On Friday, September 18 at 7:30 pm, the UPEI Department of Music opens its 2026-2027 recital series with our second annual Prelude to Homecoming concert, a musical celebration of our Performing Arts donors, which will once again showcase the Department's new 9-foot Yamaha CFX concert grand piano in the refurbished Steel Recital Hall. This concert will feature Magdalena von Eccher as a soloist and in collaboration with full-time faculty Dale Sorensen (trombone) and Nicole Strum (saxophone), part-time faculty Natalie Williams Calhoun (cello) and guest pianist Glen Montgomery; an alumni SATB vocal ensemble led by Sung Ha Shin-Bouey and accompanied by von Eccher and Morgan Saulnier (piano); and a faculty/alumni jazz combo featuring Mark Parsons (trumpet), Ian Toms (guitar), Deryl Gallant (bass), and Shawn Doiron (drums).  Tickets can be purchased online here. Please visit https://upei.ca/music for more information.

The Atlantic Veterinary College SAVMA Chapter is hosting their 4th annual TRAILS FOR TAILS- a 5K fun run/walk! Students and community members are invited to attend this all-ages event (10+ years for run registration) and all fitness levels are welcome. Dogs are welcomed and encouraged to attend! This 5 km run/walk follows a route on the UPEI campus and the Confederation Trail, starting and ending at the WA Murphy Student Centre.

Sanctioned by the PEI Roadrunners Club, the registration donations for this event will support local and national SAVMA leadership opportunities for students, as well as the Pegasus Helping Hands Fund through the AVC VTH.

Date: Sunday, September 27, 10:00 am

Location: W.A. Murphy Student Centre, 550 University Ave, Charlottetown

Registration: $25, *NEW* only $15 for UPEI students

There will be medals and great prizes- follow the link below to sign up and don’t miss our best run yet!

Registration Form

For any questions, email: avc.scavma@gmail.com

Faculty and staff are invited to share their feedback on Welcome Week 2026! Whether or not you participated in Welcome Week events or activities, your feedback will help the Office of Student Culture and Community Standards inform future planning and support the student experience at UPEI.

The Faculty and Staff Welcome Week Feedback Survey is anonymous and takes approximately 3–5 minutes to complete. Complete the survey by September 25, 2026, and you can enter for a chance to win one of two UPEI prize packs.

Please also encourage students to share their feedback! The Student Welcome Week Feedback Survey is anonymous and takes approximately 5–7 minutes to complete. Students who complete the survey by September 21, 2026, can enter for a chance to win one of ten $50 UPEI Bookstore gift cards.

Faculty and Staff Survey Link

Student Survey Link

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Student Experience Coordinator Susie Zavala at szavala@upei.ca. 

The UPEI Foods and Nutrition program will host an Open House on Tuesday, September 15, from 12:00–1:00 pm and a Career Day on Tuesday, September 22, from 11:30–12:45 pm. Both events will be held in the third-floor dining room of the Health Sciences Building (HSB room 301), UPEI. 

All UPEI students are welcome and encouraged to attend the Open House to learn about the Foods and Nutrition program streams within the Faculty of Science and to connect with faculty and staff. Attendees will also hear about academic pathways, dietetic internship opportunities, and honours research experiences. Tours of the department and foods lab will be provided.

The Career Day event is an opportunity to explore how a degree in Foods and Nutrition can lead to diverse and rewarding career opportunities. It is designed to give students a clear picture of what the program has to offer and how it can support their academic and professional goals. It will also offer day-to-day insights from professionals. Representatives from Health PEI and the Department of Health will be present to share information about the career opportunities available to graduates of the UPEI Foods and Nutrition program.

As a result of Canada’s research community's commitment to open science and international collaboration, Canada is a leader in innovation, research, and development. However, this commitment has the potential to be exploited, leading to loss of expertise and trade secrets, damage to the integrity of Canadian academic and research institutions, and the loss of publication and patent opportunities. These implications have national and economic security impacts – particularly if the knowledge is sensitive or has potential military applications. 

The Government of Canada recognizes the immense short and long-term value of the research conducted in Canada and endeavours to keep it as open as possible while still ensuring security measures are in place. To raise awareness of research security issues and threats within Canada’s academic communities, Public Safety Canada’s Atlantic Regional Advisor will be speaking on September 23 at 2pm in the Teaching and Learning Centre, Robertson Library Annex room 228. 

The primary objective of this event is to explain the potential for misuse of dual-use research, technology, and materials, including risk factors and research security considerations for disciplines outside of the STEM fields. This discussion will also include a conversation regarding risk indicators and mitigation tools to protect Canadian research assets.

Presented by: Public Safety Canada’s Atlantic Regional Advisor

Hybrid synchronous options available, no recording or slides will be provided 

Open to Faculty, Research Scientists, Post-Docs, and Graduate Students 

Register here: Research Security Training session  – Fill out form

Dr. Brent MacLaine, Professor Emeritus of English and renowned poet, will be celebrated for his contributions to the PEI literary community on Thursday, September 17, at 7 pm, in the Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall. The evening, which will be co-hosted by UPEI Professor Emeritus Richard Lemm and PEI Poet Laureate Bren Simmers, will include readings of Dr. MacLaine’s poetry by other Island writers, colleagues, and friends. Hosted by the Bookmark, Charlottetown’s locally owned, independent bookstore, the event is free and open to everyone.
 

All faculty, staff, students, and researchers who work with biological materials are invited to attend the upcoming Basic Biosafety and Biosecurity Training session.

Basic Biosafety and Biosecurity Training is required for all personnel working in Containment Level 2 (CL2) laboratories on campus and is strongly recommended for those working in Containment Level 1 (CL1) laboratories.

This training consists of both online modules and an in-person session. Participants are encouraged to complete the required online coursework prior to attending the in-person training to maximize learning and participation. 

Date: September 15, 2026
Time: 10:00 am- 12:00 pm
Location: To be determined

This training will provide an introduction to essential biosafety and biosecurity principles, including:

• Safe handling of biological materials
• Containment practices and procedures
• Incident reporting requirements
• Roles and responsibilities in maintaining a safe laboratory environment
• Biosecurity awareness and best practices

For additional information or to register, please contact biosafety@upei.ca.

Help us maintain a safe and secure research and learning environment by participating in this important training opportunity.

As we welcome students back to campus, ITSS is adjusting our in-person Employee Help Desk hours for the first two weeks of the semester. 

From September 8 to September 18, the Employee Help Desk will be open to walk-ins from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.    

While these reduced counter hours may seem unusual, the change allows our team to be more flexible and responsive during the critical start and end of the academic day, when classrooms, labs, and teaching spaces experience the highest demand for support. 

Rather than concentrating staff behind a single service desk, we are positioning our team across campus to provide the best possible experience for both students and faculty. 

Enhanced Campus Coverage 

During the first two weeks of the semester, ITSS staff will be deployed across multiple locations: 

• Student Help Desk at Robertson Library
• Student Support Location at the Murphy Centre (Day Lounge – first week only) 
• Employee Help Desk @ the AVC
• A dedicated floater who can be rapidly deployed where support is needed most
• Our AV Coordinator focused on classroom technology readiness and major teaching-space issues
• Our Deskside Support team provides additional on-site assistance across campus 

This approach gives us significantly greater flexibility to respond to issues where and when they occur. 

Live Critical Classroom Issues 

If you are experiencing a live critical classroom issue, there is no need to walk to the Help Desk. Instead, call 902-566-0465 and select Option 2 

This line is monitored for critical teaching and learning issues that require immediate attention. Calling allows us to dispatch support directly to your location and helps resolve issues faster.  If your issue is not considered critical, you will be asked to open a ticket.  

For Non-Critical Issues that require additional attention

If you are not receiving a timely response on your non-critical issue, you can always reach out to one of our ITSS managers listed at go.upei.ca/itssteam

Thank you for your patience and support as we implement this temporary start-of-semester service model. We look forward to assisting you throughout the academic year. 

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Chris Andersen, Vice-Provost and Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Alberta, to UPEI on Friday, September 18. 

During his visit, Dr. Andersen will engage with UPEI senior leaders and members of our campus community through a series of discussions and presentations. To learn more about Dr. Andersen, please visit his profile here. 

UPEI Campus Community Presentation by Dr. Chris Andersen 

Reframing Self-Indigenization in the Academy: Jurisdictional Politics at the Boundary of Uncertainty 

September 18, 2026 
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm 
Performing Arts Centre, Amphitheatre 121S 

Gathering with UPEI Indigenous Community and Allies 

3:00 pm to 3:45 pm 
Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall 

Following the presentation, we invite members of the UPEI Indigenous community and allies to join us for an informal gathering with Dr. Andersen. This will be an opportunity to connect with Dr. Andersen, engage in conversation with colleagues, and continue discussions sparked by the afternoon presentation. Light refreshments will be provided. 

To assist with event planning and logistics, we kindly ask that you register in advance using the link below: 

Registration Form 

This year’s Shannon K. Murray Lecture Hope for Humans features Dr. Kevin Gannon, Director of the Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence and Professor of History at Queens University of Charlotte. 

The Shannon K. Murray Lecture on Hope and the Academy will take place on Tuesday, September 22, at 3:30 pm in SDU Main Building, Faculty Lounge, Room 201. 

The Shannon K. Murray Lecture on Hope and the Academy was established in 2023 to honour the achievements of Dr. Shannon Murray, an award-winning professor of English and a 3M National Teaching Fellow. In 2022, Dr. Murray received the Christopher Knapper Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honours awarded in Canada for teaching and learning in higher education.

All are welcome. 

Attend the second annual CCCE Speaker Spotlight and Startup Showcase, open to all UPEI students, alumni, and members of the community. This networking event features a showcase of innovative ventures being built by current and recently graduated UPEI students, provides an opportunity for students to connect with one another, alumni, and members of the community, and provides a keynote speech from accomplished serial entrepreneur Jordan Fraser.

Join us on September 22 at 5:00 - 7:00 pm in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre, sign up here!

Post-war bungalows, also known as “victory houses,” were built across Canada to house returning veterans and their families. The Alexander Drive Project by PEI artist and author Sandy Kowalik tells the story of one such neighbourhood built in 1948 in Charlottetown. Published by Island Studies Press, the book will be launched on September 16, at 7 pm, in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building Room 201, University of Prince Edward Island. 

The Alexander Drive Project began in the garden. As Kowalik dug, she found bits of china, bottle caps, coins, marbles, glass, and a few action figure arms. Using these materials, she created annual assemblages called “What the Garden Doesn’t Swallow.” These backyard discoveries led Kowalik to research both the origins of the objects and her neighbourhood in her new book, The Alexander Drive Project.

This social history chronicles how the street has evolved over the last 75 years, touching upon themes of affordable housing, supportive neighbourhoods, mental health, addiction, violence, changing demographics, gender roles, and the impact of climate change. Kowalik blends archival research, resident interviews, and photographs, along with her series of garden assemblages to create a portrait of how the neighbourhood came to be and of the people who call(ed) it home.

Sandy Kowalik is a Fine Art honours graduate of the Ontario College of Art, working primarily in sculpture and assemblage. A native of Hamilton, Ontario, she has made her permanent home in Charlottetown, PEI, since 1986. Kowalik's work can be found in the Canada Council Art Bank, the Prince Edward Island Art Bank, the Confederation Centre of the Arts Gallery's permanent collection, and private collections worldwide.

The event is free, and all are welcome. Thanks to Bookmark, books will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Bren Simmers at Island Studies Press, 902-566-0386 or ispstaff@upei.ca.

Faculty and staff are invited to share their feedback on Welcome Week 2026! Whether or not you participated in Welcome Week events or activities, your feedback will help the Office of Student Culture and Community Standards inform future planning and support the student experience at UPEI.

The Faculty and Staff Welcome Week Feedback Survey is anonymous and takes approximately 3–5 minutes to complete. Complete the survey by September 25, 2026, and you can enter for a chance to win one of two UPEI prize packs.

Please also encourage students to share their feedback! The Student Welcome Week Feedback Survey is anonymous and takes approximately 5–7 minutes to complete. Students who complete the survey by September 21, 2026, can enter for a chance to win one of ten $50 UPEI Bookstore gift cards.

Faculty and Staff Survey Link

Student Survey Link

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Student Experience Coordinator Susie Zavala at szavala@upei.ca. 

The UPEI Foods and Nutrition program will host an Open House on Tuesday, September 15, from 12:00–1:00 pm and a Career Day on Tuesday, September 22, from 11:30–12:45 pm. Both events will be held in the third-floor dining room of the Health Sciences Building (HSB room 301), UPEI. 

All UPEI students are welcome and encouraged to attend the Open House to learn about the Foods and Nutrition program streams within the Faculty of Science and to connect with faculty and staff. Attendees will also hear about academic pathways, dietetic internship opportunities, and honours research experiences. Tours of the department and foods lab will be provided.

The Career Day event is an opportunity to explore how a degree in Foods and Nutrition can lead to diverse and rewarding career opportunities. It is designed to give students a clear picture of what the program has to offer and how it can support their academic and professional goals. It will also offer day-to-day insights from professionals. Representatives from Health PEI and the Department of Health will be present to share information about the career opportunities available to graduates of the UPEI Foods and Nutrition program.

The excitement for this Saturday's Gold Rush draw is growing as big as the pot! With no winners in the last NINE draws, the total pot has grown to more than $31,700, with half going to the winner of the draw.

Gold Rush is a virtual fundraising initiative that raises funds for UPEI’s athletic and recreation programs. You can now select a specific team, club, or program to direct your proceeds from each of your tickets. 

Play today and every week for a chance to win! Download the UPEI Panther Recreation app from the App Store or on Google Play, or play from your computer. The weekly draw is held at 8:00 pm every Saturday.

Dr. Brent MacLaine, Professor Emeritus of English and renowned poet, will be celebrated for his contributions to the PEI literary community on Thursday, September 17, at 7 pm, in the Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall. The evening, which will be co-hosted by UPEI Professor Emeritus Richard Lemm and PEI Poet Laureate Bren Simmers, will include readings of Dr. MacLaine’s poetry by other Island writers, colleagues, and friends. Hosted by the Bookmark, Charlottetown’s locally owned, independent bookstore, the event is free and open to everyone.
 

All faculty, staff, students, and researchers who work with biological materials are invited to attend the upcoming Basic Biosafety and Biosecurity Training session.

Basic Biosafety and Biosecurity Training is required for all personnel working in Containment Level 2 (CL2) laboratories on campus and is strongly recommended for those working in Containment Level 1 (CL1) laboratories.

This training consists of both online modules and an in-person session. Participants are encouraged to complete the required online coursework prior to attending the in-person training to maximize learning and participation. 

Date: September 15, 2026
Time: 10:00 am- 12:00 pm
Location: To be determined

This training will provide an introduction to essential biosafety and biosecurity principles, including:

• Safe handling of biological materials
• Containment practices and procedures
• Incident reporting requirements
• Roles and responsibilities in maintaining a safe laboratory environment
• Biosecurity awareness and best practices

For additional information or to register, please contact biosafety@upei.ca.

Help us maintain a safe and secure research and learning environment by participating in this important training opportunity.

The next UPEI Senate meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026, 3:00 pm at Alumni Hall, Room 102, 618 University Avenue. All meetings are open to members of the University community. Certain agenda items, including but not limited to granting of degrees, academic dismissals, and human resources discussions, may require the Senate to go into a closed session. For logistical purposes, members of the public who wish to attend the open session of a meeting are asked to contact senate@upei.ca by 3:00 pm on the day prior to the meeting.  While Senate is an in-person meeting, members of the University community may request a virtual connection when they are unable to attend in person. 

View the schedule of UPEI Senate meetings for the 2026–2027 academic year.

All faculty, staff, students, and researchers who work with biological materials are invited to attend the upcoming Basic Biosafety and Biosecurity Training session.

Basic Biosafety and Biosecurity Training is required for all personnel working in Containment Level 2 (CL2) laboratories on campus and is strongly recommended for those working in Containment Level 1 (CL1) laboratories.

This training consists of both online modules and an in-person session. Participants are encouraged to complete the required online coursework prior to attending the in-person training to maximize learning and participation. 

Date: September 15, 2026
Time: 10:00 am- 12:00 pm
Location: To be determined

This training will provide an introduction to essential biosafety and biosecurity principles, including:

• Safe handling of biological materials
• Containment practices and procedures
• Incident reporting requirements
• Roles and responsibilities in maintaining a safe laboratory environment
• Biosecurity awareness and best practices

For additional information or to register, please contact biosafety@upei.ca.

Help us maintain a safe and secure research and learning environment by participating in this important training opportunity.

As we welcome students back to campus, ITSS is adjusting our in-person Employee Help Desk hours for the first two weeks of the semester. 

From September 8 to September 18, the Employee Help Desk will be open to walk-ins from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.    

While these reduced counter hours may seem unusual, the change allows our team to be more flexible and responsive during the critical start and end of the academic day, when classrooms, labs, and teaching spaces experience the highest demand for support. 

Rather than concentrating staff behind a single service desk, we are positioning our team across campus to provide the best possible experience for both students and faculty. 

Enhanced Campus Coverage 

During the first two weeks of the semester, ITSS staff will be deployed across multiple locations: 

• Student Help Desk at Robertson Library
• Student Support Location at the Murphy Centre (Day Lounge – first week only) 
• Employee Help Desk @ the AVC
• A dedicated floater who can be rapidly deployed where support is needed most
• Our AV Coordinator focused on classroom technology readiness and major teaching-space issues
• Our Deskside Support team provides additional on-site assistance across campus 

This approach gives us significantly greater flexibility to respond to issues where and when they occur. 

Live Critical Classroom Issues 

If you are experiencing a live critical classroom issue, there is no need to walk to the Help Desk. Instead, call 902-566-0465 and select Option 2 

This line is monitored for critical teaching and learning issues that require immediate attention. Calling allows us to dispatch support directly to your location and helps resolve issues faster.  If your issue is not considered critical, you will be asked to open a ticket.  

For Non-Critical Issues that require additional attention

If you are not receiving a timely response on your non-critical issue, you can always reach out to one of our ITSS managers listed at go.upei.ca/itssteam

Thank you for your patience and support as we implement this temporary start-of-semester service model. We look forward to assisting you throughout the academic year.