The seventh meeting of the UPEI Senate will take place on Friday, March 14, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in Room 102 at Alumni Hall (618 University Avenue). To view the 2024-2025 calendar of Senate meetings or documents for the upcoming meeting, click here. 

All meetings are open to members of the University community, although certain in-camera items (e.g., granting of degrees) may require the Senate to go into a closed session. Only members of Senate are permitted to address the Senate unless otherwise recognized by the chair. 

For logistical purposes, members of the UPEI community who wish to attend the open session of a UPEI Senate meeting are asked to contact senate@upei.ca one week prior to the meeting. While Senate is an in-person meeting, members of the University community may request a virtual connection when they are unable to attend in person. 
 

Join UPEI President Wendy Rodgers for casual  “coffee chats” at Tim Horton's in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, beginning this Friday, March 7 from 8:15-9:15 am.

These coffee chats offer a relaxed setting where any member of the UPEI community can drop by, grab a drink, and chat with Wendy about anything on your mind. Whether you want to share ideas, ask questions, or simply say hello, these chats are a great way to connect with the president in a comfortable and informal environment.

Stay tuned for future "coffee chat" dates!

Everyone is welcome to the second Faculty of Arts ConneXions 2.0 series! This week, two new faculty members will engage us in the kinds of "provocations" that animate their teaching and scholarly activities. 

Provocation: We teach students, yes, but what does that mean? 

Friday, March 7, from 2:30-3:30 pm, SDU Main Building, Room 320

Sébastien Parker, Political Science and Sociology/Anthropology

Title: “The 'Trust Challenge': Developing Critical Advocates for Academic Institutions in Polarized Times”

This talk explores a central question: how can we develop informed citizens who both question and champion academic institutions in an era of declining institutional trust? Against a backdrop of government and academic funding cuts, polarization, and increasing skepticism toward expertise, we face a challenge. Students must develop the critical thinking skills to recognize methodological limitations and institutional biases while simultaneously becoming advocates for knowledge-producing institutions worthy of public confidence. Drawing on a series of data visualizations on cohort trends in trust and polarization, as well as classroom pedagogical experiences, notably, I provide threads for thinking about how we might cultivate "critical advocates" for positive change in our communities.

Brent MacDonald, Psychology

Title: “Disrupting Mental Toughness Mythology: What mental toughness really is and how/why it can/should be implemented for university students to enhance their post-secondary- and life-experiences”

My real interest is in the development and understanding of mental toughness. First off, it’s important to understand what mental toughness is not (as it has been wildly misunderstood, in part due to its roots in sport psychology and in part because of its co-opted use in corporate and military “toxic masculinity” culture). It is not about “sucking it up,” nor is its polar opposite mental weakness. It is a combination of a number of concepts embedded (to an extent) in stoicism and positive psychology (including resilience, growth mindset, risk-taking, and other factors that are involved in the human endeavour). But it is something also that can be studied, understood, and applied. Its application at the university level is well researched and shows promising results. Specifically, my interest is in how mental toughness can be developed in university students, particularly those with neurodiverse profiles, along with its possible applications in education and health care.

Explore the exciting fields of Engineering and Coding! On Saturday, March 8, join us for Go CODE Girl Day in the morning or Go ENG Girl Day in the afternoon. Or come and stay for the entire day! Basically, it's a GO GIRL DAY! It will be an exciting opportunity for girls and non-binary students in Grades 6 to 9, ages 11 to 14, to learn about the exciting world of Engineering and how coding, programming and software development are used in engineering applications. You will also meet and hear from faculty, students, and alumni of the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering at the University of Prince Edward Island, learn about some of the amazing things that women engineers and researchers are doing, and participate in a cool hands-on Go CODE and Go ENG activity. We hope to inspire and introduce girls and non-binary students to the skills of the future Engineer.

Go CODE and Go ENG Girl Day is an initiative started by the Ontario Women in Engineering (ONWiE) that takes place at 20+ universities with Engineering programs across Canada and UPEI FSDE is once again excited to be a participating location. ONWiE will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year!  

Registration is free but space is limited. Sign up today and more details will be sent in an email confirmation! Registration deadline is Wednesday, March 5, at 12:00 pm (noon)!

UPEI is a member of the Academics Without Borders/Universitaires sans Frontières network. Members of the network are periodically invited to submit proposals for projects working with a partner institution in a low or middle-income country in which the project is located. Want to know more about the process involved and about AWB's work more generally? The full call for proposals is at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nny-6wtY2Eu6Fm8ulyE0y_Jvn3m_MjvL/view. And other calls for volunteers for existing projects will be posted here! For more information, contact Corrie Young, whose email is on the call for proposals, or Ann Braithwaite, abraithwaite@upei.ca.

The Eklektik Music Duo (Andrea Willis and Megaria Halim) will perform on the SDU Stage in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall on March 8, 2025, at 7:30 pm.

The name Nü Voice is derived from the word “new,” reflecting our commitment to programming not only contemporary music but also works by underrepresented composers. Additionally, Nü means “women” in Chinese, underscoring our dedication to featuring female composers in this concert’s program.

In this program, we seek to highlight women from two contrasting realms—mythology and history. Featuring legendary figures such as Penelope and Calypso to esteemed historical figures like Canadian folklorist Helen Creighton, our selection weaves together diverse narratives across time.

During their graduate studies at the University of Western Ontario, Andrea Willis and Megaria Halim discovered a shared passion for exploring new, unconventional, and underrepresented musical works. With an abundance of remarkable repertoire for piano and voice—many of which remain underperformed—they were inspired to form the Eklektik Music Duo. Derived from the Greek word eklektikos, meaning “choosing the best from various sources,” their name reflects their commitment to drawing inspiration from diverse genres and styles, creating a truly distinctive sound.

Accessible parking is available, and the theatre has an accessible entrance via elevator. General admission is $30 (cash only). Admission is free for students. 

Looking for a flexible study space with extra support as you prepare for final exams? Join our campus study group, hosted by Accessibility Services!

What to expect:

• Drop in sessions with no set structure—study at your own pace.
• A Learning Strategist will be available for guidance and support.
• Collaborative environment to work alongside your peers.
• Open to all UPEI students!

When: March 11, 25 and April 1, from 1:00-3:00 pm

Where: Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142

Whether you need a space to focus or strategies for your approach to learning, this is the perfect opportunity for self-paced work with support from your peers and a Learning Strategist. 

No sign up required, just drop by!

If you have any questions, please email accessibility@upei.ca 

Dr. Shannon Potter, a candidate for the Management (Organizational Behaviour/Human Resource Management) tenure-track position in the McDougall Faculty of Business, will give a presentation titled "It's the Kids: The Gender Pay Gap in Emergency Medicine" on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 9:00 am in Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142.

Thank you once again for sharing your valuable insights in the employee engagement survey conducted from November 4 to 22, 2024. Your feedback is shaping the future of our workplace! 

We are pleased to invite you to a presentation where we will share an overview of key findings and next steps. This is an opportunity to hear what we learned and engage in a conversation about how we can continue to grow together. 

• Wednesday, March 5, 2025
• 2:30 pm–3:30 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 Teams link. 

Your voice matters, and we look forward to discussing these insights with you. We hope to see you there. 

Your Voice, Our Future

Join the UPEI Chaplaincy Centre community in celebrating the season of Lent, which begins on Wednesday, March 5.

• Tuesday, March 4: Pancake Tuesday, 11:30-1:00 pm at the Fox & Crow
• Wednesday, March 5: Ash Wednesday mass with the distribution of ashes at 12:05 pm; Liturgy of the Word with the distribution of ashes at 4:05 pm. Both are at the Chaplaincy Centre
• Liturgy of the Word with communion: Thursdays at 12:05 pm, beginning March 6
• Lectio Divina: Wednesdays  at 11:30 am, beginning March 12

We continue our Sunday evening Mass at 6:00 pm. Stay tuned for the schedule of our Easter celebrations.

We're wrapping our tenth anniversary year of Soup for the Soul with two more servings in March! 

Enjoy a warm bowl of soup from 11:30 am-1:00 pm on March 11 (served by the Athletics and Recreation Department) and March 25 (served by the staff from the Robertson Library) at the Chaplaincy Centre. 

As the Muslim community celebrates Ramadan, we will continue to have to-go cups available at both Soup for the Soul events.

UPEI faculty members may now submit an expression of interest for faculty-led international experiences for 2026!

In the past, these experiences have been conducted in May and we call them "Maymesters". Visit the Maymester page for examples of these experiences.

Expression of interest application deadline is March 31, 2025, for the 2026 programs.

Your expression of interest application will be reviewed by the selection committee, and you will be notified when to proceed with a formal proposal.

Submit your expression of interest here.

Cooperative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada has a call for proposals open for curricular work-integrated learning projects taking place between May 1 and December 31, 2025. Full details of the CFP can be found through their website. Please note that the funding has criteria to meet around eligible students, partners, opportunities, and spending. If you have an idea for a proposal and would like to help, the Experiential Education office has submitted many successful applications through past rounds and can support you. Email Shannon at smsnow@upei.ca to explore possibilities. Applications close on March 18. 

Apache Spark is an open-source software for large-scale data processing and analysis. Using Apache Spark and Python (PySpark), this workshop is aimed at analyzing data sets that are too large to be handled and processed by a single computer. In a hands-on format using PySpark, participants will learn to import data, and use functions to transform, reduce and compile the data. You will also learn how to produce parallel algorithms that can run on the national clusters.

This two-day virtual workshop is being offered on March 11 and 13, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm each day. To register, go to https://www.acenet.training/courses.

Members of the UPEI community are invited to submit a proposal for this year's Teaching Community Conference, which will take place on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 9:00 am. This year's theme is "Teaching at the Intersections: Inclusion, Accessibility, and Courage in Education." The Teaching Community Conference aims to share experiences, challenges, and opportunities of advancing teaching and learning at UPEI, giving staff and faculty opportunities to engage in dialogue and share their experiences of teaching at the intersections. 

We are looking for proposals from the UPEI community that highlight current teaching and learning initiatives, share new ideas, and build collaborative strategies for a more inclusive accessible and courageous university. Proposals from staff and faculty are welcome. There are four formats suggested for proposals: 

• Traditional oral presentation: Presenters share a talk about a teaching and learning project or topic related to the theme, speaking for about 20 minutes, followed by 5-10 minutes for questions. 
• Lightning talk: "Small Shifts, Significant Gains." Presenters share a teaching strategy or practice that they’ve found effective in supporting student learning, speaking for about ten minutes, followed by a short group discussion. 
• Interactive workshop: A hands-on session that encourages active participation and collaboration among attendees. The workshop could involve group activities, discussions, practical exercises, etc. 
• Indigenous Sharing Circle: A facilitated, safe space for individuals to come together to discuss topics related to the theme, share their experiences, listen to each other, build relationships, offer support, and connect with each other.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 28, 2025. Successful proposals will be announced by April 4, 2025. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to TLC@upei.ca. 

Proposals can be submitted here.

RSVP to attend the Teaching Community Conference.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to scramble your way through a presentation you have no control over? It’s more fun than you think, and you can experience it yourself (or just come to watch!) on Tuesday, March 4, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship in 201 Robertson Library! No pre-registration required!

Note: If you would like to participate, please bring a phone or computer that can access wi-fi or cellular data.

Dr. Yousef Malik, a candidate for an accounting tenure-track faculty position in the McDougall Faculty of Business, will give a presentation titled "The Intersection of Business and Climate Change, particularly in the Context of ESG Adoption and Carbon Accounting" on Friday, March 7, at 11:30 am in Don and Marion McDougall Hall, Room 329.

The Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, invites all to attend Justine Brown’s public dissertation defence presentation of her PsyD research titled “Exploring PEI elementary school teachers’ mental health literacy and decision-making processes regarding student mental health concerns.”

Please join us virtually on March 5, 2025, from 3-5 pm AST at https://upei.zoom.us/j/61428838697?pwd=S7rSMfjBQLYJYHwcIquanIsyeLZsYz.1
Meeting ID: 614 2883 8697
Passcode: 983605

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.

Discover exciting summer job opportunities or kickstart your career at the 2025 Summer Job and Career Fair! Hosted by UPEI’s Experiential Education Department, this fair will bring together a diverse range of employers from various industries actively seeking to hire students and recent graduates. By attending, you’ll have the chance to network with employers and explore both summer job positions and full-time career opportunities. The fair will be held in person, so dress professionally and bring copies of your resume to make the most of your interactions with employers.

Key details: The fair will take place on March 12, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre. In case of inclement weather, the storm date is March 13, same time and location.

What to expect: Attendance is FREE for students, and no registration is required. Don’t miss out on the chance to win exciting door prizes!

For any inquiries, feel free to contact Jess Cameron, Community and Industry Outreach Coordinator, at careerfair@upei.ca or 902-894-2817.

We look forward to seeing you at the fair!