Campus Notices

Musical Waves–Celebrating Music and the Mind concert on August 13

In conjunction with the conference Music and the Mind–Maritimes, a free concert celebrating music in many styles performed by Island musicians will take place in the Steel Recital Hall at 7 pm on August 13. Performers include pianists Dr. Frances Gray,  Kevin  (Ruilin) Xia,  Yuxuan (Tony) Liang, Megaria Halim; vocalists Neethu Saras Jose,  Raisa Shaheed, and Lian Camargo (recorded), Queer Choir PEI, directed by Al Kelly; singer songwriter/guitarists Tony Reddin and Kevin Ryan; flautist Amy LeBlanc, and cellist Nathalie Williams Calhoun. All are welcome.

For the concert program, go to http://music-mind-maritimes.ca For inquiries, please contact airs@upei.ca or 902-628-4331

Music and the Mind-Maritimes: Implications for Music Education and for Wellbeing

Thursday, August 13, 2026, 9:00 am to 5 pm
Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142

The members of the UPEI Music Cognition Laboratory are hosting their 6th annual Music and the Mind-Maritimes Conference. Join us for presentations, audience interaction, and music from the disciplines of psychology, music, education and health. Presenters include students, professional researchers, music educators, and health professionals, from UPEI, several other Maritime, and Ontario universities.  The keynote speech by Dr. Betty-Anne Younker, former Dean of Music at Western University, will take place at 11:20. 

The event is free and open to all.

For more information and to register, please visit http://music-mind-maritimes.ca. For inquiries, please contact airs@upei.ca or 902-628-4331

In conjunction with the conference, a free concert celebrating music in many styles performed by Island musicians will take place in Steel Recital Hall at 7 pm. For the concert program, see the above link. 

All are welcome.

Let’s Talk Teaching: Rethinking Teaching Expertise

Rethinking Teaching Expertise: Toward a More Wholistic Framework for Conceptualizing, Assessing and Developing Teaching Expertise in Higher Education

What does it actually mean to develop and demonstrate teaching expertise? This 90-minute interactive session explores the Developmental Framework for Teaching Expertise in Postsecondary Education (Kenny et al., 2017), a model that reframes developing teaching expertise as multi-faceted, career-long, and relational journey. The framework is grounded in three foundational habits of mind that shape five interwoven and non-hierarchical facets of practice: teaching and supporting learning, professional learning and development, mentorship, research/scholarship/inquiry, and educational leadership. Within each facet, a developmental continuum illustrates how growth moves from developing oneself in a local context toward contributing to the growth of others and the broader teaching and learning community. Deliberately "written in pencil," the framework was designed from the outset to be shared, adapted, and reshaped to fit local institutional contexts. 

During this 90-minute interactive session participants will:

  • Explore the structure and value of the framework within the context of their roles.
  • Consider adaptations and applications to the framework and how components of the framework could be applied across multiple organizational levels (e.g., individual courses/educators, across departments, at the institutional level)
  • Leave with a call to action on how you might use, adapt, or advocate for a more holistic conceptualization of teaching expertise in your own department, unit, or role at UPEI.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend. No prior familiarity with the framework is required. Bring your curiosity and a willingness to reflect on your own teaching and learning journey, however you currently define it!

Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing Event today (weather dependent)

We invite you to view the sun through our telescopes while it's being partially eclipsed by the moon. In addition to seeing the moon blocking part of the sun, on the unblocked part of the sun you'll see sunspots on the photosphere, prominences in the chromosphere, and learn what those terms mean and how magnetic activity on the sun is causing them.

The viewing will happen today (August 1), 1:50-4:00pm, weather permitting. In the event of cloudy weather, we will have to cancel the event. We'll make the decision no later than 9:30am today, so check our website. We also have an additional solar viewing event later in August, just not on a day when there's an eclipse happening.

Find full event details and status on our website: https://projects.upei.ca/astronomy/2026/07/24/partial-solar-eclipse-august-12-2026/

Employee and Spouse/Dependent Tuition Waiver Forms for Fall 2026

The deadline for the Employee and Spouse/Dependent Tuition Waiver forms for the Fall 2026 semester is Friday, August 28, 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.

Office closures on August 13 for Research Services, RPI, Graduate Studies, CHCR

On Thursday, August 13, the offices for the following teams will be closed as all staff participate in an offsite training day:

  • Research Services
  • Research Partnerships and Innovation (RPI)
  • Faculty of Graduate Studies
  • Centre for Health and Community Research (CHCR)

For urgent matters during the closure, please contact: researchservices@upei.ca or, for CHCR, kcduffy@upei.ca 

All offices will reopen for regular operations on Friday, August 14.

UPEI Pulse Survey on Sharing Information and Communications

We are launching the first of three pulse surveys that will take place over the coming months. Pulse surveys are short, focused surveys that help us gather timely feedback on specific topics. Our first pulse survey is focused on Sharing Information and Communications. The survey aims to better understand the effectiveness of UPEI's communication channels, how employees prefer to receive information, and where opportunities exist to improve communication across the University. The information gathered will help inform the campus-wide communication strategy, led by the Communications and University Relations unit in Marketing and Communications, and improve the ways we share news, updates, events, and important information.


Survey Details

  • The survey takes approximately 5–7 minutes to complete.
  • The survey can be completed on a computer, or by using a mobile device.
  • The survey is completed via the TalentMap survey platform we used in the previous employee engagement survey.
  • The survey can only be completed once and must be completed in one sitting.
  • Responses are anonymous. No personal information is collected, and individual responses cannot be connected to any employee.
  • The deadline to complete is Friday, August 21, 2026, by 4pm.

Survey Link

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Your input helps us better understand the employee experience and supports our ongoing efforts to make meaningful improvements across UPEI.

The Countdown to Welcome Week is on!

In just a few weeks, students will return to campus in full force. The Office of Student Culture and Community Standards invites the campus community to stay tuned for updates and take part in Welcome Week 2026. Mark your calendars! This year, Welcome Week will take place between September 4 and 13. Incoming students can register here to take part. 

Welcome Week events are open to all Panthers, not only incoming students. The full schedule will be released soon, but favourites like the Back-2-School Fair and the President's Welcome Back BBQ, along with new ways to engage with the Panther community, await your participation. 

Welcome Week updates will continue to be posted online. Follow @upei_studentaffairs or the Welcome Week site. Emails can be sent to welcomeweek@upei.ca. 

Animal Care Committee Protocol Submission Deadline – September 4, 2026

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, September 4 for the September 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.

Introducing UPEI’s Exit Interview Program

Human Resources is pleased to introduce UPEI’s Exit Interview Program, now in place as an ongoing initiative to better understand and improve the employee experience.

Exit interviews are a voluntary opportunity for employees who are leaving UPEI or transitioning to a new department to share feedback about their experience. Insights gathered will help identify trends and opportunities to strengthen our workplace. Aggregate findings will be shared in a confidential and appropriate manner.

Eligible employees will automatically receive a survey link. The survey will be sent from UPEI HR Engagement: survey@talentmap.com.

More information is available on the Human Resources SharePoint page.

If you have any questions, please contact the Employee Experience & Development team at hrengage@upei.ca.

Panther Link-up Series

Calling all Panthers! Staff and faculty are encouraged to inform students about a new summer engagement series. The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Campus Life have partnered on the following events to help students build more connections on campus this summer. No sign-up is required. 

Contact Kendra Mellish at kmellish@upei.ca for questions about the research sessions.

Contact Krissi Ewing at kewing@upei.ca for questions about the social sessions. 

Gold Rush Pot now over $17,000!

The excitement for this Saturday's Gold Rush draw is growing as big as the pot! With no winners in the last FIVE draws, the total pot has grown to more than $17,000, with half going to the winner of the draw.

Gold Rush is a virtual fundraising initiative that raises funds for UPEI’s athletic and recreation programs. You can now select a specific team, club, or program to direct your proceeds from each of your tickets. 

Play today and every week for a chance to win! Download the UPEI Panther Recreation app from the App Store or on Google Play, or play from your computer. The weekly draw is held at 8:00 pm every Saturday.

Office closures on August 13 for Research Services, RPI, Graduate Studies, CHCR

On Thursday, August 13, the offices for the following teams will be closed as all staff participate in an offsite training day:

  • Research Services
  • Research Partnerships and Innovation (RPI)
  • Faculty of Graduate Studies
  • Centre for Health and Community Research (CHCR)

For urgent matters during the closure, please contact: researchservices@upei.ca or, for CHCR, kcduffy@upei.ca 

All offices will reopen for regular operations on Friday, August 14.

Employee plant swap event

We would like to invite all UPEI employees to join us for a plant and trimming exchange.

Join colleagues old and new for a casual plant and trimming exchange designed to welcome new employees, reconnect returning staff, and set the tone for a thriving year ahead. No green thumb required, just curiosity and conversation.

Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm in the campus Quad. Trade plants and trimmings with other staff and faculty, finally re-pot that office plant that is outgrowing its container, or offer slips and cuttings to folks looking to spruce up their office spaces!

Please bring what supplies you can, and even better if you have enough to share. Let us take care of our office greenery while enjoying a little visit with our coworkers.

What to Bring:

  • Plant cuttings, slips, or trimmings to share or swap
  • Your own pots or containers for repotting plants
  • Seeds to swap (optional)
  • A blanket or lawn chair if you'd like to sit and visit outdoors

We will have some cups and potting soil available. 

Rain location: McMillan Hall.

PsyD dissertation defence by Brenna Bagnell

The Doctor of Psychology program invites all to attend the public presentation of Brenna Bagnell's dissertation defence titled "An Exploration of Relationship Doubts and Sexual Well-Being Among Couples."

When: August 17, 2026, 10:30 am
Where: Memorial Hall, Room 104

Please join us in supporting Brenna on this momentous occasion!

Teaching and Learning Centre Fall 2026 Sessional Faculty Academy

The Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) is offering a one-hour onboarding session for new and newer sessional instructors.

This session is an opportunity to learn about the resources, services, and teaching supports available to you at UPEI, including

  • Instructional design support and professional development opportunities offered through the TLC
  • A brief introduction to Moodle, UPEI’s Learning Management System
  • The principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and their application in post-secondary teaching
  • Key elements of an effective and learner-centred course syllabus

Whether you're new to teaching at UPEI or simply looking to reconnect with available supports, this session will provide helpful information and practical resources to support your teaching. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at TLC@upei.ca. We look forward to welcoming you.

RSVP here

Add this Session to your Outlook Calendar

Animal Care Committee Protocol Submission Deadline – September 4, 2026

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, September 4 for the September 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.

MAIS Thesis Defense by Daria Kass

The Master of Arts in Island Studies program invites you to a thesis defence by Daria (Dasha) Kass entitled “What the Watershed Records: Social-Ecological Profiles on Prince Edward Island, 1960–2020.” Please join in person or on Teams (email brinklow@upei.ca for the Teams link). Everyone is welcome!

Office closures on August 13 for Research Services, RPI, Graduate Studies, CHCR

On Thursday, August 13, the offices for the following teams will be closed as all staff participate in an offsite training day:

  • Research Services
  • Research Partnerships and Innovation (RPI)
  • Faculty of Graduate Studies
  • Centre for Health and Community Research (CHCR)

For urgent matters during the closure, please contact: researchservices@upei.ca or, for CHCR, kcduffy@upei.ca 

All offices will reopen for regular operations on Friday, August 14.

UPEI Pulse Survey on Sharing Information and Communications

We are launching the first of three pulse surveys that will take place over the coming months. Pulse surveys are short, focused surveys that help us gather timely feedback on specific topics. Our first pulse survey is focused on Sharing Information and Communications. The survey aims to better understand the effectiveness of UPEI's communication channels, how employees prefer to receive information, and where opportunities exist to improve communication across the University. The information gathered will help inform the campus-wide communication strategy, led by the Communications and University Relations unit in Marketing and Communications, and improve the ways we share news, updates, events, and important information.


Survey Details

  • The survey takes approximately 5–7 minutes to complete.
  • The survey can be completed on a computer, or by using a mobile device.
  • The survey is completed via the TalentMap survey platform we used in the previous employee engagement survey.
  • The survey can only be completed once and must be completed in one sitting.
  • Responses are anonymous. No personal information is collected, and individual responses cannot be connected to any employee.
  • The deadline to complete is Friday, August 21, 2026, by 4pm.

Survey Link

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Your input helps us better understand the employee experience and supports our ongoing efforts to make meaningful improvements across UPEI.

Marketing and Communications

Relevant Links