The Daily Bruin

Join us for to learn more about how to use AI. We’re offering weekly workshops on using Gemini AI in our everyday work and academic processes.

Whether you are just starting or progressing to the next level, bring your laptop and spend a little time to focus on learning what you can do with the Gemini tools already available. Use this form to sign up for the topics that you are interested in.

We will have four sessions, twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, with a different topic each week. Sessions are designed to help you get started, show you what is available to take it to the next level, and show you what is possible with AI.

The topics are:

• Week 1: Getting Started with Gemini in Google Workspace and NotebookLM
  • Monday, Feb. 23, and Thursday, Feb. 26
• Week 2: Learn about Agentic AI and Workspace Studio and creating workflows for your tasks
  • Monday, March 2, and Thursday, March 5
• Week 3: Beyond Google Workspace with AI Studio and creating your own apps
  • Monday, March 9, and Thursday, March 12
• Week 4: Making Maggie – Agentic AI and Physical AI for business processes
  • Monday, March 16, and Thursday, March 19

You can sign up for one or more sessions, or all of them.

Contact us at servicedesk@georgefox.edu with any questions, or check the IT AI website.

If severe weather makes travel to or from campus unsafe this winter, the provost will make the decision to announce a shift to remote classes and work. In nearly all cases, classes will continue to be offered online and employees will work remotely.

In the case of a delayed in-person start, university offices will not open until an announced time in the day, most often 10 a.m. or noon. Students, faculty and staff are not required to report to campus prior to the announced start time, but are expected to attend class online or work remotely before the start time. If in-person classes are not held that day, students, faculty and staff are expected to attend class online or work remotely.

Those who cannot perform their duties at home should report to campus if they can arrive safely. If an employee cannot arrive safely or must remain home for any other reason, they may use a sick or vacation day to cover the absence. If no vacation time is available, the employee can make up hours during the same week or record the time off without pay.

The following is our process for announcing when there is a delayed in-person start or a shift to remote classes and work. The provost will make the decision by 6:30 a.m. for the Newberg campus and Portland Center for daytime classes or 2:15 p.m. for evening classes. Decisions on weekend classes and at the Redmond site will be made by the professor.

Here’s how to find out if a decision has been made when severe weather occurs:

• Visit the George Fox Flashalert page. This is the first site updated. Enter your email address to create an account and receive notifications from FlashAlert Messenger.
• If you wish to receive a notification on your mobile device, download the FlashAlert app for iOS or for Android. Either log in or create an account if you haven’t already.
• Listen to local radio and television stations or visit their websites (this info comes via Flashalert).
• Call the George Fox University switchboard at 503-538-8383.

More information on this change in procedure can be found on our Winter Weather Policy page.

Would you like to help us chaperone a dance at OMSI? If so, sign up to be a chaperone at OMSI for our Sadie Hawkins dance on Saturday, Feb. 21. If interested, please complete this form.

If you have any questions, please contact Kara Holcombe at kholcombe@georgefox.edu.

A new year is a perfect time to reset routines and focus on what helps you feel your best, both now and in the future. Preventive care is one of the simplest ways to support your overall health and well-being.

Preventive care isn’t just about addressing health concerns; it’s also about maintaining your health over time. Regular checkups, screenings, and conversations with your provider help you stay informed, manage risk factors, and make confident decisions about your physical and mental health.

Here are some preventive care resources to support your health:

• Annual wellness visit
• Routine immunizations
• Preventive health screenings (such as cholesterol, diabetes, and cancer screenings based on age and risk)
• Mental health screenings, including anxiety and depression screenings
• Additional preventive services recommended by your provider

Ready to take action? Schedule an appointment with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) to take the next step.

Have questions or need assistance? Call Providence Health Plan customer service at 503-574-7500 or 800-878-4445 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time).

Turning off iCloud Private Relay is a common move if you’re finding that certain websites aren’t loading correctly or if your network speed feels a bit throttled. The process varies slightly depending on whether you’re on a mobile device or a Mac.

On iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your Name (Apple Account) at the very top.
3. Select iCloud.
4. Scroll down to the iCloud+ section and tap Private Relay.
5. Toggle the Private Relay switch to Off.
6. You will be asked to confirm. You can choose to:
   • Turn Off Until Tomorrow: It will automatically re-enable after 24 hours.
   • Turn Off Private Relay: This disables it indefinitely until you manually turn it back on.

On Mac (macOS):

1. Click the Apple Menu () and select System Settings.
2. Click your Name (Apple Account) at the top of the sidebar.
3. Click iCloud on the right.
4. Find Private Relay and click it (or click the “Options” button next to it).
5. Toggle the switch to Off.
6. Just like on mobile, select either Turn Off Until Tomorrow or Turn Off Private Relay.
7. Click Done.

Note: Turning off Private Relay means Safari will no longer mask your IP address, allowing websites and your ISP to see your general location and browsing activity again.

Questions? Contact Amy Yates at ayates@georgefox.edu.

Doctor of Physical Therapy students are conducting research related to the role of the arms in helping older adults get up from the floor.

To participate in our study, you must:

• Be at least 50 years of age
• Live independently or in an assisted living facility
• Be able to walk at least 15 feet with or without an assistive device
• Be willing to take a cognitive test, and
• Be willing to attempt to get up from the floor multiple times

You must NOT have a diagnosis of a neurological condition, unstable chest pain, a total joint replacement or other major surgery in the last six months, or a concussion in the last three months.

You must also NOT experience vertigo or dizziness regularly in the last couple of weeks, or have an amputated limb, severe pain in your body, restrictions on putting weight through your arms or leg, or have or a current illness or health issues that would make performing physical activities unsafe.

If you’re interested in participating and meet the above criteria, you would come to the university’s Medical Sciences Building on Werth Boulevard, where we would ask you to sign an informed consent form, answer questions on a questionnaire, perform a short mental status examination, walk 15 feet, and have your vitals (blood pressure, heart rate) taken. Depending on your responses to these assessments, you may or may not be eligible for the study.

If you’re eligible, you will continue the single testing session that will last up to one hour. During the testing session you will be asked to answer additional questions and get up from the floor multiple times, first without using your arms, and then using one of your arms on an elevated surface.

We may ask you to change into clothing necessary for the study if you are already dressed in spandex shorts or leggings, a sleeveless shirt, athletic shoes that do not cover the ankles, and short socks.

You will not be paid for participating or reimbursed for any costs associated with traveling to/from the university’s campus. You are able to stop participation in the study at any time and for any reason. No information that would identify you will be made public, and we do not feel there is more than minimal risk associated with this study.

If interested, please contact Lyndsay Stutzenberger at lstutzenberger@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2463. Available appointments are limited to Thursday afternoons/evenings.

Jason Brumitt and the Faculty Scholarship and Achievement Committee invite you to join them for the Spring Faculty Lecture on Tuesday, March 3, at 6 p.m. in Hoover 105.

Jeongah Kim, PhD, professor of social work and winner of the 2024-25 Faculty Achievement Award for Graduate Research and Scholarship, is the featured faculty speaker. Her lecture is titled, “Beyond the Binary: Bridging the Science-Faith Divide through Philosophy.”

In our modern professions, we are often forced into a false choice: the objective data of science or the personal conviction of faith. This “Two Truths” split creates a fragmentation that limits our ability to understand the world and help others. Professor Kim will share how she uses the often “hidden” third tool, philosophy, to bridge and heal this divide in her teaching and research.

Please join us as she illustrates how a balanced epistemology can unite two different ways of knowing: science and religion. By reclaiming philosophy as God-given wisdom, Professor Kim bridges a gap, bringing real healing, justice, and transformation.

The university and surrounding community are invited, and refreshments will be provided (including pizza supplied by Dr. Kim’s Templeton Religion Trust grant). We hope you can support Jeongah by attending.

Questions? Contact Laurie Fair at lfair@georgefox.edu.

Campus offices will be closed tomorrow (Friday) for the mid-semester holiday. The Murdock Library will be closed, but the 24-hour space will remain open.

The Bruin Store will also be closed on Friday.

Today (Thursday) is the final day to register your department, team, or program for Give Day 2026. Please complete the registration form to ensure your cause is featured!

For any last-minute questions, reach out to Kelton Hedstrom at khedstrom@georgefox.edu.

If an emergency happened today, would you know exactly what to do? Beyond simply reacting to a crisis, true security is built through everyday habits that protect us and our community.

With that said, we invite you to join us for the Campus Safety Fair on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Canyon Commons 101 to transform your perspective on “Everyday Safety – Caring for Our Community.”

This is a great opportunity to bring your coworkers and students to learn something new through interactive sessions with top-tier experts, including Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVFR), Newberg Police, Yamhill County Emergency Management, and the SAIF Corporation.

Experience hands-on self-defense techniques from Impact Performance Defense, and connect with our own Title IX team, kinesiology department, Campus Public Safety, Disability & Accessibility Services, and the safety, wellness, and emergency response committees.

Also, don’t miss a chance to enter a drawing for various prizes and giveaways while gaining the essential resources and peace of mind necessary to foster a healthier, more resilient university environment.

Click here to add this event to your Google Calendar.

Questions? Contact Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu.

C.S. Lewis is one of the most influential voices of the 20th century, yet vast areas of his thought and legacy remain unexplored.

Building on the extraordinary momentum of our inaugural gathering, George Fox is hosting the 2026 Undiscovered C.S. Lewis Conference Sept. 24-27. This event will convene the world’s leading scholars and the next generation of thinkers for four days of cutting-edge research and imaginative engagement.

Scholars are invited to submit anonymous proposals of 300 to 500 words by March 31, 2026. Proposals should be for 20-minute papers in one of the six categories of our general theme “the undiscovered C.S. Lewis”:

• Historical studies that set Lewis in his own time
• Reassessments that question, contest, reaffirm, or clarify interpretations of his work or biography
• Comparative studies on Lewis and other thinkers and writers
• [Re]assessments of Lewis’s work in light of contemporary situations
• Explorations of his lesser-known material, and
• Presentations of previously unpublished material by Lewis

Acceptable submissions include, but are not limited to, the following disciplines: history, biography, literature, philosophy, theology, apologetics, ethics, political science, natural sciences, cultural studies, and rhetoric.

Proposals not specifically focused on Lewis but advancing scholarship on other Inklings or related writers are also welcome.

As a public-facing academic conference, we invite papers that are scholarly but accessible to a wider public audience. Submissions are welcome from scholars at every career stage, and limited scholarships (free conference registrations) are available for students or independent scholars with accepted papers.

Email submissions for peer-review consideration to undiscoveredlewis@georgefox.edu by the March 31 deadline. Please anonymize your submission.

Questions or inquiries prior to submission regarding the suitability of proposals may be directed to professor Jason Lepojärvi at jlepojarvi@georgefox.edu.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is seeking participants for a research study, called “Influences of Lower Limb Strength and Rate of Torque Development on Recovery from a Backwards Balance Loss.”

We’re interested in the effects of lower body strength on the ability to recover from a loss of balance and how people step when they lose their balance.

To participate in our study, you must be age 18 to 45, able to tolerate losing your balance multiple times while wearing a safety harness, weigh less than 250 pounds, and be willing to have your ankle, knee and hip strength tested.

In order to participate, you must not have the following:

• A physical condition that would limit testing
• A neurological disease, osteoporosis, or an uncontrolled chronic illness such as heart disease or diabetes
• Use an assistive device to perform daily activities
• Balance problems or persistent dizziness, hospitalization, broken lower limb bone, serious illness, concussion, loss of consciousness, or a major surgery in the last six months
• An injury or condition that limited your physical activity or been pregnant in the last three months
• An amputated limb
• Allergies or sensitivity to tape

Also, you must not take medications that impair cognitive function, pain sensation or balance in the 12 hours before the study activities.

If you’re interested and meet the above criteria, you would come to the university’s Medical Sciences Building on Werth Boulevard, where we would ask you to sign an informed consent form and answer questions on a questionnaire. Depending on your responses to the questionnaire, you may or may not be eligible for the study.

If you meet the study criteria, you’ll be asked to continue the single testing session where you will be made to lose your balance multiple times in a safety harness while performing a squat task, and have your ankle, knee and hip strength tested while sitting. Your participation will involve approximately 60 to 75 minutes of time.

You will not be paid for participating or be reimbursed for any costs associated with traveling to/from the George Fox campus. You are able to stop participation in the study at any time and for any reason.

Finally, no information that would identify you will be made public, and we do not feel there is more than minimal risk associated with this study.

Questions? Contact Lyndsay Stutzenberger at lstutzenberger@georgefox.edu.

Take control of your future and strengthen your financial wellbeing with these resources, available through your Employee Assistance Program, Canopy.

Whether you are looking to master your budget, tackle debt, or navigate unexpected expenses, you have access to unlimited financial coaching and a robust library of digital tools – including interactive calculators, checklists, and step-by-step guides – designed to simplify your money management.

From live webinars featuring practical wellness strategies to on-demand videos tailored to your schedule, Canopy provides the expert guidance you need to build a more secure tomorrow.

To start your journey toward financial peace of mind today, click here, call 800-433-2320, or email info@canopywell.com. Everyday assistance starts here!

Join us for the upcoming spring musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a powerful story that is part adventure, part romance, and a beautiful depiction of the transforming power of kindness.

Performances will run from March 4-8 and March 11-15 in Wood-Mar Auditorium. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. for the evening shows and 2 p.m. for the matinees. Tickets are available now!

George Fox employees receive one free ticket by entering their employee email at checkout. Students can attend the Wednesday or Thursday night performances for free.

You may purchase your tickets here. For more information, please contact the Box Office at 503-554-3400.

Get a taste of agentic AI as a coworker that can take actions on your behalf. Let Gemini highlight the most important emails from your unread backlog and send you a chat message with the details.

Or let Gemini check your docs and send you notes to prepare you for that important conversation on tomorrow’s calendar.

Not sure how to get started? Just tell Gemini what you’d like to automate, and it’ll build a starter flow for you. Examples are also provided. See what you can do on the Workspace Studio page. You can also open it as a side panel on your Gmail and Chat pages.

Gemini Access in Additional Apps

You can now access Gemini AI directly from Workspace applications. Just look for the Gemini diamond in the top right of the window. Here’s a list of ways to use Gemini with other apps:

• Docs: Unlock your creativity in seconds with Help Me Write
• Slides: Enhance your slides with the “Beautify” feature and AI-generated images
• Forms: Quickly create forms and see AI summaries of responses
• Vids: Create polished videos with a simple text prompt or from existing slides. Coming soon to Google Sheets!

Reminder: Our data is important! Read Google’s Commitment to Data Protection. Using Google Gemini with your George Fox account protects our data. Our content is not used for other customers, human reviewed, or used for external Generative AI model training without permission.

Questions? Contact us at servicedesk@georgefox.edu or check the IT AI website.

Save the date for these Bruin Store sales coming up!

• Thursday, Feb. 12: All-white Hydro Flasks, $14
• Monday, Feb. 16: AirPod 4, $99
• Thursday, Feb. 19: Student Appreciation Day, 20% of clothing and gifts

The Bruin Store is open from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. in store, or 24/7 online. The adjusted hours for mid-semester break will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, and closed on Friday, Feb. 13.

Questions? Contact Kristin McGuirk at kmcguirk@georgefox.edu.

Please note the adjusted hours for the Hadlock Student Center during mid-semester break: Thursday, Feb. 12, and Friday, Feb. 13, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Questions? Contact Kelsey Cantrall at kcantrall@georgefox.edu.

This is just a heads-up from the institutional technology department to let you know that we’re taking advantage of the mid-semester holiday on Thursday, Feb. 12, to make some important improvements to our systems.

Because of this necessary work, MyGeorgeFox will be unavailable from 6 to 11 p.m. that evening.

We appreciate your patience as we work to enhance our technology! If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at servicedesk@georgefox.edu.

There are a number of opportunities to participate in the Woolman Peacemaking Forum tomorrow (Tuesday).

• Nonprofit Expo (3 to 8 p.m. in the Hoover Atrium): Located in the area just outside Hoover 105, this expo features a variety of local nonprofits and ministries. Stop by between classes to learn how these organizations are supporting our community and discover practical ways you can get involved through volunteering or internships.
• Student Art Gallery: Tim Timmerman’s students have crafted beautiful illustrations focusing on themes of peace and justice from Scripture. Prints will also be available for purchase.
• Peacemakers Panel (3:30 to 5 p.m. in Hoover 105): “Beyond Violence: Where Hope Begins in a Broken World.” Join us for a conversation with keynote speakers Stephan and Belinda Bauman in addition to a panel of experts dedicated to peace and justice work. They will be sharing their unique experiences serving marginalized populations and offering insights into how we can better advocate for the vulnerable and build a more hopeful future.
• Woolman Forum 2026 Keynote (6 to 8 p.m. in Hoover 105): “How Can We Respond to Injustice in a Divided World?” In this deeply reflective and thought-provoking keynote, Stephan and Belinda Bauman will invite us to re-examine Isaiah 58 (a passage often read as a rebuke of hollow religion) through a more compassionate lens. Drawing on theology, relational neuroscience and lived experience, the Baumans will explore how biblical justice is not merely about right action but right relationship, anchored in presence, empathy and peace. Through their powerful insights and stories, they’ll help us see that true fasting is less about abstaining and more about awakening to God, to one another, and to the work of restoration that heals both soul and society.

Note: Chapel credit will be available.

Questions? Contact Hayley Fortner at hfortner@georgefox.edu.

Don’t miss out! The last day to register your department, team, or program for Give Day 2026 is this Thursday, Feb. 12. If you haven’t signed up yet, please complete the registration form before the deadline.

Questions? Reach out to Kelton Hedstrom, associate director of community engagement, at khedstrom@georgefox.edu.