Happy New Year! Students, faculty, and staff are back on campus dealing with snow, cold weather, new classes, and new students. It is a great time to be a Mountaineer! Save the DateFall Family Day and Open House is scheduled for September 26th, 27th and 28th, 2008. What's Been Going On
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Challenge – A Day On Rather Than a Day OffOn January 21, over 175 Appalachian students and staff worked with local nonprofit agencies to complete community service projects throughout the High Country. This outreach program, which is in its ninth year, is coordinated by the ACT (Appalachian/Community Together) Office and funded by University Highlands. This year, 17 groups worked to complete projects that ranged from construction and remodeling to raising awareness about an agency’s mission. Each group also participated in a challenge to raise funds for the Leigh Lane Edwards Fund. Over $2000 was raised for this fund which sponsors international service learning. As Brooke Loftis, a Challenge participant and a student at Appalachian stated “this day reminds me that I should serve others as an example of what Martin Luther King, Jr. did every day.” Student Housing Updates for 2008-2009Reapplication for Residence Halls. The Department of Housing and Residence Life is currently in the process of creating a new on-line Housing re-application process for all our returning students. We feel this on line process will better serve our students needs and allow them to choose rooms and roommates on-line. This process will take place in February. We will notify parents and students as soon as all the details have been worked out. Please check the housing web site for updates. Options for Off-Campus Housing. Looking for off-campus housing for your student? Come meet some of Watauga County’s local property managers on February 6th at the Off-Campus Housing Fair from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in the Plemmons Student Union to learn about your options. Can’t make the fair? Visit the off-campus website at www.offcampus.appstate.edu for information about available rentals, subleases, and roommates. A list of contact information for area property managers is also available. Please note that most students sign housing contracts in February for Fall housing so don't wait! For additional information, contact Kendal McDevitt in the Office of Off-Campus Community Relations at 828-262-8284. Student Conduct FAQs for ParentsAppalachian 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 ASU Code of Student Conduct. [ read the student conduct FAQs for parents ] 
Define responsible drinking (because college students drink more than they think)Over 1700 college students die each year as a result of drinking alcohol. Previous research has shown that college students tend to put too much alcohol into what is considered a "drink” leading to alcohol poisoning. Parents, help protect your students by educating them about low-risk drinking. If we don’t tell them what responsible drinking is, how will they know? For more information about Appalachian’s efforts to reduce alcohol-related consequences, contact Ian Wang, prevention coordinator, at wangi@appstate.edu or 828-262-7558. No alcohol for people who are:
No more than one standard drink per hour. One standard drink is:
No more than three standard drinks per night (and never every day). From the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Nutrition and Your Health Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Fifth Edition, 2005 and F.E. Warren’s Airbase, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Leadership Opportunities
Textbook Rental Policy ChangesThe Faculty Senate, Chancellor Peacock, and the Board of Trustees have approved a new textbook rental policy for the University, effective fall, 2008. The new policy was created by the University Bookstore Committee based on its two-year study of Appalachian’s textbook policy. The intent of the new policy is to balance the students’ need for affordable access to texts and the faculty’s need for flexibility in choosing current and appropriate texts. Among other provisions, the new policy reduces the minimum adoption cycle from three to two years and expressly permits departments to adopt more than one textbook for courses with multiple sections. To accommodate these changes, the textbook rental fee has been increased by $25.00. View Textbook Rental Policy (PDF) New Smoking PolicyAppalachian State University enacted a new smoking policy effective January 1, 2008. Appalachian is currently under a voluntary compliance period until May 31 with full enforcement beginning on June 1. The UNC system required all buildings to be smoke free by January 1. Smoking is now prohibited in and within 50 feet of all Appalachian State University facilities. [ press release ] Winter Blues?A change in weather can often relate to a change in mood. Cold weather, lack of sunshine, more time indoors, less physical activity can all contribute to what some people refer to as winter blues or seasonal affective disorder. If you notice a significant down shift in mood with your son or daughter and/or a change in behavior (i.e. appetite, sleep patterns, study skills, substance use), you may check in with them and talk with them some about how the winter season may be impacting them in a negative way. The campus Counseling Center is available to help. For more information, please contact 828-262-3180. Parents Fund Launches Annual DriveEach year Appalachian students call our current and alumni parents to inquire about giving opportunities and the experience of your child. Our vision is to serve as a means of outreach to keep parents informed about activities and events happening at Appalachian. Parents play a vital role in ensuring that Appalachian gives your children opportunities for growth, achievement, and preparation for success. As of January 2008, 837 current and alumni parents have raised over $53,000 toward our $118,000 goal. Thank you for answering the call. To learn more about how your gift may help the University, please contact the Appalachian Fund at 828-262-2485. The Appalachian Parents Association Funds New ProjectsEighteen projects totaling over $19,000 were funded in 2007. Each project will directly and positively impact student life on our campus. Need a Ride?Does your student need a ride to Boone or can he or she offer a ride to other students? Check the electronic ride board for rides needed and offers to share a ride. Flu Arrives at AppalachianHealth professionals at Appalachian State University have seen an increase in flu and flu-like symptoms among students in recent days and want to pass along this advice: wash your hands often, cover your mouth when you cough and see a doctor if you experience symptoms associated with the flu. [ press release ] Checklist for ParentsDiscuss these issues rather than ASSUME:
Contact us and share your ideasSusie L. Greene Rita K. Wells |
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