The Daily Bruin

Juggling classes, work, and life? The Virtual Learning Center (VLC) brings academic support directly to you, wherever you are! Get online assistance (on Zoom or asynchronous) with our convenient writing consultations and empowering academic coaching sessions. Access the help you need to excel, all from the comfort of your own space.

To make an appointment, go to the TracCloud icon on your Canvas dashboard, choose the Virtual Learning Center, and find a time that works best for you.

If you have any questions, please email Heather Harney at hharney@georgefox.edu or vlc@georgefox.edu.

You are invited to join us for an off-campus retreat during the mid-semester break, Thursday, Oct. 9, through Saturday, Oct. 11.

These retreats are thoughtfully designed for a small group of 10-12 students and take place off campus. During the retreat, participants can expect to enter into a slower pace to engage in various spiritual practices that refresh their mind, body and spirit. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to create connections with fellow students and staff, fostering a sense of community and support.

You must fill out this application to express interest in attending. You will receive a confirmation email to let you know you’ve been selected to attend, and then you will secure your spot with a $20 deposit. The $20 covers food, lodging and transportation. Sign-ups are open until Sept. 25 or until all spots are filled.

Contact spirituallife@georgefox.edu if you have questions.

Embracing hearing health is a positive and proactive step toward a more vibrant and connected life. Our ability to hear is a cornerstone of how we engage with the world—it’s how we enjoy music, share laughter with loved ones, and feel safe and aware in our surroundings. By prioritizing our auditory wellness, we aren’t just protecting a physical sense; we’re investing in our mental and social vitality.

Research has shown that untreated hearing loss can increase cognitive load, forcing the brain to dedicate excessive energy to processing sound, which can lead to mental fatigue. This constant strain is a subtle but significant factor in emotional health, contributing to a sense of exhaustion and detachment that can lead to social withdrawal and, over time, a higher risk of depression. By cultivating a healthy relationship with sound, we are also safeguarding our mental resilience and our capacity for joy and connection.

Taking care of your hearing can be thought of as a “sound diet” that balances your exposure to noise. A simple way to remember this is by using the “Three D’s”:

• Decibels (how loud the sound is)
• Duration (how long you’re exposed), and
• Distance (how close you are to the sound source)

To protect yourself, aim to keep the volume on personal listening devices to 50-60% of the maximum and take regular “sound vacations” or breaks from listening. Find out more about how to protect your hearing here, and for more tips on how to keep your ears safe visit this site.

The Fox Jamboree will be at 8 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 12! Throw on your favorite flannel and boots and dance the night away. There will be a mechanical bull, line dancing lessons, snacks, the exciting pie-eating contest and more. You might even meet a new friend! Be one of the first 100 attendees to receive a free cowboy hat.

Do you know a guy on campus who will make the perfect Mr. Bruin? Last year, we had a blast watching the nominees fight to be crowned. Use this form to nominate your pick for Mr. Bruin now!

Check out the Activities Weekly email for more details.

Coming up:

• Amazing Race: Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. in the quad
• Starlight Parade: Saturday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m. at the dorms
• ’80s Dance: Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. in EHS

Contact activities@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Greetings! Are you interested in chess? Do you like thinking and solving puzzles? The Chess Club will be meeting on Monday, Sept. 22, from 1 to 2:45 p.m. in the Murdock Library. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, come and enjoy the fun times.

If the time doesn’t work for you, suggest a new time on this form. You can also sign up to receive news about the latest events.

See you there!

If you have questions, email Kiernen McTaggart at kmctaggart22@georgefox.edu.

Due to Serve Day, Mail Services will be closed until 1 p.m. today (Wednesday).

Need help with time management or study strategies? The Academic Resource Center (ARC) is leaving the building and heading to Pennington tomorrow (Thursday) from 8 to 9 p.m. We’ll be there to share our best tips on time management and study strategies. No appointment is needed; just stop by and let us help you get ahead.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is the big day – Serve Day – when all students and employees come together to serve surrounding communities.

Join us in Klages at 8 a.m. to pack a lunch and connect with others before attending our kickoff event at the stage in the quad near Pennington Hall at 9 a.m.

Both undergrads and employees should have received info with serve site information. Also, a general serve site quick reference guide can be found here. If you are still unable to locate your serve site team, meet us at the Serve Day info tables (see this map) Wednesday morning before 9 a.m.

Finally, as a reminder, employees should not park in the Hoover lot tomorrow so serve site partners and shuttles have somewhere to park for pick-up.

Let’s make this year’s Serve Day one to remember! If you have urgent updates or questions, please email serveday@georgefox.edu.

Still need some training on BruinBuy? Come join us for a training session in Canyon Commons this Monday, Sept. 15, between 9 and 11 a.m. If you plan to attend, please register here.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Now is a great time to get deals on apples and pears, as well as other fresh produce. As you are shopping around the farmland in our area, please consider donating a bag of apples, pears, potatoes, or any kind of produce to the Bruin Community Pantry.

You can drop off your donations during the pantry’s hours of operation:

• Mondays – 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays – 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays – 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Thursdays – 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Fridays – 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Please contact Jere Witherspoon if you have any questions at jwitherspoon@georgefox.edu.

Here is a review of Bruin Bookstore hours for Sept. 15-28:

• Monday, Sept. 15 through Thursday, Sept. 18: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 19: Closed
• Saturday, Sept. 20: 12:30 to 3 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 20: Closed
• Monday, Sept. 22 through Thursday, Sept. 25: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Sept. 28: Closed

Thinking about your retirement goals but not sure where to start? This academic year, our dedicated retirement specialist from Nationwide, Phillip Carbajal, will be on campus each month for free, one-on-one consultations.

This is a great opportunity to get personalized advice and a deeper understanding of your retirement plan. You can ask any question, big or small, and get confidential help on a variety of topics, including checking if you’re on track, understanding your investment options, and ensuring you’re doing everything you can to prepare for the future.

We’ve heard great feedback from other employees who have found these sessions incredibly helpful for gaining clarity and confidence about their financial future.

Don’t miss out on this chance to get on track—be sure to sign up early for a spot! Find out more and sign up today.

George Fox parents: Join us on Thursday, Sept. 25, from noon to 12:45 p.m. for a virtual webinar featuring Providence’s Heather Guthrie, LCSW. We’ll discuss how to help children maintain balance as they continue adjusting to new schedules and transitions and provide tips on how to prepare them to navigate challenging situations they may encounter during the year.

Register today at this link. Email Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu if you have any questions.

Need help with time management or study strategies? The Academic Resource Center (ARC) is leaving the building and heading to Sutton tonight (Tuesday) from 8 to 9 p.m. We’ll be there to share our best tips on time management and study strategies. No appointment needed—just stop by and let us help you get ahead.

The admissions office is looking for volunteers who are willing to have their room shown during campus tours! Tours begin as early as Friday, Sept. 12, and run through Friday, Dec. 12.

If you and your roommate want to give prospective students a glimpse of life on campus, fill out this Google Form (more details on the form)! You will receive a gift card for volunteering. Preference will be given to first-floor residents.

If you have questions, email Miranda at mdavidson@georegfox.edu.

Tomorrow (Wednesday), Sept. 10, several campus buildings will experience a planned power outage as PGE replaces old utility poles. All work will be in the south block between Sheridan Street (east of River Street), Hancock Street (east of River Street) and Carlton Way (south of Sheridan Street).

Students in affected areas have been notified via email. The outage is scheduled to begin between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. PGE anticipates all work will be completed by 3 p.m.

Parking Information

To accommodate large PGE vehicles and ensure safety, we’re asking students, faculty and staff who park on Sheridan Street (east of River Street), Hancock Street (east of River Street) and Carlton Way (south of Sheridan Street) to move their vehicles to the Bauman parking lot on the day of the work. Once the work is completed and barriers are removed, the streets will reopen.

Sensitive Equipment

We recommend that you unplug electronics such as laptops, TVs or other sensitive devices in case of a power surge. Refrain from opening refrigerators during an outage to keep food cold.

Since many of you will be participating in the annual Serve Day, the power outage should not impact you. We appreciate your cooperation as PGE completes this essential maintenance.

The Hadlock Student Center will have modified hours for Serve Day tomorrow (Wednesday). The building will be open in the morning from 6 to 8 a.m. and will reopen in the afternoon from 4 to 11 p.m.

Hello Students for Life,

Welcome back to another incredible year full of compassionate conversations, learning that challenges you, and loving community! As we prepare for the semester ahead we want to invite you to our first Students for Life meeting of the year on today (Tuesday) from 5 to 6 p.m. in Hoover 209.

Prepare for a very informal meeting where you’ll reconnect with friends, make new ones, and learn about the heart behind the club. Let’s make this year unforgettable together! See you at the meeting!

Reach out to Della Gratsinger at dgratsinger24@georgefox.edu if you have any questions.

The Office of Inclusive Excellence will be hosting monthly gatherings called Quake, inspired by the historic Quaker commitment to peace and justice interpersonally and on a societal level. These gatherings are designed to aid students and staff to be God’s agents of peace, to work for justice, and to demonstrate Christ’s love to a broken world.

We’re inviting students, faculty and staff to join us on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 3:30 p.m. in Hoover 207 for a free talk with counselor, speaker and George Fox graduate, Katie Wise.

Katie will share about the markers of healthy and unhealthy relationships, how to establish healthy boundaries, how to say “no,” and she’ll also talk about how to be vulnerable and how to name your own needs in a relationship.

Whether you’re dating, single, searching, or married, this discussion will help you level up and show up with confidence, knowing how to better honor yourself and others.

Feel free to contact Crystal McGowen with any questions at cmcgowen@georgefox.edu.

The Office for Spiritual Life is hosting Life Groups this fall from Sept. 15 through Oct. 27. Life Groups are small groups of undergraduate students who meet together for prayer, Bible study and fellowship.

Groups meet weekly (for seven weeks) for 60 to 90 minutes. Life Groups through the Office for Spiritual Life will also be SPIL-credit eligible. To sign up, please fill out this form by Thursday, Sept. 12.

Feel free to check out our Instagram for more information: @gfuspil

If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the spiritual life office at spirituallife@georgefox.edu.