Welcome to Parent Connections Too new parents and Hello to our current parents. I hope this finds you all well and enjoying the summer. Summer orientation is now behind us for both transfers and new freshmen. We had very full sessions, lots of questions, and lots of really good interactions. For the more “seasoned” parents I am sure that the experience of orientation in some ways seems like only yesterday?!?

This newsletter contains information about Parents Weekend as well as options to volunteer at Move-in Day. Parents of upperclassmen are especially invited back to join in the celebration of Move-In Day for our freshmen. We would love to have as many folks as possible – the more hands, the more efficient the process.

Summer is ideal for spending quality time with your children – Appalachian students or not. Many summer activities can be family focused so I hope you will take advantage of these experiences and opportunities that may not present themselves again.

I look forward to seeing you all at Move-in Day and/or Parents Weekend.

Best,
Susie

What's Been Going On

FAMILY DAY is Saturday, September 27, 2008.

Please come and join students, parents, faculty, and staff for Family Day. There is lots to do both on and off campus and you are most welcome on campus either this weekend or in the near future. GO APPS!

Family Day Schedule (PDF)

Off-Campus Jurisdiction Policy

We are implementing steps to further reinforce Appalachian’s “Culture of Concern” to off-campus students and to the larger community, including a system to fairly and consistently address Student Code of Conduct violations for off-campus students. In the past, students argued that the way in which the off-campus jurisdiction policy was enforced was not fair because it only dealt with those violations that were randomly brought to the attention of the office. The new approach will now deal with all violations, not just those listed in newspapers or communicated by concerned citizens.

Repeat alcohol/other drug misdemeanors, DWIs, assaults, felonies for off-campus violations will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. Students with first-time alcohol or misdemeanor drug violations will receive a letter of concern from the Office of Off-Campus Community Relations and an educational handout about alcohol/other drugs.

The Code of Student Conduct Jurisdiction Policy can be found on pages 13-14 of the Code of Student Conduct: www.studentconduct.appstate.edu.

The Center for Entrepreneurship

The Center has experienced tremendous growth and success over the last year. It has achieved much recognition on campus and throughout the region for an innovative, growing array of entrepreneurship initiatives.

In 2007-2008, the Center directly served more than 1,100 students and community members through a variety of new and expanded academic and co-curricular programs. New programs initiated or supported by the Center include the Dale Tweedy Mentoring Program for Entrepreneur Scholars, the Appalachian Entrepreneurs Residential Learning Community, the Power of E freshman entrepreneurship course, and a Minor in Entrepreneurship. 46 ASU students participated in International Entrepreneurship courses that included at least 10 days travel abroad. Record numbers of participants participated in ongoing co-curricular programs offered in 2007-2008 including the Carole Moore McLeod Entrepreneur Summit, the Pitch Your Idea in 90 Seconds contest, the Young Entrepreneurs Symposium, the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour, Start Your Own Business workshops, and Association of Student Entrepreneurs club meetings and activities.

We would like to encourage students from all disciplines on campus to participate in entrepreneurial events, academics and programs. Is your son or daughter interested in Arts, Sciences, English or other non-business academic disciplines? Do they aspire to own or even talk about owning their ow n business? The Center for Entrepreneurship can help! For more information, please visit www.entrepreneurship.appstate.edu

Computer Support

While there are computer labs all over campus, owning a computer is definitely an advantage for students. Appalachian students qualify for special pricing and technical support if their computer is purchased through the university. The University Bookstore is an Authorized Apple Store and the best place for students to purchase recommended Apple computers. The University Bookstore also is the place to buy Dell Computers and any software and add-ons needed.

The Computer Central staff at the University Bookstore works with the manufacturers to negotiate the best deal for students and ensure that the computer meets Appalachian’s academic requirements. The computer comes ready to connect with the Appalachian network and is covered by a three-year hardware warranty. On campus Tech Support, located in the Old Belk Library building, will provide hardware support only for the recommended models of Apple and Dell computers purchased at the University Bookstore, or the Apple and Dell websites.

To view the recommended computers, go to www.bookstore.appstate.edu. The website will also publicize any Back-To-School specials.

Electronic Rideboard

This online rideboard is available only to students at Appalachian State University. It is provided by Plemmons Student Union as a service to ASU students.

Appalachian Promotes CLASS at All Athletic Events

Join our sportsmanship campaign. Champions Love Appalachian State Spirit (PDF).

Tailgating is defined as parking in a designated location/area and/or setting up non-permanent facilities to consume food and non-alcoholic beverages prior to an athletic event. Please review the Football Tailgating Policy adopted in June 2007 (PDF).

Single game, regular priced tickets, if available, can be ordered online beginning August 5, 2008.

MOVE-IN DAY FOR NEW FRESHMEN - AUGUST 22, 2008

Tips for Move-in Day

• wear comfortable clothing and shoes
• mark each item to be moved with a piece of masking tape that has the student’s room number
• remember that once you arrive at the residence hall the following will occur:
  • your student will go to the residence hall office and get his/her key immediately upon arrival
  • folks will be there to help you unload your car and start taking things to the room. These folks are there to help you with this process, not to do all of the work alone.
  • someone will need to move the family car (or cars) to an off-campus site. Directions and information will be sent from Housing and Residence Life.
  • the emphasis for this process is STOP AND DROP!
• consider in your travel time that traffic may be backed up as you enter the Boone city limits. Be patient and know that we will be waiting on you.
• WALMART and other stores will be slammed that day
• remember that Phase II Orientation will begin with a dinner for your students on Friday evening. In your plan for the day, please consider that after 5:00 P.M. or 5:30 P.M. your student needs to start his/her process of becoming a fulltime residential student.
• make a plan for all those who will be returning home to celebrate this transition in your lives and the good job that you have done as a parent – dinner on the way, simply blowing the horn as you go down the road, etc.

Helpers Still Needed

We are still looking for folks to help us as we move in our new freshmen on August 22nd. We have need for “toters and carriers” as well as people to greet and direct. We are asking for a three-hour commitment from 9:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M., 12:00 -3:00 P.M., and/or 2:30 P.M.-5:30 P.M. If interested please contact Becky Screen at rascreen@gmail.com.

CHECKLIST FOR FALL 2008

For freshmen parents:

• have you submitted a completed health form for your student?
• have you made a plan for Move In day for how you all will spend time after the room is set up? If not, it is good to set a plan for arriving and for leaving – even if you do not follow it!!
• does your student truly need everything that he/she is planning on bringing to ASU?
• are you planning to send a few care packages and/or cards to your student’s ASU post office box? Freshmen check their mail boxes often first semester. Please make sure they have something to fill them up. Care packages need to be sent to their ASU Post Office Box. Because our residence halls are locked all the time, UPS and FedEx cannot deliver.

For all parents:

• do you know how to access the ASU Emergency Website? If not, it is www.emergency.appstate.edu.
• has your student registered with CampusAlert? If not, they need to do so asap at www.emergency.appstate.edu.
• have you made plans to join us for Parents Weekend? If not, please do so soon.

TIP FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENTS

Remember from Parent Orientation either this summer or in the past few years, empower is your new role with your student. Empower them to ask questions, find choices, and accept the consequences of their choices.

CONTACT FOR FUTURE INFORMATION/IDEAS

Susie L. Greene
Dean of Students
828-262-2060
greenesl@appstate.edu

Rita K. Wells
Assistant to the Dean of Students
828-262-2060
wellsrk@appstate.edu