Campus Notices
Due to office closure for Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 11, Financial Services is changing the date of the weekly cheque/payment run to Canadian vendors/payees. The new date will Tuesday, November 10 (one day ahead of schedule). The deadline for submissions for payments will be Monday, November 9 at 4pm. Any questions relating to this message can be sent to apadmin@upei.ca
As conversations about generative AI continue to evolve, this recent blog post from the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) invites educators to reconsider a common assumption: that students are simply waiting for guidance on ethical AI use. Drawing on a project that engaged students as partners in developing AI guidelines, the authors found that many students are already thinking deeply about responsibility, authenticity, critical thinking, and the role of AI in learning. Rather than focusing solely on compliance, the post encourages educators to explore how students develop ethical judgment and to involve them more fully in conversations about AI in higher education. Read the blog: Our Map Is Not Their Territory
The UPEI Healthy Campus Committee is pleased to announce Wellness Week: Together We Thrive, running from November 17 to November 20, 2026. Designed to cultivate physical, mental, and social well-being of students, staff, and faculty across campus, the week presents a series of themed days that encourage connection, healthy nutrition, active movement, and school spirit!
The festivities kick off on Tuesday, November 17, with “Make n’ Mingle,” a day centred on creative expression, stress relief, and social bonding.
On Wednesday, November 18, the focus shifts to body nourishment and wellness education with “Nourish,” held in McMillan Hall from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
The momentum continues Thursday, November 19, with “Move,” an initiative dedicated to physical vitality, active motion, and functional wellness.
Wellness Week concludes on Friday, November 20, with “Connect and Unwind Panther Pride,” a day dedicated to fostering school spirit, relaxation, and campus community celebration. Campus departments are invited to participate in an Office Decorating Contest to show off their Panther Pride, with free morning coffee delivered by Panther athletes to participating offices (registration due by 12:00 pm on Monday, November 16) and a grand prize of a $150 Fox and Crow gift card. Office Decorating Contest Sign Up: Show Your Panther Pride! – Fill out form
Plus MORE! FOR FULL DETAILS, VISIT THIS LINK!
The Office of Research Services, in partnership with The Heart and Stroke Foundation, will be hosting an information session on Heart and Stroke funding opportunities for faculty at UPEI. The information session will be hosted via Microsoft Teams from 12:00-1:00 on November 18. We will be discussing the different funding opportunities for faculty and students, eligibility, the application process, and how the Office of Research Services can support you through the process. All are welcome to attend and we hope to see you there.
Teams link below
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2694460488004196?p=ljNL5wT3M1eJW2HTe3
Join the International Relations Office at their annual Global Village Celebration. One of UPEI's biggest Celebrations of Culture, Community, and Diversity!
All UPEI students, staff and faculty are invited to attend the celebration on Saturday November 14, 2026 at McMillan Hall in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre. Doors open at 1 pm for cultural booth displays. There will be a brief change over around 5 pm before the fashion show and evening performances begin. Food and refreshments will be provided. There will also be an after party hosted by DJ SP-I until 9:00pm.
This is a student led event hosted by the UPEI International Relations Office. Feel free to stop by with your family and friends. We can't wait to see you there!
Ocean Coates from the Office of Research Services will be hosting an information session on UPEI's 2027 internal funding opportunities on Thursday November 5 at 12:00 in the Health Sciences Building, Room 226.
An option to attend online via Microsoft Teams will also be available (linked here) https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/227081828588255?p=MIPTmTEMG9ccWYQP6t
The session will discuss opportunities such as:
- internal research grants
- scholarship of teaching and learning research grant
- Levesque research chairs in human health
- SSHRC seed research grant
- and more!
Interested attendees are encouraged to review the internal funding opportunities on our SharePoint website and come with any questions they may have. We look forward to telling you more about the current opportunities and supporting you during the application process!
The Office of the AVPR welcomes Zeyad Ahmed to UPEI as the new ACENET Research Coordinator.
Zeyad will support researchers with advanced research computing resources, services, and training opportunities. Zeyad is located in Kelley Memorial Building, Room 101 and can be reached at zaawad@upei.ca.
We are excited to have Zeyad join the UPEI community and encourage faculty, staff, and students to connect with him to learn more about ACENET's research computing resources and services.
The UPEI Bookstore recently opened the Panther Shop as our game day store. It's located in the concourse of the Bell Aliant Centre across from Subway and is open for hockey and basketball home games. Stop by and pick up some Panthers gear as you cheer on your favourite team. Store hours and more can be found at upei.ca/bookstore, we hope to see you at the games!
Have you ever wanted to turn a unique idea into a business? Here's your chance!
Pitch Battles is a three-day entrepreneurship competition bringing together students from UPEI and Holland College to develop business ideas, build their entrepreneurial skills, and compete for cash prizes!
The twist? You won't know the competition's theme or your teammates until the event begins!
Throughout the weekend, you'll collaborate with students from different backgrounds, receive guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and industry mentors, and participate in hands-on workshops to bring your team's idea to life. You’ll have the opportunity to request one fellow full-time UPEI student or Holland College student, and as long as they sign up and request you back, you’ll be guaranteed that teammate. The competition wraps up with teams pitching their ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win $4,000 in prizes!
Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, looking to develop new skills, or simply enjoy creative problem-solving, Pitch Battles is an opportunity to challenge yourself, make new connections, and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Event Details:
- Dates: November 6–8, 2026
- Location: UPEI Campus, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering Building
- Eligibility: Open to current Holland College and UPEI students
- Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 4 at 4:00 PM
Ready to take on the challenge? Learn more and register here: https://www.upei.ca/entrepreneurship/programming/pitch-battles
Your experience matters to us.
If you have received services at the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre in the past year, we invite you to complete our Patient Experience Survey. Your feedback helps us understand what we're doing well and where we can improve to better support our campus community.
- Takes just 5-6 minutes to complete
- Responses are anonymous and confidential
- Participation is voluntary
- Open to students, staff, faculty, and eligible family members who have received services at the Health and Wellness Centre within the last year
- Survey closes at midnight on November 4
Complete the Survey: Patient Experience Survey | UPEI Health and Wellness Centre – Fill out form
Win a Prize! After completing the survey, you may enter a draw for a chance to win 1 of 3 prizes:
- Two $150 VISA prepaid gift cards
- One UPEI Bookstore Gift Basket
If you have questions or concerns about the survey, please contact Bonnie Lipton-Bos at blipton@upei.ca
Thank you for helping us improve the care and services we provide to the UPEI community!
Internationally acclaimed and award-winning Canadian composer, improviser, and jazz pianist David Braid visits the Department of Music from November 4-6, to lead creative workshops, provide a public talk, and present a solo piano performance. Braid is a four-time JUNO award winner whose work spans jazz piano performance and chamber music, choral music, and film score composition. He is known for engaging audiences in both classical and jazz communities and transcending genre boundaries.
Public events include:
Thursday, November 5, 7:00 pm: Public talk at Steel Recital Hall (FREE admission)
Friday, November 6, 7:30 pm: Solo piano performance, music from Braid's JUNO award-winning album Verge
Admission for the November 6 performance is $30 adults, $25 seniors, $10 students, and FREE for UPEI students with ID, available online via upei.universitytickets.com or by cash at the door.
Steel Recital Hall is an accessible venue with elevator and ramp entry via the South-centre doors to Steel Building.
There will be respirator fit testing on Monday, November 9, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Individuals who require fit testing are asked to book an appointment in advance by contacting HSE at hse@upei.ca by end of day November 4, 2026.
If you have questions or require additional information, please contact Health, Safety and Environment at hse@upei.ca.
“What’s the purpose of a university education? or, what are we even doing here?”
What does it mean to say we “teach,” across our many fields and areas at UPEI? Is there something in common about our teaching that we all share and could articulate? Could we, for instance, agree on what we want students to have at the end of their degrees—in terms of skills, knowledges, and questions for their lives after graduation; would we want to? Or is teaching, a core activity of the university, one of those taken-for-granted activities—and what might be some consequences of not holding it up to the same scrutiny we hold up many of the other knowledges we look at? How does—how can—our teaching respond to a rapidly changing world, a post-secondary sector under much duress everywhere (for lots of reasons), and an ever-changing student body articulating different needs and wants for their learning? (How) Does what we do in the classroom and in our curricula fit with UPEI’s strategic initiatives? At a time when many of us are quietly asking ourselves some version of the question “what are we even doing here,” let’s have that conversation together!
The Island Lecture Series presents a talk by Dr. Nick Mercer, “Can large-scale wind energy development transform Newfoundland?” on November 17, 2026, at 7 pm, in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building Room 201, University of Prince Edward Island.
Recent technological innovation, particularly advances in renewable-energy-powered electrolyzers, has transformed prospects for wind energy development on Newfoundland—enabling bulk energy exports from the isolated island. Since 2022, six multinational corporations have proposed building 25 gigawatts [GW] of wind capacity to power hydrogen exports, which is 460 times greater than the island’s current installed wind capacity.
While some contend that wind-to-hydrogen (W2H) projects will drive economic transformation in the province, others have warned that renewable energies themselves destroy habitat, disrupt Indigenous and rural lifeways, and are intended primarily for the benefit of distant stakeholders. This presentation posits that energy justice analysis, or investigating fairness and equity across project lifecycles, can further understanding of this tension and help reconcile polarized views.
Dr. Nicholas Mercer is an Assistant Professor cross-appointed in UPEI’s Environmental Studies and Island Studies programs. He is an interdisciplinary and community-engaged scholar interested in the investigation, pursuit and intersections of energy transitions and environmental justice. He utilizes community-based participatory action research protocols to ensure that partner organizations lead, direct, and benefit from co-produced scholarship.
The lecture is free, and all are welcome. For more information, contact Bren Simmers at 902-566-0386 or ispstaff@upei.ca.
Pitch Battles returns this fall for its third edition, along with major changes to the program! Get teamed up with fellow UPEI and Holland College students to create a business idea and compelling pitch over the course of three days within a mystery theme that will be revealed at the start of the competition! Access mentors with a diverse background of experience to help you develop your concept.
Pitch Battles is taking place in FSDE 128B on the UPEI campus on the following dates:
- Friday, November 6 from 2:30 - 6:00 pm
- Saturday, November 7 from 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Sunday, November 8 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Any current UPEI and Holland College student is eligible to apply. For more information, click here.
Our EFAP provider, Green Shield, is hosting orientation webinars for all employees, faculty members, and their dependents who would like to learn more about how their UPEI EFAP benefits work.
2026 dates offered: February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5 and December 3.
To register:
- Click this ZOOM link to register
- Please select the best date (note that the time zone is listed in EST).
- Complete the Webinar Registration.
- You will receive an email confirmation that has the log-in and call-in details.
This comprehensive, confidential, and accessible program offers a wide range of services to support your mental health and overall well-being, including:
5 hours of individual counselling (Green Shield will closely monitor usage and will provide additional hours to those who need further support, to ensure that no one is denied access to the program because of insufficient sponsored hours in any policy year) and 5 hours of couples therapy
Additional program highlights include:
- Flexible therapy options via phone, video, or in-person, with 30, 60, or 90-minute sessions
- Personalized therapist matching that considers DEI preferences
- Unlimited 15-minute consultations to help members find their ideal therapist
- Innovative, value-added services in areas such as children’s mental health, nutrition, and overall well-being
- Unlimited financial and legal consultations
- Self-guided digital CBT, well-being coaching, and personalized care navigation
- Digital pharmacy and nutrition services
Create your account to explore services, including Mental Health Support: Get convenient, personalized mental health support from a qualified therapist best suited to you, or explore our self-guided online therapy program at your own pace.
We hope you’ll enjoy this integrated and convenient health experience.
ACCOUNT AS AN EMPLOYEE
Create your account to access GreenShield+ services today.
Your Organization code is: UPEI
Sign Up
To access your EAP on GreenShield+:
- Make a note of your Organization Code "UPEI"
- Go to app.greenshieldplus.ca/en/sign-up
- Select Through an Employer or Organization
- Select I have an Organization Code
- Follow the steps to register
ACCOUNT AS A DEPENDENT
Before You Begin: You should only choose through a family member if you are a dependent (e.g. partner, spouse, child) of a person with a plan member ID or organization code.
For questions, contact Human Resources at employeeservices@upei.ca
Ocean Coates from the Office of Research Services will be hosting an information session on UPEI's 2027 internal funding opportunities on Thursday November 5 at 12:00 in the Health Sciences Building, Room 226.
An option to attend online via Microsoft Teams will also be available (linked here) https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/227081828588255?p=MIPTmTEMG9ccWYQP6t
The session will discuss opportunities such as:
- internal research grants
- scholarship of teaching and learning research grant
- Levesque research chairs in human health
- SSHRC seed research grant
- and more!
Interested attendees are encouraged to review the internal funding opportunities on our SharePoint website and come with any questions they may have. We look forward to telling you more about the current opportunities and supporting you during the application process!
The Department of Religious Studies completed the quality assurance review, conducted in accordance with the University’s Senate policy on cyclical reviews of academic units.
As part of the review process, the Department submitted a self-study report outlining its academic activities, strengths, and opportunities for improvement. The review team assessed the self-study report and gave recommendations in their comprehensive report. The site visit was conducted virtually where the external reviewers met faculty, staff and students to gain further insight into the Department’s academic programs, teaching and learning environment, and the overall operations. Following the external review, the Department submitted a multi-year action plan outlining strategies and planned initiatives to address reviewers’ recommendations and support continuous improvement.
The McDougall Faculty of Business completed the quality assurance review of their Master of Business Administration in Global Leadership (MBA-GL) program. The review included an external assessment of the program by academic experts, providing an opportunity to evaluate its academic quality, curriculum, student experience and alignment with institutional priorities. The process also offered valuable insights into the program’s strengths and opportunities for further enhancement, and the review team provided recommendations to support the program’s continued development. An action plan was developed by the Faculty to address the recommendations and identify opportunities for continued program enhancement.
The Doctor of Psychology completed an external review under the Quality Assurance policy of Senate, and for Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission’s condition for new programs. The program prepared a comprehensive self-study report, which was reviewed by an external reviewer. The reviewer also met with faculty, staff and students and submitted a report with their recommendations and observations for continual improvements in teaching, learning, research and service. In response to the reviewer’s report, the program faculty prepared an action plan which was presented to the Academic Planning and Curriculum Committee for approval.
