The Daily Bruin

Staying safe and keeping cool is our top priority as we head into a major stretch of hot weather. Beginning Monday, July 20, temperatures are forecasted to climb into the mid-90s.

To make sure we are all prepared and looking out for one another, please keep the university’s heat protocol top of mind:

• Hydrate Constantly: Drink water every 20 minutes – don’t wait until you feel thirsty!
• Time Your Tasks Wisely: If you have strenuous tasks or outdoor work, schedule them for the cooler morning hours.
• Find an AC Haven: If your workspace or building is getting too warm, head over to an air-conditioned spot like Canyon Commons, Klages or the Murdock Library.
• Look Out for Your Peers: Between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., make a habit of checking in on your coworkers and classmates every hour or two. A quick check-in goes a long way!
• Know the Warning Signs: Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the signs of heat-related illness so you can act quickly:
  • Heat Cramps (Mild): Muscle pain or spasms, usually in the legs or stomach. Action: Rest in a cool place and drink water or sports drinks.
  • Heat Exhaustion (Moderate): Heavy sweating, cold or clammy skin; nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, or a fast, weak pulse. Action: Move to a cool place, loosen clothing, apply cool wet cloths, and sip water. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last over an hour.
  • Heat Stroke (Severe-Emergency!): Body temperature of 103°F or higher; hot, red, dry or damp skin; rapid pulse; confusion; slurred speech or unconsciousness. Action: Call 911 immediately! Move them to a cooler place and use wet cloths or a cool bath to lower their temperature while waiting for help.

For a deeper dive into staying safe, sun protection tips, and building up heat tolerance, you can view this Beat the Heat Safety Guide.

Have questions or need assistance? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Kim Knoernschild, our environmental health and safety specialist, at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and let’s look out for each other!

We are excited to announce that, on Friday, Aug. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., we will be hosting our Community Fair on the quad! Please let us know if you are interested and willing to run a table for your department.

We will provide a 10 x 10 tent, one table and two chairs. You’ll provide any paperwork or other items you would like to be made available to students and family members/guests during this Welcome Weekend event.

Please complete this Google Form by Monday, Aug. 3, to reserve a spot. If you have any questions, please reach out to Daphne Simmons at dsimmons23@georgefox.edu.

Join us on Tuesday, July 28, at 6 p.m. for the inaugural, virtual information meeting for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program.

Meet Director Dr. April Phillips via Zoom to learn about this flexible/hybrid Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The first cohort will begin in the fall of 2027. Register here and contact Ty Sohlman at tsohlman@georgefox.edu with any questions.

The marketing communications office is looking for kids of all ages to be in a video this summer, and we would love to have your families participate!

The video will highlight teachers and the important work they do in our communities. We need kids – from kindergarten through high school – to help bring the scenes to life. The video shoots will take place at schools in the Newberg area in late July and August.

If your children are interested in being “stars” in this video and helping us celebrate the amazing work that teachers do, please sign up today! 

It’s that time again! Welcome Weekend is our chance to welcome each and every new student as they step onto campus.

With such a large incoming class, we need all hands on deck as we each do our part to make students and their guests experience the Be Known promise. And who better to do that than our own faculty and staff?

Please complete this form if you would like to join our team to volunteer, and we will contact you with further instructions.

Questions? Contact Kara Holcombe at kholcombe@georgefox.edu.

The George Fox community is welcome to attend the annual sessions of the Northwest Yearly Meeting, beginning this Sunday, July 19, and continuing through Wednesday morning. All are welcome. If you have any questions, contact Paul Anderson at panderso@georgefox.edu.

Especially of interest will be the evening sessions (Monday and Tuesday, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Canyon Commons), where President Robin Baker will be the speaker, and the afternoon workshops.

Following is the workshops schedule:

Monday, July 20, at 1:30 p.m.

• Workshop 1: “Sending and Serving Around the Globe: Workers for the Harvest,” featuring Kathi Perry (EFM missionary) and other guests (Ross, Room 140)
• Workshop 2: “Reaching and Teaching Young Adults in an AI World,” led by Travis and Sarah Pickell (Ross, Room 141)
• Workshop 3: “Practical Peacemaking for Today: Biblical Conflict Resolution,” led by Scott Morin (Ross, Room 208 – choir room)

Tuesday, July 21, at 1:30 p.m.

• Workshop 4: “Evangelism – Stories and Strategies in Northwest Yearly Meeting,” led by Alan Weinacht and guests (Ross, Room 140)
• Workshop 5: “Trusting God in an Uncertain World: Financial and Estate Planning for Today (and Tomorrow),” led by Craig Foor and Steve Bustos (Everence Representatives), (Ross, Room 141)
• Workshop 6: “Developing Leaders Who Make a Difference,” led by Robin Baker, president, George Fox University (Ross, Room 208 – choir room)

Join us on the quad today (Wednesday) from 3 to 5 p.m. for our Summer Family Wellness Day!

It’s the perfect opportunity to take a break, wrap up your workday, and celebrate Wellness Wednesday with your family, colleagues, and student employees. We’ll have cooling stations to keep everyone cool while you enjoy Kona Ice, Gooseberry Acai bowls, lawn games, and crafts – plus a bounce house, scavenger hunt, and prize raffle for the kids!

Drop by to connect with local vendors and end your day on a refreshing note. See you there!

Are you dreaming of owning your own home, or simply wondering what it takes to get there?

If so, you and your family are invited to attend a free Homebuyer Education Seminar on Wednesday, July 29, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Friendsview Retirement Community’s Sutton Community Room in Newberg.

Whether homeownership is a near-term goal or a down-the-road dream, this interactive evening is designed for both first-time and repeat buyers to bust common myths, explore loan options, and map out a clear path forward.

You will have the unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with trusted industry professionals – including financial planners, credit repair specialists, mortgage lenders, and realtors – to get your specific questions answered and build a personalized roadmap.

The event is completely free for our employees and their families, but an online registration is required to secure your tickets, so please click this Eventbrite link to RSVP today!

We are continuing with our AI Workshops in July. Bring your laptop and your ideas to develop and refine Gemini prompts for use in customized Gems, Workspace Studio, NotebookLM and more.

What do you want to learn more about? Let us know here. Please remember that using Gemini AI through your George Fox account is essential for ensuring data security and data protection.

Here are details on the sessions:

• When: Tuesdays (come and go from noon to 1:30 p.m.)
• Dates: July 14, July 21, July 28
• Where: Stevens 209

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

Don’t forget: Our annual Summer Family Wellness Day is happening next Wednesday, July 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. It’s the perfect way to step away, wrap up the workday, and end the afternoon on a sunny and positive note.

Whether you drop by solo, walk over with a colleague, or bring your spouse and kids, everyone is welcome to join in on the fun and take time to recharge together.

You can look forward to refreshing treats from Kona Ice and Gooseberry Acai, along with a variety of activities and great wellness resources. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with your colleagues, families, and local health vendors – or simply sit back and relax. Plus, we’ll have special activities and prizes lined up for kids of all ages, so bring the family along and enjoy!

Be sure to save the event to your calendar so you don’t miss out! 

It’s that time again! Welcome Weekend is our chance to welcome each and every new student as they step onto campus.

With such a large incoming class, we need all hands on deck as we each do our part to make students and their guests experience the Be Known promise. And who better to do that than our own faculty and staff?

Please complete this form if you would like to join our team to volunteer, and we will contact you with further instructions.

Questions? Contact Kara Holcombe at kholcombe@georgefox.edu.

Life doesn’t always go as planned. Building resilience means learning to adapt, recover, and move forward with greater strength – and our Employee Assistance Program is here to support you every step of the way.

• Personal counseling provides a safe space to process setbacks, manage stress, and develop the coping strategies that help you rise stronger after life’s challenges.
• Resilience coaching helps you identify personal strengths, reframe setbacks, and build practical strategies for moving forward after life’s challenges.
• On-demand learning and digital resources offer webinars, tip sheets, and self-guided tools focused on stress management, emotional agility, and building lasting resilience.

Everyday assistance starts here or by calling 1-800-433-2320 or writing info@canopywell.com.

Bring your laptop to receive hands-on assistance and have your AI-related questions answered in a collaborative environment at Gemini AI workshops each Tuesday this month.

Bring your ideas to develop and refine Gemini prompts for use in customized Gems, Workspace Studio, NotebookLM and more. Fill out this form to let us know what you want to learn more about.

Please remember that utilizing Gemini through your George Fox account is essential for ensuring data security and data protection.

Here are details on our workshops:

• When: Tuesdays (come and go from noon to 1:30 p.m.)
• Dates: July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28
• Where: Stevens 209

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

Thank you to everyone who has submitted their Concur reports. Because approved Concur reports are posted automatically, any reports submitted and approved between July 1 and July 10 will initially be posted to FY27.

To ensure your expenses hit the correct fiscal year, please note the following deadlines:

• Split June and July Transactions: Do not include July 2026 transactions on your final June 2026 report. June and July transactions must be split into separate reports.
• Submit by July 3: All Concur reports containing June 2026 expenses (Visa and/or expense reimbursements) must have been submitted to your approver.
• Approved by July 10 (Final Cutoff): Remind your supervisor or designated approver to officially approve your report by this date. Reports fully approved by July 10 will be manually adjusted back to FY26 shortly after the deadline.
• After July 10: Any reports missing final approvals after this date will remain in FY27.

If you have questions, please contact Kathi Becker at 503-554-2166 or kbecker@georgefox.edu.

The university’s offices will be closed on the Newberg and Portland Center campuses tomorrow (Friday) to observe the Independence Day holiday.

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!

For any student injury that occurs while working as a student employee, a university employee should contact the Office of People & Culture (peopleandculture@georgefox.edu) as soon as possible.

In any other situation, when an employee is present when a student is injured or involved in an accident (on campus or during an off-campus university event), or if an employee becomes aware of such an accident, follow the Fox360 Accident or Injury Reporting instructions as soon as possible. This is a different process than submitting a Fox360 Alert for a student.

Criteria for submitting an accident or injury report include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Injury beyond a minor bump or scrape
• Injury involving blood
• Head trauma or concussion
• Chemical exposure
• Loss of consciousness
• Heat-related issues
• Any accident or injury involving a call to 911, an ambulance, or Campus Public Safety
• Critical injury
• Death

When a student is injured and if you are a trained first aid/CPR provider, please offer assistance; however, everyone needs to follow these steps:

1. Dial or have someone dial 911. Give them the location of the injured student and send someone to meet them at the door of the building.
2. Dial or have someone dial Campus Public Safety at 503-554-2090.
3. Send someone to get the closest first aid kit and the AED. All buildings with hearts have AEDs or first aid kits available.
4. Follow first aid and CPR training until Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue arrives.

If you wish to become a trained first aid/CPR provider, reach out to Kim Knoernschild at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu.

When a report is submitted, Jere Witherspoon, our student care and student life operations specialist, will assign a case manager, and Kim Knoernschild, our environmental health and safety specialist, will be notified.

If in doubt, better to submit a report than miss the opportunity to support the student effectively.

Summer is officially here, bringing along with it the unmistakable aroma of backyard barbecues and the timeless charm of park picnics. While these warm-weather gatherings are fantastic for our social wellness, the heavy sides, sugary marinades and endless chip bowls can often leave us feeling sluggish.

This Wellness Wednesday, let’s flip the script: You don’t have to choose between reaching your health goals and enjoying your favorite seasonal traditions. By shifting your focus to fresh, vibrant ingredients, you can easily turn any outdoor cookout into a nutrient-dense celebration that keeps you feeling light and energized.

Upgrading your summer basket is simpler – and tastier – than you think. Start by loading up the grill with color, tossing on skewers of zucchini, bell peppers, and even sliced peaches or pineapple for a naturally sweet, caramelized dessert.

Next, rethink the heavy sides by swapping out mayo-laden potato salads for a crisp cucumber-tomato salad or a Mediterranean pasta tossed in olive oil and lemon juice.

Finally, beat the heat by trading sugary sodas for infused hydration, like ice-cold water packed with fresh mint and seasonal berries. With these mindful adjustments, you can savor every bite of the season while giving your body exactly what it needs to thrive.

Need some inspiration? Check out these healthy nutrition resources.

Calling all pre-kindergarten parents and caretakers! The university’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program is hosting a free kindergarten readiness clinic the week of July 13-17.

Spots are still available, but they’re filling up quickly. Sign up today and no later than July 5.

We’re looking for children who will be entering kindergarten this fall to work with our doctoral students, under the supervision of licensed occupational therapy clinicians and OTD faculty. Your child will participate in fun, engaging activities designed to build:

• Fine motor skills (e.g., writing, cutting)
• Gross motor coordination
• Social interaction and peer play
• Following routines and instructions
• Self-regulation and attention

Sessions will take place each day in the university’s Roberts Center (Room 109). You can choose between a morning (9 to 11 a.m.) or afternoon (1 to 3 p.m.) session.

If interested, please Brooke Morris at bmorris@georgefox.edu or Kate Turner at kturner@georgefox.edu.

Bring your laptop to receive hands-on assistance and have your AI-related questions answered in a collaborative environment!

Each Tuesday through July 28, you’re invited to Gemini AI open workshops, where you can bring your ideas to develop and refine Gemini prompts for use in customized Gems, Workspace Studio, NotebookLM and more.

Please remember that utilizing Gemini through your George Fox account is essential for ensuring data security and data protection.

• When: Tuesdays (come and go from noon to 1:30 p.m.)
• Dates: June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28
• Where: Stevens 209

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