Join UPEI President Wendy Rodgers for casual "coffee chats" at Tim Horton's in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre on Friday, September 12 from 8:00-9:00 am.

These coffee chats offer a relaxed setting where any member of the UPEI community can drop by, grab a drink, and chat with Wendy about anything on your mind. Whether you want to share ideas, ask questions or simply say hello, these chats are a great way to connect with the president in a comfortable and informal environment.

Whether or not you attended events during UPEI's 2025 Welcome Week, your feedback helps us improve future programming for students, staff, and faculty across the UPEI campus. This year, various Welcome Week events were open to all Panthers, not only incoming new students.

This form will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Enter for a chance to win UPEI merch by providing your email address at the end of the survey! There will be two prize draws for staff, two for faculty, and 10 for students!

CLICK HERE for the survey.

If you have any questions, please contact studentculture@upei.ca. Thank you for your time! Go Panthers!

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT: Monday, September 15, 2025

The UPEI Writing Centre (Robertson Library 274) will open for one-on-one writing support in mid-September. This service is free and available to everyone in the campus community. Register now and get ready to make that first appointment! 

Please go to https://upei.mywconline.com/ for more information.

We look forward to working with you!

"Training Your Second Brain: What AI Can and Cannot Do for You" will be an in-person event on Tuesday, September 9 from 11:30 to 12:30 in the Faculty Lounge, SDU Main Building.

Curious about AI ? Explore the promises and limits of A.I. with UPEI faculty as they share their perspectives on how it is reshaping research, teaching, and beyond. 

A Special Thank you to Faculty Members Scott Cassidy, Jason Pearson, Sheldon White, Brenton Dickieson, and Ryan Drew for volunteering to lead a conversation on the use of AI in their respective faculties, and reflect on how AI can and cannot assist them in their research, scholarship and teaching. 

This will be a great opportunity for students to join the conversation on how AI is impacting university life, the economy and our collective future. The event is open to the entire campus community, and we hope that this session will be the first of many AI topical sessions hosted by other UPEI faculty or graduate-level students and researchers.

This is a must-attend session for all students!

Do you feel confident about your understanding of Academic Integrity and AI usage? All students should be familiar with the new UPEI Academic Integrity portal, and how to properly cite their use of AI, and avoid any claims of plagiarism. Librarian Katelyn Browne will be your host. She previously hosted this session in August, and it was very well attended and informative- See you there.

Topic: AI Portal and Academic Integrity Session

Time: September 10, 2025 11:30 am

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87003662688?pwd=0UVO26a59AqZHSLzMpC1dhqiQyZ5hD.1

Meeting ID: 870 0366 2688

Passcode: 200562

October 18, 2025 | Fredericton, New Brunswick | Hosted by the University of New Brunswick

https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/cetl/showcase.html

The theme is Reimagining Higher Education. As postsecondary institutions grapple with rapid social, environmental, and technological change, this year’s theme of Reimagining Higher Education calls on educators, scholars, and learners to rethink the purposes, practices, and possibilities of teaching and learning. The keynote speaker will be Toni Roberts from Mount Allison University. Toni Roberts is an award-winning, first-generation educator and recipient of both the D2L National Teaching Innovation Award and the prestigious 3M National Teaching Fellowship. The title of his keynote is Reimagining Higher Education in the Context of Generative AI: What Remains Human?  Read the keynote abstract and their full biography on the conference website.

Accommodation
Hotel information is now available on the conference website. Special conference rates have been secured at two hotels, available until September 24 and October 1 respectively. Participants are encouraged to book early to take advantage of these rates.

Schedule
The full conference schedule will be posted on the website in the next two weeks.

Join our AAU colleagues in Fredericton for a day of engaging conversations, sharing, and learning together.

Research on Tap provides an opportunity to talk about research and network with the public in a casual setting for an evening of informal discussion and dialogue. The next session will take place in October or November, specific dates to be determined based on speaker and venue availability.

Each session is led by one or two Faculty Researchers from UPEI who present the central theme/topic in a way that is accessible, insightful and exciting to the lay audience. The rest of the time is for questions and discussion. The conversation is interesting, engaged, and lively.

A second Research on Tap session is planned for the end of March (location TBD, likely off-campus) and based on speaker availability.

Are you and/or a colleague interested in leading one of these discussions?  If so, please provide a short abstract to Research Services researchservices@upei.ca describing your topic and emphasizing how it would be of interest now to the PEI public. Please also indicate your preferred session (Fall 2025 or Winter 2026). The deadline for expressions of interest for both sessions of Research on Tap is end of day Friday, September 19, 2025.   

For questions, please contact Jo Minx, Research Services Liaison jminx@upei.ca 902-566-0843.

PEI’s Sexual Assault Awareness Week, September 18 – 24, 2025 is a dedicated time to raise awareness about sexual violence in our community; to educate on sexual violence prevention; and to show compassion and offer support to survivors of sexual violence in our community. Check out this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Week (SAAW) events at UPEI: 

Sexual Assault Awareness Week Display, September 15-September 26: Robertson Library and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) will be hosting a SAAW Display in the Robertson Library lobby. Make sure to drop by to learn more about SAAW and to take part in Love Letters to Survivors. Write a message of compassion, care, and support to individuals who have experienced sexual violence. Your message will be included in a collage of community care to hang in the SVPRO. Survivors visiting our office will see and feel your solidarity. 

Consent Pizza, September 15, starting at 11:00 am: Head over to the hallway in Robertson Library for a slice of pizza and to share your opinion – What does Consent Look Like? Hosted by the UPEI Student Union and SVPRO.

Scatter Stones, September 16, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm: Join us in the Campus Life Lounge in the Student Union Building (W.A. Murphy Student Centre) to paint stones with messages of consent, respect, and community to be scattered across campus. Folks will receive two stones to paint: one to participate in the Scatter Stones event and one to paint and keep! Hosted by the UPEI Student Union, Campus Life, and SVPRO. 

Venus Envy Workshop and Sex Toy Bingo, September 17, 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm: Join the UPEI Student Union at The Fox & Crow for an educational workshop hosted by Halifax’s Venus Envy followed by Sex Toy Bingo for fun competition and prizes! 

PhotoVoice, The Art of Thriving, September 18; September 22–September 26: Women’s Network PEI and SVPRO partnered to offer a creative, community-based space for survivors of gender-based violence and individuals navigating life after trauma. Participants were guided through a process of reflection, story-telling, and visual expression, culminating in this photography exhibit. Each photo is a window into a personal journey. Some speak to recovery, others to silence, safety, freedom, or inner growth. Together, they remind us that healing takes many forms and every voice matters. The art will be on display in Concourse of the Student Union Building (W.A. Murphy Student Centre) on September 18 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and in the Robertson Library lobby from September 22 to September 26.

For information about events happening off-campus, please check out the PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre’s SAAW webpage: https://www.peirsac.org/saaw 

If you experience sexual or gender-based violence, you are not alone. The UPEI Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office is here to help: 902-620-5090 or sv-pro@upei.ca.  You can also visit us in Room 115-118 Kelley Memorial Building from 8:30 am–4:00 pm, Monday – Friday. 

The UPEI Foods and Nutrition program will host an Open House on Tuesday, September 9, from 4:30–5:30 pm in the third-floor dining room of the Health Sciences Building, UPEI.

UPEI students are welcome and encouraged to attend 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 open house event is also 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.

Need help registering for courses or making a course plan? The Department of Counselling Services and Academic Support Services (Student Affairs) is offering drop-in academic advising for returning undergraduate students! 

Walk-ins will be held from 9:00-11:30 am and 1:00-3:30 pm in Student Affairs, Dalton Hall, 5th floor, on the following dates: 

• Monday, September 8 
• Tuesday, September 9 
• Wednesday, September 10 
• Thursday, September 11 
• Friday, September 12 

Advising will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

**These are short, drop-in sessions so please do as much planning as possible before you attend.

For questions, please contact us at: studentserv@upei.ca or 902-566-0488.

The search committee for the University Librarian announces upcoming public presentations by finalist candidates. Since the search process began, the committee has undertaken a comprehensive search and has selected three finalists for a series of stakeholder meetings on campus.

The presentations are scheduled on the following date/time:

Candidate 1:  - Svetlana Kochkina - Public presentation, Friday, September 5, 2025, 1:00 - 2:00 pm, AVC 201N

Candidate 2:  - Melissa Fraser-Arnott - Public presentation, Thursday, September 11, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, AVC 201N

Candidate 3:  - Ignacio Albarracin - Public presentation, Friday, September 12, 2025, 1:00 - 2:00 pm, AVC 207N

Video links will be available after all the presentations for those unable to attend. Written feedback to be sent to vpar@upei.ca by Friday, September 19 for consideration by the committee.

The updated deadline for Fall 2025 Spouse/Dependent Tuition Waiver is Wednesday, September 10, 2025. We encourage you to have tuition waivers submitted as soon as possible to assist in the timely processing. Tuition Waiver forms must be submitted electronically.  

The online Spouse/Dependent Tuition Waiver fillable form can be found on the HR Portal of the myUPEI site, under Training and Development.

Please note, the spouse/dependent must be registered in the course prior to applying for the tuition waiver.

The Employee Tuition Waiver will be available on the website soon. We will notify the campus community once it becomes available.  

Human Resources thanks you for your patience during the development of this new form.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at: (902) 566-0514 or HRgeneral@upei.ca.

The Office of Research Services is pleased to invite faculty researchers in the social sciences and humanities to participate in a SSHRC grant crafting lunch and learn.

Presented by: 

Leslie Cudmore, Research Grants Coordinator, Office of Research Services 

Dr. Tina Saksida, Associate Dean, Graduate Programs and Research, McDougall Faculty of Business 

Dr. Josh MacFadyen, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts and Canada Research Chair in Geospatial Humanities 

This session will discuss key components of grant applications and common funding opportunities for applicants in the social sciences and humanities. The session will provide grant writing tips for applicants including ways of incorporating EDI principles. Drs. Saksida and MacFadyen, faculty members who have successfully received SSHRC funding and served on grant evaluation panels, will share their advice, experiences, and lessons learned. 

This session will be primarily in-person; however a Microsoft Teams link will be available if necessary. Please bring your lunch and join us from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on September 10 to learn more about SSHRC grant writing. To assist with session planning, please RSVP here. 

The UPEI Bookstore has extended hours as we welcome students back to campus. 

We're open until 7:00 pm on the following dates:

• Wednesday September 3
• Thursday September 4
• Monday September 8
• Tuesday September 9

Shop online 24/7 at upei.ca/bookstore 

Every day, our colleagues go above and beyond to make our university a vibrant, supportive, and inspiring place to work and learn. “Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues” is your space to give a shout-out to those who embody our mission and values—whether they’re championing a new initiative, supporting student success, lending a hand to a teammate, or bringing positivity to the workplace. You can also use this program to congratulate a colleague on a new role or wish them well in retirement.

Let’s celebrate the big and small wins that make our campus shine! Submit your note of recognition, and let’s cheer on our amazing colleagues together.

How to submit:

Complete this short form: https://forms.office.com/r/766cg9JsT6 

You’ll be asked to share:

• Who are you recognizing? (Name and department/faculty)
• Why are you recognizing them? (Briefly describe what they did or the impact they made)
• Your name 

Submit your form(s) by the last Friday of each month. Human Resources will collect the submissions and work with Communications to feature them in the Campus Connector. Please note, we now have a dedicated page for this program on the Human Resources SharePoint: Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues.

Not a current subscriber to Campus Connector? Click here for information on how to subscribe.

The deadline for our next issue is Friday, September 26, 2025

Please contact Human Resources at hrengage@upei.ca should you have any questions. 

This free EF Seminar-Workshop Series brought to you through the collaborative efforts of the Learning Disabilities Association of PEI (LDAPEI), the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), and ADHD PEI, is made possible by a grant awarded by the PEI Alliance for Mental Well-Being.

Designed for parents, educators, and adults who would like to learn about and develop their executive functioning skills, this seminar-workshop series will present the brain science behind these skills as well as tools, tips, and techniques to develop and practice these 11 executive functioning skills. Each of the following sessions is outlined below.

Date and time

Thursday, September 18, 2025, 6:30-8:00 pm 

Location

Don and Marion McDougall Hall Room 242 

Register for one or all of the sessions here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/ldapeiupeiadhdpei-110740538201 

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, October 3 for the October 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.

Join us on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142 for the Indigenous Cultural Awareness course, led by prolific Mi’kmaq storyteller, author, and Knowledge Keeper Julie Pellissier-Lush.

In this interactive in-person course, you will:

• Learn about Mi’kmaq history, traditions, and culture from an authentic voice.
• Explore the impacts of colonization and the path toward truth, reconciliation, and restitution.
• Engage in storytelling, discussion, and reflection in a safe, respectful space.
• Gain insights to strengthen intercultural understanding in your workplace and community

Julie Pellissier-Lush, former Poet Laureate of PEI, is a celebrated Mi’kmaq storyteller, actor, singer, dancer, and writer. Her work shares the traditions, challenges, and resilience of the Mi’kmaq people, offering participants an unforgettable learning experience.

More information: https://www.upei.ca/professional-development/certificates/indigenous-cultural-awareness

This is more than a course—it’s an opportunity to connect, listen, and learn from an authentic Indigenous voice.

Spaces are limited, so secure your seat today and take a meaningful step on the journey toward reconciliation.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to scramble your way through a presentation you have no control over? It’s more fun than you think, and you can experience it yourself (or just come to watch!) on Tuesday, September 9, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship in 201 Robertson Library! No pre-registration required!

Note: If you would like to participate, please bring a phone or computer that can access wi-fi or cellular data.

The first meeting of the UPEI Senate will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in Room 102 at Alumni Hall (618 University Avenue). To view the 2025-2026 calendar of Senate meetings or documents for the upcoming meeting, click here. (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.