The Office of Research Services (ORS) will hold an information session about its reviews and approvals processes on August 5, at 12:00 pm, in Kelley Memorial Building, Room 210 (please note that this is a change in location), for faculty, research scientists, post-docs, and graduate students.

 The ORS supports researchers through the research administration process. We recognize that it can be complicated and takes precious time! Several institutional reviews are required, an important step to ensure accuracy and compliance, manage institutional commitments, and reduce risk to everyone involved in the research (PI, students, participants, partners, and the University). This session will outline the ORS review and approvals processes and timelines, highlighting factors that might affect these processes, and providing tips to researchers to enhance efficiencies of this important work. 

Register here: Info session - Understanding Research Services' reviews and approvals processes 

The changes to the Research Travel Grant Program announced recently will be paused.

The travel grant is for researchers presenting their scholarly work.

Over the coming weeks, several office moves and space enhancements will take place to improve student services and create a more welcoming experience in Dalton Hall.

These changes are made possible by the upcoming relocation of Accessibility Services to a new dedicated space in the Robertson Library Annex, providing improved accessibility, privacy, and testing facilities.

Key changes include:

• Accessibility Services relocating to the Robertson Library Annex.
• Experiential Education moving to the fourth floor of Dalton Hall.
• Recruitment and First-Year Advising relocating to the second floor of Dalton Hall
• Admissions and Customized English Language Programs relocating to the first floor of Dalton Hall.
• Improvements to the lobby and second-floor entry areas, including enhanced reception, wayfinding, and student seating.

While some temporary disruptions may occur during the transition, all services will remain available, and every effort will be made to minimize impacts on daily operations.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to enhance student services and spaces across campus.

July is a month known for celebrations, and it's the perfect opportunity to recognize the colleagues who deserve a moment in the spotlight.

Our Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues feature highlights the individuals who help make UPEI exceptional through their support, kindness, and commitment to our shared values.

Consider nominating a colleague who has:

• Supported you or your team during a busy time
• Gone above and beyond to help others
• Made a lasting positive impact through their actions

We want to celebrate them!

For details about the program, including links to past issues and access to the submission form, please click here.

Let's continue building a culture of appreciation by recognizing the people who make our campus community shine.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, July 31, 2026.

Thank you for helping us celebrate the remarkable people behind UPEI's success.

The Teaching and Learning Centre wishes to advise the campus community that licenses for Yuja and Collaborate will not be renewed. Beginning this fall, Microsoft Teams will be the institution’s supported platform for video conferencing, recording, and related instructional activities. Existing webcams in classrooms are universal and will work with Teams.

Training opportunities for instructors will be offered in August and online, on-demand resources will also be available. Additional details will be shared in the coming weeks. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the TLC at tlc@upei.ca if you have any questions.

The next deadline for submitting biosafety applications, including new applications, renewals, and/or amendments, is Friday, July 31, 2026. These applications will be reviewed at the August 20 meeting.

All research compliance applications, including biosafety application forms, must be submitted through the UPEI researcher portal at 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 Dexterra Group Food Services Team would like to update the campus community regarding our team leadership at UPEI.

We are pleased to share that Hans Sell has assumed the role of Food Service Director and will be your primary point of contact moving forward. For any catering requests or ongoing communication, please contact Holly Fredericks at holly.fredericks@dexterra.com, and for all other food service inquiries, please contact Hans directly at hans.sell@dexterra.com.

We appreciate your continued partnership and look forward to supporting you throughout the upcoming academic year.

Event Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 12:30 pm

Location: Atlantic Veterinary College

Room: Room 286A/287 (The McCain Foundation Learning Commons)

Looking for simple ways to increase student engagement without redesigning your course? Join the UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre for a practical Lunch and Learn on incorporating brief, evidence-informed active learning strategies into lectures. Explore techniques that help students think, discuss, retrieve, and apply what they are learning—all with minimal preparation. Participants will leave with practical strategies they can implement immediately in their own teaching.

Almost all universities across Canada have collective agreements with their faculty and staff, and negotiations are a routine part of the life cycle of these agreements. During 2026, the University of Prince Edward Island has been engaged in the process of negotiating new Collective Agreements with the UPEI Faculty Association (FA #1 and FA #2), CUPE 1870, CUPE 501, IBEW 1928, and PSAC.

The University will make every effort to keep employees, students, and community members informed about collective bargaining process and will share regular updates on the work underway at each table. Please refer upei.ca/labour for updates and access to resources.

The next deadline for submitting biosafety applications, including new applications, renewals, and/or amendments, is Friday, July 31, 2026. These applications will be reviewed at the August 20 meeting.

All research compliance applications, including biosafety application forms, must be submitted through the UPEI researcher portal at 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.

Lifelong learning starts here!

The new UPEI Alumni Access program replaces the former Alumni Premiere program and gives UPEI graduates continued access to a rich collection of library resources and services to support professional development, research, continuing education, and personal enrichment.

Through the program, alumni can explore 94 licensed databases across a wide range of disciplines, with access to scholarly journals, articles, and research tools. They can also make use of a librarian-curated collection of open access resources, expanding their access to trusted information from around the world.

Whether you are building your career, pursuing a new interest, conducting independent research, or simply staying informed, the Alumni Access program helps you remain connected to the resources and expertise that support life-long learning.

Discover how the new Alumni Access program can help you continue learning, exploring, and growing long after graduation!

The Doctor of Psychology Program invites all to attend the public presentation of Tori Bolton's Dissertation Defense titled: “I was not ready for what was coming. I don’t know if anyone ever is”: Raising a Child with a Life-limiting Condition in Rural Prince Edward Island. 

Date and Time: August 5, 2026 at 10:00am
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 104

Please join us in supporting Tori on this momentous occasion!

Please join us for MAIS student Lydia Glenn LeBlanc's defence of her thesis entitled “Why are they Deaf to the Voice of Humanity”: From Passage to Perished, Irish Immigration through Partridge Island, 1846 to 1853.” 

Supervisor is Dr. Rob Dennis (Religious Studies) and committee members are Dr. James Moran (History) and Dr. Ariana Patey (Religious Studies). External examiner is Dr. Rankin Shirling (Marion Military Institute, Alabama). 

The defence will be held on July 27 at 10:00 am in Memorial, Room104 and online. Open to everyone. 

Please contact Dr. Laurie at brinklow@upei.ca if you'd like to receive the Teams link.

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. 

• June 19, 12:00-1:00pm | HSB 106 | Panther Link-Up: Research Focus Session #1 - Finding Research Funding Opportunities 
  Bring your lunch and hear from Leslie Cudmore, Research Grants Coordinator, about the range of funding opportunities available to support research-based graduate studies. Open to current graduate and undergraduate students, by drop-in.
• July 3, 12:00-1:00 pm| Meet in HSB 106 | Panther Link-Up: Picnic and Lawn Games - Sun, Fun and Luncheon 
  Bring your lunch, meet up with other students working, researching, and studying on campus this summer for chats and/or a round of lawn games. Open to current graduate and undergraduate students, by drop-in. Light refreshments provided.
• July 15, 12:00-1:00 pm | FSDE 205 | Certificate in University Teaching Quick Start  
  Bring your lunch and  join fellow graduate students for these interactive sessions with the opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect.
• July 17, 12:00-1:00pm | HSB 106 | Panther Link-Up: Research Focus Session #2 – Communicating Your Research: The Essentials 
  Bring your lunch and discuss with Julie VanLeeuwen, Research Navigator, the range of purposes, places, and ways to communicate your research, focusing on how to customize your communication to the audience and purpose. Open to current graduate and undergraduate students, by drop-in.
• July 22, 12:00-1:00 pm | FSDE 205 | Certificate in University Teaching Quick Start  
  Bring your lunch and  join fellow graduate students for these interactive sessions with the opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect.
• July 31, 12:00-1:00 pm | HSB 106 | Panther Link-Up: Getting Involved on Campus - Sun, Fun and Luncheon 
  Bring your lunch, learn about the many ways getting involved on campus improves your student experience (and your resume!) and the opportunities available. Open to current graduate and undergraduate students, by drop-in. Light refreshments provided.
• August 14, 12:00-1:00pm | HSB 106 | Panther Link-Up: Research Focus Session #3 – Developing a High-Quality Research Award Application 
  Bring your lunch and hear from Leslie Cudmore, Research Grants Coordinator, and a guest offering advice and top tips for developing an impactful research proposal for a research award application. Open to current graduate and undergraduate students, by drop-in.
• August 28, 12:00-1:00 pm | HSB 106 | Panther Link-Up: Show Your Panther Pride - Sun, Fun and Luncheon 
  Bring your lunch and join other students working, researching, and studying on campus this summer to show panther pride by becoming a campus leader. Open to current graduate and undergraduate students, by drop-in. Light refreshments provided.

The Department of Physics is once again hosting public viewings of the sun using our solar telescopes this summer. We invite you to join us on Friday, July 24, from 12:30-2:00 pm on the grassy area between Memorial Hall and Robertson Library. There you can view one layer of the sun's atmosphere (the chromosphere) through our ground-based telescope before climbing to the observatory and viewing another layer (the photosphere) through a different telescope. You'll get to see sunspots and prominences and learn about our nearest star.

If the weather is too cloudy on Friday, we will have to cancel this event, but we will be holding additional events later in the summer.

Check our website after 9:30 am on Friday for the status of the event.

The Dexterra Group Food Services Team would like to update the campus community regarding our team leadership at UPEI.

We are pleased to share that Hans Sell has assumed the role of Food Service Director and will be your primary point of contact moving forward. For any catering requests or ongoing communication, please contact Holly Fredericks at holly.fredericks@dexterra.com, and for all other food service inquiries, please contact Hans directly at hans.sell@dexterra.com.

We appreciate your continued partnership and look forward to supporting you throughout the upcoming academic year.

If you're headed to the Pride Parade this weekend, check out our selection of UPEI Pride t-shirts and crews. https://upei.bookware3000.ca/clothing/unisexmen/pride

UPEI Bookstore open Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

The Faculty of Education would like to invite all to attend Carlos Avelar's public presentation of his MEd research titled: "Exploration of Identity, Belonging, and Authenticity Among Educators in North America". 

Please join us on July 27 at 1:00 pm, Memorial Hall, Room 308 or through Teams: see the link below:

Carlos Avelar Rodas - Thesis Dissertation Exam | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

One of the signature events of the PEI Pride Festival is the annual PEI Pride Parade when individuals, families, friend groups, and organizations join a colourful line-up to walk through the streets of Charlottetown. Each year, the UPEI Student Union registers the University’s parade entry on behalf of the entire Panther community.

This year's PEI Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, July 25. All UPEI students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends are invited to walk together in collective celebration and action! Wear bright rainbow colours and be ready to wave and cheer! 

Everyone is asked to meet in the parking lot off Terry Fox Drive behind the Government buildings at 9:30 am—look for the UPEI vehicle! Parade will start at 10 am.

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

• Lucy-Boss Adelaide, Comptroller’s Office
• Renee Boucher, Dean’s Office, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Jason Bradley, Facilities Management
• Kassinda Rose Bulger, Security Services
• Krista Cassell, Faculty of Medicine
• Em Coates, Research Services
• Camilla Daniels, Facilities Management
• Krista Gillis, Faculty of Nursing
• Qumrul Hassan, Security Services
• Megan Hasson, Procurement Services
• Gaitee Joshua, Dean’s Office, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Carolyn Kerr, Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Alannah MacNeil, Faculty of Medicine
• Aleisha Murnaghan, Faculty of Medicine
• Oluwafunbi Ogunmuyiwa, Office of the Associate Vice-President, Students
• Khanh Pham, Dean’s Office, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Trina Stewart, Faculty of Medicine
• Michelle Sylliboy, Faculty of Education
• Josh Vriends, UPEI Health and Wellness Centre
• Laura Weatherbie, Academic Affairs, Faculty of Medicine
• Paula Wood-Adams, Office of the Vice-President Academic and Research
• Farzana Zaman, Office of the Associate Vice-President, Students

We are excited to have you join the UPEI team!