App Strong. App Resilient.

The university remains open, with emergency management protocols activated and operational modifications and precautions in place. Classes will meet online until Feb. 1. 

App State staff and faculty continue working steadily, in accordance with UNC System expectations and our educational mission, to assess and adjust every aspect of the Appalachian Experience to keep health and safety at the forefront. As the university continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation, it is critically important that you carefully review messages from App State. 

Students, stay engaged!

Visit this Student Life page, which is regularly updated with ways to stay engaged and have fun while staying safe. Three highlights:

Virtual Winter Club Expo
Jan. 25 - 28, 4 - 6 p.m., virtual events
Find clubs that match your interests. Each day has a different theme — fraternity and sorority life, student media, academic and professional, multicultural and international, service, sustainability, sports and recreation and more. Free events, registration required.

An Evening with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
Jan. 26, 6 p.m., virtual event
The 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration features writer, cultural critic and media commentator Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. Free event, registration required. 

The Schaefer Center Presents
Feb. 4 - March 25, virtual events
A diverse array of music, dance and theatre programming for audiences of all ages. Free events, registration required.

More Events and Activities:

Appalachian Today • Engage • Campus Activities • University Recreation

Latest News

COVID-19 vaccines update

Chancellor Everts’ Jan. 15 and 22 updates and the Jan. 16 update to campus included information about App State’s role with COVID-19 vaccination distribution and a link to the university's COVID-19 Vaccines page, which is updated regularly with the latest information. 

• AppHealthCare, our local public health department, is leading local vaccination distribution plans. Additionally, App State has an application pending with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to be a community-facing COVID-19 vaccination distribution center. If approved, and as applicable under the corresponding vaccine distribution phase, all students, faculty and staff will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine administered by App State.

• If you are not a resident of Watauga, Ashe or Alleghany County in North Carolina, you may have additional vaccine options available through your home county health department. NCDHHS has published a list of vaccine providers in North Carolina by county where you can find links to more information and vaccination interest forms.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination page includes guidance about continued personal safety protocols — specifically that even after vaccination, it is important to continue to follow the 3Ws.

Spring on-campus COVID-19 testing update

• Free COVID-19 testing is available for students, faculty and staff each Wednesday and Saturday from noon - 5 p.m. Walk up or drive up. No appointments required — bring your Banner ID and AppCard. Winter weather can affect the testing schedule, so check the university’s COVID-19 Testing page for the latest schedule and location information. Note that lines tend to be shorter between 3 - 5 p.m.

• Periodically throughout the semester, the university will require students living in residence halls to have additional COVID-19 tests. Students will be notified about dates/times in advance, and the cost for these tests will be covered by the university.

Mountaineer Emergency Fund update

• Students who are facing financial challenges that are significant barriers to academic success may apply for financial assistance through the Mountaineer Emergency Fund. This funding is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. There is no deadline to apply at this time and grants will be awarded as long as funds are available. Visit the Mountaineer Emergency Fund page to view eligibility requirements and to apply.

• Students in need of immediate assistance should contact the Case Management Team in the Office of the Dean of Students for help to access other sources of support and assistance. 

COVID-19 Dashboard update

App State’s COVID-19 dashboard has been updated with charts and graphs specific to the spring 2021 semester, and displays active and cumulative cases, and on-campus testing data since Jan. 1. 2021. Cumulative data since March 27, 2020 and fall 2020 semester data are still available on the dashboard.

Key Reminders

Continued Personal Safety Protocols

• North Carolina continues to operate under a Modified Stay at Home Order, which will last until at least Jan. 29. Read the FAQ document here.

• Continue to limit your activities and exposure to others to the greatest extent possible and follow the 3Ws (Wear, Wait, Wash).

• Add the two Vs — ventilate spaces as much as possible, and get vaccinated, for flu as well as COVID-19. Review all recommended personal safety protocols here.

Information for students with residence hall contracts

• Students with residence hall contracts have received updated information about spring 2021 move-in, including move-in appointment dates, prorated room and board expenses, and required COVID-19 re-entry testing. Read the latest information here.

• University Housing is currently accepting exemptions through Jan. 26 for students who wish to leave the residence halls for the spring 2021 semester to move to the permanent address of their parents/guardians.

• The Housing Reapplication for the 2021-22 academic year is open through Feb. 7 for current on-campus students and/or students who received a COVID-19 exemption. View details here.

Campus operations 

• Campus building access will vary through Feb. 1. A key or card swipe may be required for access. Contact your department chair or administrator with questions. Visit area websites for more information.

• Parking permit holders (students, faculty and staff) may park in any open lot, excluding parking decks, through Feb. 1 regardless of permit type. Those who wish to return parking passes for a refund must do so by March 31 — view details here.

• Face coverings continue to be required for students, faculty and staff when on campus, and distribution is underway for five new, washable, reusable face coverings — find out more here.

• Students who live on campus will receive their five new face coverings when they check in to their residence hall during move-in. 

• Students who live locally off campus and have not yet received face coverings through their property management offices may pick up their five new face coverings at the Parking and Transportation Office on campus at the Rivers Street Parking Deck.

• After Feb. 1, students will be able to pick up face coverings in the Plemmons Student Union.

Key Metrics

Resources

Please reach out if you need assistance. There are many people at the university who are here to help you. If you aren’t sure who can help you, here’s where you can start:

• For students with academic questions, needs or challenges: Begin with your faculty member, then reach out to your department chair or academic advisor for additional assistance if needed. For more information or assistance, contact Academic Affairs.

• Student support and resources and assistance for on- and off-campus students: Contact the Office of the Dean of Students, who can assist directly and/or connect you with campus resources or help in your local area.

• Faculty and staff: Visit the Health and Safety on Campus page for resources for faculty and staff and other information.

• COVID-19 questions and updates: Begin by reviewing the information on the university’s coronavirus website. The weekly COVID-19 updates that are emailed to campus are also posted on this site. For more information or assistance, contact Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management (EHS&EM).

The university’s department directory is available here.

Communications and Updates

Chancellor Everts continues to meet regularly with UNC System President Hans and System leadership, as well as with her vice chancellors and emergency management team. University representatives meet with local public health Monday-Friday and on weekends as needed, and consult regularly with the NCDHHS COVID-19 response team. Decisions and information are shared with campus via:

• Messages from Chancellor Everts. Weekly updates affecting campus planning, preparations and responses to the pandemic.

• Read the previous COVID-19 update from App State. Key campus operations information, including safety and community expectations.

• App State’s coronavirus website, which includes the university's COVID-19 Dashboard.

Information Coming Soon:

• Information about how App State is participating in contact tracing.

• Campus fire pit update.