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. In nearly all cases, classes will continue to be offered online. 

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 are not required to report to campus prior to the announced start time but are expected to attend class online before the start time. If in-person classes will not be held, students are expected to attend class online. You should expect to receive information from your professors on how to access remote learning. 

The following is our process for announcing when there is a delayed in-person start or a shift to remote classes. 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.

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.

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.)

Are you leaving your bike on campus over break? The safest place to leave your bike is in your dorm room. Call Campus Public Safety at 503-554-2090 or email us at campussafety@georgefox.edu for any questions regarding your bike or vehicle.

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.

Please join the Department of Social Work for our human rights poster presentation on Thursday, Dec. 12, 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.

Take a well-deserved study break and join UREC for some energizing and stress-relieving fitness classes during finals week – all for free!

Class Schedule:

• Yoga – 6:30 a.m. today (Tuesday)
• Cycling – 6 p.m. today (Tuesday)
• Zumba – 4 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday)
• Circuit Training – 3:30 p.m. Thursday
• Power Barre – 5 p.m. Thursday
• Ballet Barre – 6:30 p.m. Thursday

These classes are the perfect way to refresh your mind, energize your body, and crush your finals with confidence. Sign up here.

Contact fitness@georgefox.edu if you have questions.

This is a reminder that the George Fox Mobile application will cease functioning at the end of this month. After this date, the mobile app will no longer be available or supported. Please note that you can find the same information that is available in the app on the George Fox website and MyGeorgeFox.

Finals week is almost upon us, including longer hours in the library for many. To bring a little fun to finals, you are cordially invited to join the library for Spirit Week. Dress according to each day’s theme and help us share a few extra smiles in our space.

• Friday, Dec. 6 – Flannel Friday
• Saturday, Dec. 7 – Funky Hat Saturday
• Sunday, Dec. 8 – Christmas Sweater Sunday
• Monday, Dec. 9 – Pajama Monday (Study Day)
• Tuesday, Dec. 10 – Uncasual Tuesday
• Wednesday, Dec. 11 – Crazy Sock Wednesday
• Thursday, Dec. 12 – Twin Thursday

Don’t forget that you can book study rooms on the library website, ask for multicolored whiteboard markers at the front desk, and that the 24-hour space will remain open throughout finals week. Keep an eye out for coffee near Whiteboard Wednesday and know that we’re cheering for you.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the library is expected to be colder than usual over the coming days. Plant Services is working diligently to fully restore our heat, but you may wish to wear additional layers while working in the building. Warm beverages will be available during library hours.

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

Join us tonight (Friday) for First Friday Art Walk in Newberg! This marks the last First Friday Art Walk of the semester. Current exhibitions “Heading Home: Glimpses of New Jerusalem” by Kieran Dodds in Lindgren Gallery and “other worlds” by Nicole Williford in Minthorne Gallery will close after this week.

Also, stop by Lemmons on your stroll between the galleries to check out and buy student artwork at the Holiday Art Market.

Contact Chandler Brutscher at cbrutscher@georgefox.edu for more information.

As part of our commitment to campus safety, we want to ensure all personal transportation devices, including bicycles, skateboards and e-mobility devices, are used responsibly. All devices must be operated respectfully on roads and sidewalks only, with operators yielding to pedestrians and using courteous communication when approaching. For everyone’s safety, all devices may not be ridden inside campus buildings, and riders should keep wheels on the ground at all times.

University policy supports the safe and respectful use of e-mobility devices around campus.

• E-mobility devices, such as e-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards, should be ridden at slower speeds, especially in pedestrian-heavy areas.
• To mitigate fire risks, indoor charging and storage of these devices are strictly prohibited in accordance with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue guidelines, institutional insurance requirements, and Oregon state law. Riding, storing or charging these devices inside campus buildings is forbidden.
• Devices must not block fire exits, stairways, or emergency access areas and should be parked only at designated bike racks.
• Remember, helmets and other safety gear are highly recommended.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in keeping our campus safe and accessible for all!