Leaders needed for fall Zoom and hybrid Life Groups

Thursday, July 9th, 2020

As a key strategy for soul care of undergraduates during the pandemic, the Office for Spiritual Life is looking for several Life Group leaders for our nine-week fall Life Groups series (the weeks of Sept. 7 through Nov. 6).

Life Groups are small groups of undergraduate students who meet together for prayer, Bible study and fellowship. Groups meet weekly for 60 to 90 minutes. This fall, all of our groups will be either Zoom groups or hybrid groups. (Hybrid groups will meet primarily via Zoom, but may occasionally meet outdoors as the weather, state and university regulations, and participant comfort permit.)

Throughout the pandemic, Life Groups through the Office for Spiritual Life will also be chapel credit-eligible in order to encourage students to engage in high-quality spiritual formation experiences that are participatory and offer ongoing community.

We welcome our employees, alumni, family members of George Fox employees and students, and members of our wonderful local churches to consider leading a group. Groups may also be co-led with an upperclassman student if the leader desires.

For more information and to sign up, visit this webpage or contact the Office for Spiritual Life at spirituallife@georgefox.edu.

Register now for free HICP virtual event

Sunday, July 5th, 2020

The university’s employees and students are invited to attend a free virtual event that will discuss the topic of High-Impact Chronic Pain (HICP) on Saturday, July 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

HICP affects 11 to 20 million U.S. adults and interferes with work or other daily activities most days or every day. People with HICP often suffer from iatrogenic harms, including (but not limited to) prescription-induced opiate use disorders.

In this session, we will hear from experts representing a variety of professions to discuss the healthcare experiences of people with HICP and the evidence on what works to reduce iatrogenic harms and promote health. You don’t want to miss this interactive virtual event intended to strengthen the primary care workforce. 

Students and employees can attend for free, but you must register ASAP at this link. Please contact Tammy O’Doherty (todohert@georgefox.edu) with any questions.

Be aware of new state guidance on face coverings

Tuesday, June 30th, 2020

We are working hard to ensure our classrooms and facilities will be safe, and we will need your help. We will need to be vigilant about hygiene, physical distancing, face coverings and self-monitoring.

If you have in-person classes, we may ask you to forgo your own convenience and comfort for the sake of your neighbors. Following a statewide mandate that goes into effect July 1, faculty, staff, students and visitors will be asked to use face coverings (e.g., face masks, cloth face coverings, face shields) when in enclosed public and common areas (including classrooms, hallways, lobbies, lounges) and outdoor areas where physical distancing is not easily maintained.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

University closes Friday for Independence Day holiday

Tuesday, June 30th, 2020

The university’s offices on the Newberg and Portland campuses will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

Please turn in all deposits today

Sunday, June 28th, 2020

If you have any deposits for FY20, please bring your money over to the Finance office today (June 29). Checks dated prior to June 30, 2020, must be deposited in the current fiscal year. Please look around your desks and file cabinets to see if there are any lingering items that need to go to the bank.

If you are taking vacation during the July 4 holiday, please send your deposits over before you leave.

Also, money that needs accounting for in FY20 must be brought to the Finance office no later than 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30. If it arrives later, it will go into the FY21 budget.

If you have any questions about deposits, please contact Heather Groenlund at 503-554-2173. Thank you and have a great summer!

Virtual session on HICP is free to students and employees

Sunday, June 28th, 2020

The university’s employees and students are invited to attend a free virtual event that will discuss the topic of High-Impact Chronic Pain (HICP) on Saturday, July 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

HICP affects 11 to 20 million U.S. adults and interferes with work or other daily activities most days or every day. People with HICP often suffer from iatrogenic harms, including (but not limited to) prescription-induced opiate use disorders.

In this session, we will hear from experts representing a variety of professions to discuss the healthcare experiences of people with HICP and the evidence on what works to reduce iatrogenic harms and promote health. You don’t want to miss this interactive virtual event intended to strengthen the primary care workforce. 

Students and employees can attend for free, but you must register ASAP at this link. Please contact Tammy O’Doherty (todohert@georgefox.edu) with any questions.

Be sure to turn in your deposits before June 30

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020

If you have any deposits for FY20, please bring your money over to the Finance office before Tuesday, June 30. Checks dated prior to June 30, 2020, must be deposited in the current fiscal year. Please look around your desks and file cabinets to see if there are any lingering items that need to go to the bank.

If you are taking vacation during the July 4 holiday, please send your deposits over before you leave.

Also, money that needs accounting for in FY20 must be brought to the Finance office no later than 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30. If it arrives later, it will go into the FY21 budget.

If you have any questions about deposits, please contact Heather Groenlund at 503-554-2173. Thank you and have a great summer!

Free virtual event discusses High-Impact Chronic Pain

Monday, June 22nd, 2020

The university’s employees and students are invited to attend a free virtual event that will discuss the topic of High-Impact Chronic Pain (HICP) on Saturday, July 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

HICP affects 11 to 20 million U.S. adults and interferes with work or other daily activities most days or every day. People with HICP often suffer from iatrogenic harms, including (but not limited to) prescription-induced opiate use disorders.

In this session, we will hear from experts representing a variety of professions to discuss the healthcare experiences of people with HICP and the evidence on what works to reduce iatrogenic harms and promote health. You don’t want to miss this interactive virtual event intended to strengthen the primary care workforce. 

Students and employees can attend for free, but you must register ASAP at this link. Please contact Tammy O’Doherty (todohert@georgefox.edu) with any questions.

Student Loan Refund Tips

Sunday, June 21st, 2020

When used wisely, student loans are a resource that can help students finance an education and gain access to a better life. Here are a few tips to keep your student loan debt in check:

  •  Avoid using student loan funds to pay for anything that isn’t related to your education, such as:
    – Vacation
    – Clothes
    – Eating out for every meal
  • Before making a purchase using your student loan refund, ask yourself if you truly need it in order to get through school and graduate.
  • Create a monthly budget to keep your spending in check.
  • Look for ways to cut spending where possible. 
  • Return any leftover funds that you don’t need to your loan servicer.

Find more financial tips at studentloanhero.com. Contact your financial aid counselor at fa.georgefox.edu for other questions regarding your student loans.

Free virtual event discusses High-Impact Chronic Pain

Thursday, June 18th, 2020

The university’s employees and students are invited to attend a free virtual event that will discuss the topic of High-Impact Chronic Pain (HICP) on Saturday, July 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

HICP affects 11 to 20 million U.S. adults and interferes with work or other daily activities most days or every day. People with HICP often suffer from iatrogenic harms, including (but not limited to) prescription-induced opiate use disorders.

In this session, we will hear from experts representing a variety of professions to discuss the healthcare experiences of people with HICP and the evidence on what works to reduce iatrogenic harms and promote health. You don’t want to miss this interactive virtual event intended to strengthen the primary care workforce. 

Students and employees can attend for free, but you must register ASAP at this link. Please contact Tammy O’Doherty (todohert@georgefox.edu) with any questions.

End-of-fiscal-year deposit reminders

Wednesday, June 17th, 2020

If you have any deposits for FY20, please bring your money over to the Finance office before Tuesday, June 30. Checks dated prior to June 30, 2020, must be deposited in the current fiscal year. Please look around your desks and file cabinets to see if there are any lingering items that need to go to the bank.

If you are taking vacation during the July 4 holiday, please send your deposits over before you leave.

Also, money that needs accounting for in FY20 must be brought to the Finance office no later than 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30. If it arrives later, it will go into the FY21 budget.

If you have any questions about deposits, please contact Heather Groenlund at 503-554-2173. Thank you and have a great summer!

Reflect on Juneteenth tomorrow

Wednesday, June 17th, 2020

Friday, June 19, celebrates and honors Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in America.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers emancipated the last remaining enslaved African Americans in what was the Confederacy. This is a key milestone in our nation’s history, and you are encouraged to take time to consider its lasting significance in our world today.

Student Loan Refund Tips

Tuesday, June 16th, 2020

When used wisely, student loans are a resource that can help students finance an education and gain access to a better life. Here are a few tips to keep your student loan debt in check:

  •  Avoid using student loan funds to pay for anything that isn’t related to your education, such as:
    – Vacation
    – Clothes
    – Eating out for every meal
  • Before making a purchase using your student loan refund, ask yourself if you truly need it in order to get through school and graduate.
  • Create a monthly budget to keep your spending in check.
  • Look for ways to cut spending where possible. 
  • Return any leftover funds that you don’t need to your loan servicer.

Find more financial tips at studentloanhero.com. Contact your financial aid counselor at fa.georgefox.edu for other questions regarding your student loans.

Virtual Strength and Conditioning Camp set for June 29 to July 3

Sunday, June 14th, 2020

Need a good workout plan as we continue to practice social distancing? The George Fox strength and conditioning staff invites you to join a virtual Strength & Conditioning Camp June 29 through July 3.

Coaches will host daily virtual Zoom seminars and present a variety of strength-building tips and topics. Athletes will be given at-home training throughout the camp and will have additional options to access individualized coaching and guidance beyond the camp dates.

The target audience is ages 12 to 20 (late middle school, high school and college), but adults who would like to learn more are more than welcome to join and could benefit as well. 

Registration is available at this link. To learn more, contact Adam Haldorson at ahaldorson@georgefox.edu.

Registration open for track and field camp

Wednesday, June 10th, 2020

The George Fox track and field coaching staff will host a virtual Track & Field Camp June 29 to July 3.

Coaches will host a daily virtual Zoom seminar and present a variety of track and field training tips and topics. Athletes will be given at-home training throughout the duration of the camp and will have additional options to access individualized coaching and guidance beyond the camp dates.

The target audience is ages 12 to 20 (late middle school, high school and college), but adults who would like to learn more are more than welcome to join and could benefit as well. 

For detailed information, please visit this link. Questions? Please email Adam Haldorson at ahaldorson@georgefox.edu or Mike Wilson at mwilson@georgefox.edu

Register now for upcoming strength and conditioning camp

Wednesday, June 10th, 2020

Need a good workout plan as we continue to practice social distancing? The George Fox strength and conditioning staff invites you to join a virtual Strength & Conditioning Camp June 29 through July 3.

Coaches will host daily virtual Zoom seminars and present a variety of strength-building tips and topics. Athletes will be given at-home training throughout the camp and will have additional options to access individualized coaching and guidance beyond the camp dates.

The target audience is ages 12 to 20 (late middle school, high school and college), but adults who would like to learn more are more than welcome to join and could benefit as well. 

Registration is available at this link. To learn more, contact Adam Haldorson at ahaldorson@georgefox.edu.

End-of-fiscal-year deposit reminders

Monday, June 8th, 2020

If you have any deposits for FY20, please bring your money over to the Finance office before Tuesday, June 30. Checks dated prior to June 30, 2020, must be deposited in the current fiscal year. Please look around your desks and file cabinets to see if there are any lingering items that need to go to the bank.

If you are taking vacation during the July 4 holiday, please send your deposits over before you leave.

Also, money that needs accounting for in FY20 must be brought to the Finance office no later than 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30. If it arrives later, it will go into the FY21 budget.

If you have any questions about deposits, please contact Heather Groenlund at 503-554-2173. Thank you and have a great summer!

Virtual Strength and Conditioning Camp set June 29 to July 3

Sunday, June 7th, 2020

Need a good workout plan as we continue to practice social distancing? The George Fox strength and conditioning staff invites you to join a virtual Strength & Conditioning Camp June 29 through July 3.

Coaches will host daily virtual Zoom seminars and present a variety of strength-building tips and topics. Athletes will be given at-home training throughout the camp and will have additional options to access individualized coaching and guidance beyond the camp dates.

To learn more, contact Mike Wilson at mwilson@georgefox.edu.

New Title IX regulations soon go into effect

Sunday, June 7th, 2020

The Department of Education recently released the final regulations for implementing protections of equal access to education under Title IX of the Higher Education Act of 1972. As federal laws, these regulations govern how institutions are required to respond to sexual assault and other forms of sexual harassment. These regulations are effective as of Aug. 14, 2020.

These regulations are significant, and we are carefully reviewing them over the coming weeks to determine what adjustments we need to make to our current policies and/or our processes for addressing reports of sexual assault and harassment.

The state of Oregon also has relevant legislation, and we need to consider how the federal and state regulations interact with one another. We will be certain to inform our community of any changes we need to make as a result of these new laws.

We recognize that many members of our community have been deeply impacted by sexual assault. It is important that you know that our commitment to preventing sexual assault, supporting those who report experiencing harm, and conducting fair, transparent and safe grievance processes for all parties continues to be a top priority for us. We remain steadfastly focused on continuing to build a supportive, safe and welcoming environment where everyone can learn, work and thrive.  

If you have experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault, you are encouraged to connect to the resources at our institution or elsewhere that can best support you. Much of this information is on our website at georgefox.edu/titleix. We also have added a new video resource specific to George Fox on our Title IX website’s home page that addresses some common questions.

Our Title IX team’s contact information is on the Title IX website under â€œstaff.” Please contact the Office of Student Life (studentlife@georgefox.edu) if you have any questions or concerns.

A Liturgy of Prayer, Justice and Lament

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

Last Sunday, we announced in the Daily Bruin that the university was planning a virtual prayer gathering to grieve injustice, and the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many others.

As the university pastors, chief diversity officer, Intercultural Resource Center and Portland Seminary have convened this week to discern the university’s best response to these acts of injustice, we acknowledge, and are convicted by, the call of our brothers and sisters of color nationwide, who are asking the faith community to take action, and not to simply settle for a prayer service.

After days of discernment and prayer, we believe that the Holy Spirit is guiding our community to be people of prayerful action. And so, in lieu of a prayer service, we offer you this liturgy, which is a compilation of prayers, songs and readings that have been ministering to us in these days. We invite you to use this liturgy in your own prayer time or with a community of close friends.

We believe that prayer is the vehicle that God uses to direct our actions, and so together we pray “on earth as it is in heaven,” and with expectancy we anticipate how God will use his people at George Fox University.