COVID-19 update from App State’s PMIT - week of Aug. 10-16

Posted 08/16/20 at 11:45 a.m.

App State’s weekly progress report to campus provides the latest operational updates and important information related to the fall 2020 semester and beyond.

Fall 2020: Answers to trending questions:

Students have moved into residence halls and fall semester classes begin Monday, Aug. 17. Staff and faculty have been working steadily to prepare, in accordance with UNC System expectations and our educational mission, for the fall semester. 

Student life:

The Student Life web page is a quick reference guide that contains important information. It is regularly updated. View the Student Life page.

• Activities on or near campus: As the fall semester begins, there are a variety of virtual and in-person activities for students:

  • Get involved: The Office of Campus Activities has a slate of  Welcome Week, and other activities designed to welcome students back and introduce new students to App State.

  • Get active: University Recreation (UREC) is offering numerous outdoor physical activities, including fitness classes, weight lifting, local outdoor trips and modified intramural sports. In addition, the outing center will be open on a modified schedule for equipment rentals and the pool will be open for lap swim. Reservations are required for most activities. Visit UREC’s COVID-19 Updates web page for details and to download the UREC app that can be used for reservations.

  • Get connected: Many campus areas and academic colleges promote student activities via Engage (log-in required), a web-based system where students can log-in to find organizations, view events and professional development opportunities, and read news updates.

• Campus Dining updates: Campus Dining has published a web page with information on mobile ordering, food trucks and more.

• On-campus study locations: Legends and the Solarium in the Plemmons Student Union have been repurposed as study spaces, and Student Affairs is working to identify additional spaces. Sanford Mall has full wifi access and picnic tables are being placed around campus to increase seating options for studying and eating. You’ll see these outside Roess dining hall and under the octagon at Edwin Duncan (when not in use as a classroom). 

Transportation: 

• The AppalCART public transportation system has asked the university to share this link to some important information about their reduced capacities, schedule changes and other safety measures they are taking that will impact the experience of their riders.

Safety and sanitization:

• Water fountains and refilling stations: Water fountains have been disabled to prevent the spread of COVID-19; however, water bottle refilling stations across campus are being retrofitted to allow for use. 

• Safe Ride/Walk service: This campus service is available to any student who needs a safety escort to or from any campus building or parking lot. Call (828) 262-7433 and advise the dispatcher of your location and destination.

Communications and updates:

• Messages from Chancellor Everts: Chancellor Everts shares weekly updates with campus. These include updates related to UNC System and Board of Governors decisions that affect our campus planning, preparations and responses to the pandemic. Read these messages here. 

• Progress updates: These logistics updates share key campus operations information including safety and community expectations. Read the previous update here.

• Clearinghouse website: App State’s coronavirus website is the clearinghouse site to navigate to the latest updates across campus, find information about returning to campus, and see the university's cumulative and active case count dashboard, and a page dedicated to information about face coverings. 

Information coming soon:

• Spring 2021 schedule update.

• Additional, detailed information on the Safe Walk service.