NAU's Partner Accommodation Policy and Forms

STATEMENT OF PROGRAM MISSION

Professionals within the University working community are increasingly members of dual-career couples. Surveys of public and private higher-education institutions in the United States indicate that the percentage of new hires involvi ng dual-career couples is increasing; at the same time, rejection of offers or resignations because of the failure to accommodate dual-career needs has also increased. Many academic communities are creating policies that provide employment assistance to b oth members of dual-career couples, with the clear benefit of documented 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 Fl agstaff, and a potential hire is less likely to consider a permanent position and relocation without professional opportunities for their partner. Consequently, any commitment to recruitment and retention must be accompanied by an institutional commitment to facilitate placement of partners.

The following statements will guide the partner accommodation policy:

• A partner is defined as the partner of a NAU employee meeting the following criteria: Living together for at least 6 months or being legally married, having a mutual and exclusive commitment to each other's well-being, being financially interdependent by sharing common assets and common debts, and both parties being of age for legal marriage.
• 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 policy on partner accommodation.
• Official job-position announcements will state that NAU is responsive to the needs of dual-career couples.
• Partner hires will be made only with the approval of the hiring department or unit.
• The partner accommodation program does not guarantee employment and will not be used to circumvent existing hiring procedures.
• The Partner Accommodation Program will support the goals and priorities of the University.
• During the first two years, beginning fall 1998, the program will include and give priority to facilitating hires for partners of existing employees (consistent with the guidelines above). Beginning fall 2000, the program will be limited to facilitati ng job placement for partners of new hires.
• All partner accommodation requests must comply with the following procedures.

Applications for partner accommodation will go to the NAU Partner Accommodation Office. This office will provide information about services and benefits for employees and their partners, career counseling and job search services to all NAU employee s 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 availabl e.

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.

• Current employees will receive notice of the implementation of this policy. All candidates will receive a brochure regarding the NAU partner accommodation policy. The application form for the partner accommodation program will be included and will be required for participation in the program. The application form and brochure will also be available on NAU's web site.
• The partner desiring accommodation will send the application form to the NAU Partner Accommodation Office.
• Partner requests will be reviewed by the NAU Partner Accommodation representative in conjunction with the Partner Accommodation Advisory Committee.
• If partners are accepted into the program they will be eligible to participate in all NAU job postings including internal postings.
• The NAU Partner Accommodation Program representative will then forward the materials to the home department of the employed partner.
• If the primary candidate seeking employment is selected to be interviewed the department or unit will notify the Partner Accommodation Program representative.
• The Partner Accommodation Program representative will then assist the partner in their job search.
• After the interview process is completed, recommendations will be forwarded to the appropriate unit supervisor or Human Resources.

NAU will provide the following services and benefits to all employees and their partners:

• NAU partner identification card
• Cline Library privileges equivalent to those given to the alumni/ae
• Staff parking privileges (fees apply)
• A referral to the Flagstaff Career Assistance Network
• Employee benefits (both those that can now be made available such as Employee Assistance and Wellness, and those such as insurance for which provisions are being investigated)
• Access to on-campus housing, when required for the primary employee's job
• Access to recreation and other university facilities

NAU may consider the following for those partners who have academic or faculty qualifications, if available and subject to the needs of the affected department/unit:

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

FORMS
Partner Accommodation Request Form
Application and Partner Fact Sheet