NAU will take part in a statewide COVID-19 Testing Surge, offering free COVID-19 walk-in testing to all community members. Testing will be available daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Aug. 10-23 at the University Union Fieldhouse. More information can be found on the NAU testing surge site.
The fall semester will start Aug. 12 with fully online instruction through NAUFlex, NAU’s hybrid education model. In-person instruction, coupled with ongoing NAUFlex delivery, will begin Aug. 31. More information about the return to campus can be found on the Jacks are Back website.
Students are strongly encouraged to be tested for COVID-19 prior to arrival, and self-quarantine before coming to campus. Learn more about NAU’s comprehensive plan to address COVID-19 on the Testing and Contact Tracing page.
NAU is working closely with our community college partners and local officials regarding statewide campus operations. Any changes in operational status will be communicated directly to faculty, staff and students at these locations.
For more information about the CARES Act funding from the Department of Education, please review NAU’s CARES Act website.
Video communications from President Cheng
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 directly to eligible students.
Under the terms of the CARES act, more than $11.7 million in grants is designated to helping students defray costs incurred while pursuing their education during the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is being disbursed in two waves: direct payments were given to eligible students through July 6, and there will be a separate application process in the late summer or early fall to access the remaining funds. For more information visit NAU’s CARES Act page.
I am a prospective/incoming student. How does COVID-19 affect the admissions process?
University Admissions is working with students and families to ensure a smooth and successful transition to NAU with consideration to the evolving circumstances. More information, including transfer credits, pass/fail grading, campus visits and our extended application deadline, can be found on the Admissions FAQ website.
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 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?
Travel restrictions are in place to further reduce the potential for the virus to spread due to Lumberjacks coming in and out of Flagstaff. Non-essential business domestic and international travel has been suspended indefinitely for all NAU students, faculty, and staff. Any travel that is deemed essential will continue to be reviewed and approved in writing at the Vice President/Provost level.
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.
If you are feeling ill and think you may have the coronavirus, contact your health care provider or Campus Health Services at (928) 523-2131. For questions or concerns, contact covidinfo@nau.edu.