The Daily Bruin

With the post-commencement quiet finally settling over campus, many of our workspaces look a bit like a storm just passed through. Whether your daily home base is a traditional office desk, a service counter, a lab station, or the cab of a university vehicle, the physical environments we inhabit have a profound impact on our mental clarity.

Over the frantic spring months, it is easy to let old papers, random sticky notes, or misplaced equipment pile up, but this visual clutter acts as a silent, constant drain on our energy. Our brains naturally interpret disorganized environments as a list of unfinished tasks, keeping our nervous systems subtly on edge even when the academic year’s rush has actually slowed down.

This week, try taking just 15 minutes to gently reset your immediate environment – not as a rigid organizational chore, but as a genuine act of self-care. Toss the dead pens, wipe down your surfaces, archive the stray files crowding your laptop desktop, or return tools to their proper drawers.

This isn’t about achieving a sterile, picture-perfect workspace; it’s about intentionally creating some physical and mental breathing room for the summer months ahead. You deserve a workspace that supports your focus rather than competing for it, so give yourself permission to clear a fresh slate today.

Gabrielle Hernandez, MA, a doctoral student in clinical psychology, is inviting students and community members (ages 18 and older) to participate in a research study.

This mixed-methods study examines how cultural orientation (collectivist vs. individualistic) relates to resilience and life stressors, with the goal of informing more culturally responsive and strengths-based mental health practices.

Participation involves completing a brief online survey, which takes approximately 15 to 25 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous, and participation is completely voluntary.

If you are 18 or older and interested in participating, please access the survey here. Your participation will contribute to research aimed at improving culturally responsive mental health care.

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

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!

Join the Moms’ Networking Employee Resource Group for our next meeting tomorrow (Wednesday)! This group is open to all employees who are expecting (through birth, adoption or fostering), or have children from birth through eighth grade.

We’ll be gathering at 11 a.m. in Canyon Commons 101. The session fill feature a guest speaker from CPRD sharing resources on local childcare, summer camps, and recreational sports. Lunch will be provided.

If you need to be added to the calendar invite or have questions, please contact Megan Fisher at mfisher@georgefox.edu.

Serve Day 2026 is set for Wednesday, Sept. 16, and preparations are officially underway! Please help us prepare by completing this SD ’26 Employee Info Gathering Survey for all of our regular Newberg employees part time and above (and any Portland employees who would like to join in on the fun!).

We want to do our best to prioritize making serve site connections for employees that encourage longer-term, ongoing community service partnerships. Also on the form, you can note any limitations and previous serve site connections or questions you might have, and we’ll take it all into consideration when coordinating this summer.

If you’re planning to be on sabbatical, family leave, or know of a significant change that will keep you away from campus during the week of Sept. 16, you can let us know using the form, which is essential for our preparations.

The next 110 days of summer will breeze by, and before you know it, it will be time for our next highly anticipated, university-wide day of service together!

Contact serveday@georgefox.edu with all of your questions and feedback.

Greetings! The annual Day of Prayer is on Wednesday, June 10, this year, and the Office for Spiritual Life is glad to share with you this resource to guide your time.

May we seek the Lord together on this Day of Prayer! The Office of People and Culture will be sending out more information about it, so stay tuned!

This fall, George Fox is launching a redesigned MBA experience built for today’s rapidly changing business landscape. We invite you to take a closer look.

With 12- and 24-month degree pathways, the updated MBA offers greater flexibility for working professionals while integrating AI throughout the curriculum. Students learn how to lead with wisdom and ethical discernment while applying the latest AI tools, culminating in a portfolio of practical business deliverables.

Whether you are thinking about advancing your own education or know someone who may benefit from the program, this is an exciting new chapter for business education at George Fox.

Please consider:

• Exploring the program for your own professional development
• Sharing the opportunity with colleagues, alumni, friends or family members
• Referring prospective students who want to lead ethically in an AI-shaped future

For more information, contact Sean Aker at saker@georgefox.edu.

We invite you to bring your family and friends (and something to sit on) and join us on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for our third annual Prayer for Oregon Schools event, where we will pray for the upcoming school year.

During our time together on the university’s quad, we will engage in worship, small-group and/or individual prayer, and fellowship. We’ll pray for our K-12 and higher ed students, faculty, staff, parents, school communities, boards, leaders, and more. A guided prayer booklet will be available for those interested in additional points of prayer.

It’s our hope that people will join us as we step out in faith as the church and prayerfully invite the Lord into this area that needs more light – our Oregon schools. The event is open to anyone who desires to come together in prayer and bring our schools and the people in them to the feet of Jesus.

If you have questions or would like more information, contact Sara Hahn-Huston, assistant professor of educational leadership, at SHahnHuston@georgefox.edu.

Consensus has ingested 80 to 90% of the world’s total academic output. It’s a very powerful research tool, with less fluff than Google Scholar and almost no hallucination.

To try it out, create an account with your George Fox email address. Please share your thoughts about it with your librarian or with Alex Rolfe. The trial ends Saturday, July 18.

Nearly half of Americans experience a noticeable lack of joy in their daily lives, with some unable to remember their last full day of recreation and others estimating they need more hours a week to satisfy their desire for fun.

More than half of us find it harder to find joy now than a decade ago due to major obstacles like rising costs, demanding schedules and adult responsibilities, shrinking social circles, and general burnout.

Playfulness can be seen as a vital component of wellness rather than a luxury. It drastically reduces stress, increases motivation, and is essential for building and maintaining close relationships. When looking for leisure, we prefer simple, low-cost activities like watching TV, spending time with loved ones, dining out, and being outdoors.

Integrating more levity or play into your day doesn’t require a lifestyle overhaul, a massive budget, or hours of free time. If you are experiencing a “fun drought,” the secret is to shift your mindset from waiting for fun to happen to actively weaving small, playful moments into your existing schedule.

Here are some realistic ways to integrate play into your day:

1. The “Beat the Clock” Challenge

Set a timer for 10 minutes and see how much of the kitchen you can clean, turning a mundane chore into a fast-paced game. Get your family involved too! By adding a timer, upbeat music, and a competitive element, it turns a boring chore into a high-energy game.

2. Turn walks into a scavenger hunt

When walking the dog or heading to your car, actively look for three beautiful or new things you’ve never noticed before. When you approach a day with curiosity, you train your brain to hunt for novelty and micro-moments of delight.

3. Watch or read something purely hilarious

Dedicate 10 minutes of your lunch break to watching a stand-up comedy clip, rather than scrolling the news. Physical laughter lowers cortisol and epinephrine, while triggering the release of endorphins and dopamine.

4. The “Non-Negotiable Hour”

Block out just one hour a week (e.g., Tuesday nights from 7 to 8 p.m.) that is strictly dedicated to something you want to do purely for the sake of enjoying it. No chores, no structure, no work, no guilt.

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

Plant services has acquired a lot of surplus items that are up for grabs! Office furniture, tables, file cabinets, lamps … and more!

If you’re interested in taking a look, please make an appointment with Jan Balzer by calling 503-554-2072 or emailing her at jbalzer@georgefox.edu. Pick-up only, with no deliveries and no returns. Come and see what we have!

Are you looking to deepen your understanding of justice, community, and restorative work this summer? We warmly invite you to join us for “Roadmap to Reconciliation,” an engaging and transformative summer development course.

Sessions will meet from 1 to 2 p.m. in Stevens 208 on the following dates: June 5, June 12 and June 26.

Together, we’ll explore what it means to move beyond simply “being polite” to actively participating in true justice and healing.

How the course works:

• Learn from an Expert: Each week, you’ll watch about an hour’s worth of video-on-demand mini-lessons hosted by Seminary Now and taught by renowned speaker and author Brenda Salter McNeil.
• Grow Together: After absorbing the weekly lessons, you’ll join a practical, welcoming group discussion led by Crystal McGowen from the Office of Inclusive Excellence.

Whether you are just beginning your journey or looking to deepen your ongoing work in this space, this course provides a supportive environment to learn, reflect and grow alongside your peers.

Email Crystal to register at crystal@georgefox.edu.

Are you an emerging adult (between 18 and 40 years old) with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Lizzie Pierce, a doctoral candidate of clinical psychology, is continuing to gather firsthand perspectives from individuals with ASD about their experiences learning about and navigating romantic relationships. This is a part of her dissertation project with the Graduate School of Clinical Psychology at George Fox.

Interested in being a participant? Email Lizzie at lpierce22@georgefox.edu, or click this link to learn more!

Take advantage of a uniquely rare opportunity to meet face-to-face with Providence Health Plan representatives who have direct, on-site access to your personal member account and claims history, allowing you to resolve complex authorization issues on the spot without the hassle of phone hold times.

A few private, individual appointment slots are still open today (Wednesday) and available for you to secure right now, but walk-ins are also welcome!

Whether you reserve a remaining spot or simply drop by Canyon Commons 101 between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to speak with the second representative on standby, make sure to stop by today for this high-level, personalized assistance.

How we care for ourselves and show up for others deeply affects our health. Finding true balance starts from within – by looking at our day-to-day habits, stress, emotions and aspirations.

To support you on this journey, we are highlighting a collection of free wellness resources available to the entire George Fox community and your families. Through Providence Basecamp, you can access free programs designed to help you manage stress, build healthy habits, and support your daily routine.

We encourage you and your loved ones to explore these tools and find a session that fits your lifestyle by visiting Providence Basecamp’s The Way We Live.

The Bruin Store will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday) for our yearly physical inventory. We will be fulfilling online orders and be back open on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thank you for understanding.

George Fox provides employees with a comprehensive suite of identity theft protection and resolution services through three primary benefit providers. These resources are designed to offer both proactive monitoring to prevent fraud and expert-led restoration support should your personal information be compromised.

Canopy (EAP Fraud Resolution & ID Theft Benefit) offers:

• Proactive Risk Assessment: Offers a free ID threat score and breach scan to identify potential vulnerabilities
• Professional Consultation: Provides a 60-minute free consultation with a Fraud Resolution Specialist™ to discuss concerns or active issues
• Restoration Assistance: Offers direct assistance with restoring your identity and good credit, as well as disputing fraudulent debts

Assist America (Providence Health Plan member perk) offers:

• Secure Document Registration: Allows members to register credit card, bank, and other important document details in a single, centralized and secured online location
• Real-Time Web Monitoring: Employs web-crawling technology to monitor for registered personal data on suspicious sites and sends automatic warning notifications if data is found
• Dedicated Case Management: Victims of fraud are assigned a dedicated expert who guides them through mitigation and notifies card issuers if cards are lost or stolen

On-Call International (Symetra Life insurance perk) offers:

• Three-Bureau Fraud Alert Assistance: Assists members in contacting the three major credit bureaus to place fraud alerts and report lost or stolen cards
• “Lost Wallet” Support: Provides a collaborative call where a specialist stays on the line with you to contact banks and credit card companies to alert them of compromised items
• Emergency Document Replacement: Helps secure emergency replacements for lost or stolen passports, including locating the nearest consulate or embassy if the loss occurs while traveling

Make your 2026 summer adventures more affordable with the LifeBalance Summer Guide, an exclusive benefit for Providence Health Plan members that features curated savings on travel insurance, hotel bookings through Expedia, rental cars, and various outdoor essentials.

You can access member-only deals at major amusement parks and attractions, including Disneyland® Resort, Universal Orlando Resorts, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND, ensuring your family trips are both memorable and budget-friendly.

To explore the full range of discounts on kids’ activities and vacation stays, simply visit the LifeBalance guide online or contact their member services team at 888-754-5433 for assistance with your membership perks.

If your contract ends soon and/or you will not be on campus over 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 must be deposited in the current fiscal year.

All deposits must be dropped off at the finance office before you leave campus for the summer. Our address is 1515 N. Portland Road.

If you have any questions about deposits, please contact Heather Groenlund at hgroenlund@georgefox.edu. Thank you and have a great summer!