The excitement for this Saturday's Gold Rush draw is growing as big as the pot! With no winners in the last SEVEN draws, the total pot has grown to more than $8,800, with half going to the winner of Saturday night's draw.

Gold Rush is a virtual fundraising initiative that raises funds for UPEI’s varsity and club sports programs as well as enhances recreational offerings that are available to all UPEI students. 

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

Welcome back! 

The UPEI Writing Centre will open during the second week of classes, offering both in-person and online appointments. Our friendly and knowledgeable tutors will be available to help at any stage of a writing or research assignment in any subject area, including understanding assignment expectations and getting started. See us early; see us often!

If you're an instructor who would like more information or to arrange a short five-minute class visit from a tutor to explain our service, contact Jarmo at jjpuiras@upei.ca.

Our appointment schedule will become available shortly at https://upei.mywconline.com/

For more information, drop by our location at Roberston Library 274, or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UPEIWC

Best wishes for a smooth start and a great term!

COVID-19 rapid-antigen testing kits are available for pick-up beginning Wednesday, September 7, as follows:

• Students in residence can pick them up from their RLA or at the front desk of their residence.
• Students who are not in residence, and faculty and staff can pick up kits at the UPEI Food Bank Kiosk (between Tim Hortons and McMillan Hall) in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre from Monday to Friday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  On weekends and holidays, kits will be available at Panther Central, Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre (view operating hours).

Please bring your UPEI ID when you come to pick up a kit. Stay safe!

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, October 7, 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, visit 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.

Note:  All investigators are reminded that any deviations in animal use, including unexpected mortality, must be reported to the ACC and University Veterinarian Jonathan Spears at 902-620-5026.

An all-star cast of Island musicians will present the world premiere of Hard Times Come Again on Sunday, September 18, at 7:00 pm at The Guild. Featuring UPEI faculty members Morgan Saulnier, Sean Kemp, and Natalie Williams Calhoun, the Hard Times Orchestra also includes Cameron MacDuffee, Brielle Ansems, Adam Hill, Jeffrey Bazett-Jones, Chris Corrigan, and Nick Doneff. Tickets are available at The Guild’s box office (902-620-3333) and at the corner of Richmond and Queen Streets) or online (www.theguildpei.com).

Composed by Adam Hill, Hard Times Come Again is a concert-length chamber-folk suite that draws on oral history and connects the Great Depression to contemporary times through stories of hope and transformation. The piece is made up of seven songs with  lyrics derived from historical interviews about the Great Depression. The interviewees represent a diverse demographic, young and old, from farmers and salespeople to artists and politicians. Complementing these songs are seven electroacoustic interludes that tell contemporary tales. Hill conducted his own set of interviews with Island artists and combined samples from those conversations with organic and synthetic sounds. The result is an emotionally evocative musical experience that sheds light on what we value and how we lead our lives in accordance with those values. 

Tickets are available at www.theguildpei.com.

It's that time of year! The UPEI Campus Food Bank is looking for volunteers for the next few months. We continue to be grateful for the many staff and faculty members who offer one hour on a regular basis. New volunteers are also welcome. Sign up here. Email Sr. Sue (sukidd@upei.ca) or Lauren (lvanvliet@upei.ca) for more information.

Overview: The Certificate in Customer and Client Service is designed to give the knowledge, skills, and tools for individuals to improve customer and client service within their organization. Not only are the benefits of improved customer and client service positive feelings and loyalty, but it also improves the workplace morale, which in turn leads to better production and results.

At the end of this certificate, participants will be able to elevate customer and client service both internally and externally within their organization, turn customer and client service failures into learning opportunities-–which will lead to positives--and create a culture that will make great customer and client service consistent and a priority among all members of an organization.

Designed for: All people involved with customer and client service, both in a retail and a multi-level organizational sense.  Especially relevant for all executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who deal with other people within their workplace.

Type of Delivery: In-person

Duration: One course for a total of six (6) hours

Facilitator: Tracy Stretch

For more information, go to https://www.upei.ca/professional-development/certificates/customer-and-client-service 

Welcome back! 

The UPEI Writing Centre will open during the second week of classes, offering both in-person and online appointments. Our friendly and knowledgeable tutors will be available to help at any stage of a writing or research assignment in any subject area, including understanding assignment expectations and getting started. See us early; see us often!

If you're an instructor who would like more information or to arrange a short five-minute class visit from a tutor to explain our service, contact Jarmo at jjpuiras@upei.ca.

Our appointment schedule will become available shortly at https://upei.mywconline.com/

For more information, drop by our location at Roberston Library 274, or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UPEIWC

Best wishes for a smooth start and a great term!

COVID-19 rapid-antigen testing kits are available for pick-up beginning Wednesday, September 7, as follows:

• Students in residence can pick them up from their RLA or at the front desk of their residence.
• Students who are not in residence, and faculty and staff can pick up kits at the UPEI Food Bank Kiosk (between Tim Hortons and McMillan Hall) in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre from Monday to Friday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  On weekends and holidays, kits will be available at Panther Central, Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre (view operating hours).

Please bring your UPEI ID when you come to pick up a kit. Stay safe!

You may be familiar with SoTL or the scholarship of teaching and learning, but do you know about SoTLA?  This is scholarship that includes and promotes evidence- and research-supported assessment practices. Christopher Charles Deneen explains SoTLA in his article published this past June in The Conversation.

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, October 7, 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, visit 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.

Note:  All investigators are reminded that any deviations in animal use, including unexpected mortality, must be reported to the ACC and University Veterinarian Jonathan Spears at 902-620-5026.

It's that time of year! The UPEI Campus Food Bank is looking for volunteers for the next few months. We continue to be grateful for the many staff and faculty members who offer one hour on a regular basis. New volunteers are also welcome. Sign up here. Email Sr. Sue (sukidd@upei.ca) or Lauren (lvanvliet@upei.ca) for more information.

The UPEI Health & Wellness Centre is pleased to offer another year of the CHANGE Program. The program is for individuals at risk of or living with metabolic syndrome.  People with metabolic syndrome have at least two of the following five conditions: pre-diabetes/diabetes, high triglycerides, high "bad" cholesterol (LDL), low "good" cholesterol (HDL), high blood pressure, and abdominal adiposity (carry your weight in your middle).  

The program is offered in communities across PEI and at UPEI. It is a year-long program; you will meet 28 times over the course of the year. The focus is on diet and exercise. With the dietitian, you will focus on the Mediterranean diet, and with the kinesiologist, you will learn how to exercise safely in your own home. You do not need to purchase any equipment, and the program is free. 

For more information or to register, contact the CHANGE Program by email at change@upei.ca or telephone 902-620-5156. 

NEW Fall fitness training programs announced!  Sports Centre membership fitness classes will begin the week of September 12. Specialty fitness classes include kettlebell training, and yoga and pilates classes with some beginning on September 9 and others starting the week of September 19. A variety of small group training programs will also begin the week of September 19. For more details on prices, start times, and program descriptions, please log into recreation.upei.ca with your UPEI login.

Do you find yourself flicking between web pages to access your calendar, tasks, notes, and files? Outlook allows you to have everything in one place by customizing your own board. A board is like a canvas where various widgets can be added, positioned, and sized to your preference.

This option is found in the View dropdown ➜ Board ➜ Click New Board to start one from scratch. Go to the Add to Board dropdown, and press Show All to see all the widgets. Simply choose the one you want, and it will be added to the canvas. Hover over a widget to make an ellipsis appear in the top-right. Press it to see the options, which will vary depending on what it is. They all have Resize and Remove from board options.

COVID-19 rapid-antigen testing kits are available for pick-up beginning Wednesday, September 7, as follows:

• Students in residence can pick them up from their RLA or at the front desk of their residence.
• Students who are not in residence, and faculty and staff can pick up kits at the UPEI Food Bank Kiosk (between Tim Hortons and McMillan Hall) in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre from Monday to Friday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  On weekends and holidays, kits will be available at Panther Central, Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre (view operating hours).

Please bring your UPEI ID when you come to pick up a kit. Stay safe!

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, October 7, 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, visit 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.

Note:  All investigators are reminded that any deviations in animal use, including unexpected mortality, must be reported to the ACC and University Veterinarian Jonathan Spears at 902-620-5026.

It's that time of year! The UPEI Campus Food Bank is looking for volunteers for the next few months. We continue to be grateful for the many staff and faculty members who offer one hour on a regular basis. New volunteers are also welcome. Sign up here. Email Sr. Sue (sukidd@upei.ca) or Lauren (lvanvliet@upei.ca) for more information.

The Faculty of Education invites all UPEI faculty, staff, and students to launch the new academic year with some food for thought and refreshments!

Guest speaker Dr.Luigi Iannacci will be discussing his recent book, Reconceptualizing Disability in Education, on Friday, September 9, 5:00-7:00 pm. in MCDH 242 Lecture Hall + Market Square. Dr. Iannacci is a professor in the School of Education at Trent University and has a long connection with UPEI. The seeds of this book were planted when he worked with educators on the Island pursuing graduate studies.

Please join us for refreshments after Dr. Iannacci’s talk. Please RSVP to lemoffatt@upei.ca so we can provide enough refreshments. Looking forward to seeing you there!

The Teaching and Learning Centre has two activities for all instructional staff. 

1) Join us for a hands-on workshop to learn academic integrity activities you can apply in your classroom right away. This will be a practical, teaching-and-learning focused session focused on pro-active and strengths-based ways to learn about academic integrity and ethics. Come prepared to engage in active learning! 

2) Meet at the Teaching and Learning Centre, Robertson Library Annex Room 230 at 3:30 pm for an informal opportunity to ask questions and engage in conversation around academic integrity issues with Dr. Sarah Elaine Eaton from the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary.