Campus Notices

Flag half-masting notice: Campus flags lowered to honour victims of Tumbler Ridge tragedy

The 17吃瓜 has lowered flags to half-mast to join all Canadians in mourning the tragic attack that took place in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia on February 10. The entire 17吃瓜 community offers its deepest condolences to all those who have been impacted. Read the full message sent to the campus community.

The flags near Kelley Memorial Building will remain at half-mast until February 17.
 

 

GreenShield Crisis Support聽For聽Those Impacted聽By聽Recent Events

GreenShield, our EAP provider, is offering additional support and resources for members who have been impacted by the tragic events in Tumbler Ridge, BC. We encourage you to use the following resources for anyone who may be impacted:

Three free hours of mental health support: Through GreenShield Cares, Canadians can access three free hours of culturally appropriate virtual therapy by visiting our website and following : 

  1. Navigate to https://app.greenshieldplus.ca/en/sign-up/org-code?ref=TR
  2. Consent to Terms and Conditions
  3. Enter your email address and select Continue
  4. Enter the verification code that you received at the email you provided and select Continue.
  5. On the Organization Code screen, enter the organization code GSCARES3
  6. On the Personal Details screen, enter your information. Select Continue.
  7. On the Contact Details screen, enter your Address Information. Select Continue.
  8. On the Create New Password page, enter the password you would like to use for your account, then select Continue.
  9. Select Sign In.

GreenShield鈥檚 24/7 crisis line: Members seeking support can call 1-833-707-4747 to speak with mental health professionals and access additional resources.

Don't Miss the OCEPD's Spring 2026 Professional Development Opportunities

We鈥檙e excited to share a fantastic lineup of Spring 2026 Professional Development opportunities offered by the Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development (OCEPD) at 17吃瓜 鈥� designed to help you grow your skills, expand your expertise, and elevate your impact.

17吃瓜 Staff Special Rate:
A reminder that 17吃瓜 staff and faculty are eligible to take select OCEPD Certificate programs at a reduced tuition rate of just $995 鈥� a great way to invest in yourself and your professional journey. 

Spring 2026 Certificate Programs

Why Take a Certificate?

Each of these OCEPD Certificate programs is practical, evidence-informed, and directly applicable to your work at 17吃瓜. Whether it鈥檚 enhancing communication, boosting team morale, improving safety, strengthening analytics, or fortifying wellbeing 鈥� these Certificates are designed to give you the skills to improve in your role and contribute to stronger well-being. 

Ready to enroll or learn more?
Visit the full OCEPD Certificate listings on 17吃瓜鈥檚 Professional Development site: /professional-development/certificates

Feel free to reach out if you鈥檇 like help selecting the right program for your goals 鈥� we鈥檙e cheering you on as you continue your professional development journey!

MCLT Mixer & Miniature Making Event

Join the Master of Cleantech Leadership and Transformation (MCLT) for a hands-on, creative student mixer on February 25, 2026, from 1:30鈥�3:30 pm in McMillan Hall.

Open to all students (undergraduate and graduate), participants can sign up in teams of three to build sustainability-themed miniatures鈥攕uch as green homes and pollinator gardens鈥攚hile learning about the MCLT program.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, with additional door prizes, food, and a relaxed opportunity for students to connect and explore future pathways in sustainability and graduate studies.

The event is free to attend but space is limited, so sign up today:

Questions? Email cleantech@upei.ca

Upcoming First Aid/CPR Training Sessions

The Health, Safety, and Environment Department (HSE) is offering Basic (previously called Emergency) First Aid/CPR training sessions on the following date:

  • March 2, 2026, 8:30 am鈥�4:00 pm. Registration cut off: February 20, 2026

**Seats are limited, please register early to guarantee your spot!

To register, please email HSE@upei.ca. Include your name, department, contact number and the session date you are registering for. 

The cost of registration will be covered by HSE for all 17吃瓜 faculty and staff, including students who require training for on-campus employment. Students who do not require training for on-campus employment are welcome to attend; however, the cost of registration will not be covered by HSE. 

Intermediate (Previously called Standard) First Aid/CPR training is a comprehensive two-day course that offers first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills for those who need enhanced training as a work requirement. Please contact HSE at HSE@upei.ca if you require this training.

PhD Dissertation Defense by Christina Perry

The Faculty of Education invites all to attend the public presentation of Christina Perry's PhD Dissertation Defense, "Undergraduate Students鈥� Sense of Belonging in Course-Based Environments: A Case Study from an Atlantic Canadian University."

Please join us in person at Memorial Hall, Room 417 or through Teams: see the link below:



 

GreenShield Crisis Support聽For聽Those Impacted聽By聽Recent Events

GreenShield, our EAP provider, is offering additional support and resources for members who have been impacted by the tragic events in Tumbler Ridge, BC. We encourage you to use the following resources for anyone who may be impacted:

Three free hours of mental health support: Through GreenShield Cares, Canadians can access three free hours of culturally appropriate virtual therapy by visiting our website and following : 

  1. Navigate to https://app.greenshieldplus.ca/en/sign-up/org-code?ref=TR
  2. Consent to Terms and Conditions
  3. Enter your email address and select Continue
  4. Enter the verification code that you received at the email you provided and select Continue.
  5. On the Organization Code screen, enter the organization code GSCARES3
  6. On the Personal Details screen, enter your information. Select Continue.
  7. On the Contact Details screen, enter your Address Information. Select Continue.
  8. On the Create New Password page, enter the password you would like to use for your account, then select Continue.
  9. Select Sign In.

GreenShield鈥檚 24/7 crisis line: Members seeking support can call 1-833-707-4747 to speak with mental health professionals and access additional resources.

Next Week at the Chaplaincy Centre

The week of February 16-20 is not only Reading Week but also the beginning of holy seasons for many. Lent and Ramadan follow a similar schedule this year.  

The Chaplaincy Centre will NOT be hosting a pancake breakfast on Tuesday February 17. We encourage 17吃瓜 pancake lovers to enjoy IKERAS Faculty-Led Program for Study Abroad to New Zealand on Saturday February 14 at The Local Pub.

The Chaplaincy Centre will have Mass on Ash Wednesday, February 18 at 4:00 pm.  

 

Writing Centre closed during the Mid-Semester Break

The 17吃瓜 Writing Centre will be closed during the Mid-Semester Break week. We look forward to seeing you again on Monday, February 23.

To see availability and to book a session, please visit or drop by for a walk-in appointment (Robertson Library 274).

Call for Nominations: Celebrate Excellence at 17吃瓜!

At 17吃瓜, our people make the 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 an individual who has made a difference in your experience at 17吃瓜 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.

Submit your nomination today! 

Nominations close on Friday, February 27, 2026

For more information about each award, including eligibility and the nomination process, please visit the University Awards of Excellence page.

Robertson Library Book Club

You're invited to the Robertson Library Book Club! Throughout Winter Term 2026, we will read and discuss three books on the topic of indigeneity in the region of Turtle Island known as Canada. Book club meetings will be co-hosted by Morgan Varis, a sessional instructor from IKERAS (Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies). These meetings will take place on the last Monday of each month from January - March and will be held in the Robertson Library lobby at noon (12pm); light refreshments will be provided. 

Our next meeting is Monday, February 23, 12pm-1pm, discussing Out of the Depths: The Experiences of Mi鈥檏maw Children at the Indian Residential School at Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia by Isabelle Knockwood (nonfiction)

"Daring to break the code of silence imposed on Aboriginal students, residential school survivor Isabelle Knockwood offers the firsthand experiences of forty-two survivors of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School. In their own words, these former students remember their first day of residential schooling, when they were outwardly transformed through hair cuts and striped uniforms marked with numbers. Then followed years of inner transformation from a strict and regimented life of education and manual training, as well as harsh punishments for speaking their own language or engaging in Indigenous customs. The survivors also speak of being released from their school 鈥� and having to decide between living in a racist and unwelcoming dominant society or returning to reserves where the Aboriginal culture had evolved." -

Copies of all three books are available to borrow from the Robertson Library (courtesy of PEI Public Library/Service des biblioth猫ques publiques 脦P脡 and their book club kit program):

Birdie by Tracey Lindberg
Out of the Depths by Isabelle Knockwood
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Hope to see you there!

PhD Dissertation Defense by Christina Perry

The Faculty of Education invites all to attend the public presentation of Christina Perry's PhD Dissertation Defense, "Undergraduate Students鈥� Sense of Belonging in Course-Based Environments: A Case Study from an Atlantic Canadian University."

Please join us in person at Memorial Hall, Room 417 or through Teams: see the link below:



 

From Farm to Public Health: A One-Health Perspective

The campus community is invited to join a seminar organized by at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC). CVER will host the visit of Professor Elaine M. S. Dorneles, a Brazilian scholar. She will work with during her visit. Professor Dorneles will give a seminar as part of CVER academic activities. 

  • Speaker: Elaine Maria Seles Dorneles, DVM PhD, Professor, Federal University of Lavras, Brazil
  • Title: From farm to public health: A One-Health perspective on zoonotic diseases in Brazil
  • Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
  • Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm
  • Location: AVC Lecture Theatre B

Bio: Dr. Elaine M S Dorneles is a veterinarian and professor at the Federal University of Lavras (Universidade Federal de Lavras, UFLA), Brazil. She works in the field of animal health and public health. Her research focuses on zoonotic diseases, particularly brucellosis and tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases affecting dairy cattle, with emphasis on One Health, antimicrobial use and resistance, and milk quality and safety. She coordinates and participates in research and extension projects aimed at improving disease control strategies at the farm level and reducing risks to public health.

President鈥檚鈥� Town鈥� Hall: Hearts and Flowers鈥擫et鈥檚 Celebrate our聽Panther聽Pride!

The next Town Hall will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026鈥攖he second annual edition of "Hearts and Flowers." February is a month sometimes known for giving 鈥渉earts and flowers,鈥� as well as for the short days of midwinter. Our Town Hall will be an opportunity to share examples of success, what we are proud of at 17吃瓜, and to give heart emojis and flower bouquets! Let's give a shoutout to campus community members and celebrate our Panther Pride.  

President's Town Hall: Hearts and Flowers!
Thursday, February 12, 2026 
3:00鈥�4:00 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  .

Now Live: Low-Value, Low-Risk Fee for Service Process聽

We are pleased to officially launch the new Low-Value, Low-Risk Fee for Service (FFS) Process, effective February 9, 2026. 

What鈥檚 Changing? 

Under the new process, Fee for Service engagements valued at $50,000 or less that meet established low-risk criteria no longer require Fee for Service Agreements.  

Documentation 

A process overview document explaining the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS Process, along with supporting materials to assist staff, are now available on the Procurement SharePoint.  

Departments are required to review these materials before initiating an engagement under the new process.  

Updates Based on Feedback 

We thank members of the campus community for the feedback shared throughout development, including during recent campus presentations and information sessions. This feedback has informed updates to our materials. The most up-to-date documentation is available on the SharePoint page. Reference documents include version dates to track changes, and significant updates will be communicated to the campus community. 

Questions, Support, and Feedback 

For questions or assistance with the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS Process, please contact the Contracts and Insurance Office at contracts@upei.ca. Our team is happy to provide general guidance and to assess specific scenarios on a case-by-case basis. 

Study Abroad Information Session

The 17吃瓜 Office of Study Abroad & International Partnerships is excited to host a Study Abroad Information Session on Thursday, February 12, from 1:00-2:00 pm in the Robertson Library Annex, Room 209.  We will explain the different Study Abroad Programs, explore 17吃瓜's various partner schools, discuss funding opportunities, share past student experiences, and answer any questions you may have! To claim a seat, please !

University Awards of Excellence Spotlight: What is the University Teaching Excellence Award?

The University Teaching Excellence Award recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching in one or more of the following areas: teaching effectiveness; teaching innovation; clinical instruction; and scholarship of teaching and learning and educational leadership. 

Nominated candidates will have demonstrated outstanding contributions to teaching at the University. Among the factors to be considered by the Committee will be: evidence of sustained and superior performance in one or more areas of teaching; excellence in the classroom, laboratory, clinical setting, online teaching, and/or undergraduate student supervision; teaching innovation such as the development of new and effective teaching methods; and, scholarship of teaching and learning and educational leadership including scholarly publications or activities that promote teaching excellence at the University.

  • 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 17吃瓜's faculty or staff.
  • 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 are submitted in confidence through the .

Questions may be directed to universityawards@upei.ca.

Nominations close on Friday, February 27, 2026

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

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility in Research Workshop

The Office of Research Services and the Teaching and Learning Centre are collaborating to put on a workshop about incorporating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) in Research*.   

Dr. Shilpa Dogra is Professor in Kinesiology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University. Dr. Dogra鈥檚 diverse research program has been funded by NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR. Some of her CIHR funded projects focus on the inclusion of older adults from equity deserving groups in research. She has co-authored papers on the development of a sex and gender-based analysis tool (), a call to action on Indigenization and EDIA (), and has served on several CIHR review panels, including the Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award.   

Dr. Dogra will join Dr. Nola Etkin, Dr. Josh MacFayden, Dr. Marissa Clapson, Dr. Cinthya Guzman, and Research Grants Coordinator Leslie Cudmore for an interactive workshop on incorporating EDIA into grant applications.   

In this session, researchers will explore their positionality, integrate EDIA into their proposal and highly qualified personnel (HQP) sections, and leave with actionable material to include in their next grant application.  

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026 

Time: 10:00 am鈥�12:00 pm 

Location: FSDE 128A 

Open to all faculty members. Please RSVP here:  

Storm date: Friday, February 20, 2026, 1-3 pm. FSDE 128A

*This session was previously marketed as a Indigenization and EDIA in Research Workshop. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the Indigenization portion has been removed from this session. We hope to run a separate Indigenization in Research session in the future.   

Questions can be directed to Julie VanLeeuwen (jmvanleeuwen@upei.ca), Research Navigator. 

Teaching and Learning Centre Black History Month Resources - Week 2: Primary Sources & Historical Voices

This week, the TLC highlights digitized primary sources that support historical inquiry and critical analysis in post-secondary courses. (Dalhousie University project) provides extensive Canadian collections, including digitized documents, curricula, and media on Black Canadian history from 1604 for discussion and assignments.

Game On! 17吃瓜 Student-Alumni Paper Airplane Toss

Calling all Panthers! On Friday, February 13, we鈥檙e inviting students, staff, faculty, and alumni to join us at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre for a Paper Airplane Toss during halftime at the Women鈥檚 basketball game! 

17吃瓜 Alumni and Experiential Education has partnered with Provincial Credit Union to provide the opportunity for 17吃瓜 students interested in banking and finance to connect with employees working at Provincial Credit Union.

Remember to RSVP on 17吃瓜 Connect to receive FREE game snacks and drinks for you and your friends and family.

Arrive as early as 5:15 pm to talk with students/alumni and start crafting your winning plane. At halftime, it's time to see whose plane flies the furthest. 

This is a fun, laid-back chance to connect with the 17吃瓜 community, boost your Panther pride, and build lasting connections. 

Friday, February 13 | 6PM
Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre
Students, get your game tickets online -
Airplane-making materials provided
Prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place

***Please note: To receive your complimentary FREE game snacks and drinks, you must sign up for the event via 17吃瓜 Connect. . 

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