Thank you once again for sharing your valuable insights in the employee engagement survey conducted from November 4 to 22, 2024. Your feedback is shaping the future of our workplace! 

We are pleased to invite you to a presentation where we will share an overview of key findings and next steps. This is an opportunity to hear what we learned and engage in a conversation about how we can continue to grow together. 

• Wednesday, March 5, 2025
• 2:30 pm–3:30 pm
• Amphitheatre, Performing Arts Centre and Residence building (PAC121S)

If you are unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join us virtually at this Teams link. 

Your voice matters, and we look forward to discussing these insights with you. We hope to see you there. 

Your Voice, Our Future

Join the UPEI Chaplaincy Centre community in celebrating the season of Lent, which begins on Wednesday, March 5.

• Tuesday, March 4: Pancake Tuesday, 11:30-1:00 pm at the Fox & Crow
• Wednesday, March 5: Ash Wednesday mass with the distribution of ashes at 12:05 pm; Liturgy of the Word with the distribution of ashes at 4:05 pm. Both are at the Chaplaincy Centre
• Liturgy of the Word with communion: Thursdays at 12:05 pm, beginning March 6
• Lectio Divina: Wednesdays  at 11:30 am, beginning March 12

We continue our Sunday evening Mass at 6:00 pm. Stay tuned for the schedule of our Easter celebrations.

We're wrapping our tenth anniversary year of Soup for the Soul with two more servings in March! 

Enjoy a warm bowl of soup from 11:30 am-1:00 pm on March 11 (served by the Athletics and Recreation Department) and March 25 (served by the staff from the Robertson Library) at the Chaplaincy Centre. 

As the Muslim community celebrates Ramadan, we will continue to have to-go cups available at both Soup for the Soul events.

UPEI faculty members may now submit an expression of interest for faculty-led international experiences for 2026!

In the past, these experiences have been conducted in May and we call them "Maymesters". Visit the Maymester page for examples of these experiences.

Expression of interest application deadline is March 31, 2025, for the 2026 programs.

Your expression of interest application will be reviewed by the selection committee, and you will be notified when to proceed with a formal proposal.

Submit your expression of interest here.

Cooperative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada has a call for proposals open for curricular work-integrated learning projects taking place between May 1 and December 31, 2025. Full details of the CFP can be found through their website. Please note that the funding has criteria to meet around eligible students, partners, opportunities, and spending. If you have an idea for a proposal and would like to help, the Experiential Education office has submitted many successful applications through past rounds and can support you. Email Shannon at smsnow@upei.ca to explore possibilities. Applications close on March 18. 

Apache Spark is an open-source software for large-scale data processing and analysis. Using Apache Spark and Python (PySpark), this workshop is aimed at analyzing data sets that are too large to be handled and processed by a single computer. In a hands-on format using PySpark, participants will learn to import data, and use functions to transform, reduce and compile the data. You will also learn how to produce parallel algorithms that can run on the national clusters.

This two-day virtual workshop is being offered on March 11 and 13, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm each day. To register, go to https://www.acenet.training/courses.

Members of the UPEI community are invited to submit a proposal for this year's Teaching Community Conference, which will take place on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 9:00 am. This year's theme is "Teaching at the Intersections: Inclusion, Accessibility, and Courage in Education." The Teaching Community Conference aims to share experiences, challenges, and opportunities of advancing teaching and learning at UPEI, giving staff and faculty opportunities to engage in dialogue and share their experiences of teaching at the intersections. 

We are looking for proposals from the UPEI community that highlight current teaching and learning initiatives, share new ideas, and build collaborative strategies for a more inclusive accessible and courageous university. Proposals from staff and faculty are welcome. There are four formats suggested for proposals: 

• Traditional oral presentation: Presenters share a talk about a teaching and learning project or topic related to the theme, speaking for about 20 minutes, followed by 5-10 minutes for questions. 
• Lightning talk: "Small Shifts, Significant Gains." Presenters share a teaching strategy or practice that they’ve found effective in supporting student learning, speaking for about ten minutes, followed by a short group discussion. 
• Interactive workshop: A hands-on session that encourages active participation and collaboration among attendees. The workshop could involve group activities, discussions, practical exercises, etc. 
• Indigenous Sharing Circle: A facilitated, safe space for individuals to come together to discuss topics related to the theme, share their experiences, listen to each other, build relationships, offer support, and connect with each other.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 28, 2025. Successful proposals will be announced by April 4, 2025. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to TLC@upei.ca. 

Proposals can be submitted here.

RSVP to attend the Teaching Community Conference.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to scramble your way through a presentation you have no control over? It’s more fun than you think, and you can experience it yourself (or just come to watch!) on Tuesday, March 4, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship in 201 Robertson Library! No pre-registration required!

Note: If you would like to participate, please bring a phone or computer that can access wi-fi or cellular data.

Dr. Yousef Malik, a candidate for an accounting tenure-track faculty position in the McDougall Faculty of Business, will give a presentation titled "The Intersection of Business and Climate Change, particularly in the Context of ESG Adoption and Carbon Accounting" on Friday, March 7, at 11:30 am in Don and Marion McDougall Hall, Room 329.

The Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, invites all to attend Justine Brown’s public dissertation defence presentation of her PsyD research titled “Exploring PEI elementary school teachers’ mental health literacy and decision-making processes regarding student mental health concerns.”

Please join us virtually on March 5, 2025, from 3-5 pm AST at https://upei.zoom.us/j/61428838697?pwd=S7rSMfjBQLYJYHwcIquanIsyeLZsYz.1
Meeting ID: 614 2883 8697
Passcode: 983605

A new book titled "The Belfast Riot of 1847," written by Dr. Callum Beck, sessional lecturer at UPEI, and published by Island Studies Press, will be launched on March 5, 2025, at 7 pm, in the Faculty Lounge (Room 201), SDU Main Building, UPEI.

In his book, Dr. Beck examines the social and political conditions that led to the Belfast Riot of March 1, 1847. The riot involved about 200 Scottish Protestants and 300 Irish Catholics and resulted in at least three men dead and up to 100 others injured; it set the stage for the hardening of the sectarian conflict between Protestants and Catholics on PEI for the next 125 years. Dr. Beck introduces us to the major players on both sides, provides a detailed account of its unfolding, and takes a nuanced look at who was to blame. 

"The Belfast Riot of 1847" was published with the support of a SSHRC Exchange Publication Award from the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research at UPEI. 

Another launch will take place in Summerside on March 30, at 1 pm, at the Eptek Art and Culture Centre.

Both events are free, and all are welcome. Thanks to the Bookmark, books will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Bren Simmers at Island Studies Press, 902-566-0386 or ispstaff@upei.ca.

Discover exciting summer job opportunities or kickstart your career at the 2025 Summer Job and Career Fair! Hosted by UPEI’s Experiential Education Department, this fair will bring together a diverse range of employers from various industries actively seeking to hire students and recent graduates. By attending, you’ll have the chance to network with employers and explore both summer job positions and full-time career opportunities. The fair will be held in person, so dress professionally and bring copies of your resume to make the most of your interactions with employers.

Key details: The fair will take place on March 12, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre. In case of inclement weather, the storm date is March 13, same time and location.

What to expect: Attendance is FREE for students, and no registration is required. Don’t miss out on the chance to win exciting door prizes!

For any inquiries, feel free to contact Jess Cameron, Community and Industry Outreach Coordinator, at careerfair@upei.ca or 902-894-2817.

We look forward to seeing you at the fair!

UPEI Class of 2025 Mix and Mingle!

Event Date: Friday, April 4, 2025, 5:00 pm

Location: W.A. Murphy Student Centre

Room: McMillan Hall

Join us as we welcome the UPEI Class of 2025 to our alumni family! This event is open to all 2025 grads and UPEI/SDU/PWC alumni.

Celebrate the last day of classes with free refreshments, live music entertainment, fun door prizes to be won, and more!

Please RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRWenZcxnWDFxotOXDWGMUsK8vKwzP3V-UfBY55I-5mOhfDw/viewform?usp=header

If you have any questions, please contact Faith Phillips at fsteeves@upei.ca or 902-566-0687. 

Title: "Building a Resilient Cropping System Amidst Climate Change"

Presenter: Dr. Mumtaz Cheema, Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Date and Time: March 7, 2025, 1:00–2:00 pm (Atlantic Time)

Registration: Click here to receive the Zoom link. The webinar is free. 

UPEI is a member of the Academics Without Borders/Universitaires sans Frontières network. Members of the network are periodically invited to submit proposals for projects working with a partner institution in a low or middle-income country in which the project is located. Want to know more about the process involved and about AWB's work more generally? The full call for proposals is at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nny-6wtY2Eu6Fm8ulyE0y_Jvn3m_MjvL/view. And other calls for volunteers for existing projects will be posted here! For more information, contact Corrie Young, whose email is on the call for proposals, or Ann Braithwaite, abraithwaite@upei.ca.

The Eklektik Music Duo (Andrea Willis and Megaria Halim) will perform on the SDU Stage in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall on March 8, 2025, at 7:30 pm.

The name Nü Voice is derived from the word “new,” reflecting our commitment to programming not only contemporary music but also works by underrepresented composers. Additionally, Nü means “women” in Chinese, underscoring our dedication to featuring female composers in this concert’s program.

In this program, we seek to highlight women from two contrasting realms—mythology and history. Featuring legendary figures such as Penelope and Calypso to esteemed historical figures like Canadian folklorist Helen Creighton, our selection weaves together diverse narratives across time.

During their graduate studies at the University of Western Ontario, Andrea Willis and Megaria Halim discovered a shared passion for exploring new, unconventional, and underrepresented musical works. With an abundance of remarkable repertoire for piano and voice—many of which remain underperformed—they were inspired to form the Eklektik Music Duo. Derived from the Greek word eklektikos, meaning “choosing the best from various sources,” their name reflects their commitment to drawing inspiration from diverse genres and styles, creating a truly distinctive sound.

Accessible parking is available, and the theatre has an accessible entrance via elevator. General admission is $30 (cash only). Admission is free for students. 

Colon cancer screening: What you need to know

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada. On Prince Edward Island, someone is diagnosed with colorectal cancer every three days. 

March is Colorectal Cancer Screening Month, a reminder of the importance of early detection. Screening helps catch cancer early when it's easier to treat. 

Who should get screened? 

If you’re 50 to 74 years old and at average risk, you should have a FIT test (fecal immunochemical test) every two years. This simple at-home test detects hidden blood in the stool. 

If you’re at higher risk (e.g., family history, blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or a history of colorectal cancer), you may need a colonoscopy instead. 

Where to get screened?

The UPEI Health and Wellness Centre offers 

• FIT tests for those aged 50-74 at average risk
• appointments with a nurse practitioner for higher-risk individuals to discuss screening options and arrange referrals if needed

We’re located on the second floor (north side) of the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, above the bookstore. 

Why screening matters?

Detecting colorectal cancer early improves survival rates and may help avoid more intensive treatments. 

For more information: 

Health PEI’s Colorectal Cancer Screening Program: Click here 

Canadian Partnership Against Cancer screening projects: Click here

The Application Review Committee invites campus community members to attend the research and teaching seminar by Dr. Lori McKee, candidate for the Tier II Canada Research Chair in Children, Youth and their Educational Geographies.

Dr. Lori McKee completed their PhD in Curriculum Studies at Western University (2018). Currently, Dr. McKee is an Associate Professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. McKee's program of research crosses provincial and national boundaries and seeks to support children and youth through the creation and enactment of ethical, responsive curricula focused on literacies.

Teaching Seminar:

• Date/Time: Monday, March 3, 2025, 9:30 am
• Location: Memorial Hall 417

Research Seminar:

• Date/Time: Monday, March 3, 2:15 pm
• Location: Memorial Hall 417

The teaching and research seminars will be recorded and available after the session. There will be access to virtual attendance. Those interested in the recording or requiring access to the virtual session may contact mlsteele@upei.ca.

Additional candidates and presentations will be announced shortly.

T4, T4A, and T2202 tax slips for 2024 are now available to employees and students in the Employee Toolbox or Student Toolbox on myUPEI.

Please reach out to payroll@upei.ca for any questions about T4s, to fsmanager@upei.ca for any questions about T4As, and studentaccounts@upei.ca for any questions about T2202s.

Jonny Stevens, DBA candidate, and a candidate for the management (Organizational Behaviour/Human Resource Management) tenure-track position in the McDougall Faculty of Business, will give a presentation titled "Climate Change: Gender Inclusion Climate in B2B Sales " on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 9:00 am in Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142.