What are visual inspections?
The University is conducting campuswide physical searches (also referred to as visual inspections) as part of its compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (CalNAGPRA), and CSU systemwide NAGPRA policy.
These inspections are intended to identify Native American human remains and cultural items that may be in the custody or control of the University.
Key definitions
- Cultural Items (42 C.F.R. §10.2; CalNAGPRA §8012(g)): Human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. This policy capitalizes “Cultural Items” to indicate they are or may be of Native American origin.
Policy and legal requirements
Visual inspections are required under federal law, state law, and CSU systemwide NAGPRA policy, and are part of the University’s ongoing legal and institutional responsibilities. These visual inspections must extend across all campus-controlled locations to ensure that no materials are overlooked. Applicable locations include, but are not limited to, classrooms, laboratories, departmental and unit spaces, storage facilities, mobile containers, satellite or remote facilities, and auxiliary-managed locations.
CSU Systemwide NAGPRA Policy | CSU CalNAGPRA and NAGPRA
Visual inspection process
Visual inspections are conducted to locate and identify Native American human remains and cultural items, including materials beyond archaeological collections that may have been acquired through purchase, donation, transfer, or other means at any time. Because the identification of such items is not always immediately apparent, all potentially relevant materials should be treated with care and reported through appropriate channels for further evaluation. In accordance with the systemwide NAGPRA policy requirements, if any remains or cultural items are identified, please do not move and contact the Repatriation Coordinator as soon as possible.
Most inspections will take only a short amount of time. Inspection teams will remain longer only if potentially relevant items are identified.
Inspections will be conducted by the Repatriation Coordinator and Campus Public Safety personnel. Faculty and staff may choose to be present during inspections of spaces under their control.
Inspection timeline
Visual inspections will take place over Summer 2026, between end of May and mid-September as part of an ongoing compliance effort.
The schedule reflects the current working draft of inspection dates, locations, and phases and is subject to change as inspections progress.
View Tentative Inspection Timeline
Disclosure form
Please submit a confidential disclosure form if you are aware of — or have questions about — any remains and/or items that may be subject to repatriation laws.
This may include:
- Items that may be Native American in origin
- Unidentified or undocumented materials
- Collections or objects you are unsure about
The CalNAGPRA/NAGPRA Repatriation Coordinator will review all submissions and provide a response within 48 hours. If you are unsure, please submit the form and/or contact the Repatriation Coordinator for guidance.