Northern Arizona University

• Partner Request Form
• Partner Fact Sheet

Statement of Program Mission

Many professionals within the University working community are members of dual-career couples. Surveys of public and private higher-education institutions in the United States indicate that the percentage of new hires involving dual-career needs has also increased. Many academic communities are creating policies that provide employment assistance to both members of dual-career couples, with the clear benefit of retention of employees.

The implementation of a dual-career program is crucial to successful recruitment and retention of employees, especially in an isolated community such as Flagstaff. Recruitment and retention of women is especially impacted by dual-career issues; failure to consider their dual-career needs may negatively affect an institution’s ability to maintain or increase the number of women employees. “Commuter partnerships”, which may be workable in many parts of the country, are frequently unrealistic in Flagstaff, and a potential hire is less likely to consider a permanent position and relocation without professional opportunities for the partner. Consequently, any commitment to recruitment and retention must be accompanied by an institutional commitment to facilitate placement of partners.

Partner Assistance Program Guidelines

• To qualify for partner assistance benefits at Northern Arizona University the applicant must meet the requirements stated below and provide documentation of the following:
• Married with proof of legal marriage
  OR –
• Two adults with proof of 3 out of the 5 following
  1. Having reciprocal wills
  2. Evidence of dependent children together residing with or financially dependent upon the partners.
  3. Maintaining a primary residence together (6 months or more)
  4. Maintaining a joint banking or savings accounts
  5. Maintaining each other as primary beneficiary of life insurance policies, pension, or retirement plans

• The partner assistance program does not guarantee employment and will not be used to circumvent existing hiring procedures.
• NAU reaffirms the policy that only qualified candidates are considered and/or hired for open positions.
• NAU’s equal-opportunity and affirmative action goals will not be compromised as a result of the partner assistance program.
• Partner hires will be made only with the approval of the hiring department or unit.
• The Partner Assistance Program will support the goals and priorities of the University.
• All partner assistance requests must comply with the following procedures.

Partner Assistance Program Procedures

Applications for partner assistance will go to NAU Human Resources Department. This office will provide information about services and benefits for employees and their partners, and job search services to all NAU employees and the partners of these employees. It will also provide professional assistance, offer access to the information needed (e.g., networking contacts, job vacancies both on and off campus), and provide access to appropriate support technology as available.

With the understanding that employment is not a right and requires review, the application procedures, as outlined below, will be required. The general language in this procedure is intended to avoid exclusion of any employee classification.

Procedures

• To apply for participation in the Partner Assistance Program, the employee and partner shall complete the Partner Assistance Program Request Form and the Partner Fact Sheet and submit them to the Partner Assistance Program Representative in the Human Resource Office.
• Upon receipt of the application forms, the Partner Assistance Program Representative will review the forms, assuring the partner and employee meet the criteria established for participation. The Partner Assistance Program Representative then signs the forms, and forwards them to the Affirmative Action Office for review.
• The Affirmative Action Office also reviews the forms and documentation and, if the documentation is appropriate, signs the form and returns to Human Resources.
• The Partner Assistance Program Representative, upon approval from Affirmative Action, sends a letter to the partner that states that the partner is a participant in the program. This letter may be attached to NAU applications for employment and may also serve as a letter of introduction to other offices where partner benefits may be secured (NAU Card Office, Rec. Center, etc.).
• Additionally, the Partner Assistance Program Representative contacts the partner to offer assistance with his/her job search or to offer other assistance as appropriate. This often results in a meeting to discuss the NAU employment process. The Partner Assistance Program Representative may provide networking contacts and general information about available positions at NAU.
• If partners are accepted into the program they will be eligible to participate in all NAU job postings including internal postings.

Services and Benefits for all Partner Assistance Program Participants

NAU will provide the following services and benefits to all participants in the Partner Assistance Program:

• NAU identification card (NAU Card)
• Cline Library privileges equivalent to those given to the partner.
• Staff parking privileges (fees apply)
• Access to the Employee Assistance and Wellness Office
• Access to on-campus housing, when required for the primary employee’s job
• Access to recreation and other university facilities

Service for Partners with Academic Qualifications

As stated above, this program does not guarantee employment. However, for those partners who have academic or faculty qualifications, NAU may, but is not required to consider the following if appropriate and subject to the needs and approval of the affected department/unit:

• Adjunct faculty status in the appropriate department/unit
• One year renewable teaching-research fellowships
• Instructor or lecturer line
• Shared position
• One-half to full time tenure track position

Responsibilities of the Partner Assistance Program

• NAU Partner Assistance Program:
  • The NAU Partner Assistance Program will facilitate communication between upper administration, departments and units and the employee/potential employee.
  • The NAU Partner Assistance Program will be administered by the Human Resources Department with the advice of the Affirmative Action Office.
• The Human Resources Department will be responsible for:
  • Coordinating with other Flagstaff area employers and formalizing relationships with them to facilitate sharing of information;
  • Insuring that information about the Partner Assistance Program is made available to selection committees as requested.

Forms

• Partner Request Form
• Partner Fact Sheet