Campus Notices
As the winter semester gets started, here's a link to an article by James Lang, author of several widely read books on teaching in higher education, called How to Teach a Good First Day of Class: Advice Guide. You find some useful reminders to help set the tone for your semester of learning together with your new students.
The Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development at the University of Prince Edward Island (OCEPD) is pleased to announce a new professional development opportunity for UPEI staff and faculty. Effective January 5, 2026, eligible UPEI employees may enroll in OCEPD Certificate programs, priced at $1,000 or more, for a reduced rate of $995.
This initiative reflects the OCEPD’s pledge to support UPEI’s ongoing commitment to supporting continuous learning, leadership development, and skills advancement across the University community.
The following OCEPD Certificate programs are included in this initiative and are available to UPEI staff and faculty at the reduced rate of $995:
- Certificate in Case Management
- Certificate in Case Management – Specialization in Health Care
- Certificate in Case Management – Advanced Collaboration in Care
- Certificate in Collaborative Leadership
- Certificate in Introductory Data Analytics – Bridging Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
- Certificate in Marketing and Branding
- Certificate in Motivational Interviewing
- Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
- Certificate in Professional Communications
- Certificate in Professional Office Administration
- Certificate in Project Management
- New Managers Certificate
- Certificate in Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being
These programs are designed for working professionals and focus on practical, evidence-informed skills that can be applied immediately in the workplace. Delivery formats vary by program and may include in-person, blended, or online components (please note the 15% UPEI staff and alumni discount does not apply to these reduced-rate Certificate programs).
The Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development, an Office of the University of Prince Edward Island, is Atlantic Canada’s premier provider of professional development programming. The OCEPD delivers high-impact Certificate programs, workshops, and customized training for individuals, organizations, and communities across the region.
UPEI staff and faculty are encouraged to explore program details, delivery formats, and upcoming intakes by visiting: https://www.upei.ca/professional-development
During the week of January 5, 2026, the Library team will be working remotely; the Library building will remain closed until Monday, January 12 to allow for the completion of essential repair/remediation work. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause: further information about our online services during this period is available here. Please contact interim University Librarian Simon Lloyd (university-librarian@upei.ca | 902-394-1301) with any questions or concerns.
The Bookstore will be open until 6:00pm on Monday Jan. 12, Tuesday Jan. 13 and Wednesday Jan. 14 for the start of winter term classes. Shop online any time at upei.ca/bookstore.
The fifth meeting of the UPEI Senate will take place on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in Room 102 at Alumni Hall (618 University Avenue). To view the 2025-2026 calendar of Senate meetings or documents for the upcoming meeting, click here. (Posted one week before the meeting)
All meetings are open to members of the University community, although certain in-camera items (e.g., granting of degrees) may require the Senate to go into a closed session. Only members of Senate are permitted to address the Senate unless otherwise recognized by the chair.
For logistical purposes, members of the UPEI community who wish to attend the open session of a UPEI Senate meeting are asked to contact senate@upei.ca one week prior to the meeting. While Senate is an in-person meeting, members of the University community may request a virtual connection when they are unable to attend in person.
Join UPEI President Wendy Rodgers for casual "coffee chats" at the Fox and Crow in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre on Thursday, January 15 from 8:00-9:00 am.
These coffee chats offer a relaxed setting where any member of the UPEI community can drop by, grab a drink, and chat with Wendy about anything on your mind. Whether you want to share ideas, ask questions or simply say hello, these chats are a great way to connect with the president in a comfortable and informal environment.
The UPEI Health Research Network is inviting full-time and part-time undergraduate students to join the Connections Program. This is a research program focused on health and well-being for undergraduate students on campus. The program will begin last week of January OR the first week of February 2026 (will be confirmed soon).
Are you interested in meeting new people in a friendly, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment? In this program, you will learn about food, health, stress, coping strategies, and physical activity.
The Health Research Network is offering this free, eight-week program to help students learn about health and well-being while connecting with the student community. Participants must be able to complete the pre and post-screening assessments (completed before the program begins and also once more after the program finishes) and be able to attend all eight sessions.
The program includes:
- Eight weekly group sessions (2 hours each):
- 1 hour with a Registered Dietitian and Health Educator
- 1 hour of physical activity led by a Kinesiologist
- Optional open gym times
- All sessions take place in the lower level of the Steel Building
- Snacks are also provided at each session!
The sessions are student-centered, and all levels of experience and ability are welcome.
If you are interested, please email Anja and Laurie at connections@upei.ca to get more information or to book the required pre-program screening assessment.
The University of Prince Edward Island honours its rich heritage and traditions by acknowledging members of the campus community who have contributed to its mission in an exceptional way by naming them “Founders,” an initiative established by President Emeritus Wade MacLauchlan in 2000.
The award is presented to members of the campus community—often retired faculty and staff—who have played a direct role in
- supporting the vision, reputation, and continued success of the University, and/or
- creating a new era of educational, research, and/or service excellence at the University.
To submit a nomination, please complete the online form, or email your submission to communications@upei.ca by Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 12:00 pm AT (noon).
Recipients will be honoured at a Recognition of Founders Ceremony, date to be confirmed.
For more details on nominations visit Call for Nominations: 2025 UPEI Founders
During the week of January 5, 2026, the Library team will be working remotely; the Library building will remain closed until Monday, January 12 to allow for the completion of essential repair/remediation work. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause: further information about our online services during this period is available here. Please contact interim University Librarian Simon Lloyd (university-librarian@upei.ca | 902-394-1301) with any questions or concerns.
Members of the TLC team will be working remotely the week of Jan. 5 to 9 during construction work in the library. You can contact them via email or Teams.
The Teaching and Learning Centre invites you to the 2026 Winter Sessional Faculty Academy, an online onboarding session designed to support new and recently hired sessional instructors. This session is a great opportunity to explore:
- Instructional design support and professional development opportunities available through the Teaching and Learning Centre
- Moodle, UPEI’s Learning Management System
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL)—strategies to design courses where all learners can access, engage, and succeed
- Assessment best practices, including grading, feedback, and considerations for generative AI
- Syllabus essentials, including guidance on incorporating Gen AI statements
Date and Time:Thursday, January 8, 6:00 – 7:00 pm (Online)
Register here: Teaching & Learning Centre 2026 Winter Sessional Faculty Academy Registration Form
Can’t attend live? No problem! The sessions will be recorded and shared upon request.
For questions, please contact TLC@upei.ca.
Contact
Jason Hogan and Angie Petty
The offices of Procurement and Financial Services (KMB 131) will be closed on January 7, 2026 between the hours of 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm for a staff meeting. This closure will also effect the Student Financial Services office (DH 202).
Please email procurement@upei.ca or financialservices@upei.ca or leave a message at 902-566-6000. Messages received during the closure will be answered as soon as possible.
The University of Prince Edward Island honours its rich heritage and traditions by acknowledging members of the campus community who have contributed to its mission in an exceptional way by naming them “Founders,” an initiative established by President Emeritus Wade MacLauchlan in 2000.
The award is presented to members of the campus community—often retired faculty and staff—who have played a direct role in
- supporting the vision, reputation, and continued success of the University, and/or
- creating a new era of educational, research, and/or service excellence at the University.
To submit a nomination, please complete the online form, or email your submission to communications@upei.ca by Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 12:00 pm AT (noon).
Recipients will be honoured at a Recognition of Founders Ceremony, date to be confirmed.
For more details on nominations visit Call for Nominations: 2025 UPEI Founders
During the week of January 5, 2026, the Library team will be working remotely; the Library building will remain closed until Monday, January 12 to allow for the completion of essential repair/remediation work. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause: further information about our online services during this period is available here. Please contact interim University Librarian Simon Lloyd (university-librarian@upei.ca | 902-394-1301) with any questions or concerns.
Members of the TLC team will be working remotely the week of Jan. 5 to 9 during construction work in the library. You can contact them via email or Teams.
Colleagues are invited to participate in an open call for nominations for the AAU Teaching and Educational Leadership Awards in 2026 and the 3M National Teaching Fellowship for 2026-2027. Consider nominating a deserving colleague. Self-nominations, an important option for colleagues who identify as an equity-deserving group member, are encouraged. Self-nominators must identify a sponsor to support their nomination.
For information about the AAU Distinguished Teaching Award: https://atlanticuniversities.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Teaching-Award-Nomination-Guidelines-Eng_Oct23.pdf
For information about the AAU Educational Leadership Award: https://atlanticuniversities.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Educational-Leadership-Nomination-Guidelines-Eng_Dec20.pdf
For more information about the 3M National Teaching Fellowship: https://www.stlhe.ca/awards/3m-national-teaching-fellowship/
Submitting a nomination takes only a few minutes using this nomination form. Initial screening will begin January 15, 2026
The SSHRC Exchange Publication Award supports the publication of manuscripts, written or edited by UPEI faculty, by Island Studies Press (ISP). This award is being funded by a SSHRC Institutional Grant, therefore, the subject matter of the publication must be compatible with SSHRC’s mandate (see http://science.gc.ca/eic/site/063.nsf/eng/h_FEE7261A.html for more information). One (1) award is available for fiscal 2025-26.
The award of $7,000 will be disbursed to Island Studies Press to cover publication costs (including editing, photo and other permissions, design, printing, marketing, and other costs associated with publishing a book). Authors will be offered ISP’s standard publication contract, which ensures authorial copyright and includes a royalty structure. Authors will also see their manuscripts reviewed through a peer-review process where appropriate.
ELIGIBILITY:
- Eligible applicants must be Tenured, Tenure Track, Term or Sessional UPEI Faculty, who are employed by UPEI at the time of application.
- Manuscripts may be single- or multi-authored results of academic research projects; textbooks; edited proceedings of a conference; or works of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, or drama that pertain to the author(s)' discipline.
- The subject matter of the manuscript must meet SSHRC’s mandate.
- Past recipients of the SSHRC Exchange Publication Award or UPEI Internal Publication Award cannot apply for support for the previously funded manuscript.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 31, 2026
Submit documents electronically to Research Services, researchservices@upei.ca.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applicants are to submit a package that includes:
- Book proposal/summary (maximum of one page)
- A completed or close-to-complete manuscript and a Table of Contents. Note: the manuscript must be complete no later than three months after winning the award
- A curriculum vitae that includes your credentials as author(s)/editor(s)
- Two letters of support (e.g., from your Department Chair, Dean, professional association)
Selection Committee: A selection committee comprised of the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Institute of Island Studies, plus two members of the ISP Publishing Committee, will assess the proposals and make a recommendation to the Associate Vice-President Research. The Managing Editor of the ISP will be a member of the Committee in a non-voting capacity.
To assist in making its recommendations, the selection committee will use a single-blind peer review of the submitted manuscript. Final decisions on publication remain with the Island Studies Press and the Institute of Island Studies.
Reporting: A copy of the book, along with a narrative outlining the publication process – prepared in collaboration with staff at Island Studies Press – must be submitted when the book is complete.
Previous recipients of the UPEI Internal Publication Awards include Lori Mayne, Department of English, Laurie Brinklow, Institute of Island Studies, Linyuan Guo, Faculty of Education, and Josh MacFadyen, Faculty of Arts.
For more information on the Publication Awards program, contact Dr. Laurie Brinklow at brinklow@upei.ca or 902-894-2881.
Members of the TLC team will be working remotely the week of Jan. 5 to 9 during construction work in the library. You can contact them via email or Teams.
Who’s it for?
All UPEI staff, faculty, and students who want direct, plain‑language answers from IT Systems and Services (ITSS). Bring your questions about services, support, projects, security, and how to work effectively with ITSS.
What is an AMA?
An AMA is a live Q&A where you ask anything related to ITSS—no slide deck, no long presentations. Managers from across ITSS are on hand to answer and point you to the right next step.
Who will be there?
- Information Security & Information Management: Dave Kubert
- Operations: Douglas Burton, Deryl Gallant
- Enterprise Applications: Cory MacDougall
- Solution Development & Deployment: Leigh McIsaac
- Network & Infrastructure: Graham Nixon
- HEF Technology & Solutions: Kelly Dawson, Tyler Dickieson
Why attend?
- Direct answers. Ask about services, priorities, timelines, and how to get things done.
- Clarity on support. Learn how tickets are triaged and escalated, when the phone line is for critical issues, and how to get after‑hours help in true emergencies.
- Actionable takeaways. Leave with links and steps you can use the same day.
What we covered last time (highlights):
- Help Desk access & the phone line
- Support hours
- Ticket priorities & escalation
- Responsible AI & Copilot
- “Speaking IT” resources
- Asset inventory
How to ask questions (before or during):
- Live: Ask in the session on January 20 from 11:45-1:15—no need to submit in advance.
- In advance or if you can’t attend: Send your question via email to itss-admin@upei.ca
