Important federal student debt relief announcement

Wednesday, August 24th, 2022

The federal government released information about a student debt relief plan on Aug. 24. This includes:

  • The final extension of the student loan repayment pause through Dec. 31, 2022
  • Providing targeted debt relief to low- and middle-income families
  • Making the student loan system more manageable for current and future borrowers

We are currently awaiting further guidance from the Department of Education. You can find more information about the plan at studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement.

Important Note: The debt relief only applies to loans disbursed by June 30, 2022. This means loans for the 2022-23 school year do not qualify for this program.

To view your personal federal student loan and Pell grant history, login to your dashboard at studentaid.gov.

Questions? Contact Aaron Geist at ageist@georgefox.edu.

Some parking changes to be aware of

Wednesday, August 24th, 2022

Welcome back to Fox! If you will be parking on campus, there are a few changes you should be aware of.

  • The Pennington (Penn) parking lot and the River Street lot will only be available to students who have a Penn parking permit. No other residents or commuters will be allowed to park there. Employees should also refrain from parking in these lots.
  • The row of parking spaces facing Sheridan street in the Stevens lot has been converted to student parking and will be reserved for resident and commuter permit holders. There are 22 spaces.
  • Overflow parking for staff and students will be available at the Highway 99 lot, which is right next to Steve’s Automotive. Do not park in spaces marked off for Steve’s Automotive.
  • Remember the Morse lot, near the baseball fields, on the north side of campus is also another option for overflow parking.

Any questions? Call the Campus Public Safety office at 503-554-2090.

Be aware of phishing attempts

Wednesday, August 24th, 2022

As we get close to the start of the term, there are an increasing number of scam and phishing attempts around campus. These have primarily come in the form of emails and text messages. Often they are asking for wire transfers, advertising fake job postings or asking users to open documents.

So that you don’t fall victim to these attempts, please review the guidelines below.

If you feel you’ve received a suspicious email or text, check the following:

  • Check the sender’s address or phone number. If it is unrecognizable or something similar to, but not exactly the same as the sender’s normal email address, it could be a phishing attempt. Please note that a similar email address does not mean the original email address has been compromised; this is called a spoofing account.
  • Any link or odd instructions. If the email directs you to click on a link (even something familiar such as iTunes, etc.) or input sensitive information, it could be an attempt to get your password or other important information. Do not reply to the email or text. Always verify requests for sensitive data or transfers of money in person or by directly calling a known phone number.

If you feel that you have received some sort of phishing attempt:

  1. If you receive an email or text message that you suspect is a phishing attempt, you should forward it to servicedesk@georgefox.edu with an explanation.
  2. You should not click any links or open any attachments.
  3. When Google identifies that an email may be phishing or suspicious, they might show a warning or move the email to Spam.
  4. If an email wasn’t marked correctly, follow the steps below to mark or unmark it as phishing.
    1. On a computer, go to Gmail
    2. Open the message.
    3. Next to Reply <–, click “More” (represented by three dots vertically stacked).
    4. Click “Report Phishing”
  5. Request that anyone who has been emailed via the attempt also report it as phishing in their inbox.
  6. If you did not click on any links or reply, you do not need to do anything further.
  7. If you did click on a link or send a reply with sensitive information, you’ll want to change your password as soon as you can in my.georgefox.edu (this will automatically update your email password). Then go through the Settings in your Gmail account to look for anything amiss, such as an unfamiliar forwarding address, filter or vacation-responder that you never created.

Feel free to call the Service Desk at 503-545-2569 if you would like help walking through these steps.

Be mindful of construction when walking about campus

Wednesday, August 24th, 2022

With construction on the new chapel set to begin, please be mindful of your surroundings as you make your way around campus.

When walking through campus, please use the Crisman Crossing bridge instead of the Wheeler bridge or the Wheeler access road (Amphitheater Way). All trails in the canyon leading north of the Wheeler access road will be closed until further notice.

Please contact Plant Services at plantservices@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Carlton Way will be closed to vehicles, foot traffic beginning Aug. 29

Wednesday, August 24th, 2022

Construction is about to begin on George Fox’s new chapel. Beginning Monday, Aug. 29, Carlton Way will be closed from the Murdock Library to North Street until further notice. This applies to both vehicular traffic and foot traffic.

Join the Bruin Brigade to help out at home football games

Wednesday, August 24th, 2022

Interested in a volunteer opportunity to serve our awesome Bruin football fans? Then Bruin Brigade is the place for you!

The Bruin Brigade is a team of volunteers who help at the ticket tent, gates, and direct traffic in the parking lots prior to every home game. The team arrives two hours before kickoff and are free to enjoy the rest of the game starting at halftime.

All volunteers will receive a meal prior to each game they volunteer, free entry into the second half of the game, and a T-shirt.

If this sounds like something you would like to help with, please email Mindy Mickelson in the athletics department at mmickelson@georgefox.edu with your first and last name, the games you can volunteer, your cell phone number, and your T-shirt size.

Please note: We are asking for a three-game commitment to receive a T-shirt. Volunteers working the gates will need to be willing to use their phone to scan in tickets through the HomeTown Gate app (free on app store). WiFi is available at the gates.

2022 Football Schedule:

  • Saturday, Sept. 17, vs. Chapman at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 1, vs. Pacific Lutheran at 4:30 p.m. (Homecoming & Hall of Fame)
  • Saturday, Oct. 15, vs. Puget Sound at 1:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 29, vs. Linfield at 1:30 p.m. (Family Weekend)
  • Saturday, Nov. 5, vs. Lewis & Clark at 4:30 p.m.

Title IX prevention courses required of graduate and Connect students

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022

George Fox University is committed to providing a supportive learning environment and fostering safe, healthy relationships among our students. This is especially true for a Christ-centered community such as ours that seeks to love God and others.

As such, the institution and members of our community will not tolerate sexual misconduct including but not limited to sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence.

We have contracted with Vector Solutions/Safe Colleges to provide training and education on these important topics. In order to comply with federal law, the Campus Save Act, all students, including those studying online at a distance, are required to complete the course titled “Sexual Violence Prevention for Graduate Students” by Sept. 26, 2022.

Next week all students will be sent more information about this required course, including links to the online course.

The content of this course may be sensitive for you based on your past experiences and background. In no way is it our desire to be insensitive to you. While you will learn about numerous resources available to you, our Health and Counseling Center and Spiritual Life Office are here to support you. These are completely confidential, on-campus resources.

If you have any questions or if taking this course causes you to experience anxiety, please email our program administrator, Jere Witherspoon, at jwitherspoon@georgefox.edu.

Please clear these parking spaces today as Welcome Weekend approaches

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022

We need the following areas cleared of vehicles by 4 p.m. today (Wednesday) to facilitate students moving in this weekend. Please move your vehicle if it is parked in:

  • Bauman/Ross lot
  • Spaces in front of HMS
  • Southwest row of the Pennington lot that faces the residence hall.

We appreciate everyone making space for our students to move in. For more information, call Campus Public Safety at 503-554-2091.

Mail Services seeks your feedback with survey

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022

Mail Services wants to hear from you! Share with us how we are doing and tell us about your experience at Mail Services. Please use this link to fill out the survey.

Contact Richard Silver at rsilver@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Interested in helping out with football production?

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022

Interested in helping out on Bruin game days? Know the game of football? Maybe you have production experience? Athletics is looking for a detail-oriented faculty, staff or student to help in the control room during all five home football games, scheduled on Sept. 17, Oct. 1, Oct. 15, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5.

Sound like something you’d be great at? Contact Jenéa Walters at jshoemaker@georgefox.edu for more information.

Some parking changes to be aware of

Monday, August 22nd, 2022

Welcome back to Fox! If you will be parking on campus, there are a few changes you should be aware of.

  • The Pennington (Penn) parking lot and the River Street lot will only be available to students who have a Penn parking permit. No other residents or commuters will be allowed to park there.
  • The row of parking spaces facing Sheridan street in the Stevens lot has been converted to student parking and will be reserved for resident and commuter permit holders. There are 22 spaces.
  • Overflow parking for staff and students will be available at the Highway 99 lot, which is right next to Steve’s Automotive. Do not park in spaces marked off for Steve’s Automotive.
  • Remember the Morse lot, near the baseball fields, on the north side of campus is also another option for overflow parking.

Any questions? Call the Campus Public Safety office at 503-554-2090.

Be aware of construction areas as you walk around campus

Sunday, August 21st, 2022

The campus is abuzz with activities as we begin to lay the groundwork for our new art annex and chapel. Various construction zones will interrupt and change what we have come to expect as we walk through campus.

As faculty, staff, students and neighbors, we all share a responsibility for our personal safety around campus, especially in those areas where construction traffic will be most prevalent. Please review these construction zone safety tips.

If you have any safety concerns or questions, please reach out to Kim Knoernschild, our environmental health and safety specialist, at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu.

Sign up by Friday to be a Life Group leader this fall

Sunday, August 21st, 2022

The Office of Spiritual Life is looking for Life Group leaders for this fall (the weeks of Sept. 19 through Nov. 7). We welcome our employees, current seniors, alumni, family members of George Fox employees and students, and members of our wonderful local churches to consider leading a group.

Life Groups are small groups of undergraduate students who meet together for prayer, Bible study and fellowship. Groups meet weekly for 60 to 90 minutes and gather either in person or completely via Zoom (this provides access for our George Fox Digital students).

Life Groups through the Office of Spiritual Life will also be SpIL-credit eligible in order to encourage students to engage in high-quality spiritual formation experiences that are participatory and offer ongoing community. To sign up as a leader, please fill out this form by Friday, Aug. 26.

For more information, visit this webpage or contact the spiritual life office at spirituallife@georgefox.edu.

Swing by Minthorne Gallery during final two days of ‘Once Was Mud’ exhibit

Wednesday, August 17th, 2022

Minthorne Gallery’s “Once Was Mud” exhibition remains open for two more days! Don’t miss this wood-fired ceramics show featuring over a dozen local artists working in clay.

This exhibition initially came together as a retrospective of former Art and Design Chair and Professor Mark Terry, and in true “Mark fashion,” it transformed into a celebration of his ceramics community. Enjoy viewing works by Mark, many of his former colleagues, friends, students and family!

With over 80 art objects to view, it is a robust representation of our regional ceramics scene. The show is up today (Thursday) and tomorrow, and can be visited between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Contact Chandler Brutscher at cbrutscher@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Sign up to be a Life Group leader this fall

Monday, August 15th, 2022

The Office of Spiritual Life is looking for Life Group leaders for this fall (the weeks of Sept. 19 through Nov. 7). We welcome our employees, current seniors, alumni, family members of George Fox employees and students, and members of our wonderful local churches to consider leading a group.

Life Groups are small groups of undergraduate students who meet together for prayer, Bible study and fellowship. Groups meet weekly for 60 to 90 minutes and gather either in person or completely via Zoom (this provides access for our George Fox Digital students).

Life Groups through the Office of Spiritual Life will also be SpIL-credit eligible in order to encourage students to engage in high-quality spiritual formation experiences that are participatory and offer ongoing community. To sign up as a leader, please fill out this form by Friday, Aug. 26.

For more information, visit this webpage or contact the spiritual life office at spirituallife@georgefox.edu.

Carlton Way, Minthorn parking lot closed today and tomorrow

Monday, August 15th, 2022

Carlton Way will be closed between the North Street Annex building and the Murdock Library (Minthorn parking lot) for construction work today (Tuesday) and tomorrow. There will be no through traffic or parking in this area during this time, and please avoid the space in general.

Thank you,
Plant Services

Use 25Live to reserve Pavilion & Fire Pit

Sunday, August 14th, 2022

Did you know the Pavilion & Fire Pit is available for all employees and students to reserve and use for organized events? The Pavilion & Fire Pit, located in the canyon next to the Carey Residence Hall, provides a beautiful setting and comfortable event space for about 50 participants.

To use this area, a confirmed reservation with a fire-use permit is required. Submit your request through 25Live; you schedule this location just like a room. You’ll receive an email confirmation with the fire-use permit once your request has been approved. Print a copy or have the permit handy to display on a mobile device during your event.

At the end of your event, properly extinguish the fire. We appreciate your diligence in using the 25Live campus scheduling system and keeping our campus safe.

If you have questions, contact Lisa Leslie at lleslie@georgefox.edu.

Final call to register for Interprofessional Primary Care Institute’s CME event

Sunday, August 14th, 2022

Join the Interprofessional Primary Care Institute for a special continuing medical education (CME) event Aug. 17-19 on Zoom. Titled “Get Psyched!,” it is designed for all healthcare workers to assist in enhancing primary care behavioral health for all people served.

With rising rates of depression, anxiety, suicide attempts, substance use, etc. it is more important than ever to have robust, accessible and effective primary care behavioral health services.

Come hear about this transformational approach from Patti Robinson, PhD. Robinson is an internationally renowned psychologist, and we are privileged to have her as our institute’s innovation director. Joining her in the team presentation are Bhavesh Rajani, MD, MBA, Amber Nelson, PsyD, and Julie Oyemaja, PsyD, all of whom are experienced interprofessional primary care team players.

For more information or to register, please visit this page. Questions? Contact Tammy O’Doherty at todohert@georgefox.edu.

Help needed assembling cart for Nutrition Matters kitchen

Sunday, August 14th, 2022

Jere Witherspoon is looking for someone to assemble a kitchen cart for the Nutrition Matters Kitchen. Here is a link to the type of cart that needs to be assembled.

If you are interested in this project, please contact Jere at jwithers@georgefox.edu.

Thank you!

The Bruin Community Pantry needs your help

Sunday, August 14th, 2022

With the combination of rising food costs, inflation and gas prices, food banks are facing significant challenges in getting government-subsidized food. In addition, Yamhill Community Partnership’s (our connection to the Oregon Food Bank) freezer broke, and, due to supply chain issues, it won’t be repaired for about two months.

This has greatly impacted the Bruin Community Pantry food bank’s ability to provide frozen meat to our clients. Last month we began to purchase ground meat – the easiest meat for our students to prepare – from Grocery Outlet to offset this situation. However, our budget is unable to sustain this for long.

We are reaching out to the George Fox community to let you know about this situation, and invite you to participate in financially supporting this effort or to purchase ground meat and donate it to the Bruin Community Pantry.

If you would like to become a financial partner with the BCP, please contact advancement at giving@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2110 for details on how to either give monthly or make a one-time gift.

If you would like to donate frozen ground meat to the food bank, please contact Jere Witherspoon to arrange a drop-off at the food bank in Roberts 110. You can call or email Jere at jwithers@georgefox.edu or call her at 503-554-2316.

Thank you for considering this opportunity.