The Daily Bruin

Welcome all new and returning students!

We’ve completely updated the Student Handbook over the summer. The handbook is essential to navigating your life at George Fox. It outlines our foundational beliefs, community standards, administrative policies, and accountability processes. It is also packed with practical information for both residential and commuter students.

Please take time to review the updated handbook to ensure you understand these important aspects of being a Bruin.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Mark Pothoff, dean of students, at mpothoff@georgefox.edu.

Going forward, please email all inter-departmental charges (IDCs) and error correction forms to the following email address: idcs-error_correct@georgefox.edu.

Using this email address will improve our ability to process and track your IDCs and error correction requests. A win for everybody!

Sending paper copies of your forms through interoffice mail will no longer be necessary. Please contact Bruce Owen at bowen@georgefox.edu with any questions regarding this change.

Interested in the ideas that built America? The Department of History and Politics invites all George Fox undergraduates to apply for “Proclaiming Liberty 2026,” a grant-funded fall program celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

Led by Professor Emeritus Paul Otto, this program features a Tuesday afternoon reading seminar on the ideas central to American independence and a thrilling, multi-day historical role-playing workshop set in a divided New York City in 1775-76 (Dec. 4-5). The workshop concludes with a public address by invited guest and noted scholar of Early America, Professor Johann Neem.

Key Perks:

• Get Paid: The first 10 participants will receive a $100 stipend for the reading group and another $100 stipend for the multi-day game (full participation is required).
• Free Stuff: All books and readings are provided for free.
• Free Food: Snacks and coffee will be provided for each reading group, and full meals are provided during the December workshop.
• Skill Development: Build public speaking, leadership and negotiation skills.

All undergraduates are welcome to apply! Space is limited. The final application deadline is this Friday, Sept. 4.

Apply here. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Aaron Stuvland at astuvland@georgefox.edu.

The Office for Spiritual Life has a webpage to help you get connected with local churches. At the Fox County Fair on Friday, Sept. 11, various churches will be present so you can get acquainted with pastors and ministry opportunities.

And, starting this weekend, a number of area churches are sending September shuttles to our campus to make it easy for you to get to church. The following churches have worked with the spiritual life office and have agreed to ensure your safety by adhering to these university stipulations: two representatives in the vehicle, a sign clearly marking the vehicle, and pick-up and drop-off offered before and after services.

Though these churches are trusted community partners, we ask you to use discretion in your church search and travel. Please contact spirituallife@georgefox.edu or call 503-554-2320 with any questions!

• Church Lift: September shuttles to local churches
• Northwest Christian Church: 8:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. pickup in Stevens lot
• Red Hills Church: 7:45 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. pickup in Stevens lot
• Chehalem Valley Presbyterian: 9:40 a.m. pickup in Stevens lot

The admissions office is seeking student leaders to apply to be university ambassadors this academic year!

If you love George Fox and are excited at the opportunity to introduce our campus to prospective students and families, we’d love to see an application from you. As the official face of George Fox, ambassadors connect directly with prospective students and play a key role in recruiting the next incoming class of Bruins. Check out the linked application below for more info.

• Commitment: Two hours weekly across the full academic year
• Perks: Resume-building experience, communication training, and a tight-knit student team
• Who: Current George Fox students across all majors and class standings

Apply here! Interviews will take place this week and next, so apply as soon as possible to be considered for a spot in the program.

Questions? Email Missy at mdowns@georgefox.edu.

Looking to get outdoors? Outdoor Recreation is the perfect way to do it! OREC is all about offering trips at a low cost for any student at George Fox.

Trips are professionally guided by OREC trip leaders, and all gear is provided to make your access into the outdoors easier. Here are some trips we have coming up:

• Sept. 5: Glow-in-the-dark paddleboarding
• Sept. 8: OREC info session (free pizza)
• Sept. 11: Glow-in-the-dark paddleboarding
• Sept. 12: Hiking at Mt. Hood and paddleboarding Trillium Lake
• Sept. 12: Whitewater rafting the Deschutes
• Sept. 13: Rock climbing at Ozone
• Sept. 13: Floating the Clackamas River at Milo McGiver
• Sept. 13: Hiking Trappist Abbey

Get all the details here. Trips too expensive? Our OREC scholarship is designed to make getting in the outdoors easier! Fill it out on any trip page and get upwards of 90% off of trips.

Are you an engineering student interested in studying abroad? Learn more at an info night tomorrow (Wednesday) at 5 p.m. in Hoover 102.

Join the engineering and study abroad departments to learn more about opportunities to work toward your degree while studying abroad! Hear from students about their experience and get all your questions answered. Bonus: There will be pizza.

Questions? Email Wendi Upjohn-Hankel at wupjohn@georgefox.edu.

Looking to play in the first intramural sports season of the year? The deadline to register a team is coming up this weekend! Here are the sports we are offering:

• 6-on-6 volleyball (competitive & recreational leagues)
• Flag football
• Pickleball
• Spikeball

Registration closes at midnight before each league starts! Create a team or join one with friends. Not sure who to play with? Join as a free agent! Sign up on IMLeagues, and contact Nate Freeman at freemann@georgefox.edu if you have any questions.

Second-guessing your major? Undeclared? Do you love stories? Do you plan to write a novel? Want to travel abroad and teach?

Come hear about being an English major/minor in Armstrong House at 5 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday), or swing by anytime this next week for more information.

Contact Brooks Lampe for any inquiries at blampe@georgefox.edu.

Do you know of any undergraduate students interested in the ideas that built America? Please encourage them to apply to the Department of History and Politics’ “Proclaiming Liberty 2026,” a grant-funded fall program celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

Led by Professor Emeritus Paul Otto, this program features a Tuesday afternoon reading seminar on the ideas central to American independence and a thrilling, multi-day historical role-playing workshop set in a divided New York City in 1775-76 (Dec. 4-5). The workshop concludes with a public address by invited guest and noted scholar of Early America, Professor Johann Neem.

Key Perks:

• Get Paid: The first 10 participants will receive a $100 stipend for the reading group and another $100 stipend for the multi-day game (full participation is required).
• Free Stuff: All books and readings are provided for free.
• Free Food: Snacks and coffee will be provided for each reading group, and full meals are provided during the December workshop.
• Skill Development: Build public speaking, leadership and negotiation skills.

All undergraduates are welcome to apply here! Space is limited. The final application deadline is this Friday, Sept. 4. 

All questions can be directed to Aaron Stuvland at astuvland@georgefox.edu.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) representatives will be at the Bruin Community Pantry this Thursday, Sept. 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist people with signing up for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly known as food stamps).

No appointment is required. It takes about an hour to process your application. For more information, please contact Jere Witherspoon at jwitherspoon@georgefox.edu.

For more information on the information you need to apply, check out their website. Representatives will be on campus on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Please note: While DHS has indicated their intention to attend, their participation is ultimately managed and provided by their office. If DHS is unable to attend on the scheduled day and time, this is outside of our control.

Check your George Fox email inbox for your digital multi-sport pass! This scannable pass provides free general admission to all regular-season home games for all George Fox employees and their immediate families. (Reminder: Postseason games are not included.)

Did you play in your high school wind ensemble or jazz ensemble and want to join the university’s Jazz Ensemble? We’re looking for new Jazz Ensemble members with experience on trombone, trumpet and bass (electric or upright). 

We have vacancies that need to be filled immediately. Contact director Nathanael Ankeny at nankeny@georgefox.edu if you’re interested in joining.

In the university’s ongoing efforts to pursue operational excellence and simplify administrative workflows, the Office of People & Culture, in partnership with the finance office, is updating the process for engaging independent contractors (ICs).

Requests to engage independent contractors will need to be submitted through the Independent Contractor Evaluation Request Form located on the Independent Contractor website.

If your department intends to hire an independent contractor, please review the updated policy, workflow and action items. For a step-by-step overview of the new process, please reference the External User Guide: Independent Contractor Process Flow.

Join our virtual information session today (Monday), from 10 to 10:45 a.m. We will also host a session on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Contact Beth Hampton-Gonzalez at bhampton@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Please take five minutes to complete this anonymous survey to help us provide the best service to our clients at the Bruin Community Pantry. When you do so, you’ll be entered into a drawing for one of four $50 gift cards to Grocery Outlet!

Please make sure you click on the link at the end of the survey to type in your email to be entered into the drawing. Today is the final day the survey will be open. Recipients of the gift cards will be notified the first week of September.

Questions? Please contact Jere Witherspoon at jwitherspoon@georgefox.edu.

Come try a Pilates sample class taught by Maddie Scott during RecFest this Sunday, Aug. 30, at 3:30 p.m. in the Hadlock Student Center! She will be teaching Mondays and Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m. during the fall semester.

This 50-minute class will be an excellent example of what to expect during her weekly classes. They are open to all experience and fitness levels, with modifications provided to individualize your workout. Come challenge yourself and get stronger in a fun and encouraging environment!

Class registration can be found on IM-Leagues.

Serve Day 2026 is set for Wednesday, Sept. 16, and preparations are underway! As the day approaches, we are especially in need of more people to drive personal vehicles and a few more team leaders, so let us know if you are willing to serve in those ways.

A big thanks to those employees who have already completed the “SD 2026 Employee Info Gathering Survey”! If you haven’t already done so, please complete it ASAP! We want to do our best to prioritize making serve site connections for you, our employee colleagues, that could encourage ongoing community service partnerships throughout the year – and over the years!

Also on the form, you can note any limitations and previous serve site connections or questions you might have, and we’ll take it all into consideration when coordinating this summer.

If you’re planning to be on sabbatical, family leave, or know of a significant change that will keep you away from campus during the week of Sept. 16, you can let us know using the form, which is essential for our preparations.

The next few weeks will breeze by, and before you know it, it will be time for Serve Day 2026!

Thanks again for modeling for our students the way to serve with passion both at George Fox and beyond!

Looking for a place to connect, grow in your faith, and build community this fall? Life Groups are back!

Life Groups are small groups of undergraduate students who meet weekly for five weeks for prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. Each meeting is one hour, and participating students are eligible to receive spiritual life credit.

This fall, we’re offering two sessions:

• Session 1: Sept. 14 – Oct. 12
• Session 2: Oct. 19 – Nov. 16

You can choose the session that works best for you! Sign up at this link by Thursday, Sept. 11.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the spiritual life office at spirituallife@georgefox.edu.

Mail Services will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) for students to pick up packages who are moving back to campus this weekend. We will only be open to sign out packages and mail. We will not be selling any postage or envelopes.

The Hadlock Student Center is excited to announce we’ll be hosting GroupX classes for the semester! Here is the schedule:

• Mondays: Employee-only Functional Fitness (noon); Pilates (6 p.m.)
• Tuesdays: Lunchtime Yoga* (noon); Full Body Burn (5 p.m.)
• Wednesdays: Employee-Only Functional Fitness (noon); Spin (5:30 p.m.)
• Thursdays: Employee-Only Dance/Zumba* (4:30 p.m.); Pilates (6 p.m.); Thursday Night Groove (7:30 p.m.)
• Fridays: Yin Yoga (2 p.m.)
• Saturdays: Circuit Training (9 a.m.)

To find out more information about each class and register for classes, create/login in to your IM Leagues account here.

*Lunchtime yoga and employee-only dance/Zumba begin in week two.