Today, Premier Robert Ghiz announced that government will not be proceeding with changes to the University Act and new degree granting arrangements on PEI. The University of Prince Edward Island appreciates this decision and Premier Ghiz's leadership in finding a path forward, together with the underlying affirmation of UPEI's role and mandate as our provincial university.

UPEI commits, as it has done for 42 years, to provide excellence in educational programs, research, and service to PEI and the world, and to work with potential partners to pursue new opportunities consistent with the University's mandate and resources, as we endeavour to advance our home province and put UPEI and Prince Edward Island on the map, nationally and internationally.

UPEI sincerely appreciates the groundswell of support from the community, as demonstrated by more than 1,300 citizens signing their names and making substantive comments to a letter penned by the UPEI Alumni Association. In addition, there have been innumerable letters, emails, and private conversations, together with support from Senate, the Board of Governors, and UPEI students, faculty, staff, graduates, Opposition Leader Olive Crane and MLAs from both parties and across PEI, and many individual Islanders. This resounding vote of confidence and pride in UPEI is profoundly gratifying, and will fuel the ongoing achievements and successes of our provincial university.

The University of Prince Edward Island congratulates Dr. Michael van den Heuvel on the renewal of his Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Watershed Ecological Integrity.

"The Canada Research Chairs program is about research excellence and leadership,' said Dr. Christian Lacroix, UPEI's Dean of Science. 'Dr. van den Heuvel has excelled in both; I congratulate him on a well-deserved renewal."

UPEI first recruited Dr. van den Heuvel for this prestigious chair five years ago from New Zealand.

'It's an honour to be renewed, just as it was an honour to be named a chair in the first place,' said Dr. van den Heuvel. 'In my first five years, I think we contributed science towards generating some real environmental targets for the reduction of nitrate in our streams and estuaries. That information is informing policymakers today. The chair allowed me to expand to some other exciting areas as well, and I'm proud that this renewal will allow for me to expand in these directions.'

Dr. van den Heuvel is also working with an internationally recognized research team focussed on the reduction of endocrine disrupting compounds in pulp and paper effluents. Dr. van den Heuvel has recently shifted some of his research focus toward northern Alberta, where he's investigating the viability of man-made lakes to remediate waste from oil sands projects.

"Dr. van den Heuvel's research program has been a tremendous asset to the Department of Biology,' said Dr. Larry Hale, Chair of the Department of Biology. 'His record in training promising young scientists at all levels (undergraduate, masters, doctoral, post-doctoral) is one we are very proud of."

'Dr. van den Heuvel's research is making a real difference in the world,' said Dr. Katherine Schultz, UPEI's vice-president of Research and Development, 'from northern Alberta, to the rivers and streams of Prince Edward Island. This is a perfect example of research making an impact on public policy leading to improved health of the environment.'

The Canada Research Chairs program was established ten years ago by the government of Canada to attract and retain some of the world's most accomplished and promising minds. Chairs aim to achieve research excellence in engineering and the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences. They improve our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada's international competitiveness, and help train the next generation of highly skilled people through student supervision, teaching, and the coordination of other researchers' work.

As part of Computer Science Education Week, the Department of Computer Science & Information Technology at UPEI is running a video game development competition.

Aimed at PEI junior high and high school students who have gone the through the ‘GameForce program', the contest asks participants to create a game using Game Maker software. On Wednesday, December 1, a game concept will be unveiled and students will have until midnight December 8, 2010 to develop and submit their working video game entry.

The competition is open to junior high school or high school students in the PEI school system (including homeschoolers). Prizes will include a paid summer internship with a Charlottetown-based video game company, bursaries to UPEI and Holland College, gaming consoles and computer equipment. A full prize list will be announced by December 1, 2010.

Entries will be judged by a panel including video game industry professionals and prizes will be awarded at UPEI on Saturday, December 11 at 12 noon in Cass Science Hall, Room 305. More information about the competition can be found at http://www.csit.upei.ca/makeagame/.

Posters advertising the competition have been sent to schools that participate in the GameForce program and announcements about the competition were made at the Impact Expo a couple of weeks ago. GameForce is a designer bootcamp coordinated by the Province of PEI that offers basic 2D game design courses at junior high schools and basic 3D at senior high schools.

For more information, call Dr. David LeBlanc, Department of Computer Science & Information Technology at (902) 566-0429.

REMINDER! S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violence Everywhere) invites the campus community to 'Remembering the Past for a Better Future,' Tuesday, December 7, 2010, at 7:00 pm, in the W.A. Murphy Student Center. Dedicated to both remembering and acting against violence in our lives, the event features the public unveiling of a large purple ribbon and poster to commemorate people who have suffered and died because of violence, a number of speakers (including Dr. Philip Smith and Dr. Ann Braithwaite from UPEI faculty), musical performances by Richard Wood and FACES, a song and slideshow by S.A.V.E. members and UPEI students, and a memorial candle lighting. Everyone welcome! For more information, contact Ann Braithwaite, abraithwaite@upei.ca.

All are welcome to enjoy free hot chocolate and seasonal singing by UPEI Music Department students on Wednesday, December 8 from 2:00 - 2:30 pm at Meincke Plaza (in front of the W.A. Murphy Student Centre).

What would you do if one of your employees had made disparaging remarks about your organisation on facebook? This was the ethical dilemma put to UPEI business students Tanya Martin, Hayley Beer, Jeff McKenzie and Kyle Smith in the first round of the Dalhousie University Business Ethics Case competition held last month in Halifax.

With only four hours to analyse, then brainstorm a solution and make recommendations through a presentation, the students were tested in a pressure situation similar to that faced by highly paid consultants. The team then had fifteen minutes to present their solution to a panel of judges to sway them to accept their proposal.

This was the first time a team from UPEI participated in this international competition which attracted a broad field including Indiana's Purdue University and the University of Arizona, in the United States and well-known Canadian universities such as Queens, Simon Fraser, Wilfred Laurier, Trent, Bishops, and the home team from Dalhousie University.

With the competition spread over two rounds, and the top four teams competing in a head-to-head final, the pressure over the weekend was intense. Much to the excitement of the UPEI team, they made it to the final four. Tanya Martin said, 'Even competing was a huge thrill for us. Being that it was the first time we had entered, we were not sure how we would fare. Making it to the final four was a great accomplishment.'

The final case consisted of marrying the ethics and values of profit and non-profit organisations working together in partnership. Teams were judged on their ability to effectively balance the ethical, financial, legal, and social consequences of their decisions. The final round proved to be very competitive with all teams presenting comprehensive and impressive case analysis. It was in this environment that the UPEI School of Business team was announced the winners.

Professor Edward Gamble, case team coach and mentor said, 'These students have worked very hard to prepare for this event. The case competition class presents the top business students with the challenge of pulling together all their accumulated knowledge and making real life business recommendations in a pressure situation. The ability to synthesize the issues, make decisions, and coherently present the outcome is a key skill that we are aiming for through this class.'

Dr. Roberta MacDonald, dean of the UPEI School of Business states, 'Winning this competition, against teams from such esteemed institutions reconfirms the quality of students we have at UPEI. It is also an indication of the excellence and dedication of the faculty who are able to impart the skills and knowledge that make our students competitive with the best throughout North America. We are very proud of their achievement.'

Many students at the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI belong to Veterinarians Without Borders (VWB), a Canadian charitable organization with a mission to work for, and with, communities in need to foster the health of animals, people, and the environments that sustain them. Other members come from private veterinary practice, academia, government agencies and non-government agencies.

One of the organization's campaigns is 'One World Gifts', an e-gifting campaign and website where you can donate online to help improve the health and wellbeing of people and animals in need.

UPEI's VWB junior representative, student Kelleigh Waters, says, 'This year's One World Gifts collection features six wonderful e-gifts - each supporting a different VWB program. These e-gifts can be emailed and/or printed and the donation amount is completely up to you! Celebrate the people in your life; give a One World Gift in their name!'

For more information, click here.

Dr. Vera Dewar and the late Eileen (McMillan) Fulford have donated over $700,000, combined, towards the construction of a new building on campus that will house teaching and research facilities, and office space for the School of Nursing and the Department of Family and Nutritional Sciences, including the new kinesiology program.

Ms. Fulford's gift amounts to more than $400,000 and is part of a planned gift of over $1 million, the largest ever received by UPEI from an individual donor. Dr. Dewar's contribution to the building is $300,000 though she also supports other ongoing initiatives at UPEI.

Students, staff and faculty, donors, and alumni gathered in McMillan Hall, next to the building's future site, with Premier Robert Ghiz; UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan; and Chair of UPEI's Board Development, Fundraising, and External Relations Committee, Gordon MacKay, to celebrate the announcements with the McMillan family and Dr. Dewar. Current Nursing student, Angela Bryan, and Family Science major, Emma Gillis, also explained the impact that the new building will have on their educational experience at UPEI.

The event marked the official kick-off to the UPEI private sector campaign to secure the remaining $3.6 million-or one-third of the project costs-needed to fund this vital facility. The Government of Prince Edward Island is funding two-thirds of the project, $7.2 million, for a total construction cost of $10.8 million.

Premier Ghiz said, 'I'd like to thank anyone who has come forward to support this project and to urge all Islanders to think about how they can support this work. My government is proud to partner with UPEI in this step forward and I look forward to seeing Islanders put their support behind another great initiative at this great school.'

'A new facility for UPEI's School of Nursing and Family and Nutritional Science programs will be an important platform to address our future health-care needs and opportunities,' said UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. 'Today, we are pleased to pay tribute to the Province for their commitment and to two leaders in health care and education, Vera Dewar and the late Eileen (McMillan) Fulford, for their donations.'

'This new facility will provide new and futuristic learning and teaching equipment, accommodate a Master of Nursing program, and allow the School to participate in research which will help improve health care on PEI and elsewhere,' commented Dr. Dewar. 'I am humbled and honoured to be part of this happy occasion. It is important that we do our part to make this new school possible.'

Fulford's brother, Dr. Colin McMillan said, 'To see Eileen's donation go towards this facility which will increase capacity for health learning and research is so fitting as throughout her lifetime, she supported health causes. Now, her legacy to health education will live through this gift to UPEI's new facility.'

MacLauchlan also revealed that just days ago, the family of C. Jean (Ross) MacKay had donated $50,000 to the campaign in her honour. He added, 'This campaign in support of excellence and innovation in learning is now under way!'

Construction of the 39,000-square-foot facility began in September and is expected to be completed in fall 2011. To donate to the capital campaign, click here or call 902-566-0354.

Eileen (McMillan) Fulford taught at the PEI School of Nursing and at Sir Sandford Fleming College where she became head of health sciences.

In 2006, she honoured her parents, Joseph McMillan and D. Eileen McMillan, and the entire McMillan family by creating a planned gift to UPEI. The courtyard at the W.A. Murphy Student is named McMillan Hall in recognition of her generosity.

Sadly, at the age of 64, Fulford lost her battle with cancer. When the School of Nursing and Department of Family and Nutritional Sciences building is completed, its largest classroom will be named in honour of this teacher, nurse, volunteer and philanthropist.

About Dr. Vera E. Dewar

Vera Elizabeth Dewar graduated from the PEI Hospital School of Nursing in 1956, obtained a Diploma in Teaching and Supervision in Schools of Nursing from Dalhousie University in 1958, received a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Dalhousie University in 1967, and was granted an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from UPEI in 2003.

Dewar was one of the pioneers who advocated for university-level education for nurses, and her efforts contributed to the opening of the UPEI School of Nursing in 1992. To this day, she is called on for advice, and to speak to students and faculty. In addition to today's major gift of $300,000 to the new building, she continues to support nursing education through the Dr. Vera E. Dewar Learning Resource Centre, and the Dr. Vera Elizabeth Dewar Graduate Nursing Scholarship.

About C. Jean (Ross) MacKay

Jean MacKay was born and raised in Roseberry, PEI and pursued an early career as a school teacher, later attending Prince of Wales College and the PEI School of Nursing. She was very proud of her nursing career and made life-long friends studying to be a nurse and practicing nursing at the Prince Edward Island Hospital.

MacKay was very active as a volunteer including long-time participation with the Park Royal United Church Women, leading and teaching Sunday school, and as long-time member of the IODE with many of her nursing friends. Jean is now 88 years old, and resides at the Garden Home in Charlottetown; her children, Gordon, Carole, Connie, Marilyn, and Lori, along with their families, are proud to make a gift towards the School of Nursing and Family and Nutritional Sciences building on her behalf, as she is not able to do it personally.

At the President's Annual Christmas Social held December 16, three UPEI staff members were recognized with Academic Support Group Staff Achievement Awards.

Jay McPhail, long-time employee of Audio Visual Services, received an award in the Career Achievement category. Having worked for UPEI for 23 years, Jay was nominated by 14 colleagues across campus, and was cited for his dedication to always doing a job well, and for always ensuring a professional production with quality audio and visuals.

Treena Smith, Transition Coordinator at the Webster Centre, and Karen Dempsey, Coordinator, Adult Learner Services at the Centre for Life-Long Learning, were co-winners of the first Creative Initiative Award. The award is given to a person(s) who recommends a creative solution to improve efficiency and service delivery in their department or campus-wide. VP Academic Jim Randall presents Treena Smith and Karen Dempsey with their ASG Staff Achievement Award.

Smith and Dempsey teamed up to brainstorm, develop, and initiate a distance-learning, non-credit, six-week university preparatory course, primarily targeted at adults who are considering post-secondary education. The first course was delivered in O'Leary, and new offerings will be available in 2011 in Charlottetown and Montague.

Congratulations Jay, Treena, and Karen!