Stakeholders from departments throughout campus—teaching and learning, student life, housing and dining, research and creative activity, operations, and events—have studied best practices and created protocols to address the unique problems COVID-19 has presented.
Explore the tabs below to learn the steps NAU is taking and what you can do to help keep fellow Lumberjacks safe.
Northern Arizona University’s top priority is the health and safety of our community. Lumberjacks take care of each other. Using guidance from the CDC and best practices from local and state health officials, we have implemented a number of measures so that we can all do our part to help keep each other safe. This will be a community effort—we hope that with everyone doing their part, we can help slow the potential spread of COVID-19.
Employees will return to campus in phases, starting with administrative, business, academic, and student support operations the week of June 29, with staggered returns until Aug. 12. Employees and supervisors should discuss the best schedule for returning to work in each office or department.
Employees who are high-risk or live with someone in a high-risk group can find more information on HR’s FAQ page.
All employees must complete the online health and safety training before returning to on-campus work. To access the training, sign in to Blackboard Learn with your CAS login and click the “Safe Return to Campus” training on the courses tab.
Employees working on campus must complete the employee daily self-screening form before coming to work on campus each day. If an employee answers “yes” to any of the questions, the employee must not come into the office and must contact their supervisor.
In buildings, employees should wear face coverings (masks or face shields) when physical distancing is not possible. Masks are not required when working alone in private offices.
Campus Signage
NAU is being proactive with signage to help promote a safe campus, from hand-washing and physical distancing to elevator and stair protocols. View and download the signs you’ll be seeing.
Facility Services
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.
Campus Dining
Following CDC guidelines and using national best practices, campus dining has removed a significant number of tables and chairs in all of the eateries on campus to allow students to eat while practicing appropriate physical distancing. Several on-campus dining options also offer pick-up and food delivery via Starship robots. More information can be found on the Campus Dining website.
Buses
Buses are being cleaned and sanitized throughout the day using Lemon Quat, an EPA certified disinfectant. Floors are mopped with disinfectant and all hard surfaces, including handrails, hand straps, and other frequently touched surfaces, will be regularly wiped down. An electrostatic sprayer is used at the end of each day to disinfect the bus.
Postal Services
NAU’s Postal Services has implemented enhanced cleaning protocols for the fall as well as new services to aid in physical distancing.
The semester will start on Aug. 12, classes will end on Nov. 18, and finals will wrap up by Nov. 25. Our goal is to take advantage of a period of expected lower COVID-19 case rates, exceptional weather for encouraging outdoor activities, and lower rates of student travel prior to any potential resurgence of the virus. Fall 2020 session deadlines can be found on the Registrar’s website.
Regular holidays, like Labor Day and Veteran’s Day, remain unchanged.
NAUFlex enables students to actively participate in a high-quality educational experience regardless of whether they are physically present in the classroom. This allows students to remain engaged with their coursework while also leveraging staggered physical presence to provide for physical distancing.
Information about fall commencement is forthcoming.
What to know about move-in
Move-in starts Thursday, Aug. 6, and continues for the next week. Move-in details, including an invitation to select your move-in date to assist you in making initial travel plans, were emailed to students on June 17. You’ll receive specific move-in appointment information for your selected date later in the summer.
Each student can bring up to two family members or guests over 18 to assist with moving belongings. Move-in appointment will be 60 minutes to allow time to unload belongings, check into the residence hall, and receive your keys. Before coming to NAU, print out your confirmation page that includes your move-in appointment, residence hall, directions to your assigned unloading zone, contact phone, and information. Place this confirmation in your windshield or carry it with you if not arriving in a vehicle.
What to expect this fall in the residence halls
Our residence halls have always been the center of establishing new friendships, creating a sense of belonging, and coming together to interact and engage with each other in a shared community.
While things will be different this year, we continue to be committed to fostering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive housing experience for our residents.
We all share the responsibility of maintaining a healthy community in the residence halls.
To support health and safety, we have taken a variety of steps to reduce density, implemented new cleaning protocols in the residence halls, and established resident guidelines and expectations, including wearing a face mask/covering in all areas inside your residence hall, except when in your own room/living unit.
Tune in to Forecast from Flagstaff every other week for the latest news from NAU. You’ll hear from people across campus who are working around the clock to ensure our campus is ready to safely reopen in August. Our interactive format allows you to get answers to your questions about what to expect when you return to campus. You’ll also get a glimpse of our beautiful campus as summer advances. And, of course, we’ll include a weather forecast!
While practicing physical distancing, you’ll still get the Lumberjack Experience.
From a virtual concert to films on the field to roller raves, Welcome Week will be jam-packed with events to help you safely meet other Lumberjacks and get you excited for what is sure to be a memorable year.
NAUFlex lets you be in the classroom, even when you’re not in the classroom. With NAUFlex we have adapted our in-person classes so all students can be part of the classroom experience. Classes will be live-streamed and students in and out of the classroom can ask questions and interact in real time. NAUFlex allows students to be fully engaged with faculty and peers, maintaining the high-quality, personal educational experience for which NAU is known.
All NAUFlex requires is a computer and internet connection. There’s no new tech to learn—NAUFlex uses technology that you already know, including Collaborate Ultra and Zoom. Whether you are in the classroom or joining online, you’ll receive the same support from your faculty and the same dynamic experience interacting with fellow students.
Keeping yourself healthy is even more important now, and Campus Health Services (CHS) is committed to helping you do that by continuing to offer in-person health and telehealth services to students, faculty, and staff. Our goal remains the health and safety of our NAU community.
Medical Services
Depending on the need, appointments with providers are available in person or via HIPAA-protected telehealth meetings. Appointments can be self-scheduled online through our patient portal, by phone, or in person with a patient services staff member. Same-day appointments and immediate care services are available. In addition to caring for illness or injury, we offer routine immunizations, well woman and man care, allergy desensitization injections, physical therapy, trans-care, nutrition counseling, psychiatric care, laboratory services, and physicals.
Our clinic is maintained in accordance with the most recent CDC guidelines for infection prevention and care models that minimize the risk of illness transmission during your visit. Please be wearing a mask when you arrive.
Path to Care
To ensure quick access to mental health care, CHS offers path to care appointments. These brief meetings are an opportunity for an individual to explore their concerns with a behavioral health provider and then, with consideration of the comprehensive resources offered both on- and off-campus, determine the most appropriate path to care. As with other CHS appointments, individuals can attend appointments via a combination of in-person and telehealth formats.
Counseling Services
Counseling Services plans to offer their full range of services during fall 2020, including individual counseling, group counseling, and 24/7 crisis intervention. Services will be provided via a combination of in-person and telehealth formats, depending on student and staff needs and following CDC guidelines. Additionally, Counseling Services will continue to support the campus community with a broad range of outreach efforts, including how to support a student in distress and resources related to managing anxiety, loneliness, and isolation.
Health Promotion
During the pandemic, Health Promotion will continue to offer virtual workshops and online programs to help you stay healthy and well.
Following Gov. Doug Ducey’s Executive Order, Stay Healthy, Return Smarter, Return Stronger, NAU has created a plan and specific guidelines for re-accelerating research.
Plan for Re-accelerating Research: The plan webpage includes links to Guidelines for NAU Researchers: Phase 1 Operations—the previous state of operations, and Guidelines for NAU Researchers: Phase 2 Operations—the present state of operations.
Keep in mind that additional guidance may be issued at any time as the pandemic involves. This guidance will be aimed at balancing NAU’s critically important mission in research with appropriate guidance for safety and public health. Researchers should anticipate possible movement over time among the three phases of research operations defined in the plan and guidelines.
The Office of Research Compliance and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety continue to be available for advice, consultation, and support for researchers.
Still have questions? Review our Q&A for details about the upcoming semester.
Why did you change the schedule?
The early start date takes advantage of a period of expected lower COVID-19 case rates and exceptional weather for encouraging outdoor activities; it also limits student travel ahead of a potential resurgence.
Although the schedule adjustment may cause disruptions for some students, the science and research show that this is a critical step we can take to keep the Lumberjack community safe. Students who are not able to make it back to Flagstaff by Aug. 12 can attend classes online via NAUFlex for the early part of the semester.
When is tuition due?
Tuition is due on Aug. 3.
When is financial aid disbursed?
Disbursement will begin on Sunday, Aug. 2, for students who have completed all the necessary paperwork. Make sure you are enrolled in your desired number of credits and check your LOUIE account for any holds or To Do List items that may prevent your aid from disbursing.
Payment arrangements for any remaining charges (if applicable) can be made on Aug. 3.
When are housing payments due?
Campus housing payments are divided into four installments.
Due dates for Fall 2020:
When will I learn about my residence hall move-in date and time?
All students living on campus should have received an email that includes an invitation to sign up for a move-in date within the dates listed on the Residence Life website. By late July, students will receive a specific hourlong move-in appointment time. Move-in appointments will be staggered over a number of days, starting Aug. 6, to allow for appropriate physical distancing. Only two visitors will be allowed to come with each student, and they must be over 18. Please review the Residence Life website for more information about move-in.
Will statewide and online programs also start Aug. 12?
Yes. NAU’s fall semester start date is the same for all statewide campuses and online programs.
How does the early start date affect off-campus housing?
NAU is working with off-campus complexes to accommodate for the schedule change. We recommend calling your specific property prior to returning to Flagstaff to understand adjustments.
Will the start date of the Spring 2021 semester change?
As the health situation is fluid, we continue to look ahead to the Spring 2021 semester and will communicate with the NAU community when decisions are made.
What do I do if I bought a flight to return to Flagstaff and cannot change it?
Most airlines are offering free change dates; check with your carrier for details. However, if you are unable to return to campus by Aug. 12, the new NAUFlex program allows you to attend classes remotely until you arrive in Flagstaff.
I have an internship/job that I am committed to until the original move-in date of Aug. 20. What should I do?
If you are unable to return to campus by Aug. 12, you can attend your classes online through NAUFlex until you are able to return.
Will commencement/graduation be virtual?
We plan to share specifics about commencement soon, as we know people are excited about commencement. Decisions regarding graduation and other events will be made with the health of our NAU community in mind.
Does NAU have options for those who have limited access to Wi-Fi?
With teaching and learning transitioned online, NAU will be providing the Lumberjack community with updates regarding broadband and Wi-Fi resources. For more information please visit NAU ITS’ access page.
NAU statewide programs will start on August 12 and the Fall semester, including finals, ends on November 24. Many classes are 7.5-week sessions, so students should consult their course schedule for specific dates and times. All university protocols will be adhered to, including requiring masks at our statewide sites and classrooms. Any additional guidance required at a particular site will be communicated to students, faculty, and staff at that location.
Additional services, such as library, computer labs, dining, etc. will be limited by community college partners, and many have instituted car-to-classroom policies with expectations for limited student gathering outside of class. NAU values its community college partners and will continue to work with local sites to prioritize student and employee health and safety.
Learn about your responsibilities as a Lumberjack
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