Campus Notices
We are pleased to officially launch the new Low-Value, Low-Risk Fee for Service (FFS) Process, effective February 9, 2026.
What’s Changing?
Under the new process, Fee for Service engagements valued at $50,000 or less that meet established low-risk criteria no longer require Fee for Service Agreements.
Documentation
A process overview document explaining the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS Process, along with supporting materials to assist staff, are now available on the Procurement SharePoint.
Departments are required to review these materials before initiating an engagement under the new process.
Updates Based on Feedback
We thank members of the campus community for the feedback shared throughout development, including during recent campus presentations and information sessions. This feedback has informed updates to our materials. The most up-to-date documentation is available on the SharePoint page. Reference documents include version dates to track changes, and significant updates will be communicated to the campus community.
Questions, Support, and Feedback
For questions or assistance with the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS Process, please contact the Contracts and Insurance Office at contracts@upei.ca. Our team is happy to provide general guidance and to assess specific scenarios on a case-by-case basis.
The UPEI Alumni office invites members of the campus community to gather at the Fox and Crow and cheer on alumnus and former varsity curler Brett Gallant (BBA'19) as he competes in Men's Curling at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Wednesday, February 11, 2:05 pm
Friday, February 13, 2:05 pm
Fans are encouraged to wear green and white or Panther gear and to participate in door prize draws.
Go Brett! Go For Gold!
The UPEI Office of Study Abroad & International Partnerships is excited to host a Study Abroad Information Session on Thursday, February 12, 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!
At UPEI, our people make the difference. The University Awards of Excellence recognize employees who go above and beyond in teaching, research, service, leadership, and more! Categories include:
- University Teaching Excellence Award
- University Research Excellence Award
- University Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision
- University Award for Exemplary Service
- University Ambassador Award
- University Award for Support of Student Success
Taking time to nominate a colleague or an individual who has made a difference in your experience at UPEI is a powerful way to show appreciation and foster a culture of gratitude. Recognition can bridge gaps, uplift individuals, and strengthen our sense of belonging
Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, and students.
Submit your nomination today!
Nominations close on Friday, February 27, 2026
For more information about each award, including eligibility and the nomination process, please visit the University Awards of Excellence page.
Join us February 12, at 4:00 pm in SDU Main Building, Room 117 for the first SMCS Pizza Seminar of the semester! Dr. Alexander Alvarez will present his talk entitled "Does God Play Dice with Mathematics?" about the role randomness can play in our study of mathematics. There will be free pizza to follow.
Faculty members and post-docs who supervise, mentor, and/or instruct graduate students are invited to join the upcoming Community of Practice on Excellence in Graduate Supervision session.
Being a graduate student is just one of the many concurrent identities of the students we supervise/mentor/instruct. When competing priorities or impactful world events arise but research deadlines are looming, it can be difficult to know how to strike a balance between expecting progress and being compassionate in our supervision. Join peers for a dialogue about experiences, insights, and tools to support being mentors/supervisors/instructors of the whole grad student.
What: CoP: Mentoring and Supervision of the whole grad student – Balancing accountability with compassion
When: 10:30-11:45 am, Wednesday, February 18
Where: Rm 230 – Teaching and Learning Centre, UPEI Robertson Library Annex
Light refreshments will be provided.
For questions or more information, please contact Charlene VanLeeuwen at cvanleeuwen@upei.ca or Kendra Mellish at kmellish@upei.ca
The Local Pub and Oyster Bar is sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, February 14 from 8am - 10am for the upcoming UPEI, IKERAS Faculty-Led Program for Study Abroad to New Zealand in May 2026! Only $15 per person for delicious pancakes (includes tea/coffee) and is being served by our students!
From the moment a new student walks onto the UPEI campus they are a “Panther for Life,” and for this reason, the UPEI Alumni Association has adopted this phrase as part of its identity. The Association recognizes the importance of encouraging campus pride, and the impact that school spirit has within the university community. Because of this, this award was established in 2023 to acknowledge the contributions of an outstanding student in the campus community.
Awarded to a current UPEI student (of no particular standing), who exemplifies true Panther pride inside and outside of the classroom. This individual has contributed to the campus community in a meaningful way, whether it be through their volunteerism, participation in UPEI-related events and activities, support of panther sport, or any other significant way, that makes them a strong ambassador for UPEI, both now, and as a future Panther Alumni.
Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year; however, nominations must be received by the end of February each year to be considered for that year’s cycle. Any student, staff, or faculty member may submit nominations. Award nominee must be a current UPEI student.
To nominate a current student for this award, please fill out our Panther for Life Spirit Award Nomination form!
The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, March 6 for the March meeting.
Please note that as of June 1, 2020 all animal user protocols must be submitted through UPEI Researcher Portal at https://upei.researchservicesoffice.com/Romeo.Researcher/
For new protocols select ‘applications’ and for renewal or amendment protocols select ‘events’.
To view any UPEI ACC SOPs and Codes of Practice, they can be accessed through myUPEI at https://portal.upei.ca/facultystaff/administrativeservices/AVCAnimalCare/Pages/default.aspx.
Those protocols received after the deadline will be reviewed the following month. The Committee requires at least one month for processing applications.
The Healthy Campus Committee coordinates a variety of wellness opportunities for UPEI staff, faculty, and retirees. Below are several excellent programs and facility access options available free of charge to eligible UPEI staff, faculty, and retirees.
Indoor Track Access
To gain access, please register. If you have registered within the past year, you do not need to register again. Access is valid until October 2, 2026.
Indoor Pickleball
Tuesdays, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
January 13 – April 7
Weekly registration is required. If you do not have a pickleball paddle, paddles are available to sign out at the Panther Central Desk.
Mindful Flow and Stillness Yoga
Thursdays, 12:10 pm – 12:55 pm
January 15 – April 30
Weekly registration is required.
More details and registration for each opportunity can be found at recreation.upei.ca. Click on the Wellness icon to view available programs. To log in, select UPEI Login and use your UPEI email address and password.
For questions or assistance with registration, programs, or access, please contact Angela Marchbank, Coordinator, Fitness and Wellness, amarchbank@upei.ca.
The next Town Hall will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026—the second annual edition of "Hearts and Flowers." February is a month sometimes known for giving “hearts and flowers,” as well as for the short days of midwinter. Our Town Hall will be an opportunity to share examples of success, what we are proud of at UPEI, and to give heart emojis and flower bouquets! Let's give a shoutout to campus community members and celebrate our Panther Pride.
President's Town Hall: Hearts and Flowers!
Thursday, February 12, 2026
3:00–4:00 pm
Amphitheatre, Performing Arts Centre and Residence building (PAC121S)
If you are unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join us virtually at this Teams Town Hall link.
We are pleased to officially launch the new Low-Value, Low-Risk Fee for Service (FFS) Process, effective February 9, 2026.
What’s Changing?
Under the new process, Fee for Service engagements valued at $50,000 or less that meet established low-risk criteria no longer require Fee for Service Agreements.
Documentation
A process overview document explaining the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS Process, along with supporting materials to assist staff, are now available on the Procurement SharePoint.
Departments are required to review these materials before initiating an engagement under the new process.
Updates Based on Feedback
We thank members of the campus community for the feedback shared throughout development, including during recent campus presentations and information sessions. This feedback has informed updates to our materials. The most up-to-date documentation is available on the SharePoint page. Reference documents include version dates to track changes, and significant updates will be communicated to the campus community.
Questions, Support, and Feedback
For questions or assistance with the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS Process, please contact the Contracts and Insurance Office at contracts@upei.ca. Our team is happy to provide general guidance and to assess specific scenarios on a case-by-case basis.
The UPEI Alumni office invites members of the campus community to gather at the Fox and Crow and cheer on alumnus and former varsity curler Brett Gallant (BBA'19) as he competes in Men's Curling at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Wednesday, February 11, 2:05 pm
Friday, February 13, 2:05 pm
Fans are encouraged to wear green and white or Panther gear and to participate in door prize draws.
Go Brett! Go For Gold!
The UPEI Office of Study Abroad & International Partnerships is excited to host a Study Abroad Information Session on Thursday, February 12, 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!
The University Ambassador Award will be presented to a UPEI employee who has made a significant positive impact on the University by advancing the strategic priorities of their unit, department, or faculty or by fostering a sense of excitement on campus and promoting fellowship, goodwill, and belonging within the University community.
Nominated candidates will have exemplified campus spirit to the University community. Among the factors to be considered by the Committee will be: collaboration as a strong team player who promotes goodwill within UPEI; leading or supporting initiatives that advance the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion; and/or, acting as a creative problem solver who brings innovative solutions to University challenges or opportunities.
- 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 the faculty or staff of UPEI.
- 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
For more information about each award including, eligibility and the nomination process, please visit the University Awards of Excellence page.
The campus community is invited to a Retirement Reception in honour of Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, Director of Institutional Priorities and Government Relations, and former Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement. After years of dedication and commitment to UPEI, it's time for Myrtle to plant the seeds for her next project—retirement!
Please join us to extend best wishes and enjoy light refreshments.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 2:30-3:30 pm
Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship
Robertson Library Annex
The Office of Research Services and the Teaching and Learning Centre are collaborating to put on a workshop about incorporating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) in Research*.
Dr. Shilpa Dogra is Professor in Kinesiology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University. Dr. Dogra’s diverse research program has been funded by NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR. Some of her CIHR funded projects focus on the inclusion of older adults from equity deserving groups in research. She has co-authored papers on the development of a sex and gender-based analysis tool (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0323834), a call to action on Indigenization and EDIA (https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/22/6/article-p644.xml), and has served on several CIHR review panels, including the Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award.
Dr. Dogra will join Dr. Nola Etkin, Dr. Josh MacFayden, Dr. Marissa Clapson, Dr. Cinthya Guzman, and Research Grants Coordinator Leslie Cudmore for an interactive workshop on incorporating EDIA into grant applications.
In this session, researchers will explore their positionality, integrate EDIA into their proposal and highly qualified personnel (HQP) sections, and leave with actionable material to include in their next grant application.
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Location: FSDE 128A
Open to all faculty members. Please RSVP here: EDIA in Research Workshop – Fill out form
Storm date: Friday, February 20, 2026, 1-3 pm. FSDE 128A
*This session was previously marketed as a Indigenization and EDIA in Research Workshop. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the Indigenization portion has been removed from this session. We hope to run a separate Indigenization in Research session in the future.
Questions can be directed to Julie VanLeeuwen (jmvanleeuwen@upei.ca), Research Navigator.
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
Calling all Panthers! On Friday, February 13, we’re inviting students, staff, faculty, and alumni to join us at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre for a Paper Airplane Toss during halftime at the Women’s basketball game!
UPEI Alumni and Experiential Education has partnered with Provincial Credit Union to provide the opportunity for UPEI students interested in banking and finance to connect with employees working at Provincial Credit Union.
Remember to RSVP on UPEI Connect to receive FREE game snacks and drinks for you and your friends and family.
Arrive as early as 5:15 pm to talk with students/alumni and start crafting your winning plane. At halftime, it's time to see whose plane flies the furthest.
This is a fun, laid-back chance to connect with the UPEI community, boost your Panther pride, and build lasting connections.
Friday, February 13 | 6PM
Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre
Students, get your game tickets online - https://upei.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1485
Airplane-making materials provided
Prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place
***Please note: To receive your complimentary FREE game snacks and drinks, you must sign up for the event via UPEI Connect. Register today.
In honour of Apukna'jit and Indigenous Story Telling Month, we are hosting a "Sharing Our Stories and Apukna'jit Spirit Ceremony" event with local knowledge keepers, community members, and UPEI staff and students on Wednesday, February 10, from 12:30-3:30 pm in McMillan Hall, Room 110. Four local knowledge keepers will share stories in a sharing circle.
Apukna'jit is the spirit of the winter. In some ways, the tradition involves making offerings to Apukna'jit with the hope of a light winter and an early spring. We do so by making tobacco offerings and a plate of food to feed Apukna'jit.
We have 30 seats available; others may stand outside the circle.
