The Daily Bruin

Would you like to see our local community rebuild trust and community connections across political divides? Do you want to get an update on what’s happening in our area to accomplish this? Would you like to be part of an active community-building project?

Come to the Reclaiming Our Friendly Community event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 11, in Roberts Center Room 117 (on the south side of the building). People involved with ongoing civility-building projects in the Newberg/Dundee area will describe their plans for 2025.

We’ll also hear from people with ideas for new or expanded civility projects in our area, and we all will share ideas about what can be done. You will have a chance to connect with others who share your vision for building a healthier community that welcomes all and comes to the aid of those in need.

For more information, including a link to a short video explaining the event, go to the Civility Project webpage or contact Ron Mock at civility@georgefox.edu.

If severe winter weather makes travel to or from campus unsafe, the provost will make the decision to announce a shift to remote classes and work. In nearly all cases, classes will continue to be offered online, and employees will work remotely. 

In the case of a delayed in-person start, university offices will not open until an announced time in the day, most often 10 a.m. or noon. Students, faculty and staff are not required to report to campus prior to the announced start time but are expected to attend class online or work remotely before the start time. If in-person classes will not be held and university offices will be closed all day, students, faculty and staff are expected to attend class online or work remotely. 

Those who cannot perform their duties at home should report to campus if they can arrive safely. If an employee cannot arrive safely or must remain home for any other reason, they may use a sick or vacation day to cover the absence. If no vacation is available, the employee can make up hours during the same week or record the time off without pay. 

The following is our process for announcing when there is a delayed in-person start or a shift to remote classes and work. The provost will make the decision by 6:30 a.m. for the Newberg campus and Portland Center for daytime classes or 2:15 p.m. for evening classes. Decisions on weekend classes and at the Redmond site will be made by the professor. 

Stay notified. Here’s how to find out if a decision has been made when severe weather occurs:

• Visit the George Fox Flashalert.net page. This is the first site updated. Enter your email address to create an account and receive notifications from FlashAlert Messenger.
• If you wish to receive a notification on your mobile device, download the FlashAlert smartphone app for iOS or Android. Either log in or create an account if you haven’t already. 
• Listen to local radio and television stations or visit their websites (this info comes via Flashalert).
• Call the George Fox University switchboard at (503) 538-8383.

More information on this change in procedure can be found on our winter weather policy page.

The finance office will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1 for Christmas break. Deposits that need to have a December 2024 date must be brought to the finance office no later than noon tomorrow (Friday). If it arrives later, it will go into a deposit for January 2025.

Please note our new location is 1515 Portland Road, formerly known as the “Sleep Center.”

Please look around your desks and file cabinets to see if there are any lingering items that need to go to the bank. If you are taking extra time off during the Christmas and New Year holiday, please send your deposits over before you leave.

If you have any questions about deposits, please contact Heather Groenlund at 503-554-2173. Thank you, and have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Note: For all deposit-related inquiries, please use our new email: deposits@georgefox.edu. Thank you!

Are you making an impact on your overall well-being by tackling your stress levels? Canopy offers a great Holistic Health for Stress Relief webinar taught by Michelle Martin, CIHC.

Martin talks about mindfulness exercise as well as physical, mental, spiritual and alternative forms of relief. She also discusses how to integrate these processes.

We encourage you to listen and learn some easy steps to relieve your stress in mind, body and soul – especially before the Christmas holiday!

As part of the implementation of our new eProcurement system, BruinBuy (powered by Unimarket), the process for requesting a new vendor has changed.

If you need to set up a new vendor, please email procurement-bruinbuy@georgefox.edu with your request. Procurement will then send an invitation to the vendor through our eProcurement portal.

For any questions or concerns, please reach out to Frank Charles at 2006 or fcharles@georgefox.edu.

Give students a meaningful gift this Christmas. We are well on our way to reaching our goal of 30% employee giving. All we need now is you! Here are a few ideas of where you can give:

• The George Fox Scholarship Fund: This fund supports scholarships and a number of programs that aid students every day.
• Bruin Community Pantry: The BCP supports students who have limited access to healthy food and educates them on healthy eating habits through cooking demonstrations and educational programming.
• Student Emergency Fund: This fund supports students in need who are experiencing financial hardship.

Thank you for standing with students this year!

To give through payroll deduction, fill out this form. Note: Login using the “Google” button with your George Fox email below the general login.

Contact Kelton Hedstrom at khedstrom@georgefox.edu if you have questions.

The finance office will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1 for Christmas break. Deposits that need to have a December 2024 date must be brought to the finance office no later than noon on Friday, Dec. 20. If it arrives later, it will go into a deposit for January 2025.

Please note our new location is 1515 Portland Road, formerly known as the “Sleep Center.”

Please look around your desks and file cabinets to see if there are any lingering items that need to go to the bank. If you are taking extra time off during the Christmas and New Year holiday, please send your deposits over before you leave.

If you have any questions about deposits, please contact Heather Groenlund at 503-554-2173. Thank you, and have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Note: For all deposit-related inquiries, please use our new email: deposits@georgefox.edu. Thank you!

Volunteers are needed at the Bruin Community Pantry food bank starting Monday, Jan. 13. We welcome George Fox students and employees to volunteer. This opportunity allows great connections with students and others in our community, and the new space in the Lewis 1 apartment is warm and inviting.

Some faculty members set up office hours during their shifts. If you’re a student and need community service hours for a class, volunteering at the food bank is a great way to fill those hours.

Volunteer requirements:

• Must be able to serve at the time slot that they choose for the entire semester. We do have substitutes available when something unexpected arises.
• Must be able to attend an orientation that lasts about 30 minutes.
• Required to complete two training presentations (a total of 20 minutes).

If you are interested in volunteering at the food bank, please complete this form.

If you have any questions, please contact Jere Witherspoon at 503-554-2316.

The hours for the Murdock Library through Jan. 12 are as follows:

• Dec. 17-20: Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 24-hour space open
• Dec. 21-22: Closed; 24-hour space open
• Dec. 23: Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 24-hour space open
• Dec. 24-Jan. 1: Closed, including 24-hour space
• Jan. 2-3: Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 24-hour space open
• Jan. 4-5: Closed; 24-hour space open
• Jan. 6-10: Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 24-hour space open
• Jan. 11-12: Closed; 24-hour space open

If you have any questions, contact Sarah Willhite at lwillhite@georgefox.edu.

Members of the campus community will have limited access to Hadlock Student Center on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

The courts and studios will be closed today due to a private event. However, the fitness center and climbing wall will remain open as usual from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kelsey Cantrall at kcantrall@georgefox.edu.

The finance office will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1 for Christmas break. Deposits that need to have a December 2024 date must be brought to the finance office no later than noon on Friday, Dec. 20. If it arrives later, it will go into a deposit for January 2025.

Please note our new location is 1515 Portland Road, formerly known as the “Sleep Center.”

Please look around your desks and file cabinets to see if there are any lingering items that need to go to the bank. If you are taking extra time off during the Christmas and New Year holiday, please send your deposits over before you leave.

If you have any questions about deposits, please contact Heather Groenlund at 503-554-2173. Thank you, and have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Note: For all deposit-related inquiries, please use our new email: deposits@georgefox.edu. Thank you!

Please join the Department of Social Work for our human rights poster presentation today (Thursday) from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the EHS Atrium. You can join any time during that period.

Enjoy light refreshments while browsing posters on various human rights issues affecting some of the most vulnerable communities in the world. Please come and support your students and peers!

Questions? Please contact Young-Il Kim at ykim@georgefox.edu.

Following are the Hadlock Student Center’s winter break hours (please note the updated times and dates from yesterday’s announcement):

• Dec. 23 – Jan. 2: Closed
• Dec. 14-22 and Jan. 3-11: Winter hours (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• Jan. 12: Normal hours resume (open until 11 p.m.)

December brings a blend of emotions, as the holiday season can be both a time of joy and reflection. For many, it’s a season of celebration, warmth and anticipation, as we enjoy traditions and time with loved ones. Yet, it can also be a challenging period with the pressures of gift-giving, financial worries, or the absence of those we hold dear.

During this season, let’s take a moment to focus on the true source of peace and joy – God’s love and presence in our lives. Amid the busyness, we invite you to reflect on the blessings around you and seek renewal in the hope and comfort he provides.

To help you keep your spirits bright this season, we encourage you to take a moment to read this information. Inside, you’ll find practical tips and uplifting reminders to carry you through the holidays with grace and positivity. Know that you are supported, cared for, and never alone in this journey.

Give students a meaningful gift this Christmas. We are well on our way to reaching our goal of 30% employee giving. All we need now is you! Here are a few ideas of where you can give:

• The George Fox Scholarship Fund: This fund supports scholarships and a number of programs that aid students every day.
• Bruin Community Pantry: The BCP supports students who have limited access to healthy food and educates them on healthy eating habits through cooking demonstrations and educational programming.
• Student Emergency Fund: This fund supports students in need who are experiencing financial hardship.

To give through payroll deduction, fill out this form. Note: Login using the “Google” button with your George Fox email below the general login.

Thank you for standing with students this year! Email Kelton Hedstrom at khedstrom@georgefox.edu if you have questions.

Christmas break is almost here! If you plan to leave your vehicle on campus over break, please do the following:

• Fill out the Vehicles Left On Campus Policy Form (this form can also be filled out in person at the Campus Public Safety office)
• Remove any personal belongings from your vehicle
• Park in a lot designated by Campus Public Safety personnel
• Leave a vehicle key at the CPS office located at 212 Carlton Way

Questions? Contact Karen Toohey at 503-554-2090 or email us at campussafety@georgefox.edu

Spring 2025 textbooks are now live online at the Bruin Bookstore. Visit our website to get ahead of the spring rush. Select “in store pick-up” and we will have your books ready for your return to campus!

Have a great finals week and happy holidays! See you in 2025!

The Bruin Bookstore will have adjusted hours for winter break:

• Dec. 14 (winter commencement): 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 16-20: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 23: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Dec. 24: Jan. 1 – Closed
• Jan. 2-3: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Spring term hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday) begin on Monday, Jan. 6.

There is a new exhibition in the library’s display cases: “Happy 400th Birthday, George Fox!” Come learn more about George Fox the person and about how our institution became known as George Fox University. This project was led by senior students Lydia Engel (English) and Gabrielle Simantel (history), and it will be displayed through the spring semester.

If you have any questions, contact archives@georgefox.edu.

Experiencing ho-ho-ho-liday stress? Here’s how to avoid it. The holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for many, it also brings unique challenges. From packed schedules and financial pressures to family dynamics and unrealistic expectations, the holidays can leave us feeling overwhelmed.

In this article, we’ll explore simple strategies to help you manage stress, prioritize your well-being, and rediscover the joy that makes this season truly special.