The Daily Bruin

Let’s work together to help students succeed! The Academic Resource Center (ARC) is here to be a resource for students.

To make sure we’re ready to help, please let us know if you are assigning an ARC-required assignment or an extra credit opportunity. Knowing this helps us better prepare our consultants and anticipate an increase in student visits.

We also encourage you to send students our way for general support! We can assist them with:

• Writing: We can help students at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to putting the finishing touches on a paper.
• Academic Coaching: We can help students build crucial skills like effective time management and study strategies.

Your partnership makes a huge difference in helping us help students. Thank you for including us as a resource in your classes.

Contact Heather Harney at hharney@georgefox.edu if you have a required assignment, would like to assign extra credit, or if you have questions.

Navigating Medicare doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re approaching retirement yourself or helping a parent or spouse figure out their options, expert help is on the way.

George Fox has partnered with SGIA Medicare Consulting to bring you exclusive, interactive virtual Medicare seminars. Bring your spouse, bring your parents, and get the clarity your whole family deserves—completely free!

What you’ll learn:

• Medicare Basics Demystified: Understand Parts A, B, C, and D without the confusing jargon.
• Smart Plan Comparison: Get a clear, unbiased breakdown of Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement plans.
• Timelines & Deadlines: Learn key enrollment windows so you avoid permanent financial penalties.
• Live Q&A: Get your personal, family-specific questions answered by trusted professionals in real time.

Click either of the links below to choose the session that fits your schedule:

Option 1: Tuesday, Sept. 22 | Noon
Option 2: Tuesday, Sept. 29 | 3 p.m.

Whether you need immediate coverage answers or just want a head start on planning for the future, don’t navigate it alone. Reserve a spot for you and your family members today!

Questions? Contact Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu. 

Whether you are looking to buy your first home, sell, or refinance, the George Fox University Employee Homeownership Program is designed to simplify the process and save you money. Most participating employees save thousands of dollars off traditional loan and real estate costs through these employer-sponsored benefits.

Attend the information webinar: Discover program perks, learn how to streamline your home buying or selling journey, and see how much you could save by attending a webinar at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Book a private consultation: Have specific scenario questions? Schedule a one-on-one session with a dedicated benefits advisor to get personalized guidance on Wednesday, Sept. 23, between 1:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Take advantage of this valuable workplace perk; click here to register for the upcoming webinar session or book your private advisor consultation! 

Questions? Contact Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu. 

Bruinpalooza, our Homecoming and Family Weekend party on the quad, is happening on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.! This event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your department, have fun, and engage with alumni, students and parents in our community.

We’d love for you to participate by hosting a booth at the big event. To find out more details and sign up, please fill out this form by Thursday, Sept. 10.

Reach out to Kelton Hedstrom in the alumni relations office at khedstrom@georgefox.edu with any questions.

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 (Wednesday), from 3 to 3:45 p.m.

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

Balancing your vocation with parenting requires a strong support system. Tap into dedicated childcare resources to find reliable, vetted support for your children, keeping your home life anchored and secure.

To learn more about your caregiver resources, go to the university’s Wellness page.

The university will have added over 250 new parking spaces this year with the expansion of the Morse parking lot (next to the ball fields) on Fulton and Villa. However, the first section of that lot will not be completed until mid-September, with the second portion not being completed until mid-October.

Because of these timelines, parking will be particularly challenging for the first two weeks of the term. While students have received specific parking guidelines and remain prohibited from employee lots, we kindly ask that staff refrain from using student spaces.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation! Questions? Contact Karen Toohey at ktoohey@georgefox.edu.

Navigating Medicare can feel complex, whether you are planning for your own future or assisting a family member.

To help make the process clear and simple, George Fox is partnering with SGIA Medicare Consulting to host virtual Medicare Assistance Program sessions designed specifically for our staff, faculty, and their families.

Spouses and parents of employees are warmly invited to attend these live presentations, which will cover the core components of Medicare, break down the key differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, and highlight essential enrollment timeframes so you never miss a deadline.

Join us for personalized guidance tailored to your family’s needs. There are two upcoming virtual meeting options: Tuesday, Sept. 22, at noon or Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 3 p.m.

Whether you have immediate questions or simply want to prepare for the road ahead, this is a great opportunity to get trusted answers.

Click here for more information. Questions? Contact Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu.

Do you long for moments to wait upon the Lord? All are welcome to join in a regular time of Quaker open worship each Wednesday, starting today, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. in the chapel, where we sit in silent expectation of Christ’s leading. 

Alternative chapel credit will be available for undergraduate students. Questions? Contact Jay Miller at jaym@georgefox.edu. 

Are you interested in helping keep our campus safe and participating in campus safety initiatives? We are looking for members to join the George Fox Safety Committee!

Committee members’ responsibilities will include a one-year commitment and monthly meetings. Members will conduct quarterly building inspections, plan and lead safety drills, and participate in the annual Safety Fair, as well as other fun events throughout the year.

If you are interested, please complete this interest form. Questions? Contact Kim Knoernschild at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu.

Know of any great George Fox-related stories? Students making a difference in their communities? An inspiring account of someone who has overcome obstacles or has had an amazing faith journey? A professor who exemplifies the Be Known promise?

If so, we in marketing communications want to hear about it! Please complete this form with the name of the person you wish to highlight, their contact info (if possible), and a few details about what makes their story compelling. We’ll take it from there!

Some folks may be featured in our blog and/or on our website. Still others may be featured in a video or in our university magazine. In short, we’re looking for stories that communicate why George Fox is such a special place.

Thanks for taking the time to share these stories with us!

Did you know this Friday, Sept. 4, is National College Colors Day? You know what that means! Time to break out your blue-and-gold Bruin gear and show your school spirit this Friday.

We encourage you to wear your school colors with pride – and that goes for both students and employees!

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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!