Student Services and Responsibilities

UAF Communication by Email

UAF uses email to communicate with students on many important matters. Email is often the only way some information is distributed, so it is important that you regularly check your university email address or forward mail from your UAF address to an address you check frequently. The university automatically assigns each student an official UAF email account when the student enrolls (except students whose primary registration is through Bristol Bay, Chukchi, Interior Alaska, Kuskokwim or Northwest campuses). If you have multiple UAF email accounts, you should forward them to the one you check most often.  

Although you are able to indicate a preferred email address in UAOnline, many faculty and departments at UAF will communicate with you only through your alaska.edu address. You are responsible for knowing — and, when appropriate, acting on — the contents of all university communications sent to your university-generated email address.

All notifications regarding waitlisted courses will be sent to your student-preferred email address. To receive these important notifications, be sure your email is current and you have selected your preferred student email at UAOnline: select the "Personal Identification" tab, then click on "Manage Your Address, Email and Phone Information."

If you want to receive university communications at a different email address, you need to forward email from your assigned UAF account to an email address of your choice. Further instructions can be found here.

Keep Your Mailing and Email Addresses Up-To-Date

To receive information about early registration for the next semester, and to receive other important information, be sure your current addresses are updated in the Office of the Registrar. Your current mailing address may be updated on the web at UAOnline or through the Office of the Registrar. To forward your email address, see the paragraph above.

Attendance

Registration entitles you to a seat in the classes you want. However, you must begin attending classes on the first day of instruction or you may lose your place, regardless of whether or not you have paid tuition and fees. Not attending class and not paying tuition and fees will not remove your financial obligation to the university. If you do not plan to attend, you must drop your classes within the 100% refund period to avoid assessment of tuition and fees. The university may drop you from your classes for nonpayment.

DegreeWorks — Your GPS to Graduation

Check your progress toward graduation with DegreeWorks, our web-based degree audit software. DegreeWorks will enable you to:

  • View your progress toward degree completion.
  • Run your degree audit.
  • See how your current and completed courses apply to graduation requirements.
  • See any outstanding degree requirements still needed.
  • Determine how changing your major will affect your graduation date.

Students can log into their DegreeWorks records via UAOnline. Under "Student Services & Account Information" select "DegreeWorks/Electronic Degree Audit."

Students applying for graduation will be provided an official degree audit evaluation once graduation application processing begins.

Student Code of Conduct

As with all members of the university community, the university requires students to conduct themselves honestly and responsibly and to respect the rights of others. Conduct that unreasonably interferes with the learning environment or that violates the rights of others is prohibited by the standards and guidelines described in university regulation and UAF rules and procedures, collectively referred to as the Student Code of Conduct or code. Students and student organizations will be responsible for ensuring that they and their guests comply with the code while on property owned or controlled by the university or at activities authorized by the university. The entire student code of conduct, including prohibited conduct and sanctions, is online.

Blackboard and Canvas

Blackboard and Canvas are the university's learning management systems that give students and faculty the ability to participate in classes delivered solely online and/or the flexibility to use online materials and activities to complement face-to-face teaching. UAF eCampus courses are offered through Blackboard and Canvas; they may use other technology to enhance course content delivery. Blackboard and Canvas make it possible for instructors to provide students with course materials, discussion boards, virtual chat rooms, online quizzes, an academic resource center and more. Using Blackboard and Canvas, instructors can provide students with resources such as lecture notes, PowerPoint slide presentations or class handouts. If you're enrolled in a course that uses Blackboard or Canvas, be sure to find out how it will be used. For Blackboard-related questions, please call the OIT Support Center at 907-450-8300 or helpdesk@alaska.edu, or UAF eCampus at 907-479-3444 or uaf-ecampus@alaska.edu.

Bookstore

The Bookstore is located on the second and first floor of Constitution Hall. Products available include textbooks, UAF clothing, insignia gift items, general books, study aids, school and art supplies, calculators, snacks and sundries.

Bookstore hours

Please visit the UAF bookstore website for the most up-to-date store special hours.

How to buy textbooks

You can browse and buy your textbooks by visiting the Text Bookstore located on the first floor of Constitution Hall or by visiting the UAF Bookstore website. In addition to new and used textbooks, many titles are now available for rent or as e-books to help save our students money. Please ask your bookstore associate for more information on these options.

The UAF bookstore website has instructions on how to order your textbooks. You can order your books online and pick them up in the store for free or have them shipped directly to you. We ship all online orders via U.S. Postal Service or FedEx, depending on your shipping address. Most orders going to Fairbanks, Anchorage, Juneau and the Lower 48 can ship FedEx. All orders going to other parts of Alaska and to post office boxes must be shipped by the USPS, and different shipping rates will apply.

Questions? We're here to help!

UAF Bookstore Store
Toll Free: 888-280-8500
Phone: 907-474-7348
Fax: 907-474-7739
Email: uaf@bkstr.com

Current UAF Catalog

UAF Academic catalog website contains current and archived catalogs.

Disability Services

UAF is committed to equal access for students with disabilities. Students experiencing a disability-related barrier to academic classes and course materials may contact UAF Disability Services by phone at 907-474-5655 or email at uaf-disability-services@alaska.edu to request reasonable accommodations. The UAF Disability site will have more information regarding accommodations and the process to register with Disability Services. Accommodations are determined through an interactive process that includes completion of the registration form, submission of documentation of the disability(ies), and review of the essential requirements of the course. Students who are unsure of their disability status or how to access documentation of their disability(ies) are encouraged to reach out to Disability Services for guidance. Academic accommodations are free of charge and available to eligible students enrolled for at least 1 credit. Accessible housing accommodations are available to eligible individuals who are registered with Residence Life.

How To Get Your UAF Grades

Provided you do not have holds on your account, you can access your unofficial transcript, midterm and final grades at UAOnline.

  • Log on to UAOnline secured area.
  • Click on the following links:
         - "Student Services & Account Information"
         - "Student Records"
  • Select "Midterm Grades," "Final Grades" or "Academic Transcript."
    ​The midterm and final grade options will require you to select the term of interest. If a term is not listed, no grades have been posted for you for that term. The "Academic Transcript" option will require that you select the level before submitting. For example, if you are looking for your undergraduate Fairbanks record, you would select "Undergraduate-UAF" and then click on the submit button.

After grades are posted, you will see them in your DegreeWorks Audit the next day.

Student Identification

The PolarExpress card is your permanent, official university identification card. It is more than an ID card. You can deposit money in your PolarExpress card balance and use it to pay for goods at all Dining Services locations, vending machines, photocopiers, the Wood Center counter and the Bookstore. You will use your PolarExpress card for:

  • Photo identification
  • Dining services
  • Residence hall access
  • Library access
  • Student labs access
  • Photocopiers and laser printers
  • Vending machine access
  • Student Recreation Center
  • Student Health and Counseling Center
  • Admission to university events
  • Voting

To order your PolarExpress Card, complete the PolarExpress card request form, including uploading a passport-style "selfie" and a copy of a government-issued ID. Your PolarExpress card will be available to pick up at Rev-it-Up Residence Hall Move-in Day or at the Office of the Bursar at the start of the semester. You can also request your card be mailed to you. Mailed cards may not arrive until after the beginning of the semester.

Validity

Your PolarExpress card is valid for two years after your last affiliation with the university. All privileges are eliminated upon departure from the university, with the exception of Bear Bucks. Holders who return to the university system within two years and no longer have their PolarExpress card must buy a replacement card.

Returning students

Your PolarExpress card will be updated when you register. There is no need to come to the PolarExpress office to have it activated. If your card does not have your UA ID number printed in the lower right-hand corner, please bring it to the PolarExpress office to exchange it for a new one at no charge. Cards that do not display a UA ID number will no longer work in the PolarExpress system.

Replacement cards

There is a $20 fee for a replacement card. If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, you must report it immediately by calling 907-474-7384 to deactivate your card. More information about replacement cards can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.

Student Information Privacy and Social Security Number Information

To protect your privacy, the University of Alaska will assign you a student ID number that is different from your social security number. Your student ID number, rather than your SSN, will be used to identify your educational records. You will be able to access your new student ID number when you log on to UAOnline.

UA is required to obtain your SSN for federal financial aid and tax reporting purposes. The Privacy Act Notice, Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code, requires you to give your correct SSN to persons who must file information returns with the IRS to report certain information. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of your tax return. For more information please refer to IRS code 6050S.

Your SSN is required to use the secure web admissions application. (This will help us avoid duplication of student records.) If you do not wish to provide your SSN using the web application, you may download, complete and mail an undergraduate or graduate student application to the Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 757480, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7480.

Exam Services

Visit UAF eCampus Exam Services for more information.

Veterans and Military Services

UAF makes a firm commitment to veterans and the active military communities in the Fairbanks area. The Department of Military and Veteran Services is the primary point of contact for military-affiliated students and their families. The department can connect students with specialized staff members in the Financial Aid Office, the Office of Admissions, the Office of the Registrar and the Academic Advising Center. We're here to help you with any challenges you encounter while transitioning from a military to an academic environment.

Who can use the services?

All veterans — active duty, reserve, guard, separated and retired, their spouses and dependents who are exploring the academic opportunities available to them at UAF — are eligible to use UAF services for veterans. The Department of Military and Veteran Services is open to all military-affiliated students seeking help regardless of their academic intent or institutional affiliation.

Initiate your VA paperwork 60-90 days before your school start date. Apply for your GI Bill® benefits.

The UAF Financial Aid Office helps veterans, service members and eligible dependents with paperwork for degree and certificate programs. As a liaison with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the school certifying official monitors the academic progress of eligible students in compliance with Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations.

If you are interested in applying for VA educational benefits under any of these chapters, check out the VA benefits website or contact us at:

Financial Aid Office
107 Eielson Building
907-474-7256 or 888-474-7256
uaf-va@alaska.edu

Office of the Registrar
102 Signers' Hall
907-474-6300 or 877-474-6046
uaf-registrar@alaska.edu

Department of Military and Veteran Services
106 Eielson Building
907-474-2475
uaf-veterans@alaska.edu

Office of Admissions
2nd floor Signers' Hall
907-474-7500 or 800-478-1823
uaf-admissions@alaska.edu

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

UAF is committed to maintaining a safe environment for students, staff and faculty.

In an Emergency

  • Dial 911 and provide information to the dispatcher.
  • If it's safe to do so, wait in the area until emergency services personnel arrive, and/or meet them at the building entrance.

Nonemergency Situations

  • In a non-emergency situation, you can reach a dispatcher for the UAF Police Department at 907-474-7721.

Closure or Emergency Information Updates

In the event of a closure, campus emergency or other disruption, information about the Fairbanks campus may be available by calling 907-474-7UAF (7823).

Information may also be disseminated via the following methods:

Safety and Security Tips

  • Walk in pairs at night or call 907-474-7721 at any time to have a community service officer escort you to your car or other Fairbanks campus location.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Trust your instincts.
  • Keep your residence door locked at all times.
  • Report suspicious persons or situations.
  • Alert campus police if you will be working late or on weekends.
  • Never leave personal items unattended.
  • Lock your vehicle.
  • Report all incidents of crime or suspected crime to the UAF Police Department, and never hesitate to call for help.
  • More safety information is available at the Student Affairs Resources on Campus Safety page.

Who Can Help?

UAF Emergency Services 

Community and Nationwide Services

Prevention

Notice of Availability: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

View the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report for University of Alaska Fairbanks campuses.

The report contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in on-campus student housing facilities; in noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an on-campus student housing facility during the three most recent calendar years.

If you would like to receive a paper copy of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report for University of Alaska Fairbanks campuses, you can stop by the UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the third floor of Constitution Hall or request a copy be mailed to you by calling 907-474-7317 or emailing uaf-orca@alaska.edu.