The Daily Bruin

George Fox will celebrate World Religions Day by hosting “Sacred Journey: Perspectives on Lived Faith,” featuring a panel of faith leaders from the Portland area. Guests will engage in conversation from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, in the Cap and Gown Room on the Newberg campus. The event is part of the university’s engagement with the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge.

Panelists expected include Rabbi Daniel Isaak from Congregation Neveh Shalom (southwest Portland); Shahriar Ahmed, president of Bilal Masjid (Beaverton); Abbot Kyogen Carlson, from the Dharma Rain Zen Center (southeast Portland); and Sarah Thomas Baldwin, George Fox’s campus pastor and dean of spiritual life.

This time is meant to celebrate the particularity as well as the interconnectivity of lived belief. It is a time meant to learn about each other and to enjoy the company of one another, according to Clint Baldwin (Center for Peace and Justice).

To learn more, visit the Peace and Justice site. Questions? Contact Melanie Newell at ext. 2686 or mnewell@georgefox.edu.

In a follow-up to last year’s Celebration of William Stafford event, George Fox will host authors Ursula K. Le Guin and Eleanor Berry from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, in Hoover 105. There is no charge to attend.

About Ursula K. Le Guin

Le Guin’s books have been finalists for the American Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. She writes both poetry and prose in various modes, including realistic fiction, science fiction, fantasy, young children’s books, books for young adults, screenplays, essays, verbal texts for musicians, and voice texts. She has published seven books of poetry, 22 novels, more than 100 short stories (collected in 11 volumes), four collections of essays, 12 books for children, and four volumes of translation. She has received many awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, National Book Award, PEN-Malamud, and others.

About Eleanor Berry

Berry, a former teacher of writing and literature at Willamette University, organizes poetry events in nearby Stayton, is a member of the committee that oversees the Oregon Poetry Collection at the Oregon State Library, and serves on the boards of the Marion Cultural Development Corporation and the Oregon State Poetry Association. Her poetry and essays on poetry have been widely published in journals and anthologies. Green November, a book of poems derived from her acclimation to western Oregon, was published in 2007.

In Honor of Stafford

The authors will read poetry and interact with attendees. The event is held in honor of Stafford, the former U.S. poet laureate and Oregon poet laureate whose life and works exemplified a quest for peace and truth. It is being hosted by the university’s Center for Peace and Justice in collaboration with the Friends of William Stafford and two of that organization’s board members, Dennis and Helen Schmidling.

Questions? Contact Melanie Newell at ext. 2686 or mnewell@georgefox.edu.

Did you take piano lessons when you were in elementary school and then quit for no good reason? Now you’re thinking, “I wish I stayed in those lessons – I love the piano!”

If so, there are two classes you should consider enrolling in this semester. One is a skill-based class (MUSI 135B Class Piano), geared toward those of you who have some piano background. It meets once a week on Mondays at 1:40 p.m. in Ross 218.

The other is a review of all keyboard music, including organ, piano, harpsichord, keyboard, etc. (MUSI 210). If you love listening to and want to learn more about piano music, this class is for you. The schedule for this is to be determined. Enroll the week of Jan. 9 and I will collect schedules and find a time for us to meet.

Questions? E-mail Kenn Willson at kwillson@georgefox.edu.

Interested in learning guitar – or becoming a better player? Check out the following options at George Fox this spring.

Beginning Class Guitar is offered for those new to the guitar who want to learn in a fun group setting (Tuesdays/Thursdays, 9:40-10:30 a.m). Learn to strum and pick popular worship songs while learning to read music. MUSI 250-A

Private Lessons/Applied Guitar is offered to bring your playing to the next level. One-on-one lessons cover beginners all the way to very experienced players. Sign up and get some new skills and techniques. All styles are covered, including jazz, blues, rock, worship, folk, etc. MUSA 105/305 GT

Lessons are taught by George Fox guitar professor Dave Iula. He has performed at many churches in Portland (Beaverton Foursquare, Southlake Church, Rolling Hills, Imago Dei Community) as well as Porland’s finest clubs (Jimmy Mak’s, The Blue Monk, Mississippi Studios).

E-mail Dave for more info: daveiula1@gmail.com.

If you are eligible to do so please make any changes to your meal plan today.

Detailed information about meal plans can be found at this website.

Student Life suggests that EVERYONE confirm their meal plan to be certain that you have the meal plan that you are expecting.

You can change your meal plan and confirm which meal plan you have in your MyGFU account – STUDENT RESOURCES – UNIVERSITY FORMS.

The 21, 14, 10, 10 +Flex, 7 and No Meal Plan all roll over from the fall to the spring semesters.

The 35 Block and the All Flex Plan do NOT roll over. These convert to the No Meal Plan. If you want to renew the All Flex or 35 Block Plan you must add these meal plans to your account in MyGFU.

Please Note: All changes must be processed no later than Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. However, students can always add a meal plan through out the semester by contacting Jere Witherspoon in the student life office.

Accommodations to the meal plan are provided only through documented medical conditions.

All questions about the meal plans should be directed to Jere Witherspoon.

And now, an essay about the meal plan benefits by Dave Johnstone, associate dean of residence life:

The best part of a meal plan has nothing to do with the quality or nutrition of the food. The attractive part of eating on a meal plan is the opportunity to frequently connect with peers and classmates. Sharing a meal, conversation around the table, debriefing the day or anticipating what might unfold is really the gem of being on a meal plan. Historically and culturally communities have been built around food. I am not sure why it works, but sharing a meal is one of most significant ways to build a relationship, hence it strengthens our community. That in itself is a major benefit for being on the meal plan.

The Bruin Den is open every day this week from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will resume our regular hours on Monday, Jan. 9.

Looking for student employment? Want a fun, resume-building job? Are you an outgoing person who loves talking with others? Look no further! We have a job for you!

The Telephone Outreach Team is looking for three new team members to join us starting in February. Telephone Outreach Team Members serve as an ambassador of George Fox by establishing and maintaining a connection to the university with its constituents (alumni, parents and friends of George Fox).

We are located in Coyote Place, located one mile off campus, so reliable transportation rain or shine is required! Apply through Bruin Careers and look for position ID #457: Telephone Outreach Team member. The deadline to apply has been extended to Monday, Jan. 9.

If you have any questions, please contact Mandria Montplaisir, director of annual giving, at mmontplaisir@georgefox.edu.

All university offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 2, to observe the New Year’s holiday.

Looking for student employment? Want a fun, resume-building job? Are you an outgoing person who loves talking with others? Look no further! We have a job for you!

The Telephone Outreach Team is looking for three new team members to join us starting in February. Telephone Outreach Team Members serve as an ambassador of George Fox by establishing and maintaining a connection to the university with its constituents (alumni, parents and friends of George Fox).

We are located in Coyote Place, located one mile off campus, so reliable transportation rain or shine is required! Apply through Bruin Careers and look for position ID #457: Telephone Outreach Team member. The deadline to apply has been extended to Monday, Jan. 9.

If you have any questions, please contact Mandria Montplaisir, director of annual giving, at mmontplaisir@georgefox.edu.

Did you get peanuts for Christmas?

Mail Services can use all of the peanuts and other packing materials that you received. Please bring them to Mail Services and they will gladly be put to use by other shippers – including those from departmenst on campus.

Thanks!

– Mail Services

Don’t forget to turn in your December time sheets to your supervisor as soon as possible.  Be sure your name is typed or printed legibly at the top, it is complete and accurate, and you have signed it.

If you are working over the winter break, make sure you sign and turn in your time sheet when you are done working for the month. The last day of the month is Friday, Dec. 30.  Pay day is on Friday, Jan. 13.

– Human Resources

Tax season is upon us! 1098T’s (“Tuition Statement” used for educational tax benefits) will be prepared late in January.

We are very sorry but we cannot provide advance tax information to early filers. Please be aware that if you have not given GFU your SSN or Tax ID you need to do so by Friday, Jan. 13!

Bring your social security card to the front desk in Portland, Newberg or Boise so that the registrar’s office or student financial services office can update your record.

Questions? Call student financial services at 503-554-2300.

Looking ahead for 2012-13, FAFSA.gov will be open Jan. 1. If you are working on your  bachelor’s degree, file early to maximize need-based funding!

Getting married in 2012-13? Contact your financial aid counselor for assistance.

For those who expect loan excess funds to be mailed to them once spring aid has disbursed and has overpaid the account, excess funds checks will be mailed within a week of disbursement to the account. They are not available in person. Please note that charges added after checks are issued are due and will result in registration and transcript “holds,” so please be sure you are registered fully or that you retain funds from your excess funds check to cover all spring charges.

For accurate check delivery, please make sure your mailing and home addresses are correct in MyGFU.

Looking for a way to bridge the gap between your financial aid and your balance due? You will find options, including how to pay monthly here.

Traditional undergrads: If you have advanced a grade level after fall semester, you may qualify for additional loan funds. Contact your financial aid counselor.

Payment for spring semester is due on the first day of class, Jan. 9. Save time and hassle by paying online!

Visit this web page to find out how to maximize your online payment options including creating guest permissions for those who help pay your bill.

All traditional undergraduate students who are planning to return the next academic year (fall 2012-spring 2013) are invited to apply for donor-funded scholarships.

Students: To apply, sign-in to your MyGFU account by going to mygfu.georgefox.edu. On your portal front page in the “Student Resources” box, click on “2012 Newberg UG Scholarships.” This will take you to the Scholarship Manager sign-in page. Use your MyGFU username and password to sign in. On the welcome page, click on “Returning Student Donor Funded Scholarship Application” under the heading of Current George Fox Students. In the application, read the “Scholarship Manager Introduction” and “Application Instructions” carefully.

Scholarship Manager will automatically close on Friday, Feb. 17, at 5 p.m. (no exceptions).

Our first spring aid disbursement to accounts is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 2. Please take note of the following:

Three reasons your financial aid disbursement could be delayed:

• ALL STUDENTS: Your enrollment confirmation must be completed (see “University Forms” in MyGFU student center)
• You must be fully registered. Wait-listed courses do not count toward aid eligibility. Traditional undergraduate students receiving George Fox aid funds must be registered for 12 credits. For disbursement, grad and ADP students must be registered at least 1/2 time and must have a class that begins within 10 days of disbursement.
• You may have financial aid documents to complete (see “University Forms” in MyGFU student center)

All university offices will be closed on Friday, Dec. 23, as well as Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 26-27, to observe the  Christmas holiday.

The Newberg and Portland campuses have adopted a new tobacco-free campus policy beginning Jan. 1, 2012. While tobacco use by traditional undergraduate students and employees has already not been allowed (on or off campus), guests have been permitted to smoke outside buildings on university property. The new policy prohibits smoking and all forms of tobacco use everywhere on-campus by any person.

For more information and FAQs, please see this Tobacco-Free web page or contact Mark Pothoff (Student Life) at ext. 2313 or mpothoff@georgefox.edu.