App Strong. App Resilient.

Less than two weeks remain before App State’s last day of classes on Wednesday, April 28. Then, the university will transition to final exams and will celebrate graduates at Spring Commencement ceremonies. 

• April 28: Last day of classes for the spring 2021 semester
• April 29: Reading Day
• April 30 - May 6: Exam period — view exam schedule
• May 7 - 9: Faculty grading period
• May 7 - 12: Spring Commencement in-person ceremonies
• May 7: Virtual conferring of degrees

App State is preparing for the full return of students, faculty and staff to campus for the fall 2021 semester.

• Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from contracting the virus and the only way to support the level of community vaccination necessary to end the pandemic and allow all of us to safely return to the lifestyles that we enjoyed pre-COVID. Learn more about App State’s COVID-19 vaccine clinics.

• We are encouraged by the continued commitment from students, faculty and staff to stopping the spread of COVID-19. To maintain our low transmission rates, we must continue to be careful and responsible to protect others, as well as ourselves. Keep following the 3Ws (Wear, Wait, Wash) and avoiding crowds, until enough people are vaccinated. 

Please remember to carefully and regularly review messages from App State as the university continues to monitor and respond to the latest COVID-19 circumstances.

COVID-19 Vaccines Update

App State’s Community Vaccine Clinics are open to everyone in North Carolina ages 18 and over. 

• This week, App State administered 79 Moderna vaccines at a clinic for students, faculty, staff and community members. The university’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated with weekly vaccine numbers each Monday.

• The next App State clinic is scheduled for Thursday, April 22, from 9 a.m - 1 p.m. — register now and choose an available appointment time. The university will administer the Moderna vaccine, and the clinic is open to everyone in North Carolina ages 18 and over.

• Here’s how you can help ensure no vaccine is wasted:

  • If you need to reschedule or cancel a vaccine appointment, please do so using the link in your confirmation email. If you need to cancel within less than 24 of your appointment, call 828-262-6578 or email safety@appstate.edu so your appointment time can be offered to people who are on the standby list.

  • If you wish to be added to the standby list for a vaccine clinic that is fully booked, call 828-262-6578 or email safety@appstate.edu. 

• Remember that Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two doses for full vaccination. No matter where you get your first dose, that clinic will help you schedule your second dose. If you need assistance scheduling your second dose:

  • Contact App State’s Vaccine Team at 828-262-6578 or safety@appstate.edu.
  • Contact AppHealthCare or your local health department.
  • Use the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ (NCDHHS) Vaccine Finder.

• App State strongly encourages students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated but cannot unilaterally mandate vaccines for students or employees — view additional details.

Additional COVID-19 Vaccines Resources: 
App State's COVID-19 Vaccines page • Vaccines for COVID-19 (CDC) • COVID-19 Vaccine Information (NCDHHS)

Student Activities and Resources

Upcoming activities

App State offers events and activities to help students stay engaged while staying safe. Highlights include:

Tree Campus USA - Natural Area Workday
April 21 from 9 a.m. - noon and 1 - 3 p.m., April 22 from 9 a.m. - noon and 12:30 - 3 p.m., free in-person volunteer opportunities, registration required
Volunteer to clean up the App State Natural Area and help dig, plant, mulch and stake trees by King Street. Each fall and spring, campus community members plant trees as part of App State’s Tree Campus USA recertification efforts.

Annual Blood Drive
April 22, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., registration required
Students, faculty and staff are invited to sign up to donate blood.  

De-Stress Fest
April 22, 3 - 6 p.m., free in-person event on Sanford Mall
During the final push of the semester, this event provides students with resources to help manage their stress and be successful.

Spring Fling
April 23, 2 - 5 p.m., free in-person event
Join APPS for a socially distanced event on Sanford Mall — yard games, make and takes, free food and prizes! View other upcoming APPS events.

More Events and Activities:
Earth Month • AppalachianToday • Engage • Campus Activities • University Recreation • Turchin Center

Resources for students

With the end of the semester at hand, please reach out if you or someone you know needs assistance. There are many people at the university who are here to help you. If you aren’t sure who to ask, here’s where you can start:

• Mental health and wellness resources
• Academic support
• Comprehensive support for students

Additional Resources for Students: 
Academic Affairs • Office of the Dean of Students • Mountaineer Emergency Fund • Mountaineer Food Hub & Free Store • Student life • Department directory

Preparing for Commencement and Exams — Information for Students

Preparing for Spring Commencement — packet pick-up for virtual participants

Graduating students who are participating virtually can pick up commencement packets at the University Bookstore on April 29 and 30, from 10 a.m - 3 p.m. Students participating in in-person ceremonies will receive their packets at their ceremony.

• Bring your mobile device for contactless checkout. Your packet will include your diploma cover and other materials to help you celebrate virtually.

• Packets not picked up will be mailed to the address listed on your application for graduation.

• Graduating students who are participating virtually will receive a follow-up email next week. Visit the university’s commencement website for additional Spring 2021 Commencement details.

Preparing for final exams

Final exams will be held Friday, April 30, through Thursday, May 6. View the exam schedule here.

• The Student Learning Center (SLC) has published a Final Exam Study Plan that will help you stay on track and organized — there’s also a video tutorial. Additionally, visit its Study Strategies & Test Prep page and Tutoring & Support Services page for other resources for students.

• Academic coaching, workshops and more resources for students are available on the Office of Student Success' Services for Students page.

• App State’s Resiliency Toolkit offers information that can be especially helpful this time of year, including methods for managing stress, the benefits of gratitude, emotional regulation, ways to resolve conflict, and more.

• Counseling and Psychological Services has published Coping Strategies for the Home Stretch which includes healthy coping strategies to help you finish the semester strong.

• For students remaining in Boone during exams, Plemmons Student Union will be open for on-campus study space, with adequate space for social distancing — see facility hours. Additionally, Belk Library and Information Commons will be open through exams with the exception of May 1, but group study rooms will not be available — see hours of operation.

• The last day to drop a spring semester class is Wednesday, April 21, at 11:59 p.m. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss all options with their advisors, instructors and/or faculty in their major department, as decisions could impact degree progress, future career or graduate education plans, licensure/certification requirements and/or financial aid.

Key Metrics

Key Reminders and Updates

Concerned about students?

For faculty and staff who are concerned about students, App State’s Office of Student Success (OSS) website includes a Quick Referral Guide. This guide outlines resources and explains the referral process and options. Not sure if you should refer? Please do. If you have a concern, it’s best to share it.

Mountaineer Food Hub & Free Store is open by appointment

The Mountaineer Food Hub & Free Store in the Office of Sustainability continues to be open by appointment — email sustainability@appstate.edu for a pickup appointment. Visit the Mountaineer Food Hub page for other food hub satellite locations and more information.

On-campus COVID-19 testing available twice weekly 

COVID-19 testing remains an important component of our mitigation strategy. Free, on-campus COVID-19 testing is available for students, faculty and staff at twice weekly events, in addition to targeted testing and testing for students at Student Health Service. No appointments required — bring your Banner ID and AppCard. Check the university’s COVID-19 Testing page for the latest schedule and location information. 

Continued COVID-19 response efforts

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 regularly with local public health consult with the NCDHHS COVID-19 response team as needed. Planning for a full return to campus is underway, with more information coming soon. Read more:

Messages from Chancellor Everts • Previous COVID-19 update from App State • App State’s coronavirus website and dashboard • Resources for faculty and staff • Department directory

Information Coming Soon

• Information about planning efforts for a full return to campus in Fall 2021.

• Information for employees working remotely about returning to on-campus work in advance of Fall 2021.