App State Operations Update:

App State sends periodic operational updates that include, COVID-19 safety protocols and other important information. Please note, the university’s COVID-19 safety protocols continue to change, informed by the latest public health data. Always defer to communications with the most recent time and date stamp.

Chancellor Sheri Everts sends weekly messages covering university progress on key initiatives and items of importance for the university community. Read these messages here. In her Aug. 19 message, she shared that the university will remain vigilant and proactive in its efforts to reduce severe effects from COVID-19, and reminded students, faculty and staff that vaccines and boosters are readily available on campus and in the community, and are critical to keeping our campus as healthy as possible.

Keep reading for helpful resources and the latest public health and campus operational updates as the university welcomes students, employees and visitors back to campus for fall 2022.

General information and resources for students, faculty and staff

Classes for the fall 2022 semester at App State begin on Monday, Aug. 22.
Welcome to campus programming continues through Aug. 31.

Campus resources for students:
Academic Affairs • AppCares Resources • Campus Dining • Career Development Center • Case Management • Counseling Center • Dean of Students • Mountaineer Food Hub & Free Store • Off-Campus Student Services • Office of Disability Resources • Office of Student Success • Student Health Service • Student Learning Center • University Housing • University Libraries • University Recreation • Wellness and Prevention Services

Campus resources for employees:
Academic Affairs • Counseling for Faculty and Staff • Employee Assistance Program • Health Promotion for Faculty and Staff • Office of Human Resources • University Ombuds Office

COVID-19 resources:

• Visit the App State coronavirus website for the latest updates.
• Don’t see what you’re looking for? Email ucinfo@appstate.edu or call 828-262-2000 for assistance.

Get your COVID-19 vaccination record • North Carolina’s COVID-19 Information Hub

COVID-19 campus operations reminders and updates

Get vaccinated on campus

• Primary vaccine series and booster appointments continue to be available at Student Health Service for students, employees and community members. Call 828-262-3100 for an appointment.
  
  
• $50 Amazon gift cards remain available for students and employees who get any COVID-19 shot at Student Health Service.
  
  
• After receiving your primary or booster doses, please report your vaccination status to the university.
  

Wear a face covering at your discretion

• You can wear a face covering anywhere at your discretion or upon the advice of your health care provider. Students and employees who would like face coverings may pick them up from the Plemmons Student Union information desk while supplies last.

Get tested if you feel sick

• Student Health Service provides testing for students — students may also purchase at-home test kits.
  
  
• AppHealthCare continues to offer free testing in Watauga County on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon for all community members, and also provides free at-home test kits, while supplies last.
  
  
• Use NCDHHS’s Find COVID-19 Tests page to find additional, local testing locations. Up to three shipments of free at-home test kits can also be ordered from covid.gov.

If you test positive

• Students and employees who test positive for COVID-19 must continue to report these test results to the university.
  
  
• Remember: If you test positive, stay home for at least five days, isolate from others and follow CDC guidance for isolation and precautions for people with COVID-19.
  
  
• Students living in residence halls are strongly encouraged to complete isolation at home, but may choose to isolate in their residence hall rooms, if unable to return home, leaving only to receive medical care.
  
  
• During the isolation period, students living in residence halls can arrange for Wellness Meal Pick-ups — view instructions on Campus Dining’s Meal Plan page.

COVID-19 leave updates for employees

An Aug. 11 Office of Human Resources message to faculty and staff summarized changes to COVID-19 Work/Leave Provisions available to UNC System employees due to the end of North Carolina's Public Health Emergency. Highlights include:

Ended Aug. 15, 2022:

• Paid administrative leave for absences due to isolation orders or non-quarantine possible exposures.

Ending Aug. 31, 2022:

• Paid work time for employees for vaccinations occurring within regular work hours and with supervisory permission.
  
  
• Paid administrative leave for adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines.
  
  
• Special paid leave for employees who have reported receiving a COVID-19 booster.

Note: Employees who report receiving a COVID-19 booster by Aug. 31 will receive a one-time allotment of eight hours of paid leave (prorated for part-time). This leave must be used by March 31, 2023.

Visit the university’s COVID-19 Vaccines page to report your booster dose.

Additional information and resources

Monkeypox information

CDC is tracking an outbreak of monkeypox, a disease related to smallpox, in the United States. According to CDC, the monkeypox virus is spreading mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who has monkeypox.

• App State’s Student Health Service offers monkeypox information resources on its website.
  
  
• Visit AppHealthCare’s What you Need to Know page for additional information about testing, vaccines and local resources.

App State Police

• In a medical or life emergency, call 911 or App State Police at 828-262-8000 for the fastest, most reliable means of getting emergency assistance.
  
  
• The App State Police Department keeps our campus safe and works to maintain an inclusive environment for our students, employees and visitors. The App State Police Department is nationally recognized for its innovative programs and focus on community engagement.
  
  
  • If you have not already done so, add App State Police at 828-262-2150 to your mobile phone contacts.
    
    
  • Starting Sunday, Aug. 22, students can request Mountaineer Safe Walk, a safety escort service that provides assistance to students who may feel uncomfortable walking alone after dark.
    
    
  • Stay connected to App State Police on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

Emergency Preparedness

• AppState-ALERT is the university’s 24/7 emergency messaging system that uses texts, voice messaging, the siren warning system, desktop alerts, email, and web alerts. 
  
  
  • This system is designed to provide App State students and employees with timely information in the event of a campus emergency. 
    
    
  • Voice and text alerts are opt-in. Register for AppState-ALERT text and/or voice messaging.
    
    
• The RAVE Guardian mobile safety app is available to students and employees free of charge. 
  
  
  • Students and employees can access the AppCares, App State Police and App State Emergency Preparedness websites from the app.
    
    
  • Learn more and download the Rave Guardian mobile safety app.