmayne@upei.ca. For more information contact Treena Smith, Manager of Student Affairs at 566-0674 or trlsmith@upei.ca.

On December 17, Dr. Rob Deardon will present "Data uncertainty in population level infectious disease transmission modelling" at 1:30 pm in the AVC Learning Commons, 287N. The analysis of infectious disease data is complicated by the fact that much of the information we would like to have about disease spread is hard, or even impossible, to obtain. For example, dates of infection are almost never observed; at least not with any great accuracy. Similarly, information about various potential risk factors (e.g. vaccination status, genetics, contact network information) may also be missing or prone to measurement error. A Bayesian approach to the statistical modelling of infectious disease spread offers a conceptually simple and sound method of dealing with such missing or uncertain data. Here we detail how this approach can be used in modelling infectious disease transmission data, and discuss one or two specific examples. Dr. Deardon is an associate professor at the University of Guelph.

On December 17, Dr. Rob Deardon will present "Data uncertainty in population level infectious disease transmission modelling" at 1:30 pm in the AVC Learning Commons, 287N. The analysis of infectious disease data is complicated by the fact that much of the information we would like to have about disease spread is hard, or even impossible, to obtain. For example, dates of infection are almost never observed; at least not with any great accuracy. Similarly, information about various potential risk factors (e.g. vaccination status, genetics, contact network information) may also be missing or prone to measurement error. A Bayesian approach to the statistical modelling of infectious disease spread offers a conceptually simple and sound method of dealing with such missing or uncertain data. Here we detail how this approach can be used in modelling infectious disease transmission data, and discuss one or two specific examples. Dr. Deardon is an associate professor at the University of Guelph.

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions -- new, renewal, or amendments -- is Friday, January 3 for the January meeting. Ensure you always download the current forms from: http://research.upei.ca/animal_care and use the most current Adobe Reader to complete forms. Only current forms will be accepted. Both the signed hard copy and electronic protocol submission must be submitted by the deadline date. ∙ Submit one copy of original protocol with signature to AVC - Annex, Biomedical Sciences Dept., Rm 2302. ∙ Submit an electronic copy to animalcare@upei.ca Those protocols received after the deadline will be reviewed the following month. For more information, please contact Sherri Pineau at 566-0973.

The Administrative Professional's Development Program, beginning February 11, 2014, is designed for those who have been working in the Administrative Professional field and have found gaps in their skills, need to update their skills as a result of a change in their job, or simply want to enhance their knowledge and skills. Topics include: Conflict Resolution in the Workplace, Writing, Time Management and Organization, Understanding Change, and Communication. Visit the http://lifelonglearning.upei.ca/professionaldevelopment/admin-developme… for more information or contact the Centre for Life-Long Learning at lifelong@upei.ca or 566-0336.

Beginning on Tuesday, December 10, we will be changing out all of the paper towel and toilet paper dispensers across campus, including paper towel units within labs. The new paper towel dispensers are hands-free units by George Pacific. There will be an installer from Wood Wyant, our paper supplier, here for approximately two weeks to complete the campus. They will begin in the Atlantic Veterinary College and work their way across campus. If you have any question or concerns, please contact David Taylor at dctaylor@upei.ca or 566-0673.

Two Hearing Conservation Sessions will be held on Tuesday, December 17 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm in Andrew Hall Room 142. An audiologist, Peter Benstead, will be speaking on topics including; hearing and hearing damage, hazardous noise levels, controlling noises, and how to protect yourself from hearing damage. Audiometric Testing will take place the morning of December 18. Staff and Faculty who are exposed to noise levels of 85dB or greater due to their job will be a part of the University's Hearing Conservation Program and must attend such a session. Please pre-register for a session and audiometric testing by contacting Lacey Myers at ljmyers@upei.ca. Learn more about UPEI's Hearing Conservation Program at: http://hr.upei.ca/hearing-conservation-program

An Emergency First Aid and CPR Training session will be held on Friday, December 13 from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm in Kelley 210. The training is covered by the Health and Safety Budget. Space is limited so please sign up before December 11. If you would like to attend the training session, please pre-register by contacting Lacey Myers at ljmyers@upei.ca

The campus community is invited to a reception to celebrate Dr. Miles Turnbull, as he leaves UPEI for a promotion at Bishop's University. Please take this opportunity to join us in Main Faculty Lounge on December 11, from 2:00-4:00 pm, as we celebrate Miles’ successes at UPEI as he takes the next step on his journey.

Two Hearing Conservation Sessions will be held on Tuesday, December 17 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm in Andrew Hall Room 142. An audiologist, Peter Benstead, will be speaking on topics including; hearing and hearing damage, hazardous noise levels, controlling noises, and how to protect yourself from hearing damage. Audiometric Testing will take place the morning of December 18. Staff and Faculty who are exposed to noise levels of 85dB or greater due to their job will be a part of the University's Hearing Conservation Program and must attend such a session. Please pre-register for a session and audiometric testing by contacting Lacey Myers at ljmyers@upei.ca. Learn more about UPEI's Hearing Conservation Program at: http://hr.upei.ca/hearing-conservation-program

An Emergency First Aid and CPR Training session will be held on Friday, December 13 from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm in Kelley 210. The training is covered by the Health and Safety Budget. Space is limited so please sign up before December 11. If you would like to attend the training session, please pre-register by contacting Lacey Myers at ljmyers@upei.ca

The campus community is invited to a reception to celebrate Dr. Miles Turnbull, as he leaves UPEI for a promotion at Bishop's University. Please take this opportunity to join us in Main Faculty Lounge on December 11, from 2:00-4:00 pm, as we celebrate Miles’ successes at UPEI as he takes the next step on his journey.

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions -- new, renewal, or amendments -- is Friday, January 3 for the January meeting. Ensure you always download the current forms from: http://research.upei.ca/animal_care and use the most current Adobe Reader to complete forms. Only current forms will be accepted. Both the signed hard copy and electronic protocol submission must be submitted by the deadline date. ∙ Submit one copy of original protocol with signature to AVC - Annex, Biomedical Sciences Dept., Rm 2302. ∙ Submit an electronic copy to animalcare@upei.ca Those protocols received after the deadline will be reviewed the following month. For more information, please contact Sherri Pineau at 566-0973.