Campus Notices
Following the launch of the new Low-Value, Low-Risk Fee for Service (FFS) Process, effective February 9, 2026, the Contracts and Insurance Office will be offering an additional information session for faculty and staff who were unable to attend earlier sessions or those who would like further clarification.
What’s Changed?
Under the new process, Fee for Service engagements valued at $50,000 or less that meet established low-risk criteria no longer require a Fee for Service Agreement.
About the Information Session
This session will help departments understand the new process and will provide an opportunity to ask questions. The session will include.
An overview of the Contracts and Insurance Office
An overview of Fee for Service Agreements
A walkthrough of the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS Process
A Q & A period for participant questions
Session Details:
- February 25, 2026 | 11:00–12:00 pm | Andrew Hall 142 | Register Here
Questions:
If you have questions or require additional information, please contact the Contracts and Insurance Office at contracts@upei.ca
A groundbreaking collection of essays titled "Turning the Tide: Climate Change, Social Change and Islandness" will be launched on March 2, at 7 pm, in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building Room 201, University of Prince Edward Island. The collection is published by Island Studies Press.
The book launch will include a panel discussion with co-editors Jean Mitchell and Laurie Brinklow from the University of Prince Edward Island, local contributors, and co-editors Eric Mijts from the University of Aruba and islands researcher Anouk Mertens, who will join virtually. The panel will engage in a unique conversation that spans art, agriculture, labour, and energy. Authors will highlight key findings from their chapters and answer questions about how art can function as a bridge between climate change and social change, or how remote islands face unique challenges when it comes to meeting energy needs, or what local and Indigenous knowledge can offer to resilient food systems.
This interdisciplinary book foregrounds island storytellers as they convey worldviews, knowledge, and cultural values, beliefs, and emotions that are often missing from climate change discourses. How are the effects of climate change and catastrophic weather experienced and narrated by islanders? What stories need to be told? How do local, traditional, and Indigenous knowledge practices facilitate the capacity to improvise, innovate, and adapt to volatile weather events? How do social relations on climate-stressed islands continue to flourish? How do governance structures and issues of sovereignty support and/or inhibit climate and social justice?
This wide-ranging and deep conversation places islands and islanders at the centre of climate change. The event is free, and all are welcome. For more information, contact Bren Simmers at Island Studies Press at 902-566-0386 or ispstaff@upei.ca.
The University Award for Support of Student Success is presented to a UPEI employee who has made significant contributions to higher education by supporting student success.
Nominated candidates will have demonstrated a commitment to supporting student success at the University of Prince Edward Island. Among the factors to be considered by the Committee will be: evidence of demonstrated commitment (beyond the scope of one's job) to assist students to achieve their goals by enhancing a positive student experience at UPEI; and/or a commitment to lifelong learning and/or encouraging in others the desire to learn and/or volunteer.
- Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, students, or a combination thereof.
- Nominations must be supported by two nominators. At least one nominator must be a member of UPEI's faculty or staff.
- Nominations must include a dated statement of no more than two (2) pages proposing the nomination, describing and justifying the achievements in the category for which the application is being made. Nominations must provide specific examples to support the nomination.
Nominations are submitted in confidence through the online nomination form.
Questions may be directed to universityawards@upei.ca.
Nominations close on Friday, February 27, 2026
Read more information about each award, including eligibility and the nomination process.
Join us for a relaxed and informative Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) Lunch and Learn session focused on Maintaining Motivation and Engagement in your classes. This is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues, share ideas, and gain insights into connecting learning to real‑world purpose, building an interactive learning environment, fostering a sense of belonging, providing clear structure and expectations, offering autonomy and choice, giving meaningful feedback, and integrating active learning technologies.
RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/c5DsnwcRTu
Bring your own lunch and join us for an engaging session hosted by: The Teaching and Learning Centre
Join Ashton Dougan (Nursing) and Marissa Clapson (Chemistry) for an interactive lunch-and-learn on February 26 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the TLC, Robertson Library Annex, Room 230, where you won’t just hear about escape rooms--you’ll experience one.
In this session, participants will take part in a mini educational escape room, explore the tactile and digital materials we use to design them, and learn how escape rooms can promote engagement, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving across disciplines. We will share examples from nursing and chemistry, discuss student reactions and learning outcomes, and walk you through the first steps of planning your own classroom escape room. Whether you teach in the sciences, health, or beyond, you’ll leave with practical ideas, adaptable resources, and inspiration to bring playful, high-impact learning into your courses.
Volunteers wanted for sauna and blood sugar and sauna study
Research study at the University of Prince Edward Island
Principal Investigator: Dr. Étienne Myette-Côté
Study Title:
The Effects of Acute Sauna Therapy on Glucose Control in Individuals at Risk for Metabolic Impairments.
What’s involved: Help us understand how a single 45-minute infrared sauna session affects blood sugar levels. Participants will complete two sessions (sauna and rest), wear a small blood sugar sensor (CGM), and attend a total of three lab visits. All meals for study days will be provided.
You may be eligible if you
- are 30–49 years old
- have a body mass index of ≥ 27 kg/m2
- have a waist size >102 cm (men) or >88 cm (women)
- have access to transportation for the last 2 visits (e.g., car, public transit, or drop-off) or live within a five-minute walk of the university.
- are cleared for participation based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+).
You cannot participate if you
- take medications that affect blood sugar
- exercise intensely 2+ times/week
- have diabetes, heart issues, low blood sugar or pressure
- are pregnant
- regularly use saunas or other heat therapy
Location: All sessions take place at the University of Prince Edward Island.
Interested? Contact us to learn more or see if you're eligible: researchupei@outlook.com
Recognition of Founders Ceremony to honour the 2025 Founders
- Dr. Debbie MacLellan
- Donna Barnes
- Dr. Gerald Johnson
Thursday, February 26, 2026 - 1:30 pm
Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall
All are invited!
Members of the public are invited to attend a panel titled “Education in the Age of AI: Reimagining the Educational Landscape” on February 26, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, in the Alex MacKinnon Auditorium (Room 242), Don and Marion McDougall Hall, UPEI. Dr. Tess Miller, a professor in the UPEI Faculty of Education, and PhD students Rahula Samaran, Saniya Shaikh, and Xiaohan Yang, all of whom are doing research in AI, will give presentations on education and various aspects of AI.
For more information, go to https://www.upei.ca/communications/news/2026/02/public-presentation-education-and-ai-upei-february-26
You can now pre-order a custom hoodie (Black or Forest Green) or crew (Sport Grey) with your UPEI program on it. From February 20 to March 4 place your pre-order on our website and choose the custom program hoodie or crew of your choice. Pick up or delivery of all orders will be mid-April. If you are a current UPEI staff member enter the promo code STAFFWEB to use your staff discount. Contact us at bookstore@upei.ca for more information.
Do you have students in unpaid work-integrated learning placements or projects this semester? 30 bursaries, valued at $1,000 each, have been created for students who are taking part in work-integrated learning with an industry or community partner as part of their UPEI coursework during the 2026 Winter semester.
Full details, including application form, can be found at https://www.upei.ca/exed/students/wil-bursary
Applications are due by March 1.
The UPEI Office of Study Abroad and International Partnerships is excited to host a Study Abroad Information Session on Thursday, February 26, from 1:00-2:00 pm in the Robertson Library Annex, Room 209. We will explain the different Study Abroad Programs, explore UPEI's various partner schools, discuss funding opportunities, share past student experiences, and answer any questions you may have!
To claim a seat, please sign up here!
Calling all research-focused Masters and Doctoral students - sign up today to participate in the upcoming UPEI Three Minute Thesis (3MT)!
How do I register for 3MT?
Complete the registration form: 2026 UPEI 3 Minute Thesis Participant Registration
Deadline to register: 4:00 pm, Wednesday, February 25
What is 3MT?
A skills building opportunity, challenging thesis-based graduate students to explain their research project to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes
When is 3MT?
4:00-6:00 pm*, Friday, March 20 (*exact time subject to change)
For more information about 3MT, eligibility and past winners visit the FGS UPEI 3MT page, for questions contact FGS via Colleen Gallant cgallant@upei.ca or Kendra Mellish kmellish@upei.ca
The UPEI Philosophy Reading Group will meet on Wednesday, February 25, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the Lady Slipper Room, Charlottetown Library Learning Centre (97 Queen Street).
We will discuss pages 68 (“Second Aspect of the Eternal Return”) to 87 (up to “Plan of The Genealogy of Morals”) from Gilles Deleuze’s Nietzsche and Philosophy.
This group is an invitation to think with Deleuze — and with one another. No prior experience is required. Just an open mind and a willingness to experiment with ideas.
If you would like to attend, please reach out to Dr. Max Schaefer at mschaefer@upei.ca for more information.
“Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the purpose of instruction. No, read in order to live.” — Gustave Flaubert
Join CCCE for Networking and Professionalism workshop on February 25 at 4:00 pm.
Networking and Professionalism is a dynamic two-hour workshop designed to help students build meaningful, lasting connections. Participants will learn how to prepare effectively for networking opportunities, communicate with confidence and professionalism, and articulate clear objectives and “asks” in conversations. The session will also explore the role of appropriate attire, active listening, and thoughtful follow-up in strengthening professional relationships. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, attendees will leave better equipped to represent themselves with clarity, confidence, and credibility in any professional setting.
Sign up today!
Following the launch of the new Low-Value, Low-Risk Fee for Service (FFS) Process, effective February 9, 2026, the Contracts and Insurance Office will be offering an additional information session for faculty and staff who were unable to attend earlier sessions or those who would like further clarification.
What’s Changed?
Under the new process, Fee for Service engagements valued at $50,000 or less that meet established low-risk criteria no longer require a Fee for Service Agreement.
About the Information Session
This session will help departments understand the new process and will provide an opportunity to ask questions. The session will include.
An overview of the Contracts and Insurance Office
An overview of Fee for Service Agreements
A walkthrough of the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS Process
A Q & A period for participant questions
Session Details:
- February 25, 2026 | 11:00–12:00 pm | Andrew Hall 142 | Register Here
Questions:
If you have questions or require additional information, please contact the Contracts and Insurance Office at contracts@upei.ca
The UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre is hosting its annual full-day Teaching Community Conference on Tuesday April 28, 2026. This year’s theme will be: Connected Teaching: Connecting with Community, Self, and Place. RSVP Here.
The Teaching Community Conference is an opportunity to breathe further life into our strategic commitment to innovative and connected teaching, research, and scholarship by sharing our experiences, challenges, and opportunities of advancing teaching and learning at UPEI. Conference participants are invited to reflect on this theme and consider relevant questions such as:
- What supports, skills, and critical capacities do faculty need to embrace the relational and connected nature of teaching?
- As we consider expanding the walls of our classrooms and broadening our partnerships, how do we ensure we aren’t simply supplementing traditional teaching practices but rather transforming what teaching itself means?
- How does a commitment to relational and connected teaching help build faculty capacity to recognize and respond to structural barriers students face?
We are looking for proposals from the UPEI community that highlight current teaching and learning initiatives, share new ideas, and build collaborative strategies for a more inclusive accessible, and courageous university. Proposals from staff and faculty are welcome. There are four formats suggested for proposals:
- Traditional Oral Presentation: Presenters share a talk about a teaching and learning project or topic related to the theme, speaking for about 20 minutes, followed by 5-10 minutes for questions.
- Lightning Talk: "Small Shifts, Significant Gains." Presenters share a teaching strategy or practice that they’ve found effective in supporting student learning, speaking for about ten minutes, followed by a short group discussion.
- Interactive Workshop: A hands-on session that encourages active participation and collaboration among attendees. The workshop could involve group activities, discussions, practical exercises, etc.
- Indigenous Sharing Circle: A facilitated, safe space for individuals to come together to discuss topics related to the theme, share their experiences, listen to each other, build relationships, offer support, and connect with each other.
- Facilitated Round table Discussion: A structured, collaborative conversation led by a facilitator to encourage open dialogue, balanced participation, and exploration of shared issues among participants. The session is guided by clear objectives and prompts, resulting in documented insights and agreed‑upon themes or recommendations.
The deadline for submissions is Monday, February 23, 2026. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to TLC@upei.ca.
Proposals can be submitted here.
A workplace culture of gratitude and recognition makes a real impact. The University Awards of Excellence are an opportunity to recognize the dedication of colleagues who uplift others through their work. Nominating someone is a meaningful way to show appreciation. Every effort counts, and every thank-you matters.
Submit your nomination today!
Nominations close this Friday (February 27, 2026)
For more information about each award including, eligibility and the nomination process, please click here
The Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship is hosting a workshop focused on teaching the basics about creating a business plan on Monday, February 23, from 5PM - 7PM. Participants will learn about the major components of a business plan and what sort of information should be included in the document.
Attendees participating in the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program will also receive suggestions, tips, and tricks for how to make the most of their business plan for their written award submissions. The event is open to the public, but those participating in the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program Accelerate stream will have the event count towards their attendance boost for the Entrepreneurial written awards if present.
Sign up today!
This trombone and piano recital featuring UPEI brass professor Dr. Dale Sorensen with Dr. Magdalena von Eccher will showcase three 20th-century works by French women composers, along with 21st-century masterpieces by American composers James M. David and Susan Mutter.
Fantaisie de trombone will take place on Sunday, March 1 at 2:30pm on the SDU Stage at Steel Recital Hall. Accessible parking is available, and the theatre has an accessible entrance via elevator.
Admission: $30 adults, $25 seniors, $10 students. FREE for all UPEI students with a valid ID card. Tickets are available in advance at upei.universitytickets.com or by cash at the door.
The sixth meeting of the UPEI Senate will take place on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in Room 102 at Alumni Hall (618 University Avenue). View the 2025-2026 calendar of Senate meetings or documents for the upcoming meeting. (Posted one week before the meeting)
All meetings are open to members of the University community, although certain in-camera items (e.g., granting of degrees) may require the Senate to go into a closed session. Only members of Senate are permitted to address the Senate unless otherwise recognized by the chair.
For logistical purposes, members of the UPEI community who wish to attend the open session of a UPEI Senate meeting are asked to contact senate@upei.ca one week 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.
