Archive for February, 2018

Annual benefits open enrollment ends March 2

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

During open enrollment, benefit-eligible employees may make changes in benefit plans without a “change in status” reason. Any other time of the year you may only make changes for reasons such as adding or removing a dependent child, marriage, divorce, loss of other coverage, etc. Changes made during open enrollment will take effect April 1, 2018.

How to Get More Information
The Open Enrollment Guide is available online

What You Need To Do
Whether or not you make any changes to your benefit plans, all benefit-eligible employees must complete the Open Enrollment Election form. You must be logged into your George Fox University email to complete this electronic form (for authentication purposes).

If you decide to add coverage or make any changes to your current coverage, you must complete the appropriate enrollment form(s) (available on the EE website and in the links below) and return them to Employee Empowerment on or before Friday, March 2.

Your Online Connection: You may access the benefits web page to download forms and get more information.

If you are not sure what your current benefit election is, please see your pay statement in MyGFU.

We welcome your questions by phone, email, or in person. Let us know how we can help as you consider changes in your benefits. Contact Darby Thiessen: 503-554-2188 or dthiessen@georgefox.edu.

Important Midterm Grade Information

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Midterm grades are important indicators of how you are doing in your classes. While they are not a part of your permanent record they are important to pay attention to. In some cases, midterm grades represent about half your grade in the course. If you have questions, you should check with your professors. It is vital to know where you stand in each of your classes.

Midterm grades are meant to encourage you to get in touch with others: your professor, your advisor, your CAP Coach and/or the Academic Resource Center.

The worst thing to do about midterm grades is to ignore them or to assume you can improve them on your own.

Professors do want to meet with you. Do not hesitate to make an appointment with each of them.

Midterm grades are due by this Sunday, March 4. You should plan to check your midterm grades after this date.

To check your midterm grades in MyGFU:

  • Click on “Self Service”
  • Click on “Enrollment”
  • Click on “View My Grades”
  • Click on the correct term
  • Click on the “Midterm Grades” tab (If you do not see a “Midterm Grades” tab then it is likely none of your professors have entered any midterm grades for you. Please contact your professors to find out what your grades are.)

Now you need to determine what to do next:
 Contact your professors. Faculty are not required to enter midterm grades. You are advised to check with each of your professors about your status in their class. Consider whether to withdraw from one or more courses if it looks likely that you’ll get an F (or maybe even a D).

The last date to withdraw is Sunday, March 18 (without grade responsibility).

You can usually go below being enrolled in 12 credit hours (at this point in the semester) without impacting your financial aid or housing. However, you should contact representatives in these departments to be certain:

Withdrawal results in a “W” on your transcript but does not factor into GPA. If you were to get an F, it would impact GPA.

Confirm any thoughts of withdrawing from classes with your advisor. Meet with each professor, especially those teaching courses you’re struggling in. Even if your professor doesn’t post midterm grades, find out from the professor what your grade is. Meet with your advisor to discuss options.

Use labs, help sessions and the ARC. If you think you might have a learning disability, have some assessment done. Contact the Health and Counseling Center at 503-554-2340 or stop by their office on South River Street.

Plan well for your semester. Contact your CAP Coach to get advice about how to plan well.

Not sure how to take the next step? Email studentlife@georgefox.edu.

Interested in going on a Juniors Abroad trip in 2019? Come to info meeting Wednesday

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Do you want to go on a Juniors Abroad trip in May 2019? All eligible students should attend the Juniors Abroad Information Meeting to get information about the different trips and tent city registration.

Join us from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, in Wood-Mar Auditorium.

Questions? Email Lynn Scott (lscott@georgefox.edu).

Online Performance Evaluation Tool opens today

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

The new training, self-evaluation, and assessment tool for staff and administrators is available beginning today, March 1.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey and testing. Your feedback was used in our decisions to simplify the tool and process. We trust you’ll love the improvements as much as we do!

Watch your email for instructions and links.

Employee Empowerment welcomes your questions by phone, email, or in-person. Please contact Darby Thiessen at 503-554-2188 or dthiessen@georgefox.edu if you encounter any issues or have questions.

Hear John Foubert speak on ‘How Pornography Harms’ and ‘Sexual Violence’ on March 8

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

John Foubert, a professor of higher education and student affairs administration at Oklahoma State University, will be on campus to speak with students on Thursday, March 8. You won’t want to miss what he has to say on these important topics (elective chapel credit is available as well)!

How Pornography Harms: A Conversation with Students (session for all students)

  • Thursday, March 8, from 10:50 to 11:40 a.m. in Canyon Commons 101/102/103

Sexual Violence: A Conversation with Students (separate sessions for women and men)

  • A Conversation with Women (session for women): Thursday, March 8, from 7 to 8 p.m. in Hoover 105
  • A Conversation with Men (session for men): Thursday, March 8, from 8:45 to 9:45 p.m. in Hoover 105

Foubert has written several books and articles on these topics and is a much-sought-after speaker and consultant to colleges across the nation and the military. He makes frequent appearances on CNN and NPR, and is cited regularly in news outlets like the Huffington Post, The New York Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He has testified before Congress and briefed the White House and the Pentagon about how to end sexual violence.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact the student life office at studentlife@georgefox.edu.

Which professor would you like to see get ‘pied’?

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Want to support a missions trip to Nicaragua? Want to see a professor get “pied?” Come to Canyon Commons today and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday) and the Bruin Den March 6-9 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Drop money into the jar with the name of the professor you want to see “pied.”

The top four jars with the most money in them will be “pied” on Tuesday, March 13, right after chapel! The participating professors are Kelly Chang, Sue O’Donnell, Chris Koch, Kris Kays, David Martínez, Steve Sherwood, Matthew Stump, Katie Mastropaolo, Abigail Favale, Javier Garcia and Matt Dyment.

Contact Julia Toews (jtoews17@georgefox.edu) for more information.

Join in fun of Fox and Friendsview this Monday night

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Fox and Friendsview is happening this Monday, March 5! All are invited to join in on the fun to make an elderly person’s day and to take advantage of this opportunity to get to know others in the Newberg community.

For those joining us, meet in the Bauman lobby at 6:15 p.m. to head over to Friendsview as a group. The game night ends at around 8:30 p.m., but feel free to leave early if you have other obligations. If you have any questions, contact Kyla Norell at knorell16@georgefox.edu.

Hope to see you there!

Hear John Foubert speak on ‘How Pornography Harms’ and ‘Sexual Violence’ next week

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

John Foubert, a professor of higher education and student affairs administration at Oklahoma State University, will be on campus Thursday, March 8, and Friday, March 9, speaking to students and employees on these important topics. Following are the sessions scheduled for faculty, staff and administrators:

How Pornography Harms: A Conversation with Faculty, Staff and Administrators

  • Thursday, March 8, from 4 to 5 p.m. in Canyon Commons 101

Our Responsibility to Help End Sexual Violence: A Conversation with Faculty, Staff and Administrators

  • Friday, March 9, from 3 to 4 p.m. in Hoover 102

Foubert has written several books and articles on these topics and is a much-sought-after speaker and consultant to colleges across the nation and the military. He makes frequent appearances on CNN and NPR, and is cited regularly in news outlets like the Huffington Post, The New York Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He has testified before Congress and briefed the White House and the Pentagon about how to end sexual violence.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact the student life office at studentlife@georgefox.edu.

Come check out BSU club meeting this Sunday

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

All are welcome to join in the next BSU club meeting this Sunday, March 4, at 5:30 p.m. in the IRC across from Pennington. We will have good company, light snacks, and a Koinonia follow-up discussion!

Contact Khadija Bruce (kbruce15@georgefox.edu) for more information.

Join Mu Kappa Club’s trip to Portland Saturday Market

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Come join Mu Kappa – a club for missionary kids, people who have lived overseas, or people who are interested in living overseas – for a trip to the Portland Saturday Market! We’ll meet at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday, March 3, in the Stevens Center parking lot and return about 3 p.m.

Please RSVP to Cayla Smith (smithc15@georgefox.edu) if you are interested in coming, as spots are limited.

Survey: ‘Best of the Berg’

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Vote for your favorite shops, restaurants, and more in the 2018 “Best of the Berg” survey! Results will be published in the next issue of The Crescent.

If you have a minute, we’d love your opinion! Vote by clicking the survey link below.

Best of the Berg Survey

Thank you,
– Bethany Woods (bwoods15@georgefox.edu)

Disclaimer:
These surveys are student generated and are not to be associated with any official research conducted by faculty and staff at George Fox University. Any views or opinions presented in these surveys are solely those of the students and do not represent those of George Fox University. The distribution of these surveys is a service provided to George Fox University students as they prepare their research required by the curriculum. Students are required to have department approval. Any questions about these surveys should be directed to the students associated with the survey in question.

Interested in joining the BSU officer team?

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Interested in joining the BSU officer team? Let us know by clicking the link below.

BSU form

Got questions? Contact Khadija Bruce (kbruce15@georgefox.edu).

Come check out info night for 2018 student job opportunities

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Looking for a job next year? Do you love being involved on campus or do you want to be, but have not found your place yet?

A new department is forming on campus, and we have several positions to hire for next year in the area of student events, clubs and advertising. We are looking for a diverse group of hardworking, creative people who are passionate about the important work of building community, having fun and being intentional.

Specific jobs to be hired include event planners, graphic designers, photographers and videographers, and “no-experience-is-necessary-but-love-to-serve” roles. Learn more at an information night on Monday, March 5, at 9 p.m. in Hoover 105. We look forward to seeing you there.

Questions? Email Stephanie St. Cyr at sstcyr@georgefox.edu.

Physiologist speaks on isotopes and adaptive radiations on March 8

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

The university’s Department of Biology invites you to a special guest lecture presented by Dr. Carlos Martinez del Rio, professor of zoology and physiology at the University of Wyoming, on Thursday, March 8, at 5 p.m. in Hoover 105.

Martinez del Rio has published more than 150 papers on physiological ecology and natural history and has received wide recognition for his substantial contributions to stable isotope ecology. He has explored how birds disperse mistletoe seeds, why hummingbirds can digest table sugar but robins cannot, and why variable temperatures make hawkmoths uncertain pollinators.

Most recently, he’s studied stable isotopes to find out how much white-winged doves depend on saguaros and why there are so few marine songbirds. The title of his presentation is “From isotopes to adaptive radiations: A cyborg’s perspective.”

This lecture is open to the university community and the public. Please contact the biology department (ext. 2710) with any questions.

French Club welcomes all to Crêpe Night tonight in the Bruin Den

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Join the French Club for Crêpe Night tonight (Thursday)! We’ll have delicious crêpes with plenty of toppings for you to choose from. It will be in the Bruin Den from 5:45 to 7 p.m. this time, and you can drop in whenever you have time. Bring your friends!

Contact morgank14@georgefox.edu with questions.

‘Lovable lentils’ discussed at cooking class March 6

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Come join Nutrition Matters as Emily Forbes from “Love and Plants” gives a cooking demonstration on how to use lentils in everyday meals. Join us at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, in Canyon Commons 101. Free food is available afterwards, and credit is available for nutrition classes.

Contact Kelsey Herschberger (kherschberger14@georgefox.edu) with any questions.

Come swing dance Saturday night in the FoxHole

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Hey everyone! The Coast to Coast Swing Dance Club invites you to join us this Saturday, March 3, in the FoxHole! Bring your friends and bring your dancing shoes. All levels of dancers are welcome! We hope to see you there!

Beginners learn at 6:30 p.m., followed by the intermediate dance at 7 p.m. and  the free social dance from 7:30 p.m. on.

Contact Justin Chang (jchang15@georgefox.edu) with any questions.

Winter Symphony Orchestra Concert plays tonight in Bauman

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

The university community is invited to two free concerts to be held in Bauman Auditorium on Thursday, March 1, and Monday, March 5.

Tonight, a Winter Symphony Orchestra Concert, featuring the university’s Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, will perform at 7:30 p.m. The former will perform Bach’s Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, and the latter will perform Johann Strauss II’s Mein Herr Marquis from the opera Die Fledermaus and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 in G Major. Featured will be soprano Julia Wendt, winner of the 2018 George Fox Concerto-Aria Competition.

On Monday, a Winter Symphonic Band Concert will play at 7:30 p.m., featuring the Symphonic Band playing a number of selections, including Berstein’s Slava, Schumann’s When Jesus Wept, and Sousa’s Jack Tarr.

Feel free to join in discussion about pornography this week

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Through the Center for Peace Justice, Nehemiah Heye is hosting a colloquium series on pornography and its effects on human trafficking, the church and on the brain.

Please join us for either of our remaining sessions. They will be held in the Le Shana lobby from 6 to 7 p.m. on the following dates …

  • Thursday, March 1
  • Thursday, March 8

You can sign up to attend at this link. The first two sessions were held on Feb. 8 and Feb. 22. If you attend all four sessions you can receive five elective chapel credits. Go to any fewer and you will receive one for each one you attend.

If you have any questions, email Nehemiah Heye (nheye14@georgefox.edu).

Swing by Canyon Commons next week for ‘Be the Match’ event

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

You could be the cure! Help cancer patients with a simple mouth swab. Sign up for the “Be the Match” bone marrow registry on Monday or Tuesday, March 5-6, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Canyon Commons 103.

Young patients battling cancer will also be on hand to remind us of how you can change someone’s life by simply signing up.

Questions? Contact David Degnan (ddegnan14@georgefox.edu).