The Daily Bruin

Check out the newest flash models! Google has launched Gemini 3.6 Flash, one of the three models we can choose from in addition to 3.6 Thinking and 3.1 Pro when working with Gemini.

Here is a summary of each:

• Gemini 3.6 Flash (new): A workhorse model engineered for high-speed efficiency and quality to scale agentic AI workflows. It delivers enhanced capabilities in coding, knowledge work, and multimodal performance, reducing output token usage by 17% compared to 3.5 Flash at a lower cost per token.
• Gemini 3.6 Thinking: A parallel-thinking reasoning model specifically designed for complex problem-solving
• Gemini 3.1 Pro: The optimal model choice for advanced mathematics, research, and intricate coding tasks

Learn more here.

Also …

• NotebookLM is now Gemini Notebook: It has a new name but it’s the same product with additional updates coming for Pro users. Learn more here.
• New Google Meet homepage: The new homepage provides a centralized view of your meeting agenda and essential artifacts to help you stay organized and prepared throughout your entire meeting workflow. Learn more here.
• Check out Google’s Learning and Education page for tips and news for using Gemini AI tools in education.

What do you want to learn more about? Tell us by filling out this Gemini Interest Survey Form.

Finally, join us for the final AI Workshop in July, happening tomorrow (Tuesday) in Stevens 209. Bring your laptop and your questions. We’ll meet from noon to 1:30 p.m., but you are free to drop in anytime.

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

Please note that CollegeNet will be conducting scheduled maintenance on their systems on Sunday, Aug. 2, starting at 10 a.m. During this maintenance period, which is expected to last eight hours, 25Live will be unavailable to users until systems are restored.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Alan Ghossein at aghossein@georgefox.edu.

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!

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 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)

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!

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.

Today and tomorrow are expected to be over 90 degrees. Do you have a plan for staying cool during the heat? Your safety is our top priority, so let’s make sure we’re all prepared.

To help everyone stay cool and healthy, please follow the university’s heat protocol:

• Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate! Drink water every 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Time Your Tasks Wisely. Schedule more strenuous work for the cooler parts of the day, like the morning.
• Seek Out the AC. If your building feels too warm, head to an air-conditioned space such as Canyon Commons, Klages or Murdock Library.
• Look Out for Each Other. Between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., check on your fellow employees and classmates every hour or two. A quick check-in can make a big difference!
• Know the Symptoms. Familiarize yourself with the signs of heat-related illnesses. You can find more information here.

Got questions about staying safe in the heat? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Contact Kim Knoernschild, our environmental health and safety specialist, at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu.

Stay cool and stay safe!

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.

All university offices and the Murdock Library will be closed tomorrow (Friday) to observe the Juneteenth holiday. President Robin Baker recently wrote a blog piece reflecting on the significance of the day. You can read it here. 

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.

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, in the following areas:

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

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 fill out our interest form by Sunday, July 5.

Spots are limited, so sign up ASAP! The purpose of the clinic is to support children in preparing for a successful kindergarten transition while providing hands-on clinical experience for OTD students.

If you have questions, contact Brooke Morris at bmorris@georgefox.edu or Kate Turner at kturner@georgefox.edu.

Starting tomorrow (Saturday), Newberg is under an Extreme Weather Heat Watch. It is going to be hot! Your safety is our top priority, so let’s make sure we’re all prepared.

To help everyone stay cool and healthy, please follow the university’s heat protocol:

• Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate! Drink water every 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Time Your Tasks Wisely. Schedule more strenuous work for the cooler parts of the day, like the morning.
• Seek Out the AC. If your building feels too warm, head to an air-conditioned space such as Canyon Commons, Klages or Murdock Library.
• Look Out for Each Other. Between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., check on your fellow employees and classmates every hour or two. A quick check-in can make a big difference!
• Know the Symptoms. Familiarize yourself with the signs of heat-related illnesses. You can find more information here.

Got questions about staying safe in the heat? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Contact Kim Knoernschild, our environmental health and safety specialist, at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu.

Stay cool, stay safe, and have a great weekend!

The Bruin Store will be closed today (Wednesday) for the Day of Prayer. We will be open on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

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!

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.

Need help with a paper? The Virtual Learning Center is open for the summer. We offer virtual and asynchronous meetings.

To schedule an appointment, go to the TracCloud icon on your Canvas dashboard. If you have any questions, please email Heather Harney at hharney@georgefox.edu.

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.

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!