Questions? Please reach out to us.
For more information visit the NAU Coronavirus website.
COVID-19 Resources for First-Generation Students
Our Student Affairs Offices are available virtually. We recommend you access these services online or by phone. Our staff is available Monday – Friday 8:00AM to 5:00PM. For an appointment please call 928-523-6980 or email us at firstgen@nau.edu.
The health and wellness of our first-generation student community is our top priority. This situation has raised many questions; we have tried to answer questions and share resources here. This page will be periodically updated.
General Questions
Is the university closed? Accordion Closed
The university remains open as classes move to a digital format and teleworking is established for many staff and faculty. However, buildings with access control systems will be accessible only by Jacks card.
The campus recreation centers are closed on campus. Find out more here: https://in.nau.edu/campusrecreation/
University housing, cafeterias, health clinics and counseling services remain open.
Where can I get coronavirus updates about NAU? Accordion Closed
For the most up-to-date information on Northern Arizona University policy and practices regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit nau.edu/coronavirus.
Who is the best source to get local, national and international coronavirus updates? Accordion Closed
For broader information regarding the coronavirus, there are several good sources; we recommend reviewing updates and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and, locally, the Arizona Department of Health Services, and Coconino County.
Student Questions
How do I access my classes online? Accordion Closed
Your instructor can use Blackboard Collaborate Ultra to stream a lecture live to the class and record it for future viewing. Some instructors may use other methods, so be sure to contact your instructors with any questions on how to access your classes.
I have a student job on campus. Will that continue? Accordion Closed
At this time, NAU campuses will remain open and operational, and NAU employees will continue to perform their job duties. This includes university housing, computer labs, food service, Campus Health Services, Cline Library, research labs, and all other units across the university. The extent to which this also includes student employees is currently determined at the department level. Please check with your supervisor for specifics.
I would rather finish out the semester off campus. How do I move out of my residence hall early? Accordion Closed
If you choose to move home before the end of the semester, please visit University’s Housing Move-Out Details page for instructions. Students should be moved out by 9 a.m. May 8.
Will there be refunds for this semester? Accordion Closed
Due to the fluid and disruptive changes that are happening because of the coronavirus (COVID-19), some students and families are asking about refunds, discount or credits for tuition, housing, meals and/or parking. We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone and we are all concerned.
Our priorities are the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and continuing to provide a high-quality education. Given that, our present tuition and refund policies remain unchanged.
It is important to mention that in order to ensure our students experience quality education delivery—one that allows them to stay on schedule and graduate on time—our costs are increasing. We also are expending significant resources to move to online educational delivery, ensure our university services remain operational and maintain safe essential services, including university housing, computer labs, food service, campus health services, library access, research labs and all other support units across the university.
While we understand that some students may choose to leave campus while continuing their studies online, NAU remains open and fully operational, continuing to support all of our students no matter where they are.
Campus and Community Resources
Academic Resources Accordion Closed
Academic Success Centers: Effective Monday, March 23rd, The North and South ASC will remain open and operational while services including Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, Academic Peer Mentoring and Academic Workshops will move online through Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. The Testing Center, as well as computer labs in both centers, will remain open. Learning Specialists appointments will be available at the North Academic Success Center as well as online through BbLearn Collaborate Ultra. More information found here: https://in.nau.edu/academic-success-centers/
Supplemental Instruction (SI): Meet remotely with other students and a Supplemental Instruction leader each week to collectively work through course material. Click here to see course options and meeting times: https://in.nau.edu/academic-success-centers/supplemental-instruction/
How will the university continue to accommodate students with disabilities?
ITS adheres to several guidelines and policies to ensure the software provided to the NAU community is accessible to everyone. If any tools and resources utilized create a barrier of any kind, please contact NAU Disability Resources.
- Disability Resources provides a list of available assistive tools and technology
- Blackboard Learn automatically reviews course materials for accessibility using the Ally feature
- Lectures, meetings, and webinars recorded in Blackboard Learn or Zoom can have captions added for future viewing
- Zoom provides keyboard shortcutsand is compatible with screen reader technology
- Microsoft Teams comes with several accessibility features
Food Services Accordion Closed
- NAU dining services: https://nau.edu/dining
- On-campus: Louie’s Cupboard: https://in.nau.edu/dean-of-students/louies-cupboard/
- Flagstaff Family Food Center – https://hotfood.org/
- FFFC is currently offering food pickup only
- Various Locations: St. Mary’s Food Bank: https://azfoodbanks.org/
Transportation Services Accordion Closed
- Flagstaff Mountain Line – all Mountain Line bus and paratransit services will be fare-free: https://mountainline.az.gov/news-events/mountain-line-revised-schedules-and-policies-for-pandemic-response/
- Enterprise has a College Student Travel Assistance. More information here: https://www.enterprise.com/en/help/faqs/car-rental-under-25.html
- Now through April 30, 2020, Budget customers who are ages 21-24 will not be subject to the underage surcharge: https://www.budget.com/en/help/usa-faqs/age-to-rent
Internet Services Accordion Closed
- On-campus: We have opened a Drive-Up Wi-Fi service in parking lot 16 (P16, see map) for those who would like to self-isolate, and may not have reliable Wi-Fi at home. **You will be required to remain in your vehicle. NAU map: https://nau.edu/maps/
- EduRoam (education roaming) is the secure, world-wide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community. EduRoam allows students, researchers, and staff from participating institutions to obtain Internet connectivity across campus and when visiting other participating institutions by simply opening their laptop. Find more information on connecting here: https://in.nau.edu/its/wireless/
- Free Comcast for 60 days low-income discount: https://www.internetessentials.com/
- Once you are an Internet Essentials customer, you have the option to purchase a laptop or desktop computer at a discounted price: https://www.internetessentials.com/Low-Cost-Computer
- Responses from Internet Providers:
- FCC agreement stating that providers will waive late fees, not cutoff service for lack of payment, and open hotspots.
- Comcast COVID-19 response: offers free WiFi for 2 months to low-income families plus all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time
- Charter Free Internet offer for 2 months
- AT&T COVID-19 response: offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low-income families
- Verizon COVID-19 response: no special offers, but following the FCC agreement.
- Sprint COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.
- T-Mobile COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.
- FCC Announcement to Internet Providers:
- The FCC announcement asks that Internet providers make a pledge:
- (1) not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
- (2) waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and
- (3) open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.
- The FCC announcement asks that Internet providers make a pledge:
Support for Mental & Physical Health Accordion Closed
- On-campus: NAU Counseling Services: 928-523-2131
- On-campus: Virtual Health and Wellness Programming.
- On-campus: Campus Recreation is offering daily virtual offerings.
- On-campus: Intramural Sports has transitioned to Esports on IMleagues! Interested?
- Online: NAU Health Promotion #bouncebackNAU: https://in.nau.edu/campus-health-services/bounce-back-nau/
- Online: Shine Project: https://www.virusanxiety.com/?fbclid=IwAR1esc3AqSSgYmV-wP14PZhPIqu9t9uu89UrMHeVvGh-3kn5mR9B3RxuM2w
- Online: Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/covid-19
- Online: Mental Health America Free Mental Health Toolkit: https://mhanational.org/2020toolkit
- Planet fitness offering free virtual fitness classes for members and non-members
- Stressed out? Try these free (till 4/1) yoga classes from downdog
- Get outside and go for a hike! Check out some of Flagstaff’s best trails
Storage Services Accordion Closed
- U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Self-Storage amid Coronavirus Outbreak: https://www.uhaul.com
Financial Aid Assistance and Guidance Accordion Closed
- On-campus: Reach out to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid: Call 928-523-4951 or email Financial.Aid@nau.edu
- Free student aid-related COVID-19 guidance for students, families and student loan borrowers: https://www.studentaidpandemic.org/
NAU Specific Assistance Accordion Closed
- Office of the Dean of Students has secured funding for students that are experiencing hardship due to COVID-19. If you have students that are in need of micro grants (don’t exceed $250): https://in.nau.edu/dean-of-students/emergency-services/
Tips for Online Student Success Accordion Closed
- Pay attention to the calendar: Note all due dates, expectations, and exams to make a plan to complete all assignments.
- Log out/turn off the distractions: Log off of your social media accounts and turn off the TV. You wouldn’t do that in your classroom, avoid making it a habit and focus on your classes.
- Do not wait until the last-minute: Start early. You’ll have more time to learn the material, practice exercises, and review the information before submitting.
- Rotate your courses evenly: Don’t spend all your time on one class because it is more enjoyable. Rotate your classes and track your assignments that you have completed and still need to do.
- Schedule your courses into your calendar: While online courses allow you to take classes on your own time, you should still make sure you are logging into your class and completing work on a regular basis. You’ll make better progress if you keep a regular schedule.
- Set aside time to review the material: Set aside time to review, process, practice and understand the material.
General NAU questions Accordion Closed
- Louie chatbox
- Access
- Web: https://nau.edu/dialogue/chatbot/
- By phone : 301-304-7415
- Text (928 440 1576) BETA testing. Louie might have the hiccups.
- Google Home (say, “OK Google Talk to Louie Lumberjack”)
- Google Smart Phone (say, “OK Google Talk to Louie Lumberjack”)
- 24/7 Tech Center Support: https://in.nau.edu/its/students/
- Access
Need a break? Ways to Connect and Explore Virtually Accordion Closed
- NAU Online Event Calendar: https://nau.edu/leap/virtual-engagement/
- Netflix Party – Netflix Party is a new way to watch Netflix with your friends online. Netflix Party synchronizes video playback and adds group chat to your favorite Netflix shows: https://www.netflixparty.com/
- Houseparty is the face-to-face social network where you can connect with the people you care about most. App provides video chat and in-app games: https://houseparty.com/
- Looking to learn more about our world? Check out this virtual museum tour from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- List of Live Virtual Concerts (updated daily)
- LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems (Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence): https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/
- Museum Tours: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
- 20 Amazing Places You Can Visit Without Leaving Home: https://bit.ly/39iNWBF