Bruin Bookstore now on Facebook

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

The Bruin Bookstore at George Fox is now on Facebook. We invite you to become a fan. You’ll be the first to know about upcoming sales, important dates, etc. Just go to our page and “like” us.

Guest speaker lectures on authentic Christianity in business April 11

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

The School of Business will host an Executive in Residence Lecture featuring special guest Jack Dannemiller this Monday, April 11, in the Hoover Academic Building.

Dannemiller served as the chairman and chief executive of Applied Industrial Technologies in Cleveland, Ohio, prior to his retirement in 2000. He has nearly 30 years of experience in executive leadership roles with companies that include Diamond Shamrock Corporation, SDS Biotech Corporation and Leaseway Transportation Company.

The evening begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. in the Ron Gregory Atrium in Hoover. Dannemiller’s lecture, titled “Authentic Christianity in Today’s Business World,” begins at 7 p.m. in Hoover 105.

There is no charge to attend. To R.S.V.P., contact Jan Lefebvre at jlefebvre@georgefox.edu or ext. 2115.

Nominations open for April Employee of the Month

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011

If you know of someone whose recent contributions make him or her worthy of being named April Employee of the Month, please take a few minutes to send an e-mail to Peggy Kilburg that includes a specific summary of the person’s contributions (past 30 days or so) and any other relevant information about the person.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 22. The President’s Executive Leadership Team will select the recipient, and the winner will receive a certificate and a $100 Allison gift card at our community meeting at the end of April.

Despite the ramped-up pace that seems to come with the last month of the undergraduate academic year, please take a few minutes to honor a colleague with your nomination if someone comes to mind as deserving of this honor.

Smart presents semester’s final Faculty Research Forum Friday

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011

The university community is invited to the final Faculty Research Forum of the year during which Jim Smart will speak on the topic of “Genetically Engineering Mice to Understand Biology and Disease.” The forum is scheduled for Friday, April 8, from 10:40 to 11:30 a.m. in Hoover 105.

Sociology class offers Facebook group, ‘Breaking the Cycle of Divorce’

Friday, April 1st, 2011

A George Fox sociology class invites you to join a Facebook group, “Breaking the Cycle of Divorce,” dedicated to bringing awareness to the issue of divorce and offering support to those who wish to break this cycle in their lives.

Learn more by contacting Debra Woodin at dwoodin09@georgefox.edu.

Trama Response Institute: Repsonse to Japan’s Disaster

Friday, April 1st, 2011

Trauma Response Institute Plans Portland Center Response to Japan’s Triple Disaster
The TRI invites Portland Center students and staff to participate in two activities in response to the triple disaster that has crippled much of Japan.

The first is “Letters of Encouragement” to Japanese college students and children living in shelters. For details, see emails and flyers distributed on the Portland campus, or email tri@georgefox.edu for more information.

The second event is a fundraiser for Medical Teams International. Mark your calendars now to attend a “Disaster Preparedness Information Meeting” on Saturday, May 14 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Room 155 in the Portland Center South building. Representatives from MTI will join us to share updates on their recovery work in Japan, as well as the latest updates on the radiation threats here in the Pacific Northwest. Instructions on how you can be more prepared to survive the aftermath of a major disaster at home and work will be the central focus of the meeting. There is no charge to attend, and all donations received will be given to MTI’s Japan response efforts. More details will be posted soon.

If you have questions about either of these events, please contact Anna Berardi, Director of the Trauma Response Institute at aberardi@georgefox.edu.

Benefit changes now in effect

Friday, April 1st, 2011

Please note the following:

  • The new medical and dental premiums went into effect on the March 31 payroll. If you made changes to your medical or dental plans, those changes should be reflected in the amounts of your deductions on your March 31 pay statement.
  • The flexible spending account deduction on March 31 was the last of the old plan year, so if you made changes or stopped participation, you won’t see new (or no) amounts until the April 30 pay statement.
  • Starting April 1, your flex debit card, if you have one, was reloaded with new plan year money if you renewed. Keep your card unless it expired, in which case your new card will arrive in a week or so in a plain white envelope.
  • If you still have flexible spending account funds left over from the 2010-11 plan year, those are no longer accessible by debit card – only by reimbursement.
  • The deadline for spending old plan year flex funds is June 15, 2011.
  • And finally, if you enrolled for the voluntary life insurance, those deductions will start on April 30.

If you have questions, contact Lisa Burton (HR) at lburton@georgefox.edu.

Documentary on North Korean refugee crisis shown April 5

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Join the Center for Peace and Justice this Tuesday night, April 5, for a documentary screening of the film Hiding, produced by LINK, an organization working with North Korean refugees. It will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in Hoover 105.

The director of LINK was one of the founders of Invisible Children, an organization many in the GFU community might be more familiar with. LINK aims to spread the word about the rarely reported North Korean crisis, working with governments and NGOs worldwide to advocate for the North Korean people. They also work directly with the refugees who have fled to China and South East Asia, educating and empowering them to eventually live a free and renewed life.

Hiding tells the story of a group of North Korean refugees hiding in China today and their attempt to escape. To learn more, visit linkglobal.org. The trailer can be viewed at this link.

Questions? Contact Melanie Newell (Center for Peace and Justice) at mnewell@georgefox.edu.

Free Spring Chamber Concert takes Bauman stage April 7

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

George Fox will host a Spring Chamber concert featuring several of the university’s ensembles, including the Clarinet Quartet, French Horn Ensemble, Keyboard Ensemble, Low Brass Ensemble and Handbell Ringers (with special guest Todd Johnson playing the didgeridoo). Come show your support for our students at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in Bauman Auditorium. Admission is free.

Among the selections to be performed are Dvorak’s Bagatelle Op. 47, No. 1, Debussy’s Menuet and Rachmaninoff’s Valse (Keyboard Ensemble); Rougeron’s Petit Quatuor (Clarinet Quartet); Haydn’s Achieved is the Glorious Work (Low Brass Ensemble); and original compositions by Johnson (Handbell Ringers).

Tickets are not required for admittance. Contact Debbie Hawblitzel at ext. 2620 for more information.

Theatre performs Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

All are invited to see the theatre department’s spring play, Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Performances are Thursday through Saturday, April 7-9, and Thursday through Saturday, April 14-16, at 7:30 p.m. Two 2 p.m. Sunday matinee performances, on April 10 and 17, also are scheduled. All performances take place in Wood-Mar Auditorium.

All George Fox employees receive one complimentary ticket. Students will be admitted free on both Thursdays. Your complimentary ticket is only available at the Box Office in the Bruin Bookstore. Additional tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for alumni and seniors, and $6 for students and children under 12. To purchase tickets or read a synopsis of the play, visit theatre.georgefox.edu.

Postage rates increase on April 17

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

The U.S. Postal Service is increasing rates on April 17, 2011. First Class letters weighing one ounce or less will remain at 44 cents each. The additional ounce will increase by 3 cents, bringing it to 20 cents for each additional ounce. Postcards increase to 29 cents each.

For additional increases, visit the U.S.P.S. website. Click on the “New Rates” in the lower right corner. You can view the different categories: Priority, Media, Parcel Post, etc.

Questions? Contact Linda Sartwell at ext. 2560 or Sherrie Frost at ext. 2556.

Don’t forget Women’s Movie Night this Tuesday

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

All female employees and female spouses of employees are invited to enjoy dinner and a movie together on Tuesday, April 5, at 5:30 p.m., in EHS 102. We will watch Under the Same Moon, with discussion to follow. The dinner and movie are free, but feel free to bring a dessert to share.

Come and connect with other women in the GFU community. Contact Lori Allen if you have any questions: allen.redpants@gmail.com or 503-487-6648.

Changes to university withdrawal/leave of absence procedures

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

In order for us to be in compliance with federal regulations and reporting requirements, some recent changes in definitions and procedures have been made which impact students planning to withdraw from the university or take a leave of absence. This applies to all student populations (traditional undergraduate, graduate and adult degree programs). Please review the following:

Who is a student? Someone who is registered for any credit hours in a given term and who has completed their “Enrollment Confirmation” checklist item for that term in their MyGFU portal. (If the “Enrollment Confirmation” checklist item has not been completed by the student by the 10th day of classes, they are not officially considered a student for that term and their schedule will be dropped.)

How does a student withdraw? To officially cease enrollment at George Fox University either during or at the end of a semester/enrollment period, the student must notify the registrar’s office of their departure via the online Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form. Any other means of communication to the university is not considered official notification. The official withdrawal date is the date on which the student submits the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form.

If a student tells a professor or administrative assistant that they aren’t returning, can that be considered notification of their withdrawal? No. If a student discusses their intent to withdraw from the university with you, please refer them to the online Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form.

Do students use this form to drop a class? No. If a student is dropping a class or two, they would complete that through their MyGFU self-service portal. They would only use the online Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form if they are vacating all coursework for the term.

We will no longer accept the old paper withdrawal forms, so please recycle any copies you may have on file (including pdf copies on your computer).

More information about the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence policy is available in the Catalog and Student Handbook or by contacting an enrollment counselor in the registrar’s office.

Karon Bell’s retirement party set for April 12

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

The university community is invited to Karon Bell’s retirement party, scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in the Stevens Center lobby.

Karon has been with the university since May of 1985. Drop by to wish her well. There will be a basket for those who wish to give her a card.

Student supervisors: Please follow this checklist for time sheets

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

Student Supervisors:

There were some problems that cropped up during the March 15 payroll, so I thought I would send out this note with a few reminders. Please use this reminder checklist now as you prepare to send your March time sheets to HR:

  • 3 p.m. on third business day of the month is the deadline for time sheets (looking ahead: April 5 at 3 p.m.)
  • Late time sheets: Please include a note explaining why it’s late
  • Time sheets must be:
  1. Totaled by you
  2. Checked for a.m./p.m. errors (correct them)
  3. Signed by you
  4. Checked for dates: Are the dates listed for the correct month?
  5. Legible with student name and ID number
  6. Checked for six-hour shifts — note meal period in start-stop times or initial and OK by you (this should be an exception, not the rule)

To ensure that we get the time sheets on time, please hand-deliver them to HR. You can ask a student employee to deliver the time sheets to us as long as you first put them in a sealed envelope (keeps us in legal compliance). The only exception to this rule is the Portland Center – please scan or fax your time sheets first, then drop the originals in the mail.

Thank you for working with me to ensure a timely and accurate payroll for our students.

– Melodee Powers, HR

All are invited to 14th Amendment panel discussion Thursday

Monday, March 28th, 2011

The university community is invited to a panel discussion, “The Future of the 14th Amendment,” from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 31, in Hoover 105.

Join us as a panel of local students and political science experts discusses the implications concerning that section of the 14th Amendment that states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens.” The purpose of the event is to have dialogue about proposed legislation that seeks to limit the scope of the amendment, according to Joel Perez (Dean of Transitions and Inclusion).

Participants will include Mark David Hall (Political Science); Richard W. Etulain, professor emeritus of history at the University of New Mexico; and Jose-Antonio Orosco, associate professor in the philosophy department and director of the peace studies program at Oregon State University.

The event, sponsored by the Center for Peace and Justice, the Office of Transitions and Inclusion and the Latino Heritage Club, is in commemoration of the life of Cesar Chavez, the American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist whose birthday was March 31. More information is available here.

Questions? Contact Perez at jperez@georgefox.edu.

Studio portrait session open to employees on April 5

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Having a good hair day? Come to Marketing Communication’s Le Shana Hall portrait studio for this month’s portrait session from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5. These high-quality studio portraits will be used on the university website and will be available for professional promotional use.

Please call or e-mail Danette Newkirk (ext. 2125) to let us know what time you are planning to come. You can still come without prior notice, but your university photo ID will be required for entrance at the southwest side (the side facing Coffin Residence Hall) of the building.

Library: Thanks for your participation in survey

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Thank you to all who participated in the LibQUAL+® Lite Library Survey. The library faculty and staff will be reviewing the data as well as your written comments and appreciate your willingness to share your opinions with us.

Congratulations to the winners whose names were randomly drawn from all who took the survey and entered their e-mail address.

All-employee meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

Don’t forget today’s all-employee meeting, scheduled from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Bauman Auditorium (please note the location change). The agenda will include an update from President Robin Baker, who will provide details on the recent board meeting.

For those at the university’s regional sites, the meeting will be available for viewing at stream.georgefox.edu/live/commmtg.sdp. A chat room has also been set up, and a video recording of the meeting will be available for viewing in the days following the meeting atitunesu.georgefox.edu.

Don’t forget Women’s Movie Night on April 5

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

All female employees and female spouses of employees are invited to enjoy dinner and a movie together on Tuesday, April 5, at 5:30 p.m., in EHS 102. We will watch Under the Same Moon, with discussion to follow. The dinner and movie are free, but feel free to bring a dessert to share.

Come and connect with other women in the GFU community. Contact Lori Allen if you have any questions: allen.redpants@gmail.com or 503-487-6648.