Hey, Panther fans,

This holiday season,  your UPEI Panthers are excited to launch the "Panthers Pack the Truck with Love: A Teddy and Toy Drive" to spread joy and comfort to children in need. We are collecting new teddies and toys, which will be donated to the pediatric department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Ocean 100's Toys for Tots program.

Donations can be dropped off during the UPEI Panther Men’s hockey game on November 29 vs StFX at 7:00 pm at the MacLauchlan Arena, where a truck will be stationed in the lobby to accept donations. We’d love to see you there and fill the truck with love for kids in our community!

Kristina Kupferschmidt, who has recently joined the UPEI School of Mathematics and Computational Sciences, will give a talk entitled "Using Machine Learning to Forecast Changes in Canada’s Food Prices: Canada’s Food Price Report 2025" on Friday, November 29, at noon as part of the Atlantic Canada Data Science Tour. Anyone interested in meeting our new faculty member or in learning more about applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence is invited to join remotely or in person in AVC 286A.   

More information can be found here: https://canssi.ca/events/atlantic-tour-using-machine-learning/

Nicholas Busch and Megaria Halim will perform on the SDU Stage in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall on November 29, 2024, at 7:30 pm.

Visions de l'amen is a suite of seven pieces for two pianos by Olivier Messiaen. Come and experience the richness of harmony, colour, and intensity in this performance!

“By joining the life of the creatures who say "amen" by the fact that they exist, I have tried to express the varied riches of the Amen in seven musical visions.” - O. Messiaen

Nicholas Busch is a pianist, organist, composer, and instructor based in Ottawa. He holds a Masters degree specializing in Collaborative Piano at Western University, studying with Dr. John Hess and Professor Mariana Chibotar-Rutkevich.

Megaria Halim is a pianist and teacher currently based in London, Ontario. She graduated with her DMA under Dr. Angela Park and MMus in Literature and Performance from Western University under Dr. John Hess.

Admission is free. Accessible parking is available, and the theatre has an accessible entrance via elevator.

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 $28,000, 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.

Join the Institute of Island Studies in person or online on December 3, 1-2 pm, for “Yarns and Yarns,” an hour of knitting and storytelling on northern islands, when we will discuss and demonstrate island knitting traditions that focus on mittens. Local knitter Cheryl Wartman will talk about the tradition of making fishing mittens felted in salt water, as told to her by her grandmother Yoston from Launching Place, PEI. Kim Doherty Smith from Fleece and Harmony, a locally sourced wool mill in Belfast, PEI, will answer questions about how they mini mill their yarn from PEI sheep. Lynda Harling Stalker, from a long line of Prince Edward Islanders, will join us online from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, to discuss handknit mitts and islandness.

Knitters: bring your knitting and share your current projects and mitten stories! We’ll be gathering at The Gallery Coffee House and Bistro, 82 Great George Street, Charlottetown, PEI, or you can join us online. Please click here to register: it’s free and everyone is welcome.

This is the fourth “Yarns and Yarns” event organized by the Northern and Arctic Island Studies Research (NAISR) Thematic Network of the University of the Arctic. Previous in-person and online events were hosted by knitting groups in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador; Uist, Scotland; and Iceland, with over 100 knitters from all over the North Atlantic Zooming in. The Charlottetown event is hosted by the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI in collaboration with the Institute for Northern Studies at the University of the Highlands and Islands, Shetland, Scotland, and other members of the NAISR.

This is a reminder that the UPEI Biosafety Program requires that all principal investigators confirm the security and complete inventory of all biohazardous materials being used or stored. This confirmation is due in November of each year.  

Inventory records must be kept up to date throughout the year. Any inventory discrepancies noted during an annual lab inspection may lead to an in-depth inventory audit by the Biosafety Committee. Please ensure your inventory is up to date throughout the year, including prior to completing the steps listed below.

To confirm your inventory is up to date, take the following steps:

1. Access your inventory at http://biosafety.vre3.upei.ca.  Remember to ignore the prominent "Access Denied" that appears on your screen. Just click on "Log in" at the top of the screen, in the grey bar.
2. Log in 
3. Click Edit 
4. Scroll down this page until you see the November 2024 box and enter the date.
5. Hit Save! Task completed. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Please contact Rhoda Speare (rspeare@upei.ca or ext. 5071) if you have any questions.

Dr. Kate Scarth will give a presentation titled "L.M. Montgomery at 150" on November 15, 2024, at 2:30 pm, in SDU Main Building, Room 320.

"This talk will happen on the eve of the 150th anniversary of L.M. Mont­gomery’s birth on November 30, 1874. Given this Prince Edward Islander’s status as an internationally renowned and beloved writer, it is perhaps not surprising that across Montgomery’s life, works, and legacy, births and birthdays are marked with stories—stories told, stories gifted, stories made possible. To celebrate Montgomery’s 150th birthday, I’ll share some of these stories marking births and birthdays from her novels, journals, and from readers and fans (for example, from the yourlmmontgomerystory.com project that I’m co-directing with Trinna Frever). I look forward to sharing stories with you in honour of #Maud150!"

Attention UPEI staff and faculty members! 

The UPEI M365 Project is looking to verify UPEI’s staff and faculty telephone information to ensure that our system catalogue is accurate and up to date.

By participating in this activity, you are helping support the planning and implementation of our new telephone systems once we are ready to deploy them on campus. 

We encourage all staff and faculty members to take part in this survey even if you have recently updated your telephone data. We appreciate your individual confirmation to ensure that our records are accurate.

The first group who will be engaged are those who have a single assigned telephone number or share a telephone (number) with other team members. For those who meet these criteria, you will receive an email the week of November 25 from M365Project@upei.ca with further information and a link to the survey.

Mobile phones and associated numbers are excluded from this activity.

This survey will take 1-2 minutes to complete.

Thank you for your time and support. 

M365 Project Team

UPEI Bookstore will hold its staff and faculty appreciation week from Monday, November 25, to Saturday, November 30. 

UPEI staff and faculty will be able to charge purchases from the UPEI Bookstore to their personal account and pay for them via payroll deductions in 2025. 

SAVE 30% on all hoodies, crews, and zip-up sweaters! For other clothing and giftware items, the regular 20% discount will apply.

We have extended hours on Thursday, November 28 until 7:00 pm and on Saturday, November 30 from 10:00 am-3:00 pm. 

Please contact bookstore@upei.ca for any questions.

December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, which marks the day in 1989 when 14 young women at Polytechnique Montreal (12 of whom were engineering students) were murdered in a violent act of misogyny that shook our country. 

A candlelight vigil is being hosted in the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering building on Friday, December 6, at 10:00 am, at the Academic Staircase, to honour those who lost their lives in this tragedy. A commemorative display will also be set up near the entrance all day for those who wish to write messages of reflection and hope. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided following the ceremony. All are welcome.

Reminder: Have you connected with Accessibility Services but have not yet completed your registration? The end of the semester and final exams are fast approaching, and this is a reminder to complete this registration if you wish to receive accommodations for the 2024 Fall term exams.

Please note: To qualify for exam accommodations during the 2024 Fall exam period, registration with Accessibility Services must be completed by November 27 at 4:00 pm to ensure time to meet the final exam booking deadline. If you are experiencing any technical issues, an email must be sent to accessibility@upei.ca by November 27h at 4:00 pm at the latest.

*Note* Intake appointments before the deadline are limited.

Registration is considered complete when students have met the following conditions:

1. Intake form has been submitted in Accommodate - DOC PDF VIDEO
2. Medical documentation has been uploaded in Accommodate - PDF VIDEO
3. Appointment request has been submitted - DOC PDF VIDEO
4. Student has attended their intake appointment with an Accessibility Advisor.
5. Accommodations have been approved.

Students who complete their registration after the deadline of November 27 may be eligible for accommodations for the winter 2025 semester.   

IMPORTANT: Accessibility Services requires medical documentation to support approval of accommodations. If you are unsure about what documentation can be accepted, please use the Guide to Medical Documentation as reference.

Best of luck with the remainder of the semester, and please reach out if you have any questions.

EXAM BOOKING DEADLINE: Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 11:59 pm 

All final exams are now available to be booked through Accommodate! This deadline is to provide our Testing Services and Accessibility Services team with enough time to coordinate rooms and individual accommodations. 

Please note: The 7-day booking minimum DOES NOT apply for final exams. If you have any technical issues, an email must be sent to astesting@upei.ca by December 1st at 11:59 pm at the latest.

Due to the high volume of accommodated exams for finals, late bookings will not be accepted. Please doublecheck in Accommodate that you have all your exams booked.

How to book a test/exam: Video | Step-by-step guide

You will receive an email confirmation with the location of your exam at least 3 days in advance. Any adjustments to the start time of your exams will be communicated through email – please book 7:00 pm exams at the scheduled time, and we will manually adjust these bookings.

PRIZE DRAW BONUS: If you register for your final exams in Accommodate by Wednesday, November 20, at 11:59 pm, your name will be entered into a draw to win some prizes, including Tim Hortons and Starbucks gift cards, provided by Accessibility Services! If you do not have any final exams and would still like to enter, please email astesting@upei.ca to let us know and your name will be entered into the draw. 

Best of luck with your exam preparation and please reach out if you have any questions.

Scent-Free Policy: Accessibility Services is scent-free to accommodate members with fragrance sensitivities. Please refrain from using scented products like perfume or cologne. If you are wearing a product that causes discomfort or adverse reactions to any community members, you may be asked to leave. Thank you for your cooperation in creating a comfortable environment for all.

 Thank you,

Accessibility Services Team
 

The search committee for a tenure-track position in the Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies (IKERAS) announces upcoming Talking Circles and public presentations by each of the three finalist candidates. Since the search began in July, the committee has conducted a comprehensive search and selected the following finalists for a series of meetings on campus. 

Erin Reid, Métis, is a published Indigenous author and researcher. She has supported educator and student learning across many cultures. She has served as an Indigenous literacy consultant, provincial curriculum writer, Indigenous content reviewer, Indigenous panel contributor, and professional development creator and facilitator. She is a PhD student at Nipissing University. She holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Management from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Minot State University. She is an Indspire Educator nominee who has taught in and led school communities across northern and western Canada. Her research interests involve Métis educator connections, narrative inquiry, arts-based research, educator mentorship, and effective use of technology in Canadian classrooms.

Thursday, November 21, 2024:

• Talking Circle, 10:30 am-12:00 pm, Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142
• Public presentation, 2:00–3:00 pm, Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142

Neil Forbes is an urban Indigenous member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation who lives with his family in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. He is an Interdisciplinary PhD candidate at the University of New Brunswick and the Science Lead for Indigenous Allyship and Engagement for the Maritime SPOR Support Unit. His PhD thesis focuses on the systemic complexities that urban Indigenous organizations face in trying to serve their underserved community best. His research interests include settler colonization/decolonization, Indigenous ways of knowing and being, Indigenous research methodologies, and urban Indigenous health and wellness. Before he began his academic journey, he worked as the Director of Education with Lennox Island First Nation and as the project manager for the Wabanaki-Labrador Indigenous Health Research Network at Dalhousie University. Mr. Forbes has his Master of Education degree from the University of New Brunswick and a Bachelor of Elementary Education from Mount Saint Vincent University.

Friday, November 22, 2024:

• Talking Circle, 10:30 am-12:00 pm, Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142
• Public presentation, 2:00–3:00 pm, Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142

Dr. Enooyaq Sudlovenick is Inuk from Nunavut in the Qikiqtaaluk region (Baffin). She has a PhD from the University of Manitoba, working on beluga whale health and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ-Inuit Knowledge). She specializes in Arctic marine mammal health through contaminants, pathogen serosurveys, One Health approaches, and IQ. She also works to document Inuit knowledge and uses it as a research framework in her research projects (see https://www.enooyaqsudlovenick.com/). She has completed a Master of Science in veterinary medicine at the Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI, working on ringed seal health in Iqaluit, NU. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of Guelph. Dr. Sudlovenick was born and raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and grew up hunting and camping throughout Baffin Island. Inuktitummit sivulliqpaa uqausiqaqtunga (Inuktitut is my mother tongue). 

Friday, November 29, 2024:

• Talking Circle, 10:30 am-12:00 pm, Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142
• Public presentation, 2:00–3:00 pm, Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142

On November 29 at 2:00 pm, the campus community is invited to MacLauchlan Arena (Rink A) at the Bell Aliant Centre to watch the UPEI Women's Hockey team take on a team of UPEI faculty and staff. Come cheer on your fellow student-athletes and/or colleagues in what is sure to be an entertaining game. Admission is free. However, "admission by donation" is encouraged to support the Panther Women's Hockey program. Last year's game was a nail-biter, with the staff clinching the win in overtime. Both teams are excited for another thrilling matchup this year. We look forward to seeing you there!  

The 2024 Global Village celebration will take place in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre, on November 30 at 3:30 pm.

Global Village is a celebration of the multiculturalism and diversity that exists on campus, so students from all over the world showcase their culture and traditions, as well as help encourage cultural sensitivity and a global perspective. Global Village is held annually to showcase all the different cultures represented at UPEI both within and outside Canada. 

The student-led celebration will feature 15 cultural booths, a procession with flags representing countries of students at UPEI, performances, and a dance with a DJ. There will also be trivia and door prizes. 

All students, staff, and faculty are welcome!
 

Please join us in the Faculty of Education (Memorial Hall, Room 306) on December 19, 2024, from 3:30-5:00 pm. 

Share in some holiday cheer and help us recognize and thank Dr. Ron MacDonald for his years of service to UPEI. Ron will retire from UPEI on December 31, 2024.

All are welcome!

The Faculty of Education invites members of the campus community–-students, faculty, and staff-–to attend public presentations on “What is the most critical issue in science education?” by candidates for a tenure-track position in science education. Presentations are in a hybrid format in Memorial 308 and via Zoom as follows:

December 3, 9:00–10:00 am: Dr. Sarah Slauenwhite

Zoom: https://upei.zoom.us/j/62825827042?pwd=gF9ZPIlix5XFI20pDbsaL3NXB12pvV.1

Meeting ID: 628 2582 7042

Passcode: 898184

December 4, 1:15–2:15 pm: Dr. Madj Zouda

Zoom: https://upei.zoom.us/j/61103946043?pwd=0BnPtB7yvg1FqgNpzqq7txQsPOI9te.1

Meeting ID: 611 0394 6043

Passcode: 846462

December 13, 1:00–2:00 pm: Dr. Kyla Smith

Zoom: https://upei.zoom.us/j/61172730481?pwd=3quGIKMFfbkcKJbMJ6nQFRj5B5hu8f.1

Meeting ID: 611 7273 0481

Passcode: 159033

 For further information, contact Karen-Anne O’Halloran.

PSYC 4320 Psychology of Good and Evil class is hosting a UPEI Pathways to Peace day on Thursday, November 28 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM in the concourse of the W.A. Murphy Student Centre. The students have spent half of this semester learning about peace from the ground up in partnership with the Mattie Stepanek Peace Foundation (www.mattiespeacefoundation.org).  

The first step on our pathway to peace involves attendees exploring who we are individually and collectively at UPEI. To do this, we will be creating a large mosaic built from attendees' answers to the prompt "I am..." This will be a large art piece, which we will display next semester.

The second step on our pathway to Peace involves remembering to play after every storm. In this Intergenerational area, we will return to the simple joys of childhood with arts and crafts, Face painting, and story time. We will be joined by the children of the campus daycare, and we will also have resources for adults in leadership roles to use in guiding other adults to play after every storm.

The third step on our pathway to peace reminds us of the importance of fulfilling the basic needs not only of ourselves, but of others as well. We will serve coffee and hot chocolate courtesy of the Fox & Crow restaurant, UV lights to try out, playlists for relaxing music, websites for meditation and relaxation, hopefully some therapy dogs, and lavender seeds. We will also collect donations of dried goods and winter clothing for the campus food bank. We have challenged student groups on campus to donate one large bulk item and would love to have faculty and administration join in the effort!

Our final step on the pathway to peace resonates with the message "Peace is a choice." In this area, we will have a variety of resources, small things people can take with them to remember to choose peace, and a draw for a self-care bag.

Please consider joining us at some point during this event to learn more about the pathways to peace and to support the students in PSYC 4320.

The annual call for applications for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2025 program is open.  

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is a program under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which aims to provide flexible and holistic services to help all young Canadians develop the skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition into the labour market.

Applicants can seek funding to hire youth (people aged 15-30 years and must have Canadian citizenship) between April 21, 2025, and August 30, 2025; the latest start date is July 21, 2025. Work placements must be full-time (30-40 hours per week) quality jobs with a minimum duration of six weeks and a maximum of 16 weeks.

Approved employers will be eligible to receive a wage subsidy reimbursement of up to 50% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage of $16.00/hour unless there is an increase prior to April 21, 2025.

For additional information and application information for this program please click here.

To apply for this program, you will need to contact Human Resources:

• Gabe Blunte at staffing@upei.ca (902) 620-5359, or
• Monique Geurts at mgeurts@upei.ca (902) 566-0515.

The closing date for applications in Human Resources is December 16, 2024.

The Faculty of Science Graduate Studies Committee invites the campus community to the next presentation of the 2024-25 Environmental Sciences & Human Biology seminar series on Friday, November 29, 2024, at 12:30 pm in the Duffy Science Centre, Room 204.

Niloofar Seifihesar (Human Biology MSc candidate, Murphy Lab, Biology) will present “HCP quantification/identification method development.”

All are welcome.

The Open Education Resource (OER) Development Program is hosting a drop-in Q&A for any faculty interested in applying for an OER Development Grant. This will be taking place on December 9 from 12:30 to 2 pm in the Teaching and Learning Centre, Robertson Library Annex 230. Faculty are welcome to drop by whenever it suits them during the allotted time to ask questions about project ideas, grant submissions, OERs, pressbooks, and more!

Can't make the time slot? Send your questions to Charlene VanLeeuwen, Program Coordinator of the Teaching and Learning Centre (cvanleeuwen@upei.ca) or Keri McCaffrey, One Health and Scholarly Communications Librarian (knmccaffrey@upei.ca).