Dear UPEI Campus Community,

We need your help at the Campus Food Bank! As we prepare to distribute pre-packed bags for students, we’re looking for volunteers to assist with many important tasks including but not limited to

Tuesday (12-5 pm):

• Bagging rice
• Writing names and requested items on paper bags
• Packing items into bags
• Other duties as assigned by the food bank coordinator

Wednesday (10 am-3 pm):

• Distributing grab bags at the kiosk
• Other duties as assigned by the food bank coordinator

If you’re interested in helping, you can sign up for Tuesday here and Wednesday here.

Thank you for supporting our students who are facing food insecurity. Your time and effort make a real difference!

There will be a basic biosafety training session on Friday, February 28, at 9:00 am in AVC 287N. Topics will include basic biosafety principles and how they are applied at the University of Prince Edward Island, as well as biosecurity training. This session is open to everyone, including graduate students.

To attend, you must pre-register by contacting Jacky Buell by the end of the day on Friday, February 21, 2025, via email (hse@upei.ca) or phone (902-566-0901). 

Please provide:

• Your name 
• Your supervisor’s name (if applicable)
• Department
• Email address
• Phone number
• Whether you're an employee or graduate student  

NOTE: An online biosafety training refresher course is available for those who completed basic biosafety training previously. Training must be renewed every three years. Please contact us for information on how to register for this training. 

Asian Studies and the Centre for Korean Studies invite UPEI students to this special event: the 2025 Korean Speech Contest, on March 21, 10:00 am–12:00 pm, SDU Main Building 201 (Faculty Lounge). The contest is open to UPEI students who can speak basic Korean at the beginner’s level. Other students are welcome to attend the contest as the audience. Refreshments will be provided.

Prizes with a certificate: first prize: $700 scholarship; second: $500; third prize: $300.

Deadline for application and speech draft: March 14, 2025

Submit to Dr. Somi Lee at somlee@upei.ca (Korean Studies professor, UPEI), cc'ing Dr. Edward Chung at chung@upei.ca (AST and KS Project Director).

Contest category: Beginner’s level of spoken Korean
Speech length: 4-5 minutes

For the application form and details on the contest guidelines and criteria, email somlee@upei.ca.  For this event poster, email jbbandara@upei.ca or chung@upei.ca.

Acknowledgement: This speech contest is funded by Prof. Edward Chung’s international Seed Program for Korean Studies project grant (AKS-2022-INC-2230004) at UPEI, thanks to Korean Studies Promotion Service (KSPS), the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS), the Ministry of Education, Government of South Korea.

The UPEI Philosophy Reading Group will meet on Monday, February 24, from 5:00-6:00 pm in the Lady Slipper Room, Charlottetown Library Learning Centre, 97 Queen Street, Charlottetown. All are welcome.

During this gathering, we will discuss Mark Fisher's "Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative?" The following passages capture the spirit of the book:

"Without imagination we cannot see truly, for to be lukewarm in a glowing world is to miss the truth"—Ella Lyman Cabot, "Everyday Ethics"

"It is easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. After 1989, capitalism has successfully presented itself as the only realistic political-economic system - a situation that the bank crisis of 2008, far from ending, actually compounded. The book analyses the development and principal features of this capitalist realism as a lived ideological framework. Using examples from politics, film (Children Of Men, Jason Bourne, Supernanny), fiction (Le Guin and Kafka), work and education, it argues that capitalist realism colors all areas of contemporary experience [including mental health and our approaches to it], is anything but realistic and asks how capitalism and its inconsistencies can be challenged. It is a sharp analysis of the post-ideological malaise that suggests that the economics and politics of free market neo-liberalism are givens rather than constructions."

If you would like to attend, please reach out to Dr. Max Schaefer at mschaefer@upei.ca for more information.

The University Ambassador Award will be presented to a UPEI employee who has made a significant positive impact on the University by advancing the strategic priorities of their unit, department, or faculty, or by fostering a sense of excitement on campus and promoting fellowship, goodwill, and belonging within the University community. 

Nominated candidates will have exemplified campus spirit to the University community. Among the factors to be considered by the Committee will be collaborating as a strong team player who promotes goodwill within UPEI; leading or supporting initiatives that advance the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion; and/or acting as a creative problem solver who brings innovative solutions to University challenges or opportunities.

• Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, students, or a combination thereof.
• Nominations must be supported by two nominators. At least one nominator must be a member of the faculty or staff of UPEI.
• Nominations must include a dated statement of no more than two (2) pages proposing the nomination, describing and justifying the achievements in the category for which the application is being made. Nominations must provide specific examples to support the nomination.

Nominations close on Friday, February 28, 2025.

For more information about this and other awards including eligibility and the nomination process, please click here.

Refworks is a great tool for organizing your research and referencing easier. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to organize and track citations for your projects; automate bibliography creation for any citation style; and insert automated citations through Word or Google Docs as you write.

The facilitator is Keri McCaffrey, One Health and Scholarly Communications Librarian. The audience is current UPEI masters and doctoral students.

Workshop options:

• February 26, noon to 1 pm: In person. To register, go to https://forms.gle/rCNybXxwo2my2iNN8
• March 5, noon to 1 pm: Virtual. To register, go to https://forms.gle/XE61AwPo9B3RoUJfA

For questions about the workshop, please contact Kendra Mellish, Graduate Programs Officer, at kmellish@upei.ca

A dossier to support a teaching award nomination is different from one you develop to apply for an academic position or for tenure and promotion. Right now, there are multiple calls for nomination open for teaching and educational leadership awards at UPEI. If you have been nominated by colleagues or students or are considering self-nomination, come and learn about what it takes. Bring your interest and questions about preparing a teaching award dossier to the Teaching and Learning Centre RL 230 on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 2:30 pm. If you have an existing teaching philosophy statement, bring it along too. 

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.

The University Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision recognizes and encourages excellence in the supervision, mentorship, and support of graduate students.

Nominated candidates will have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the learning experience of graduate students at UPEI. Among the factors to be considered by the Committee will be mentoring, advising, and helping graduate students to secure research funding, scholarships, and awards; engaging graduate students in meaningful research opportunities; guiding graduate students through to the timely completion of their degree; and preparing them for a successful career.

• Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, students, or a combination thereof. 
• Nominations must be supported by two nominators. At least one nominator must be a member of the faculty or staff of UPEI.
• Nominations must include a dated statement of no more than two (2) pages proposing the nomination, describing and justifying the achievements in the category for which the application is being made.
• Nominations must provide specific examples to support the nomination.

Nominations close on Friday, February 28, 2025.

For more information about this and other awards including, eligibility, and the nomination process, please click here.

Great workplaces thrive on recognition! The University Awards of Excellence celebrate employees who make UPEI an inspiring place to work and learn. By nominating a colleague, or someone that has supported your success at UPEI, you not only honor their contributions but also help create a culture of respect, teamwork and appreciation. 

Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff and students.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate those who go the extra mile. Nominate today!

Nominations close on Friday, February 28, 2025

For more information about each award including, eligibility and the nomination process, please click here

There will be a basic biosafety training session on Friday, February 28, at 9:00 am in AVC 287N. Topics will include basic biosafety principles and how they are applied at the University of Prince Edward Island, as well as biosecurity training. This session is open to everyone, including graduate students.

To attend, you must pre-register by contacting Jacky Buell by the end of the day on Friday, February 21, 2025, via email (hse@upei.ca) or phone (902-566-0901). 

Please provide:

• Your name 
• Your supervisor’s name (if applicable)
• Department
• Email address
• Phone number
• Whether you're an employee or graduate student  

NOTE: An online biosafety training refresher course is available for those who completed basic biosafety training previously. Training must be renewed every three years. Please contact us for information on how to register for this training. 

UPEI is conducting a study for the PEI Veterans Success Centre. As a veteran transitioning from military to civilian life or a supporting family member of a veteran transitioning, you are invited to participate in this study, titled “Understanding the challenges of veterans and their families,” which will make a difference and inform future support services needed by veterans and their families.

Participation will entail a 30-to-60-minute interview by phone or in person at the location of your choice.

For more information, contact Dr. Olive Bryanton at obryanton@upei.ca or 902-566-0627.

The University of Prince Edward Island invites the nomination of candidates for honorary degrees to be conferred at Convocation in May 2025.

Honorary degrees are conferred honoris causa, “for the sake of honour,” and are intended to recognize outstanding provincial, national, and international contributions in any field of endeavour. Contributions should reflect extraordinary intellectual or artistic achievements, or significant service to society at a standard of excellence that merits the University’s highest honour.

Nominations can be made online, or a form can be downloaded at upei.ca/nominatehdr. The deadline for nominations for 2025 candidates is Monday, February 17, 2025, by 11:59 pm. For more information, email senate@upei.ca.

Refworks is a great tool for organizing your research and referencing easier. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to organize and track citations for your projects; automate bibliography creation for any citation style; and insert automated citations through Word or Google Docs as you write.

The facilitator is Keri McCaffrey, One Health and Scholarly Communications Librarian. The audience is current UPEI masters and doctoral students.

Workshop options:

• February 26, noon to 1 pm: In person. To register, go to https://forms.gle/rCNybXxwo2my2iNN8
• March 5, noon to 1 pm: Virtual. To register, go to https://forms.gle/XE61AwPo9B3RoUJfA

For questions about the workshop, please contact Kendra Mellish, Graduate Programs Officer, at kmellish@upei.ca

The UPEI Writing Centre will remain open during the mid-semester break except on Islander Day (Monday, February 17) and the weekend. To make an in-person or online appointment, please go to https://upei.mywconline.com/ or drop by Robertson Library 274.

We look forward to working with you!

There will be a basic biosafety training session on Friday, February 28, at 9:00 am in AVC 287N. Topics will include basic biosafety principles and how they are applied at the University of Prince Edward Island, as well as biosecurity training. This session is open to everyone, including graduate students.

To attend, you must pre-register by contacting Jacky Buell by the end of the day on Friday, February 21, 2025, via email (hse@upei.ca) or phone (902-566-0901). 

Please provide:

• Your name 
• Your supervisor’s name (if applicable)
• Department
• Email address
• Phone number
• Whether you're an employee or graduate student  

NOTE: An online biosafety training refresher course is available for those who completed basic biosafety training previously. Training must be renewed every three years. Please contact us for information on how to register for this training. 

The UPEI Faculty of Science invites the campus community to its regular Environmental Sciences/Human Biology Seminar Series. On Friday, February 14, Dr. Suzanne Gray, Department of Biology, will present a seminar titled "A fish-eye view of a changing, multi-stressor world." The presentation will take place from 12:30-1:20 pm, Duffy Science Centre 204. 

Everyone is welcome.

At UPEI, our people make a difference. The University Awards of Excellence recognize employees who go above and beyond in teaching, research, service, leadership, and more! Categories include

• University Teaching Excellence Award
• University Research Excellence Award
• University Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision
• University Award for Exemplary Service
• University Ambassador Award
• University Award for Support of Student Success

Taking time to nominate a colleague or individual who has made a difference in your experience at UPEI is a powerful way to show appreciation and foster a culture of gratitude. Recognition can bridge gaps, uplift individuals, and strengthen our sense of belonging.

Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, and students. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, February 28, 2025. Submit your nomination today! 

For more information about each award including eligibility and the nomination process, please click here.

As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in November, the UPEI Student Union Mental Health team and the UPEI Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) invited students, staff, and faculty to create a community “quilt” for gender-based violence prevention. Each participant created a canvas square for the quilt. Thank you to all who contributed to this important art piece!

The art shares messages of hope for survivors as well as messages about gender-based violence prevention. For Love & Sex Week (February 10-14), we encourage everyone to visit the quilt on display at the Robertson Library. As you enjoy the art pieces, reflect on ways you can foster healthy relationships in your life and commit to consent in all interactions.

The quilt will be on display from 9 am on Monday, February 10 to Friday, February 14. 

IT Systems and Services (ITSS) will perform upgrades to the border firewalls between 7:30 and 9:30 am on Saturday, February 15, 2025. During this period, users on campus will have no access to internet resources on wired or wireless systems. There will be no impact on printing, security systems, department shares, facilities management systems, and local system use.

ITSS apologizes for the inconvenience.