The UPEI Board of Governors approved a balanced operating budget for the 2014-15 year at its April meeting that keeps tuition rates among the lowest in the Maritimes and avoids core program cuts or layoffs.

The Board's approval is the last step in a process that began last August when UPEI's President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz began planning earlier than in previous years, in order to give the campus more time to develop the budget proposal.

'The operating budget is the key strategic document used for planning and funding operating expenditures of the University, therefore, the Budget Committee began its work following the approval of last year's budget,' said President Abd-El-Aziz. 'The budget proposal to the Board of Governors was prepared with input from the University community through the Directors and Chairs, Deans, and Vice-Presidents.'

Through careful financial management, UPEI was able to sustain existing student programs and services. The University's approach was to look at ways to increase revenues while reducing expenditure budgets in a three-year budget scenario.

University revenues are used to cover core-operating costs including wages, utilities, equipment replacement and supply cost increases. The principal sources of funding are the provincial government operating grant and student tuition.

'We appreciate that post-secondary education continues to be a priority for the Government of PEI,' added President Abd-El-Aziz. 'The provincial government core operating grant constituted 50% of total UPEI revenue in 2013-14.' In the latest provincial budget, UPEI's operating grant stayed the same.

Undergraduate tuition will rise by 3%, as compared to last year's increase of 4%. This increase represents $16 per course or $160 per year for a student taking a full course load. International student fees will also increase by 3%.

UPEI Student Union President Anastasia Smallwood said, 'While the Student Union cannot support a tuition increase, we understand that the University faces a number of budgetary pressures as do other post-secondary institutions across the country. We do appreciate being included in discussions about the budget and are pleased that the budget does not include any cuts to core student programs and services, or any increases to ancillary student fees, such as the Athletics and Administration fees.'

Throughout the budget process, administrators across campus worked to minimize the impact on UPEI's most valuable resource-people-by reducing non-salary expenditures as much as possible. While the proportion of the operating budget allocated to salaries and benefits remains high at 72%, UPEI was able to prevent layoffs through vacancy management and attrition.

Normal inflationary effects, salary increments, pension commitments, benefit costs, heat, electricity, deferred maintenance, continue to be other cost drivers.

The operating budget does not include research funds, which are budgeted separately on a project-by-project basis but does include the budget of departments that provide support to research.
Capital projects are also budgeted on a project-by-project basis and reported within the capital assets fund.

The 2014-15 Operating Budget can be viewed here

UPEI Women's Hockey Head Coach Bruce Donaldson is very pleased to announce Islanders Cassidy McCabe and Emma Weatherbie will join the Panthers for the 2014-15 season.

'Any time we can keep two great Island players home to play in our program is a very positive statement on both the school and the program,' said Donaldson. 'Both McCabe and Weatherbie have had success at the AA level, playing as the host team at the Esso Nationals, the Atlantic Challenge Cup, as well as Team Atlantic experience. They have the ability to score, have great work ethic, and while Weatherbie is known for being very quick, both players like getting into the tough areas on the ice. These girls will complement our team brand of play, and will be great additions on and off the ice.'

McCabe is a forward who played with the Capital Distract Cyclones from peewee to second-year midget, then finished her midget career with the Central Storm in 2013-14. In 2010, she was one of seven players chosen to represent PEI at the Four Nations Cup Skill Challenge in NFLD. In 2011, her Capital District bantam team was the Atlantic Champion.

McCabe is enrolled in UPEI's Faculty of Science program. 'It's always been a dream of mine to play university hockey, and to have the opportunity to play in my home province with the UPEI Panthers makes the experience that much more special,' she said.

Also a forward, Weatherbie has been playing hockey for thirteen years with the Central Storm and cites among her best hockey experiences was competing at the U18 National Female Hockey Championships in Calgary with Team Atlantic and the Esso National Female Midget Championship where she was selected as 'Player of the Game' with a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win against Quebec.

Weatherbie is also enrolled in UPEI's Faculty of Science program. 'UPEI is a great fit for me with both hockey and education. I am very excited to be able to play the game I love at home in front of my family and friends,' she said.

UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Bill Schurman is thrilled to welcome two more Islanders to the Panther family. 'Cassidy and Emma are wonderful additions to UPEI Women's Hockey, and I would like to welcome each to the University of Prince Edward Island,' says Schurman.

Go Panthers Go!

Emma Weatherbie

For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991
annear@upei.ca

Researchers at the University of Prince Edward Island are looking for volunteers to participate in one of two studies to evaluate the physiological effects of capsaicinoids-the active ingredient in chili peppers. Capsaicinoids are known for their ability to increase weight loss and cardiovascular health while decreasing appetite and pain.

A 12-week study will analyze the effect of capsaicinoids on metabolism (the use of fat or carbohydrates), weight, body composition, and cardiovascular function. A separate, two-week study will focus on the effects of capsaicinoids on exercise performance and endurance during a high intensity fitness test. Testing will take place at UPEI.

The project is looking for non-smoking, healthy male and female participants between the ages of 18 and 45. Participants will be given their test results as well as $50. All data collected will be confidential and anonymous.

For more information on the project, or to sign up, contact Dr. Pamela Arsenault at upei.research@gmail.com. This research is carried out at UPEI's Department of Applied Human Sciences.

For information:
Dave Atkinson, Research Communications, UPEI
(902) 620-5117, datkinson@upei.ca

The future of the Island's water supply will be the subject of an upcoming public symposium at the University of Prince Edward Island. In light of recent concern about increased pressure on our groundwater resources by urban, industrial, and agricultural use, this event is a timely one.

Island Water Futures: Assessing the Science will take place in the Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium, Room 242 of UPEI's Don and Marion McDougall Hall, beginning at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 20. The symposium is sponsored by the Institute of Island Studies in conjunction with UPEI Research Services.

This is a public-forum event with presentations by three speakers: Dr. Ryan O'Connor, Dr. Cathy Ryan, and Dr. Michael van den Heuvel.

Dr. O'Connor, a graduate of UPEI, is an environmental historian. His PhD thesis, written at the University of Western Ontario, will be published this year by UBC Press under the title The First Green Wave. His talk will provide a general overview of research done so far relating to the Island's groundwater resources; he will review the various scientific papers, reports, and theses produced about the Island's water supply.

Dr. Ryan is a professor cross-appointed to Geoscience and Environmental Sciences at the University of Calgary with a long interest in agricultural impacts on water quality. She leads a team of hydrogeologists working with agricultural scientists to understand groundwater in the fractured sandstone on Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia as part of the Canadian Water Network's Secure Source Water Network.

Dr. van den Heuvel is the Canada Research Chair in Watershed Ecological Integrity at UPEI. He studies the effects of agriculture and chemical use on freshwater and coastal environments. His focus is the endocrine responses, immunotoxicology, and population health of fish. He is working to develop methods and solutions to best monitor environmental problems and better protect rivers in Prince Edward Island.

The symposium will be chaired by Diane Griffin, long-time councillor for the Town of Stratford and a former deputy minister of the provincial Department of the Environment. Last year, Dr. Griffin was awarded an honorary doctorate by UPEI.

Members of the public are cordially invited to attend this symposium. Admission is free. Following the three presentations, there will be ample time for discussion and questions from the floor.

For information:
Dave Atkinson, Research Communications, UPEI
(902) 620-5117, datkinson@upei.ca

UPEI students Kathleen Murphy, Stephanie Culleton, and Ben Cudmore received recognition from the Canadian Cancer Society at a ceremony held in Charlottetown on April 22. Murphy received the national Outstanding Youth Leadership Award (given to only one youth volunteer in Canada each year); Culleton received the PEI Division's Leaders of Tomorrow Award; and Cudmore and his family received the national medal of courage. President and CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society, Pamela Fralick was on hand to present the awards.

Murphy was honored for her leadership, which motivates hundreds of volunteers, and has inspired a new generation of Island youth to become more involved in the fight against cancer.

The award nomination package mentions that in 2010, Murphy and her friends created Canada's first 'Tan-Free Prom' campaign. Their effort to promote the idea of 'love the skin you're in' received national media attention, and was applauded across the country. A framework to duplicate this initiative was developed and shared with PEI high schools, as well as with cancer prevention staff across the Society. Tan-Free Proms now take place across the country. Murphy has also been a strong advocate to ban the regular use of tanning beds. Her advocacy efforts led to provincial bans on tanning bed usage by minors under the age of 18, including a ban in PEI in 2012. Her hard work and commitment to seeing restrictions on tanning for youth will have a lasting impact on the lives of Canadians.

Over past three years, Murphy has also co-chaired UPEI's Relay for Life. And prior to that, she helped lead the Kensington Intermediate Senior High School's Relay For Life. Over the years, she helped to raise over $200,000 for cancer research and for the Society's programs and services on Prince Edward Island.

'Kathleen has been a driving force for the UPEI Relay for Life fundraiser for a number of years now,' said Interim Vice-President Academic Christian Lacroix. 'Her leadership, energy, and enthusiasm is contagious and has made the annual event such a success.'

Culleton was recognized provincially for her courage and motivation as a cancer survivor herself, and for her avid volunteerism with the Society, in particular with the Westisle Relay for Life. Culleton is currently enrolled in nursing at UPEI and continues to volunteer with the Westisle Relay for Life, as well as the UPEI Relay for Life, and the Kensington Relay for Life.

Cudmore and his family received the national honour 'for their efforts to inspire others on a cancer journey.' Ben, alongside his mother Michele, father Jamie, sister Tess, and brother Jon, advocated for catastrophic drug coverage for all Islanders and raised thousands of dollars to advance the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society, all while Michele was battling cancer. The Cudmore family lost Michele to the disease in August 2013.

'My dad says it's really Mom who deserves this award because she was so brave and such an inspiration the whole time. But it feels really good to get something like this because we have been courageous. We've been through a lot and we're just happy to share our story,' said Ben in a news release issued by the Canadian Cancer Society.

UPEI congratulates Kathleen, Stephanie, and Ben!

The University of Prince Edward Island's Board of Governors recently accepted the recommendation of the search committee for the Dean of the School of Business. Interim Dean and current faculty member Dr. Juergen Krause was the successful candidate and appointed as the Dean of the School of Business.

'I look forward to working with Juergen to continue to develop a number of initiatives in the School of Business,' said interim Vice-President Academic Dr. Christian Lacroix. 'Under his leadership, the school is poised to further distinguish itself as a place where students excel.'

Krause joined the School of Business faculty in July 2008 as an associate professor, primarily teaching in the field of biotech management. Shortly after joining UPEI, Krause founded the Centre for Health and Biotech Management Research that has created opportunities for the University and the School of Business to connect and foster positive collaborations with the business community. His scholarly work was further recognized in September of 2010, through the appointment to the National I2I (Idea to Innovation) NSERC Adjudication Committee. Krause served in the position of interim Dean of the School of Business, in addition to his faculty role, since May 2013.

Prior to his time at UPEI, Krause spent 22 years in senior leadership and executive positions in various operational and strategic capacities in the Biopharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical industry in both Europe and the United States. He successfully championed global company initiatives, as well as industry and university collaborations, and led alliances with industry partners.

Krause earned his Masters degree in Chemistry and his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Konstanz, Germany. He performed his postdoctoral studies at the University of Chicago, Illinois.

Congratulations, Dr. Krause!

The annual Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS)/UPEI Math Camp was another great success. The 12th annual event held May 2-4 is a national initiative that sponsors over 20 regional camps across the country.

Math Camp is the Department of Mathematics and Statistics' major outreach initiative for interested students in grades 10 and 11 in PEI high schools. This year's event attracted 26 students from ten high schools across the Island.

Camp activities included sessions with faculty; group problem solving; mathematical relays; math trivia; and recreational evening activities. The camp goers also get a taste of University life as they get the opportunity to stay overnight in UPEI residence during the camp's weekend duration. UPEI undergraduate students serve as chaperones guiding the high school students around campus and tutoring them during the camp's problem solving sessions.

'The ultimate goal of Math Camp is to enrich the students' mathematical education and to encourage them to study math at the post-secondary level,' said Math Camp event lead and UPEI faculty member Ken Sulston. 'The camp also opens their eyes to potential careers involving mathematics and science, and is a wonderful way for the camp goers to make new friends with similar interests.'

Math Camp is sponsored by the Atlantic Association for Research in the Mathematical Sciences (AARMS), CMS, UPEI's dean of science, and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

UPEI Men's Basketball Head Coach Tim Kendrick is pleased to announce that six-foot-seven Milorad 'Miki' Sedlarevic will join the Panther Family for the 2014-15 season.

Sedlarevic has played in the top European level for Union Olimpija Ljubljana U19 Euro league team, and was a finalist in the Slovenian All-Star Slam Dunk Competition in December 2013. He is now enrolled in the famed Luxembourg Basketball Academy (LBBA) and will be joining current Panther and former LBBA alumnus Stefan Vujisic. LBBA Head Coach Darko Ristic, himself a former professional Euro league star player and coach, says that, 'Milorad is definitely one of the most talented athletes we've ever had at the LBBA.'

Coach Kendrick is very pleased about adding his newest Panther to the roster, 'I am very excited to have Miki come on board. We think he can help us right away, and I really like his versatility,' he said. 'We feel that he can play the 1-4 spots. He handles and passes the ball very well, and looks like a very good shooter with range. He is used to playing at a high level of competition, and from all accounts is an exceptional team player. I expect Miki to be another important piece of our program for years to come.'

Sedlarevic looks foward to the opportunity, 'I'm very honoured, proud, and excited to be a Panther and be part of this great family. UPEI's Stefan Vujisic, who is also a former LBBA athlete, told me so many good things about the University of Prince Edward Island, Coach Kendrick, and his basketball program, that I'm really certain UPEI is the right place for me to realize my basketball and my academic goals.'

UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Bill Schurman welcomes Sedlarevic to UPEI, 'We welcome Miki to UPEI and to the Panther family. We look forward to his contributions on the court, in the classroom, and within the community. We will do all we can to offer Miki a positive student-athlete experience.'

Sedlarevic is enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program at UPEI.

Go Panthers Go!

On Friday, May 2 UPEI hosted a brand new science camp-'Girls Get WISE' (Women in Science and Engineering) which aimed at exposing participants to hands-on science activities and career information, and attracting female students to science, engineering, and technology fields.

The camp saw 52 students from grades 7-9 in attendance from schools all across Prince Edward Island. Camp goers learned more about engineering, physics, chemistry, and computer programming through a variety of activities including participating in an international development engineering project; practicing programming skills; building a solar panel; and performing chemical experiments. Attendees also had the opportunity to speak with female mentors who are currently working in the science, engineering, and technology fields.

During the camp, an Engineers Without Borders project called ‘Water for the World' enabled the students to discuss global issues and how they impact science and engineering.

'The girls were quite proud of their successful projects during this activity,' said UPEI engineering professor Libby Osgood. 'The teams were divided into countries and provided with money based on the literary and poverty rates of that particular country. The teams then had to ‘buy' supplies for a water filter to clean a source of dirty water. The teams learned to share their resources, donate money to poorer countries, and help one another. It created great discussion and was a wonderful learning opportunity.'

‘Girls Get WISE' is an initiative of WISE Atlantic, IslandWISE (Women in Science and Engineering), Engineers PEI, ITAP (Innovation Technology Association of PEI), along with faculty from UPEI's physics, chemistry, and engineering departments.

The University of Prince Edward Island conferred degrees, diplomas, and certificates on a record 1,006 graduates as they crossed the stage at convocation ceremonies on Saturday, May 10.

The Class of 2014 and their proud families and friends gathered to celebrate in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre for two ceremonies-the first beginning at 10:00 am and the second at 2:30 pm.

Newly installed UPEI Chancellor Don McDougall led both events while President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz gave remarks.

'Together-you represent over 60 countries-from all corners of the world,' Abd-El-Aziz told the graduates. 'Each of you is unique-but today you become a greater force. Together, you are UPEI's Class of 2014. And we are so proud of you.'

Four honorary Doctor of Laws degrees were conferred upon well-known Canadian industrialist Robert K. Irving; retired Canadian Armed Forces Major-General Matthew Macdonald; music educator and former Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, the Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman; and community visionary and retired educator James C. MacAulay. Irving addressed the morning convocation, while Hagerman addressed the afternoon ceremony.

During Hagerman's address, she asked the graduates to watch for life lessons in all that they do, and with those they interact with, and to find these 'gems of wisdom' that are found sometimes in the most unusual and unexpected circumstances. 'Cherish your family, your friends, your university and your community. Many people have helped you to this point-inspired you, pushed you, supported you, challenged you, and today congratulate you,' she said. 'Think of them now, and remember them in the years to come.'

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduate Donald Buchanan of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia addressed the morning convocation as class valedictorian, while Bachelor of Arts graduate and Cornwall native Shannon Moore delivered the afternoon valedictory address. Moore is the third of her siblings to represent a UPEI class as valedictorian.

Moore spoke of the ‘pains and perks' of University life and encouraged her fellow graduates to pursue what they are truly passionate about. 'Among us today is a diverse group of people. The talent and the potential in the gymnasium this afternoon makes for a promising future,' said Moore.

UPEI held its annual Senior Class Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 9 where a number of prizes were awarded. The Governor General's Academic Medals were presented during the convocation ceremonies by the Honourable H. Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of PEI. The Governor General's Gold medal (graduate level) was awarded to Master of Education student Thomas Vincent Hilton of Charlottetown during the morning convocation. The Governor General's Silver medal (undergraduate level) was awarded to Bachelor of Science degree recipient Kristen Callaghan of Charlottetown. Callaghan also received The Polyclinic Prize for the student who has achieved the highest aggregate in the four years of an undergraduate program, as well as the Ambrose Kwok-Yau Lee Award for highest standing in fourth year of the Science program.

UPEI sends its best wishes to all graduates!