The Daily Bruin

COVID-19 has brought many challenges, including additional costs due to the disruption of campus operations. We know that many students have questions about the CARES Act and Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) that were allocated by the government as a result.

The Department of Education has issued guidance on disbursing these funds. George Fox University is working diligently to ensure that their regulations regarding disbursement of these funds are met.

The university is now sending out funds from the CARES Act to eligible students. If you have any questions about eligibility and these funds, please visit the CARES Act Grant FAQ.

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is now accepting applications for a new grant program aimed at helping Oregon veterans complete their educational goals.

The Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program provides financial assistance to veterans who are unable to complete their education due to the unavailability of one or more required classes.

Eligible student veterans may receive grants of up to $5,000. Recipients must be a veteran eligible for GI Bill® benefits, must be an Oregon resident and must be enrolled in an Oregon-based academic program that is approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

For more information about the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program, or to apply, visit the ODVA website. Questions may also be directed to ODVA’s Veteran Educational Bridge Grant coordinator, Scott Salazar, at ebg@odva.state.or.us or by phone at 503-373-2338. 

Important Notice: Make sure you upgrade to Zoom 5.0 as soon as possible. After May 30, 2020, all Zoom accounts that are on older versions will receive a forced upgrade when trying to join meetings, which may cause delays. 

To upgrade, open the Zoom app and left-click on your initials in the upper right corner of the app, then select “Check for Updates.” Install if available.

If you have any questions, please contact the Service Desk at servicedesk@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2569.

FoxTALE will be unavailable tomorrow (Wednesday) from 6 to 8 a.m. (Pacific Time) for scheduled maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes.

Questions? Email servicedesk@georgefox.edu or call 503-554-2569.

All university offices in Newberg and at regional sites will be closed this Monday, May 25, to observe the Memorial Day holiday.

The Department of Education recently released the final regulations for implementing protections of equal access to education under Title IX of the Higher Education Act of 1972. As federal laws, these regulations govern how institutions are required to respond to sexual assault and other forms of sexual harassment. These regulations are effective as of Aug. 14, 2020.

These regulations are significant, and we are carefully reviewing them over the coming weeks to determine what adjustments we need to make to our current policies and/or our processes for addressing reports of sexual assault and harassment.

The state of Oregon also has relevant legislation, and we need to consider how the federal and state regulations interact with one another. We will be certain to inform our community of any changes we need to make as a result of these new laws.

We recognize that many members of our community have been deeply impacted by sexual assault. It is important that you know that our commitment to preventing sexual assault, supporting those who report experiencing harm, and conducting fair, transparent and safe grievance processes for all parties continues to be a top priority for us. We remain steadfastly focused on continuing to build a supportive, safe and welcoming environment where everyone can learn, work and thrive.  

If you have experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault, you are encouraged to connect to the resources at our institution or elsewhere that can best support you. Much of this information is on our website at georgefox.edu/titleix. We also have added a new video resource specific to George Fox on our Title IX website’s home page that addresses some common questions.

Our Title IX team’s contact information is on the Title IX website under “staff.” Please contact the Office of Student Life (studentlife@georgefox.edu) if you have any questions or concerns.

FoxTALE will be unavailable Wednesday, May 27, from 6 to 8 a.m. (Pacific Time) for scheduled maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes.

Questions? Email servicedesk@georgefox.edu or call 503-554-2569.

The Hadlock Student Center is continuing to offer a few virtual group fitness classes throughout the month of May (Yoga and Body Tone). 

These classes will be taught by our own instructors, whom you already know and love. To see the full schedule or to sign up, go to imleagues.com!

Questions? Contact Rob Simpson at simpsonr@georgefox.edu.

It’s time for a long overdue one-day flash sale at the Bruin Store! Today (Wednesday) only, get 25 percent off of your online order, including clothing, accessories, gifts, and collectibles. Use promo code MAYFLASH at georgefoxshop.com.

Note: Sale is online only, and exclusions apply. Questions? Contact Paige Jacobs at pjacobs@georgefox.edu.

The Hadlock Student Center is continuing to offer a few virtual group fitness classes throughout the month of May (Yoga and Body Tone). 

These classes will be taught by our own instructors, whom you already know and love. To see the full schedule or to sign up, go to imleagues.com!

Questions? Contact Rob Simpson at simpsonr@georgefox.edu.

If you could teach someone about COVID-19 and the quarantine 100 years from now, what would you share? What records and artifacts would you give them to learn from? In 100 years where would historians find these records?

We in archives invite George Fox students and employees to share your COVID-19 story with this submission form. How has this pandemic impacted your life? What has this experience been like for you? Sharing your experiences now will help people in the future understand what life was like during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have any questions, contact Rachel Thomas at rthomas@georgefox.edu.

The Beebe Post Office will be locked for the summer but will still be accessible to students who need to check their mail. Students will need to call Campus Public Safety (503-554-2090) to gain access to their mailboxes.

Mail Services will continue to deliver mail on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the duration of the summer. 

Students who have mailboxes in other buildings will also need to call Campus Public Safety in order to access their mailboxes. 

Questions? Call Campus Public Safety at 503-554-2090 or email Elrike Shaw at eshaw@georgefox.edu.

If you could teach someone about COVID-19 and the quarantine 100 years from now, what would you share? What records and artifacts would you give them to learn from? In 100 years where would historians find these records?

We in archives invite George Fox students and employees to share your COVID-19 story with this submission form. How has this pandemic impacted your life? What has this experience been like for you? Sharing your experiences now will help people in the future understand what life was like during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have any questions, contact Rachel Thomas at rthomas@georgefox.edu.

The Beebe Post Office will be locked for the summer but will still be accessible to students who need to check their mail. Students will need to call Campus Public Safety (503-554-2090) to gain access to their mailboxes.

Mail Services will continue to deliver mail on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the duration of the summer. 

Students who have mailboxes in other buildings will also need to call Campus Public Safety in order to access their mailboxes. 

Questions? Call Campus Public Safety at 503-554-2090 or email Elrike Shaw at eshaw@georgefox.edu.

If your contract ends soon and/or you will not be on campus through the summer, please bring over any cash or checks before you leave.

Please look around your desks and file cabinets to see if there are any lingering items that need to be deposited. Checks dated prior to June 30, 2020, must be deposited in the current fiscal year.

If you have any questions about deposits, please contact Heather Groenlund at 503-554-2173. Thank you and have a great summer!

The Hadlock Student Center intramurals program is hosting a running, cycling and walking/hiking challenge during the month of May. The individuals who log the most minutes for the entire month (there will be three separate groups) will win the respective championship. Depending on the number of sign-ups, we may have separate categories for students and faculty/staff.

Whether you run, ride or walk/hike really fast, or you’re just getting out for some exercise and cruising, the winners will be determined not by speed but by the total number of minutes for the entire month of May.

For more information and to sign up, go to imleagues.com. Questions? Email studentcenter@georgefox.edu.

George Fox is planning for students to return to dorms and classrooms on campus for the fall semester. We are committed to finding a way to provide the in-person campus experience that is invaluable to helping our students find their calling.

We will do so thoughtfully and within the mandates from the governor’s office, but we will do everything in our power to offer our students in-person teaching rather than only remote delivery this fall. Teams of George Fox employees are developing plans – in concert with the governor’s office and public health guidance – for the return to campus.

Over the last few weeks, automated emails have been sent reminding you of your upcoming rental books that need returned. In those emails, there are instructions to ship your books back, as well as instructions to print a prepaid shipping label that our company has provided. Please refer back to those emails and send your book in as soon as possible. 

When you ship your textbook(s) back, we will need you to include your first and last name, phone number, email address, and your rental patron ID number (which is also listed in your rental return reminder email). Without this information, we are unable to process your check-ins. 

Questions? Contact Paige Jacobs at pjacobs@georgefox.edu.

Now more than ever we all need to feel more comfortable working in the kitchen. Starting mid-May, live online cooking classes will be offered to all George Fox students, alumni and employees.

We will talk about how to use pantry food and elevate it with inexpensive ingredients from the produce, meat and dairy sections. From potatoes to rice, we will look at simple techniques that will give you many more options for healthy and nutritious food on a budget. You will learn to modify recipes for almost every dietary need.

Please complete this form if you are interested in participating in these classes. Whether you are in Alaska, California, Hawaii or Newberg, you can join in. All classes will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. There are no obligations!

Take advantage of these crazy days and learn to cook. You won’t be sorry! Classes will be taught by the Bruin Community Pantry’s Jere Witherspoon, and there may be special guests!

Questions? Contact Jere at jwitherspoon@georgefox.edu.

Around this time each year, with a class of seniors graduating, student loan repayment scams start to become more common. Here are a few tips and a resource so you can be on the lookout. 

Tips

• Know the names of your private and federal loan servicer. 
• Your lender will not call you about student loan forgiveness.
• Scammers will often use the promise of student loan discharge or forgiveness.
• You should never have to pay a fee to enroll in an income-driven repayment plan. Contact your lender directly if you have questions. 
• Watch out for third-party companies promising fast loan forgiveness, or use pressure tactics.

For more information on what to look out for, please go to this link. To find your federal loan servicer, please follow these steps:

• Go to Studentaid.gov
• Log in with your FSA username and password
• On your dashboard it will have their name
• You can also call 1-800-433-3243

You can always reach out to the financial aid office for more help at finaid@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2301.