Facilities Management wishes to inform the campus community that there will be the potential of smoke as there is an approved Sacred Fire taking place at the Tipi in the UPEI Quadrangle from 9 am–12 pm on Monday, September 29, 2025. 

Sacred Fires are small fires used for Indigenous ceremonies and important events. They are lit and kept burning under the close supervision of a Firekeeper and allowed to burn out naturally. A Sacred Fire represents a spiritual doorway to honour ancestors, with offerings of sacred medicines that are fed to the fire by participants.

Flags at UPEI were flown at half-mast on Sunday, September 28, to commemorate Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day. In 1998, the Government of Canada officially proclaimed the last Sunday of September as a national memorial day to give Canadians an opportunity to formally express appreciation for the dedication of police and peace officers, and to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in keeping communities safe.

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to “honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.” (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada). The University will be closed on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to observe the provincial statutory holiday and flags will be lowered to half-mast. Read more about how UPEI will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

"Writing Together: A Year of Meaning-Making and Friendship," a new book by Dr. Darcy Shaw, professor emeritus of small animal internal medicine, Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI, and Dr. Penny Williamson, retired associate professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, will be launched on Tuesday, October 7, at 7 pm in the Faculty Lounge, SDU Main Building, UPEI.

The event, which will be hosted by The Bookmark, is free, and all are welcome.

Dr. Shaw and Dr. Williamson committed to writing together for a year, despite being separated by age, gender, profession, and geography, and "Writing Together" is the result. In the process, they discovered that writing together could be a way to reflect on life, deepen friendship, and create a powerful antidote to loneliness in a time when people are so disconnected. Using poetry as a catalyst for carefully crafted prompts, they created a process for writing in a trustworthy space that anyone could use.

Drawing from their backgrounds in facilitation and leadership development, Dr. Williamson and Dr. Shaw have created more than just a writing guide—they have crafted a lifeline for anyone feeling stuck, seeking renewal, or longing to understand their life’s journey. "Writing Together" is an exploration of connection, vulnerability, and the transformative power of shared storytelling.

The Dean of Arts warmly invites arts students to our first Fall Fika of the semester. It will take place in SDU Main Building, Room 201 on Wednesday, October 8 from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Fika is a Swedish tradition that encourages taking a break to enjoy coffee and snacks while catching up with friends. There will be hot drinks, yummy treats, and engaging conversations with your classmates and faculty. We hope to see you there!

The title of this year's Murray Lecture is Water as Teacher: What water can teach us about hope in hard times

What can water teach us about hope? Biomimicry is the design of structures and systems based on natural processes, and this approach might just offer the insights that education needs in times of crisis. In this distinguished lecture, educator and author Dr. Kari Grain extends the ideas from her book Critical Hope to explore what the behaviours of water can teach us when our most important efforts in education are blocked by obstacles and interruptions. In an era of austerity, political polarization, and fatigue from ongoing crises, many people who are committed to social change efforts face a damming of their life’s work. By observing four habits of water, Grain invites us to reimagine how hope itself can move: Bending, pooling in deep places, going underground, and persisting. In this reflection, critical hope offers an alternative to toxic positivity, shifting from an emotion that we either have or lack, to a complex relationship that we navigate continually. When it embodies the habits of water, critical hope is a practice of relentless incrementalism, discernment, and creativity, fluid enough to forge new pathways forward. 

This year's distinguished speaker is Dr. Kari Grain.  Dr. Grain is the author of Critical Hope and teaches at the University of British Columbia in the Faculty of Education, where she leads the Master’s in Adult Learning and Global Change (ALGC) Program. Her scholarship in experiential education, anti-racism, climate action, and community engagement has been featured in peer-reviewed journals, books, and podcasts. At the nucleus of Grain’s body of work is the belief that education has the potential to be a vibrant pathway toward systemic change; and vital to that process of transformation is an attunement to relational, creative, and vulnerable ways of being in the world with others. Kari is the co-editor of a forthcoming (2025) volume on Community Engaged Research (CER) with University of Toronto Press. Kari lives on unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territories. 

The Shannon K. Murray Lecture on Hope in the Academy was established in 2023 to celebrate Shannon's receipt of the Christopher Knapper Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Shannon K. Murray Lecture on Hope and the Academy will take place on Monday, November 3, at 3:30 pm in SDU Main Building, Room 117. 

You’re invited to a series of TLC Lunch and Learn sessions throughout the month of October; each focused on a Core Principle of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Grab your own lunch to join us online for engaging conversations and practical strategies to support inclusive teaching.

Session Lineup:

• Wednesday, October 1, 12 – 1 pm – Expanding Access Through Representation
  • Learn how offering multiple ways for learners to access and engage with content can enhance understanding and equity. Register here.
• Wednesday, October 8, 12 – 1 pm – Fostering Engagement
  • Explore how to motivate and sustain learner interest through varied approaches to engagement. Register here.
• Wednesday, October 22, 12 – 1 pm – Supporting Action and Expression
  • Discover strategies for allowing learners to demonstrate what they know in diverse and meaningful ways. Register here.

Each session will include a brief presentation, followed by interactive discussion and idea-sharing with colleagues across departments. You’ll leave with practical insights and tools you can apply in your own teaching. 

The Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre will be closed on Tuesday, September 30 for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

The Health, Safety, and Environment Department (HSE) is offering Basic (previously called Emergency) First Aid/CPR training sessions on the following dates:

• October 1, 2025, 8:30 am–4:00 pm. Registration cut off: September 29, 2025
• October 17, 2025, 8:30 am–4:00 pm. Registration cut off: October 10, 2025
• November 7, 2025, 8:30-4:00 pm. Registration cut off: October 31, 2025
• December 8, 2025, 8:30 am–4:00 pm. Registration cut off: December 1, 2025

**Seats are limited, please register early to guarantee your spot!

To register, please email HSE@upei.ca. Include your name, department, contact number and the session date you are registering for. 

The cost of registration will be covered by HSE for all UPEI faculty and staff, including students who require training for on-campus employment. Students who do not require training for on-campus employment are welcome to attend; however, the cost of registration will not be covered by HSE. 

Intermediate (Previously called Standard) First Aid/CPR training is a comprehensive two-day course that offers first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills for those who need enhanced training as a work requirement. Please contact HSE at HSE@upei.ca if you require this training.

Reminder that the AVC Veterinary Teaching Hospital carries on-site specific veterinarian approved pet food, treats and supplements. For your convenience, we also have an online pet store at myVETstore.ca that offers a large selection of food, treats, toys, and supplies for cats, dogs, and exotic pets. Orders at myVETstore.ca with a minimum value of $30, before tax, qualify for free shipping directly to your home. If you sign up for auto orders you will save 5% off your order, in addition to your UPEI Staff/AVC Student discount.  If you order an item that does not qualify for home delivery it can shipped to the clinic for pickup.

How does it work?

If you don't already have an account, we invite you to sign up for one on the AVC myVETstore through the link below. Please use your UPEI email address when creating an account to ensure you receive your UPEI Staff/AVC Student discount:

https://www.myvetstore.ca/avcvth

Once you place an order and it is processed, you will receive an email confirming your order.  You will then receive a second email letting you know when your order has shipped or is available for pickup at the hospital.  

If you need assistance setting up your account, our Client Services Team is happy to help and can be reached by phone at 902-566-0950.

All faculty and staff welcome, no experience required. 

Join us in the Teaching and Learning Centre from 11:30 am-1:00 pm on October 2, for a zine making and reflection activity with a focus on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. A creative session where you can come late and leave early. Spend time looking at zines, making a zine, and reflecting on your role in truth and reconciliation. 

Kristy McKinney, an instructional Multimedia Specialist in the TLC, will explain how to fold an 8-page zine and discuss the relevance of zines in and out of the classroom. Angie Petty, an Instructional Designer in the TLC, will speak on zines and reflection practices within Higher Education. Neil Forbes, an IKERAS Faculty member, will provide reflection prompts to help each of us engage with reconciliation through zine-making.  

Supplies will be provided but feel free to bring your own. 

Name that Building! UPEI wants your help in choosing a name for our new building.

The University of Prince Edward Island is excited to be approaching completion of the new 140,000 square-foot building, which supports the UPEI Faculty of Medicine and medical learners in the regional campus of Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine, as well as UPEI students in nursing, psychology, nutrition and dietetics, kinesiology, paramedicine, and other programs. It will also have a Patient Medical Home, the provincial Adult ADHD Clinic (both operated by Health PEI), and allow for collaborations with others at UPEI—like the Atlantic Veterinary College—and in the broader community.

The Vice-President Academic and Research and Vice-President Administration and Finance would like to engage the creativity of the University community to consider some of the latest proposed names and offer feedback in support or against those submitted—or suggest potentially a new name altogether.  

Help us choose the name! The finalist options include the

1. Health Education Facility
2. Interprofessional Health Education Facility
3. Faculty of Medicine and Health Education Centre
4. Medical and Interprofessional Health Centre.

What is your opinion? Email your thoughts about one or more of the above—or an even better name—to vpaf@upei.ca.  A steering committee will review this feedback as part of its selection process. Please send all feedback by 11:59 pm on September 29, 2025. 

To learn more on what makes a great name click here and for the full news story.

We’re pleased to announce two upcoming workshops on celiac disease and the gluten-free diet, led by renowned dietitian Shelley Case, RD.

There will be 2 sessions on Wednesday October 15, 2025:

• 1:00–4:00 pm: Health Professionals Session – “What Every Health Professional Needs to Know”
• 7:00–9:00 pm: Public Session – “What’s New and What’s Not”

Location: Don and Marion McDougall Hall, Room 242

These workshops are organized by the Celiac Canada PEI Chapter in collaboration with UPEIs Foods and Nutrition Program.

UPEI ITSS, in partnership with the Robertson Library, has launched an exciting new extension of its IT Help Desk services. A new Help Desk dedicated specifically to assisting our UPEI students has opened in the Library Learning Commons, Room 275, operating Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

This new student-focused desk complements the existing ITSS Help Desk in AVC 246S, which will now be dedicated exclusively to supporting UPEI Faculty and Staff.

Basic IT support will continue to be available at the main Library Service Desk from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm, but the new ITSS Help Desk in the Library will serve as a convenient referral point for cases requiring more advanced ITSS assistance.

Students seeking ITSS support can visit the Library in person or submit a request through the online Help Request form.  The help desk number remains (902) 566-0465 and will soon be outfitted with a tree selection to provide both service to students and critical live support for employees.

Visit the ITSS Help Desk page for more information.

Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. There have been concerns and rumours suggesting that computers operating on Windows 10 will cease to function after this date; however, this is not accurate.

After support ends, unless addressed by ITSS, Windows 10 devices will no longer receive bug fixes, security updates, or technical assistance from Microsoft. A plan is in place to address these changes.

What You Need to Know:

• No Immediate Action Required: Windows 10 will remain supported with monthly security updates through October 2025. Your device continues to be secure and maintained.

• Extended Security Updates (ESU): For devices that cannot be upgraded by the deadline, Microsoft Extended Security Updates have been secured and will be automatically deployed to the impacted systems.

What You Can Do:

Again, there is no action on your part at this time; however, if you have concerns, please reach out to ITSS at go.upei.ca/itrequest  

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we prepare for this change. 

We're excited to share that the Robertson Library will offer tours between September 22 and October 10! This is a great opportunity to explore our spaces and learn more about what we have to offer.

To book your tour, simply sign up by clicking the link below, or scan the QR code on any tour poster you find around the library. We can't wait to show you around!

Book Now!

Contact Name

Princess Wooden

pwooden@upei.ca

You’re invited to a series of TLC Lunch and Learn sessions throughout the month of October; each focused on a Core Principle of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Grab your own lunch to join us online for engaging conversations and practical strategies to support inclusive teaching.

Session Lineup:

• Wednesday, October 1, 12 – 1 pm – Expanding Access Through Representation
  • Learn how offering multiple ways for learners to access and engage with content can enhance understanding and equity. Register here.
• Wednesday, October 8, 12 – 1 pm – Fostering Engagement
  • Explore how to motivate and sustain learner interest through varied approaches to engagement. Register here.
• Wednesday, October 22, 12 – 1 pm – Supporting Action and Expression
  • Discover strategies for allowing learners to demonstrate what they know in diverse and meaningful ways. Register here.

Each session will include a brief presentation, followed by interactive discussion and idea-sharing with colleagues across departments. You’ll leave with practical insights and tools you can apply in your own teaching. 

The excitement for this Saturday's Gold Rush draw is growing as big as the pot! With no winners in the last ELEVEN draws, the total pot has grown to more than $40,000, 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.

The Health, Safety, and Environment Department (HSE) is offering Basic (previously called Emergency) First Aid/CPR training sessions on the following dates:

• October 1, 2025, 8:30 am–4:00 pm. Registration cut off: September 29, 2025
• October 17, 2025, 8:30 am–4:00 pm. Registration cut off: October 10, 2025
• November 7, 2025, 8:30-4:00 pm. Registration cut off: October 31, 2025
• December 8, 2025, 8:30 am–4:00 pm. Registration cut off: December 1, 2025

**Seats are limited, please register early to guarantee your spot!

To register, please email HSE@upei.ca. Include your name, department, contact number and the session date you are registering for. 

The cost of registration will be covered by HSE for all UPEI faculty and staff, including students who require training for on-campus employment. Students who do not require training for on-campus employment are welcome to attend; however, the cost of registration will not be covered by HSE. 

Intermediate (Previously called Standard) First Aid/CPR training is a comprehensive two-day course that offers first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills for those who need enhanced training as a work requirement. Please contact HSE at HSE@upei.ca if you require this training.

The Faculty of Arts is pleased to invite the campus community to the first of this fall's talks as part of the ConneXions series. This series is organized around the theme of "provocative questions" that motivate faculty members' teaching and / or scholarly activities. This fall, we're excited to hear from many of our new colleagues in the Faculty of Arts. 

The first speakers in the series will be: 1) Dr. Ariana Patey, whose provocative question is "Is it really that bad or am I just old?' and 2) Dr. Jeff Collins, wondering "Why does Canada suck at getting big projects done?" Intrigued? Grab a colleague and come join us all to hear more about how these questions provoke colleagues in what they do on October 3, at 1:00 pm in SDU Main Building, Room 420.

On Sunday, September 28 at 2:30 pm, visiting guest artist, Dr. Ross Osmun, from Bishop’s University, will give a piano recital featuring works by Mozart, Debussy, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, and Liszt. This recital that was originally planned for September 21, has been rescheduled to September 28 due to unforeseen circumstances. Tickets can be purchased in advance at upei.universitytickets.com, or by cash at the door. Accessible parking is available, and the theatre has an accessible entrance via elevator.