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George Fox University

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
414 N Meridian St
Newberg, Oregon 97132
Phone
(503) 838-8381
School Information
George Fox is Oregon's nationally recognized Christian university, providing students with personal attention, global opportunities to learn and serve, and a supportive community that encourages academic rigor and spiritual growth. We offer bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors, adult degree programs, six seminary degrees, and 12 master’s and doctoral degrees. George Fox is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The school consistently earns third-party recognition from publications such as Forbes and U.S. News & World Report, which annually rank it among the nation's top Christian colleges. In keeping with our mission of Christian higher education, all employees – faculty, administration and staff – are committed Christians. More than 3,700 students attend classes on the university’s residential campus in Newberg, at its Portland and Salem centers, and at other teaching sites in Oregon.
General Information
George Fox University has required diversity training for faculty and staff since 1999 (source: https://www.georgefox.edu/diversity/faculty-and-staff-development.html). The university provides free copies to all faculty and staff of the book, Is Christianity a White Man's Religion? How the Bible Is Good News for People of Color. For the 2020-2021 academic year, the university announced new curriculum goals to develop competency, especially among undergraduate students, in the areas of diversity, race, and cultural awareness. See details below.

Actions Taken

Admissions Policies
  • George Fox will "Develop a system of recruitment that enhances the identification and matriculation of students of color"
Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • Regarding diversity education, the university states that "members of the George Fox Community will explore issues of injustice through the biblical lens" which would "occur through the presentation of diverse voices, peoples and perspectives by guest speakers, employee training and the curriculum."
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • George Fox will develop diversity curriculum for students: "Develop intentional curricular objectives to be included throughout the curriculum of the university – especially in the undergraduate program – to address issues related to diversity, race and cultural awareness. Focus on developing this area as a competency for the undergraduate students and program."
  • The faculty is developing expected student learning outcomes during the 2020-21 academic year to be included throughout the curriculum of the university – especially in the undergraduate program – to address issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Program and Research Funding
  • GFU's Multicultural Leadership Scholarship Program is "designed to recruit and retain student leaders who are committed to diversity (ethnicity, socio-economic status, and physical disability) and have a passion for promoting multicultural awareness." (2023 Applications closed April 1.)
Resources
  • The university set a goal of recruiting three people of color for its board of directors by Spring 2021.
  • The university hired a Chief Diversity Officer: "The chief diversity officer reports to the president of the university and provides direct input to the university’s Executive Leadership Development Team on university decisions and direction."
  • "In the fall of 2020, the university purchased and provided all employees a copy of Antipas L. Harris’ book Is Christianity the White Man’s Religion: How the Bible is Good News for People of Color for the purpose of small-group discussion."
Symbolic Actions
  • In 2020, the university had the most diverse leadership team in its history.
  • GFU's Theology of Racial and Ethnic Diversity webpage states the following: "George Fox University is a Christ-centered university in the tradition of the Evangelical Friends, also known as the Quakers. As such, we believe that a diverse community is a gift of God and its flourishing is a theological imperative for the people of God. We denounce racism and systems of oppression, and proactively work with the Holy Spirit to eradicate those evils from our institution and society."
Last updated October 23rd, 2023
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