NAU Student Handbook
Purpose
Check out the digital edition of our Handbook here!
The NAU Student Handbook aims to provide our students with a comprehensive guide to successfully navigate Northern Arizona University. This section of our website will take you through everything from academic offerings and student services to how you can get involved on campus.
Although our main campus is Flagstaff Mountain, all of our campuses make up who we are: OneNAU, and there are plenty of resources and information for our online and community campus students in the handbook.
The programs and services contained herein are subject to continuous review and evaluation, NAU reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice. Please reach out to the office/department responsible if you have in depth questions or have special circumstances to be accommodated.
State Authorization
Universities are required to meet state regulations around the country in order to offer classes and degrees to students in various states. As an institutional participant in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), and as an HLC-accredited public, nonprofit institution, NAU has met state authorizations for states, districts, and territories noted in the State Authorization Compliance Table.
While NAU is currently authorized or exempt from seeking state authorizations around the country, this process is dynamic and submit to change. This website will be periodically updated with information about the authorization status for NAU online in each state. Students should check the State Authorization and Professional Licensure material before registering for classes each session for the most up-to-date information.
SARA Complaint Process
The Arizona SARA Council has jurisdiction over Arizona SARA-approved institutions including NAU in relation to non-instructional complaints. Instructional complaints, such as grade grievances, are not reviewed by the Council and should not be submitted for review. Prior to registering a non-instructional complaint with the Arizona SARA Council, the student/complainant must complete NAU’s and the Arizona Board of Regent’s complaint process, see below. If you are non-Arizona distance education student, non-instructional complaints may be submitted here. An NAU student who resides in a SARA state may also contact that state’s SARA portal agency with a non-instructional complaint.
Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment
NAU is committed to providing a learning, living, and working environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment. Arizona Board of Regents and NAU policies prohibit discrimination and harassment based on protected status including race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information. See NAU’s Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment policy for additional information in this regard, or contact the Office of the Dean of Students, the Equity and Access Office, or the Title IX Coordinator.
Title IX
In furtherance of its obligations under Title IX and related laws and polices, NAU prohibits sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking (including cyberstalking), indecent exposure, and sexual exploitation such as voyeurism, the non-consensual dissemination of illicit images, video, or audio recordings of another’s unclothed body or sexual activity, or causing the incapacitation of another for the purpose of compromising that person’s ability to Consent to sexual activity. Assisting, supporting, or encouraging another person to commit such misconduct, or retaliating against a person for reporting or participating in an investigation or grievance proceeding related to such misconduct is also prohibited. See NAU’s Sexual Misconduct Policy for additional information or contact the Office for the Resolution of Sexual Misconduct.
Resolution and Compliance
NAU is dedicated to treating all students fairly and respectfully and has implicated a variety of policies to help achieve this goal. NAU’s administrative policies, referred to as “University Policies,” are available in the University Policy Library. Most but not all of the University Policies that pertain to student may be found in the Student Affairs Policy Manual. NAU’s policies that govern academic matters are referred to as “Academic Policies” and available in the Academic Catalog. Finally, certain university offices or units maintain “Unit-Level Policies” that may impact students, which are available from their individual websites.
When a student encounters a problem on campus or feels they have been treated unfairly, the student should first try to resolve the issue informally with the faculty/staff member or department involved directly with the issue. Many times this can be resolved if a student makes an appointment with a faculty or staff member and communicates their concerns. If an issue cannot be resolved at this level, a student may contact the designated administrator of the department or unit for information on how to proceed with a formal complaint.
If the issue involves a dispute concerning a grade, there is a grade appeal process. If the issue involves an allegation of academic dishonesty, please review the academic integrity policy.
If an issue submitted to NAU by a student is left unresolved and involves a complaint arising under State laws, Arizona Board of Regents policy, or any other matter, the student may contact the designated senior administrator of the university unit in which the issue originated or the Arizona Board of Regents (in accordance with 75 Fed. Reg. 66865-66, Oct. 29, 2010), by visiting: ABOR sites or by submitting a request directly or call the ABOR office at 602-229-2511.
Other Resolution Options
Students have the right to contact higher education regulatory agencies or an accrediting agency contacts for specific issues. For students who are residents of states outside of Arizona, consumer inquiries also may be directed to the following consumer protection agencies. NAU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Questions about NAU’s compliance with criteria for accreditation can be directed to:
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411
1-800-621-7440