Northern Arizona University
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Northern Arizona University is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment, and retaliation. This policy prohibits 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. This policy also prohibits retaliation for raising concerns under this policy or participating in an investigation.

https://nau.edu/university-policy-library/nondiscrimination-anti-harassment/

The university has a Campus Inclusion Team (https://in.nau.edu/campus-inclusion-team/) that provides support, information, and assistance, but is not an investigative body. The Equity and Access Office (EAO) addresses formal and informal complaints of discrimination.

The Campus Inclusion Team (CIT) is committed to fostering a campus community that honors diversity, freedom of expression, and inclusiveness through individual support, campus trainings, and resource referrals. CIT does not investigate or adjudicate specific incidents of conduct or advise on disciplinary matters.

CIT recognizes the value of free speech and also that some speech may be hurtful and even disparaging. CIT can provide support for students, faculty, and staff impacted by such speech by listening, discussing, and connecting individuals with resources. University community members may report concerns related to diversity and inclusion to CIT; if a reported concern appears to involve a legal or policy violation, the CIT will refer the impacted individuals or communities to the appropriate resource.

Individuals seeking assistance and resources can email the CIT at campusinclusionteam@nau.edu.

The Equity and Access Office (EAO) oversees the NAU Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy. EAO address formal and informal complaints of discrimination on the basis of protected categories including: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or genetic information. The office handles requests for religious accommodation.

Formal and informal complaints of discrimination can be filed through Equity and Access via the File a Complaint form (https://in.nau.edu/eao/equity-and-access/make-a-complaint/equity-and-access-office-compliant-form/).

Examples of actions taken during the previous three years:
Meeting with the Black Student Union regarding racist cartoon images displayed on TV monitors in a public space.
Support and debrief sessions for individuals impacted by free speech on campus that was hateful.

One of NAU’s goals in our Elevating Excellence Strategic Plan (https://nau.edu/president/strategic-plan/) is a Commitment to Indigenous Peoples (https://nau.edu/president/strategic-plan/#dynamic-link-7) where we state we will support enrollment, retention, and educational attainment of Native Americans and other indigenous students through community-base pre-college pathways and recruitment, culturally responsive programming and pedagogy, and dedicated campus environments that support the success of Indigenous students.

University Admissions (https://nau.edu/admission/) has a Diversity Recruitment Team of Admission Officers who specialize in recruiting and supporting diverse student populations through the admissions process, including Asian/Pacific Islander, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latinx, and LGBTQIA+ students. Throughout the year, Admissions also hosts special events such as NAUnity Day, which brings students from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds and identities together to explore a welcoming community that embraces diversity and inclusion, Indigenous Visit Day which honors indigenous cultures and connects students to resources such as the Office of Indigenous Student Success, and Lumberjack Spirit Day which hosts Indigenous middle school students for a day to learn about NAU, meet NAU Indigenous students and athletes, and learn how NAU supports and celebrates Indigenous students.

NAU launched our Access2Excellence program (https://nau.edu/legacy/admissions/access2excellence/) to broaden access to higher education and increase attainment of valuable postsecondary credentials for Arizona residents – fueling economic and social mobility in Arizona and throughout the nation. Through this program, NAU is guaranteeing tuition coverage for undergraduate Arizona residents who have an income up to $65,000. NAU is also committed to expanding educational opportunities for Indigenous and Native American students, so students who are members of Arizona’s 22 recognized tribes automatically qualify for Access2Excellence.

NAU also launched our NAU en Español (https://nau.edu/espanol/) website to ensure we are meeting the needs of our Hispanic/Latine community. NAU en Español is a fully Spanish experience for prospective students and their families. This new site provides comprehensive information about enrollment, degree programs, tuition and financial aid, campus life, and more.

One of NAU’s goals in our Elevating Excellence Strategic Plan is a Mission-Driven and Diverse Faculty and Staff (https://nau.edu/president/strategic-plan/#dynamic-link-5), where it is stated we will implement employment practices to support the recruitment, retention, development, and promotion of a highly qualified, mission-driven, diverse workforce. It also asserts NAU’s commitment to individuals from all racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, national origins, disabilities, age, veteran status, religious or political beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities and expression, and lived experiences strengthens our institutional workforce culture that incorporates diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the pursuit of excellence and the promotion of student success.

The university has an Affirmative Action Plan (https://in.nau.edu/eao/plan/) and recruitment goals for employment of academic staff - https://in.nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/96/2022/07/Goals-report-Faculty-FY-21-22.pdf.
And non-academic staff: https://in.nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/96/2022/07/Goals-report-Staff-FY-2021-2022.pdf

The Diversity Strategic Plan (https://in.nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/189/DSP-Final-3-12-21-1.pdf) also outlines goals and strategies for the recruitment of underrepresented students, staff, and faculty.

Office of Inclusion: Multicultural & LGBTQIA+ Student Services (IMQ)
The Office of Inclusion (IMQ) welcomes students to our inclusive campus community where we support cultural, gender, and sexuality diversity through programming, events, and thoughtful community engagement in a safe and supportive environment. IMQ provides culturally inclusive services, events, and support for students of all backgrounds.
- Student services and support - https://in.nau.edu/inclusion/services/
- Inclusion and Diversity Scholars - https://in.nau.edu/inclusion/inclusion-diversity-scholar-peer-mentoring/
- Clubs & Organizations - https://in.nau.edu/inclusion/clubs/
- Hispanic/Latine services and support - https://in.nau.edu/inclusion/hispanic-latina-o-x-student-services/
- Black/African American services and support - https://in.nau.edu/inclusion/black-african-and-african-american-resources-and-initiatives/
- Transgender & Gender-Diverse Resources - https://in.nau.edu/inclusion/transgender-resources/

Office of Indigenous Student Success (OISS)
The Office of Indigenous Student Success (OISS) supports Indigenous students – Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, First Nations, Aboriginal – throughout their transition by guiding their search for community and indigeneity. OISS offers guidance and personal cultural support to Indigenous students regarding academics, financial literacy, community connections, and adjusting to college.
- Student services and support - https://in.nau.edu/iss/services-program/
- Peer Mentoring - https://in.nau.edu/iss/peer-mentoring/
- Transfer and Graduate student support - https://in.nau.edu/iss/indigenous-transfer-graduate-welcome/

First-Generation Programs (FGP)
First-Generation Programs offers support for first-generation students through peer mentoring, student-focused guidance, and unique events and activities.
- Blavin Scholars - https://nau.edu/blavin-scholars-program/
- First Scholars Program - https://nau.edu/first-gen/first-scholars/
- STAR Program - https://nau.edu/first-gen/star/
- Student Support Services - https://nau.edu/first-gen/sss/

Disability Resources (DR)
Disability Resources leads collaborations with students, faculty, staff, and the campus community to cultivate a universally designed environment and facilitates the removal of existing barriers for the full inclusion of people with disabilities. DR provides services and accommodation at no cost to students with disabilities. DR assists with a broad spectrum of disabilities, including but not limited to individuals with physical, medical, sensory, learning, and mental health disabilities. DR works to ensure that all students with disabilities have access to the full NAU experience.

Counseling Services
Counseling Services works to enhance the psychological growth, emotional well-being, and learning potential of all Northern Arizona University students. Services provided include individual, couples, and group counseling, relationship counseling, crisis services, workshops, outreach programs, Trans Care and much more. NAU Counseling Services is dedicated to ensuring that a culture of safety and belonging is fostered for all living beings regardless of identity and group membership. Counseling Services has Counselors on staff who specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ students, Hispanic/Latine students, Indigenous students, Black/African American students, and Multicultural students.

Medical Services
Medical Services provides Gender confirming healthcare and insurance options. https://in.nau.edu/campus-health-services/trans-healthcare/.

Faculty and Staff:

The Commission on Ethnic Diversity strives to (1) promote the recruitment and retention of students, staff, faculty, and administrators of color at NAU, (2) advocate for equity in salary and working conditions by strategically negotiating policies and practices, (3) contribute to the development of a welcoming and supportive environment for faculty, staff, and students of color at NAU. https://in.nau.edu/ced/

The LGBTQIA Commission works to support LGBTQIA identified faculty/staff recruitment and retention by examining barriers to faculty/staff performance and well-being. https://in.nau.edu/lgbtqia-commission/our-work/

The Commission on the Status of Women works to (1) promote and advocate for gender equity, parity, and inclusivity at NAU, (2) foster a diverse, safe, and welcoming campus that embraces and recognizes the contributions, successes, and challenges of our female faculty, staff, and students at NAU, and (3) helps to create a family friendly community. https://in.nau.edu/csw/
The Employee Assistance and Wellness office assists employees and their adult family members with personal and professional issues through counseling services, wellness programs, and online resources. The EAW office hosts culturally focused programs such as an Indigenous Women’s Wellness Circle, Resiliency Group, etc.

NAU's W. A. Franke College of Business, proudly engages in The PhD Project, dedicated to diversifying business academia. Our doctoral students actively participate in program conferences, while our esteemed faculty contribute their research expertise.

In alignment with AACSB accreditation, a hallmark of excellence, we demonstrate a steadfast commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within academia. NAU's Graduate College has waived university application fees for Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program scholars (https://mcnairscholars.com/) for over a decade. This initiative supports aspiring scholars from underrepresented groups, enabling them to pursue advanced degrees without financial barriers.

Learn more: https://nau.edu/franke-college-business/

-All Gender restrooms can be identified though the NAU Interactive Map. https://in.nau.edu/center-for-inclusive-excellence-and-access/all-gender-restrooms/

-NAU offers both mixed-gender and gender-inclusive housing options - https://nau.edu/campus-living/mixed-gender-and-gender-inclusive-housing/.

Website URLs where information about the institution’s support for underrepresented groups is available.
Center for University Access and Inclusion – https://in.nau.edu/center-for-university-access-and-inclusion/
Hispanic-Serving Institution – https://nau.edu/impact/hispanic-serving-institution/
Division of Student Affairs – https://in.nau.edu/office-of-student-affairs/
Office of Inclusion: Multicultural & LGBTQIA+ Student Services – https://in.nau.edu/inclusion/
Office of Indigenous Student Success – https://in.nau.edu/iss/