The Daily Bruin

Thank you so much to those of you who were able to participate in the pie parade last Thursday afternoon. It was a delightful event, and I enjoyed the opportunity to visit briefly with many good friends.

As an introvert, it was actually nice to have space and to be able to to talk to each one who came through. Tom and I appreciate your words of kindness and support over the years. I am opening the cards, a few each day, to savor the words you shared.

I especially want to thank my office – Janelle, Laurie, Rebecca, Jodi and Audrey – for planning and hosting the time. What they did was pretty amazing. I also want to thank Bob, Dave, Marc, Roger, Ryan and my good friend Alice for directing traffic, receiving cards and gifts, and handing out pies. I have been blessed by each of you.

On July 1, I become a member of the faculty in the EdD program, and I look forward to a new role that more directly serves students while still being able to spend time with longtime colleagues. And, I don’t have to worry about snow and ice on the roads!

Gratefully,
Linda Samek

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

We know that there is a lot of uncertainty in the world today. And just as we have for more than 100 years, TIAA is here to help you.

You can access virtual counseling by phone or on any device, and get advice and education about your retirement savings, managing debt and your investment strategy. Both are highly secure and private.

When you meet virtually with a financial consultant, you’ll get answers to these questions:

• Am I saving enough?
• Should I change or rebalance my investment strategy?
• Am I on track to meet my retirement goals?

Financial advice is available as part of your retirement plan at no additional cost. Take advantage and schedule a virtual counseling session. RSVP today, as spots are limited. Register here or call 800-732-8353 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Contact Kara Holcombe (kholcombe@georgefox.edu) with any questions.  

President Robin Baker, Chief Diversity Officer Rebecca Hernandez and Seminary Dean MaryKate Morse have shared a response to the racial tragedies unfolding across our country. 

The university is planning a time of prayer for our country. For those who wish to participate in a virtual prayer gathering, please contact Rebecca Hernandez (rhernandez@georgefox.edu).

As Linda Samek leaves the position of provost, we would like to gather words of thanks, photos, stories, memories, and other sentiments from the George Fox community to share with her. Please take a moment to contribute through this Google Form.

If you would like to submit a brief self-made video, please send it directly to aao@georgefox.edu no later than Monday, June 8. Any questions can be directed to Audrey Wrede at aao@georgefox.edu.

COVID-19 has brought many challenges, including additional costs due to the disruption of campus operations. We know that many students have questions about the CARES Act and Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) that were allocated by the government as a result.

The Department of Education has issued guidance on disbursing these funds. George Fox University is working diligently to ensure that their regulations regarding disbursement of these funds are met.

The university is now sending out funds from the CARES Act to eligible students. If you have any questions about eligibility and these funds, please visit the CARES Act Grant FAQ.

COVID-19 has brought many challenges, including additional costs to students due to the disruption of campus operations. The university is now disbursing Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) from the CARES Act to eligible students.

If you or students in your sphere have any questions about eligibility and these funds, please visit the CARES Act Grant FAQ.

We know that there is a lot of uncertainty in the world today. And just as we have for more than 100 years, TIAA is here to help you.

You can access virtual counseling by phone or on any device, and get advice and education about your retirement savings, managing debt and your investment strategy. Both are highly secure and private.

When you meet virtually with a financial consultant, you’ll get answers to these questions:

• Am I saving enough?
• Should I change or rebalance my investment strategy?
• Am I on track to meet my retirement goals?

Financial advice is available as part of your retirement plan at no additional cost. Take advantage and schedule a virtual counseling session. RSVP today, as spots are limited. Register here or call 800-732-8353 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Contact Kara Holcombe (kholcombe@georgefox.edu) with any questions.  

If your contract ends soon and/or you will not be on campus through the summer, please bring over any cash or checks before you leave.

Please look around your desks and file cabinets to see if there are any lingering items that need to be deposited. Checks dated prior to June 30, 2020, must be deposited in the current fiscal year.

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

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is now accepting applications for a new grant program aimed at helping Oregon veterans complete their educational goals.

The Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program provides financial assistance to veterans who are unable to complete their education due to the unavailability of one or more required classes.

Eligible student veterans may receive grants of up to $5,000. Recipients must be a veteran eligible for GI Bill® benefits, must be an Oregon resident and must be enrolled in an Oregon-based academic program that is approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

For more information about the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program, or to apply, visit the ODVA website. Questions may also be directed to ODVA’s Veteran Educational Bridge Grant coordinator, Scott Salazar, at ebg@odva.state.or.us or by phone at 503-373-2338. 

Important Notice: Make sure you upgrade to Zoom 5.0 as soon as possible. After May 30, 2020, all Zoom accounts that are on older versions will receive a forced upgrade when trying to join meetings, which may cause delays. 

To upgrade, open the Zoom app and left-click on your initials in the upper right corner of the app, then select “Check for Updates.” Install if available.

If you have any questions, please contact the Service Desk at servicedesk@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2569.

Do you have questions following Tuesday’s virtual All-Employee Meeting? (Watch it here if you missed it.) Share your questions with President Robin Baker by filling out this form.

Have you or your family had a situation come up where your FAFSA information no longer correctly reflects your family financial picture? Our financial aid experts can evaluate your circumstance to see if any changes are applicable to your financial aid.

If you or your family has experienced a highly unusual circumstance that is not reflected on your FAFSA, such as loss of income, job loss, medical bills, etc., complete the 2020-21 Professional Judgment Assessment. A committee will review the circumstances, and your financial aid counselor will contact you regarding next steps.

In the event of job loss or reduction of income, we will make the final evaluation three months after the date of the loss or reduction, though our team can help give estimates and guidance in the meantime. 

Please note: Not all Professional Judgment Assessments result in additional financial aid. 

If anything else comes up, talk to us! We are here to help. You can reach out to us at finaid@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2302.

President Robin Baker will host a virtual all-employee meeting today (Tuesday). The meeting will be available at this link beginning at 10 a.m. this morning. As was the case last month, the password to join is provided on the meeting site.

The campus fire sprinkler system will be tested today (Tuesday) through Friday, May 29. Residential areas affected include Le Shana, Carey, Beebe, Willcuts, Edwards Hall, Gulley, Macy, Sutton, and Hobson halls.

The inspector will need to enter every area, so please make sure that your belongings do not block access. Every sprinkler head in the building will be inspected, and a flow test will occur. When the flow test runs, the fire alarm will sound. The alarm may sound several times during the day, but will not alert the fire department.

The testing is scheduled over the entire week, but the time will be divided among the buildings listed (so it won’t take the entire week to test one building). The final schedule is determined by the inspector and has not been released to the university. Some buildings may take longer to inspect than others, so we thank you in advance for your patience. 

Contact Dixie Downey (ddowney@georgefox.edu) with any questions.

FoxTALE will be unavailable tomorrow (Wednesday) from 6 to 8 a.m. (Pacific Time) for scheduled maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes.

Questions? Email servicedesk@georgefox.edu or call 503-554-2569.

The campus fire sprinkler system will be tested today (Tuesday) through Friday, May 29. Buildings affected are EHS, Stevens, Hadlock, Hoover, the Roberts Center, and the Wheeler Sports Center.

Every sprinkler head in the building will be inspected, and a flow test will occur. When the flow test runs, the fire alarm will sound. The alarm may sound several times during the day, but will not alert the fire department.

The testing is scheduled over the entire week, but the time will be divided among the buildings listed (so it won’t take the entire week to test one building). The final schedule is determined by the inspector and has not been released to the university. Some buildings may take longer to inspect than others, so we thank you in advance for your patience.

Contact Dixie Downey (ddowney@georgefox.edu) with any questions.