Following the completion of Year 2 of the implementation of the UPEI Action Plan, this President’s Town Hall will provide an update on progress to date, highlight key achievements, and outline priorities and next steps as we enter Year 3.

We encourage all members of the UPEI community to join the conversation, as we all continue to work together in building a culture of trust, safety, and inclusion.

UPEI Action Plan Update
Monday, June 1, 2026  –  10:30–11:30 am
Amphitheatre, Performing Arts Centre and Residence building (PAC121S) 

If you are unable to participate in person, you are welcome to join us virtually at this Teams Town Hall link.

Wellness activity for UPEI staff and faculty June 3!

Drop In Mandala Painting - Wednesday, June 3 anytime between 11:30 am - 1:30 pm at Sports Centre classroom #212. Join us for a relaxing Mandala Painting session and explore the art of mindfulness. No prior experience needed - just bring your creativity. No need to register, just drop by.

We are pleased and excited to invite all to attend Nell Farion's PsyD Dissertation Defense presentation taking place June 9, 2026 at 10:00 am.

Please join us in supporting Nell on this momentous occasion!

Date and Time: June 9, 2026, 10:00 am
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 104

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

• Adedamola Afolabi, Ancillary Services
• Mason Benoit, Security Services
• Natasha Benoit, Health, Safety, and Environment
• Jaramillo Bobadilla, Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Jasmine Brown, Ancillary Services
• Jane Desmond, Registrar’s Office
• Alexis McKenna, Faculty of Nursing
• Songobele Mulenga, Registrar’s Office
• Thea Natividad, Financial Services
• Brittany O’Rourke, Diagnostic Services, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Dorcas Ogunwole, Ancillary Services
• Simisola Pelemo, Ancillary Services
• Sophia Turkson, Ancillary Services
• Jessica Watts, Faculty of Nursing

We are excited to have you join the UPEI team!

Following the completion of Year 2 of the implementation of the UPEI Action Plan, this President’s Town Hall will provide an update on progress to date, highlight key achievements, and outline priorities and next steps as we enter Year 3.

We encourage all members of the UPEI community to join the conversation, as we all continue to work together in building a culture of trust, safety, and inclusion.

UPEI Action Plan Update
Monday, June 1, 2026  –  10:30–11:30 am
Amphitheatre, Performing Arts Centre and Residence building (PAC121S) 

If you are unable to participate in person, you are welcome to join us virtually at this Teams Town Hall link.

Wellness activity for UPEI staff and faculty June 3!

Drop In Mandala Painting - Wednesday, June 3 anytime between 11:30 am - 1:30 pm at Sports Centre classroom #212. Join us for a relaxing Mandala Painting session and explore the art of mindfulness. No prior experience needed - just bring your creativity. No need to register, just drop by.

Research Ethics Board (REB) applications involving *more than minimal risk* must be reviewed by the full UPEI REB. The next deadline for submitting these protocols is Friday, May 29, 2026, for review in June.

Other ethics protocol submissions, including new applications that do not involve more than minimal risk, renewals, and amendments, may be submitted at any time. They will be sent for delegated review as soon as all necessary materials are received.

All research compliance applications, including for the REB, must be submitted through the UPEI Researcher Portal (https://upei.researchservicesoffice.com/Romeo.Researcher/). Instructions for using the site are available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms.

Please contact the Compliance Coordinator at researchcompliance@upei.ca for more information about the Researcher Portal, or the REB application, review, and approval process.

The next deadline for submitting biosafety applications, including new applications, renewals, and/or amendments, is Friday, May 29, 2026. These applications will be reviewed at the June 18 meeting.

All research compliance applications, including biosafety application forms, must be submitted through the UPEI researcher portal https://upei.researchservicesoffice.com/Romeo.Researcher/. Instructions for using the researcher portal, are available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms.

Please contact the Research Compliance Coordinator at researchcompliance@upei.ca if you have any questions about accessing or using the researcher portal, or about the biosafety application, review, and approval process.

The deadline for the Employee and Spouse/Dependent Tuition Waiver forms for the Summer 2026 semester is July 10, 2026.  We encourage you to have your tuition waivers submitted as soon as possible to assist in the timely processing. Tuition Waiver forms must be submitted electronically.  

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

Please note, the Employee or Spouse/Dependent must be registered in the course prior to applying for the tuition waiver.

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

Following the completion of Year 2 of the implementation of the UPEI Action Plan, this President’s Town Hall will provide an update on progress to date, highlight key achievements, and outline priorities and next steps as we enter Year 3.

We encourage all members of the UPEI community to join the conversation, as we all continue to work together in building a culture of trust, safety, and inclusion.

UPEI Action Plan Update
Monday, June 1, 2026  –  10:30–11:30 am
Amphitheatre, Performing Arts Centre and Residence building (PAC121S) 

If you are unable to participate in person, you are welcome to join us virtually at this Teams Town Hall link.

Wellness activities for UPEI staff and faculty this week!

Kick off to Spring into Wellness Challenge! We start this week and you still have time to register. Contact Angela Marchbank at amarchbank@upei.ca to receive registration form and information. Grand Prize: Mysa Nordic Spa and Resort Package or a Mill River Resort Golf Package!

Drop In Mandala Painting - Tuesday, May 26 anytime between 11:30 am - 1:30 pm at Sports Centre classroom #212. Join us for a relaxing Mandala Painting session and explore the art of mindfulness.   No prior experience needed - just bring your creativity. No need to register, just drop by.

Coffee Break and Wellness Check: Take a moment for yourself to visit a couple of wellness booths, including Maritime Sleep Clinic, LIVE Well PEI, Health Centre, etc. Refreshments provided as well as door prizes!!! Wednesday, May 27 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre.

The UPEI Spring-into-Wellness Challenge is designed exclusively for UPEI staff and faculty to prioritize well-being through fun, themed, daily activities. This exciting four-week individual challenge starts on Monday, May 25, and ends on Sunday, June 21, 2026. 

Each week, registered participants are sent a form outlining the associated wellness activities for the week under a daily theme. Participants are encouraged to complete at least one activity per day related to the themes of wellness for that day and then submit their completed wellness activities form by noon the following Monday. 

Participants who submit their forms will be entered into a Weekly Draw of a gift bag valued at over $50. At the end of the challenge, all participants will be entered in a Grand Prize Draw (valued at approximately $500) for either a Mysa Nordic Spa and Resort package (one-night accommodations and two Thermal Spa passes) OR a Mill River Resort Golf package (one night stay for two people and two rounds of golf per person)—winner’s choice!

For detailed information and to register, please visit Spring-into-Wellness Challenge.

Coffee Break and Wellness Check: Take a moment for yourself to visit a couple of wellness booths and enjoy a coffee break with colleagues on Wednesday, May 27 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre. Coffee, tea and snacks provided and there will be draws for door prizes!

UPEI Panthers: Move More @ Lunch: ALL UPEI staff and faculty have free access to the Fitness Centre on the second floor of the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre from June 9–11 between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. No registration is required and there will be demonstrations and draw prizes for those who attend! 

(Note: UPEI staff and faculty do not have to be registered for the Spring-into-Wellness Challenge to take part in the Wellness Check or Open House sessions).

These events are brought to you by the UPEI Healthy Campus Committee and UPEI Athletics and Recreation. For any questions, contact Angela Marchbank, UPEI Fitness and Wellness Coordinator at amarchbank@upei.ca.

We hope you can participate and good luck!

Research Ethics Board (REB) applications involving *more than minimal risk* must be reviewed by the full UPEI REB. The next deadline for submitting these protocols is Friday, May 29, 2026, for review in June.

Other ethics protocol submissions, including new applications that do not involve more than minimal risk, renewals, and amendments, may be submitted at any time. They will be sent for delegated review as soon as all necessary materials are received.

All research compliance applications, including for the REB, must be submitted through the UPEI Researcher Portal (https://upei.researchservicesoffice.com/Romeo.Researcher/). Instructions for using the site are available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms.

Please contact the Compliance Coordinator at researchcompliance@upei.ca for more information about the Researcher Portal, or the REB application, review, and approval process.

The next deadline for submitting biosafety applications, including new applications, renewals, and/or amendments, is Friday, May 29, 2026. These applications will be reviewed at the June 18 meeting.

All research compliance applications, including biosafety application forms, must be submitted through the UPEI researcher portal https://upei.researchservicesoffice.com/Romeo.Researcher/. Instructions for using the researcher portal, are available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms.

Please contact the Research Compliance Coordinator at researchcompliance@upei.ca if you have any questions about accessing or using the researcher portal, or about the biosafety application, review, and approval process.

Following the completion of Year 2 of the implementation of the UPEI Action Plan, this President’s Town Hall will provide an update on progress to date, highlight key achievements, and outline priorities and next steps as we enter Year 3.

We encourage all members of the UPEI community to join the conversation, as we all continue to work together in building a culture of trust, safety, and inclusion.

UPEI Action Plan Update
Monday, June 1, 2026  –  10:30–11:30 am
Amphitheatre, Performing Arts Centre and Residence building (PAC121S) 

If you are unable to participate in person, you are welcome to join us virtually at this Teams Town Hall link.

Wellness activities for UPEI staff and faculty this week!

Kick off to Spring into Wellness Challenge! We start this week and you still have time to register. Contact Angela Marchbank at amarchbank@upei.ca to receive registration form and information. Grand Prize: Mysa Nordic Spa and Resort Package or a Mill River Resort Golf Package!

Drop In Mandala Painting - Tuesday, May 26 anytime between 11:30 am - 1:30 pm at Sports Centre classroom #212. Join us for a relaxing Mandala Painting session and explore the art of mindfulness.   No prior experience needed - just bring your creativity. No need to register, just drop by.

Coffee Break and Wellness Check: Take a moment for yourself to visit a couple of wellness booths, including Maritime Sleep Clinic, LIVE Well PEI, Health Centre, etc. Refreshments provided as well as door prizes!!! Wednesday, May 27 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre.

The UPEI Spring-into-Wellness Challenge is designed exclusively for UPEI staff and faculty to prioritize well-being through fun, themed, daily activities. This exciting four-week individual challenge starts on Monday, May 25, and ends on Sunday, June 21, 2026. 

Each week, registered participants are sent a form outlining the associated wellness activities for the week under a daily theme. Participants are encouraged to complete at least one activity per day related to the themes of wellness for that day and then submit their completed wellness activities form by noon the following Monday. 

Participants who submit their forms will be entered into a Weekly Draw of a gift bag valued at over $50. At the end of the challenge, all participants will be entered in a Grand Prize Draw (valued at approximately $500) for either a Mysa Nordic Spa and Resort package (one-night accommodations and two Thermal Spa passes) OR a Mill River Resort Golf package (one night stay for two people and two rounds of golf per person)—winner’s choice!

For detailed information and to register, please visit Spring-into-Wellness Challenge.

Coffee Break and Wellness Check: Take a moment for yourself to visit a couple of wellness booths and enjoy a coffee break with colleagues on Wednesday, May 27 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre. Coffee, tea and snacks provided and there will be draws for door prizes!

UPEI Panthers: Move More @ Lunch: ALL UPEI staff and faculty have free access to the Fitness Centre on the second floor of the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre from June 9–11 between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. No registration is required and there will be demonstrations and draw prizes for those who attend! 

(Note: UPEI staff and faculty do not have to be registered for the Spring-into-Wellness Challenge to take part in the Wellness Check or Open House sessions).

These events are brought to you by the UPEI Healthy Campus Committee and UPEI Athletics and Recreation. For any questions, contact Angela Marchbank, UPEI Fitness and Wellness Coordinator at amarchbank@upei.ca.

We hope you can participate and good luck!

We are pleased and excited to invite all to attend Nell Farion's PsyD Dissertation Defense presentation taking place June 9, 2026 at 10:00 am.

Please join us in supporting Nell on this momentous occasion!

Date and Time: June 9, 2026, 10:00 am
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 104

UPEI has taken a significant step in its transition to Microsoft Teams as the University’s primary communication and collaboration platform with the deployment of Teams Telephony for faculty and staff. As part of Microsoft 365, Teams brings together calling, chat, meetings, and file sharing to support teaching, research, and administrative work in a more integrated and secure way.

Key highlights

• Teams is now the generally recommended platform for all internal and external voice communication
• Over 750 faculty and staff have already migrated; full transition expected by late May or early June 2026
• Users can make and receive calls directly in Microsoft Teams on desktop or mobile devices
• No need to remember phone numbers for internal calls—search by name and connect instantly
• Some phones (e.g., labs, shared spaces, meeting rooms) will remain as dedicated analog devices and are being updated to the new infrastructure as the next phase of the project
• Analog phone users must dial the full 10-digit number for internal calls; 4-digit dialing will no longer work reliably

Please note that support for Teams Telephony has been transitioned to the ITSS Help Desk.  This means that all telephony-related requests (calling issues, voicemail, devices, configuration changes, troubleshooting) should be submitted through the ITSS Help Desk. The M365 team continues supporting complex cases and remaining exceptions. 

Full details outlining the points above can be found https://upeica.sharepoint.com/sites/ITSS-Communication/SitePages/UPEI-Update--Migration-to-Microsoft-Teams-Telephony.aspx 

The deadline for the Employee and Spouse/Dependent Tuition Waiver forms for the Summer 2026 semester is July 10, 2026.  We encourage you to have your tuition waivers submitted as soon as possible to assist in the timely processing. Tuition Waiver forms must be submitted electronically.  

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

Please note, the Employee or Spouse/Dependent must be registered in the course prior to applying for the tuition waiver.

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