In the fall of 2012, a research team at UPEI launched a website where the public could report their sightings of red foxes on Prince Edward Island. Today, the team behind upei.ca/redfox launches a new crowd-funding project to help fund the next stages of their research so that we can improve our understanding of one of PEI's largest predators.

'A fox-sightings map gave us information regarding the distribution and relative abundance of foxes in Charlottetown, particularly during the fall. We have also collected anecdotal evidence regarding their behaviour, including the potential location of dens. All this information has helped us to identify the next steps of the project,' said Dr. Marina Silva-Opps, a terrestrial ecologist and associate professor of biology at UPEI. 'For instance, we have used this information to identify sites for our study which will track the movement of foxes.'

The public can and are encouraged to continue reporting fox and den sightings at upei.ca/redfox. Once people have submitted their information, they'll be encouraged to make a donation at upei.ca/donate. Donors of more than $10 will be given a tax receipt.

The data collected at upei.ca/redfox have been invaluable to the team, as they learn more about the population and distribution of red foxes on PEI.

'In the next phase of the project, we will use GPS collars to track foxes. We will also collect feces (or scat) to learn how they use and move through urban habitats,' said Dr. Silva-Opps. 'We will also study where foxes live in urban areas.'

Dr. Silva-Opps' team is hoping to raise $5,188. This money will help cover the wages for an undergraduate research student and for equipment to help monitor and photograph foxes in their urban habitat.

For more information, and to report a fox or den sighting, visit upei.ca/redfox. To follow along with the progress of the project, and to see photographs collected by our team and the public, 'like' the project on Facebook. The page is at facebook.com/upeiurbanfoxproject

UPEI women's rugby head coach Shannon Atkins is pleased to welcome two Island rugby players to the Panther lineup-Sidney Corrigan and Holly Hartlen. Corrigan, a native of Sherwood plays wide side flanker for the Charlottetown Rural Raiders rugby team, while Hartlen of Summerside plays for the Three Oaks Axewomen.

'Sidney is aggressive, dominant, and fast on the field, and having Holly on the team will make a big difference to our backline as she's considered to be one of the best backline players to come out of the PEISAA league this year,' said Atkins.

'It's great that these two strong Island rugby players have committed to UPEI,' said Bill Schurman, UPEI Director of Athletics and Recreation. 'As we do with all new recruits, we will work with them individually to ensure they thrive as student athletes here. Both Sidney and Holly will be great additions to the rugby team as we get set to host the 2013 AUS Women's Rugby Championship this fall.'

Corrigan has always dreamed of playing university rugby, and by joining the Panthers, she will make that dream a reality. Hartlen is excited to join the team and be a part of the rebuilding process.

Congratulations, and welcome to Sidney and Holly!

UPEI women's rugby Head Coach Shannon Atkins is pleased to welcome Island native Leah Corrigan to the Panther program for the 2013-14 season.

'Leah is a hard runner and powerful tackler; she can run on angles and read the opposition,' said Atkins. 'Her powerful running will be a welcome addition to the backline which has been depleted this past year.'

A Covehead resident and grade 12 student attending Charlottetown Rural High School, Leah played this past year as an inside and outside centre for the Raiders in the PEI School Athletics Association.

'Being asked to play rugby for the UPEI team is a privilege,' commented Corrigan. 'I would never have this opportunity without the great coaching I've received over the last couple of years'.

'It is a pleasure to welcome Leah to the University of Prince Edward Island,' said UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Bill Schurman. 'We will provide all the necessary supports for her academic success. As we prepare to host the AUS Women's Rugby Championship, I'm sure Leah will enjoy her first-year, student-athlete experience'.

Corrigan is interested a career in nursing, and will be taking necessary courses in her first year to apply to the Nursing program at UPEI.

About UPEI Athletics and Recreation
• Nine varsity sports and Six club team programs
• Proud member of the AUS and CIS
• Athletic facilities include: Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place
• Other facilities available to students and the community at large include: fitness centre, squash and racquetball courts, competition and leisure pool with hot tub, and two ice arenas

In another cost-cutting move, the University of Prince Edward Island has eliminated the senior administrative position of Assistant Vice-President Graduate Studies. Services offered to graduate students services and postdoctoral fellows by the Office of Graduate Studies will continue from its new location within the Research Services department.

The Assistant Vice-President, 3M Canada Teaching Fellow Dr. Brian Wagner, will step down from his administrative role as of July 31, 2013 and return to the Faculty of Science where he is a Professor of Chemistry.

Interim Vice-President Academic Christian Lacroix, who currently has graduate studies in his portfolio, thanked Wagner for his leadership and dedication.

'Brian Wagner was instrumental in establishing the Office of Graduate Studies, which was needed at a time when the number of graduate students at UPEI was growing rapidly. He led the transformation of UPEI from being seen as an undergraduate school to one where the impact of graduate studies and graduate students is tremendous both at the University and beyond.'

He added, 'We sincerely thank Brian for his vision, applaud his accomplishments, and appreciate that he will assist with this transition.'

The Office of Graduate Studies serves as a central location and source of information for all graduate students and graduate faculty, develops graduate studies policies, supports new program development, promotes graduate student research and scholarly work, and provides guidance and support to graduate students in their programs. The Office of Graduate Studies will continue to do so under Research Services in the Office of the Vice-President Research.

'All graduate students conduct research, and having access to administrative support and research services under one roof will certainly be beneficial, avoid duplication of effort, and lead to new synergies, ' said Vice-President Research Robert Gilmour. 'Due to the establishment of such solid supports, practices, and policies by Dr. Wagner, UPEI will be able to offer the same quality of service to graduate students despite the change in the delivery model.'

Gilmour was formerly the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education at Cornell University and is both familiar with, and dedicated to, excellence in programs of graduate studies.

Dr. Wagner commented, 'I am committed to working with VP Research Gilmour during the transition of the Office of Graduate Studies into Research Services to help our graduate students continue to find success and access a high level of service.'

UPEI men's basketball Head Coach Tim Kendrick is pleased to announce that 5'10' guard Ellis Ffrench, a transfer student from St. FX, has committed to join the program for the final two years of his eligibility.

On Monday, May 6, UPEI faculty members were honoured at Faculty Recognition Night held in the Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall. The evening was a time to celebrate and honour faculty achievements. Opening remarks were delivered by Betty Jeffery, President of the Faculty Association, while closing remarks were delivered by UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz.

The annual event, co-sponsored by the UPEI Faculty Association and the Office of the President, honours the winners of the Hessian Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Merit Award for Scholarly Achievement. Retiring faculty members and those who have served UPEI for 25 years or more were also recognized.

The Hessian Award is granted to faculty members who have shown outstanding competence in teaching; this year's recipients were Janet Bryanton, Nursing; and Edward Gamble, Business. The Merit Award is intended to honour faculty members in scholarly research/and or artistic creation, and in doing so, inspire others to aspire to such achievement. This year's recipients were Robert Hurta, Biology; Carlo Lavoie, Modern Languages; and Henrik Stryhn, Health Management.

John Burka, Biomedical Sciences; Rick Cawthorn, Pathology and Microbiology; Wayne Cutcliffe, Computer Science and Information Technology; June Countryman, Music; and Sharon Neill, Robertson Library were all honoured and recognized for their years of service to the University as retiring faculty members.

25-Year Anniversary Faculty awards were presented to faculty members at the second annual Presidential Awards of Merit ceremony earlier that day. The following is a list of faculty members who were honoured: Jeffery Davidson, Health Management; Janos Fedak, Fine Arts; Paul Hanna, Pathology and Microbiology; Barbara Horney, Pathology and Microbiology; Stephen Howard, Computer Science and Information Technology; Vickie Johnston, Psychology; Alfonso Lopez, Pathology and Microbiology; Richard Lemm, English; Philip Smith, Psychology; Annie Spears, Economics; and Glenda Wright, Biomedical Sciences.

UPEI congratulates all award winners!

The UPEI Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for their Distinguished Alumni Awards. These awards are presented to graduates for their outstanding contribution to knowledge, the arts, the community, the university, or humanity.

The Inspiring Young Alumni Award is presented to a graduate, under the age of 40, who has shown outstanding determination in achieving success at a young age.

The second Nunavut Master of Education (MEd) cohort of thirteen students will graduate in Iqaluit on Saturday, June 1 at a special convocation celebration. Two elders will also receive honorary degrees.

The program, co-taught by alumnae and instructors with experience in Nunavut, was delivered in Nunavut with the exception of two summer courses at UPEI, giving participants an opportunity to experience the University's campus and Prince Edward Island.

Respected elders, Donald Uluadluak and Rhoda Karetak will be presented with honorary degrees. Uluadluak has helped deepen the graduates' understanding of Inuit traditional knowledge-also known as Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. Karetak, a cultural advocate and educator has an intense passion for teaching and passing on her skills to others.

In 2009, the first Nunavut MEd cohort graduated 21 successful students.

The following is a UPEI/Nunavut release distributed by Integrated Communications at the University of Prince Edward Island.