The Daily Bruin

Are you interested in serving as a student leader for the 2025-26 school year? Now is the perfect time to apply! The Office of Student Life offers a variety of leadership opportunities in Spiritual Life, Intercultural Life, Student Leadership Council, Parent and Family Programs, Student Activities, Commuter Life, and Residence Life.

To learn more about these opportunities, visit our Student Life Leadership and Employment page. Applications are open now and due by Wednesday, Jan. 15. Apply today at this link!

Please join the Department of Social Work for our human rights poster presentation today (Thursday) from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the EHS Atrium. You can join any time during that period.

Enjoy light refreshments while browsing posters on various human rights issues affecting some of the most vulnerable communities in the world. Please come and support your students and peers!

Questions? Please contact Young-Il Kim at ykim@georgefox.edu.

Get ready for Winter Welcome Jan. 10-12! For residential students, the residence halls will be reopening on Friday, Jan. 10, at noon. We hope you’ll join us for a host of events over the weekend before the start of the spring semester.

Winter Welcome is a time for you to get re-acclimated to campus and reconnect before the start of classes on Monday, Jan. 13. Check out the Winter Welcome schedule here. Rest up this Christmas break, and we’ll see you in January for a fun-filled weekend!

Following are the Hadlock Student Center’s winter break hours (please note the updated times and dates from yesterday’s announcement):

• Dec. 23 – Jan. 2: Closed
• Dec. 14-22 and Jan. 3-11: Winter hours (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• Jan. 12: Normal hours resume (open until 11 p.m.)

December brings a blend of emotions, as the holiday season can be both a time of joy and reflection. For many, it’s a season of celebration, warmth and anticipation, as we enjoy traditions and time with loved ones. Yet, it can also be a challenging period with the pressures of gift-giving, financial worries, or the absence of those we hold dear.

During this season, let’s take a moment to focus on the true source of peace and joy – God’s love and presence in our lives. Amid the busyness, we invite you to reflect on the blessings around you and seek renewal in the hope and comfort he provides.

To help you keep your spirits bright this season, we encourage you to take a moment to read this information. Inside, you’ll find practical tips and uplifting reminders to carry you through the holidays with grace and positivity. Know that you are supported, cared for, and never alone in this journey.

Are you leaving your bike on campus over break? The safest place to leave your bike is in your dorm room. Call Campus Public Safety at 503-554-2090 or email us at campussafety@georgefox.edu for any questions regarding your bike or vehicle.

Give students a meaningful gift this Christmas. We are well on our way to reaching our goal of 30% employee giving. All we need now is you! Here are a few ideas of where you can give:

• The George Fox Scholarship Fund: This fund supports scholarships and a number of programs that aid students every day.
• Bruin Community Pantry: The BCP supports students who have limited access to healthy food and educates them on healthy eating habits through cooking demonstrations and educational programming.
• Student Emergency Fund: This fund supports students in need who are experiencing financial hardship.

To give through payroll deduction, fill out this form. Note: Login using the “Google” button with your George Fox email below the general login.

Thank you for standing with students this year! Email Kelton Hedstrom at khedstrom@georgefox.edu if you have questions.

Christmas break is almost here! If you plan to leave your vehicle on campus over break, please do the following:

• Fill out the Vehicles Left On Campus Policy Form (this form can also be filled out in person at the Campus Public Safety office)
• Remove any personal belongings from your vehicle
• Park in a lot designated by Campus Public Safety personnel
• Leave a vehicle key at the CPS office located at 212 Carlton Way

Questions? Contact Karen Toohey at 503-554-2090 or email us at campussafety@georgefox.edu

Spring 2025 textbooks are now live online at the Bruin Bookstore. Visit our website to get ahead of the spring rush. Select “in store pick-up” and we will have your books ready for your return to campus!

Have a great finals week and happy holidays! See you in 2025!

The Bruin Bookstore will have adjusted hours for winter break:

• Dec. 14 (winter commencement): 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 16-20: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 23: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Dec. 24: Jan. 1 – Closed
• Jan. 2-3: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Spring term hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday) begin on Monday, Jan. 6.

There is a new exhibition in the library’s display cases: “Happy 400th Birthday, George Fox!” Come learn more about George Fox the person and about how our institution became known as George Fox University. This project was led by senior students Lydia Engel (English) and Gabrielle Simantel (history), and it will be displayed through the spring semester.

If you have any questions, contact archives@georgefox.edu.

Experiencing ho-ho-ho-liday stress? Here’s how to avoid it. The holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for many, it also brings unique challenges. From packed schedules and financial pressures to family dynamics and unrealistic expectations, the holidays can leave us feeling overwhelmed.

In this article, we’ll explore simple strategies to help you manage stress, prioritize your well-being, and rediscover the joy that makes this season truly special.

Please join the Department of Social Work for our human rights poster presentation on Thursday, Dec. 12, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the EHS Atrium. You can join any time during that period.

Enjoy light refreshments while browsing posters on various human rights issues affecting some of the most vulnerable communities in the world. Please come and support your students and peers!

Questions? Please contact Young-Il Kim at ykim@georgefox.edu.

Take a well-deserved study break and join UREC for some energizing and stress-relieving fitness classes during finals week – all for free!

Class Schedule:

• Yoga – 6:30 a.m. today (Tuesday)
• Cycling – 6 p.m. today (Tuesday)
• Zumba – 4 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday)
• Circuit Training – 3:30 p.m. Thursday
• Power Barre – 5 p.m. Thursday
• Ballet Barre – 6:30 p.m. Thursday

These classes are the perfect way to refresh your mind, energize your body, and crush your finals with confidence. Sign up here.

Contact fitness@georgefox.edu if you have questions.

There are 40 Christmas cards still available if you would still like to have some for your department. The cost is about $1.06 per card.

Email Brandy at bdonavant@georgefox.edu if you’re interested in ordering some. Please remember to send your full accounting string in your request.

The Department of Education has officially opened the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025–26 academic year. The 2025–26 FAFSA will cover fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026, and the application is required to be eligible for certain types of financial aid, including federal and state grants, student employment, and Stafford loans.

The financial aid office will be hosting several events in the coming weeks to assist you and your contributor(s) with the FAFSA and other financial aid questions. Look through our schedule below and save the dates!

Continuing Student Webinar
Registration is now open for our continuing student webinar taking place from 4 to 5 p.m. today (Monday), Dec. 9. We will cover important information about the FAFSA, financial aid timelines, scholarships, loans, professional judgments, anticipated charges, and more.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions of our financial aid team throughout the presentation, and our slides will be emailed to registrants afterward. Follow the link below to sign up: Bruins Beyond Year One: Financial Aid for Returning Students.

FAFSA Workshop
If you need help completing your FAFSA, you can attend one of our upcoming workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Bring your laptop to Canyon Commons 101 from 5 to 7 p.m., grab some dinner, and get your questions answered by a financial aid counselor! Walk-ins are welcome, and registration is not required.

If you can’t make it, you can schedule an appointment with a counselor at this link or visit our office on the second floor of the Stevens Center during drop-in hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

This is a reminder that the George Fox Mobile application will cease functioning at the end of this month. After this date, the mobile app will no longer be available or supported. Please note that you can find the same information that is available in the app on the George Fox website and MyGeorgeFox.

Please note the accelerated payroll deadlines for December. Due to Christmas break, we will have fewer days to process the December payroll. Please have all check requests submitted and approved by the end of the day today (Monday). Timesheets that span Nov. 16 through Dec. 15 should have hours forecasted, locked, and approved by today.

Regular employee timesheets and student timesheets can be locked at the end of the month as usual. The student payday will be on Friday, Dec. 13, and the regular employee payday will be on Monday, Dec. 23.

Questions? Contact the payroll team at payroll@georgefox.edu.

Thank you to the 100 participants who completed the Health Assessment in November. What an incredible commitment to well-being! Congratulations to our raffle winners:

• Mindful Movement Kit – Carlos Fernandez
• Family Fun Set – Michael Morikawa
• Relax and Renew Spa Set – Jenelle Stone
• Nature’s Retreat – Sarah Cox
• Wander Ready Kit – Caroline Wildhaber
• Mystery Basket (Smart Travel Solutions Basket) – Lynne Riffenburgh
• The Ultimate Cozy Retreat – Katie Maupin
• Nourish and Nurture Collection – Alex Rolfe

The winners have been notified directly with prize pick-up instructions. As you continue your health journey, don’t forget these valuable resources:

• Connect with a health coach (Providence Health Plan members).
• Explore life coaching services through our EAP program.
• Check out Providence Basecamp resources for all employees.

Great work everyone! Here’s to taking the next step in your wellness journey! Contact Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu if you have questions.

Come enjoy the final showcase of this semester’s Musical Theatre Performance class! From classics to contemporary musicals, there is something for everyone at this fun and inspiring performance. Curtains open at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Monday) in Wood-Mar Auditorium!