Appalachian Connections :: the newsletter for Appalachian Parents and Families

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	Academic Advising for Spring 2010 Greetings Appalachian Parents! It is a beautiful fall season here in the High Country and that means football, soccer, and registration for spring classes! At Appalachian, academic advising is viewed as one of our greatest responsibilities and priorities. We seek to assist every student with identifying academic and career interests, developing a realistic and successful academic program, and addressing academic areas of concern. Early Registration for spring classes begins Nov. 9 (for seniors) and ends Nov. 20. >> read more
	Fall Break--conversations with your student Many of your students will be coming home for Fall Break. Are you feeling a little anxiety about what you are going to discuss with your son or daughter? Below you will find some helpful conversation starters between you and your student. Please know that these are only suggestions and you can use them as you see fit. Keep in mind that every student is different and not one conversation will be the same. Remember not to try and pressure information out of students. Allow them to openly and freely talk with you. What types of activities are you involved in on campus? How are your classes going? Do you feel that you are meeting your academic goals that you set for yourself in August? How is your roommate? Is the college experience you are having what you had anticipated? What types of programs have you been to on/off campus?
	Preparing for Midterms You may have observed that by midterm of the semester, your son or daughter's workload has increased dramatically. Major tests are scheduled and a number of project deadlines may collide. College freshmen in particular may now begin to understand the need to juggle these many responsibilities, and parents often want to know how they might be able to help. First, you might want to remind your son or daughter of the many campus resources that might help. They might want to identify responsible classmates to form a study group or take advantage of their instructors' office hours to discuss questions about key concepts. In addition, the Learning Assistance Program offers a number of free resources, such as tutoring for most courses as well as interdisciplinary tutoring to help students develop overall strategies. Drop-in help labs for math, physics, and accounting are also available. Individual consultations with a learning skills advisor and elective courses are available. The Writing Center offers individualized support to students at any stage in the writing process, for any class. >> read more
	Campus smoking policy reminder Smoking is prohibited in and within 50 feet of all Appalachian facilities. North Carolina law enacted July 1, 2007, allowed universities to regulate smoking at properties owned or leased by a state university. Appalachian's policy (PDF) is intended to eliminate the potential for exposure to secondhand smoke and the practical effect of the policy is that the campus should be smoke free. The policy applies to all students, university employees, visitors and guests of the university. Smoking cessation and other resources: State Health Plan resources for smoking cessation QuitNowNC.org just for students campus map showing areas where smoking is prohibited (PDF)
	Student Conduct for Parents 101 Appalachian strives to create a safe environment for students to learn. There are certain behaviors that can get in the way of a student's success. The Office of Student Conduct addresses behaviors that are violations of the Appalachiain Code of Student Conduct. What is the Student Code of Conduct? A set of community expectations, rights and responsibilities that all ASU students are expected to follow. What happens if my student has been involved with a violation of the Code of Student Conduct? Your daughter or son will receive an email and/or a follow up letter in his or her ASU Box telling him or her to call the Office of Student Conduct to schedule an appointment. The letter will also include the allegations that will be discussed with a Conduct Review Officer. >> read more
	Homecoming 2009 Tens of thousands of Appalachian students, parents, alumni and friends came together this past weekend for Homecoming 2009, a whirlwind weekend of football, friends, and festivities. In keeping with this year's "Solid Gold" Homecoming theme, students kicked off Homecoming weekend with 70's and 80's-inspired lip sync performances, followed by a pep rally and bonfire on Duck Pond Field. Other events during the weekend included a Friday night dance featuring the Band of Oz, a parade through downtown Boone, a 50-tent tailgate party on Duck Pond Field, and a post-game step show at Legends night club. Also a part of Homecoming: Appalachian's 1,003-pint blood drive, the 10th largest single-day blood drive in the country! Thanks to everyone who attended, and helped make Homecoming 2009 a "solid gold" success! Alumni photos on Flickr.
	Campus Events Oct 15-16 - Fall Break Oct 19 - 2nd half semester begins Oct 22 - Martha Graham Dance Company Oct 28 - Last day to drop a full semester course Nov 25-27 - University Holiday Dec 7 - Last Day of Classes Dec 8 - Reading Day Dec 11-16 - Final Examinations

October, 2009

Board Member Spotlight

Pat and Beth Murphy, Co-Secretaries, Board of Directors

The Murpheys Pat and Beth Murphy live in Raleigh, NC. Pat is an attorney in the North Carolina Department of Justice and Beth owns a garden design business in Raleigh. As hobbies, they both love gardening and travel. With his father an alumnus, Appalachian was always in the mix of Patrick's college choices and when he decided to attend Appalachian; the Parent's Board seemed a wonderful way to be more actively engaged with the University during Patrick's college experience.

"Patrick is majoring in History and, as parents, we could not have asked for a better experience than we have enjoyed thus far with Appalachian. The Parent's Board has enabled us to meet and work with so many dedicated and giving people, parents, Appalachian staff and administration, and especially students in a broad range of endeavors with the common goal of making the Appalachian Experience the best it can be for all Appalachian students. Go Apps!"

Student Spotlight

Tenae' Avanti Howard, President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Junior, Elementary Education

Tenae Avanti Howard Tenae' is a junior here at Appalachian State University and grew up in Welcome, NC. She is majoring in Elementary Education with a concentration in Social Studies. She will graduate in May 2011.

The Education program and the Marching Band brought me to Appalachian!!! The Reich College of Education is the best in North Carolina and I wanted to attend the best. I love the marching band and I came up to one of Appalahcian's football games my senior year in high school and I knew that I had to come to Appalachian and join the band. Now I'm in my third year in the band and I serve as the colorguard captain.

My family is very supportive. I was raised in the church and my parents (Sylvester and Teresa Howard) have always encouraged me to keep God first and he will bless you and make you successful in everything that you do. My parents have always invested so much in their children. They have pushed us to be the best that we can be. I really look up to my father and his dedication and hard work to the family. He is employed my Philip Morris and he has been relocated to Richmond. He drives home every weekend (Which is about a five hour drive) to be with the family and to go to church. I really appreciate him for that.

I am currently serving as the President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) was established at Howard University in 1930 with the purpose of serving as the national coordinating body for the eight historically African American sororities and fraternities. NPHC is comprised of 1.5 million members and is one of the largest black international organizations in the world. I became interested in the position when I became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. I saw NPHC and saw an opportunity to build on the foundation that was already set by past presidents like Jonathan Jackson and Shanoya Conner. I wanted to make NPHC more involved with campus and to leave a lasting legacy on Appalachian's campus. I feel honored to be chosen as a student to attend Appalachian. This institution is comprised of some of the best students in North Carolina and beyond. There are so many resources on campus that can help you on your journey towards your degree. The faculty and staff are so helpful and friendly. In one word, Appalachan is a FAMILY and I am proud to say that I am a part of this family!!! (And the three national championships are a definite plus!!!)"

Tenae' is also Captain of the ASU Marching band colorguard, member of the Black Student Association Advisory Board, Secretary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a member of the Vice Chancellor's Leadership Cabinet.

During homecoming weekend, Ms. Tenae' Howard was crowned 2009 Homecoming Queen!!

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