The Daily Bruin

In preparation for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday closure, accounts payable has established the following submission deadline:

Cutoff Date & Time: Tuesday, Nov. 17, by 5 p.m.

To guarantee payment before the holiday, all check requests, expense reimbursements, and BruinBuy retrofit requisitions (that have come due within Net 30 terms) must be submitted and fully approved by this cutoff time. Requests submitted or approved after the cutoff will be processed the following week. All other standard requests and invoices will be paid according to 30-day payment terms.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the accounts payable team at accountspayable@georgefox.edu.

It’s time to jumpstart your 2026 holiday shopping season with our Early Black Friday sale, happening from Friday, Nov. 6, to Sunday, Nov. 15, in the Bruin Store. Shop for apparel and gifts for the Bruin fan in your life (or yourself) with 25% off all items, even clearance!

Shop in-store in Klages or through our online store. Contact Anne Marie Jacob at ajacob@georgefox.edu for more information.

Faculty and staff are invited to an on-campus event with Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of the Archdiocese of Portland this Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Event schedule:

• 5:30 p.m. – Everyone is welcome to a Mass in the chapel, celebrated by Archbishop Sample.
• 7:15 p.m. – Following Mass, the archbishop will give a talk for young adults (ages 18-40) in Hoover 105, discussing how to be a disciple, witness to Jesus Christ, and create a culture of evangelism in today’s world.

Those interested in attending the talk at 7:15 p.m. can register for free here. No registration is necessary for Mass beforehand.

If you have questions about this event, please reach out to Shawn Daley at sdaley@georgefox.edu or Bernadette Curl at bcurl@georgefox.edu. We hope to see you there!

The Health and Wellness Fair is happening today (Wednesday) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Canyon Commons. Whether you are stepping away from a classroom, your office, or your daily duties across campus, this afternoon is designed exclusively to put your well-being first.

Come recharge with delicious complimentary snacks, enter our raffle for a chance to win fantastic prizes, and let us take the hassle out of your day with convenient on-site flu shots and direct, one-on-one guidance from our benefits carriers.

Between exploring tailored wellness resources and enjoying time with colleagues, it is a well-deserved opportunity to be celebrated, refreshed, and taken care of.

Contact Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu with any questions.

True resilience isn’t about carrying heavy loads alone – it’s about knowing where to lean. Access confidential counseling through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to navigate personal or professional challenges with steady, grounded guidance.

To learn more, go to the Wellness page.

Greetings to all our faculty and their assistants! Our soft deadline of Saturday, Oct. 31, has passed for course material adoptions, but there’s still time to get them in now.

We have to set a deadline to encourage everyone to get their adoptions in, but we know the needed information isn’t always in place on the desired date.

Please continue to get your textbook adoptions to our course materials manager as soon as you’re able, so she can help our students get what they need to be prepared and thrive in your classes next term. Her name is Rachel Glasgow, and her email address is r.glasgow@follett.com.

Thank you for your cooperation. And if I haven’t met you yet, drop by the bookstore and say hello! I’m excited to make your acquaintance.

Contact Anne Marie Jacob at ajacob@georgefox.edu for more information.

Do you have an original worship song to share? Enter the Worship Song Competition for a chance to win a full studio production of your track with the Fox worship ensemble!

The deadline for all submissions is Monday, Nov. 23.

To submit your music or to learn more about the guidelines, contact Aaron Barnhart at abarnhart@georgefox.edu.

Here’s a look at some of the recent developments around AI:

• Google Boost Bites: Learn to use AI in your daily work with quick 10-minute self-paced interactive lessons designed for busy professionals and educators. Explore Google Boost Bites.
• Student Hub in Gemini (New): Access all of your essential academic resources and educational utilities gathered conveniently within a single central location on the Gemini web page to streamline student organization and study efficiency. Read the details here.
• Gems are being upgraded to “Skills.” Here’s what you need to know: You can currently see and use Skills on your Gemini web page, and if you have an AI Pro license, on the Workspace Studio page. Learn how to author, configure and maximize productivity with Google’s guide Knowledgeable with “Skills.” Any Gems not transitioned to Skills by June 2027 will be automatically converted by Google. Check out these transition FAQ’s.
• Gemini 4 is coming soon! Pro licenses will see Gemini 4 before regular licenses. Why the delay? Education environments have serious obligations for privacy and data protection. As AI capabilities improve, so must AI safeguards improve to maintain the privacy and data protections we depend upon. Google takes additional time to ensure new Gemini safeguards are working properly before education users receive the latest versions. Learn more about Privacy and Your Data.

For more tips and resources, visit our George Fox IT: AI Support website or contact us at servicedesk@georgefox.edu.

Keep an eye on AI and explore these new updates from Google:

• Google Boost Bites: Learn to use AI in your daily work with quick 10-minute self-paced interactive lessons designed for busy professionals and educators.
• Student Hub in Gemini: Access all of your essential academic resources and educational utilities gathered conveniently within a single central location on the Gemini web page to streamline student organization and study efficiency.

Gems are being upgraded to “skills”. Here’s what you need to know:

• You can currently see and use skills on your Gemini web page and, if you have an AI Pro license, on the Workspace Studio page.
  
  • Learn how to author, configure, and maximize productivity with Google’s guide to writing skills .
• Any Gems not transitioned to Skills by June 2027 will be automatically converted by Google!
  • Read FAQs about the transition here.

Gemini 4 is coming soon!

Pro licenses will see Gemini 4 before regular licenses because education environments have serious obligations for privacy and data protection. As AI capabilities improve, so must AI safeguards improve to maintain the privacy and data protections we depend upon.

Google takes additional time to ensure new Gemini safeguards are working properly before education users receive the latest versions. Click here to learn more about privacy and your data.

For more tips and resources, visit our George Fox IT AI Support website or contact us at servicedesk@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!

The world feels heavy. Scroll on social media for 10 seconds and you’ll see it: fear, division, violence, injustice. So what do we do with that? Is change possible? What’s our part in it?

Those are exactly the questions we’re bringing to the Shalom Summit, happening from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, in Bauman Auditorium. Two days of worship, prayer and action, with speakers and bands traveling in from across the country to be with us.

Come hear their stories and take real steps toward God’s peace, justice and flourishing, “on earth as it is in heaven.” Whether you’re already doing justice work or just starting to wonder, there’s a seat for you.

You can register for the conference here.

Reach out to our conference staff at sbackous@georgefox.edu with any questions or for more information.

This weekend, it’s time to set your clocks back one hour. Daylight saving time ends this Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 a.m. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep!

With the sun setting earlier, we want to make sure everyone is safe while navigating campus in the evenings. Please be aware of these safety tips focused on visibility and your surroundings:

• Be visible: If you’re running or walking, be sure to wear reflective clothing so you are easier to spot.
• Light your path: Carry a flashlight to illuminate the ground in front of you. This helps drivers see you and allows you to watch for curbing and uneven surfaces in low-lit areas.
• Report outages: Help keep campus well-lit by reporting any malfunctioning outdoor lights to Campus Public Safety at 503-554-2090.
• Stay aware: Be aware of your surroundings. Limit cell phone and headset usage so you can hear and see what’s happening around you.
• Watch your step: Watch for icy areas as temperatures become colder in the evenings.

Contact Kim Knoernschild at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Department of Physical Therapy students are providing an annual older-adult physical therapy wellness screening. Participants will get their blood pressure checked and be screened for circulation, sensation, balance, endurance, flexibility and posture.

Note: This is not a PT evaluation, but a wellness screening visit. Spots are limited.

To sign up or get more information, contact Lyndsay Stutzenberger at lstutzenberger@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2463.

Did you know the population in Taiwan is only 3.9% Christian? If you are interested in making friends with college students in Taiwan, consider participating in a weekly one-hour Google Meet. Through conversing with them in English, you can invite them to learn about the Christian faith.

If you choose to participate, you will be able to choose the most convenient day for your meeting, which will be at either 6 a.m. or 6 p.m. to accommodate the time difference.

Stop by the information table in Canyon Commons between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. today (Thursday) for more details, or email Ping-Yi Shih at pshih25@georgefox.edu to sign up.

To better serve those visiting for Bruin Preview, we’re extending the Bruin Store hours through the afternoon and the evening football game. Come see us between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. tomorrow (Friday).

Questions? Contact Anne Marie Jacob at ajacob@georgefox.edu. 

Please be reminded that all university-related Amazon purchases must be initiated directly through BruinBuy using the Amazon punchout catalog.

Orders placed directly on Amazon.com rather than through BruinBuy will not be processed or approved.

Using the BruinBuy punchout ensures automatic order tracking and seamless routing through departmental budget approvals. Placing orders outside the system circumvents university purchasing controls and leads to unnecessary payment delays.

How to order:

1. Log in to BruinBuy
2. Select the Amazon punchout tile to populate your cart.
3. The system automatically transfers your cart back to BruinBuy and you will complete the requisition checkout for internal approval.

Thank you for your cooperation in following our purchasing guidelines. If you have questions about using BruinBuy or system access, please reach out to the purchasing office or Patrick Culligan at pculligan@georgefox.edu.

Anchor your personal rhythms by planning well ahead. Review the official university holiday calendar today so you can align your work deadlines with meaningful time off for rest and celebration.

To learn more, go to the Benefits page.

As we head toward the end of the calendar year, please check your desks and offices for any stray donation payments and hand them off to advancement as soon as possible. Moving forward, turning in donations the same week you receive them ensures we can quickly process gifts and give our donors the prompt, thoughtful care they deserve.

Also, if anyone is working with a donor who wants to make an in-kind gift and receive a tax deduction, please reach out to advancement before saying yes. There are a few requirements we must complete together beforehand.

We must have all donations in by end of day on Dec. 23, 2026, to ensure proper processing for the end of the year.

We appreciate your help and partnership in taking care of our wonderful donors. If you ever have questions, our doors are always open.

Catholic faculty and staff will be meeting in Canyon Commons at noon this Friday, Oct. 30, for a time of fellowship. If you are a Catholic employee and have been wanting to connect with other Catholics and grow in your faith, this is a great opportunity to do so!

Lunch will be provided. If you are interested in coming, please contact Bernadette Curl at bcurl@georgefox.edu or Shawn Daley at sdaley@georgefox.edu. We hope to see you there!

George Fox marketing students are conducting a research study on how homeowners connect with their neighbors, and we need your help!

Whether you bought your home last month or have lived there for decades, you are invited to take a short, anonymous online survey. Recent homebuyers (those who moved in within the last 24 months) and longtime homeowners are both encouraged to participate, because comparing the two groups helps show how neighborhood connections change over time.

After completing the survey, you can choose to sign up for a 30-minute follow-up interview to share more about your experience with neighborly connection. Participants may also enter a drawing for one of two $50 Amazon gift cards.

Participation is voluntary, responses are confidential, and the results will be used for this class project only. The survey is open through Sunday, Nov. 1.

Any questions? Contact Strom Nordeng at snordeng23@georgefox.edu.

Disclaimer: These surveys are student generated and are not to be associated with any official research conducted by faculty and staff at George Fox University. Any views or opinions presented in these surveys are solely those of the students and do not represent those of George Fox University. The distribution of these surveys is a service provided to George Fox University students as they prepare their research required by the curriculum. Students are required to have department approval. Any questions about these surveys should be directed to the students associated with the survey in question.