NAU resources and policies
The following section gives some important university resources as well as details on some select policies and procedures. You should familiarize yourself with these as well as other policies found in the NAU Student Handbook and the online academic catalog. Certain policies are highlighted below. Some policies include the specific procedures for business students to follow.
NAU academic catalog
Browse the NAU academic catalog.
NAU student handbook
All NAU student policies can be found in the NAU student handbook.
Academic integrity
Information can be found in the Student Handbook on the Office of the Dean of Students web page.
Campus safety
NAU’s Police Department is responsible for maintaining a peaceful environment, assisting with emergencies, and assisting in the control of traffic and parking on campus. They are located in building 98A across the street from (south of) the Skydome (they are no longer in Lumberjack Stadium) and are open 24 hours a day. Their regular phone number is 928-523-3611; in an emergency, you can call from any on-campus phone at 911; visit their website for more information.
Class attendance
As stated in the Class Attendance Policy in the NAU Undergraduate Catalog, students are expected to assume the responsibility for regular class attendance. When absence is unavoidable, students should report the reason to the faculty member and assume the responsibility for any work they miss. Faculty members have no obligation to make special arrangements for students who have been absent unless the student has an Institutional Excuse as described below. Students are responsible for regularly attending all courses in which they are enrolled.
The Office of the Dean of Students and the Campus Health Center do not issue excuses for health or personal reasons. Only the instructor may “excuse” an absence except for Institutional Excuses for activities such as athletic events or other university sponsored activities which are approved by the Office of the Assistant Provost-Undergraduate Studies or the Office of the Dean of Students.
Classroom management statement
The classroom management statement says:
Membership in the academic community places a special obligation on all members to preserve an atmosphere conducive to a safe and positive learning environment. Part of that obligation implies the responsibility of each member of the NAU community to maintain an environment in which the behavior of any individual is not disruptive. It is the responsibility of each student to behave in a manner that does not interrupt nor disrupt the delivery of education by faculty members or receipt of education by students, within and/or outside the classroom. The determination of whether such interruption and/or disruption has occurred must be made by the faculty member at the time the behavior occurs. It becomes the responsibility of the individual faculty member to maintain and enforce the standards of behavior acceptable to preserving an atmosphere for teaching and learning in accordance with University regulations and the course syllabus. At a minimum, a student will be warned if his/her behavior is considered by the faculty member to be disruptive. Serious disruptions, as determined by the faculty member, may result in immediate removal of the student from the instructional environment. Significant and/or continued violations of this policy may result in an administrative withdrawal of the student from the class. Additional responses by the faculty member to disruptive behavior may include a range of actions from discussing the disruptive behavior with the student to referral to the appropriate academic unit and/or the Office of the Dean of Students for administrative review, in an effort to implement corrective action up to and including suspension or expulsion.
Disability resources
Please contact Disability Resources (DR), Northern Arizona University, 928-523-8773 (Voice) or 928-523-6903 (TDD) to receive information regarding disability accommodations and documentation requirements. To ensure appropriate accommodations, it is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations in a timely manner and to provide appropriate documentation to verify eligibility for support services.
Discrimination policy
NAU does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status in our admissions, employment, and educational programs or activities, as required by Title IX of the Education amendments of 1972, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended; the Civil Act of 1990; and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. NAU’s policy on nondiscrimination is further augmented by the voluntary affirmative action policies of Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973 as amended. You may inquire about the application of these regulations by contacting:
Equity and Access Office
Northern Arizona University
PO Box 4083
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4083
928-523-3312
Students are required to have an NAU e-mail account. The official mode of correspondence between students and the FCB is via the NAU e-mail account. Students are expected to use their NAU e-mail and are accountable for official FCB correspondence sent to their NAU account.
It is the responsibility of the student to forward their NAU e-mail to their primary account if the student prefers to use an e-mail account other than the NAU system. The Student Technology Support staff can assist students with the forwarding process. Call 928-523-9294.
End of term week policy
NAU is committed to the academic success of its students. The End of Term Week policy applies to the week preceding final examinations from 12:01 a.m. on Monday to 11:59 p.m. Friday. Student activities not to be scheduled during the End of Term Week. Faculty members are not to schedule field trips or major examinations but may schedule quizzes, laboratory examinations, capstone projects, recitals, clinical practica, presentations, and internship reports (oral or written) during End of Term Week. Under no circumstances will a final exam in any course be moved to End of Term week, with or without the unanimous consent of the students in the course
Finals week policy
The Finals Week Policy applies from 12:01 a.m. Monday through 5:00 p.m. on Thursday of finals week. Student activities are not to be scheduled. Faculty members are not to schedule field trips unless the trip is the final examination for the course. Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the dean of the college or school in cases when there are exceptional circumstances not under the control of the faculty member and where such exceptions would be in the best interest of the students. Take-home final examinations, or their equivalent, are due at the time scheduled for the final examination. No student should be forced to take more than two final exams in a 24-hour period. If a student is scheduled for three or more exams within a 24-hour period, it is his/her responsibility to seek an alternative schedule. At least two weeks before the scheduled exam(s), the student should first approach the faculty member about the exam(s) scheduled between the first and last exams of the 24-hour period. Unless there are pedagogical scheduling problems with doing so (such as a common exam or the use of lab or other special equipment), the faculty member should provide an alternative date for the student to take the exam(s). In the event such pedagogical reasons arise, the student should ask the other faculty members to accommodate an alternative date. If such agreement cannot be reached between student and faculty member, the student should request the Associate Dean to request an alternative date of one of the faculty members.
Gifts and gratuities
University employees cannot accept anything of economic value as a gift or gratuity from a student or advisee. However, faculty and staff members generally appreciate thank-you notes or cards.
Grade appeal policy and procedures
The grade appeal policy is outlined in its entirety and can be found in the Student Handbook, found online at the Office of the Dean of Students webpage or in the Academic Catalog.
The procedure outlined below applies to a situation where a student initiates a grade appeal request or when a student contests a faculty member’s allegation of academic dishonesty. Only the faculty member who assigned the original grade has the authority to change that grade unless the grade is appealed and the appeal is successful.
In any grade appeal, the burden of proof rests upon the student to show reason why the grade should be changed. A grade change should be granted only in instances where the instructor deviated substantially from the accepted and specified standards of proficiency of the University and/or academic department as established by the Faculty Handbook and/or College/Department Academic Policy Manual. Generally such deviations are evidenced by a departure from the course syllabus, alleged preferential treatment of another student, or classroom policies applied unevenly across students enrolled in the class. In all instances, the instructor(s) involved must be given full opportunity to present his/her position before an action is taken. The student must initiate the appeal process within the next regular term following the term in which the coursework was completed. For example, appeal of a course grade received for a fall or winter intersession term must be initiated during the following spring term; a spring or summer term grade must be initiated during the following fall term.
To summarize the procedures, the student must first contact the instructor regarding the appeal. The student and instructor must meet. If this meeting does not resolve the situation, the student has two weeks to notify, in writing, the Associate Dean of the intent to proceed with the grade appeal. The Associate Dean will call a meeting of the student, instructor, and him/herself. The student must present a “Statement of Issues” at least one week prior to the meeting. This statement must be shared with the instructor at least three working days prior to the above mentioned meeting. Following the meeting, a letter shall be sent to the student and the faculty member documenting the meeting and confirming the decision that was made. This letter constitutes the official minutes of the meeting and shall include a copy of the student’s “Statement of Issues.” The Associate Dean may affirm or change the grade based upon the evidence presented. If this meeting does not resolve the appeal, the student or instructor has 10 working days following receipt of the letter to notify the Dean of the College of the intent to proceed to a hearing before a Dean’s appointed ad hoc committee.
Grievance process
At times, students may have complaints about other students, staff or faculty members. For complaints against other students, FCB students are encouraged to meet with the Office of the Dean of Students. Students also may meet with the associate dean about issues with other FCB students.
For complaints against faculty members, students are encouraged to meet with the associate dean. Complaints may be related to grades, classroom management, or other issues. For serious issues, students may want to consult the Equity and Access Office as well.
Incomplete grades
If you are unable to complete coursework in a scheduled course within the term in which you are enrolled, you may petition your instructor to receive an Incomplete rather than a letter grade or pass/fail grade. The purpose of an Incomplete is to allow a student who cannot, for medical or other unforeseen reasons beyond the student’s control, complete the requirements of the course during the term. Incompletes are not given for students who are falling behind in the class due to poor time management of lack of effort in the course. If your instructor agrees to give you an Incomplete, you and the instructor must complete a written agreement, a copy of which is held in the Office of Academic Services, indicating the exact work you need to do to finish the course. This written agreement must also indicate the date by which you must complete this work, and that date cannot be longer than one calendar year from the end of the term in which you were enrolled in that course. By the end of the time agreed to in writing, your instructor must submit a permanent earned grade for the course. After one calendar year, any grade of Incomplete will automatically be converted to a grade of F.
Sexual harassment
Northern Arizona University encourages the prompt reporting of charges involving any discrimination, harassment, or retaliating, and prompt resolution through either informal or formal procedures. An informal complaint need not be made in writing; however, the recipient of a verbal or informal complaint is requested to document the complaint by taking notes and clarifying them as necessary with the complaining party. Since timeliness is essential to prompt investigation of such matters, complaints should be filed as soon as possible after the alleged discrimination or sexual harassment has occurred. Any and all complaints will be forwarded to the appropriate administrator or supervisor and to the Equity and Access Office. The responsible administrator or supervisor will confer with the Equity and Access Office concerning procedures, the investigation and any agreed to resolution of the complaint. Likewise, for any complaint made directly to the Equity and Access Office, their representative will confer with the responsible administrator or supervisor concerning its resolution. The Safe Working and Learning Environment Policy can be found in the Student Handbook on the Office of the Dean of Students website.
Student Code of Conduct
The Student Code of Conduct is implemented through the Student Disciplinary Procedures which can be found in the Student Handbook on the Office of the Dean of Students website.