On Wednesday, August 27, ITSS will conduct a short maintenance on the myUPEI system and related services from 8:00 pm to midnight. During this time, there may be intermittent access to and performance issues with myUPEI, Self-Service, Web Advisor, and Colleague.

We encourage students, faculty, and staff who may need documents or links located on myUPEI to plan ahead and bookmark or download the resources they may need during this period.

As a reminder, you can access Moodle directly using https://moodle.upei.ca and Outlook email using https://outlook.office.com.

If you have any questions, please fill out our new Help Form: https://go.upei.ca/itrequest

UPEI Campus Food Bank is looking for volunteers for the fall and winter semester 2025-2026 academic year! 

Help your fellow students, build your resume, and earn volunteer hours—plus, get rewarded at the end! 

Why Volunteer?

• Boost your resume and gain hands-on experience
• Support fellow students in need
• Earn certification and rewards! 

Volunteer shifts:

• Grab bag preparation - Tuesday 1:00-5:00 pm (1 hour shifts)
• Kiosk support - Wednesday 10:00 am-2:00 pm (1 hour shifts)

Open to all UPEI students, staff, and community members—no experience needed! Just bring a positive attitude! 
Email Dayana at foodbank@upei.ca to get involved!

Every day, our colleagues go above and beyond to make our university a vibrant, supportive, and inspiring place to work and learn. “Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues” is your space to give a shout-out to those who embody our mission and values—whether they’re championing a new initiative, supporting student success, lending a hand to a teammate, or bringing positivity to the workplace. You can also use this program to congratulate a colleague on a new role or wish them well in retirement.

Let’s celebrate the big and small wins that make our campus shine! Submit your note of recognition, and let’s cheer on our amazing colleagues together.

How to submit:

Complete this short form: https://forms.office.com/r/766cg9JsT6 

You’ll be asked to share:

• Who are you recognizing? (Name and department/faculty)
• Why are you recognizing them? (Briefly describe what they did or the impact they made)
• Your name 

Submit your form(s) by the last Friday of each month. Human Resources will collect the submissions and work with Communications to feature them in the Campus Connector.

Not a current subscriber to Campus Connector? Visit the Campus Communications page for information on how to subscribe.

The deadline for our first issue is Friday, August 29, 2025

Please contact Human Resources at hrengage@upei.ca should you have any questions. 

In his new book, The Geography of Home: Poems for a Lost Time, Edward MacDonald traces the rural Prince Edward Island where he grew up from the late 1950s through the early 1970s, a landscape on the cusp of far-reaching change. Published by Island Studies Press, the book will be launched on September 7, 2025, at 2:00 pm, in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building, Room 201, University of Prince Edward Island. 

In the introduction to the book, MacDonald writes that “home is a place in the heart. It is part actual and part invented, part remembered and part reconstructed, part learned and part inherited.” He goes on to say the depiction of an era offered here is a mixed-media portrait, combining prose and poetry, history and memory. Each poem takes as its touchstone a place, person, or practice and is paired with a short reflection that unpacks facets of the culture being explored. Archival photos woven throughout add another layer to this portrait. MacDonald writes that while history attempts to trace changes over time, “memories are the little, coloured stones that we collect to assemble a mosaic of our lived past.” 

The Geography of Home was published with the support of a SSHRC Exchange Publication Award from the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research at UPEI. Island Studies Press thanks Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon, associate vice-president research and dean of graduate studies at UPEI, for supporting faculty publications.

Dr. Edward MacDonald is a professor emeritus of history from the University of Prince Edward Island. He is the author of If You’re Strong-hearted: Prince Edward Island in the Twentieth Century and co-author of The Summer Trade: A History of Tourism on Prince Edward Island, and has written, compiled, or co-edited nine other books. In 2023-24, he was appointed to the Order of Canada and then the Order of Prince Edward Island for his work as an Island historian and teacher.

The event is free, and all are welcome. Thanks to Bookmark, books will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Bren Simmers at Island Studies Press, 902-566-0386 or ispstaff@upei.ca.

The UPEI Foods and Nutrition program will host an Open House on Tuesday, September 9, from 4:30–5:30 pm in the third-floor dining room of the Health Sciences Building, UPEI.

All UPEI students are welcome and encouraged to attend to learn about the Foods and Nutrition program streams within the Faculty of Science and to connect with faculty and staff. Attendees will also hear about academic pathways, dietetic internship opportunities, and honours research experiences. Tours of the department and foods lab will be provided.

The open house event is also an opportunity to explore how a degree in Foods and Nutrition can lead to diverse and rewarding career opportunities. It is designed to give students a clear picture of what the program has to offer and how it can support their academic and professional goals.

Beginning this fall, the librarians and staff of Robertson Library will be teaching and supporting Zotero as our citation manager, replacing RefWorks. To support researchers with multi-year writing projects underway, we will maintain our paid subscription to RefWorks until April 30, 2027. After that date, no UPEI users will be able to log in to RefWorks. We encourage new users to begin with Zotero, and we encourage existing users to begin migrating to Zotero at their earliest convenience.

More information is available on the Library's website, including dates for upcoming Zotero workshops, which will include information about migrating from RefWorks. Please contact your subject librarian with questions or to schedule additional training.

Engineering is seeking empty printer paper boxes to use for a lab activity in ENGN 1410 (Sustainability in Engineering Design) this fall semester. Students will be using the boxes as the base for model net-zero energy houses they will design and construct from recycled materials. 

We need the boxes that hold 10 reams of letter-sized paper.

Please contact Megan Glover at mglover@upei.ca or 566-0745 if you have boxes to donate.

On Wednesday, August 27, ITSS will conduct a short maintenance on the myUPEI system and related services from 8:00 pm to midnight. During this time, there may be intermittent access to and performance issues with myUPEI, Self-Service, Web Advisor, and Colleague.

We encourage students, faculty, and staff who may need documents or links located on myUPEI to plan ahead and bookmark or download the resources they may need during this period.

As a reminder, you can access Moodle directly using https://moodle.upei.ca and Outlook email using https://outlook.office.com.

If you have any questions, please fill out our new Help Form: https://go.upei.ca/itrequest

During UPEI Welcome Week from September 1–5, 2025, students will take part in a collaborative initiative titled “Becoming Sustainable Panthers.” 

UPEI will team up with Island Waste Management Corporation (IWMC), Call2Recycle Canada, and Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) to collect used batteries and small electronic devices to promote sustainability, help the environment, and provide a valuable service to the neighbouring community.

On September 1, students, wearing UPEI Welcome Week t-shirts, will visit homes in Sherwood and Brown’s Court to collect used batteries, using bags and boxes from Call2Recycle Canada. They will also hand out extra bags and pamphlets promoting recycling to each household.

On Thursday, September 4, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, representatives from IWMC, Call2Recycle Canada, and EPRA will be on campus in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre, to promote their recycling initiatives. They will also host games to share information on sorting waste aimed at students, faculty, and staff who live off-campus, hand out recycling bags and boxes for batteries, and also collect used batteries and electronic devices from members of the campus community for recycling. 

Many electronic products can be recycled through this program, including

• office equipment such as computers, laptops, tablets, printers, monitors, keyboards, mice, and cables; 
• communication devices such as telephones, cell phones, and pagers;
• entertainment equipment such as stereos, gaming devices, cameras, and GPS units;
• small household appliances such as toasters, coffee makers, vacuum cleaners, scales, clocks, irons, fans, and hair dryers;
• fitness and activity equipment such as smart watches, e-bikes and e-scooters, and treadmills.

For the list of accepted items for drop-off, visit RecycleMyElectronics.ca. 

MSc in Molecular and Macromolecular Sciences

Presenter:  Emma Ramsay

Title of the Thesis: “Synthesis and Host Properties of a Water-Soluble Pillar[5]arene ”

Pillar[n]arenes are a relatively new class of macrocyclic molecules known for their ability to act as host molecules in supramolecular host-guest chemistry. In this type of chemistry, larger host molecules encapsulate smaller guest molecules within their internal cavities. Pillarenes show strong potential for applications across biological, materials science, and environmental fields. While non-water-soluble pillarenes are commercially available, water-soluble variants are not and must be synthesized prior to host-guest studies. This is important because aqueous environments are both environmentally favourable and more representative of biological systems. This thesis focuses on two main goals: the synthesis of a water-soluble pillar[5]arene, and the investigation of its inclusion behaviour with polarity-sensitive fluorescent guest molecules. The synthesis was adapted from a literature method and modified for structural uniformity and efficiency. Host-guest studies were then conducted using a series of fluorescent probes to explore the inclusion properties of the synthesized host molecule.

August 27, 2025, 1:00 pm K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre, Room 104

Everyone is Welcome

The Student Program for Research Engagement and Excellence (SPREE) invites the UPEI community and the public to join us for the 2025 SPREE Research Poster Competition. This event celebrates the work of undergraduate and graduate student researchers who have been conducting research across a range of disciplines including Science, Arts, Psychology, Business, and Engineering.

Attendees will have the opportunity to view research posters, connect with student researchers, and learn about the diverse projects happening on campus. While a panel of judges will evaluate the posters with prizes awarded to top undergraduate and graduate entries, your vote also counts! A People's Choice Award will be decided by ballots from the student researchers, UPEI campus community members and the public who attend.

Who Should Attend:

• UPEI Faculty, staff, and students interested in research and supporting student researchers;
• Community members and industry professionals;
• Anyone curious about the innovative research projects being conducted at UPEI!

For questions about the 2025 SPREE Research Poster Competition please contact Rosetta Shokunbi, SPREE Student Coordinator at tshokunbi@upei.ca

Human Resources is pleased to introduce a new SharePoint site. This site serves as an informational hub offering a variety of resources. Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with this new layout.

Here are a few examples of what information you can access on this site:

Benefits + Pay:

• Details about employee benefits at UPEI
• Payroll forms, time entry 

Employment Information:

• Collective Agreements
• How to make updates to your personal details
• Leave Request Form
• Organizational Charts

Culture + Well-being:

• Employee Engagement
• Well-being Resources

Training + Development:

• Professional Development Funds
• Tuition Waivers
• Training Opportunities

Management + Hiring:

• Classification
• How to Hire documentation
• Onboarding & Orientation Checklists
• Performance Development

Note: You must download fillable PDFs to your device before you can complete them.

You can access this SharePoint site through the myUPEI Employee Portal:

This site is a work in progress. We’ll be adding more information over time and welcome your feedback. If you have suggestions about the site’s layout, flow, or notice any issues with content (such as broken links or missing PDFs), please let us know by contacting hrgeneral@upei.ca

The Teaching and Learning Centre is hosting onboarding sessions for new(er) sessional instructors, where you can learn about:

• instructional design supports and professional development offerings available through the Teaching and Learning Centre
• Moodle, UPEI’s learning management system
• how to design learning so everyone can access, engage, and succeed—an approach known as Universal Design for Learning
• a guide to enhancing assessment practices, including grading, feedback, and considerations for generative AI
• what goes into a good syllabus, including Gen AI statements

These sessions are as follows:

• Online: Thursday, August 21, 2025, 2:00 to 3:00 pm
• Online: Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 6:00 to 7:00 pm

Sign up to attend one of these sessions using the following link - https://forms.office.com/r/jvbDHQA2Gq

Note: These sessions will also be recorded and can be sent to you if you are unable to attend.

If you have any questions, please reach out to TLC@upei.ca.

Welcome to the following new employees who joined the University of Prince Edward Island community in July 2025:

• Manish Chaudhary, Dean’s Office, Atlantic Veterinary College
• James Edward Derby, Diagnostic Services, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Henry Dimingu, McDougall Faculty of Business
• Renae Gamueda, Dean’s Office, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Amber Lynn Jameson, Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Iryna Kalynychenko, McDougall Faculty of Business
• Atchoumounan Regis Kone, Ancillary Services
• Yasmin Koop-Monteiro, Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Arts
• Jeff Locke, Facilities Management
• Hayley MacEy, Faculty of Nursing
• Jane MacIsaac, Office of the Vice-President Administration and Finance
• Jordynne Mann, Ancillary Services
• Bingxian Mu, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering
• Ashleigh Newman, Faculty of Nursing
• Kendra O’Hanley, Faculty of Nursing
• Reefah Shehnaz, Office of the Vice-President Academic and Research
• Kyla Smith, Faculty of Education
• Barbara Stacey, Faculty of Nursing
• Fredericka Andrea Taylor, IT Systems and Services
• Kennedy Vandenbroucke, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Atlantic Veterinary College
• Waylon Justin Wiseman, Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College

We are excited to have you join the UPEI team!

Engineering is seeking empty printer paper boxes to use for a lab activity in ENGN 1410 (Sustainability in Engineering Design) this fall semester. Students will be using the boxes as the base for model net-zero energy houses they will design and construct from recycled materials. 

We need the boxes that hold 10 reams of letter-sized paper.

Please contact Megan Glover at mglover@upei.ca or 566-0745 if you have boxes to donate.

On Wednesday, August 27, ITSS will conduct a short maintenance on the myUPEI system and related services from 8:00 pm to midnight. During this time, there may be intermittent access to and performance issues with myUPEI, Self-Service, Web Advisor, and Colleague.

We encourage students, faculty, and staff who may need documents or links located on myUPEI to plan ahead and bookmark or download the resources they may need during this period.

As a reminder, you can access Moodle directly using https://moodle.upei.ca and Outlook email using https://outlook.office.com.

If you have any questions, please fill out our new Help Form: https://go.upei.ca/itrequest

UPEI Campus Food Bank is looking for volunteers for the fall and winter semester 2025-2026 academic year! 

Help your fellow students, build your resume, and earn volunteer hours—plus, get rewarded at the end! 

Why Volunteer?

• Boost your resume and gain hands-on experience
• Support fellow students in need
• Earn certification and rewards! 

Volunteer shifts:

• Grab bag preparation - Tuesday 1:00-5:00 pm (1 hour shifts)
• Kiosk support - Wednesday 10:00 am-2:00 pm (1 hour shifts)

Open to all UPEI students, staff, and community members—no experience needed! Just bring a positive attitude! 
Email Dayana at foodbank@upei.ca to get involved!

MSc in Molecular and Macromolecular Sciences

Presenter:  Emma Ramsay

Title of the Thesis: “Synthesis and Host Properties of a Water-Soluble Pillar[5]arene ”

Pillar[n]arenes are a relatively new class of macrocyclic molecules known for their ability to act as host molecules in supramolecular host-guest chemistry. In this type of chemistry, larger host molecules encapsulate smaller guest molecules within their internal cavities. Pillarenes show strong potential for applications across biological, materials science, and environmental fields. While non-water-soluble pillarenes are commercially available, water-soluble variants are not and must be synthesized prior to host-guest studies. This is important because aqueous environments are both environmentally favourable and more representative of biological systems. This thesis focuses on two main goals: the synthesis of a water-soluble pillar[5]arene, and the investigation of its inclusion behaviour with polarity-sensitive fluorescent guest molecules. The synthesis was adapted from a literature method and modified for structural uniformity and efficiency. Host-guest studies were then conducted using a series of fluorescent probes to explore the inclusion properties of the synthesized host molecule.

August 27, 2025, 1:00 pm K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre, Room 104

Everyone is Welcome

The Department of Music invites UPEI alumni to help celebrate their new Yamaha CFX concert grand piano! Homecoming Week kicks off with a piano recital of attractive and accessible solo, piano duet, and two-piano music chosen to showcase the new piano’s range and versatility. Featuring UPEI piano professor Dr. Magdalena von Eccher along with invited guests Dr. Frances Gray, UPEI Professor Emerita, and PEI-based pianist Glen Montgomery.

Panther Perk Alert! Alumni are eligible for 20% off tickets with a special Homecoming promo code. 

Request the ticket promo code

The Student Program for Research Engagement and Excellence (SPREE) invites the UPEI community and the public to join us for the 2025 SPREE Research Poster Competition. This event celebrates the work of undergraduate and graduate student researchers who have been conducting research across a range of disciplines including Science, Arts, Psychology, Business, and Engineering.

Attendees will have the opportunity to view research posters, connect with student researchers, and learn about the diverse projects happening on campus. While a panel of judges will evaluate the posters with prizes awarded to top undergraduate and graduate entries, your vote also counts! A People's Choice Award will be decided by ballots from the student researchers, UPEI campus community members and the public who attend.

Who Should Attend:

• UPEI Faculty, staff, and students interested in research and supporting student researchers;
• Community members and industry professionals;
• Anyone curious about the innovative research projects being conducted at UPEI!

For questions about the 2025 SPREE Research Poster Competition please contact Rosetta Shokunbi, SPREE Student Coordinator at tshokunbi@upei.ca