App Strong. App Resilient.

On Nov. 23, Gov. Roy Cooper announced a new executive order tightening the existing face covering requirements for the state through Dec. 11. Phase 3 remains in effect, including all reduced capacity limits, sanitation standards and other restrictions. Review the FAQ document for details.

This week, the university transitions to the Remote Learning/Teaching Period (Nov. 25 - Dec. 14). This includes exams and virtual Fall Commencement on Friday, Dec. 11.

It is critically important that you continue to check your App State email over the break.

• Nov. 24: Last day of classes for the fall 2020 semester

• Nov 25 - Dec 14: Remote learning/teaching period, includes fall 2020 exams and faculty grading period.

• Dec. 3 - Dec. 9: All exams for the fall 2020 semester will be held online, with the exception of courses that require clinical or lab-based assessments.

• Dec. 15 - Jan. 18: The university will remain open with reduced operations with the exception of the Winter Break closure (Dec. 24 - Jan. 1) and the MLK Birthday closure (Jan. 18).

• Jan. 19: First day of spring 2021 semester classes.

Holiday and Winter Break Departure and Return Plan Key Reminders:

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the university’s Holiday and Winter Break Departure and Return Plan. Before traveling in North Carolina, review the COVID-19 County Alert System report.

Students, please take these actions before leaving campus

• If you are a residential student, return your room key prior to leaving. Review University Housing’s Residence Hall Closing Procedures page for more information.

• Return your textbooks either via a prepaid UPS shipping label by Dec. 15 or in person from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. 15 to the on-campus dropoff location (where books were picked up in August). On Friday, Nov. 20, full details were emailed to all students with rental textbooks.

• Return your parking pass if you will not be returning to campus in the spring for a prorated refund to your student account. The permit can be delivered in person or mailed, along with your Banner ID, to the Parking & Transportation office.

• Return your library books and materials. Turn in all materials borrowed from Belk Library and Information Commons, using any remote campus book drops or bringing them into the library. If you still need the items after winter break, you have the option to mail them back, or books and materials can be renewed online or on the phone. Technology equipment cannot be renewed remotely. 

Guidance for a safer holiday season

• The university recommends students, faculty and staff take these key action steps to have a safer holiday season.

• Local Public Health has shared these guidelines for limiting exposure and decreasing the spread of COVID-19 in our local community during the Thanksgiving holiday.

• Reach out for help if you are experiencing emotional distress of any kind. Counseling and Psychological Services for students will maintain current operations through Dec. 9. Students with urgent mental health needs should visit the Emergency Services webpage. A number of free, confidential resources are available for faculty and staff.   Additional details are available on the Health and safety on campus page of the university’s COVID-19 continuity website.

Transitioning to the Remote Learning Period and Preparing for Exams

The Remote Learning/Teaching Period is Nov. 25 - Dec. 14. This period includes exams, which will be held online from Thursday, Dec. 3, through Wednesday, Dec. 9. View the exam schedule here.

Building access and operations

• After Thanksgiving break, campus building access will vary — some buildings will be locked and will require a key or card swipe for access. From Dec. 11 - Jan. 11, most academic buildings will be locked for safety and security and will require a key or card swipe for access. Contact your department chair or administrator with questions. Please visit area websites for more information.

• Parking permit holders (students, faculty, staff) may park in any open lot, including parking decks, Nov. 23 - Jan. 18 regardless of permit type.

• Campus Dining will operate through Dec. 11 with reduced operations starting Nov. 25. The Meals for Mountaineers program will be available weekdays from Dec. 11 - Jan. 14 providing chef-inspired meals at no charge to App State students, staff and faculty in need.

• Student Health Service will operate through Dec. 11. 

Resources for students preparing for exams

• The Student Learning Center’s (SLC) Final Exam Plan will help you stay on track and organized. SLC’s Tutoring & Support Services page has other resources for students.

• Counseling and Psychological Services is offering virtual Pre-Finals Prep sessions daily Nov. 30 - Dec. 3 from noon - 1 p.m. These sessions will help you understand and manage test or performance anxiety.

• For students remaining in Boone during exams, Plemmons Student Union’s ballrooms, lounges and hallways will be available as on-campus study space through Dec. 11, with adequate space for social distancing — see facility hours.  Belk Library and Information Commons also will be open through Dec. 11, but group study rooms will not be available — see hours of operation. Legends will be closed.

Latest News:

• Tips for staying physically active this winter: App State’s Dr. Becki Battista offers seven tips for how to stay motivated with an exercise routine this winter. “Even 10-minute bouts sprinkled throughout the day can help,” said Battista, who teaches in the Beaver College of Health Sciences’ Department of Health and Exercise Science.

• App State vs. Troy (ESPN2): On Saturday, Nov. 28, at 3:30 p.m., the Mountaineer football team will take on Troy in Kidd Brewer Stadium. The game day preview will be published to the App State Athletics website on Friday, Nov. 27.

• App State Men's and Women's Basketball Spectator Update: In a Nov. 20 press release, App State Athletics announced that to begin the 2020-21 basketball season, App State will welcome 25 spectators to men's and women's basketball games. These 25 tickets will be reserved for App State basketball student-athlete families, and all spectators will be assigned a seat. Review the press release for additional information, including “Safety Precautions and Requirements” and “Team Safety Precautions.”

Additional Campus Updates and Information:

• Get tested:  Visit the university’s COVID-19 Testing page for all upcoming COVID-19 testing events, information about testing offered by Student Health Service, local test sites, a link to the NCDHHS No-Cost Community Testing Events page for no-cost events across North Carolina and other important information about COVID-19 testing.

• 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 website, which includes the university's COVID-19 Dashboard. 

Information coming soon:

• Guidance on telework and alternative work for staff during the Remote Learning/Teaching Period (Nov. 25 - Dec. 14) and between fall and spring semesters (Dec. 15 - Jan. 18).

• Preparing for spring 2021.