Preparing for Summer Sessions and Fall 2021

In her May 14 update, Chancellor Everts reported the university closed out the academic year having conducted 57,370 COVID-19 tests on campus, having administered 4,340 COVID-19 vaccines to faculty, staff, students and the general public, and having only two active COVID-19 cases — the lowest since June 2020.

Key upcoming dates:

• May 24: Summer Session I begins
• June 25: Summer Session I ends
• July 1: Summer Session II begins
• Aug. 4: Summer Session II ends
• Aug. 16: Fall 2021 first day of classes 

App State will return to pre-pandemic operations for the Fall 2021 semester, with safety precautions in place — please see below for additional details. As preparations are underway, Chancellor Everts continues meeting 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 and consult with the NCDHHS COVID-19 response team as needed.

Vaccinations are our best defense against COVID-19 and the reason we are seeing fewer restrictions related to COVID-19 safety. Learn more at the university’s COVID-19 vaccines page.

Latest News

Gov. Cooper has lifted North Carolina’s mandatory capacity and gathering limits, social distancing requirements and most face covering mandates

On May 14, Gov. Roy Cooper announced a new executive order in effect immediately through June 11. The order follows updated guidance from the CDC and lifts the state’s gathering limits, social distancing requirements and indoor face covering mandates for most settings — review the FAQ document for details.

App State will follow this state guidance. Highlights include:

• Capacity restrictions and distancing requirements are lifted in all settings.
  
  
• Face covering requirements are lifted in most settings, with some exceptions. Everyone should wear a face covering:
• At large, crowded indoor events.
• In health care settings, such as hospitals and doctors’ offices.
• When using public transportation. 
• At child care facilities, K-12 schools and children’s camps.
  
  
• Individuals who are not vaccinated should continue to wear face coverings in all indoor public settings.

The university’s COVID-19 policies and informational websites are currently under review. Additional information will be shared soon.

COVID-19 Vaccines Update

All students, faculty and staff should get a COVID-19 vaccine

• North Carolina is vaccinating everyone ages 12 and over. Vaccine appointments are free and widely available and many providers do not require appointments. Now that many of North Carolina’s COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, getting a vaccine is more important than ever to protect yourself from the virus.
  
  
• As of May 16, the state has administered more than 7.8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses and more than 46% of the state’s population, aged 18+, has been fully vaccinated. Review NCDHHS’ COVID-19 dashboard for more information.
  
  
• Learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated and review the CDC’s guidance for when you’ve been fully vaccinated. If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, talk with your doctor.

COVID-19 vaccine clinics at App State

• App State will hold vaccine clinics at the Plemmons Student Union (PSU) in the Blue Ridge Ballroom on the following dates:
  Thursday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to noon
  Thursday, May 27, from 9 a.m. to noon
  
  
• These clinics will administer the Moderna vaccine and are open to everyone in North Carolina ages 18 and over — register now and choose an available appointment time. Parking will be available in the East Howard Street lot, behind the PSU. 
  
  
• Everyone getting a vaccine at the May 20 and 27 clinics will receive a $10 campus dining card compliments of Chancellor Sheri Everts.

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

• App State’s Community Vaccine Clinics are open to everyone in North Carolina ages 18 and over.  Visit the university’s COVID-19 Vaccines page for information on how to help ensure no vaccine is wasted, help scheduling your second dose if applicable, and other vaccine-related information.

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine approved for ages 12 and over

• As of May 13, adolescents ages 12 through 15 can get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine— learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens. 

• CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 12 years of age and older, and studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.

• The Pfizer vaccine, which had previously been approved for ages 16 and older, requires two doses, 21 days apart.
  

• To find providers with the Pfizer vaccine, use the NCDHHS Vaccine Finder and filter for Pfizer.

Additional COVID-19 Vaccines Resources: 
Vaccines for COVID-19 (CDC) • COVID-19 Vaccine Information (NCDHHS)

Campus Operations Between Sessions

• University Recreation is operating with adjusted facility hours through May 23 — visit the Facility Hours page for details. Summer hours begin Monday, May 24.
  
  
• Select Campus Dining venues will operate with limited hours through May 23 — view the schedule for details. The Summer 2021 schedule begins Monday, May 24.
  
  
• Student Health Service will operate with limited services through May 21 — 8 to 11 a.m. for acute and urgent cases only. COVID-19 testing will be offered only for students with symptoms during this time. Other students in need of COVID-19 testing are encouraged to use community resources — visit the COVID-19 Testing page or NCDHHS’ Find My Testing Place page for options.
   
• Parking permit holders (students, faculty and staff) may park in any open lot, including parking decks, through May 23 regardless of permit type.

Information Coming Soon

Please remember to continue to check your App State email regularly throughout the summer for information about fall 2021, operations updates and other important news and reminders, including:

• Updates to COVID-19 policies and guidelines.

• Information about returning to pre-pandemic operations for the Fall 2021 semester, with safety precautions in place.