Fall 2021: Stay Vigilant. Be Resilient.

As the university continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation, please be sure to carefully and regularly review messages from App State.

As we enter the final weeks of the fall semester, please be sure you are aware of the dates below:

• Nov 24: University break for students - no classes
• Nov 25-26: State holidays - no classes, university closed
• Nov. 30: Last day of classes for the fall 2021 semester
• Dec. 1: Reading Day 
• Dec. 2-8: Exam period — view exam schedule
• Dec. 9-13: Faculty grading period
• Dec. 10: Fall 2021 Commencement

Chancellor Sheri Everts’ Nov. 19 update to campus will be shared later this afternoon.

Keep reading for full details on COVID-19-related updates and information.

Resources: 
App State's Coronavirus site • App State’s Fall 2021 Guide to Campus Operations • North Carolina’s COVID-19 Information Hub

Preparing for Thanksgiving Break

The university will not hold classes on Wednesday, Nov. 24, and will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Campus COVID-19 operations messaging will pause next week and resume the week of Dec. 3.

Thanksgiving week COVID-19 testing

• Next week’s on-campus testing clinics will be held Monday, Nov. 22 and Tuesday, Nov. 23 only.
  
  
• Unvaccinated students and employees are required to submit COVID-19 test results for the week of Nov. 22-27 if they are on campus at any time during the week.
  
  
• If you become fully vaccinated over the Thanksgiving break, upload proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status to be removed from the required testing pool.

Operations updates

• The Student Health Service clinic will close Nov. 24 at noon and will reopen on Nov. 29 at 8 a.m. The after-hours nurse line will be available at 828-262-3100 during the holiday closure.
  
  
• The Counseling Center will be closed Nov. 24-25. Emergency services will remain available — call 828-262-3180 and select the option to speak with the counselor on-call.
  
  
• Campus Dining will operate an amended schedule Nov. 23-28 — regular hours resume Nov. 29.
  
  
• University Recreation will be closed Nov. 24-27 and will reopen on Nov. 28 — view the schedule. 

Thanksgiving break travel and gatherings reminders

• CDC recommends avoiding any travel until you are fully vaccinated to decrease your chances of contracting or spreading COVID-19 — review CDC’s Travel page for travel-related resources and guidance. 
  
  
• Consider getting tested for COVID-19 prior to departing and after returning to the Boone area.
  
  
• Visit CDC’s Holiday Celebrations page for guidance on safer ways to celebrate the holidays.
  
  
• If you are vaccinated, talk with family and friends who are still unvaccinated about the benefits of the vaccine and consider taking them to get vaccinated over the holiday weekend.

COVID-19 vaccine record resources: 
Submit proof of vaccination • Get your COVID-19 vaccination record (NCDHHS) 

COVID-19 Testing resources:
COVID-19 Testing • Submit Your COVID-19 Test Results • Reporting COVID-19 Cases

Travel Resources:
University-sponsored Travel • Travel (CDC) • Holiday Celebrations (CDC) •  Small and Large Gatherings (CDC)

Preparing for the Final Exams and the End of the Semester

Preparing for final exams

Final exams will be held Thursday, Dec. 2, through Wednesday, Dec. 8 — view the exam schedule here. 

• The University Libraries will have extended hours during exams — see hours of operation.
  
  
• The Student Learning Center offers academic resources for students, including study and test prep strategies.
  
  
• Academic coaching, workshops and more resources for students are available on the Office of Student Success' Services for Students page.
  
  
• The student Counseling Center offers a variety of counseling services, including Emergency Counseling Services, and has resources to support students heading into the final weeks of the semester. 

Additional resources for students:
Case Management • Academic Affairs • Mountaineer Food Hub & Free Store • Career Development Center • Wellness and Prevention Services

Concerned about a student?

These resources are available for faculty and staff who are concerned about students:

• The Office of Student Success’ Quick Referral Guide outlines resources and explains the referral process and options. Not sure if you should refer? Please do. If you have a concern, it’s best to share it.
  
  
• The Counseling Center’s How to Help page offers guidance on helping and referring students in distress. 

Preparing for winter break

• Residence halls will close for the winter break on Dec. 9 at noon. University Housing will share move-out instructions with students living in residence halls soon.
  
  
• On-campus testing clinics will continue through the end of the semester. The last on-campus testing clinic will take place at Legends on Dec. 22 from noon to 4 p.m.
  
  
• Unvaccinated students and employees will be required to submit COVID-19 test results if they are on campus at any time leading up to and/or during the break.

During winter break

If you have not done so already, to protect yourself and your loved ones ahead of holiday travel and gatherings:

• Get a flu vaccine! A new CDC study shared that flu activity is increasing in some states, especially among young adults.
  
  
• Get a COVID-19 vaccine, booster or additional dose!

If you become fully vaccinated over the break, upload proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status to be removed from the required testing pool.

COVID-19 Testing resources:
COVID-19 Testing • Submit Your COVID-19 Test Results • Reporting COVID-19 Cases

Flu vaccine resources:
Flu vaccine finder • Flu vaccine guidance (CDC) • Flu vaccine guidance (NCDHHS)

COVID-19 vaccine resources: 
COVID-19 Vaccines • Get your COVID-19 vaccination record (NCDHHS) • Vaccines for COVID-19 (CDC) • COVID-19 Vaccine Information (NCDHHS)

Looking Ahead to Spring 2022

Spring move-in for students living in residence halls

• Residence halls will reopen for the Spring 2022 semester on Jan. 7 at 8 a.m. University Housing will share spring move-in instructions with students living in residence halls closer to that time.
  
  
• Students living in residence halls will be required to upload proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status or submit a negative COVID-19 test result prior to move-in. 

Spring 2022 COVID-19 testing

• On-campus testing clinics will continue during the Spring 2022 semester.
  
  
• All unvaccinated students and employees will continue to be required to submit COVID-19 test results each week.
  
  
• Remember: If you become fully vaccinated over the break, upload proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status to be removed from the required testing pool.

Operations updates

• Campus face covering requirements are continually reevaluated, and App State will continue to follow CDC community transmission guidance.
  
  
• If you are planning to participate in university-sponsored travel next semester, review App State’s University-sponsored Travel page for the latest travel guidance and requirements.

COVID-19 Testing resources:
COVID-19 Testing • Submit Your COVID-19 Test Results • Reporting COVID-19 Cases

Travel Resources:
University-sponsored Travel • Travel (CDC) • Travel FAQ (CDC) • Holiday Celebrations (CDC) •  Small and Large Gatherings (CDC)

Additional Information

Please remember the global pandemic is dynamic and continues to be a rapidly developing situation. Continue to read your App State email regularly — the latest information is also posted to App State’s Coronavirus site.

• The university adjusts COVID-19 safety protocols, procedure and policy according to the latest federal, state, local and UNC System guidance.
  
  
• Following CDC guidance, App State uses county-based community spread data to determine when requirements, such as wearing face coverings on campus, can be lessened or lifted.  

Additional resources:
Latest Updates • Face Coverings • COVID-19 Vaccines • Reporting COVID-19 Cases • COVID-19 Testing