The flags near Kelley Memorial Building, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place, and at the UPEI Artificial Turf Field have been lowered to half-mast to mark the tragedy at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, in Alberta, on October 17, 2026.

The UPEI community extends its condolences to the families, friends, and fellow service members of those who died in this devastating incident. We join Canadians across the country in keeping all those injured and affected, particularly members of the Canadian Armed Forces, in our thoughts during this difficult time.

Welcome to the following new employees who joined the University of Prince Edward Island community in September 2026:

• Amanda Ashley, Faculty of Nursing
• Edward Boateng, Facilities Management
• Padraig Casey, Faculty of Medicine
• Si Chen, Faculty of Arts
• Gresa Dedinca, Faculty of Nursing
• Sehjal Preet Kaur, Security Services
• Lawrenso Korquoi, Facilities Management
• Jennifer Ling, Faculty of Nursing
• Alexa Macdougall, Faculty of Nursing
• Douglas MacGregor, Security Services
• Alexandro Manzon, Applied Human Sciences, Faculty of Science
• Evan Myers, Faculty of Medicine
• Sebastien Sanz, Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Ahmed Siah, Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Emma Somers, Faculty of Nursing
• Daniel Steeves, IT Systems and Services
• Katherine Stultz, Health and Wellness Centre
• Sally Sukut, Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Jessica Watts, Faculty of Nursing

We are excited to have you join the UPEI team!

We’re reaching out to the University community ahead of UPEI’s Fall Open House on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 9 am to 4 pm. This year’s event promises to be our biggest ever!  

• The UPEI Faculty of Medicine will open their doors for a Community Open House from 9 am to 11 am, with clinical simulation demonstrations, exploration of teaching and learning spaces, and opportunities to meet members of the Faculty of Medicine team.
• The Atlantic Veterinary College’s annual Open House will begin at 10 am, featuring a free, family-friendly event filled with animals, hands-on activities, demonstrations, and fun for all ages.
• UPEI’s Fall Open House for prospective students on the central campus will begin at 12 noon and run until 4 pm. 

The Fall Open House is an opportunity for prospective students, family, and community to discover all the benefits of joining the Panther family and how their “Big Futures” start at UPEI. Attendees can tour our beautiful campus; meet faculty, staff, and students; discover campus life; and enjoy giveaways and bookstore discounts. 

As members of the University community, you can help! Please spread the word about this important recruitment event among your family, friends, and networks. If you are interested in volunteering during Fall Open House here is how to participate:  

• UPEI's Fall Open House: Volunteer Sign-up
  If you have any questions about volunteering or participating in this year's event, please contact Jane DiCarlo at jdicarlo@upei.ca
• Atlantic Veterinary College Open House: Contact Michelle Hooper at michellehooper@upei.ca  
• UPEI Faculty of Medicine Community Open House: Contact Apryl Munro at apmunro@upei.ca  

Thank you from the Recruitment and Student Engagement teams! 

UPEI would like to invite interested and eligible applicants to apply for the 2027 internal research funding opportunities. There are a number of funding opportunities for diverse disciplines funded by various external agencies and internal departments. They are listed below: 

The Internal Research Grant (IRG), SSHRC Explore Research Grant (SERG), and the Levesque Internal Research Grant  

The Jeanne and J-Louise Levesque Research Chairs in Human Health 

The Internal Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Research Grant (ISRG)  

The SSHRC Seed Research Grant 

These opportunities support research pursuits through the funding of fully developed research proposals, with the exception of the SSHRC Seed Research Grant, which is designed to support research activities in their early stages that will later lead to a SSHRC proposal with a stronger chance of success. Applicants are encouraged to read the guidelines for the grant that they are interested in applying for, as grant criteria and deadlines differ. 

Please note that applicants may only apply for either the SSHRC Seed OR the SSHRC Explore grant. They are not meant to be held simultaneously.  

The program guidelines and application forms are now updated on the Office of Research Services’ new SharePoint site. This is where applicants should now check for the most up-to-date information. Our SharePoint is where you can also find information on travel funding and other funding opportunities. For further information, please contact researchgrants@upei.ca.  

Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.  If you have questions regarding the required components of your application, please contact researchgrants@upei.ca.  However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete. If you have questions regarding the UPEI Romeo Researcher Portal, please contact researchservices@upei.ca. 

In August 2026, the federal government enacted the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA) and its associated regulations. The legislation may have implications for some members of the University community, including individuals involved in research, international partnerships, government engagement, and other activities involving foreign organizations or institutions.  

The Act establishes a public foreign influence transparency registry, overseen by an independent Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner. Its purpose includes increasing transparency where individuals or organizations enter into arrangements with foreign principals to undertake certain activities intended to influence political or governmental processes in Canada. 

More information about FITAA, including when registration is required, examples for common academic sector contexts, registration guidance, and frequently asked questions, is available on the FITAA SharePoint page. 

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available for all UPEI students, employees and their families. The following is the vaccine clinic schedule for 2026:

• Wednesday, October 21, 12:00–6:00 pm, The McCain Foundation Learning Commons Atrium, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Wednesday, October 28, 9:00 am–3:00 pm, McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre 
• Thursday, October 29, 12:00–6:00 pm, McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre 

*We stop registering patients for vaccination at 6:00 pm on October 21 and October 29 and at 3:00pm on October 28. Vaccinations are available while supplies last.

Important Details:

• Vaccines are administered on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment is necessary.
• This service is free of charge for everyone.
• Please bring a valid provincial health card or student ID for registration.
• Those being vaccinated are required to wait 15 minutes in the post-vaccine waiting area after receiving the vaccine to monitor for a possible allergic reaction. 

Please note:

• Children aged 2 and under cannot receive the flu shot at UPEI and must be vaccinated at Public Health Nursing.
• Flu Mist (nasal spray) is available only at the Public Health Nursing community vaccination clinics for children 2 to 17 years of age.
• The COVID-19 vaccine is available to children 12 and older. COVID-19 immunization clinics are located in communities across PEI.

For more information, please contact the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre by phone at 902-566-0616.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to share the event with their students, alumni and network:

Current UPEI undergraduate students and alumni are invited to learn more about studying at the graduate level. This event, presented by the Faculties of Arts and Graduate Studies, aims to demystify graduate studies, and feature UPEI graduate programs which may be of interest to students of the Faculty of Arts. Students and alumni from other faculties are welcome to attend, though this event will have an Arts focus. 

The event will feature:

• 10:00-10:45- A panel moderated by Dr. Cinthya Guzman of UPEI faculty and alumni (Arts-based) sharing their first hand experiences and advice about graduate studies
• 10:45-12:00- Info Tables and opportunity for one-on-one chats with representatives of UPEI's graduate programs, graduate admissions, scholarships and awards plus faculty members and current graduate students

Featured programs:

• Masters of Arts in Island Studies
• Doctor of Psychology
• Master of Business Administration in Global Leadership
• Master of Education in Leadership in Learning, PhD Educational Studies, and Bachelor of Education
• Master of Cleantech Leadership and Transformation

There will be multiple prize draws, with some prize draws reserved for students/alumni who pre-registered only and one open to all student/alumni attendees. Winners must be present at the time of the draw to win.

To register: Registration form - Grad School: More Possible Than You Think!
Drop-in attendees are also welcome. Light refreshments provided.

Advertising posters (digital and/or printed) are available upon request to Kendra Mellish kmellish@upei.ca or Cinthya Guzman cnguzman@upei.ca

The Island Lecture Series presents a talk by Billy Johnson, “Arthur Huff Fauset’s Folklore from Nova Scotia and the Idea of Modern Canada,” on October 20, 2026, at 7 pm, in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building Room 201, University of Prince Edward Island. 

Published in 1931, Arthur H. Fauset’s Folklore from Nova Scotia was the first scholarly collection of folktales in Canada and the only substantial collection of Black Canadian folklore in the 20^th century. Largely overlooked in its time, the book’s significance goes beyond its having been the first and only collection of its kind. By illuminating the rich folk culture of Black Nova Scotia, Fauset challenged dominant assumptions about whose stories were worthy of preservation, and he unsettled the myths that folklorists told themselves about the people and places they studied.

Assistant Professor Billy Johnson joined the English Department at the University of Prince Edward Island in July 2026. He is the author of Publishing Place: Transatlantic Modernity and Periodical Culture on Canada’s East Coast (McGill-Queen’s UP 2025), which was awarded the 2026 Clio Atlantic Prize for Best Book. His research spans Atlantic Canadian literature, Canadian publishing history, and Black Canadian culture in the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

The lecture is free, and all are welcome. For more information, contact Bren Simmers at 902-566-0386 or ispstaff@upei.ca.

Facilities Management wishes to advise the campus community that the gates at the designated parking lots at the UPEI Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Centre (HEF) are expected to be fully operational by 8:00 am on Friday, October 16.

The HEF building has three lots for the use of staff, faculty, students, and clients (refer to campus map):

• General Lot H: Open to all individuals holding a standard general UPEI parking permit
• Designated Lot J: Reserved exclusively for staff and faculty who possess a specific Lot J permit
• Designated Lot V (client lot): Intended for visiting clients. Departments that are scheduling visitors or clients should remind them that they must park in Lot V. They will require an exit token, which must be collected from the specific department they are visiting before leaving.

The Robertson Library’s OER Development Program is now accepting grant applications for the creation or adaptation of open educational resources (OERs). 

Starting this year, all UPEI faculty and staff are now eligible to apply for an OER grant! Additionally, now grant applications can be for any open educational resource benefitting students, and do not need to be associated with a credit-bearing course. 

 The grant types include: 

• Open Educational Resource or Textbook Grant: up to $7000
• the development of a new open textbook on a topic that is currently not covered by an existing open textbook, or major adaptations of existing textbooks;
• Open Textbook Adaptation Grant: up to $4,500
• the adaptation of one or more open educational resources or open textbooks to create a new version or edition of a resource (i.e. a Canadian edition of an existing open textbook);
• Supplementary Resources Grant: up to $2,500
• the creation of ancillary materials for existing open textbooks, including, but not limited to test banks, slide decks, recordings, or interactive media, etc. 

All applications will be reviewed and considered, however, applications that meet either/both of the following criteria will be prioritised: 

• Applications that support first-year courses, and applications that support any credit-bearing course, in that order; 

• Applications with evidence of consultation with the TLC and/or a Librarian.  

Applications close January 8, 2027. 

For more information, or to apply, visit https://library.upei.ca/OERProgram/grants. 

Questions about the grants, OERs, Pressbooks, or any other related topics can go to Keri McCaffrey, One Health and Scholarly Communications Librarian at knmccaffrey@upei.ca or Charlene VanLeeuwen in the Teaching and Learning Centre at cvanleeuwen@upei.ca. 

We’re reaching out to the University community ahead of UPEI’s Fall Open House on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 9 am to 4 pm. This year’s event promises to be our biggest ever!  

• The UPEI Faculty of Medicine will open their doors for a Community Open House from 9 am to 11 am, with clinical simulation demonstrations, exploration of teaching and learning spaces, and opportunities to meet members of the Faculty of Medicine team.
• The Atlantic Veterinary College’s annual Open House will begin at 10 am, featuring a free, family-friendly event filled with animals, hands-on activities, demonstrations, and fun for all ages.
• UPEI’s Fall Open House for prospective students on the central campus will begin at 12 noon and run until 4 pm. 

The Fall Open House is an opportunity for prospective students, family, and community to discover all the benefits of joining the Panther family and how their “Big Futures” start at UPEI. Attendees can tour our beautiful campus; meet faculty, staff, and students; discover campus life; and enjoy giveaways and bookstore discounts. 

As members of the University community, you can help! Please spread the word about this important recruitment event among your family, friends, and networks. If you are interested in volunteering during Fall Open House here is how to participate:  

• UPEI's Fall Open House: Volunteer Sign-up
  If you have any questions about volunteering or participating in this year's event, please contact Jane DiCarlo at jdicarlo@upei.ca
• Atlantic Veterinary College Open House: Contact Michelle Hooper at michellehooper@upei.ca  
• UPEI Faculty of Medicine Community Open House: Contact Apryl Munro at apmunro@upei.ca  

Thank you from the Recruitment and Student Engagement teams! 

UPEI would like to invite interested and eligible applicants to apply for the 2027 internal research funding opportunities. There are a number of funding opportunities for diverse disciplines funded by various external agencies and internal departments. They are listed below: 

The Internal Research Grant (IRG), SSHRC Explore Research Grant (SERG), and the Levesque Internal Research Grant  

The Jeanne and J-Louise Levesque Research Chairs in Human Health 

The Internal Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Research Grant (ISRG)  

The SSHRC Seed Research Grant 

These opportunities support research pursuits through the funding of fully developed research proposals, with the exception of the SSHRC Seed Research Grant, which is designed to support research activities in their early stages that will later lead to a SSHRC proposal with a stronger chance of success. Applicants are encouraged to read the guidelines for the grant that they are interested in applying for, as grant criteria and deadlines differ. 

Please note that applicants may only apply for either the SSHRC Seed OR the SSHRC Explore grant. They are not meant to be held simultaneously.  

The program guidelines and application forms are now updated on the Office of Research Services’ new SharePoint site. This is where applicants should now check for the most up-to-date information. Our SharePoint is where you can also find information on travel funding and other funding opportunities. For further information, please contact researchgrants@upei.ca.  

Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.  If you have questions regarding the required components of your application, please contact researchgrants@upei.ca.  However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete. If you have questions regarding the UPEI Romeo Researcher Portal, please contact researchservices@upei.ca. 

In August 2026, the federal government enacted the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA) and its associated regulations. The legislation may have implications for some members of the University community, including individuals involved in research, international partnerships, government engagement, and other activities involving foreign organizations or institutions.  

The Act establishes a public foreign influence transparency registry, overseen by an independent Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner. Its purpose includes increasing transparency where individuals or organizations enter into arrangements with foreign principals to undertake certain activities intended to influence political or governmental processes in Canada. 

More information about FITAA, including when registration is required, examples for common academic sector contexts, registration guidance, and frequently asked questions, is available on the FITAA SharePoint page. 

The Office of Research Services is happy to share that we have launched our new SharePoint site. It is listed on the myUPEI Employee Portal in the "Faculty and Staff" drop-down menu under the "Academic and Research" section. This SharePoint site will become the main hub for research-related information at UPEI. We are still migrating some material to the site, so we appreciate your patience. Questions or feedback related to the Research Services SharePoint site can be directed to Julie VanLeeuwen, Research Navigator jmvanleeuwen@upei.ca

The Biosafety Officer will be offering Bloodborne Pathogen training for faculty, staff, and students who work with or may be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials.

Date: October 29
Time: 1:00-2:30 pm
Location: AVC Room 278N

This training will cover:

• Bloodborne pathogen hazards and routes of exposure
• Safe work practices and exposure prevention
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Spill response and incident reporting procedures
• Relevant biosafety requirements and responsibilities

Individuals whose work involves handling human blood, tissues, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials are encouraged to attend.

Please register by emailing the Biosafety Officer (Tasha Benoit) at biosafety@upei.ca. 

The Island Lecture Series presents a talk by Billy Johnson, “Arthur Huff Fauset’s Folklore from Nova Scotia and the Idea of Modern Canada,” on October 20, 2026, at 7 pm, in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building Room 201, University of Prince Edward Island. 

Published in 1931, Arthur H. Fauset’s Folklore from Nova Scotia was the first scholarly collection of folktales in Canada and the only substantial collection of Black Canadian folklore in the 20^th century. Largely overlooked in its time, the book’s significance goes beyond its having been the first and only collection of its kind. By illuminating the rich folk culture of Black Nova Scotia, Fauset challenged dominant assumptions about whose stories were worthy of preservation, and he unsettled the myths that folklorists told themselves about the people and places they studied.

Assistant Professor Billy Johnson joined the English Department at the University of Prince Edward Island in July 2026. He is the author of Publishing Place: Transatlantic Modernity and Periodical Culture on Canada’s East Coast (McGill-Queen’s UP 2025), which was awarded the 2026 Clio Atlantic Prize for Best Book. His research spans Atlantic Canadian literature, Canadian publishing history, and Black Canadian culture in the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

The lecture is free, and all are welcome. For more information, contact Bren Simmers at 902-566-0386 or ispstaff@upei.ca.

Faculty, staff, and students are invited and encouraged to serve on a committee helping to implement programming for this year's senior class. Ideally, the group meets approximately 4 to 6 times during the academic year to discuss events, interests, and engagement promotion to those graduating between August 2026 and May 2027. The Office of Student Culture and Community Standards are particularly interested in hearing student perspectives. Those interested are asked to be willing to assist with some tasks related to the developed programming. 

For more information, please reach out to Student Engagement Officer, Krissi Ewing, or refer back to the 2026 Convocation Countdown programming. 

Facilities Management wishes to advise the campus community that the gates at the designated parking lots at the UPEI Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Centre (HEF) are expected to be fully operational by 8:00 am on Friday, October 16.

The HEF building has three lots for the use of staff, faculty, students, and clients (refer to campus map):

• General Lot H: Open to all individuals holding a standard general UPEI parking permit
• Designated Lot J: Reserved exclusively for staff and faculty who possess a specific Lot J permit
• Designated Lot V (client lot): Intended for visiting clients. Departments that are scheduling visitors or clients should remind them that they must park in Lot V. They will require an exit token, which must be collected from the specific department they are visiting before leaving.

We’re reaching out to the University community ahead of UPEI’s Fall Open House on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 9 am to 4 pm. This year’s event promises to be our biggest ever!  

• The UPEI Faculty of Medicine will open their doors for a Community Open House from 9 am to 11 am, with clinical simulation demonstrations, exploration of teaching and learning spaces, and opportunities to meet members of the Faculty of Medicine team.
• The Atlantic Veterinary College’s annual Open House will begin at 10 am, featuring a free, family-friendly event filled with animals, hands-on activities, demonstrations, and fun for all ages.
• UPEI’s Fall Open House for prospective students on the central campus will begin at 12 noon and run until 4 pm. 

The Fall Open House is an opportunity for prospective students, family, and community to discover all the benefits of joining the Panther family and how their “Big Futures” start at UPEI. Attendees can tour our beautiful campus; meet faculty, staff, and students; discover campus life; and enjoy giveaways and bookstore discounts. 

As members of the University community, you can help! Please spread the word about this important recruitment event among your family, friends, and networks. If you are interested in volunteering during Fall Open House here is how to participate:  

• UPEI's Fall Open House: Volunteer Sign-up
  If you have any questions about volunteering or participating in this year's event, please contact Jane DiCarlo at jdicarlo@upei.ca
• Atlantic Veterinary College Open House: Contact Michelle Hooper at michellehooper@upei.ca  
• UPEI Faculty of Medicine Community Open House: Contact Apryl Munro at apmunro@upei.ca  

Thank you from the Recruitment and Student Engagement teams! 

"How does a mechanic work inside a car engine with the engine still running?" The equivalent dilemma for patients who need open-heart surgery is solved by perfusionists, who perform cardiopulmonary bypass so the inside of the patient's heart can be repaired safely.

Come hear an invited lecture from Lance Mitchell, whose extensive career as perfusionist has allowed thousands of adults and children to undergo lifesaving heart surgery in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Ontario, Rwanda, and China. Mr. Mitchell is a brilliant and respected speaker and is the recipient of several awards, including the Queen's Silver Jubilee and the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion Humanitarian Award. The lecture is sponsored by the Student Chapter of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, in recognition of the crossover potential between human and veterinary knowledge and skills in the field of cardiology.

October 16, 12:30 pm, AVC Lecture Theatre A