The Daily Bruin

The holidays are just around the corner, and it’s a good time to review some personal safety tips. With finals and term papers looming, it is easy to get distracted and not pay attention to your surroundings, so keep these things in mind:

1. Never walk with earbuds in or headphones on as you need to be aware of your surroundings and those around you.
2. Walk with somebody, especially after dark.
3. Call Security for an escort if you don’t have a friend or classmate to walk with after dark.
4. Have your keys in your hand before leaving the building, and after checking the backseat of your vehicle, get right in and lock the doors.
5. When approaching your vehicle, look to see if there are people loitering around it. If so, return to the building or store and ask Security officers to walk you to your vehicle.
6. Try to avoid leaving any valuables in your car or trunk. Before depositing packages in your trunk, check to see if anybody is watching, and if so, keep walking until you can place them in there unnoticed.
7. If someone approaches you while you are in your locked vehicle and preparing to leave, just go ahead and leave and do not engage them in conversation as it can be a ploy to attempt to get into your car.
8. If somebody is following you in your vehicle, call 911, describe the vehicle and where you are, and tell them where you are heading and ask them to meet you there. Do not drive to your residence if somebody is following you! The same applies if you are walking on foot.
9. When leaving your apartment or house for the holidays, arrange to have the mail either picked up by a friend, or stopped by the Post Office. Leave different lights on with timers, and have neighbors put away your garbage cans and pick up newspapers. Have all packages sent to your George Fox PO box for safekeeping.

These are just a few tips. We have many other informative handouts in the Security office on subjects like preventing identity theft, apartment safety, package and car theft prevention, and more. Stop by and check them out!

Questions? Contact Nadine Kincaid (nkincaid@georgefox.edu).

George Fox University’s School of Physical Therapy will be offering its second annual Health Screening Clinic on Thursday, Nov. 30, between 3 and 6 p.m. in the Roberts Center. Blood pressure, ECG measures, vital signs, flexibility and strength will be assessed, among other tests.

Participants should expect 20 to 25 minutes to complete the session. To sign up, click on this link. Questions can be addressed to Jason Brumitt (jbrumitt@georgefox.edu).

In an effort to better serve our George Fox community, we are requesting you fill out this survey about if/how you use the employee extension and box list found at this page.

It’s a quick three-question survey, and we will hold a prize drawing for participants who complete the survey by Monday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. Thank you for your assistance!

Questions? Contact Barbi Doran (bdoran@georgefox.edu).

The Office of Marketing Communications is now accepting orders for university Christmas cards. You can see this year’s card here.

Submit your request at this link by Tuesday, Nov. 21. The cost will range between 50 and 75 cents per card.

Contact Danette Newkirk at dnewkirk@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Robin and Ruth Baker cordially invite employees to celebrate together the great mystery of Christ the Lord at the Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 2:30 p.m. in Bauman Auditorium.

Employees are entitled to four complimentary tickets for Sunday’s matinee or a single ticket for any of the other performances (on Dec. 8 or 9). Following the concert on Sunday, employees are invited to a Christmas open house at the president’s home from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at 402 S. College St. in Newberg.

You can select your concert tickets online at this link (be sure to select “GFU Employee” in the drop-down menu on the page that pops up after making your seat selection). If selecting your complimentary seats for Sunday, you may disregard the note that states employees are only entitled to one ticket per event; however, you must still select “Okay, I will bring my ID to the door” in the drop-down menu.

Questions? Contact Missy Terry at terrym@georgefox.edu.

In the fall of 2016, we moved into Canyon Commons and would like your feedback as we evaluate future building projects! George Fox University and the architects for Canyon Commons (Hacker Architects) are requesting that you complete this 15-minute post-occupancy survey.

By participating, you will be entered into a drawing to win one of two $100 Amazon gift cards. Please enter your name and email at the end of the survey if you wish to participate.

We greatly value your comment and feedback, so thanks for taking the time to complete the survey!

Canyon Commons Survey

The deadline to complete this survey is Friday, Nov. 17. If you have questions, please email studentlife@georgefox.edu.

The School of Physical Therapy is excited to host a special presentation by Associate Professor Andrew Meszaros, PT, PhD, from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight (Thursday) in Canyon Commons 101 & 102.

Dr. Meszaros will present the topic “Motor Control Update for the Orthopaedically Minded,” which will provide a succinct modern update of select broad concepts in motor control. Topics will include: effects of motivational influences and autonomy on motor learning; senses of effort and force; movement as a self-organizing and emergent property; “good” versus “bad” variability in movement; antifragility; multifractality; the role of reflexes in voluntary movement; and a survey of misconceptions in sensory processing and therapeutic exercise.

Light refreshments will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m., and the presentation will start at 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend this free event. For more information about this and other upcoming School of Physical Therapy events, please visit our webpage. Direct any questions to Linda Dallof at ldallof@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2451.

In 2008, Michael Howells started Howells Architecture + Design in Portland, Ore., with a desire to make beautiful, livable spaces that express the west but also benefit from a global sophistication. He will be speaking Monday, Nov. 20 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Chehalem Cultural Center about his business and how he transitioned into the professional world.

Contact Elizabeth Herrera (herrerae16@georgefox.edu) with questions.

The physical therapy department is looking for volunteers to participate in a lab session on the lower extremities. If you have a problem with your hip, knee, ankle or foot, our lab is the place to be! Our doctor of physical therapy second-year students, along with faculty members, will be performing examinations and giving you direction on how to take care of your condition. Volunteers are needed for either a one- or two-hour session from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the Roberts Center.

Contact Linda Dallof at ldallof@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2451 to sign up. We hope you can join us!

The Crescent is conducting research about voting and would appreciate everyone taking a minute to fill out this four-question survey.

Questions? Contact Emma Lindberg (elindberg16@georgefox.edu).

In an effort to better serve our George Fox community, we are requesting you fill out this survey about if/how you use the employee extension and box list found at this page.

It’s a quick three-question survey, and we will hold a prize drawing for participants who complete the survey by Monday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. Thank you for your assistance!

Questions? Contact Barbi Doran (bdoran@georgefox.edu).

The Portland Writing Center is seeking a new writing consultant who is enthusiastic about helping fellow graduate and adult degree students understand the components of effective writing. Portland Writing Center consultants are current adult degree-completion and graduate students who work 4 to 8 hours per week meeting with students in face-to-face or online sessions at the Portland Writing Center.

Writing consultant duties include helping students with the following: (1) thinking through ideas for a writing assignment; (2) considering writing choices with regard to audience, focus, purpose, cohesion, and organization; (3) developing ideas with specific evidence; (4) improving research strategies; (5) applying proper documentation and formatting; and (6) understanding basic grammar and mechanics.

Click here for a consultant job description, and click here for a consultant application. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

For more information, contact Dr. Jennie Harrop, Portland Writing Center Director, at 503.554.6024 or jharrop@georgefox.edu.

Our mascot, Pennington Bear, is looking for new friends (12 and younger) to join his Penn Pals Kids Club. Do you know any kids who would like to join? Members get a T-shirt, six free tickets for parents to attend games, and much more! Plus, Pennington will be their pen pal; anytime kids write him a letter, he’ll send a handwritten personalized letter in return.

Join now and you’ll receive your Penn Pals package in time to use the free tickets at our first 2017 basketball game! Learn more about Penn Pals and join at this link.

For more information, contact Mckenna Tillotson (mtillotson@georgefox.edu) at ext. 2134.

Over the last year, the university has moved to a new Cisco phone system. Please refer to this documentation for operating your new phone. The guide includes instruction on voicemail, transferring, call forwarding and conference calling.

Some general highlights:

• You now need to dial “8” to get an outside line.
• Long-distance codes are no longer needed except for international dialing.
• Voicemail is now sent to your email as an audio recording.
• Fax machines are still in transition and will continue to require “9” for an outside line and a long-distance code. As machines are converted over, a sign will be placed on the machine with instructions.

Please email questions to servicedesk@georgefox.edu or call us at 503-554-2569.

Bundle up at the Bruin Store Two-Day Sale Nov. 14 and 15. Save 25% on all cold weather gear including sweatshirts, sweatpants, beanies, blankets, scarves and much more! Shop in store or online at georgefoxshop.com. Go Bruins!

Questions? Contact Michael Simmons (msimmons@georgefox.edu).

The Crescent is conducting research about voting and would appreciate everyone taking a minute to fill out this four-question survey.

Questions? Contact Emma Lindberg (elindberg16@georgefox.edu).

The holidays are here! Note the following due dates for check requests and invoices received in the Finance Office during the holiday season and the respective “check ready” date.

Thanksgiving holiday
Check requests received Nov. 15 – 20 will be ready on Nov. 22.
Check requests received Nov. 21 – 22 will be ready on Dec. 1.

Christmas holiday
Check requests received Dec. 18 – 20 will be ready Dec. 22.
Check requests received Dec. 21 – 22 will be ready Jan. 5.

New Year’s holiday
Check requests received Dec. 28 – 29 will be ready January 5.

Note: There will be no schedule change to payments processed through Concur. Payments will be processed as usual.

Annual training deadline approaching
The Haven online module (part 1) and two active shooter videos in FoxTALE may be accessed through your MyGFU portal. Instructions to complete the training by Nov. 15 were emailed from Darby Thiessen to all active employees on Oct. 30. The Haven and Active Shooter courses are intended for all George Fox employees, both new and continuing. Thank you in advance for being part of our community and supporting the mission of the university.

TIAA consultant appointments available at no cost
TIAA individual consulting appointments are coming up at the Newberg campus Nov. 28 and 30 and at the Portland campus on Nov. 29.

No matter where you are in life—just getting started or planning for retirement—a session with Braden Danielson can help you create a unique plan for your goals. It’s at no additional cost as a part of your retirement plan. You’ll get answers to these questions and more:

•       Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
•       Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
•       How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?
•       How do I plan for short-term goals such as saving for a house or education expenses?
•       How do I manage debt, save money and balance various financial priorities at the same time?

To schedule your one-hour appointment, click on this link. The on-site appointment slots fill quickly, so don’t delay! Take advantage of this excellent resource. You can also visit Advice and Guidance to access online tools and resources that can help you stay on track and save even more for retirement.

If you would like to make a change to your retirement account contribution amount or have questions about your George Fox University benefits, contact Darby Thiessen at 503-554-2188 or dthiessen@georgefox.edu.

The Office of Marketing Communications is now accepting orders for university Christmas cards. You can see this year’s card here.

Submit your request at this link by Tuesday, Nov. 21. The cost will range between 50 and 75 cents per card.

Contact Danette Newkirk at dnewkirk@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Bundle up at the Bruin Store Two-Day Sale Nov. 14 and 15. Save 25% on all cold weather gear including sweatshirts, sweatpants, beanies, blankets, scarves and much more! Shop in store or online at georgefoxshop.com. Go Bruins!

Questions? Contact Michael Simmons (msimmons@georgefox.edu).