Northern Arizona University is closely monitoring the growing public health concern of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that Americans should be prepared for an outbreak in their community. The university is working with Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS), as well as other community partners, to ensure our campus community is informed with the latest CDC best practices for staying healthy. The health of the Lumberjack community is the top priority at NAU.
This webpage provides updates relevant to the NAU community, along with links to various resources. This page will be updated as new information is available.
Effective Monday, March 23, NAU will move to online instruction for the remainder of the semester. The NAU mountain campus will remain open and operational.
Following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the university has canceled all events through May 31, including the in-person Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremonies, convocations and related events. All summer academic sessions that start in May will be delivered in a virtual format.
Given that changes are taking place on a daily basis, NAU will make decisions on future events and classes 30 days in advance. This website will communicate any changes and updates.
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.
Information regarding housing and dining credit
Students who are able to move out of NAU residential housing by April 16 will receive a credit that represents 25 percent of the spring semester’s housing and dining charges, which will be applied to outstanding balances that are on your account for those items. If the student has a credit balance after these are applied to spring housing or dining charges, that credit will be applied to any fall 2020 semester charges. Dining Dollars and block meal plan balances left at semester end will roll over to the next academic year. Please review the Housing and Dining Credit FAQs for more information.
Coronavirus Q & A To activate the Coronavirus Q & A tab, press your spacebar.
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.
How does Gov. Ducey’s stay-at-home order affect NAU?
In the order issued March 30 by the Governor, Higher Education is identified as essential and as such is expected to continue to provide services to our students, faculty and staff. The remaining students on campus represent international students, out of state students who chose not to travel to a potential hot spot over spring break, those who do not have any other personal housing options, as well as students who have family at their homes who are in the high-risk category.
NAU is working with these students to ensure their safety and follow government directives.
What do I need to know about classes moving online?
Effective Monday, March 23, NAU will move to online instruction for the remainder of the semester. There are individual classes and programs that may require in-person work. In those instances, specific instructions will be communicated from faculty to student—all other coursework will be online. Faculty can address course-specific questions. Students, staff and faculty with disabilities may reach out to Disability Resources or read the FAQs on their website for assistance in transitioning online.
Effective immediately and for Spring 2020 only, all undergraduate and graduate students (with the exception of students in Personalized Learning programs) may convert Spring 2020 classes to Pass/Fail (P/F) grading with certain limitations. More information can be found on the Office of the Registar’s website.
What’s open on NAU’s campus?
Although we have shifted to online learning, much of campus remains open, including university housing, computer labs, food service, Campus Health Services, library access and many other units across the university. Some of the resources available have adjusted hours. For information about services, view The Lumberjack guide to navigating what’s open on campus.
The Wall Aquatic Center and Recreation Center are temporarily closed. Additional resources for staying busy can be found on the Campus Recreation website.
How does NAU plan to protect students living in a hall, eating on campus and in public-use areas?
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 Frequency Guide.
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 Campus Dining COVID-19 Adjustments to Service Delivery.
I would rather finish out the semester off campus. How do I move out of my residence hall early?
Each of you has made a decision uniquely right for you and your family about whether to return to the NAU Flagstaff Campus or finish the semester remotely as we transitioned our educational programs online. We respect each of these decisions. NAU will be providing a credit to students who are choosing to move out of university housing early this semester.
Students who are able to move out of NAU residential housing by April 16 will receive a credit that represents 25 percent of the spring semester’s housing and dining charges, which will be applied to outstanding balances that are on your account for those items. If you have a credit balance after these are applied to spring housing or dining charges, that credit will be applied to any fall 2020 semester charges. Dining Dollars and block meal plan balances left at semester end will roll over to the next academic year. Please review the Housing and Dining Credit FAQs for more information.
We recognize that we have students, including many of our international students, whose best choice is to remain on campus for the remainder of the semester and, in some cases, into the summer. We welcome you to stay with us, and we are dedicated to maintaining a safe and healthy campus community and continuing to provide guidance that will help you contribute to your own well-being.
The credit applies to housing and meal plans only. The campus remains open and our services were fully operational for the majority of the semester. Many of these services are still available. Campus health services is still taking in-person appointments, and students can still receive a consultation over the phone via telehealth. Our mental health crisis line is operational 24/7. All of these services have employees that still require our support and many have facilities-related debt service which must be paid. We are not planning any refunds or credits for anything other than housing and meal plans.
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.
I am studying abroad/my child is studying abroad. What do I need to know?
All faculty-led study abroad programs through May are canceled. We are requesting that all students and faculty currently in programs in other countries immediately return to the United States.
NAU’s College of International Education (CIE) will work with individuals directly to ensure a safe return and that alternative study options are provided.
When students return, NAU is following national travel and self-isolation guidelines. The CDC recommends a 14-day self-isolation period for all travelers who return from Level 2 or 3 countries. Faculty, staff, students and others returning from Level 2 or 3 countries should self-isolate at their home or an off-campus residence for 14 days and monitor their symptoms before returning to campus. If symptoms occur, individuals should seek medical attention.
Students studying abroad should remain in contact with CIE; please do not leave your host country without notifying CIE of your return.
I have upcoming travel. Should I change my plans?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a “Travel Warning-Level 3: Avoid Nonessential Travel” for a number of places throughout the U.S. and world. An updated list can be found on the CDC’s website.
All non-essential university-sponsored international travel and domestic travel outside of Arizona is suspended until further notice.
Personal travel outside of Arizona, both domestic and international, is strongly discouraged. We urge travelers to carefully consider their intended destinations for personal trips and check on restrictions or quarantine measures that may be recommended or required by the CDC upon arrival or return.
NAU is following national travel and self-isolation guidelines. The CDC recommends a 14-day self-isolation period for all travelers who return from Level 2 or 3 countries. Faculty, staff, students and others returning from Level 2 or 3 countries should self-isolate at their home or an off-campus residence for 14 days and monitor their symptoms before returning to campus. If symptoms occur, individuals should seek medical attention.
No matter where you travel, practice basic precautions:
Avoid contact with sick people.
Wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer often.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
Remain informed about the potential risk in your destination.
What business expenses are reimbursable to individual departments related to cancelations of airfare, contracts and other expenditures?
Individual departments are responsible for expenditures related to additional airfare, airfare cancelations, contract liability and other expenditures related to canceling or modifying an event. NAU’s insurer does not provide coverage for business/travel interruption. Track any expenses related to these cancelations and provide backup documentation to NAU-PropLiability@nau.edu in case there is a future emergency declaration that may cover these expenses.
The contracts unit of Contracts, Purchasing and Risk Management needs to be involved in formally canceling contracts and can assist with any modifications or negotiations. Submit these via email to NAU-Contracts@nau.edu. Canceling a contract may not relieve NAU from all liabilities including payment.
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
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.
