Preparing for Summer Sessions and Fall 2021

App State will return to pre-pandemic operations for the fall 2021 semester, with safety precautions in place — please see below for additional details. 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.

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 

During the summer, operations updates may not be sent each week, but they will be sent as key updates need to go to campus. The university’s Coronavirus and Summer and Fall 2021 Guide to Campus Operations sites will continue to be updated with the latest guidance and information.

App State COVID-19 Policies and Guidance Update

The May 19 update to campus included information about the lifting of North Carolina’s capacity and gathering limits, social distancing requirements and most face covering mandates. App State will follow this state guidance — key updates are below.

Return to work guidance

The university’s Returning to Campus page has been updated with information about the return to pre-pandemic operations for the fall 2021 semester. Highlights include:

• In-person classes, and on-campus work, will be the norm again.
  
  
• All faculty and staff should be prepared to return to pre-pandemic work arrangements based on the business needs of their departments.
  
  
• Supervisors should bring employees back to pre-pandemic work schedules as soon as they are needed in order to return to full operational status by fall 2021. 

Face coverings 

The university’s face coverings policy is currently under revision; however, the university’s Face Coverings page has been updated with current guidelines.

• Individuals who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 should continue to wear face coverings in all indoor public settings.
  
  
• Face covering requirements for vaccinated individuals 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 Student Health Service. 
• When using public transportation. 
• At child care facilities, K–12 schools and children’s camps, such as our on-campus child care facilities and summer camps serving minors.
  
  
• Students, faculty and staff are not required to provide their vaccination status, but they may voluntarily share this information with the university. More information about how students and employees can volunteer their vaccination status will be provided over the summer.

Health and safety 

• Students, faculty and staff continue to be required to self-report COVID-19 tests and results. Additionally, if you hear about others who may have COVID-19, use the same form to submit a “Care and Concern” report. All reported information will remain confidential.

Campus operations during summer sessions

• Capacity restrictions and distancing requirements are lifted in all settings.
  
  
• Health and safety signage has been reviewed and will be replaced across campus in the coming days.
  
  
• Building hours and access are returning to pre-pandemic status. Visit area websites for more information.
  
  
• Classrooms for Summer Session classes were configured for physical distancing prior to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and Gov. Roy Cooper’s latest Executive Order. The university plans to return classrooms to standard configurations for fall 2021.
  
  
• Per the CDC’s updated cleaning guidance, classrooms will continue to be supplied with surface wipes and hand sanitizer for use by students and faculty. Classrooms will continue to be cleaned daily. 
  
  
• Hand sanitizer stations will continue to be stocked in common areas on campus. These stations will also be added to elevator waiting areas.

COVID-19 Vaccines Update

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

• App State strongly encourages students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated but cannot unilaterally mandate vaccines for students or employees — view additional details. 
  
  
• North Carolina is vaccinating everyone age 12 and over. As of May 20, the state has administered more than 8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses and more than 47% 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

• The next App State clinic — open to everyone in North Carolina age 18 and older — will be held at the Plemmons Student Union (PSU) in the Blue Ridge Ballroom on Thursday, May 27, from 9 a.m. to noon.
  
  
• This clinic will administer the Moderna vaccine — register now and choose an available appointment time. Parking will be available in the East Howard Street Lot, behind PSU.
  
  
• Everyone getting a vaccine at the May 27 clinic will receive a $10 Campus Dining card, compliments of Chancellor Sheri Everts.
  
  
• Beginning May 24, students can also book vaccine appointments with Student Health Service.
  
  

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

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:

• Additional information about returning to pre-pandemic operations for the fall 2021 semester, with safety precautions in place.

• Information about how students and employees can volunteer their vaccination status.