Explore tips for academic success
Explore tips for academic success
Vol. 18 Edition 11  |  January 11, 2022
An image of the peaks in Flagstaff covered in snow

Message from the President

Dear Parent,
We are thrilled to have our Jacks back for the spring! I hope all of you enjoyed a restful winter break and that your students are reenergized and ready to continue their journey at NAU.
We have worked hard throughout the winter break to prepare to welcome our students back. Unfortunately, the pandemic has evolved with the Omicron variant coming into sharp focus in all of our minds. In our planning, we have worked to meet and balance our dual commitments that have underpinned a successful fall semester and will guide us through the spring:
  • Promote health and safety within our NAU community at all levels by following science, data, and best practices; and 
  • Deliver on our educational mission and support our students in the attainment of their goals through an exceptional, student-focused community of care approach.
Understanding the reality that COVID-19 is going to be with us for the long haul, NAU continues to rely on our impressive record of success, and we are confident in the effective protocols we have in place. This includes encouraging our Lumberjack community to get vaccinated/boosted, mask up, get tested, and practice social distancing. Together, through our community of care approach, I am confident we will have a vibrant and enriching semester.
Additional information about our plans for the spring, including quarantine and isolation protocols, can be found on our Jacks are Back website, which will be updated as needed throughout the spring.
As we did in the fall, we will continue to seek guidance from scientific and public health experts as we continually assess the state of the virus. We are prepared to rapidly adapt operations and adjust our plans should the need arise, and we are committed to keeping our Lumberjack family informed. 
Even with the latest challenges before us, I can say with confidence that Jacks are strong and resilient, and excited for the bold and boundless spring semester that is just underway.
Sincerely,
José Luis
A snow storm falls over the Flagstaff campus in front of Old Main

Tips for safe driving in the snow

Tips for driving at 7,000 feet in the snow:
  • Be cautious and drive SLOW
  • Allow yourself plenty of time. No rushing!
  • Check weather conditions frequently
  • Always leave a detailed plan with a trusted individual
  • Do not solely rely on phones for navigation (many areas do not have cellular coverage)
  • Keep your gas tank at least half full
  • Check your tires and make sure they are ready to navigate the snow 
  • Turn your headlights on
  • Keep a good distance from the vehicle ahead of you 
  • Have emergency gear in your car
  • If you end up stranded, stay in the vehicle!
What should be kept in the car?
  • Flashlight with spare batteries
  • Cell phone and charger
  • Ice scraper
  • Map 
  • First aid kit
  • Sleeping bag and/or blankets
  • Extra layers 
  • Pocket knife and vehicle toolkit
  • Matches or a lighter
  • Bag of sand
  • Small shovel
  • Battery booster cables
  • Road flares
  • Water
  • Food
  • Snow chains 

Roadside Assistance
  • Northern Arizona Roadside: 928-699-6455
  • United Towing Flagstaff: 928-526-1839
  • NAU PD Motor Assistance: 928-523-9066

Family Weekend 2022: Save the date!

Mark your calendars, request time off, and start making plans. Family Weekend 2022 will be Oct. 7-9, 2022!

Important dates
Spring 2022. Jan. 2: First disbursement of scholarships and financial aid Jan. 3 Tuition due date and financial aid refunding begin Jan. 10 First day of term and $50 late enrollment fee in effect Jan. 17 Martin Luther King Day (University closed) Jan. 20 Last day to add courses without a petition Jan. 20 Last day to drop courses without a “W” Jan. 20 Last day to drop with 100% tuition refund Jan. 21 Last day to submit change of residency status forms
96% of NAU students believe asking for help with classes is a strength, not a weakness.

Help your student start their spring semester off STRONG!

As your students return to campus ready to partake in rigorous and engaging coursework, asking for help can be intimidating, but it’s an essential piece of being successful at NAU. The Academic Success Centers can help your student in their classes through free One-on-One Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, and Peer Academic Coaching. Here is some additional information that can help students understand that using the ASCs and asking for help is part of the NAU culture:
  • More than 9,000 students use the Academic Success Centers every year
  • Most tutors and SI leaders have used tutoring or SI in the past
  • Taking advantage of academic support resources helps students get a better grade
  • Faculty want to get to know students and help them be successful in their classes
Free resources from the Academic Success Centers can support your student’s academic goals.
A group of students wearing masks and sorority t-shirts sit in the sun and smile for the camera

Get connected with Fraternity and Sorority Life!

Being a member of a Fraternity or Sorority is about making lasting friendships and enhancing personal development by committing to a focus on Friendship/Family, Inclusion, Leadership, Scholarship, and Service. Our Greek Life community at NAU helps inspire students to create an inclusive community that focuses on academic excellence and making a difference by enhancing the social experience. Part of that experience includes the recruitment process. We have 30 chapters on campus that make up 3 councils listed below. Students can fill out this form to get connected to more information.
  • Interfraternity Council (IFC) serves as the governing body of 14 social fraternities. Spring rush is very informal and begins on January 21 with an info session. From there, each chapter will host individual events. More information will be announced on the @NAUFraternites Instagram account.
  • College Panhellenic Council (CPC) is the governing body of 9 Panhellenic social sororities. If your Lumberjack is interested in learning more about these organizations, the CPC will be tabling in the Union on the January 18 and 19, and then induvial chapters will have events in the following weeks. This is also a very informal process, allowing students to choose what they want to attend. Events will be announced on the @NAUPanhellenic Instagram.
  • United Greek Council serves as the governing body to 2 fraternities and 5 sororities who identify as cultural or have organizing principles that celebrate traditionally underrepresented students. Recruitment will kick off on January 27 with a showcase allowing each organization to perform and demonstrate their values. Events for recruitment will begin after that. 
For more information, please visit us at NAU.EDU/FSL.
Students talk at the club fair outdoors while wearing masks, while colorful papers are displayed on tables

Get involved at NAU!

Getting involved can elevate your Lumberjack’s experience to new heights! Joining a student-led organization is one of the easiest ways for your student to get involved on campus. NAU currently has over 350 student organizations focused on a range of topics such as academics, sports, religion, culture, advocacy, and a wide variety of special interests. If your student cannot find a club they are interested in joining, they can always create a new organization and gain invaluable leadership experience! Leadership opportunities also exist in current organizations by serving as an officer, allowing students to manage behind-the-scenes aspects of running an organization. Officer positions in student organizations look great on a resume and help students learn transferable skills!
Being a student organization member has a positive impact on a student’s NAU experience. Involvement in a club connects students to the larger Lumberjack community, enables them to find friends that share similar interests, and most importantly, allows them to have fun! If your Lumberjack is interested in more information about joining a student organization, encourage them to check out the Lumberjack Club Fair. This semester’s club fair is on Wednesday, January 19, from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm on the University Union Pedway. Students can also visit True Blue Connects, which allows them to search through our list of clubs and contact any they may be interested in joining. If you or your student have any questions, feel free to browse the student organizations portion of the LEAP website or check out this video!
NAU is committed to the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff and follows CDC’s recommended guidelines on COVID-19. Not every photo in this e-newsletter will precisely represent these guidelines, as we aim to accurately present the NAU experience for you and balance that need with imagery that reflects the COVID-19 policies we have in place. Visit nau.edu/jacksareback for our current campus health safety guidelines.
928-523-6267
parentandfamilyservices@nau.edu
nau.edu/backpack
Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
PO Box 4741
Flagstaff, AZ | 86011 US
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
powered by emma
Subscribe to our email list.