The Daily Bruin

Housing deposits can be paid in Student Financial Services (SFS) on the first floor of the Stevens Center beginning Feb. 4 through March 15. Before you pay you should be aware of the following:

1. Your student account must be paid in full. If on a payment plan, your February payment (or March payment if after March 1) must be received and any amount not covered by your payment plan must be paid.
2. Regardless of who pays the deposit, each student must stop by SFS. If the deposit is accepted, you will receive a Housing Deposit Confirmation slip. This slip is needed as a record of payment.
3. A payment received in any other way won’t be processed as a deposit, but instead will overpay the account or be applied toward the next monthly payment. SFS routinely refunds over-payments, so if you get a refund check you are not expecting please stop by to confirm the status of your deposit.

Continue to watch for more information about the housing selection process in the next several weeks. For additional details about housing selection and the housing deposit, please visit the Housing and Residence Life website or e-mail housing@georgefox.edu with questions.

All George Fox financial aid counselors will be away at the Oregon Association of Financial Aid Administrators conference Wednesday, Feb. 6, through Friday, Feb. 8. They will be back to serve students and their families Monday, Feb. 11.

This conference provides important updates to federal regulations as well as valuable training on aid administration. Please e-mail your counselor in their absence or call the SFS main line (503-554-2231) if you have an urgent matter to discuss. We will do our best to assist you.

Two years ago, effective Jan. 1, 2011, the payroll (Social Security) tax was temporarily reduced by 2 percent. Although it stayed in effect a year longer than originally intended, that reduction came to an end on Dec. 31.

As a result, and all other things about your pay being equal, your net pay today will be at least 2 percent less than it was in December. Income tax rates were also revised, so you may see a change in your net pay due to that as well.

It is time to think about someone to nominate for February Employee of the Month. Is there someone you love having for a colleague, whether in your department or another department? If someone comes to mind, please consider submitting a nomination via e-mail to Peggy Kilburg by Wednesday, Feb. 20, with a summary of this person’s recent contributions and any other information that makes this person deserving of this award.

The President’s Executive Leadership Team will select a recipient from among the nominees. The winner will be honored with a citation and a $100 VISA gift card at our next community meeting scheduled for Feb. 28.

Congratulations again to Mark Pothoff on being named December Employee of the Month and to Emily Maynard as the choice for January Employee of the Month.

Find out what Marketing Communications is up to and how we can work together to make George Fox the “Christian university of choice in the West.” The department will present at the next “Let’s Work Together” series on Monday, Feb. 11, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Cap and Gown Room.

The Staff Development Committee’s “Let’s Work Together” series features a different university department each session. In a brown-bag lunch setting, you’ll receive a fun and interactive presentation from the highlighted department addressing what they do, what they can do for us, and what we can do for them.

Watch your E-nnouncements for more information and reminders about this great series! Hope to see you Feb. 11.

Questions about the series itself? Contact Molly Hickok at mhickok@georgefox.edu.

This is the perfect job for anyone who loves being outside and wants to help keep our campus looking beautiful. Students have the privilege of working with Plant Services, the largest department on campus. Responsibilities include weeding, mowing, raking, trimming, edging and other outdoor work. Applicants must be self-motivated and willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

You need to qualify for Federal Work Study to work on campus, and a valid driver’s license is required.

Applications are available on the Human Resources website. You must complete a new application, even if you are currently or have previously been employed by the university.

Send applications to:
Debby O’Kelley Box 6439, or dokelley@georgefox.edu.

Tests are one of the most common stressors for students. Rick Muthiah (Dean of Learning Support Services) will share tips for mastering course content, preparing for tests, and developing tools for taking tests at a session, “Effective Test-Taking and Other Secrets to Success,” tomorrow (Friday). Join us from 10:40 to 11:30 a.m. in EHS 102.

Faculty members, please let your students know about this opportunity.

Questions? Contact Rick at rmuthiah@georgefox.edu.

Some of our best Career Services’ resources are available to you on MyGFU:

• Optimal Resume (now Optimal Career) is a system of professional job-search tools including resume, cover letter, eportfolio, website builders and skills assessment along with interview practice. Any work you complete in Optimal Resume can be sent to the review center where it will be reviewed by a professional in the Career Services office (small fee attached).

• Sigi3 is a comprehensive career-planning system available free of charge. It can help you establish and understand a career direction through career assessments, occupational exploration and careers by major. Your activity is recorded in a portfolio which can be brought to the career office with you if you want further consultation.

• BruinCareers is our state-of-the-art jobs database and employer directory. It has event information and registration along with a resource library. Please go in and build a profile so you can access this valuable information, including student employment, internships and full-time employment opportunities.

Additional valuable resources include our staff located on the first floor of Stevens. Come meet us and let’s do careers together. Contact information: careers.georgefox.edu, careers@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2330.

Calling all GFU students with a heart for service:

This weekend James Project needs YOU! We will be partnering with Faith In Action, which is an organization committed to serving and meeting needs in the Newberg area.

We are needed this week to do some yardwork and house cleaning at two different homes in Newberg. Doing this is a huge blessing to the people in need of these services.

The time commitment is from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., this Saturday, February 2nd.

If you’re interested in being the hands & feet of Christ this weekend and blessing those in our surrounding community, or would like know more, RSVP to James Project Coordinator, Miranda D’Agostini at mdagostini11@georgefox.edu.

If you did not give permission to receive your W-2 online, it will be in your campus box today, Thursday, Jan. 31 (unless you normally receive your pay statements at your home address).

Most of the information on the form is fairly easy to understand or explained in the fine print on the reverse; but you can find additional, helpful information at this link.

The last day of January is today, Thursday, the 31st. Make sure you turn in your January time sheets to your supervisor at the end of your last shift of the month. You cannot be paid without your supervisor’s signature.

Be sure your name and ID number is typed or printed legibly at the top, it is complete and accurate, and you have signed it. Payday is on Friday, Feb. 15. If you forget to turn in your time sheet on time, you may not get paid on the 15th.

You received a raise! Oregon minimum wage is now $8.95.

Thank you!
– Human Resources

If becoming a teacher appeals to you, and you are not earning your degree in education, please contact Beth Molzahn in grad admissions to learn your next step toward an Initial Teaching License via the Master of Arts in Teaching program right here at George Fox!

E-mail Beth at bmolzahn@georgefox.edu or call her at 503-554-2264.

Join us for the second installment of the spring Liberal Arts and Critical Issues series this Monday, Feb. 4, in Hoover 105. The theme of this spring’s lecture series is “State of the Union.”

Monday’s session runs from 7 to 8 p.m. and features Donna Beegle, president of Communication Across Barriers. Donna will present “The Future of the American Dream … Fact or Fiction: Poverty Realities,” in which she will share her journey out of poverty along with the insight she’s learned from conducting 20-plus years of research and work on breaking poverty barriers.

The same session is presented from 4:40 to 5:40 p.m.; however, it is recommended that the general public attend the evening session, if possible.

Questions? Contact Paul Otto at ext. 2676 or potto@georgefox.edu.

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of students entering George Fox next fall?

If so, come learn about the peer advisor role in the revamped First Year Seminar program. There will be an informational meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 9 p.m. in Stevens 209.

Bring your questions to the meeting or, if you can’t make the meeting, e-mail Rick Muthiah at rmuthiah@georgefox.edu.

Peer advisor applications will be available soon and will be due Friday, March 1.

Looking to try something new this semester? It’s not too late to join a club or group!

Come to the first floor of Stevens between 4 and 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, and Friday, Feb. 8, and talk with representatives from many of the clubs on campus.

Questions? Want to get your club involved? Contact Tracy Berg at tberg09@georgefox.edu.

The Missions Fair is back on campus this Monday, Feb. 4, in the Cap and Gown Room. It will start at 11:30 a.m. (right after chapel) and go until 2:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to connect with organizations that love working with people and sharing God’s love.

Make sure to check it out!

Also, I would really appreciate it if there could be some people willing to volunteer to help me set up at around 8 a.m. If you can help, please e-mail me at jarcigaolvera12@georgefox.edu. You can also contact me if you have questions about the fair.

Blessings!
Jorge Arciga

Friday, Feb. 1, 4 p.m. – Men’s tennis vs. Cal-Davis (Tualatin Hills Tennis Center, Beaverton, Ore.)
Friday, Feb. 1, 6 p.m. – Women’s basketball vs. Willamette (Wheeler Sports Center/Miller Gym)
Friday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m. – Men’s basketball vs. Willamette (Wheeler Sports Center/Miller Gym)
Saturday, Feb. 2, 6 p.m. – Women’s basketball vs. Linfield (Wheeler Sports Center/Miller Gym)
Saturday, Feb. 2, 8 p.m. – Men’s basketball vs. Linfield (Wheeler Sports Center/Miller Gym)

These are the final two regular-season home games for the Bruin basketball teams. Senior players will be honored in pre-game ceremonies on Saturday.

On Friday and Saturday, the Student-Athlete Advisory Council will hold a “coin drive” during the basketball games to raise funds for the Women’s Athletic Performance Foundation, a support organization founded by former Bruin athlete Josh Priester. This is part of a competition among all the S-AAC groups in the Northwest Conference.

Saturday is the third annual “Bruin Madness” event at the basketball games. In addition to the featured games, the event includes an Indoor Tailgate Dinner Party, a KidZone, a Young Alumni Night at Abby’s Pizza, and a students’ “Postgame Blow Out.” Also, the Brewin’ Grounds Coffee Shop will be open. For complete details and to purchase tickets, visit this page or contact the alumni and parent relations office by calling 503-554-2134 or e-mailing alumni@georgefox.edu.

For more information, contact the sports information office at ext. 2926 or visit the athletics website at gfubruins.com.

Over the years, many of our friends among faculty and staff have expressed an interest in learning to do pottery. For a limited time this spring, the art department will be offering small-group lessons at a time and price intended to make it both possible and affordable for our colleagues to explore this artistic medium.

Classes will be taught by our studio intern, Josie Silberbach, whose work many of you admired at the Christmas sale in the Bruin Den. Aspiring potters may elect to take as few as half a dozen lessons, or to work weekly through the end of the semester, depending on your budget, time and interest.

Space will be limited, so if interested, don’t wait to contact Josie directly via e-mail. For answers to any questions, or to arrange for a place in class, write to jsilber22@gmail.com.

If you are a benefits eligible employee and there is any possibility that you will use tuition remission during next academic year (fall 2013, spring 2014 and/or summer 2014 semesters), whether for yourself, a spouse, and/or dependent(s), a Tuition Remission Request Form for each person needs to be submitted no later than Friday, Feb. 1.  

Please go to this page for the link to instructions for completing the Tuition Remission Request Form(s) and to the forms themselves. Please note:  There is a separate form for the Adult Degree Program and the Elementary Education Degree completion program.  nd finally, please be sure to read the instructions page before you begin completing a Tuition Remission Request Form.

There is still time to register to take a Science Outreach class this semester! Classes begin the week of Feb. 4. To read about the classes being offered and to register, visit our website at this link.