Welcome Best, What's Been Going OnAPPSTATE-ALERTHas your student signed up for the APPSTATE-ALERT? If not, please encourage them to do so by going to http://emergency.appstate.edu/register. For safety reasons, Appalachian needs this information as soon as possible!! Family Day is Saturday, September 27, 2008Please come and join students, parents, faculty, and staff as we enjoy the High Country and the Appalachian Family. There is lots to do both on and off campus. Hope to see you on campus either this weekend or in the near future. GO APPS! Learn more. Safety Initiatives on CampusWith the renovations to Hoey residence hall that were completed last August 2007, surveillance cameras were installed on the perimeter doors and tested during the 2007-2008 academic year. Over the last year, the university has been pleased with the camera system and has now added this same system to the recently renovated Cannon residence hall. During the last few months, the university has been exploring the possibility of placing cameras on all residence hall perimeter doors, parking lots, Plemmons Student Union, Legends, and University Recreation buildings. According to quotes received recently from The CBORD Group, Inc., the equipment costs for the surveillance cameras needed in these multiple locations would total roughly $300,000 and reflects a 20% quantity discount. By the middle of September, quotes are expected from multiple sources as to the additional costs associated with installation. Bicycle HelmetsBicycle helmets are now required for students traveling on and off campus. In the past helmets were not required on campus but this changed effective with the beginning of school. Homecoming - 2nd Annual Blood Drive - 1000 PintsOn September 25, 2008 at the Holmes Convocation Center, Appalachian State will be hosting the largest student-run blood drive in the state alongside the American Red Cross. Last year, students organized a 500-pint blood drive that exceeded expectations by collecting 663 productive pints of blood. This year the students have doubled their goal and aim to collect a record breaking 1,000 pints in a single day! Students are encouraged to be a part of history and sign up to donate or volunteer by visiting www.specialevents.appstate.edu. If they are feeling generous and meet certain physical requirements, students can be TWICE as NICE and donate two units of blood with automated technology. Big SaleThe BIG Sale was a huge success this year thanks to the help and participation of students and parents! A green program from start to finish, the items that were sold were collected from Appalachian State students last spring, and the $11,153 raised will be given to 4 local non-profits to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities. In the past 8 years of the BIG Sale, ACT has generated over $45,000 for community organizations. The organizations that were selected this year are: Mountain Alliance, Mountain Pathways Montessori School, Legal Aid of North Carolina (Boone Office), and Watauga County Assistance Network (WeCAN). In addition, a portion of the funds will support a campus endowment to provide scholarships for international service-learning. Phase II OrientationEach fall, Appalachian welcomes new students through the Phase 2 Orientation Program. A number of fantastic programs were held during the August 22-26 period to make our newest members of the Appalachian Family feel at home. The Chancellor's New Student Convocation and Picnic served as the official welcome, where the students heard from Chancellor Peacock, Vice Chancellor Cindy Wallace, the Student Government President David Mofford, and the ASU Marching Band. The Student Faculty Exchange and the Summer Reading Discussion were the academic components of Phase 2 Orientation. Over 160 faculty and staff participated in these programs, which speaks highly of their commitment to students and their education. The Expo on Monday morning gave students the opportunity to discover all that Appalachian has to offer: clubs and organizations, outdoor and recreation opportunities, support services, and more. The glue that held all of Phase 2 together was the 205 orientation leaders (known as The Appol Corps) who volunteered time and energy to make the new students' transition to ASU the best it could be. Meet and GreetIn an effort to welcome off-campus students back to town and connect them back to campus, 50 campus and community volunteers visited 1600 off-campus student apartments on Tuesday, September 9th to provide students with welcome bags containing community resource information and safety tips. The highlighted Welcome Bag item was the Emergency Information magnet that displays Appalachian's Emergency Website, as well as on and off campus emergency telephone numbers. Meet and Greet volunteers encouraged students to become familiar with these emergency resources, and to register for APPSTATE ALERT in order to receive emergency information through text and voicemail messages. Walk for AwarenessThe 19th Annual Walk for Awareness was held on Sanford Mall on Tuesday, September 2, 2008. Approximately 1000 people gathered to name, to honor, and to remember those in our community, state, country, and world who are, or have been, victims of violent acts. The theme this year was "Appalachian State University STEPS UP." The speakers were Dr. Mary Ballard, Department of Psychology at Appalachian; Jai Jackson, graduate student and resident director; Cortez Gilbert, junior sociology major and member of the ASU football team; and Crystal Styres O'Hara, senior education major and sexual assault survivor. Each speaker encouraged those in attendance to step up to safety. This annual event was sponsored by University Highlands and the ASU Parents Association. Fall ConvocationAppalachian State University officially began its 109th opening for classes on Thursday, September 4th. Convocation opened with the procession of administrators and professors in academic regalia. Faculty, staff and students were then honored in such areas as the Student Employee of the Year Award, the annual Appalachian Staff Awards, W. H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion recipients, UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching winners, and the Harvey R. Durham Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award. Following the awards, the guest speaker Jeannette Walls was introduced. Walls is the author of The Glass Castle. This book was chosen for all of the freshmen class to read and discuss throughout the semester. The larger High Country community has also been encouraged to read this book and were invited to convocation. Mock Interviews Provided by Corporate Recruiters September 15 - 19, 2008Appalachian State University students are fortunate to have several corporate recruiters coming to campus providing mock interviews. Here is a rare opportunity to interview with a professional recruiter, on-campus, receive pertinent and immediate feedback, and yet, free of the tension, pressures and stress of interviewing for a real job. Sign up is before Sunday, September 14. The interviews will be held the week of September 15th. Call the Career Development Center at 262-2180 for more information. Bits of Wisdom From Students For Students!Go To Class. What If...My student gets sick and misses classes?
My student and his/her roommate are not getting along?
My student has something stolen?
My student has computer problems?
There is a death in the family and my student needs to come home?
Tip from the Dean of StudentsCare packages are especially appreciated at this time. Please send cards, money, etc. to their campus mail box. Also plan a campus visit during the month of September. This is a great time to take your son or daughter to dinner with his/her roommate and/or friends. By listening to their conversation around the table you will learn a great deal about what the Appalachian experience really is like for your son or daughter. Contact for Future Information / IdeasSusie L. Greene Rita K. Wells |
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