COVID-19 update from App State - week of Sept. 21 - 26

Posted 09/26/20 at 2:15 p.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:

As October approaches, staff and faculty continue working steadily, in accordance with UNC System expectations and our educational mission, to assess and adjust every aspect of the Appalachian Experience to keep health and safety at the forefront. 

Contact tracing protects your friends and the community

• If you receive a call or text from public health, it is critically important to cooperate with the contact tracing process. This allows public health and the university to work together in implementing the appropriate measures to control the spread of this virus. The information we receive from individuals who are positive or are close contacts is intended to guide our response efforts. There is no punishment for individuals who disclose their close contacts, and AppHealthCare and university staff will not share personally identifying information.

• Download and install the SlowCOVIDNC mobile app for free from the App Store or Google Play to anonymously share a positive COVID-19 result or receive a notification if you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Your privacy is protected. Learn more at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/slowcovidnc.

Student life 

We’re almost halfway through fall semester. If you’re looking for something to do on campus, App State offers a variety of virtual and in-person activities. View the Student Life page for more information during COVID-19.

• Get involved: Visit the calendar of campus events compiled by the Office of Campus Activities, which lists each week’s socials, club meetings, professional development opportunities and more.  

• Connect to what’s happening on campus: 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 campus organizations, events and news updates.

• Get active: University Recreation (UREC) offers indoor as well as outdoor physical activities, now that N.C. Roy Cooper has lifted some COVID-19-related restrictions. The expanded offerings include in-person fitness classes, weight rooms, cardio equipment and more — all structured for 25% capacity and physical distancing. Face coverings must be worn at all times. Visit UREC’s COVID-19 Updates web page for details and reservations instructions.

Academic Calendar reminder, upcoming breaks and building access

The Aug. 23 update to campus included a reminder about updates to the Fall 2020 Academic Calendar and a notification that the Spring 2021 Academic Calendar is posted to the Registrar’s Office website. Fall 2020 updates include replacing Fall Break in order to hold our last day of classes on Nov. 24 and notification that all final exams will be held online.

Remote Learning/Teaching Period (Nov. 25 - Dec. 14)

During this time period, the university will remain open (with the exception of the Thanksgiving closure, Nov. 26 - 29). In-person classes will have concluded, but students will be completing their semester and taking final exams. This time period also includes December Commencement and the faculty grading period.

• Academic buildings will remain open; however, card or key access may be required. More details will be shared soon.

• Employees will telework to the extent possible. For staff who do not have work available in the absence of students on campus, the university will work to support you with leave options to the extent possible.

Between Fall and Spring Semesters (Dec. 15 - Jan. 18)

During this time period, classes are not in session but the university will remain open (with the exception of the Winter Break closure, Dec. 24 - Jan. 1, and the MLK Birthday closure, Jan. 18). Spring semester classes begin on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

• Academic buildings will remain open; however, card or key access may be required. In addition, during this time period and as in past years, App State’s Facilities Operations will set campus building temperatures, with the exception of specialized lab buildings, to unoccupied mode to maximize energy and cost savings. More details will be shared soon.

• Employees will telework to the extent possible. For staff who do not have work available in the absence of students on campus, the university will work to support you with leave options to the extent possible.

Winter Break closure (Dec. 24 - Jan. 1)

The university will be closed during this time period.

• The 2020 university winter break includes two weekdays that are not university holidays – Wednesday, Dec. 30, and Thursday, Dec. 31. For these days, employees must apply accrued leave or perform approved alternate work. Alternate work may include community service, telecommuting and/or professional development. Visit the Office of Human Resources Holiday Schedule web page for information on all university holiday closures.

Communications and updates:

• Upcoming COVID-19 testing events: The university continues to offer free COVID-19 tests for App State students, faculty and staff at “pop-up” testing events every Saturday in September and October from noon - 5 p.m. in the Rivers Street Parking Deck. Both walk-up and drive-up testing will be available. No appointments required; however, you will be asked to show your AppCard. Visit the university’s COVID-19 Testing page for information on upcoming testing events and on-going testing for students, faculty and staff.

• Face Coverings in Response to COVID-19 Policy update: The Face Coverings in Response to COVID-19 Policy was updated on Sept. 22 to include revised Face Covering Requirements and additional Face Coverings Exceptions.

• How the Appalachian Police Department collaborates with local law enforcement during COVID and beyond: The Appalachian Police Department (APD) is assisting both the Boone Police Department and Watauga County Sheriff’s Office with monitoring, responding to and addressing off-campus gatherings that violate COVID-19 guidelines established by the state. Read more in a recently published AppalachianToday story. 

• Updates from Academic Affairs: In a Sept. 18 update to faculty, Dr. Mark Ginn, vice provost for undergraduate education, thanked faculty for “the incredible work you have done as we continue to provide a quality educational experience to our students in new and different ways.” The update also included reminders of ways to enhance interactions to online courses, as well as resources available for students who may be struggling. Read the update here.

• Additional campus updates and information:

• Messages from Chancellor Everts. Weekly updates affecting campus planning, preparations and responses to the pandemic.

• Read the previous COVID-19 update from App State. Key campus operations information, including safety and community expectations.

• App State’s coronavirus clearinghouse website, which includes the university's COVID-19 Dashboard 

Information coming soon:

• How App State students are encouraging COVID-19 safety and preparedness

• On-campus flu shots

• Virtual Homecoming events

• The upcoming election and impact on campus operations