What do I need to know about COVID-19?
A list a questions, including what COVID-19 is, how it spreads and what you can do to protect yourself and others, can be found on NAU’s Coronavirus Information Q & A.
What is the risk to the NAU community?
The virus continues to spread and the risk may change. It’s important for all of us to take proactive steps to protect ourselves and others from exposure to COVID-19. There is confirmed community spread in Coconino County. For updated numbers, visit Coconino County’s website. More information on NAU’s ZIP code data can be found online.
What is expected of our community to support a healthy campus?
Using guidance from the CDC and best practices from local and state health officials, NAU has implemented a number of measures to help keep each other safe.
Students, faculty and staff on campus are expected to:
1. Physically distance (remain at least 6 feet apart from others).
2. Wear a face mask in buildings and when physical distancing is difficult to maintain.
3. Wash hands frequently.
More information about university-wide expectations can be found on the Lumberjack Responsibilities website.
What is NAU doing with the money from the federal stimulus package?
Northern Arizona University is distributing the majority of the federal funding received through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund directly to eligible students. For more information visit NAU’s CARES Act/Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund page.
What are NAU’s cleaning protocols?
NAU Facility Services is working to provide a safe and clean environment in support of the university’s mission of providing a high quality education to our students, and have implemented new cleaning standards for public spaces, residence halls and dining areas. Detailed information can be found on the Cleaning Protocols.
Following CDC guidelines and using national best practices, campus dining has removed a significant amount of tables and chairs in all of the eateries on campus to allow students to eat while practicing appropriate social distancing. Tables also are cleaned in between diners, and dining areas are closed for a full cleaning at least three times daily. Several on-campus dining options also offer take-out and food delivery via Starship robots. More information can be found on the Campus Dining website.
More information about promoting a safe campus can be found on the Jacks are Back website.
What monetary credit was available when the spring semester 2020 went online after spring break?
The campus remained open and most of our services were fully operational for the majority of the semester. Because many students opted to study from home, NAU offered a credit that represented 25 percent of the spring semester’s housing and dining charges to students who chose to move out of university housing by April 16. That credit was applied to outstanding balances on the student’s account for those items. If students had a credit balance after these were applied to spring housing or dining charges, that credit was applied to any Fall 2020 semester charges. Dining Dollars and block meal plan balances left at semester end rolled over to the next academic year. Please review the Housing and Dining Credit FAQs for more information. Other refund policies have not changed.
The credit applied to housing and meal plans only. CARES Act funding also was available to many of our students to help offset some of the financial difficulty caused by the pandemic.
How can I take care of myself during this time?
Coronavirus is affecting all of us in many ways. We all react differently to stressful situations, and it’s important that we don’t neglect our mental health during this uncertain time.
Employee Assistance and Wellness offers a variety of resources to faculty and staff. Counseling Services continues to offer appointments via phone and Zoom to members of the NAU community. NAU’s Campus Recreation has a list of additional resources for staying busy.
How is NAU addressing university-related travel?
As of June 2021, travel restrictions have been reduced to focus on the travel areas that continue to pose the greatest potential risk, international travel. International travel that is deemed essential will continue to need approval in writing at the vice president/provost level. While domestic travel will no longer be restricted or need vice president/provost approval, travel should continue to be carefully reviewed to align with university objectives and align with the CDC-recommended travel guidelines for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Please see the Service Team website for more information.
I’ve been getting a lot of COVID-19 emails for a variety of sources. How do I know which ones to trust?
In light of COVID-19, universities are experiencing increased phishing attacks. Please be diligent about protecting your NAU user credentials and personal information. Below are some ways to make sure your information stays safe.
- Never give up your credentials or personal information over phone or email
- Be skeptical of requests from health organizations asking for personal information
- Do not fall for scams that may include purchasing gift cards for students who are ill
- Remember NAU will not ask for your credentials over email or over the phone
- Report any suspicious emails on the ITS website.
