March 2023

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, March 31, 2023

  As March comes to a close and we look ahead to the final weeks of the spring semester, students are enjoying the sunshine on Sanford Mall, Mountaineer baseball games and spring flowers. Each year at this time, we celebrate the annual iBackAPP giving event and host Spring Open House, and as the state biennial budget negotiations are underway, we are closely following the progress.

  Next week, App State will hold its 10th annual iBackAPP giving celebration on April 5 and 6. This 36-hour event focuses on the many ways to support the students, faculty and staff who are making real and powerful differences in the world through their teaching, research, service and support.

  During last year’s iBackAPP event, more than 2,700 donors from 34 states broke all-time university records for this event, raising nearly $1.3 million for 185 programs. During this 10th anniversary year, we know we can break records again.

  From supporting student scholarships, to ensuring students in need have emergency funds; from helping build App State’s next solar vehicle, to helping students conduct climate research in the Blue Ridge and the Andes mountains and cancer research in the lab; from supporting the arts, to supporting athletics — there are hundreds of ways to give. 

  On April 5 and 6, we are asking everyone to wear their black and gold, share their App State stories and support on social media and make a gift of any size to any area on campus. Like no other university event, iBackAPP shows the power of many Mountaineers coming together to collectively make a tremendous impact for the entire App State Community. Please wear your black and gold, make a gift if you can and, most importantly, share the power of your App State experience to change the world.

  Tomorrow, we will hold Spring Open House on the Boone campus for prospective students and their families, and later this month, we will hold Hickory Campus Open House. We look forward to welcoming more than 5,000 prospective students and their families to the Boone campus this weekend! These are important opportunities for prospective and newly admitted students to meet faculty and current students, learn about majors and academic programs, explore campus and the nearby community, learn the important specifics about financial aid, scholarships, the admissions process, housing and meal plans, and find out more about what student life is like at App State. Thank you to the many faculty, staff and students who come together to create this special App State showcase.

  We are closely monitoring the state budget process. Gov. Cooper released his budget proposal a few weeks ago and our attention now turns to the House and Senate, where the process to finalize the budget is underway. As the state budget process begins to be negotiated, it is important to note that this is the first step in the process and that there are a number of additional steps before a final budget is realized. It is not unusual for early budget drafts to change considerably during the process. I will keep you updated as the process continues to develop.

  Next Friday, April 7, is a state holiday, and the university will be closed. I hope everyone will be able to enjoy a long weekend with loved ones before the final push to the end of the semester.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, March 24, 2023

  The second half of the spring semester is underway, and commencement is only seven weeks from today. As our soon-to-be graduates prepare for commencement, soon-to-be-students are on campus today, interviewing for our signature scholarships. All are looking ahead to the promise that awaits them as each App State Experience begins or takes them to their next step.

  We are welcoming parents and families of our students to campus for Spring Family Weekend. A full slate of events, taking place on the Boone campus and in the community, includes App State Baseball playing a three-game home series against the Georgia State Panthers. At tonight’s game, App State will dedicate the scoreboard to alumnus and UNC System Board of Governors member Philip Byers, who generously donated the scoreboard for the most beautiful field in college baseball. Gov. Byers will throw the first pitch, and I’ll be there to inaugurate a new, App State-branded T-shirt launcher.

  Today, we welcomed App State’s Board of Trustees to the Boone campus. I provided the board with a comprehensive review of the advancements App State is making at both campuses, inside the classroom and beyond. Key highlights include:

  Accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students, including —

  • chemistry assistant professor Dr. Michael Reddish, who earned the largest National Institutes of Health grant in App State’s history;
    
    
  • the Reich College of Education made App State the top alma mater in the nation for the number of National Board Certified Teachers — for the seventh consecutive year, topping the record they set last year; and
    
    
  • App State student-athletes earned their 21st consecutive semester of a cumulative grade-point average exceeding 3.0, with 65 earning inclusion on the Chancellor’s List and 125 earning placement on the Dean’s List.

  Vice Chancellor of University Advancement Jane Barghothi and her team continue to raise the bar for fundraising. To date, we have received nearly $29 million in new pledges and cash gifts — which is close to $3.5 million more than at this time last year.

  I also shared a capital projects update, including progress on the Innovation District, Wey, Duncan and Peacock halls, and the Holmes Convocation Center Parking Deck.

  My full remarks may be found here.

  The board also approved recommendations for faculty promotion and tenure, as well as faculty emeritus status for each college, which will be effective July 1. Additionally, among other items, the board approved the use of carryforward and education technology fees to renovate Katherine Harper Hall in order to consolidate photography labs that are currently in two locations: Wey Hall and Katherine Harper Hall. Construction is expected to begin later this semester and be concluded prior to the start of the fall 2023 semester.

  I’m very pleased to announce that Dr. Troy Johnson will join my leadership team as App State’s first Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management, effective April 1. Troy comes to App State from The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), a Carnegie R1, Hispanic-Serving Institution of more than 40,000 students, where he currently serves as vice president of enrollment management.

  At UTA, Troy has led more than 200 staff working in a comprehensive undergraduate, graduate and international set of enrollment offices, managed community partnerships and overseen federal TRIO programs.

  Troy has a demonstrated history of success in enrollment management and a record of ensuring that students and their families are able to access higher education. His additional experience as a teaching faculty member informs his collaborative approach to meeting universitywide enrollment goals.

  As we look to the future, we must be extremely diligent with our enrollment strategy and laser focused on meeting the higher education needs of our state. Elevating this role to the vice chancellor level will ensure we have the resources and talent in place to leverage App State’s solid history of enrollment growth.

  Troy will lead the Office of Admissions, Office of the Registrar, Office of Transfer Admissions and Engagement, and Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships. Charged with oversight of the institution’s enrollment management plan, he will work closely with my senior leadership team and me to establish enrollment goals and estimate annual resource generation, and will support the development of university marketing strategies that are managed and implemented by University Communications. He will provide strategic enrollment management for the institution, collaborating across campus and coordinating campuswide student access and success initiatives. I know you will all join me in welcoming Troy to App State. 

  Read the full announcement about his appointment here.

  I’d like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Mark Ginn, who, in addition to his extensive duties as Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education, has taken on the oversight of enrollment management since December 2022.

  App State’s stellar reputation continues to grow, earning our status as the premier public undergraduate institution east of the Mississippi.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, March 17, 2023

  As Spring Break for students and faculty comes to a close, App State staff took a couple of hours yesterday afternoon to enjoy a short break from their office, building and facilities work to connect with one another and have some fun at a St. Patrick’s Day-themed Staff Connect event.

  From the Watauga County mountains to the Catawba Valley, spring weather can vary considerably! As snow was falling on the Boone campus earlier this week, springtime blooms were on the trees at the Hickory campus. Considerable progress continues in both locations, as we continue building our physical infrastructure to enhance the App State Experience and support the university’s strategic plan, as well as App State’s goals and metrics associated with the University of North Carolina System’s strategic plan.

  In an update to the App State Hickory Campus Advisory Council last week, we reviewed the many ways in which we are putting the $9 million state budget allocation for Phase One renovations to the building to good use.

  Legislative support has been very strong, and we greatly appreciate their support and the investment from the taxpayers in North Carolina. As I advocate for additional funding, I remind our good friends at the General Assembly of App State’s strong track record of delivering projects on time and on budget — all while providing an unparalleled, affordable, public college education. With a vibrant and modern Hickory campus, we will continue to fulfill our promise of providing access to higher education to help make the future brighter and local economies even stronger.

  • With the first allocation of $9 million, we are spending about one-third of the funds on immediate repairs and replacements to the HVAC system, replacing the building lighting with more efficient, cost-effective LED lighting, repairing the plumbing and electrical systems and replacing the building’s automation, fire alarm and control systems. We are also completing renovations to the main floor of the building, which will house classrooms, a library, offices for faculty and staff and common spaces for studying and collaborative work.
    
    
  • About one-third of the $9 million is going toward significant IT upgrades appropriate for a modern, academic setting. These will include high-speed wired and wireless access, as well as student workspaces that have the latest in collaborative technology.
    
    
  • The remaining third of the Phase One renovation funding will be used to replace the 30-year-old roof with a new, energy-efficient membrane roof that is designed to accept future solar arrays.

  Facilities, IT, Student Affairs and Academic Affairs team members have been working hard to renovate, upgrade and staff the Hickory building while also ensuring operations on the Boone campus remain first-rate, and we appreciate their dedication to our collective vision for App State’s future.

  At the Boone campus yesterday, I hosted a High Country Community Leaders Breakfast, during which my leadership team and I provided an update on capital projects and student housing.

  Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management Nick Katers reviewed the status of several major current projects, including:

  • The Innovation District, including faculty and staff housing.
  • The Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research.
  • The Appalachian 105 project.
  • The Arts Corridor.
  • Wey Hall.
  • Edwin Duncan Hall.
  • Newland Hall.
  • The Peacock Hall Addition and Renovation.
  • The Holmes Center Parking Deck.

  The status of these projects, timelines for completion and funding sources, as well as how they support UNC System goals and metrics, can be found on the App State’s Future website.

  At the same meeting, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs J.J. Brown provided an update on student housing.

  • To meet anticipated demand for on-campus housing in August, App State has entered into a service agreement with the Sleep Inn in Boone to use their facility for student housing during the 2023–24 academic year.
    
    
  • Additionally, we are modifying the timing of renovations to Newland Hall, which will allow us to keep the beds in that building in our inventory.

  Together, these actions will ensure that we have more than 300 additional beds in our on-campus housing inventory in the fall. Additionally, we are updating our Housing Master Plan to address additional identified housing needs with the possible addition of on-campus housing.

  For App State students who wish to stay off campus — in Boone or in Hickory — our App State Off-Campus website features a housing database to keep current and prospective students and their families informed of off-campus housing options.

  Next week begins the second half of the spring semester, and we look forward to welcoming students and faculty back to campus.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, March 10, 2023

  This week students took a break from studying for midterms to enjoy warmer weather and outdoor activities on Sanford Mall. As students and faculty head into Spring Break next week, these signs of early spring also signify a halfway point in the semester. App State students will spend their Spring Break in a variety of ways: working, traveling, engaging in service experiences and visiting with family and friends. We look forward to their return to classes — refreshed and ready for a strong finish to the semester.

  It’s been a busy week on both App State campuses. On Tuesday, Chief Diversity Officer Jamie Parson and I hosted a reception celebrating our campus Affinity Groups to continue our work in cultivating diversity and inclusion at App State. These groups are an important part of our university, and their presence boosts employee job satisfaction, morale and productivity while providing valuable networking opportunities.

  This morning, members of the North Carolina Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation and the Winston-Salem Scottish Rite Valley joined us for a tour of the App State Hickory campus. During their visit, NC Scottish Rite Deputy Gene Cobb and Alex Edmisten, a 2003 alumnus and chairman of NC RiteCare, presented me with a donation for App State.

  Scottish Rite organizations in North Carolina have contributed to our university for more than 60 years — collectively investing more than $2 million dollars in support of clinics, scholarships and programs related to communication disorders and reading education. This latest contribution builds on their support for App State areas such as the Charles E. and Geneva S. Scott Scottish Rite Communication Disorders Clinic, the Anderson Reading Clinic and App State’s two lab schools — the Academy at Middle Fork and Academy at Elkin, as well as scholarships for graduate students in the Beaver College of Health Sciences and Reich College of Education. We greatly value this sustained support, which has helped generations of North Carolinians.

  This afternoon, I convened a meeting of the App State Hickory Campus Advisory Council, at which I, along with Provost Heather Norris and Associate Vice Chancellor Nick Katers, provided an update on Hickory campus developments and progress. This council represents the collaboration between App State and business, education, government and civic leaders from Hickory and the surrounding area. These individuals have been vital in our efforts to ensure the academic programs we offer at the Hickory campus will meet the area’s educational needs. We updated the council on upgrades and renovation progress for the facility and shared the educational programs and student support services that will be available to Hickory students when classes begin in the building — in just five months.

  Following the meeting, I hosted a reception and building tours for the council and additional community leaders representing various business, government, civic and education organizations within the Greater Hickory area. We have been warmly and enthusiastically welcomed by Hickory and the surrounding communities, and our partnerships with these leaders have assisted in developing strategic, thoughtful and collaborative opportunities that align the needs of the area with App State’s mission to increase access to education. We, along with our partner educational institutions in the area, are providing opportunities that will change students’ lives and the lives of their families.

  When classes resume after Spring Break on March 20, Spring Commencement will be only eight weeks away. The weeks ahead hold promise and excitement for our soon-to-be graduates, our current students and those who will soon join the Mountaineer community.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, March 3, 2023

  During a special ceremony on Monday, Cierra Bell, a first-year student from Shannon, North Carolina, who serves as president of App State’s Student American Indian Movement, and Dr. Seth Grooms, assistant professor of anthropology, represented an important partnership between App State and the Lumbee Tribe when they unfurled the Lumbee tribal flag in the International Hallway of App State’s Plemmons Student Union. 

  The flags on display in the International Hallway represent the home countries and nations of students, faculty and staff who are currently at App State. They serve as a welcome to them and to inform the community about App State’s diversity of representation. The Lumbee flag is now a permanent addition to this display.

  The Lumbee Tribe is the largest American Indian tribe in the eastern United States and App State acknowledges the importance of its nearly 60,000 members, who live in North Carolina, to our state and our university community. Cierra and Seth, both members of the Lumbee Tribe, shared remarks at the event, which was attended by about 150 students, faculty, staff and representatives of the Lumbee Tribe. You can read more about the event here.

  As covered by the Hickory Daily Record, on Tuesday evening, App State held an information session for prospective students interested in enrolling at the Hickory campus. These students and their families were able to tour the facility and learn about scholarships and financial aid, courses that will be available at the campus this fall and what it means to be a part of the Mountaineer community. We also held an information session for high school guidance counselors in the area this week, with another for community college counselors this morning. Feedback from these sessions has been enthusiastic, with terrific engagement by those who have attended.

  Next Friday, March 10, I will convene App State’s Hickory Campus Advisory Council, at which time we will provide an update on the educational opportunities and student services that will be available to Hickory students this fall, as well as the progress of the building’s upgrades and the construction timeline to ready the building for classes to begin in August. This group of business, education, government and civic leaders from Hickory and the surrounding area has been invaluable in the planning process for App State’s Hickory campus.

  The Hickory community has been incredibly welcoming and supportive as we have built and grown our presence in the area. With the finish line for this initial phase of our new campus in sight, I look forward to meeting with the Hickory Campus Advisory Council to share these updates and continue our momentum.

  I am always pleased and proud when the successes of Mountaineers are recognized on a national stage. Meredith Lindsey Draughn, a 2015 graduate of the Reich College of Education’s Master of Arts in professional school counseling program, was recently named the 2023 National School Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association. She is the first counselor from North Carolina to receive this national recognition and we extend our congratulations to her!

  With Spring Break only a week away, students, faculty and staff are diligently working toward the midpoint of the semester, while also enjoying some mild weather and a few early spring flowers. I wish everyone a productive and successful midterm season.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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February 2023

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, February 24, 2023

  This week, students brightened the days of their peers with colorful notes sharing positive messages in the student union, dining halls and library. This “Positive Post-it Note” effort of student leaders, supported by Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs J.J. Brown, was designed to spread messages of hope and encouragement across campus.

  On Saturday, more than 50 students participated in service for area nonprofit organizations as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event partnered students with area nonprofit organizations and encouraged them to reflect on the legacy of service inspired by Dr. King. The event, now called Mobilize the Mountains, has been an App State tradition for 23 years and has inspired similar programs at colleges and universities across the nation. This year the event has been extended to six days of service, with the next opportunity to participate being held Saturday, March 25. This is an excellent opportunity for students to engage with their community and learn from the many organizations that serve our region, and I encourage students to continue to participate in upcoming events.

  App State’s Hickory campus was bustling on Saturday, as our Alumni Affairs and Admissions teams partnered to host an event for alumni in the area and an admissions information session for prospective students and their families. We hosted nearly 150 attendees and afterwards enjoyed watching App State win their second game of the season at the beautiful L.P. Frans Stadium in Hickory. Nearly 11,000 App State alumni live in the Hickory metro area communities — we thank them for their enthusiasm for App State’s Hickory campus and offer special thanks to App State’s Catawba Valley Alumni Chapter for their support. We will continue offering information sessions in Hickory throughout the spring and summer.

  The first round of decision letters has been sent to students who applied to attend App State in Hickory, and I see terrific progress on the building each week. For phase one of this project, we were allotted $9 million by the state legislature, which we are using for renovations and repairs to ready the building for August.

  On the Boone campus, we are preparing for renovations to Wey Hall and Edwin Duncan Hall to begin this spring and summer, respectively. At Wey Hall — which houses App State’s Department of Art — renovations are slated to begin next month and to be completed in summer 2024, before the start of the fall semester. Renovations for Edwin Duncan Hall — home to the Dean’s Office of App State’s College of Fine and Applied Arts, as well as many classrooms, labs and offices utilized by departments across the university — will begin this summer, with an anticipated completion date of spring 2025. Faculty and staff offices will be housed in East Hall during the renovations, while classes and labs will be taught in various academic buildings across the Boone campus.

  These capital improvement projects have already received funding through the best biennial budget in university history, and we greatly appreciate this support, which will help us meet App State’s demands for continued educational needs and student success.

  My leadership team and I continue to look to the future. The six-year capital projects plan for App State, which we submitted to the UNC System last fall, includes:

  • future phases of renovations and construction on the Hickory campus;
  • replacing I.G. Greer Hall with a state-of-the-art Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) building;
  • continued renovations of Peacock Hall, to include a transportation hub and the daylighting of Boone Creek; and
  • continuing to add academic buildings to the Innovation District.

  These projects remain priorities as we seek additional state funding.

  Earlier this month, the App State a cappella groups Treble Attraction and VoiceMale competed in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. The two ensembles represented App State at one of only two global tournaments that showcase the art of student a cappella. This is just one of many ways App State encourages student engagement and helps build memories that will last a lifetime.

  Each day brings new opportunities for App State and our students, faculty and staff. As we look to the future, we are strategic in our efforts to position our great university to continue to serve the people of North Carolina as the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, February 17, 2023

  Warm temperatures and beautiful weather brought students out onto Sanford Mall this week, and the energy is invigorating! App State Baseball opens their season at Hickory’s L.P. Frans Stadium today at 5 p.m. against the Queens University Royals, and while it’s still February, it’s beginning to feel like spring at App State!

  This weekend App State will host several events in Hickory:

  • Today, App State’s Catawba Valley Alumni Chapter will host a Mountaineer picnic at the ballpark.
    
    
  • Tomorrow morning, App State’s Alumni Affairs team will host a brunch with Yosef at the Hickory campus, which will include an information session for prospective students, a tour of the new building and photo opportunities with Yosef. We are expecting more than 100 people to join us for this fun, family-friendly event.
    
    
  • Tomorrow afternoon, the first pitch is at 1 p.m. for the second game of the three-game series against Queens University.

  Nearly 11,000 App State alumni reside throughout the Hickory area, and we look forward to showcasing the Hickory building to them, as well as to prospective students and their families and friends this weekend, while enjoying some App State Baseball.

  Next week, the first round of decision letters will be sent to students who have applied to attend App State in Hickory. We are so pleased to offer our newest Mountaineers our Hickory First Scholarship, in celebration of the inaugural year of our new campus. The scholarship is open to first-year and transfer students who enroll at the Hickory campus in 2023 and is designed to help incoming students offset their educational expenses during their first year. This $2,000 scholarship is available to the first 500 students who meet the academic requirements and enroll at App State’s Hickory campus for 2023. App State has a variety of scholarships available to our incoming and returning students, and we are pleased to include this special scholarship among them.

  We have updated the App State Hickory website, which includes a new video promoting the Hickory campus.

  Yesterday, my leadership team and I met with the Faculty Senate's Chancellor Advisory Committee, and we had an informative and engaging discussion about App State Athletics. Director of Athletics Doug Gillin shared information about the funding sources and operating expenses for App State Athletics. We also discussed some of the changes in the college athletics landscape, including the benefits of the Sun Belt Conference realignment, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of earned media exposure from the College GameDay visit last fall and opportunities and challenges associated with NCAA regulation changes. It was a good discussion, and we appreciated the opportunity to share some key facts and figures.

  Opportunities to gather and enjoy the company of one another, engagement with our alumni, events for prospective students and discussions around key topics with faculty are part of our daily life at App State. These important interactions help build our community, make the App State Experience the best it can be and contribute to what makes our university such a special place.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, February 10, 2023

  This week I traveled to Washington, D.C., to express appreciation to our federal representatives in Congress and share the many ways we are working to serve students all across our state. App State also co-hosted a reception — along with the UNC System, East Carolina University, Fayetteville State University, NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University and Wake Forest University — in honor of North Carolina delegation members and staff.

  This was an important opportunity to speak with our nation’s leadership about the incredible accomplishments of App State’s faculty, staff and students — specifically, Rep. Virginia Foxx, who chairs the Education and the Workforce Committee, Walker College of Business alumnus Sen. Ted Budd, who was just named to the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and Rep. Patrick McHenry, of NC District 10, who represents the Catawba County and Hickory Campus area and serves as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. I shared many examples of students, faculty and staff contributing to the strength of our community, state and nation. We look forward to additional opportunities like this, including the potential for App State faculty and staff to share their expertise and their work at a federal level.

  As the momentum for opening the App State Hickory Campus continues, we are excited to extend special scholarships to students who are enrolling at the campus for its first year. This scholarship, which will be available for first-year and transfer students who enroll at the Hickory Campus in 2023, will help incoming students offset their educational expenses during their first year. We are pleased to offer the “Hickory First” scholarship, in the amount of $2,000, to the first 500 students who meet the academic requirements and enroll at App State’s Hickory Campus for 2023.

  Today, Provost Norris convened the Spring 2023 Faculty and Staff Meeting. In addition to remarks from Dr. Andy Koch, representing Faculty Senate, and Sarah-Davis Cagle, representing Staff Senate, Provost Norris shared an impressive update about App State’s academic enterprise, details about the Hickory Campus and progress on meeting our new performance metrics that align with the UNC System strategic plan. You can read Provost Norris’ remarks here.

  The accomplishments Provost Norris shared today speak to the dedication and passion our faculty and staff share for student success. Thank you for the contributions you make every day to the future of our state, nation and world.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, February 3, 2023

  This week we began holding information sessions for prospective students interested in enrolling at the App State Hickory Campus. These sessions provide detailed information for those exploring their options to earn a four-year degree while living in the Catawba Valley area. In the fall, we will make available more than 100 undergraduate majors on the Hickory Campus — all designed to meet the educational needs of the area.

  • While the building is still undergoing significant renovations to prepare for the arrival of students in the fall, we were able to showcase model classrooms and the site of the future library.
    
    
  • Academic Affairs and Student Affairs teams are staffing the building every weekday, and we are hiring additional support staff, including staff to help specifically with advising needs for Hickory students.
    
    
  • Academic Affairs will soon begin hiring faculty members to teach on the Hickory Campus. Provost Norris has been meeting with Deans regarding faculty positions, and for fall 2023, we have 23 new, full-time-equivalency faculty positions to meet the needs for the Hickory Campus.

  I applaud the extra efforts of the staff from Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, who are supporting prospective students, our Information Technology Services team members, who are building the technological infrastructure in the building, and the many members of our Facilities Operations teams, who are not only keeping the Boone campus operations running smoothly but who are also cleaning, renovating and upfitting the Hickory building to ready it for students in August. Each day shows demonstrable progress and we thank you!

  Yesterday, we welcomed widely respected public health leader, health equity and policy expert, educator and researcher Daniel E. Dawes to campus as the keynote speaker for App State’s 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration. During his visit, he met with student groups, including App State’s Fleming Scholars. He concluded his visit with a public presentation about his work, as well as the legacy of Dr. King, that was attended by students, faculty, staff and members of the broader community.

  This week, Walker College of Business Dean Sandra Vannoy and I met with a peer review team from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business as part of a five-year reaccreditation process. The AACSB offers the most recognized specialized accreditation that an institution and its business programs can earn, and the Walker College has been continually accredited by the organization since 1976. We are proud of this long-standing recognition, which conveys adherence to the highest standards of excellence and includes us among the best business schools in the world. AACSB accreditation signifies important outcomes compared to non-AACSB accredited business schools:

  • Students have higher graduation rates, first destination rates and starting salaries when they graduate.
    
    
  • Faculty earn higher salaries and demonstrate higher levels of collaborative research.

  The reaccreditation process has required significant preparation from the college’s faculty and staff, and we appreciate the dedication of those who have been working diligently on the process. We look forward to providing you with an update soon.

  Congratulations are in order for the Reich College of Education, which has been named the top alma mater in the nation for the number of National Board Certified Teachers — for the seventh consecutive year. Accomplishing this feat seven years in a row speaks to the college’s dedication to preparing future educators, which includes post-graduation mentorship, guidance and professional development opportunities. The influence of App State educators is strong in every county in the state, and we are proud that the majority of our alumni stay in North Carolina, contributing to their communities through their leadership and service well after they graduate. Congratulations to Dean Spooner and the faculty and staff in the Reich College of Education for your devotion to our current students and alumni, and congratulations to our nationally certified alumni. I am immensely proud of your accomplishments and commitment to excellence.

  I extend my sincere thanks to App State faculty and staff for your dedication to your students, your community and your profession, and to our students for your passion, diligence and commitment to becoming the next generation of leaders.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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January 2023

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, January 27, 2023

  With February on the horizon, I’d like to remind you of a key university event coming up on Thursday, Feb. 2, as App State invites the greater community to join us for the keynote address of our annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., given by Daniel Dawes. Dawes is a health care and public health leader and a health equity and policy expert who has focused his research and career on understanding the root causes of racial health disparities, building awareness and advocating for racial health equity. He will speak about his work and the legacy of Dr. King, and we look forward to his address.

  As we continue to innovate to meet the needs of our state and region, quality institutional assessment is key to App State’s continued success.

  Last year, after an extensive, campuswide collaborative development and review process, App State adopted a new, five-year strategic plan, which will guide our university through 2027.

  • App State’s Strategic Plan 2022-2027, “Empowering Human Potential through the Appalachian Experience,” recognizes App State as a long-established public institution that honors our founding commitment to educational access and excellence and our rural mountain heritage through teaching, research and service.
  • It addresses our fundamental purpose of teaching, research and service; our key pillars of sustainability and resilience and diversity of thought, belief and community; and our priority to invest in our employees.
  • Assessment tools for our university strategic plan will include a universitywide financial plan, climate action plan, strategic plan for the research/creative endeavors enterprise, diversity, equity and inclusion plan, and a comprehensive fundraising campaign.

  App State’s strategic plan is, of course, tied to the UNC System strategic plan.

  • The UNC System strategic plan, “Higher Expectations,” includes strong emphases on educational access, degree efficiency, closing equity gaps, addressing student mental health, better serving adult students — including veterans and military-affiliated North Carolinians, meeting critical workforce needs and reducing student debt.
  • Assessment metrics for the System strategic plan include campus-based performance metrics. App State’s performance will be assessed using:
  • The institutional four-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time bachelor’s degree-seeking students;
  • Undergraduate degree efficiency — the number of undergraduate degrees awarded by an institution per 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) undergraduates;
  • First-time students’ debt at graduation;
  • Transfer students’ debt at graduation;
  • Education and related expenses per degree; and
  • Four-year graduation rate for Hispanic/Latine students.

  These assessment tools and metrics reflect our commitment to increase access to a high-quality, cost-effective App State education. Provost Norris will provide additional details about these metrics at the Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting next month.

  On Tuesday, I hosted a delegation from Project Kitty Hawk, a full-scale resource created to help UNC System institutions better attract, retain and meet the needs of adult learners over the age of 25. The Project Kitty Hawk team shared information about their goals and anticipated resources with my leadership team and me. As we work to help meet the statewide educational attainment goal of ensuring that 2 million North Carolinians have a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree by 2030, we appreciate knowing the resources that will be available through Project Kitty Hawk.

  I thank our faculty and staff for remaining steadfast in your commitment to educate future leaders and for your ability to turn challenges into opportunities.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, January 20, 2023

  With the first week of classes for 2023 underway, campus is bustling again! It’s wonderful to have students and faculty back on campus. I hope everyone is settling into their routines, and I know we are all looking forward to a successful semester.

  This week my leadership team and I attended the UNC System Board of Governors meeting in Raleigh. I presented an update to the board on App State’s Hickory Campus, sharing App State’s long-standing history in the Hickory area, the vision for the future, a summary of the initial facility improvements and our plans for its opening this fall. We greatly appreciate the continued support of the Board of Governors and the legislature as we continue to expand access to an App State education in the Hickory area. Applications are now open for the Hickory Campus, and staff are on-site Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to assist students who wish to enroll at the campus.

  Vice Chancellor Layzell presented an update on our progress and a development timeline for App State’s Innovation District, and the board unanimously approved our request to authorize public-private partnerships to develop affordable faculty housing and a zero-carbon renewable energy system for the district. These projects are public-private partnerships and will not rely upon state funds or any capital from the university.

  • For the development of faculty and staff housing located in the Innovation District, App State will enter into a ground lease with Beyond Owners Group, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation, which will develop approximately 156 multifamily, multistory residential units on campus through firms who will develop and operate the properties. The residential units will provide housing for App State employees, offering below-market rates. In our highly competitive housing market, we expect this to positively impact our ability to recruit and retain talented faculty and staff. Construction for the faculty and staff housing project will begin this summer and units are expected to be ready for occupancy in 2025.
    
    
  • For the development of the zero-carbon district energy system, which will begin to transition the Boone campus away from steam power, App State will enter an agreement with Harrison Street Real Estate LLC. Harrison Street will develop, construct and operate a net-zero carbon district energy system, which will generate and distribute energy to support the planned buildings in the Innovation District, including the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research and faculty and staff housing. The energy system is expected to become operational in 2025.

  In a time of rising energy costs, the zero-carbon district energy system will not only supply a stable source of energy, it will also contribute significant savings in avoided energy costs for the university. App State has long been a leader in this regard, with the university’s annual Appalachian Energy Summit serving as a model for bringing together representatives of the UNC System, energy managers and government and industry leaders to educate, inform and develop best practices. 

  Because of the work accomplished at the summit, as of 2021, the institutions in the UNC System, together with industry partners, have avoided $1.6 billion in utility costs. App State’s proportion of these savings is $62.4 million.

  Since fall of 2002, we have reduced our energy use by 47%, exceeding the goal in Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 80: North Carolina’s Commitment to Address Climate Change and Transition to a Clean Energy Economy to reduce energy consumption per square foot in state-owned buildings by at least 40% by 2025.

  On Monday, in her update to the Faculty Senate, Provost Norris will provide an update on the Hickory Campus and share information about our new campus-based performance metric, which was recently approved by the UNC System. We both look forward to the annual Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting, hosted by Academic Affairs, on Friday, Feb. 10, in the Grandview Ballroom of Kidd Brewer Stadium’s north end zone building.

  Congratulations are in order for the nearly 8,000 App State students who earned the distinction of being named to the Chancellor’s and Dean’s lists for the fall 2022 semester, and for our student-athletes, who earned a cumulative GPA above 3.0 — continuing a record for the twenty-first consecutive semester. Thank you to the App State faculty and staff, who work diligently to support the academic success of all of our students. 

  As App State continues to build upon its long-standing history of leadership and innovation in higher education, I recognize that the achievements made by our faculty, staff, students and alumni are grounded in passion, hard work and dedication. Thank you for your contributions in making App State the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, January 13, 2023

  As we begin a new year and a new semester, I welcome those of you who are joining the App State Community for the first time, and welcome back those returning from the winter break. I hope everyone was able to rest and spend time with loved ones over the holidays, and are invigorated and ready for the many exciting opportunities ahead in 2023.

  Later this afternoon, we will send an update with key information to help navigate the coming semester, including important resources, what to expect when winter weather impacts campus operations and health care reminders.

  On Monday, the university will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and classes for the spring semester begin on Tuesday. We will continue our university tradition of celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by presenting an evening with Daniel Dawes, our 2023 MLK Commemoration speaker, on Feb. 2, and a day of service to the community on Feb. 18.

  Next week, at the January meeting of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, I will share an update on App State’s Hickory Campus. We are busily preparing for the opening of the Hickory Campus to students in August. Our new building is staffed weekdays from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. with members of the Admissions and Student Affairs teams to help answer questions from prospective students and their families who wish to enroll at App State’s Hickory Campus.

  In fall 2023, more than 100 undergraduate majors will be available for students who wish to begin or continue their four-year degrees at App State. Among the many on-site services, first-year and transfer student support and assistance will include admissions, advising, career services, financial aid and tutoring.

  This year, we will also begin construction on the first phase of the Innovation District on the Boone campus. Construction of the first building — the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research — is anticipated to begin this summer. Later in the year, construction will begin on more than 150 faculty and staff housing units in five residential buildings, to help address a demand for affordable employee housing. The district’s zero-carbon renewable energy infrastructure will be integrated with the construction of the academic and housing facilities.

  This spring, we will also begin:

  • Renovations to Wey Hall, built in 1976 and home to the Department of Art, which offers more than 100 course sections to approximately 1,400 students. The building’s classrooms are also used for general education and first-year seminar courses. Construction is slated to conclude in late summer 2024.

  • Renovations to Newland Residence Hall are slated to begin in May, with a target completion date of August 2024.

  • After the App State basketball teams’ seasons conclude, work will begin on the new 600-space parking deck at the Holmes Convocation Center. The parking deck is anticipated to open for the fall 2024 semester.

  These campus infrastructure projects are ensuring that we are able to grow and change, carrying forward our deep commitment to our academic mission, the quality of the App State Experience and service to students and the people of North Carolina. We thank our lawmakers in Raleigh for their support of these endeavors and for the best biennial budget in university history, which is funding many of these projects. You can find full information about these projects and more on our App State’s Future website.

  Whether you are new to App State or have been part of our growth and progress for some time, you are part of a special place that carries forward with pride the mission of our founders — providing access to education through a community of teachers, learners and mentors who support and inspire one another.

  I wish you all the best as we begin 2023, and look forward to our bright future together.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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December 2022

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, December 16, 2022

  Today we are celebrating Fall Commencement. As nearly 1,500 graduates mark a defining moment in their academic careers, they join more than 142,000 App State alumni who are contributing to their communities across the state, nation and world.

  As I have shared many times, presiding over commencement exercises is my favorite duty as Chancellor. It is the ultimate celebration of our shared success. App State commencements showcase countless examples of academic excellence, world-changing research and achievements that reflect engagement beyond the classroom.

  Graduates, your perseverance and innovation have brought you to this day. You are uniquely positioned to make real and powerful differences in your communities and for our world. Congratulations on the successes you have achieved — we know you have many more in your future.

  You will always be part of the ever-growing App State Community. Please stay connected to your alma mater — we look forward to hearing your stories as you continue to move forward, representing App State as our most enduring legacy.

  Thank you to the faculty, staff, family and friends who have taught, mentored, supported, sustained and assisted the graduates we celebrate today. They have not reached this day alone, and as we honor them, we also honor you.

  As we celebrate the end of a successful semester and look to new beginnings, I wish each of you a peaceful holiday season.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, December 9, 2022

  The last day of classes was Tuesday; the final exam period began yesterday and continues through next Wednesday; Commencement is a week from today; and final grades are due by 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19. We are officially in the midst of the end-of-semester crunch!

  This time of year can be stressful, and there’s a robust support network available for the entire App State Community, including:

  • The Mountaineer Meal Share and Food Hub/Free Store programs for students and employees.
    
    
  • Exam preparation assistance; wellness resources and counseling services — including 24/7 crisis support — for students.
    
    
  • Counseling services and other employee assistance programs for permanent and temporary faculty and staff.
    
    
  • Additionally, the Appalachian Cares website offers an abundance of campus resources for the wellness, health and safety of App State Community members.

  If you or someone you know is in need of any of these resources, please reach out.

  Six App State students recently returned from a trip led by Chief Sustainability Officer Lee Ball and Department of Economics Chair and Professor Dave McEvoy to attend COP27, the 27th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference. The three-week conference took place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and was attended by heads of state of nearly every nation in the world — 190 countries were represented by more than 35,000 delegates. After a rigorous, multiyear qualification process, App State is now included in a group of official observers, giving our students a front-row seat to the complex problem-solving taking place at this preeminent annual conference. Attending this conference was a capstone experience in a course designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental issues regarding climate change, the negotiations process and the political dynamics of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. Creating classroom-to-actualization experiences is part of what sets App State apart as the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, and these kinds of experiences prepare our students to be skilled problem-solvers in the future.

  At the App State Board of Trustees’ December meeting last Friday, Chief Diversity Officer Jamie Parson presented App State’s Diversity and Inclusion Annual reports for 2020–21 and 2021–22. Each university in the UNC System is required to present annual reports on its diversity and inclusion operations and activities to its Board of Trustees. As Jamie reported, the diversity and inclusion work we do on our campus every day has tremendous impact not only with the students we educate, but also in the communities to which they return to live, work and serve. Her presentation focused on defining diversity at App State, the impact on the institution’s diversity and inclusion goals, staff with diversity and inclusion responsibilities, the institutional budget for diversity and inclusion operations and activities and App State’s signature diversity and inclusion programs. I encourage you to read the annual reports and watch the CDO presentation to the Academic Affairs committee on Dec 2.

  Yesterday, we were joined by a delegation from the North Carolina General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division, who toured both the Boone and Hickory campuses and joined my leadership team and me for a discussion about App State’s many accomplishments, an overview of our progress in utilizing allocations from the best budget in university history and a capital projects update, which is one component of the UNC System’s six-year capital projects plan. These were updates I also shared with the Board of Trustees on Dec. 2. It was a thoughtful and engaging discussion, and I appreciated this team’s interest in App State.

  This afternoon I will join a reception celebrating App State’s ranking as the No. 1 university for National Board Certified Teachers for the sixth consecutive year. We are so proud to celebrate App State’s recognition as the country’s educational leader in National Board Certified Teachers. App State not only prepares future educators to serve the communities where they live and work, but also continues to mentor and guide our alumni with professional development opportunities, especially in their early careers. Thank you to Dean Spooner and the faculty and staff in the Reich College of Education for your hard work and devotion to our current students and alumni, and congratulations to our Board Certified alumni. I am immensely proud of your accomplishments and commitment to excellence. Accomplishing the No. 1 status once is an honor to your alma mater — doing so six years in a row is truly incredible!

  The hard work, dedication and passion for excellence of App State students, faculty, staff and alumni solidify our status as the premier public undergraduate university in the Southeast. Thank you all for the contributions you make every day.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, December 2, 2022

  The last day of classes for the semester is Tuesday. Students, faculty and staff are busily working to complete assignments, preparing for final exams and readying for Commencement ceremonies on Dec. 16.

  On Tuesday, we held a holiday celebration for faculty and staff. The beautiful Grandview Ballroom was filled with nearly 400 employees who were catching up, sharing stories, networking, laughing and getting some business done over a glass of wine, live music and excellent food, including a s’mores-making station, and a silent auction to benefit scholarships for App State staff and their dependents. This was the largest attendance ever for our holiday party. The room was full of energy from passionate and engaged employees who are excited about their work, and it was invigorating!

  Yesterday, App State’s Foundation Board met on our Boone campus to discuss the successes of 2022 and the many ways we can continue to generate private funds in support of our students and our academic mission.

  Scholarship support remains a top fundraising priority. It is critical to our remaining competitive in the higher education landscape and to fulfilling our mission of increasing access to education for the people of North Carolina. Nearly 70% of App State students rely on some form of financial assistance to pay for college. The global pandemic amplified the need for financial support for students from rural areas, those who are first-generation college students and students from underrepresented populations, in particular. In the last fiscal year, we raised more than $36 million in support of our students, and nearly 40% of our students received scholarship support.

  Today, I hosted App State’s Board of Trustees at our App State @ Hickory Campus. During my report to the Board, I highlighted faculty, staff and student accomplishments, provided a capital projects update and reported on progress toward opening the Hickory Campus to students in fall 2023. I also reported on our plans to ensure more than 300 additional beds for new first-year and transfer students who wish to live on the Boone campus in fall 2023.

  App State is ready to help meet a need for educational attainment in the Hickory area with a high-quality, affordable degree from the premier public undergraduate educational institution in the Southeast.

  Partnerships with the City of Hickory and other local government, education, civic and business leaders in the area have allowed us to hold listening sessions with many constituency groups representing Hickory and the surrounding areas. Through these, and the meetings of the App State @ Hickory Advisory Council, which has representation from key leaders in the Hickory area, we have learned much about what the area needs and expects from its state university.

  • High school students who want to get a four-year degree at App State will be able to do so at the Hickory Campus without paying room and board expenses.

  • Students with associate degrees who want to earn a degree in business will be able to do so at the Hickory Campus.

  • Adult learners who have started a degree but had to “stop out” of college before completing their degree will be able to take the classes they need in Hickory to graduate from App State.

  I invite you to read my full remarks to the Board here.

  Our progress in the last year has been accomplished by our combined hard work and dedication, bolstered by the best biennial budget and the best fundraising year in university history.

  I am proud to champion our shared goals and accomplishments.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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November 2022

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, November 18, 2022

  With a chill in the air and Thanksgiving Break approaching next week, the final push toward the end of this busy semester is upon us.

  It’s the time of year when we look to traditions, and today I enjoyed participating in a tradition that has been going strong at App State for 42 years. The AppKIDS service project, which is organized by our Staff Senate, supports local children in need with an annual shopping trip, providing them with winter clothing, school supplies and hygiene items. I was honored to host 100 local kindergarten–12th grade students who participated in our 2022 AppKIDS shopping program for lunch and provide each of them with a book. The students also enjoyed a science demonstration by Reich College of Education’s Jeff Goodman, senior lecturer in the media studies and science education programs; a presentation by Dr. Baker Perry, professor of geography and a National Geographic Explorer, on his Mount Everest expeditions; visits with Team Sunergy, App State Police, the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences and other campus representatives; photos with Yosef; and special access to the football field at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Those of us who have volunteered to spend time with these children can tell you this is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. Some of our staff who were beneficiaries of this program as children now volunteer as shoppers.

  During the UNC System Board of Governors meeting held earlier this week, I participated in a panel discussion, along with NC State Chancellor Woodson, N.C. A&T Chancellor Martin and UNC Pembroke Chancellor Cummings for the third discussion in a series on the changing landscape of public university leadership, led by Gov. David Powers and moderated by PBS North Carolina’s David Crabtree. I was privileged to join this group of longest-serving Chancellors in the UNC System as we shared our perspectives.

  The Board recognized two members of App State’s police department who received Awards of Valor during a ceremony on Nov. 10. Capt. Johnny Brown and Officer Tylor Greene were honored for their acts of bravery and heroism. On behalf of the entire App State Community, I congratulate them on this well-deserved honor and extend our thanks for their outstanding service to App State and the greater community.

  The Board also approved a new performance-based funding model for System institutions. This new funding model will incentivize enrollment growth as well as student outcomes that include university productivity, affordability, graduation rates and align with the goals outlined in the Board’s 2022–27 Strategic Plan. As it has been developed, discussions around this new funding model have been taking place on our campus and across the System. We will continue to share updates on the funding model and what it will mean for App State.

  This week our campus celebrated International Education Week — a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment. At App State, it is a celebration of the global engagement that takes place throughout the year. Events included educational discussions, films, career development opportunities and multiple international art exhibits.

  Throughout the week, our veterans and heroes had opportunities to experience several programs, displays and resource showcases during Veterans Week. These were terrific opportunities to socialize and build community, as well as to engage in professional development and preparation for career advancement. The week’s events conclude with a silent auction benefiting our Student Veteran Resource Center this evening, a Heroes Day Tailgate tomorrow and a celebration of veterans, members of the military, law enforcement officers, first responders and other heroes during the Mountaineers football game against Old Dominion. I look forward to seeing our veterans and heroes, as well as our senior players, featured tomorrow during the Mountaineers’ final home football game.

  As flu season intensifies, I encourage everyone to get flu shots and COVID boosters, stay home if you are feeling unwell and get medical attention if symptoms progress. Time and again, we have demonstrated we will do what it takes to keep our campus healthy. Let’s all be sure we continue doing so in order to finish the semester strong.

  Next week, App State will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving, and I wish everyone a safe and happy break. I am thankful for our App State Community and the incredible contributions you have made to our university — and beyond. 

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, November 11, 2022

  Each year on Veterans Day, we hold a ceremony to express our gratitude to all veterans, and to our campus heroes in particular. It is our honor to recognize their service and selfless dedication to sustain our country and protect freedoms worldwide.

  We are proud to honor the 255 student veterans, 93 active-duty military students and 72 staff and faculty veterans who enrich our campus community each day. With nearly 700 military spouses and children enrolled, App State is among the UNC System institutions with the highest enrollment of military dependents and spouses. We honor their sacrifices as well.

  App State has earned longstanding recognition as a Military Friendly School, and for providing support and valuable resources to military-affiliated students and active-duty service members. We consider it a privilege to uphold our commitment to their success.

  This morning, U.S. Army Reserve veteran and graduate student Morgan Gibbard spoke at our annual Veterans Day ceremony. Morgan is pursuing a Master of Social Work after graduating from App State in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in the same field. Morgan, who is from Boone, continues a family tradition of military service that goes back five generations. She served in the U.S. Army Reserves for nine years and was a combat medic in Kuwait.

  We thank Morgan for representing App State veterans at our ceremony this morning, and we thank all veterans for their service to our country.

  App State’s 2022 Veterans Week continues through Nov. 19 with events programmed by Student Veteran Services and other campus groups to honor and support students, faculty and staff who served — and continue to serve — in our armed forces.

  Last week, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs J.J. Brown led a trip of student leaders who traveled to Washington, D.C. The group had an opportunity to network with App State alumni living and working in the area, enjoy our national museums and monuments, and engage in a service project at East Potomac Park, led by App State alumnus and retired Army National Guard Staff Sgt. James Pierce ’09. We are so pleased to be able to provide students with opportunities to build community and engage in service-learning experiences with one another and develop important professional connections with App State alumni.

  On Monday, I hosted this month’s Staff Connect, and this afternoon the November Faculty Club reception will take place in the Plemmons Student Union Solarium. I am pleased to sponsor these events, which allow our faculty and staff casual opportunities to interact with their professional colleagues and develop connections that make App State an even stronger community.

  Earlier this week, members of my leadership team and I met with representatives from the Faculty Senate Chancellor’s Advisory Committee. The primary topic of discussion was the UNC System’s ongoing evaluation of university programs. Last year, legislation was passed charging the UNC System with a study of all System programs. This project is underway, with representation from each UNC System university and the Faculty Assembly at regular meetings with the research partners engaged to conduct and present data to System leadership and the Board of Governors. During this meeting, we also discussed Provost Norris’ most recent meeting with the App State Faculty Hickory Task Force. This group has developed a report with recommendations after reviewing and synthesizing input from all of the Hickory listening sessions. Provost Norris will provide a summary of her meeting with this faculty task force at the Nov. 14 Faculty Senate meeting.

  I am pleased to share that App State is one of five University of North Carolina System institutions awarded $3.4 million in grant funding from the National Science Foundation to support the recruitment and success of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Beginning in spring 2023, the program will support 100 App State students over the course of the grant’s five-year period. Each student scholar will receive a $2,000 scholarship per year, as well as $3,000 to conduct summer research under the direction of a faculty mentor.

  Tuesday night opened the 2022–23 season for our App State men’s and women’s basketball programs. The men opened with a big win over Warren Wilson on Tuesday night, scoring the most points in App State history, while the women played strong in a game against UNC Charlotte that went into double overtime. Tonight, our volleyball program will host the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana at the Holmes Center, where veterans will again be recognized.

  As we take time today to thank the brave individuals who have served our country through their military service, I encourage you to reach out to veterans in any way you can. On this day and throughout the year, let’s take the time to listen closely to the stories and needs of our veterans and thank them for their service to our country.

  On behalf of the students, faculty and staff of App State, thank you!

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, November 4, 2022

  This week, Dr. Jennifer Dalton, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders/speech-language pathology at App State, was among three faculty members announced as 2023 Faculty Fellows by the University of North Carolina System.

  Along with colleagues at N.C. Central and Western Carolina universities, Dr. Dalton will spend a year researching teaching methods and best practices, focusing on how the pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of higher education within the context of culture, workforce and technology. We look forward to hearing about their findings during academic conferences in 2023 and 2024. Congratulations to Dr. Dalton on earning this professional recognition for her work.

  Last week, we recognized the 2022–23 class of Fleming Scholars and celebrated alongside the many visionary individuals who make their scholarships possible. The Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship was established by alumni and named in honor of Dr. Fleming ’80 ’84, a two-time graduate of App State and the university’s first cabinet-level chief diversity officer, for his many contributions to App State. The Fleming Scholarship, now in its eighth year, is a merit-based program that covers full in-state tuition and fees for up to four consecutive years. Our outstanding Fleming Scholars represent Dr. Fleming’s legacy and dedication to the advancement of diversity and inclusion at App State, and I look forward to watching them develop as leaders in the university community and beyond.

  On Wednesday, App State was again recognized by the Sun Belt as having the best overall graduation rate in the conference. This speaks to the success of all of our students, including our student-athletes. Congratulations to all of our students, and to the faculty and staff who teach, mentor and support them every day.

  For the second consecutive year, App State will be represented at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference. Six App State students are traveling with Chief Sustainability Officer Lee Ball and Department of Economics Chair and Professor Dave McEvoy to the conference, held this year in Egypt. These students are enrolled in a study abroad course that aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental issues regarding climate change, the negotiations process and the political dynamics of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. This is incredibly valuable real-world experience, and I am proud that App State continues to be represented at this preeminent international conference.

  As planning for the App State @ Hickory Campus continues, this week Provost Norris, along with members of her leadership team, met with a task force of faculty representing each of App State’s degree-granting colleges and schools. This team has been reviewing and synthesizing feedback about the Hickory Campus. They continue to contribute and provide feedback as Academic Affairs begins implementing academic programs and services for the fall 2023 semester. Next week, when the Provost and I, along with several of my Vice Chancellors, meet with the Chancellor’s Faculty Senate Advisory Committee, we will continue discussions regarding logistics and planning with them as well.

  Nearly 125 years after being founded to provide access to education in the rural areas of our state, we continue this legacy, building upon it to foster groundbreaking research, to provide students with meaningful, global experiences, and to expand our capacity to continue to serve the people of our state and our region.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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October 2022

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, October 28, 2022

  Homecoming celebrations are in full swing, and I always enjoy seeing the App State Community — representing our past, present and future — coming together. Welcome home, Mountaineers!

  Thank you to the teams in Student Affairs and Alumni Affairs for working together to present a terrific week of events for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the broader community.

  This week, students enjoyed a Homecoming kickoff party on Sanford Mall, which included a service component — students raised funds and donated winter clothing and blankets to members of our local community while also raising awareness about homelessness in the area. The week’s “APP2K” student activities have been themed around the time period of the 2000s, and activities throughout the week have included the popular banner-making and lip-synch competitions.

  Our Homecoming Parade down King Street begins at 6 p.m. and will be led by this year’s grand marshals — Jerry Moore, who served as the Mountaineers’ head football coach from 1989 to 2012, and former quarterback and 2009 graduate Armanti Edwards.

  Other signature events include:

  • APPtoberfest celebration and pep rally.
    
    
  • App State’s Band of Distinction’s Homecoming Spectacular.
    
    
  • Saturday's Alumni and Friends Breakfast, during which we will celebrate alumni from the 1970s and the Class of 2002.
    
    
  • The Homecoming football game against Robert Morris University at Kidd Brewer Stadium, during which we will recognize members of the Class of 1972.

  I hope everyone will be able to enjoy these and the many other events scheduled through the weekend.

  Yesterday, we celebrated scholarship recipients who are receiving support from the Golden LEAF Foundation. During the celebration, we heard from two of the 65 Golden LEAF Scholars currently attending App State: Sarah Edmondson, a senior anthropology major from Shiloh, and Sydney McKeaver, a senior from Siloam majoring in elementary education with a concentration in exceptional learning. Sarah and Sydney spoke about the impact their scholarships and mentorship experiences has had in helping them establish their careers and set ambitious goals for the future.

  Nearly 70% of App State students rely on some form of financial assistance to pay for college. The global pandemic amplified the need for financial support for students from rural areas, those who are first-generation college students, and students from underrepresented populations, in particular. In the last fiscal year, we raised more than $36 million in support of our students, and nearly 40% of our students received scholarship support. As we all know and understand, education changes lives — for generations. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in support of our students. Your gifts are making real and powerful differences.

  This week, App State recognized three students and a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy for receiving 2022–23 North Carolina Space Grants from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The program supports aeronautics and space-related science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. I congratulate and wish them continued success in their research. The recipients are:

  • Dr. James Sherman, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
    
    
  • Ethan Barber, a senior from Durham, majoring in applied physics.
    
    
  • Matthew Allen, a second-year graduate student from Chapel Hill, who is pursuing a Master of Science in engineering physics.
    
    
  • Samuel DeMay, a second-year graduate student from Charlotte, who is pursuing a Master of Science in engineering physics.

  Last week, Provost Norris and I were pleased to celebrate two faculty members who are the recipients of our Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity awards:

  • Dr. David Koppenhaver, professor in the Department of Reading Education and Special Education, received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. His research focuses on literacy in individuals with high-intensity needs, including children with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and Rett syndrome. His teaching and research have contributed to improved understanding, enhanced teaching methods and the development of new diagnostic assessments in special education.
    
    
  • Dr. Maggie Sugg, associate professor and departmental honors director in the Department of Geography and Planning, received the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. Her research focuses on how health relates to environmental, socioeconomic and climatic determinants. Her research provides insights into environmental-health diseases, highlighting both at-risk populations and the place-based conditions that lead to adverse health outcomes.

  Last week, I was treated to a tour of App State’s Makerspace in Belk Library. This is a terrific resource for students, faculty and staff to access an array of creative materials, tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters, and workshops on how to use them. Thanks to the generosity of the Freiman family, this is yet another way App State supports the innovation and creativity of our students and employees.

  With the second half of the semester underway, I am reminded of how quickly a semester can pass! I hope you can find time to enjoy the seasonal change as it arrives, and continue to take advantage of the many and diverse extracurricular opportunities — from art exhibits and service experiences, to recreation activities — that complement our renowned academic programs. I wish everyone a great Homecoming weekend.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, October 21, 2022

  Crisp weather greeted those who returned to classes this week after a long Fall Break weekend. The cool weather and remaining fall color made a perfect setting for App State’s win over Georgia State in Kidd Brewer Stadium Wednesday night.

  Last week, Academic Affairs continued campus listening sessions to discuss the academic offerings for the App State @Hickory Campus. On Friday, I hosted meetings with key leaders and advisors in the Hickory area, including the App State @ Hickory Advisory Council at our Hickory Campus.

  In these meetings and listening sessions, we followed up on numerous previous listening sessions regarding academic programs and services for the App State @ Hickory Campus. Discussions have been focused on:

  • Business offerings, to include accounting, finance, information technology, management, marketing and supply chain management.
    
    
  • Elementary education teacher preparation.
    
    
  • A physical location for students to participate in and faculty to teach for App State’s online B.S. in Veterinary Technology.
    
    
  • Interprofessional clinical services for the area through App State’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Institute for Health and Human Services.
    
    
  • Growing our applied design programs at the North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies building in Hickory.

  The progression of our preliminary vision includes:

  • Expansion of business offerings, through data analytics and financial literacy, hospitality and tourism, and more advanced accounting, information technology, marketing and management offerings.
    
    
  • Additional health sciences programs, including nursing, public health and social work, and programs focused on rural health care to meet the needs of the region.
    
    
  • Broad-based professional studies to provide opportunities for adult learners to complete their degrees.
    
    
  • Programs and courses offered through the Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment.
    
    
  • General education courses, as well as major-specific courses needed for students to complete their degrees efficiently, will be offered in accordance with demand.
    
    
  • Engineering, cybersecurity and aviation are in our long-term discussions, and we are reviewing our current academic offerings to evaluate current courses as foundational pieces for these programs in the future.

  Services that will be offered on site at the Hickory Campus range from admissions, advising and transfer student services, to tutoring and career development. Discussions about additional services include child care and on-site student health care, performing and visual arts, a data science center and opportunities for community and corporate engagement.

  You can view the slides Provost Norris and Vice Provost McKenzie have developed to summarize this information here.

  Provost Norris and I continue to seek input as we refine upcoming and long-term plans to develop programs and services that align the needs of the Hickory area and App State’s mission and academic goals. You can share your thoughts with us here.

  During the UNC System’s Board of Governors meetings this week, the new funding model for the UNC System campuses was discussed. The Board determined they would continue to discuss the proposed methodology and accept additional feedback, and deferred action on the proposed funding model at this time. 

  Provost Norris and I will recognize the recipients of the Chancellor's and Provost's Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity this afternoon. I established these awards in 2019 to honor faculty members who have demonstrated superior achievement in their fields of expertise. I look forward to celebrating their significant accomplishments this afternoon, and to sharing more information about the awardees soon.

  Next week, we will welcome alumni back to Boone for Homecoming 2022. With events scheduled for alumni, students and the greater community, festivities begin Monday, Oct. 24, and conclude Saturday, Oct. 29, with the App State football game against Robert Morris University.

  I appreciate every opportunity to celebrate the many accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students, to come together as a university community to share in good times and to plan for a bright future that will benefit many generations to come. Enjoy the weekend, and I know we are all looking forward to next week.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, October 14, 2022

  Today, on the App State @ Hickory Campus, we held a Community Leaders Breakfast for business, government, civic and educational leaders in the Hickory area. This afternoon, I hosted the second meeting of the App State @ Hickory Campus Advisory Council.

  These meetings continue discussions, conversations and listening sessions focused on the academic offerings for App State’s Hickory Campus, which have included members of the North Carolina General Assembly, civic and community development leaders, and representatives from local government entities, higher education, K–12 schools and business. Internally, they have also included App State faculty, Academic Affairs leadership and key staff responsible for student services and infrastructure support. More than 400 individual comments were gathered and synthesized from a variety of sources.

  As we prepare to open the App State @ Hickory Campus to students in fall of 2023, these meetings and listening sessions are informing the programs and services we will offer. We are developing strategic, thoughtful and collaborative program offerings that align the needs of the Hickory area with the academic goals, missions and opportunities in each of App State’s academic colleges.

  In fall 2023 the App State @ Hickory Campus will offer business, education and online vet tech programs, as well as interprofessional clinical services for the area through App State’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Institute for Health and Human Services. We will also grow our Applied Design programs at the North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies building in Hickory.

  Engineering — in many forms — and aviation have also come up in multiple conversations, and some of our current academic offerings could provide a foundation for these programs in the future.         

  We will continue to seek input as we refine upcoming and long-term plans. Beginning next week, Academic Affairs will follow up on last week’s listening sessions with faculty and staff, and we will share more about the vision for academic offerings on the Hickory Campus in the coming weeks. The campus community is invited to continue to provide thoughts and feedback on the academic offerings for the Hickory Campus using the feedback form on the App State @ Hickory Campus webpage.

  As we continue developing the academic offerings and services that will be on the Hickory Campus in the fall and beyond, we are moving forward with building renovations. We are installing more signage, and we are also making upgrades to the building’s interior and exterior, including:

  • new IT installations;
  • transforming the environment into a dynamic academic setting;
  • significant upgrades to the roof and building envelope; and
  • upgrades to the heating and cooling system, as well as to electrical and plumbing, and building automation systems that run lights, security and other critical system operations.

  In the coming weeks and months, we will make improvements to the parking lots, add interior wayfinding and electronic signage, add grab-and-go food vending machines and make other, more visible, upgrades. Once the renovations to the roof, building envelope and HVAC systems are completed, we will initiate an energy audit for the building.

  In November, many employees will see a pay increase or bonus reflected in their paychecks, as we are taking every opportunity to increase compensation as allowed by the state legislature and the UNC System.

  The 2022 Appropriations Act funded a Labor Market Adjustment Reserve in the amount of $2.45 million for App State. Guidance from the UNC System and the Office of State Human Resources strongly encouraged that these funds be used to address critical workforce needs among those staff categorized as SHRA and EHRA non-faculty. Under this guidance, App State implemented these increases:

  • SHRA employees with a 2021–2022 overall performance rating of Meets Expectations or higher saw an increase in compensation to 95% of the market rate for the career-banded classification level of the position. We took additional steps to develop a separate compensation structure for police officers at App State.
  • For EHRA non-faculty in non-highly paid positions, we are also working to address critical workforce needs.

  Additionally, I allocated $1 million from enrollment growth funds for Academic Affairs to award one-time, performance-based bonuses to meritorious faculty. Academic Affairs has been working with Deans, who were encouraged to give special consideration to faculty members who are farthest from the 75th percentile of market data and are exceeding expectations.

  Yesterday, I hosted a High Country Community Leaders breakfast, during which we provided information about:

  • our recent Child Development Center expansion, which nearly doubled its capacity;
  • the addition of 500 student beds in our newly completed residence halls;
  • progress on new parking spaces planned and underway;
  • plans for the new Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research;
  • the development of faculty and staff housing units, which will help meet App State employees’ housing needs amid housing scarcity and cost inflation in Boone; and
  • a zero-carbon district energy system that will begin to transition campus away from steam power. National organizations are interested in working with us on this innovative project, and we are exploring renewable energy options that will establish a national example for sustainable energy solutions.

  Information about all of these projects is available on the website App State’s Future.

  The Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Division of Student Affairs are offering the campus community the opportunity to engage with peers, faculty and administration about topics related to free speech, which will take place over the next three weeks. I hope everyone will take advantage of these important opportunities to engage in important conversations. Look for an email coming soon from Dr. Jamie Parson and Jeff Cathey, who serve as App State’s Free Speech Responsible Officers, with more information about how you can participate.

  Indeed, this semester has seen many opportunities for members of the university community to engage in important conversations. This week, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and App State Athletics brought together individuals from diverse identities for conversations that inspire change and build unity within our campus community, and the AppalFRESH Collaborative gathered App State Community members for a fresh, locally sourced meal, live music and an engaging and important discussion about sustainable food issues.

  As faculty and students head into Fall Break, I recognize some of our faculty and students will be working during this academic break. I hope all of our students and faculty can find some time for rest and relaxation over the long weekend, and my continued thanks to our staff who ensure our university remains fully operational during this time.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, October 7, 2022

  It’s been a beautiful fall week as the weather cools, and the leaves have begun changing colors in the mountains.

  Last week, it was my pleasure to welcome more than 120 participants in the eighth annual Appalachian Safety Summit. For nearly a decade, this summit has been an important resource for business leaders, employees and communities, offering the most current research and training on workplace safety by some of the top researchers and practitioners in the world. I am so pleased that App State could provide both a venue and the expertise these professionals could draw upon to further develop workplace safety cultures in their organizations. Proceeds from participant registration support graduate students in the university’s Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management program — more than $45,000 has been invested in our students to date. Thank you to Dr. Tim Ludwig for leading the event, and thanks to all who made it a success!

  Last Friday, members of my leadership team and I joined the participants of the Chancellor's Academic Leadership Development Program for a discussion and reception. I began this program in 2015 to provide assistance for selected App State faculty and staff as they further develop their leadership capabilities, and it has become a sustaining mechanism through which academic leadership at Appalachian State University is identified, broadened, strengthened and developed.

  On Monday, members of the App State Community will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful, structured dialogue, as part of our Making of Mountaineers series. The panelists for Monday’s discussion are North Carolina Senator Deanna Ballard and App State alumni Tim Futrelle ’10, Mayor of the Town of Boone, and former Charlotte City Council member Larken Egleston ’17. The event will be facilitated by Dr. Phillip Ardoin, Professor in the Department of Government and Justice Studies.

  As we continue our planning for the App State @ Hickory Campus to open to students next fall, we have held numerous meetings with key leaders in the Hickory area. Our discussions thus far have involved advancing educational attainment for the Hickory area.

  • In July, I held the first meeting of the App State @ Hickory Advisory Council — a group of business, education, government and civic leaders from Hickory and the surrounding area — to discuss the area’s needs and how we can meet them with academic offerings.
    
    
  • Provost Norris and her Academic Affairs leadership team have taken the information from these listening sessions and meetings and have worked to align them with the academic goals, missions and opportunities in each academic college.

  Common themes that have emerged include innovation, arts and culture, recreation, child care, student support, and academic areas that include business, education, health care, engineering, design and building sciences. There are also numerous possibilities for the Hickory area to engage with the university’s sustainability initiatives.

  • On Tuesday and Wednesday, Academic Affairs will hold additional listening sessions to ensure we have full feedback as we develop strategic, thoughtful and collaborative program offerings. Find details here.
    
    
  • Next week I will host a town-gown meeting for Hickory area community leaders as well as a meeting of the App State @ Hickory Advisory Council. Our partnerships with the City of Hickory and other local government, education, civic and business leaders in the area have been vital to ensuring the programs we offer at the Hickory Campus will meet the educational needs of the region.
    
    
  • We invite you to share your ideas about the academic programs you think should be housed at the App State @ Hickory Campus. We will continue to seek input as we refine upcoming and long-term plans.

  I look forward to sharing more updates with campus about our progress toward determining the planned program offerings at the App State @ Hickory Campus next week.

  Opportunities to gather with and gain insight from the members of our university community, as well as from local and regional leaders, allow App State to continue its mission of educational access and excellence — to ensure greater success as we continue serving our surrounding communities and the state of North Carolina for many years to come.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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September 2022

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, September 30, 2022

  The App State Community’s thoughts are with the residents and families coping with Hurricane Ian and with our students and alumni from areas hit by the storm.

  As we look forward to the families arriving for App State’s Family Weekend, we are monitoring the storm’s path. The safety of our campus community is our highest priority.

  • App State’s Department of Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management expects some heavy rain, but at this time we are not anticipating impacts significant enough to change campus operations. That said, preparation is our best defense against unexpected situations.
  • In the event of a change in campus operations, we will post updates to the university’s homepage and our Emergency Management team will notify campus via email.
  • The university’s current operational status is always posted to appstatealert.com.
  • Additionally, we utilize an emergency messaging system, AppState-ALERT, to provide App State students and employees with timely information in the event of a campus emergency using desktop alerts, email, web alerts, a campus siren warning system and text and voice messaging. Students and employees can register for AppState-ALERT text and/or voice messaging here.

  Family Weekend events begin later today. I always look forward to this opportunity to have so many of our students’ families enjoying campus and Boone. For some, it is a chance to reminisce about their time on campus; for others, it is an opportunity to see the App State Experience through the eyes of their first-generation college students.

  A mix of fun, exciting and informative events are planned for the weekend, including:

  • a handmade market and family square dance;
  • a special brunch for alumni families whose children are currently attending App State;
  • information to help begin planning for off-campus student housing;
  • the App State women's volleyball game vs. Coastal Carolina;
  • the Parent and Family Services Tailgate; and, of course
  • the Mountaineers football game vs. The Citadel.

  Throughout this weekend, and at many other university events, App State’s Student Ambassadors will be present, offering their perspectives and an insider’s guide to App State. This group of undergraduate students serves App State as official student representatives for the Office of Admissions, the Alumni Association and the Office of the Chancellor. Their enthusiasm for and love of the university radiates throughout their conversations, and I appreciate their dedication to showcasing our university to visitors and guests.

  This week, my leadership team and I met with the Faculty Senate Advisory Committee. We discussed Carnegie Classifications and ways we can work together to better serve the interests of the App State faculty. I appreciate the time, dedication and insightful contributions these faculty representatives continue to bring to our regular conversations.

  Also this week, I hosted representatives from the Town of Boone and Watauga County for a Town-Gown meeting — a regularly scheduled meeting at which we connect with local government officials to discuss matters of importance shared by the university and our surrounding communities. Joining me were members of my leadership team, including App State’s police chief, Andy Stephenson, and our emergency management director, Jason Marshburn, who outlined our regular emergency planning and coordination measures, which include routine partnerships and collaborations with the police and emergency management teams in our surrounding communities.

  Over the last few weeks, we have also celebrated several members of the App State community:

  • Last week, I hosted a reception for members of our campus Affinity Groups. These groups offer App State faculty and staff opportunities to network and foster relationships with other colleagues with shared identities. They also advance professional development and contribute to a positive, inclusive work environment.
  • Earlier this month, we inducted new members into App State’s Athletics Hall of Fame. Congratulations to these outstanding former student-athletes for becoming the 47th class to earn this honor:
  • Bob Allsbrook (men’s tennis, 1979–83).
  • Ed Boyd (football, 1981–84).
  • Walt Braine (wrestling, 1965–69).
  • Susan McDanald Love (women’s tennis, 1979–83).
  • Merryll McElwain (women’s golf, 1993–97).
  • Stethane Pipkins (women’s track and field, 1987–90).

  During the induction ceremony, president of the Former Athletes Association Ken Davis ’80 ’81 also received the association’s Special Service Award for his many contributions to the university and the community.

  • Also this month, App State recognized App State honorary alumnus and generous benefactor G.A. Sywassink by dedicating the Walker College of Business Sywassink Room for Academic Excellence. For more than three decades, his numerous contributions — through scholarships, endowments, professorships and establishing the Sywassink Excellence Award — have empowered App State students, faculty and staff, helping them achieve their educational and professional goals.

  The accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff and alumni continue to inspire the members of our university community, as well as those who will become Mountaineers in the future. I am honored to support your work and celebrate your many achievements.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, September 23, 2022

  Since the beginning of the semester, App State has experienced an exhilarating few weeks!

  Thank you to the students, faculty and staff who made App State’s first visit by ESPN’s College GameDay a memorable event for both the campus and GameDay’s cast and crew — before our Mountaineers added a thrilling Hail Mary finish to the game against Troy University to cap off the day.

  • Our campus was featured to more than 2.8 million viewers on Saturday. Not only did we showcase one of the best atmospheres in all of college football, we also gained unprecedented exposure for our university and our many accomplishments — including App State’s solar vehicle team and its multiyear winning vehicle, ROSE.
    
    
  • Congratulations to Zackary Carr, Annilyn Impara and Ethan Cagle — we awarded each of these students a year of tuition and fees for their top poster designs in our College GameDay contest. Additionally, 11 semifinalists received $500 in Dining Dollars and 14 quarterfinalists were awarded $250 in Dining Dollars to be used at any App State Campus Dining location. Thank you to Executive Director of Alumni Affairs Stephanie Billings, Dr. Shannon Campbell, dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts, and men’s basketball head coach Dustin Kerns for serving as judges for the competition.
    
    App State’s Foundation is funding the tuition and fees giveaways with unrestricted donated funds from the Appalachian Fund, showcasing the importance of scholarships for our students, two-thirds of which require some type of financial assistance in order to attend App State.

  Read more about this incredible weekend at App State. 

  As the College GameDay team was arriving and setting up on Sanford Mall, App State’s Board of Trustees met on Thursday and Friday of last week, and we were honored to have local NC House Rep. Ray Pickett join those attending the meeting. In my comments to the board on Friday morning:

  • I discussed aligning our performance metrics with the “refreshed” UNC System Strategic Plan, and shared that we can expect new performance metrics for App State to include a strong emphasis on degree efficiency, as well as additional metrics related to addressing mental health, better serving adult students (including veterans and military-affiliated North Carolinians) and reducing student debt.
    
    
  • I shared progress on the Innovation District and that the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research in Phase One of the project will bring together expertise across disciplines and facilitate collaborations on campus. This phase will also include affordable employee housing options and a zero-carbon energy system that will begin to transition our campus away from steam power.
    
    
  • I also presented on the progress of the App State at Hickory Campus, which is on track to open for students in fall 2023. In our meetings with Hickory area government, education, civic and business leaders, we have learned that the academic needs of the community include business, education, health care, engineering, design and building sciences. There are also numerous possibilities for the Hickory area to engage with the university’s sustainability initiatives.

  The board approved three items — the remodeling of Rivers Street and Trivette Hall dining facilities for an All You Care to Eat dining plan; financing for New River Light and Power; and renewing the lease on the App State Academy at Middle Fork building.

  My full remarks to the board can be found here.

  This week I attended the September meeting of the UNC Board of Governors in Chapel Hill.

  • The Board of Governors unanimously voted to continue the App State Academy at Middle Fork for another five years. This is excellent news for the children and families served by the Academy, and a testament to the important work taking place there.
    
    Congratulations to the Academy students, faculty and staff for their diligent work in creating a successful program. We greatly appreciate the strong and steady leadership from Dean Melba Spooner and the terrific, collaborative team in the Reich College of Education for their work with both of our laboratory schools, which are becoming models for student success across the state.

  National publications are beginning to announce their college rankings for 2022–2023.

  • College rankings by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes magazine, Money.com and VIQTORY have recognized App State for its academics, innovation, benefits for student veterans, programs to enhance the first-year experience, exemplary commitments to the environment and sustainability and other aspects, affirming App State’s position as an educational leader — for both the nation and the Southeast.
    
    
  • These national rankings highlight the valuable work of our faculty, staff and students to fulfill our mission of teaching excellence at App State, and while they only tell a small part of the story, I am glad to see their hard work recognized by these major publications.

  Read more about App State’s latest rankings.

  On Monday, our campus commemorated Constitution Day with our annual reading of the Constitution on Sanford Mall.

  • Each year, we commemorate the day that the U.S. Constitution was adopted by the Constitutional Convention in 1787 with a public reading of excerpts from the Constitution. Considered the birthday of the United States government, this day also celebrates U.S. citizenship. Thank you to everyone who joined us for App State’s commemoration of this important day.

  As a reminder, COVID safety remains a top priority at App State.

  • Vaccines and boosters are critical to keeping our campus as healthy as possible, and I am so pleased that we have the latest COVID booster vaccine available at Student Health Service. On Friday, Sep. 30, and Tuesday, Oct. 4, we will host COVID vaccine clinics for students, employees and community members. Students and employees who get a COVID vaccine or booster on campus will receive a $50 Amazon gift card while supplies last.

  Kidd Brewer Stadium is sold out again, as App State prepares to take on James Madison in tomorrow’s football game.

  • We have put new security measures in place for home football games, including requiring credentials for individuals to be on the field after the game, and replacing fencing with new barriers in the South End Zone area.
    
    
  • Come early, stay late, be loud and be sure to demonstrate respect to our guests, other fans and our campus environment.

  It is such an exciting time to be at App State. Your accomplishments and successes, our beautiful campus, an exciting vision for the future and a collaborative community combine to make the Southeast’s premier public undergraduate institution an unparalleled college environment in which to live, learn, teach, research and serve.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Wednesday, September 14, 2022

  Sunday night, I returned from College Station, Texas, after our football team won a tremendously important game for App State, beating Texas A&M, which was, at the time, ranked sixth in the nation. This week, ESPN’s popular college football pregame show College GameDay Built by The Home Depot, is broadcasting from App State’s campus for the first time ever. The national publicity for our university earned by these student-athletes and their coaches is unparalleled in our university’s history, and it brings with it prestige and recognition for the entire App State campus.

  As we approach this busy weekend, including a 3:30 football game against Troy, multiple departments at App State are working together to provide the best — and safest — fan experience possible. This week’s message is earlier than is typical so that I can provide you with a few key details and expectations for the rest of this week.

  • ESPN’s College GameDay crew members began arriving yesterday and setup for their broadcasts and related activities is already beginning on Sanford Mall.
    
    
  • On Thursday, the GameDay bus will stop by the App State @ Hickory Campus on its way to Boone on Thursday afternoon. At 1 p.m., gather at The Rock or Thunder Hill, Raven Rocks and Laurel Creek quad to welcome the bus. Wear your black and gold and show them your App State pride!
    
    
  • ESPN recording and broadcasting of live shows begin by 8 a.m. on Friday, including College Football Live at 3 p.m. For those who want to line up early for a chance to be in the College GameDay pit on Saturday morning, sleeping bags — but no tents, chairs or coolers — will be permitted on Sanford Mall Friday night, and Plemmons Student Union restrooms will be open overnight.
    
    
  • On Saturday, access to the College GameDay pit — located immediately behind the stage — will open at 5:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. School colors and high energy are required! Only 500 fans will be allowed in the pit.
    
    
  • College GameDay goes live at 9 a.m. Saturday and runs through 12 noon on ESPN and ESPNU and streaming on the ESPN App.
    
    
  • Kickoff for the App State vs. Troy game at Kidd Brewer Stadium is at 3:30 p.m.
    
    
  • Parking for Saturday's game follows game day guidelines and operations. Look for an email with parking information soon.

  Among the highlights of the GameDay pit are creative and fun handmade signs. This is the chance to show your Mountaineer spirit! App State will host a poster contest that will take place prior to the College GameDay air time on Saturday morning. The grand prizewinner will be announced live during ESPN’s College GameDay. To ensure we show the world how clever and creative App State fans are, I’ve donated some high-stakes prizes:

  • The winner of the competition will get A ONE-YEAR FREE RIDE — tuition and fees that can be applied to this current academic year or next academic year!
    
    
  • 10 people will win $500 free dining dollars to be used at any App State campus dining retail locations.
    
    
  • 10 people will win $250 free dining dollars to be used at any App State campus dining retail locations.

  For full rules and regulations, visit App State’s poster contest webpage or the College GameDay FAQ section.

  Amid all this excitement, I look forward to meeting with the App State Board of Trustees on Friday morning. I will provide my remarks and highlights of the Board of Trustees meeting in next week’s newsletter.

  I also met with the Faculty Senate on Monday, during its first regular meeting of the academic year and shared updates about university plans and initiatives. My full remarks to the senate can be found here. The focus of my discussion included aligning our performance metrics with the “refreshed” UNC System Strategic Plan, the progress of the Innovation District and specifics of Phase One of the district, and the progress of the App State @ Hickory Campus as we prepare for students in fall 2023.

  With our first-ever hosting of ESPN’s College GameDay, Saturday’s football game against Troy has sold out Kidd Brewer Stadium — again — making it the fourth sellout game this season. App State Athletics has published an App State Football Fan Guide for visitors to Kidd Brewer Stadium. They have also implemented electronic ticketing and new concession areas to reduce wait times and shorten lines.

  Please arrive early, stay late, be loud, have fun and be respectful of our opponent, visiting fans, game officials and campus environment. We have an historic opportunity to showcase the energy, passion and traditions that give App State one of the best atmospheres in all of college football. Let's do it with courtesy and class.

  Roll ‘Neers!

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, September 9, 2022

  After a holiday weekend that included an exciting start to the Mountaineer football season, September began with our traditional celebration of the first day of classes in 1899, as well as our annual Safety Week festival and programming to help ensure our students, faculty and staff are prepared for health and safety emergencies and are aware of the many resources available to them, on and off campus.

  Upon the approval of the new bivalent COVID vaccine by the FDA and its recommendation by the CDC, our Student Health Service team has worked quickly to ensure App State has obtained a supply of the vaccines. Beginning Monday, Sep. 12, students, faculty and staff will be able to get the updated booster at Student Health Service at no cost to them.

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, September 2, 2022

  With the start of September, the fall semester is in full swing, and the excitement and energy are complemented by the incomparable September weather in Boone.

  On Monday, I led a campus tour for my leadership team to assess the physical infrastructure of the Boone campus. At the beginning of each fall semester, I do this to identify unmet needs, to review how far we have come and to envision the future. I care about building and enhancing our physical infrastructure because our students, faculty and staff live out their academic lives here. I believe it is important to support and empower your many achievements and vast potential.

  Learn more

August 2022

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, August 26, 2022

  Each August, our outstanding faculty and staff dedicate their time and efforts to making our new and returning students feel welcomed, supported and prepared for the semester ahead. Thanks to careful planning and efficient execution by University Housing staff, 6,100 students settled into our campus residence halls last week. Our Student Affairs team organized a full calendar of Welcome to App events, and today marks the conclusion of our first week of the fall 2022 semester.

  Earlier today, I gave the State of the University address to App State’s faculty and staff. We are in a strong position, serving the people of our state well. We continue to innovate in response to the needs of our state and region, as we remain true to our founding mission of providing access to education. 

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, August 19, 2022

  Classes for the 2022–23 academic year begin Monday. I always enjoy this time of year, which is filled with the excitement, energy and promise of new beginnings.

  Family and friends have traveled to Boone to help students settle into their new homes — with some sending children off to college for the first time in their family’s history. Many moved into new, state-of-the-art residence halls — such as the recently completed, 750-bed New River Hall. During a week filled with events, our Student Affairs team is engaging new students as they become accustomed to campus life and making new friends, and returning students have many opportunities to reconnect as a new academic year begins.

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July 2022

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, July 29, 2022

  With the first day of classes just over three weeks away, campus is bustling with activity. The second Summer Session is in full swing, many middle and high school students participating in academic and athletic camps are enjoying the late summer Boone climate, and An Appalachian Summer Festival is wrapping up its 38th season.

  On Saturday, we celebrated the patrons of An Appalachian Summer Festival with a toast to their steadfast commitment to sustaining artistic excellence in the High Country. App State’s annual celebration of the performing and visual arts has enhanced the cultural life of the community for nearly four decades, and we thank these donors for their vision and generosity.

  On Monday, we held the inaugural meeting of the advisory board for App State’s newest lab school, the App State Academy at Elkin. We are excited to welcome approximately 100 of App State’s youngest students to begin their academic year in just a few weeks. The new App State Academy at Elkin will utilize a “school-within-a-school” model and will serve students in second through fourth grades. As we continue to build on the success that the App State Academy at Middle Fork has achieved over the last four years, we have seen strong support from the UNC System Board of Governors and the North Carolina General Assembly. App State is the only UNC System institution to operate two lab schools, and we greatly appreciate the trust placed in us to replicate this model in other North Carolina school districts. Thank you to Dean Melba Spooner, Dr. Hannah Reeder, Dr. Amie Snow, their team at the Reich College of Education, Elkin City Schools, Elkin City Schools Superintendent Myra Cox and Academy Principal Emma Hatfield-Sidden for their leadership and dedication toward this program’s development.

  Building renovations are beginning at our App State @ Hickory Campus, our Child Development Center expansion project is nearly complete, and this week, our first Resident Assistants began moving into New River Residence Hall. On Tuesday, we hosted UNC Board of Governors members Philip Byers and John Fraley for a tour of campus to provide them with updates on these projects, and the many others we have underway. Our tour included a visit to the site of the Innovation District, and updates on the expansion and renovation of Peacock Hall, as well as renovations to many of our other academic buildings, thanks to allocations from the best biennial budget in App’s history. We thank the members of the Board of Governors for their advocacy, and the members of the General Assembly and North Carolina Governor Cooper for the critical financial support that is allowing us to continue our core mission of ensuring access to higher education for the people of North Carolina, while advancing economic development and vitality in the region.

  Yesterday concluded the Chancellor’s Summer Institute for academic department chairs, and I was pleased to host this group for a reception to celebrate their thoughtful engagement during the many sessions. Over the last three weeks, these individuals have demonstrated their passionate and unwavering commitment to the success of our students. App State is fortunate to have such an outstanding group of chairs leading our academic departments.

  A special thanks to the dedicated faculty who have been working so hard throughout the summer months teaching our students and continuing exciting research, and to our staff, who support our faculty, students and guests, ensuring a safe, welcoming and beautiful environment for all. With the excitement and anticipation of a new academic year before us, late summer invites us to pause in the midst of our celebrations and preparations, enjoy the beauty of the mountains and savor the moments that mark the season. I hope you can all find some time to do so.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, July 22, 2022

  On Wednesday, the UNC Board of Governors approved our new mission statement, which was approved by the Board of Trustees in June. The new mission statement was created as part of the university’s new five-year strategic plan, which was developed through a comprehensive, transparent and collective effort led by our University Planning and Priorities Council. I look forward to advancing App State under this new, thoughtful mission — one recognizing the university as a long-established public institution that honors our founding commitment to educational access and excellence and our rural mountain heritage through teaching, research and service. 

  The Board of Governors also approved the next steps in the development of App State’s Innovation District. The project’s first phase of development will include:

  • The district’s first academic building, the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research, which will include cross-disciplinary collaboration and encourage K–12 partnerships, and will be funded by a $54 million allocation in the 2021–22 state budget;
    
    
  • The development of faculty and staff housing units, which will help meet App State employees’ housing needs amid housing scarcity and cost inflation in the area, and which will be funded through a public-private partnership, with no capital outlay by the university; and
    
    
  • A zero-carbon district energy system that will begin to transition campus away from steam power, and which will also be funded through a public-private partership. App State has a long-established reputation as a leader in the renewable energy space, and the university continues exploring renewable energy options that will establish a national example for sustainable energy solutions. 

  These important advancements build on the university’s founding mission of providing access to higher education and its nearly 125-year history of collaborating with communities throughout the region to innovate and build resilience.

  On Tuesday, my leadership team and I met with members of the App State @ Hickory Campus Advisory Council — comprising business, education, government and civic leaders from Hickory and the surrounding area — to discuss the area’s needs and how we can meet them with academic offerings. It was an engaging discussion covered by media from Hickory and Charlotte, to Orlando and Boston. We look forward to continuing this process with academic leaders and prospective students as we look to welcoming students to the Hickory Campus in fall 2023.

  Congratulations are in order for Team Sunergy, which secured a second-place finish in the 2022 American Solar Challenge and earned the competition’s esteemed Electrical Design Award. During the seven-day road race, this team of students traveled more than 1,400 miles from Independence, Missouri, to Twin Falls, Idaho, in the multi-occupant vehicle they designed and built for the competition. Since 2016, the team has earned top three wins in either the American Solar Challenge or its companion competition, the Formula Sun Grand Prix. Through their continued participation — and wins — in these international competitions, Team Sunergy students are serving as examples of App State's established status as a sustainability ambassador for our state, the country, and the world.

  This summer, we are continuing our Department Chair Summer Institute — a three-week program we began last summer, which offers opportunities for academic department chairs to engage with one another, as well as with members of my leadership team, for in-depth discussions about topics ranging from funding for the university, to enrollment goals, to diversity and inclusion strategies, and much more. The discussions have been rich and collaborative. I joined them to share the university’s process for implementing the App State allocations included in the 2022–23 state budget bill — including the 3.5% raise that all full-time faculty and staff will receive, retroactive to July 1, 2022, as well as sustained funding support for enrollment growth and $9 million to ready the App State Hickory Campus for students in fall 2023. Yesterday, we toured our newest residence hall — New River Hall — which will open to students in time for the fall semester. I thank Provost Norris and her leadership team, in particular Vice Provost of Faculty Policies and Development Neva Specht and Dr. Susan Colby, Interim Executive Director for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success, for presenting this important professional development opportunity for the academic department chairs, and I thank the chairs for their commitment to excellence and their steadfast support of App State students and faculty.

  As the UNC System marks 50 years since state legislation was passed creating the consolidated, 16-university System, we were pleased to celebrate the class of 1972 during our Alumni Weekend festivities. I enjoyed spending time with members of the class who graduated the year we joined the UNC System, and looking back at some key moments from that year. App State has grown into a major university, and while much has changed, much has stayed the same.

  • In 1972, App State Chancellor Herbert Wey reported to the Board of Trustees that the university’s enrollment was continuing to grow to support the needs of the area, and reported just under 8,000 students. As our enrollment has grown to more than 20,000, many of our students are online and adult learners. We have grown our underrepresented population to 18%, and nearly one-third of our students are first-generation college students.
    
    
  • In 1972, App State was expanding its partnerships with surrounding communities and two-year colleges to meet the needs of the region. Today, we provide a seamless pathway for students enrolled at nine partner community colleges to complete their degrees at App State, through the Aspire Appalachian program.
    
    
  • In 1972, App State was also expanding its academic programs to meet future labor and industry demands. In a few weeks, we will welcome the first class of our new Bachelor of Science in veterinary technology program, and in 2024, we will begin our new Master of Science in occupational therapy program. Both of these programs will help meet critical labor shortages and continue App State’s contributions to our state’s economic well-being.

  As we continue responding to the needs of the state and region, firmly rooted by our founding commitment to educational access and excellence, we are excited for the possibilities ahead.

  
  Sheri Everts
  Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, July 15, 2022

  With An Appalachian Summer Festival underway and a terrific slate of Appalachian Alumni Weekend events beginning today, it’s exciting to have so many activities returning to our summer calendars, and energizing to reconnect with those from whom we have been apart.

  On Monday, Governor Roy Cooper signed the 2022-23 state budget bill, which includes many benefits for App State students, faculty and staff, including:

  • An additional 1% pay increase for state employees was approved, adding to the 2.5% across-the-board raise already budgeted for this year. All full-time faculty and staff will receive a 3.5% raise, retroactive to July 1, 2022.

  • $9 million for phase one upgrades to the App State Hickory Campus.

  • Sustained enrollment growth funding.

  • Additional funding for the two UNC System lab school programs that App State operates — the Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork and the Appalachian State University Academy at Elkin.  

  • Sustained funding in the amount of $200,000 for our Appalachian Energy Center.

  • Non-recurring funding in the amount of $225,000 to support App State’s Blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services.

  These latest allocations amplify an unprecedented level of support for our university in the best biennial budget in App State’s history.

  With support from the UNC System Board of Governors, UNC System leadership and App State’s Board of Trustees, my leadership team and I consistently advocate for the resources and facilities befitting the exemplary teaching, research and service taking place at App State. We greatly appreciate our elected officials who have ensured that your accomplishments have been recognized throughout the biennial budget process.

  To recap what was included for App State in the biennial budget in November, read my message from November 16, 2021. To learn more about the North Carolina budget process and App State’s budget, visit App State’s Budget Central website.

  As I shared in June, the UNC System will soon receive formal instructions from the Office of State Human Resources and the Office of State Budget and Management for implementing the raise process. We stand ready to quickly implement the annual raise process for App State employees as soon as we have this guidance.

  As we welcome App State alumni to campus this weekend, we are celebrating them with a lineup of festive events that recognizes scholarship donors and the impact of their giving to App State students and their families, commemorates 50 years since the graduation of the Class of 1972, and honors our remarkable 2022 Alumni Awards recipients and the contributions they have made to App State, their communities and beyond.

  Successful, major universities grow and change over time, and as we continue to innovate in response to the needs of our state and region, we remain true to our founding mission: to provide access to education. These exceptional alumni — and the countless others they have influenced — have helped sustain this mission for past and future generations.

  At the signature event of the weekend, the App State Alumni Association will recognize alumni who are leaders in their fields from the College of Arts & Sciences, Beaver College of Health Sciences, College of Fine & Applied Arts, Hayes School of Music, Honors College, Reich College of Education and Walker College of Business. The evening's highlight will be a special recognition of four extraordinary alumni who are making real and powerful differences in the lives of current and future App State students, and changing the world for the better through their commitment to excellence:

  • Mark Ricks ’89 — Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.

  • June Hege ’65 — Outstanding Alumni Award recipient.

  • John Roos ’84 — Outstanding Alumni Award recipient.

  • Douglas Middleton Jr. ’15 ’18 — Young Alumni Award recipient.

  All of these individuals have made an impact on past, current and prospective students through their work, community service and engagement, and it is our honor to celebrate them.

  As summer progresses and we prepare for the start of the new academic year, we look to our past and are inspired by the potential in App State’s future. Thank you for making App State the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, and for your dedication to ensuring that distinction endures.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  
  

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June 2022

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, June 17, 2022

  Yesterday and today, our Board of Trustees held their June meeting, and this week, I also had the pleasure of providing a university update to the Staff Senate, as well as speaking with retired faculty and staff at a reception held in their honor.

  This week also marked the first universitywide Juneteenth commemoration. Thank you so much to the staff and students who helped ensure the university’s recognition of this important day in our nation’s history, and to everyone who attended the event.

  Following are highlights from my remarks at today’s Board of Trustees meeting:

  • The Trustees approved the five-year Strategic Plan (2022-2027) — developed by the University Planning and Priorities Council — and the new mission statement, which was informed by this process. We will present the mission statement to the Board of Governors for approval in July.
    
    The mission statement and strategic plan address our fundamental purpose of teaching, research and service; our key pillars of sustainability and resilience and diversity of thought, belief and community; and our priority to invest in our employees. Our Climate Action Plan and Annual Diversity Report are two examples of tools we are using along with annual updates to track and communicate the overall impact of the strategic plan. Assessment tools will include a universitywide financial plan; climate action plan; strategic plan for the research/creative endeavors enterprise; diversity, equity and inclusion plan; and a comprehensive fundraising campaign.
    
    I thank everyone who has engaged with this collective process, which has been comprehensive, transparent and collaborative. Upon the approval of the mission by the Board of Governors, we will share the finalized mission and strategic plan broadly with campus.

  • After breaking ground in March on the first academic building of the Innovation District, we shared our continued progress with the Trustees. Phase One of the Innovation District will include an academic facility, faculty and staff housing and a District Energy System.
    
    
  • The academic facility will be the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research. This facility, funded by the state, will include cross-disciplinary collaboration and encourage K–12 partnerships.
    
    
  • Faculty and staff housing will include a P3 project that does not rely upon state funds, or any capital from the university. We began last academic year with nearly 40 employees without housing solutions, and we have pressing concerns about how availability of affordable housing will impact the recruitment of a talented workforce. I am pleased we will have below market-rate options to help meet this demand.
    
    
  • The third aspect of the Phase One District Concept involves fully powering the project with renewable energy. The district will have a zero-carbon energy system that will begin to transition our campus away from steam power. App State has a long-established reputation as a leader in the renewable energy space, and we are exploring renewable energy options that will establish a national example for sustainable energy solutions. 

  • I am excited to announce that we are completing our P3 residence halls project — on time and under budget! New River Hall is progressing on schedule and will open in time for students to move in for the fall semester. New River Hall will have just over 750 beds and replaces Justice, Gardner and Coltrane residence halls. The final component of the P3 project — the demolition of Eggers and Bowie residence halls — began in May and will continue into the fall semester. I extend my thanks to Vice Chancellor J.J. Brown for his steadfast leadership with this project, which has modernized living spaces for our students, helping our recruitment and retention efforts.

  • We are moving forward with plans for opening the Hickory Campus to students in fall 2023. Our Hickory Campus Advisory Council will help evaluate the needs of the community and greater area. Partnerships with the City of Hickory and other local government, education, civic and business leaders in the area will be key to meeting the educational needs of the region. Their experience and expertise will assist in making App State Hickory a true collaboration supporting the Greater Hickory metro area. Simultaneously, Provost Norris continues to work with her academic leadership team to assess opportunities to meet the academic needs of the region.

  I hope you will take the time to read my full remarks to the Board. They reflect the incredible work you are doing and a trajectory of excellence for App State that will continue for generations to come.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, June 10, 2022

  At a reception in Raleigh on Wednesday, we thanked representatives from the General Assembly and Governor Roy Cooper’s office for the best budget in university history, which included across-the-board legislative increases for university employees. As many of you know, North Carolina’s biennial budget, passed last November, included a 2.5% salary increase in the 2022–23 fiscal year. The UNC System will issue specific instructions to its campuses for implementing the raise process, upon receiving formal instructions from the Office of State Human Resources and the Office of State Budget and Management. Once we have these final instructions, we will share the information with you and will quickly implement the annual raise process for App State employees.

  On Monday, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order 262 (“Employee Leave to Recognize a Day of Cultural, Religious, or Personal Significance”). Following this, President Hans authorized UNC System institutions to provide eight hours of paid Personal Observance Leave to all leave-earning staff and faculty annually, effective immediately. The leave can be used for any single day of personal significance, including days of cultural or religious importance. More information may be found on this FAQ page, and further information about reporting this leave will be communicated prior to the next payroll reporting period.

  This week, we were joined by Representative John Szoka, North Carolina Assistant Secretary for the Environment Sushma Masemore, and Sarah Hooper Dorner, senior sustainability coordinator for Holder Construction Company and two-time App State alumna, for the 10th annual Appalachian Energy Summit. Each summer, App State hosts representatives of the UNC System and other regional colleges and universities, along with energy managers and government and industry leaders at this multiday event. These thought leaders and practitioners share ideas and put into action ecological, financial and social processes designed to improve energy efficiency in the UNC System, the state and beyond. Because of the work accomplished at this summit, the institutions in the UNC System, together with industry partners, have avoided nearly $1.6 billion in utility costs. App State’s proportion of these savings is $62.4 million. Working together, we are on track to realize our shared goal of $2 billion in avoided costs by 2025. These are impressive financial gains for North Carolina taxpayers, and I’m proud that App State has been the driving force behind this symposium of scholarship and innovation.

  Also this week, we congratulated our graduating mini-Mountaineers from the Middle Fork Academy. These fifth graders worked hard, supported by their families and the dedicated Academy teachers and staff, and they have bright futures ahead of them. As they advance to middle school, I know we all look forward to seeing what they achieve, and we hope to see them cross the commencement stage at their college on the mountain in a few more years!

  In August, we will open App State’s second laboratory school, and I congratulate Dr. Amie Snow on her new role as the Director of Curriculum and Federal Programs for both App State Academy schools beginning in July. Amie has held the positions of Director of Curriculum and Instruction and Interim Principal at the Middle Fork Academy, and her passion for education will serve even more children in the coming months and years.

  We welcome new principals for both laboratory schools:

  • Sean Gaillard will become the new principal for Middle Fork Academy on July 1. Sean has a distinguished career of over 20 years of experience, both as a teacher and an administrator — and accolades that include being named the 2019 Piedmont-Triad Principal of the Year.
    
    
  • Emma Hatfield-Sidden will be the inaugural principal of App State’s new Elkin Academy. Emma is a two-time graduate of App State — a former Teaching Fellow who focused her undergraduate studies on teaching exceptional children and removing obstacles to help students grow and succeed. The Elkin Academy will begin its first year this fall.

  As announced earlier this month by General Counsel Paul Meggett, App State has moved our universitywide legal, risk management and compliance services under one unit — the Division of Institutional Integrity. The new division houses these offices:

  • General Counsel;
  • Enterprise Risk Management;
  • Disability Resources;
  • Title IX Compliance;
  • Internal Audits;
  • Clery Act Compliance;
  • Worker’s Compensation Administration; and
  • Compliance and Ethics.

  These departments perform crucial functions for the university and combining them into a single division allows for greater efficiency and quicker, more effective responsiveness. I appreciate Paul’s efforts in leading this change.

  Within this new division, Jennifer Myers was named the new Chief Audit Officer after a national search, and we welcome her to campus this week. Her vast experience will ensure our history of exemplary reporting and compliance performance continues.

  Throughout the summer, App State’s Student Health Service remains open and is providing COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, free COVID testing for students and home testing kits for purchase. Please remember, if you feel unwell, stay home, monitor your symptoms and get tested. If you test positive for COVID, report it to the university, so we can provide resources and support. More information is available on our university’s COVID website.

  The work taking place on our campus this summer is positioning us well for the future. I look forward to bringing you more good news and sharing in your accomplishments as summer progresses.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  
  

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May 2022

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, May 27, 2022

  The university will be closed on Monday for Memorial Day, a somber day of recollection and remembrance of the men and women who lost their lives in service to our country. As we prepare for a long weekend, we remember those we have loved and lost, and recognize the ultimate sacrifice they made. This morning, Air Force veteran Mike Waters, a 20-year employee of App State, continued our longstanding practice of placing a commemorative wreath at the university’s Veterans Memorial, which honors members of the App State community who died while serving in the U.S. military. I hope you will take a moment to read Mike’s story and what it meant to him to be selected for this honor.

  Yesterday, Chief Diversity Officer Jamie Parson shared a message of our university community’s solidarity with the victims and survivors of the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York, as well as other recent acts of violence and hatred. She also shared resources for our campus as we cope with the impacts of these appalling and tragic events. At App State’s upcoming Juneteenth observance, we will hold a Unity Vigil in remembrance of those who have suffered from acts of hatred and violence. 

  At the UNC Board of Governors meeting this week:

  • The Board heard the final in a series of five presentations on free expression on college campuses, which included a report on a free expression survey of students at eight UNC institutions, including App State. We were pleased to participate in this study, and will use it to develop ways to further encourage free expression and respectful dialogue on our campus.

  • The UNC System’s strategic plan refresh was approved. You can see the plan here. Thank you to the students, faculty and staff who joined the campuswide Town Hall in March and provided input and feedback as the plan refresh was underway.
    
    
  • The Board approved a new funding model for the UNC System, and committed to continuing to analyze and refine it as needed. This revision represents months of work on behalf of the Board and UNC System staff, with significant input from the system campuses. We appreciate the commitment of the Board and of President Hans and his team to revise and update the funding model, which had previously remained unchanged for many years.
    
    
  • The UNC System also presented the comprehensive All-Funds Budget to the Board, which includes App State’s comprehensive operating budget. You can see it here.
    
    
  • President Hans signed a military credit regulation ensuring a clear and consistent credit transfer process for military transfer students throughout the UNC System. App State student Jasmine Coleman, a graduate student in the Reich College of Education’s Higher Education Specialist program, shared her perspective as a veteran and military spouse, and addressed the significance of this action in helping military veterans transition to earning higher education degrees at UNC System institutions.
    
    
  • The Board also appointed Anita Greene to App State’s Board of Trustees. Anita will be officially sworn in on June 17, along with Student Government Association President Quson Brown. I thank John Blackburn for his service on our Board of Trustees and his longstanding and unwavering commitment to the success of App State.
    
    

  Earlier this month, Dr. Baker Perry, professor in App State's Department of Geography and Planning, returned from another successful expedition to Mount Everest. Baker was part of the groundbreaking team of National Geographic Explorers, Nepali scientists, and elite Sherpa climbers who installed a new weather station approximately 50 meters from the summit. This is one of the most ambitious and significant climate science research projects on Mount Everest, and we congratulate him and his team. You can read the National Geographic story here.

  This week, our campus welcomed representatives from 19 rural communities selected by the North Carolina Department of Commerce for its inaugural Rural Community Capacity program. The program is designed to increase the capacity of distressed communities to plan, implement and manage economic development programs and opportunities, and includes educational programming developed by faculty in App State’s Walker College of Business.

  On Tuesday, I announced my selection of Dr. Dan Layzell as the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations, after a national search. Dan brings a career of nearly three decades in higher education and a decade of policy and legislative experience, as well as experience as a teaching faculty member, to this role. Dan will begin in this role on August 15, and we look forward to welcoming him to campus in a few weeks. I reiterate my thanks to the search committee members for their service to the university, and my appreciation to Sharon Bell for serving as Interim Chief Financial Officer since August 2021.

  Please remember, App State’s Student Health Service is open throughout the summer and continues to provide COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, free COVID testing for students and home testing kits for purchase. If you feel unwell, stay home, monitor your symptoms and get tested. If you test positive for COVID, report it to the university, so we can provide resources and support. More information is available on our university’s COVID website.

  Summer is in full swing, summer sessions are underway, new students are on campus for orientation, prospective students and their families are touring campus and we are hosting important discussions to benefit the future of our state. We are proud of the contributions App State makes to our surrounding communities, the state of North Carolina and beyond through teaching, research and service.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, May 20, 2022

  Today, we welcome new students to campus for orientation, and as they prepare for their new beginnings at App State, they are also enjoying a taste of summer in the High Country.

  This evening, the Mountaineers baseball team faces Troy at Beaver Field. Thanks to generous donors and staff volunteers, we will host a tailgate event for children participating in Staff Senate’s AppKIDS program and their families before they enjoy the game.

  A lead gift from Vice Chair of our Board of Trustees, Mark Ricks, and generous support from Donna and Robert “Skip” Harkrader and Gail and John Yearick are allowing 27 local children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to do so to attend summer camps run by WAMY Community Action’s Mountain Adventures program. Tonight’s event is an opportunity for the children and their families to get to know one another and learn more about the fun that awaits them this summer.

  Thank you to everyone who is helping provide opportunities for these children to forge new friendships, build confidence and make lifetime memories at summer camps. Special thanks to our generous donors, all of the Staff Senators, the many staff in App State Athletics and University Advancement, as well as the University Events and Catering team for helping make tonight’s event special. Those of us who have volunteered to spend time with AppKIDS can tell you it is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have.

  This week, our student-athletes achieved a significant milestone as they marked the 10th consecutive year that App State student-athletes have earned a cumulative grade-point average above 3.0, led by the women’s soccer team with a cumulative GPA of 3.71. For the Spring 2022 semester, 62 student-athletes earned placement on the Chancellor's List, with individual GPAs of 3.85 or higher, and every App State Athletics program had at least three team members make the Dean's List. A total of 185 student-athletes achieved either the Chancellor's List or Dean's List. Congratulations to these student-athletes, and thank you to the faculty and staff who have taught and supported them as they worked to achieve academic and athletics success.

  Earlier this week, I announced the appointment of Jamie Parson as our Chief Diversity Officer after a national search. Jamie is the second cabinet-level chief diversity officer to hold the position at App State. Jamie has held this role in an interim capacity for the last year, and during that time she has led many important unit-level and campuswide diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and accomplishments for App State. This work is advancing App State as an institution, and I know you join me in congratulating Jamie on being named to the position. We look forward to partnering with her on the important work she continues to carry forward.

  I am pleased to recognize our App State Police and Emergency Management teams. These departments work hand in hand to build and sustain important relationships on campus and in the greater community while also protecting our campus and preparing us to manage any emergencies that may arise. From building a strong community policing program, to strengthening the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, to severe weather preparedness, to hazard mitigation, to the university’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, their work is critical to keeping our university community safe and healthy. I want to thank these individuals on behalf of the App State Community — we greatly appreciate you and the work you do every day.

  As a reminder, App State’s Student Health Service is open throughout the summer and continues to provide COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, free COVID testing for students and home testing kits for purchase. Please help keep our campus healthy by staying home, monitoring your symptoms and getting tested if you feel unwell. More information is available on our university’s COVID website.

  As we enjoy the warm days and cool evenings that mark summer in the High Country, our campus remains vibrant. I hope you can enjoy all that our beautiful location and dynamic campus have to offer.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, May 13, 2022

  This week, App State’s transition into summer has begun. While campus feels quieter with many of our faculty and students on a break from classes, there is much taking place.

  Staff are busily preparing for new student orientation sessions, which begin next week and will continue throughout the summer, and we will see the return of some students and faculty for Summer Sessions, which begin May 23.

  Earlier this week, staff enjoyed conversation and camaraderie at our May Staff Connect event. Similar to the Faculty Club, these events are held regularly throughout the year and bring together staff from across campus. In a relaxed, professional environment, members of our staff use these events to network, meet others, learn of professional opportunities, share expertise and exchange ideas. They are also a great way for new staff members to get to know others outside of their departments. Staff Connect invitations are emailed directly to all SHRA, EHRA and non-student, temporary staff members, and I encourage you to come to one in the future, especially if you have not yet attended.

  We also held a reception this week to recognize the contributions of our University Planning and Priorities Council in building the strategic plan that will guide App State through the next five years. This council consists of nearly 60 individuals representing every department and division on campus, as well as leaders from Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, Student Government and Alumni Council. Since the Fall 2021 semester, this group has been actively seeking input from the areas they represent, as well as holding open listening sessions for the entire campus to provide input. They have incorporated all of this feedback into the development of the plan, and the process is nearly complete. The final version of the strategic plan will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval at their June meeting. I extend my sincere appreciation to the members of UPPC for their work, to Provost Norris and Vice Chancellor Foreman for their guidance and leadership, to Dr. Lee Ball for chairing the committee, to Dr. Mike McKenzie and Heather Langdon for their strategic planning leadership and to Adryona Nelson for providing logistical coordination and support. Additionally, thank you to everyone who has participated in the development of this plan — it has been a comprehensive, transparent and collective effort that has allowed everyone who wants a voice in the process to have one.

  I would also like to highlight the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Steering Committee and extend my appreciation to Dr. Carolyn Edy for serving as App State’s Faculty Director for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. As Provost Norris announced earlier this week, App State is preparing to initiate a new, five-year Quality Enhancement Plan to take effect by Fall 2024, as part of our accreditation process, and has selected the topic “Climate Literacy and Response-Ability: Cultivating Resilient and Just Communities” as the first step. On behalf of the entire campus, thank you to everyone who submitted proposals, and to those who worked to review them, provide input and ultimately make a recommendation to my leadership team and me. We appreciate your valuable contributions to our university’s accreditation process. I look forward to campus engagement in the process continuing in the Fall 2022 semester.

  We also continue making exciting progress toward opening our App State Hickory Campus for students in Fall 2023. Yesterday, I joined a meeting with Hickory City Council members, providing updates on App State’s academic successes and planning for the Hickory Campus. I have established a Hickory Campus Advisory Council of campus and community leaders to help evaluate the needs of the community and greater area. Their experience and expertise will assist in making App State Hickory a true collaboration supporting the Greater Hickory metro area.

  Finally, a reminder that App State’s Student Health Service is open and continues to provide COVID-19 vaccines and boosters upon appointment for faculty and staff as well as students. They also offer free COVID testing for students and home testing kits for purchase. Please remember, if you are feeling unwell, stay home, monitor your symptoms and get tested. More information is available on our university’s COVID website.

  Summer at App State does not mean slowing down! As we prepare for the Fall semester, we are also setting the course for the future of our university for generations to come. Thank you for your participation as we advance our founding mission of increasing access to education.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  
  

  Learn more
• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, May 6, 2022

  This week, we celebrate the successes of the Class of 2022 as they mark the most defining moment in their academic careers. Presiding over commencement exercises is my favorite duty as Chancellor. That honor is more meaningful this year as we reflect on how important it is to gather for this significant occasion. I am always thrilled to welcome our new graduates to cross the Commencement stage, as their faculty and loved ones watch with pride.

  Graduates, more than 3,800 of you have arrived at this momentous occasion under historically challenging circumstances. You earned your degrees during a time defined by a global pandemic. Through the uncertainties and across distance, you showed incredible grace and unwavering resilience.

  You have been innovators and persevered in your studies. As graduates, you are positioned to adapt, lead and serve in a fundamentally changed world. You will make real and powerful differences in your communities and for our world.

  Thank you, graduates, for your contributions to our great academic community. You are our greatest legacy and will forever be a part of the App State Community. Today and tomorrow, as we congratulate you for your achievements, we also celebrate the contributions you have made and the possibilities of a future you will continue to make even brighter.

  To the families and friends of our graduates who have supported them, to our faculty who have led, mentored and advised them, and to our staff who have worked alongside them — thank you for your investment in our graduates. You have earned this moment as well, and we also honor you.

  Last week, Jamie Parson, App State’s Interim Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Professor in the Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance, was honored at the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s sixth annual 4 Under 40 Awards Banquet for her leadership. Jamie was specifically recognized by the Chamber for her professional success in sustaining and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on campus and in the local community. I appreciate Jamie’s steady leadership over the past year, and thank the Chamber for recognizing her at this signature event.

  As a reminder, beginning Monday, May 9, the university’s COVID dashboard will change to reflect overall metrics and end-of-year statistics, and weekly campus data updates will cease for the summer. Additionally, I will share my updates a bit less frequently during the summer months, but I will continue to ensure you are kept up to date on important matters affecting our campus community.

  The COVID vaccine remains our most powerful tool to minimize the impact of COVID on our campus and greater community. Indeed, our campus vaccination rate has allowed us to emerge from the pandemic, return to in-person classes and events, and hold commencement ceremonies in person — without seating limits — today and tomorrow.

  Please stay up to date on your vaccines over the summer months. We will continue offering vaccines and boosters to members of the university and broader community, and $50 Amazon gift cards to students, faculty and staff who get the vaccine or booster on campus.

  As our campus transitions to the summer season, we celebrate our many achievements that are made even more significant by the challenges we have overcome together.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more

April 2022

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, April 29, 2022

  This week, as we wrapped up the final classes and began the exam period, the springtime weather contributed to the end-of-year excitement and energy on campus. This academic year began with much uncertainty, and as it concludes, we are beginning to feel a sense of normalcy returning to our campus and our daily lives. This week:

  • I shared an end-of-year report with Faculty Senate during their final meeting of the academic year. You can read my comments here.

  • I hosted the Appalachian Student Ambassadors for a reception, during which they had an opportunity to get to know the members of my Chancellor’s Cabinet and ask them questions about their jobs and what makes their roles challenging and rewarding.

  • App State’s Math and Science Education Center hosted its popular STEAM Expo in person again. This is the largest, single outreach event at App State, reaching more than 1,500 middle and high school students with science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics activities and demonstrations. It was wonderful to host these students on our campus again after two years.

  • I visited the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit, hosted by the Office of Diversity. Departments and units from across campus came together to share the DEI efforts they have in progress as well as their plans for building on and continuing this important work into the future. The event was well attended by students, faculty and staff, and it was wonderful to have so many people gathered together to discuss their shared goals as well as their specific plans for cultivating a climate that welcomes diversity of thought, belief and community on our campus.

  • I joined the members of Team Sunergy, who brought home the 2021 American Solar Challenge trophy, for a celebration and presentation of their championship rings. Team Sunergy is hard at work preparing for the 2022 Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge. These events take place in July at the Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kansas, and include a 1,975-mile road rally race along the Oregon Trail.

  Today is the 835th day the university has been tracking, planning for and responding to COVID. While we will reduce the frequency of university operations updates and Chancellor updates throughout the summer months, we will remain vigilant, and we will continue to emphasize the importance of a fully vaccinated university community.

  • The last walk-in testing clinic for the semester will be held next Thursday, May 5. Our local public health agency continues to offer free testing each weekday and Student Health Service will also offer free testing for students during the summer sessions.
    
    
  • Beginning Monday, May 9, our COVID dashboard will change to provide significant, overall metrics and key end-of-year statistics.
    
    
  • Throughout the summer, we will continue offering vaccines and boosters for the university and broader community, as well as $50 Amazon gift cards for students and employees who get vaccinated or boosted on campus.

  After two years of modified, rescheduled, online and socially distanced graduation events, Spring Commencement will take place next week with no guest limits or other restrictions. Additionally, I’m pleased that the official App State regalia is now made of fabric produced from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, and our ceremonies next week will divert nearly 100,000 plastic bottles from the landfill. The commencement planning team is ensuring that official regalia is available for every graduate, regardless of their ability to pay.

  I wish the very best to each of our students as they complete final exams, congratulations to all of the soon-to-be graduates who have overcome unprecedented challenges to reach this important milestone, and heartfelt thanks to the faculty and staff who have remained steadfast in providing a solid foundation for our students during extraordinarily uncertain times. You have accomplished so much under tremendous challenges and against many odds, and I know together we will finish this semester strong.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, April 22, 2022

  In celebration of Earth Day, this morning the mini-Mountaineers at the App State Academy at Middle Fork planted seeds of App State’s official flower, the Black-eyed Susan. This afternoon, the Office of Sustainability is hosting a festival on Sanford Mall with games, crafts and educational displays open to all members of the campus and greater community.

  On this day and every day, App State’s Sustainability Ambassadors serve as peer educators to the campus community, hosting workshops, planning and participating in special events like today’s Earth Day celebration, and assisting with zero waste efforts for events across campus. These student leaders are making positive differences on our campus and beyond, and we appreciate their engagement.

  Visiting the Middle Fork Academy today is Emma Hatfield-Sidden, the newly appointed principal of the App State Academy at Elkin, App State’s newest laboratory school, which will open this fall. She is a two-time App State graduate, and she has already shared that her vision for the Elkin Academy will be to increase access for students while also serving as a resource to families. App State is the only UNC System institution that will operate two laboratory schools. We have seen strong and steady support from the General Assembly and Board of Governors for the App State Academy at Middle Fork lab school, and we appreciate the trust the board has placed in us to replicate this model in other North Carolina school districts. In Walkertown, the Middle Fork Academy is changing the trajectory of the lives of young children, and that reach will be extended when we open the App State Academy in Elkin this fall.

  App State has again received the Military Friendly® School designation from VIQTORY, recognizing our efforts to help military-affiliated students thrive on campus and in the surrounding community. Our continued recognition as a Military Friendly School is a significant point of pride that affirms our commitment to ensuring App State military-affiliated students are positioned for success, during their educational journeys and beyond. This academic year, 384 military-affiliated students — including 289 student veterans and 95 active-duty military members — are enrolled at App State. We are honored to serve our campus community of active-duty service members and their families, as well as student, faculty and staff veterans.

  We are keeping a watchful eye on the university’s COVID data. We remain vigilant and will continue to emphasize the importance of a fully vaccinated university community. Our campus and greater community also benefit from:

  • more than 23,000 meals we have provided to campus and community members in isolation and quarantine;
  • nearly 95,000 COVID tests we have administered at no cost to faculty, staff and students;
  • more than 7,300 vaccines we have administered to campus and community members; and
  • university vaccination rates of 90% for employees and 82% for students.

  While it’s too soon to know what the fall semester will hold for us, we will remain engaged with local public health and we will continue to benefit from the insights of UNC Health epidemiologists, who are advising the UNC System as a whole.

  As students, faculty and staff are preparing for the last day of classes, final exams and commencement, I thank each of you for your dedication to keeping our campus safe and congratulate you on an academic year full of successes.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, April 8, 2022

  This year’s iBackAPP event was a tremendous success! We raised nearly $1.3 million for 185 programs, breaking all-time university records for this event. More than 2,700 Mountaineers — 81% from North Carolina and 19% from 34 other states and Washington, D.C. — contributed financially and shared their reasons for giving back. Thank you so much to everyone who wore their black and gold, shared their stories and helped us surpass our previous successes from the nine years we have been holding this event. Your investments of time, talent and resources are already making real and powerful differences at App State, and the impact will carry forward into communities across the state, nation and world.

  Yesterday, as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Walker College of Business, we saw evidence of how long-standing and far-reaching this kind of support can be — when current and former faculty, staff, students and university leadership gathered to celebrate five decades of life-changing teaching, mentorship, research and service. And, while we celebrated the Walker College of Business yesterday, each of us has dozens of stories to tell about each college and program, and the countless faculty, staff and students who have touched lives and changed them for the better. These single stories are powerful. Collectively, they demonstrate the incredible power that higher education has to change lives.

  On Tuesday, we held a Community Leaders Breakfast and legislators tour at our Hickory campus. Over the course of the day, more than 100 people, including representatives from the General Assembly and local government, as well as education, business and civic leaders, joined us to continue conversations about what the Hickory area needs from its state university. We will create a Hickory Task Force, which will include those who volunteered at our event on Tuesday, to help continue these discussions and to guide the direction, as we look toward welcoming the first class of students to the Hickory campus in fall 2023.

  App State has more than 139,000 living alumni, 73% of whom live and work in North Carolina, contributing to our state’s growing economy and quality of life. In the Boone area, our students, faculty and staff contribute to the community each day, enriching the educational offerings for K-12 students, contributing to the local economy, and giving back through service and service-learning experiences. We are developing opportunities to extend similar endeavors throughout the Hickory area as well. In Walkertown, our laboratory school is changing the trajectory of the lives of young children, and that reach will be extended when we open the App State Academy in Elkin this fall.

  App State was founded to increase access to education for those in the “lost provinces” of North Carolina. Today, we are the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, a thriving university that remains true to our mission of serving the rural areas in North Carolina. Each generation of students, faculty and staff contributes to the extraordinary power of nearly 125 years of individual actions, and the results are profound.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, April 1, 2022

  On Tuesday evening, App State’s baseball team was victorious over UNC-Asheville at the LP Frans Stadium, home of the Hickory Crawdads. More than 1,200 people, many of whom were students, faculty, staff, alumni and other App fans, enjoyed the game on a beautiful early spring evening. Yosef threw the first pitch, App State’s a cappella group Ear Candy sang the national anthem, and fans wore customized “Hickory 23” t-shirts, denoting when we will begin holding classes in Hickory. We were welcomed by City of Hickory Mayor Hank Guess, as well as other city leaders, who wore their black and gold and cheered on the Mountaineers. View a photo album on my Facebook page.

  On Wednesday, I met with members of the Faculty Senate Chancellor's Advisory Committee to discuss future plans for App State’s Hickory campus. We discussed the ongoing process to determine what programs and offerings will be located at the Hickory campus. Deans are engaging department chairs and faculty while my leadership team and I are engaging with community leaders to determine ways we can meet the needs of those who live and work in Hickory and the surrounding area.

  Also on Wednesday, I spoke with Charlie Ciaramita's marketing class. The students asked insightful, engaging questions — it was a terrific conversation and I enjoyed the opportunity to get back in the classroom.

  Next week, we will host a community leaders breakfast in Hickory. We had a terrific event with High Country community leaders last month, which we held in the Grandview Room at the North End Zone building. We were able to showcase the beautiful space, while engaging in conversations with representatives from North Carolina’s federal delegation, members of the N.C. General Assembly and local government officials, as well as leaders in education, business and community development. The Hickory event will be held in our new building, and we will follow it with a tour of the building for legislators. We have been warmly welcomed by the Hickory community, and look forward to discussing opportunities for the future of the App State campus in Hickory with the area’s community leaders.

  Monday’s COVID data dashboard update will show that student vaccination rates have increased to 82% and the CDC has downgraded Watauga County’s COVID-19 Community Level to “Low.”  Thank you for your continued dedication to keeping our community protected against the most severe impacts of COVID. I am proud of our high vaccination rates, particularly the student rate. Your diligence continues to make a difference.

  Vaccines continue to be the most important and effective tool we have to mitigate serious risk. Student Health Service offers vaccines and boosters, and I am providing $50 Amazon gift cards to students and employees who get their vaccine or booster on campus. I got my second booster on campus today, and I appreciate our professional Student Health team who make this an easy and efficient experience for faculty, staff, students and community members.

  Two key signs of spring on campus are App State’s Diversity Celebration and iBackApp events, both of which take place next week:

  • The 21st Diversity Celebration at App State will take place April 5-7. This will be the 21st year App State has brought together App State students, faculty, staff, K-12 schools and local community members for a celebration of cultures through art and entertainment. More than 25 events will take place over three days, celebrating diverse perspectives, cultures and values. You can view the full schedule here.

  • App State’s ninth annual iBackAPP giving celebration, during which Mountaineers everywhere come together to support and celebrate App State, is scheduled for April 6-7. Over the course of the two days, Mountaineers will make monetary gifts, show their pride by wearing black and gold, and share their spirit with #iBackApp messages on social media. I invite you to join in any way you choose.

  I hope you will take advantage of these two spring traditions, and as the weather becomes milder, enjoy all our beautiful mountain location has to offer.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more

March 2022

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, March 25, 2022

  It has been a week of celebrating successes and milestones at App State. Yesterday and today, the Board of Trustees met on campus for their quarterly meeting, approving actions supporting the development of the Middle Fork Greenway, a lease of space for the Elkin Elementary lab school and the transfer of property to facilitate a needed bridge improvement on Hunting Hills Lane. Students from App State’s Men’s Basketball Team, Wrestling Team and Solar Vehicle Team showcased their successes for the board, and I shared a progress update, which included an overview of the incredible work of our faculty, staff and students, strategic planning and campus construction updates, and a review of some key COVID metrics. You may read my remarks on my website.

  This afternoon, we broke ground on the first academic building of our Innovation District — a long-held goal made possible with a state budget allocation of $54 million in the current fiscal year. Faculty, staff and students gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion, and we were joined by several members of the General Assembly who made it possible for us to break ground on the long-envisioned project, Governor Philip Byers, representing the UNC Board of Governors, our Board of Trustees, Mayor Tim Futrelle and Chair of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners John Welch, and members of the Boone Town Council and Watauga County Commissioners.

  App State’s future Innovation District is an ambitious enterprise that will have a lasting and powerful impact on the region, broadening economic development opportunities for rural areas in Northwestern North Carolina. The Innovation District will bring together expertise across disciplines and facilitate collaborations on campus and with the communities across the region.

  This exciting, long-term project has been included in the university’s master planning since 2016, a year after the Board of Governors designated this property with millennial campus status, providing greater flexibility for planning and utilization of the property. Numerous faculty and staff have worked to develop a vision for it, with input from students and alumni.

  The first academic building will be the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research. This facility will serve as a vital link between the campus and the regional community through education, research and outreach.

  It is important to note, this is the first building — and the first academic building — of the District. You can see some of the development concepts on the university’s Innovation District webpage. The multi-phased development concepts we are reviewing are forward-thinking and comprehensive. Going beyond what is our standard — to build LEED-certified buildings — we are reviewing concepts for a Zero-Carbon District. This means the buildings in the Innovation District will be highly energy efficient, and powered by carbon-free, renewable energy sources. This will not only lower the environmental impact of the buildings, but also help make them more financially viable.

  We also asked the design firms submitting proposals to include faculty and staff housing into the Innovation District Master Plan, as one way to help address housing shortages that affect our ability to recruit and retain talented faculty and staff.

  Other academic facilities that are also in discussion include:

  • Spaces for research, teaching and demonstration;
  • Workspace for multidisciplinary projects;
  • Renewable energy labs;
  • Conference rooms; and
  • Expanded exhibition and studio spaces.

  App State is the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, founded to increase access to education for those in the “lost provinces” of North Carolina, and we remain true to our mission as a rural-serving institution.

  We look forward to continuing the work we have begun with the support of the General Assembly, the Board of Governors, our Trustees and local government leaders, as well as with leaders from education, business and community development, to ensure this Innovation District extends the university’s mission of teaching, research and service to the region and the state.

  App State has unprecedented support, and stellar students, faculty and staff, and our potential is limitless!

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, March 18, 2022

  Students and faculty returned from Spring Break to an even more beautified campus, thanks to our Facilities Operations teams  — in particular, Landscape Services. This team has helped our campus earn and maintain the "Tree Campus USA" and "Bee Campus USA" status, and we appreciate their work and their commitment to sustainable practices, including turf management, arboriculture and the use of native plants and pollinator gardens, which contribute to the beauty and resilience of our campus landscape.

  On Thursday, students, faculty, staff, business leaders and community members came together for the Walker College of Business’ 63rd Boyles Distinguished Lecture. The featured keynote speaker was Pamela Mars Wright, who shared insights about successful business strategies and lessons she has learned from being in a multi-generational family business. Pam is former chair and director of the Mars Inc. board of directors, which governs the $40 billion business owned by the Mars family. She was also a director on the Board of Banfield, a network of veterinary hospitals that are part of Mars’ Petcare. 

  Pam spent yesterday morning with the Women of Walker, a group of female student leaders in the Walker College of Business, engaging in conversation and sharing her breadth of knowledge in navigating many aspects of the business world. During the day’s events, Woman of Walker and senior marketing major Isabella Riley also had the opportunity to address university and community leaders. Isabella described the many ways in which her Appalachian Experience has set her up for success, and — as we hear from so many of our students — how our dedicated faculty and staff have gone above and beyond to help her along the way.

  As Pam became more engaged with App State through her husband, alumnus and Trustee Mark Ricks, she worked with the university to develop an innovative partnership between Banfield and App State. Last year, I announced a multimillion-dollar sponsored contract with Banfield to support the development of a four-year, App State Online degree program for licensed veterinary technicians, which will combine Bachelor of Science credentials with veterinary technician licensure. It is the first of its kind and will help meet shortages for skilled veterinary professionals in the rural areas of our region and beyond. We are thrilled to welcome the program’s first class this fall! App State has benefited greatly from the generosity of both Pam and Mark, and we are so fortunate to have had Pam on campus yesterday, sharing her time and expertise with our students. 

  Earlier this week, I shared a message with you about ways to participate in the UNC System’s ongoing strategic planning process. The System will host a virtual town hall on Tuesday at 11 a.m., to allow for public comment. Please join us to learn more and/or share your ideas and input.

  The current UNC System Strategic Plan established the measurement of key success metrics, including faculty and staff engagement. As a part of this plan, each institution in the UNC System participates in a Systemwide Employee Engagement Survey three times over a five-year period. Surveys were implemented in 2018 and 2020, and faculty and staff will receive the third survey later this month, in order to gather input from faculty and staff about workplace engagement. The Office of Human Resources will share additional information soon.

  Yesterday, each of you received an invitation to attend the groundbreaking for the first building of the Innovation District — the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research — which will serve as a vital link between the campus and the regional community through education, research and outreach. This is a long-held goal made possible with a biennial budget allocation of $54 million in non-recurring funds in the current fiscal year to begin work on App State’s Innovation District project. I hope you will be able to join us at 1 p.m. next Friday, March 25, at the top of Bodenheimer Drive. You can learn more about the Innovation District on this dedicated webpage.

  Yesterday’s COVID update from Governor Cooper and NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley shared the next phase of the state’s pandemic response, which focuses on moving from crisis response to disease management, utilizing important tools, including the widely available COVID vaccines, treatment options, testing and personal protective equipment. We remain attentive to our campus data, as well as state and national trends and public health guidance. Last week, as expected, the CDC downgraded Watauga County’s COVID-19 Community Level to “Medium.” Associated guidance from the federal, state and local levels is now fully aligned: People may choose to mask at any time, and those with symptoms, a positive test or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a face covering. Face coverings are still required on public transportation and in health care settings, so please remember to keep one with you to use as needed. Vaccines continue to be the most important and effective tool we have to mitigate serious risk, and we continue to offer vaccines, testing and face coverings free of charge to students, faculty and staff.

  Congratulations are in order for App State musicology professor Dr. Reeves Shulstad, one of 17 outstanding University of North Carolina System faculty members to receive the 2022 Awards for Excellence in Teaching from the UNC System Board of Governors. Established by the board in 1993 to highlight the importance of teaching, the award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of faculty members Systemwide. Please look for media coverage of this award in the coming days.

  The second half of the spring semester is underway, as the accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff continue to support our reputation as the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, March 4, 2022

  On Wednesday, students enjoyed warmer weather, outdoor activities and s’mores around the campfire on Sanford Mall as they took a break from studying for midterms. We welcome these signs of early spring as students and faculty head into Spring Break.

  After being snowed out in January, more than 50 App State faculty, staff and students completed 162 volunteer hours during App State’s 23rd annual MLK Day of Service on Saturday. We appreciate the collaboration with local nonprofits F.A.R.M Cafe, the Hunger and Health Coalition, the Volunteers-In-Parks program for Blue Ridge Parkway and Helping Hands Woodlot Ministry, who provided a wonderful service and learning experience for our students. You can read more about this year’s event and view a photo gallery in this news story. Thank you to the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership and Intercultural Student Affairs for ensuring App State was still able to hold this event, as well as ensuring we were able to hold our 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration, which featured keynote speaker Bakari Sellers.

  I am so pleased to announce that we will break ground on Phase I of the Innovation District this month! Please mark your calendars for March 25. The Innovation District will be located at the site of the former Broyhill Inn and Conference Center on Bodenheimer Drive and the edge of the neighboring Nature Preserve. The first building in this long-envisioned project will be the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research, which will serve as a vital link between the campus and the regional community through education, research and outreach. This exciting, long-term project has been included in the university’s master planning since 2016 — it will bring together expertise across disciplines and facilitate collaborations on campus and with the communities across the region. Numerous faculty and staff have worked to develop a vision for it, with input from students and alumni. We are currently reviewing multi-phased development concepts for a Zero-Carbon District, meaning the buildings in the Innovation District will be highly energy efficient and powered by carbon-free, renewable energy sources. This will not only lower the environmental impact of the buildings but also help make them more financially viable. We also asked the design firms submitting proposals to include faculty and staff housing into the Innovation District Master Plan, as one way to help address housing shortages that affect our ability to recruit and retain talented faculty and staff.

  As UNC System leadership prepares to update and refresh the current System strategic plan, they are seeking input from each campus. You will soon receive a survey that provides an opportunity for you to review the current plan and provide feedback. Additionally, students, faculty and staff will be invited to participate in a virtual, campuswide Town Hall event on March 22. We will share additional details after Spring Break.

  Powered by your contributions, App State’s strategic planning process also continues. As Provost Norris shared in her remarks to faculty and staff at the annual Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting and as Chief Sustainability Officer Lee Ball shared in his recent progress report to campus, the University Planning and Priorities Council, a group of nearly 60, representing faculty and staff from every college and division, and including the heads of Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and Student Government, have been developing the plan that will guide us through the next five years. Listening sessions open to the entire campus were held last November, followed by meetings with constituent groups that included Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, the Student Government Association and Alumni Council. Feedback from these listening sessions is being incorporated into the draft of the plan now. It will again be shared with campus for feedback and the final version will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval in June. You can view the draft in development here. I’d like to thank Lee for his leadership as the chair of the committee, and I extend my appreciation to everyone who has been working on this plan. I encourage you to continue participating as the plan is finalized in the coming months.

  If you haven’t yet seen it on the App State homepage, I hope you will read this story, which highlights seven alumni who are members of App State’s National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities — historically Black Greek-letter organizations that are foundational to App State’s history. Many were notable student leaders, and as alumni they continue to open doors and create possibilities for the generations who follow them. We are proud to celebrate their contributions to App State, their communities and beyond.

  When classes resume on March 14, Spring Commencement will be less than two months away. If you haven’t already, please mark your calendars for Spring Commencement on May 6-7. Graduates will receive specific information from the Commencement planning team after Spring Break.

  Finally, a reminder that beginning Monday, March 7, face coverings and COVID testing will be optional for all App State students and employees. We are certainly encouraged by the decline in new cases and positive tests, as well as our strong vaccination rates. As we have since fall of 2020, we will continue to utilize wastewater surveillance testing to detect the presence and extent of COVID in residence halls, and implement testing and containment measures. We also continue to emphasize the importance of the vaccination for the health of our overall community. I thank each of you for your care for our campus community and continued respect for one another. 

  Whether you are taking a break from classes or remaining on campus next week, I hope everyone can find some time to recharge. The final weeks of the academic year hold much to come, and I look forward to celebrating our successes together.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more

February 2022

• Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, February 25, 2022

  As I announced last week, my COVID Council and I have been reviewing the recommendations, guidance and information from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and we have been in regular consultation with local public health officials and the UNC System. We have also considered statewide, local and campus COVID metrics, which show that the case counts and severity of cases continue to decrease. There are currently fewer than 20 active cases among App State students, faculty and staff.

  After considering campus and local data and seeking guidance from state and local public health experts — and in accordance with recent decisions and guidance from the UNC System and town government officials, as well as local public schools, the following changes in the university’s COVID safety protocols will be in place beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 7:

  1. Face coverings will no longer be required for faculty, staff, students and visitors to App State’s campus.

  • If you are unvaccinated or if you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19, you are encouraged to wear a face covering at your discretion and/or upon the advice of your medical provider. Face coverings offer an important extra layer of protection when worn properly.

  • Federal and state guidelines still require face coverings on public transportation and in health care settings. This means you will still be required to wear face coverings while riding AppalCART transit and when visiting Student Health Service.

  • While traveling to and from campus and throughout the Town of Boone and Watauga County, carry a face covering with you, so you will have one readily available as needed. The university has an ample supply and a variety of types of face coverings. Students and employees may pick up face coverings at the Plemmons Student Union Information Desk.

  2. Testing for students and employees who are unvaccinated will no longer be required.

  • Free, walk-in COVID testing remains available three days a week on campus for any student or employee who wants or needs a COVID test, and of course our Student Health Service provides testing and health care as needed for our students.

  3. Contact tracing efforts will focus only on areas of identified need.

  • App State’s COVID response team will continue to work with individuals who have tested positive for COVID to provide them with isolation instructions, guidance and support.

  • In accordance with current public health guidance, however, individual case investigations for close contacts of identified positive cases will no longer take place, neither by the university nor by local public health.

  All other COVID protocols remain in place, including required reporting of off-campus positive test results, and continuing to provide isolation instructions, guidance and support to individuals who have tested positive for COVID.

  Please remember, if you are feeling ill, stay home, monitor your symptoms and contact your health care provider if you become concerned about your symptoms.

  It is important to reiterate what we are hearing universally from public health experts worldwide: The COVID vaccine is our most important tool for preventing severe illness and death from COVID. Our high vaccination rates of 81% in students and 90% in employees have been the key reason we have avoided high instances of severe illness on our campus, and our vaccine rates help lessen the severity of the illness in our surrounding community as well. The ready availability of the vaccine, and our high campus vaccination rates, are allowing us to ease restrictions. Please be sure to get your booster when you are eligible.

  • We will continue to offer all three vaccines and boosters in Student Health Service, and we continue providing $50 Amazon gift cards to students, faculty and staff who get vaccines and/or boosters on campus.

  As our COVID response and management evolve, we remain focused on making data-driven decisions and utilizing the expertise available to us on our campus. Since fall of 2020, App State has utilized wastewater testing to capture data on the presence and extent of COVID on our campus. This tool allows us to detect asymptomatic cases earlier, implement testing and containment strategies, and reduce the spread of COVID.

  Over the last two years, the university has worked in many other ways to help protect the health and well-being of the university community and the greater Boone area, including by:

  • contributing nearly 20,000 meals for university and local community members who were in isolation or quarantine due to COVID;

  • conducting nearly 91,700 COVID tests for students, faculty and staff; and

  • administering nearly 7,000 vaccines to students, faculty, staff and community members.

  These are just some of the many examples of research and service by faculty, staff and students who seek to maximize the resources we have at App State for the health, well-being and long-term benefit of our community.

  While COVID has had a significant impact on our community collectively, its severity has affected each of us individually. For nearly two years, App State students, faculty and staff have shown consideration, compassion, care and kindness to one another as we have navigated the many changes in policies, procedures and public health guidance together. I want to thank you for your steadfast support of one another. As we continue to learn, adjust and respond to each new challenge, we grow stronger as a community.

  As we look to build on the many successes of this academic year, there is much promise ahead this spring and beyond.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, February 18, 2022

  Yesterday, Gov. Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley announced that, statewide, COVID cases continue to decrease, lowering the risk of infection and improving hospital capacity. They further announced that new guidance will be in effect beginning March 7 that relaxes recommendations and requirements for face coverings, while continuing to emphasize the importance of the COVID vaccine in preventing severe illness and death from COVID. Additionally, yesterday, the state legislature passed a bill to make face coverings optional in public schools. While they didn’t specifically address higher education settings, my COVID Council and I are reviewing the recommendations, guidance and information we have now, and are in consultation with local public health officials and the UNC System. We will provide an update to campus soon regarding how new state and local guidance will affect our campus.

  Locally, we are seeing steady declines in new COVID cases, and on campus, our COVID data continue to trend in the right direction. We expect Monday's COVID data dashboard update to show a continued decrease in positivity rates of COVID tests administered on campus, and the number of new positive cases to decrease. We will continue to offer free, walk-in COVID testing on campus every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through the remainder of the semester, including during Spring Break. All three boosters are available by appointment, and $50 Amazon gift cards are still available for students, faculty and staff who get vaccines and boosters at Student Health.

  This week, we hosted Dr. Kevin McDonald and other leaders from the University of Virginia as diversity, equity and inclusion practitioners-in-residence. They led workshops with the Chancellor’s Cabinet, department chairs and associate deans, staff from the offices of Human Resources, Admissions, Student Affairs and University Communications, as well as other university staff. More than 200 participants joined discussions covering diversity, equity and inclusion in executive leadership; engaging and communicating around student advocacy; recruitment; inclusive faculty hiring; and equity-focused leadership. Thank you to Interim Chief Diversity Officer Jamie Parson for ensuring these discussion and professional development opportunities were available for our faculty, staff and students.

  Also this week, Provost Norris and Director of Human Resources Mark Bachmeier met with members of the Faculty Senate Budget Committee. They discussed faculty compensation, including the overall process — as well as the process for this fiscal year — for annual raises and for allocating merit, labor market and internal equity salary increases for faculty and other employees who are exempt from the State Human Resources Act. We are so pleased that our recent budget — the best in university history — included across-the-board salary increases for all university employees, making it possible for us to once again address employee salaries after nearly three years without the authority or budget to do so.

  Robust support for our academic enterprise also comes in the form of private support. Last week, I shared that, so far this fiscal year, the university has raised $15.7 million in private support for academic and cultural programs. A recent gift of $2 million from the C.D. Spangler Foundation has established the first named professorship in App State’s Reich College of Education. We are so appreciative of the Spangler Foundation and Anna Spangler Nelson — the foundation’s director and a UNC System Board of Governors member — for this far-reaching investment in children and in educators. A national search will be conducted to fill App State’s position with an individual to teach in the College of Education’s teacher preparation programs, conduct research in early literacy to advance the field, and establish a strong presence for the college in the state and nation as a leader in reading instruction. 

  We are busily preparing to welcome students to our Hickory Campus with a target of fall 2023, and there is much planning work underway. I have been meeting with state and local government officials to ensure we are envisioning the best academic support to meet the needs of the region. More than 14 million people live and work within a three-hour drive of Hickory, and we have much to offer, in partnership with the City of Hickory; Catawba, Caldwell, Burke and Alexander counties; and the other education leaders in the area. Provost Norris provided additional details about the planning and preparation process in her remarks to faculty and staff at the annual Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting.

  A quick update on the candidate searches for the Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer positions: These searches are progressing, and we expect to schedule on-campus candidate interviews later this spring.

  With hopeful news about the diminishing severity of COVID locally and statewide, and robust plans underway to continue advancing our mission of teaching, research and service, it is indeed an auspicious time at App State.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, February 11, 2022

  This week has brought exciting updates about the progress of our institution and our plans for the future.

  Earlier this week, Chief Sustainability Officer Lee Ball shared a comprehensive overview of universitywide sustainability and resilience initiatives with campus. From the academic enterprise, to daily business decisions, to the university’s strategic plan, App State is building on its accomplishments, making improvements in our current practices and working to ensure lasting and positive outcomes for our campus and region.

  Yesterday, I met with Provost Norris and representatives from the Faculty Senate Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for a discussion about the faculty research and creative activities enterprise. Each semester, I meet twice with this group. We had a great discussion, and I look forward to meeting with the committee again later this semester.

  At last week’s annual Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting, Provost Norris shared many examples of the iterative, open and transparent process for advancing the academic affairs of our institution. I join her in thanking the many faculty, staff and students from across all divisions and colleges who continue to collaborate in the planning for App State’s strategic plan, General Education program, Quality Enhancement Plan, and our growing research and creative activities enterprise. I also thank those working with Hickory area leaders to determine the best ways our Hickory campus can meet the academic needs in that region.

  This important work benefits the entire state and region, and garners trust and support. We see confirmation of this in the increasing number of admissions applications, in our above-average retention and graduation rates, in legislative support for our institution — as evidenced in the best budget in university history, in financial support from individuals, in external funding support, and in the accolades earned by our faculty, staff and students.

  • Vice Chancellor Jane Barghothi’s most recent fundraising report indicates that of the $20.8 million raised so far this fiscal year, $15.7 million is designated for academic and cultural programs, and $5.1 million is designated for athletics scholarships and support.
    
    
  • Provost Norris shared that last year’s external funding from grants and contracts totaled nearly $37 million — an institutional record.
    
    
  • For the second year in a row, App State topped U.S. News & World Report’s list for Most Innovative Schools. We earned number two slots in undergraduate teaching and best colleges for veterans, and placed third among top public schools in the South. U.S. News & World Report has also named App State to its “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” and “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs” lists. The Princeton Review recently named the Walker College of Business in “The Best Business Schools 2022” list and ranked App State seventh on its “Best MBA for Human Resources” list.

  Statewide and locally, we are beginning to see the downward trend in COVID case counts that has been predicted. This is also true for our campus:

  • As of Monday, our five-day new positive case counts had decreased by 105 cases, or 57%, from the previous week, and we expect this trend to continue.
    
    
  • Other encouraging signs include a decrease in campus positivity rates for last week.

  Nevertheless, Watauga County remains an area of “high” transmission according to the CDC COVID data tracker, and vigilance is the key to reducing transmission. Studies continue to support the importance of the COVID vaccine in reducing the severity of the illness and reducing the likelihood of hospitalization and death from COVID. In addition to getting vaccinated, health experts recommend wearing well-fitted face coverings, staying home if you don't feel well, and frequent handwashing or sanitizing to help reduce transmission.

  • Our campus vaccination rates of 81% for students and 90% for employees are making a difference on our campus and in our community. Getting boosted ensures you have the highest level of protection. Our campus Student Health Service offers Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and boosters, and we continue to provide $50 Amazon gift cards to students and employees who get vaccinated or boosted on campus.
    
    
  • Each Friday, you receive “real-time” resources via emailed campus operations updates. In addition to my weekly messages, these weekly operations updates may be found on the Latest Updates page of the university’s COVID website. They provide you with quick reference guides based on the most frequently asked questions of our COVID response team, including what to do if you test positive or are exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID.

  Please mark your calendars for App State’s 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration, which, after a weather postponement, will take place March 1 at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Bakari Sellers, CNN political analyst, author and former Representative from South Carolina, is the featured speaker for the event. The MLK Day of Service has also been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 26. I know we all look forward to the opportunity to come together for these celebrations of the life and legacy of Dr. King. Thank you to the staff in Intercultural Student Affairs for your work in planning — and rescheduling — these signature events for our campus.

  Each day, App State faculty, staff and students demonstrate dedication to making real and powerful differences on our campus and in communities across the state and region. Your pride in your work and your accomplishments are both evident and inspirational.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, February 4, 2022

  This afternoon, faculty and staff gathered for the annual Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting, hosted by Academic Affairs. While the agenda for this meeting does not typically include remarks from me, I appreciated the opportunity to share an update with faculty and staff in this important setting. We enter 2022 with many exciting accomplishments underway and much to anticipate in the coming weeks and months.

  My remarks are posted to my website. Highlights are below:

  • It’s been a little more than two months since the passing of the biennial budget bill — the best budget for App State in history. Since then, our administrative teams and their staff have been diligently working to allocate the funding designated for App State.
    
    
  • After two years without legislative salary increases or authority to provide discretionary Annual Raise Process salary increases, we have welcomed the opportunity to both apply across-the-board legislative increases and leverage authority to provide additional discretionary increases as allowable. I have been working with the Provost and the other Vice Chancellors to perform a comprehensive review of our universitywide budget. Our goal is to identify as much campus funding as possible for discretionary increases for faculty and staff, within the limitations of our authority. Since I arrived at App State, I have been committed to leveraging any authority granted to me by the legislature and the Board of Governors to increase compensation for our employees, and I remain dedicated to doing so.
    
    
  • Building and enhancing our physical infrastructure supports and empowers the incredible human potential on our campus. The places where faculty, staff and students work and learn should demonstrate that you are valued. The biennial budget allocates nearly $123 million in funding for capital repairs and renovation/initiative support. In the current year, $54 million was included to formally establish App State’s Innovation District, which will bring together expertise across disciplines and facilitate collaborations on campus and with communities across the region.
    
    
    • This semester, we will break ground on the first building in this long-envisioned project — the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research, which will serve as a vital link between the campus and the regional community through education, research and outreach.
      
      
    • The Innovation Campus Working Group is exploring multiphased development concepts for a Zero-Carbon District — meaning they will be highly energy efficient, and powered by carbon-free, renewable energy sources — as well as options for faculty and staff housing, as one way to help address housing shortages that affect our ability to recruit and retain talented faculty and staff.
      
      
  • We are eagerly anticipating the completion of our Child Development Center expansion in May, which will allow licensure for nearly 125 children. Under the direction of Moriah Stegall, the Center’s director, our Child Development Center has earned the highest possible licensure rating of five stars, making it one of the most sought-after child care facilities in the community. This expansion will help meet the high demand for child care with exceptional quality care for the children of students, faculty and staff.
    
    
  • Each time I ask for more for App State, I share examples of the stellar work being accomplished by our faculty, staff and students. Two recent examples of faculty and staff accomplishments include:
    
    
    • Dr. Andrew Koricich, Associate Professor in the Higher Education program in the Reich College of Education and the Executive Director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges, is among a group of five researchers who developed and recently launched a tool that uses evidence-based criteria to define what it means to be a Rural-Serving Institution. This groundbreaking work has been nationally recognized and is sure to help shine a brighter spotlight on the contributions rural-serving institutions are making in the higher education landscape.
      
      
    • App State’s Police Chief, Andy Stephenson, has been named one of six national finalists for Campus Safety Director of the Year for his outstanding leadership skills, ingenuity, selflessness and overall achievement. Chief Stephenson is among an elite group of campus safety leaders who are being recognized for excellent community relations, extensive involvement with the public, fostering high officer morale and motivation, and implementing innovative solutions in the face of complex problems.
      
      
  • App State’s advancements in education will benefit the citizens of our state and region for generations to come.
    
    
    • Last month, the Board of Governors voted to approve the creation of App State's online, four-year Bachelor of Science in veterinary technology degree. An interdisciplinary team of faculty, staff and external collaborators has worked to develop the curriculum, which is based on the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities standards. App State’s curriculum will become a model for developing veterinary professional talent and will help address the market demand for skilled veterinary professionals, especially in rural areas. We are proud to engage in this innovative partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital, which will advance the profession and elevate the role of licensed veterinary technicians, and we are excited to welcome our first class of students in fall 2022.
      
      
    • App State’s Board of Trustees recently approved the creation of a distinguished professorship in early child literacy in the Reich College of Education. This will be the first named professorship in the college and will be funded by a generous gift in the amount of $2 million from the C.D. Spangler Foundation.
      
      
    • In August, we will open our second laboratory school, in partnership with Elkin City Schools, which will serve approximately 100 students in second through fourth grades. App State will be the only UNC System institution to operate two lab school programs.
      
      
  • This semester, Interim Chief Diversity Officer Jamie Parson will provide our campus with a comprehensive set of recommendations for how App State can better serve the university’s underrepresented populations. Jamie is compiling the work of several groups who collaborated last summer to gather input and develop recommendations. I appreciate the time and consideration these individuals have dedicated to this important work, and look forward to reviewing the collective recommendations.
    
    
  • Since last fall, my leadership team and I have met regularly with university leaders representing Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, Student Government Association, Department Chairs and Deans. These university leaders represent you, and they bring questions and discussion topics from the groups they represent. Following each meeting, we share meeting notes they can distribute, share and reference as needed, and I often include topics discussed in my Friday updates to campus. The vast majority of feedback my team and I have received has been supportive, positive and appreciative. As we persist together in the face of new and lasting challenges, please know your encouragement remains greatly appreciated.
    
    
  • As dozens of individuals across campus have worked to address the many COVID-related concerns from members of our university community, the most consistent information from public health experts indicates that getting vaccinated and staying up-to-date with vaccinations is the single, most effective strategy we have to mitigate the severity of the impacts of COVID.
    
    
    • I am very proud that our university community has stepped up to this challenge. Eighty-one percent of our students and ninety percent of our employees have submitted vaccine records that have been verified by our team. Thank you for taking this important step to protect yourselves, your colleagues, your students and your loved ones.

  The faculty and staff at App State are passionate about their work and dedicated to the academic enterprise and the success of our students. When we keep these values central, there are no limits to what we can accomplish.

  I wish you all the very best for the new year, and the rest of the spring semester.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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January 2022

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, January 28, 2022

  While we are barely a month into the new year, the App State campus community already has much to celebrate.

  Congratulations are in order for the Reich College of Education — for the sixth year in a row, App State has retained the No. 1 position in the nation for the number of alumni who are National Board Certified Teachers. This accomplishment speaks to the dedication of these stellar professionals, particularly during these incredibly challenging times, and we applaud their commitment to education.

  As I shared in November 2021, we were pleased to receive welcome compensation news for faculty and staff in the biennial budget signed by Gov. Roy Cooper. The final, approved state budget included 2.5% salary increases for eligible university employees for 2021 and 2022. 

  Director of Human Resources Mark Bachmeier has confirmed the 2.5% across-the-board salary increase for the 2021–22 fiscal year has been added to each eligible employee’s base salary, effective Jan. 1, 2022. The increase is retroactive to June 30, 2021, and retroactive lump-sum payments will also be included in Jan. 31 paychecks. I offer my sincere thanks to the staff in the Human Resources, Payroll and IT departments, as well as staff in the Division of Business Affairs. In the midst of an already hectic time period in which they prepare end-of-year tax paperwork for more than 6,300 university faculty, staff and student workers, they also completed all the necessary steps to ensure our employees received these long-awaited increases.

  As we persevere during continued challenges brought on by COVID-19, we receive regular briefings from UNC School of Medicine experts, who are reporting that the Omicron curve is peaking higher than expected but that we can expect to see a downward trend in cases in early to mid-February. Now more than ever, vaccinations and boosters are making a difference in the severity of the impact on individuals and on our health care systems.

  Last week, NCDHHS reported record hospitalizations, with unvaccinated individuals composing 72% of hospitalizations and 83% of COVID-related intensive care unit admissions statewide. National, state and local health experts advise that vaccines and boosters continue to provide the strongest protection against COVID-19 serious illness, hospitalizations and deaths. 

  Within this context, we have been pleased to see a significant increase in appointments at Student Health Service for vaccinations and boosters, particularly from students, and we are especially proud of the great progress we have made with our campus vaccination rates — 80% of students and 90% of employees are fully vaccinated.

  • Student Health Service offers Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and boosters by appointment, and we are providing $50 Amazon gift cards to faculty, staff and students who get vaccinated or boosted on campus.
    
    
  • Testing also remains a critical component of our COVID management strategy. App State has conducted more than 86,000 COVID tests for students, faculty and staff, and we continue to host free, walk-in COVID testing events three times a week for our campus community. Student Health Service also provides testing by appointment for students who have COVID symptoms. Health experts also recommend layering protections by wearing well-fitted face coverings and staying home if you don't feel well.

  While COVID remains present in our daily lives, each new accomplishment and accolade represents a step forward for our university and reminds us how fortunate we are to be part of the App State Community.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, January 21, 2022

  This week brought significant winter weather to our campus. Our students took full advantage of the snow — sledding, snowboarding and building snowy creations. I know our entire campus joins me in thanking the many teams who worked day and night through the snowstorm to maintain the continuity of essential dining, housing and other services, clear walkways and parking lots, and ensure we could return to in-person work and classes as quickly as possible.

  This week, we achieved two important milestones in our ongoing mission to serve the citizens of North Carolina by increasing access to education.

  • The UNC System Board of Governors voted to approve the creation of App State's online, four-year Bachelor of Science in veterinary technology degree, developed as part of a multimillion-dollar partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital. This is an important step forward and we are excited to welcome our first class of students in fall 2022! We are proud to engage in this partnership, which will address the market demand for skilled veterinary professionals, especially in rural areas. App State excels in developing visionary academic programs that address professional workforce shortages in rural communities and help advance industry standards. We appreciate the board for recognizing our success and supporting this visionary academic program, which will advance the profession and elevate the role of licensed veterinary technicians.
    
    
  • The board’s Subcommittee on Laboratory Schools approved App State's new partnership with Elkin City Schools, through which we will open our second laboratory school — making App State the only UNC System institution to operate two lab school programs. We have a strong legacy of preparing educators to lead and serve, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to recognize the promise each student possesses. The new App State Academy at Elkin will open in August. Utilizing a “school-within-a-school” model, App State educators will serve approximately 100 students in second through fourth grades. We have seen strong and steady support from the Board of Governors for the App State Academy at Middle Fork lab school, and we appreciate the trust the board has placed in us to replicate this model in other North Carolina school districts.

  On Tuesday, my COVID Council — which consists of Provost Heather Norris, Vice Chancellors Hank Foreman, J.J. Brown and Jane Barghothi, Emergency Management Director Jason Marshburn, Chief Communications Officer Megan Hayes and me — resumed our weekly meetings with university leaders representing Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, Student Government Association, Department Chairs and Deans. These university leaders bring questions and discussion topics from their constituency groups, and the meetings have also become an important opportunity to address misinformation, which is the single most difficult challenge currently facing our Emergency Management team. We are well beyond 700 days since our team began its work to respond to COVID. As we persist in the face of new and lasting challenges, your continued messages of support and gratitude hearten and sustain this team. Please know your encouragement remains greatly appreciated as we all face these challenges together.

  • National, state and local public health experts continue to emphasize that getting vaccinated and boosted remains the single most effective action each of us can take to protect our community against serious symptoms and death from COVID, and to increase immunity against current and possible future variants. NCDHHS reports that unvaccinated individuals make up the vast majority of COVID-related hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions. I am very pleased to report that 72% of our students and 84% of our employees are fully vaccinated, outpacing the county rate of 55%.
    
    
  • Our Student Health Service provides vaccines and boosters to students, faculty and staff by appointment. This week, we began providing $50 Amazon gift cards to those who get vaccinated or boosted on campus.
    
    
  • We also continue to host free, walk-in COVID testing events three times a week for our campus community. Student Health Service also provides testing by appointment for students who have symptoms of COVID.
    
    
  • This week, we updated our campus COVID dashboard with the first data sets for the spring semester, and we will continue our schedule of updating the data each Monday. State, local and campus public health experts have advised that severity metrics, such as hospitalization rates, are the best indicators of the impact COVID is having on our campus and community. Currently, we have no faculty, staff or students hospitalized for COVID.
    
    
  • As we continue our mitigation measures, including enhanced cleaning and required face coverings indoors, we also look forward to continuing to host in-person events this semester while ensuring all necessary precautions are in place. The Office of University Events has excellent Campus Event Guidelines to take the guesswork out of hosting events as safely as possible during COVID. These in-person interactions are increasingly important to the mental and emotional well-being of our campus community members as we enter our third year of life with COVID.

  With two weeks of classes nearly complete and plenty of snow lingering on campus, I encourage all Mountaineers to take time to enjoy the winter season and our High Country home!

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, January 14, 2022

  This week has proven to be a busy and exciting start to the semester!

  With the new year, our electric utility, New River Light and Power, has entered into a new energy supplier contract, allowing the university to immediately increase its purchased electricity from renewable sources. We are also finalizing an agreement with Blue Ridge Energy to convert additional purchased electricity, including for Levine Hall, to 100% solar. In total, these changes will increase our purchased electricity from 2% to 18.2% renewables. This is a significant step toward meeting the goals in our Climate Action Plan. As I have mentioned in previous messages, we are committed to reducing our use of fossil fuels and these are important strides forward. We will continue these efforts as we advance our work toward carbon neutrality.

  Monday brought an opportunity to celebrate campus and community leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion at the 2022 Chancellor’s Awards for Inclusive Excellence Luncheon. It was an honor to shine a light on these individuals, whose work demonstrates an active, intentional and ongoing commitment to transformative change at App State and in the surrounding community:

  • Faculty Award: Dr. Jamie Levine, associate professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.
  • Community Award: Yolanda Adams, family resource coordinator for Watauga County Schools.
  • Undergraduate Student Award: Chandler Smith, a senior nutrition and foods major.
  • Graduate Student Award: Eris Jenkins, a graduate student majoring in student affairs administration.
  • Staff Award: Lamont Sellers, director of intercultural student affairs.
  • Department Award: University Housing, represented by Dr. Brandon Nelson, interim director of university housing.

  The event featured an awards presentation and an inspiring keynote address by entrepreneur, advocate and artist Monique Johnson. It was an uplifting beginning to a new year and a new semester. Thank you to the Office of Diversity, the Inclusive Excellence Awards Working Group, Intercultural Student Affairs and the award selection committee for their help bringing this event to fruition.

  On Tuesday, Jan. 18, App State will host its 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration. We look forward to welcoming CNN political analyst, author and former Representative from South Carolina Bakari Sellers for a presentation in the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts.

  The new year has brought many changes to COVID-19 guidance, much of which was addressed in messages sent to campus last week. Our COVID operations team has been in regular communication with state and local public health experts, as well as UNC System leadership, to ensure we have the latest information and data available to assess the rapidly changing situation with the Omicron variant, in particular. In addition to our partners at our local health department, I would also like to thank Dr. Alex Howard, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director of Wellness and Prevention Services for the Division of Student Affairs, for his guidance.

  The information we have received from these local and campus public health experts indicates:

  • While the Omicron variant is very infectious, early data indicate it causes less severe disease than previous variants in vaccinated individuals who do not have underlying health conditions. That said, it should still be taken seriously.
    
    
  • Vaccines remain the best protection against serious COVID symptoms, and public health experts stress the importance of getting vaccinated, and boosted when eligible, to increase your immunity against current and possible future variants.
    
    
  • Tuesday’s data update will show an increase in case counts over the low numbers reported at the end of last semester, which was prior to the surge in Omicron variant cases. We expect to continue seeing an increase in cases; however, we also expect to continue seeing milder cases, as our vaccination rates continue to increase, and as those eligible continue getting boosted. There are no App State students, faculty or staff in the local hospital system.
    
    
  • If you are feeling unwell or if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, please be sure to get tested and follow CDC isolation/quarantine guidelines. App State has and will continue to provide walk-in, free COVID testing for faculty, staff and students at testing clinics three times each week, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. For students who have COVID symptoms, testing is also available at the university’s Student Health Service clinic. Utilizing these campus testing options helps lessen the burden on our local public health and local health care systems.
    
    
  • Well-fitted face coverings also continue to be an effective tool in lessening the spread of COVID and are currently required indoors on campus. Please be sure you are properly wearing an effective face covering over your nose and mouth. The UNC School of Medicine offers guidance in this regard, and the CDC provides these guidelines for selecting, cleaning and storing face coverings.

  As part of these conversations, we have also undertaken a review and assessment of our university COVID data dashboard, which will be updated on Tuesday, to ensure we begin our reporting for the semester with a full week of data. Our dashboard updates will reflect the advice and direction of local public health experts, as well as Dr. Howard, in consideration of the progression of the COVID situation, and the Omicron variant and its expected impact.

  With a forecast for winter weather this weekend, our response teams are preparing to keep our campus safe and maintain continuity of our critical services. Our Facilities Operations team will begin treating our parking lots this afternoon, and will be working steadily to keep our parking lots clear of snow and ice. Please assist them by relocating your vehicles to covered parking areas as requested this morning, and remember to check your email over the weekend for updates regarding campus operations.

  Thank you for your diligent adherence to campus COVID safety standards, which helps ensure continuity in our teaching, research and service. App State has a brighter, more sustainable and inclusive future ahead because of the hard work and dedication of our entire university community.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, January 7, 2022

  As students, faculty and staff return to campus, we welcome those moving into residence halls today, and are eager for the first day of classes on Monday. 

  This week, we welcomed the first snowfalls of the new year. Winter weather is a significant part of our lives in the High Country, and I would like to thank the many teams who come together to respond and keep our campus as safe as possible when the weather brings adverse conditions. This Appalachian Today article shares an in-depth look into how we make decisions regarding inclement weather, always with the safety of our campus community top of mind.

  Now in our fifth semester of COVID, we recognize more than ever the importance of stability, especially for young people. We are keenly aware of the toll that isolation and the disruptions of the pandemic have had on the mental health of many, and on young people in particular. The COVID vaccine has made it possible to return to in-person experiences. While we expect to see case counts increase, the large majority of our university community is vaccinated, and I thank you for taking this important step in protecting our community against serious illness and death from COVID. It is important we maintain the momentum we have gained. Everyone who is eligible should get a booster or additional dose to ensure you are protecting yourself to the greatest possible extent. If you have gotten your booster or additional dose, please remember to submit documentation of this by Jan. 10.

  Earlier this week, I shared a message to campus with information about COVID protocols for the new year. If you haven’t read this message, I encourage you to do so. As a reminder, we are in regular communication with the UNC System leadership, as well as state and local public health officials, and we are closely monitoring all guidance from the CDC. We will resume updates to our COVID data dashboard on Jan. 18. We are meeting with local public health to determine metrics that will provide our campus and community with the best information as the COVID situation evolves.

  Across the world — and right here on campus — our faculty and students are making a difference for future generations. This life-changing research creates opportunities for students to have direct involvement and elevates their educational experiences.

  • Student researchers, led by Dr. Michael Reddish, are studying medications proposed to treat triple-negative breast cancers. Their work is funded by a grant from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.
    
    
  • Through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, Dr. Andy Heckert’s research into Triassic period fossil collections aims to uncover information about ancient animal evolution.
    
    
  • A research team, led by Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, is making critical strides in apiary informatics — work supported by a nearly $1.1 million grant from the UNC System’s Research Opportunities Initiative.

  As we prepare to embark on another semester filled with promise, some of our students have offered their top tips for success — a wonderful reminder of the high-caliber students who call App State home.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Monday, January 3, 2022

  Happy New Year, Mountaineers!

  We begin 2022 with a beautiful blanket of snow on campus and the promise of many new opportunities before us.

  App State will resume classes for the Spring 2022 semester on Jan. 10. There are no current plans to move in-person classes online. 

  As we begin to resume operations for the Spring 2022 semester, we are closely watching the emergence and progression of the virus variants that cause COVID-19. The CDC indicates the Omicron variant is the most prevalent in our region, and has also determined the Omicron variant may spread more easily than Delta and other variants. State public health experts have shared that they expect cases in North Carolina to peak in mid-to-late January.

  As we prepare for an expected increase in cases of COVID-19, we are reviewing our safety and reporting protocols.

  What will continue:

  • Vaccination and booster shots are still the most important tool to reduce case surges and the CDC indicates they are expected to be effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. Everyone who is eligible should submit proof of their booster or additional dose by Jan. 10.
    
    
  • The CDC continues to recommend that everyone in Watauga County wear a face covering in indoor, public settings. App State will continue requiring face coverings in all indoor campus locations for students, faculty, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status as long as the CDC recommendation is in effect.
    
    
  • If you are feeling unwell and exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 infection, stay home and monitor your symptoms and get a COVID test. Students should communicate with their faculty and employees should communicate with their supervisors to arrange for short-term remote options. If you become concerned about your symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
    
    
  • We will continue to assess our staffing needs. Per DHHS and UNC System guidance, we will prioritize vaccination efforts, staffing our student health service center, COVID testing and other critical student services.
    
    
  • In addition to my updates, we will also continue sending weekly operations updates to campus so you are regularly updated throughout the semester.

  What will change:

  • New guidance for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) is expected from the CDC in the coming days. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will then review this guidance and issue its updated IHE guidance. We will carefully review this guidance and share links when it is released. We are also reviewing the DHHS updated guidance for K-12 schools, and are ensuring compliance in the university’s K-12 classrooms.
    
    
  • We are meeting with our local public health experts to review and assess the metrics on our university COVID data dashboard, in light of the Omicron variant and its expected impact. When we post the first updates of the Spring semester to the dashboard on Jan. 18, it is likely we will focus on different metrics to better measure the impact of new COVID variants on our campus and community.
    
    
  • The CDC has updated isolation and quarantine recommendations for the public. The university will follow these new guidelines.

  We are entering our fifth semester of managing COVID response and/or recovery efforts, which have been ongoing for 719 days. Our students, faculty and staff have proven time and again that we are a caring community that follows COVID safety protocols. Thank you for your diligence, and particularly, for getting vaccinated and boosted. Because of your adherence to the protocols and your dedication to the safety of our community, we have been able to remain primarily face-to-face, hold events, and remain focused on providing the best possible student experience.  

  I wish everyone the very best for a new semester and a new year.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more

December 2021

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, December 10, 2021

  Today is our Fall 2021 Commencement! We are celebrating the successes of nearly 1,700 graduates at three ceremonies — 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. — as they mark a most defining moment in their academic careers. I have said this before, and it bears repeating: Presiding over commencement exercises is my favorite duty as Chancellor. That honor is all the more meaningful this year as we reflect on how important it is to gather in person for this most special occasion, and how fortunate we are to be able to do so.

  • To our graduates: Thank you for being part of our great academic community. You will always be a part of App State — as you are our most enduring legacy. I congratulate each of you on your achievements and celebrate the hope and possibilities you take forward into our future world — a world that holds more promise because of the contributions you have made thus far, and one you will continue to make even brighter.

  • To our faculty and staff: You have made a transformational difference in the lives of our outstanding graduates. On behalf of our entire university community, I thank you for your tireless commitment.

  During our commencement ceremonies, we are pleased to present two members of the App State Community with honorary degrees. At the 1 p.m. ceremony, we will confer an honorary bachelor’s degree on Glenn W. Wilcox Sr. — a longtime advocate, donor and friend of App State who is a past chairman and former member of the university’s Board of Trustees. At the 5 p.m. ceremony, we will confer an honorary bachelor’s degree on Sarah Alice Evans Heustess, an influential App State staff member who retired in August 2020. She served the university for three decades, most recently as Director of Sales and Patron Relations for the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts and Valborg Theatre, and she also lent her expertise to the Hayes School of Music.

  If you are unable to attend in person — or want to relive these pivotal moments — each livestreamed ceremony will be made available on our commencement website.

  On Nov. 16 I shared with campus an update on the biennial budget bill, which Gov. Cooper signed into law on Nov. 18. The budget includes much welcome news for App State, including welcome compensation news for faculty and staff.

  I am pleased to report that the one-time bonuses included in the approved budget will be paid to eligible employees in the Dec. 21, 2021 payroll. Most of App State’s permanent, full-time employees will receive a $1,000 bonus. Those who meet additional eligibility requirements will receive an additional $500.

  Thank you to the staff in the Human Resources, Payroll and IT departments, as well as the many other staff in the Division of Business Affairs, for your work in ensuring our employees will have these bonuses before the end of the year.

  The approved budget provides a 5% across-the-board salary increase to eligible employees, which will be broken down into a 2.5% increase for this fiscal year, and a 2.5% increase in the 2022–23 fiscal year. The 2.5% increase for the current fiscal year will be retroactive to July 1, 2021, and will be paid in the Jan. 31, 2022, payroll.

  I am working with Provost Heather Norris, Vice Chancellors Hank Foreman, J.J. Brown and Jane Barghothi, and Interim Chief Financial Officer Sharon Bell to review our universitywide budget with the intention of providing the largest discretionary increases — as quickly as possible — that are allowable within the granted 5% authority and possible within our budget constraints. As I have stated before, I am committed to identifying these funds and allocating them to our employees to the greatest possible extent.

  With the final days of the semester behind us and fewer people on campus, this week's COVID data represent fewer test results. We will update our dashboard again on Jan. 18, 2022, after the first week of classes for the Spring semester. Here are the latest campus COVID-19 data:

  • Our current data show the campus rates of those who are fully vaccinated are 71% for students and 84% for employees. For local and statewide context, in Watauga County, the rate of those fully vaccinated is 55%, and for North Carolina, the rate is 58%.

  • Preliminary results from the 545 COVID tests we have conducted on campus so far this week indicate a positivity rate of 1.3%. Watauga County’s latest reported positivity rate is 5.7% and North Carolina’s latest reported rate is 7.1%.

  On Saturday, Dec. 18, App State's football team will face Western Kentucky in the Boca Raton Bowl at 11 a.m. With a 10-3 Sun Belt season, we are looking forward to bringing home another bowl trophy, and beating our FBS-best 6-0 bowl game record. We expect to see many App State fans in the FAU stadium, and know that Mountaineers across the nation will be watching on ESPN.

  Our faculty, staff, students and alumni — especially today’s newly minted class of graduates — prove time and again that App State is, indeed, the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast. I hope our campus community enjoys a well-earned break, and I look forward to seeing everyone back on campus in the new year.

  Happy holidays, Mountaineers!

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, December 3, 2021

  With final exams underway and Fall 2021 Commencement on the horizon next Friday, I reported on App State’s major accomplishments, future plans, stellar employees and latest campus COVID-19 data to the university’s Board of Trustees earlier this morning. The committee meetings held yesterday and the full board meeting held this morning offered ample opportunities to share the important and exciting work happening at our university.

  My remarks are posted to my website. Highlights are below:

  • With 17 active cases in students and employees, we are seeing significantly lower rates of positive test results than at this time last year. The rate of students who are fully vaccinated is 70%, and for employees that rate is 83%.
  • App State received the best state budget support in recent university history, which will provide bonuses and salary increases to our employees. It will also allow us to begin construction on the Innovation District, renovate classrooms and offices, and begin the daylighting of Boone Creek, among other exciting projects.
  • Given the physical limitations in Boone, our future App State Hickory Campus will allow App State to continue the mission we have had since 1899 — to increase access to education for the citizens of North Carolina. In the coming weeks and months, we look forward to continuing conversations with the Hickory community and seeking additional input from App State’s academic leaders to determine the best options for program offerings and utilization of this much-needed space.
  • The influence of App State’s stellar faculty and staff is making real and powerful differences across our state and nation. We have partnered with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools on a five-year, multimillion-dollar school principal pipeline initiative, faculty member Dr. Sarah Evans is leading undergraduate researchers in studying thawing permafrost in Alaska, three Mountaineers represented App State at the 26th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference last month, and our Student Support Services staff secured funding expected to reach $1.7 million to support App State’s first-generation and low-income students.
  • Our capital projects are moving forward. Our newest residence hall, New River Hall, is on schedule to be completed in July 2022. Our Career Development Center’s new location in the Student Union is supporting enhanced programming, evening hours and expanded services. Our Child Development Center expansion — which will allow for the care of an additional 55 children once complete — is making headway, with sections of the pre-fabricated building expected to arrive within a few days.
  • When New River Light and Power begins purchasing its electricity from Carolina Power Partners in January, we will increase our renewable energy purchase portfolio from just under 2% to 15%. Additionally, as I announced last month, we are working on an agreement that will convert the purchased electricity for Leon Levine Hall to 100% solar early next year.
  • Work on the university’s next strategic plan continues, and the University Planning and Priorities Council has been holding listening sessions with campus and meeting with key constituency groups to inform the initial drafts of the plan next semester.

  Our exams continue through next Wednesday and we know our Mountaineers are prepared for success — good luck! We have come through this semester with incredible accomplishments that speak directly to the hard work, dedication and resilience of the App State Community. We have had much to celebrate in 2021 — and we have much to anticipate in 2022 and beyond.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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November 2021

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Wednesday, November 24, 2021

  With the last day of classes less than a week away and Fall Commencement on the horizon, many of us will take a few days this week to reflect on what makes us thankful. Recently, many of our students shared their thoughts on what they appreciate in this heartwarming podcast, which is both funny and touching, and reminds us of the importance of recognizing the good in others.

  As the year comes to a close, we have significant achievements to celebrate. The best State budget bill in recent history, a new building for our future App State Hickory Campus, a semester in which we have successfully navigated many challenges of coming back together during a global pandemic — these are key accomplishments that are setting the stage for exciting next steps for our university. They are also the outcomes of the dedication to excellence shared by our faculty, staff and students.

  • The budget brings with it the ability to begin work on our Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research, which is the beginning of our long-envisioned Innovation District. It also allows us to initiate work to begin the planning for daylighting Boone Creek, a project that will transform a parking lot into a place for education and natural inspiration, while also improving the resilience of our natural ecosystems.
  • In the more immediate future, the budget also brings with it pay increases and well-deserved bonuses for our employees. Yesterday afternoon, we received guidance and instructions from the UNC System on the Annual Raise Process (ARP) for both EHRA and SHRA employees. The mandatory ARP base salary legislative increase and the legislative bonuses must be implemented no later than a January 2022 payroll, and we will share more details next week on what that timing will look like for App State employees.
  • Beginning with our academic deans and representatives from the City of Hickory and the counties of Catawba, Caldwell and Burke, we are exploring the many possibilities presented by our future App State Hickory Campus. At an event held at our new building on Friday, City of Hickory Mayor Hank Guess lauded App State’s work to “increase educational opportunities in Hickory and to equip our workforce with the skills needed to meet the demands of today’s employers.” The announcement of the campus has garnered media coverage across the state, reaching more than 12 million people in North Carolina and beyond! Conversations about the future App State Hickory campus will also include Catawba Valley Community College, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, and Western Piedmont Community College. These key partners in the Aspire Appalachian Co-Admission Program, which provides a seamless pathway for students enrolled at partner community colleges to complete their degrees at App State, are all within a 30 minute drive of the App State Hickory Campus.

  Even with much for our campus to celebrate, our country continues to navigate challenging and divisive situations that also impact our campus community. Interim Chief Diversity Officer Jamie Parson and I have discussed the need for our campus community to have ready access to resources that foster inclusive excellence, including spaces that support both reflection and challenging discussions. Later today, Jamie will send a message to campus with additional information about resources, as well as upcoming forums, for our students, faculty and staff.

  Earlier this week, my leadership team and I reviewed our active COVID-19 case counts with Emergency Management Director Jason Marshburn. As we compared our current data to our data from last year, we reflected on how far we have come. Thank you all for your diligence to COVID safety and your care for one another, which is helping us contain COVID on our campus and enjoy so many experiences this year that were robbed from us in 2020 by an aggressive and unfamiliar virus. In particular, thank you for getting vaccinated. This simple act of care for yourselves and others has made a difference on our campus and the surrounding community, and it will continue to do so.

  Here are the latest COVID data:

  • Our vaccination rates remain unchanged from what we reported on our dashboard on Monday, and they reflect a community dedicated to containing COVID. Our fully vaccinated student rate is 70% and our employee rate is 82%. Watauga County’s rate of those fully vaccinated is 54%, and for North Carolina the rate remains at 56%.
  • Because of the holiday week, our on-campus tests results are from a small number of COVID tests, and have not affected the 0.7% positivity rate that we reported on our campus dashboard on Monday. The county’s latest reported positivity rate is 2.9% and North Carolina’s latest reported rate is 7.5%.

  Good luck to our students and faculty as they prepare for final exams to begin next week, and to our staff who support them — I know you will all finish the semester strong! I extend my sincere appreciation to each of you for helping make our university the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast. I wish each of you a safe and restful holiday break.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, November 19, 2021

  As a proud member of the UNC System, App State applauded the inauguration of President Peter Hans Tuesday. In his remarks, he said the greatest successes in higher education happen “when we build the platforms from which others can rise,” and he emphasized that the health of our country depends on “broadening our vision of who college is for, and who institutions of higher education are meant to serve.”

  This morning, App State closed the sale of the former Corning Optical Communications building on Highway 321 and nearly 16 acres of adjacent land in Hickory for a future campus. Hickory is a vibrant, growing city focused on the lifelong education of its citizens, and until today, it was the largest metropolitan area in the state without a major, public university campus.

  Our future campus in Hickory will allow us to continue to fulfill the mission we have had since 1899 — to increase access to education. We look forward to offering new educational avenues for the more than 371,000 people who live in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metro Area, and to contributing to the Greater Hickory community. I am especially appreciative of the overwhelming support we have received from local leaders and government officials.

  Our deans toured the building with Provost Heather Norris and me this morning, and they have already begun discussing the possibilities for academic programs that can be offered here. As we renovate the building, we will also perform a sustainability audit to assess energy and efficiency needs, as well as opportunities to advance the university’s sustainability mission. We look forward to holding building tours, announcing the specific programs that will be offered in this building and sharing a timeline for opening the doors to the renovated space.

  Earlier this week, I shared with campus an update on the biennial budget bill and I am pleased that Gov. Cooper signed it into law yesterday. After years without funding or authorization for salary increases, this budget includes welcome raises for faculty and staff, enrollment growth funding and historic levels of funding for capital improvements, including $54 million in the current fiscal year to begin work on App State’s Innovation District project. My leadership team and I have advocated for the resources and facilities our campus deserves, and the support for App State in this budget speaks volumes about our university and the quality of the work done by our faculty, staff and students. We appreciate the advocacy and the work of our elected officials, which resulted in critical support for App State and for higher education in North Carolina.

  Amid an exciting week, we have continued our work to manage COVID-19, including encouraging vaccination and hosting testing events.

  • The rate of students who have reported being fully vaccinated has reached 70%, and the employee rate remains steady at 82%. Watauga County saw a slight increase in the rate of those fully vaccinated from last week to 54%, and for North Carolina the rate remains at 56%.
  • Preliminary results from the 965 COVID tests we have conducted on campus so far this week indicate a positivity rate of 0.6%. The positivity rates for both Watauga County and the state are on a downward trend. The county’s latest reported positivity rate is 3.3% and North Carolina’s latest reported rate is 5%.

  The future is bright for App State and for the citizens we serve in North Carolina. Each day, I am so very honored to lead this fine institution and work alongside our faculty, staff and students as we elevate the App State Experience for generations of Mountaineers to come.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, November 12, 2021

  Yesterday our campus community gathered at our Veterans Memorial for our annual observation of Veterans Day. Our featured speaker was former student and entrepreneur Barbara Ashley, a 35-year active-duty military spouse who offered touching insights into the experiences of military families, and emphasized the importance of recognizing the commitment of our veterans and those who are currently serving in the armed forces. It was our privilege to welcome Barbara and her husband, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Robert Ashley, recipient of App State’s Distinguished Alumni Award, back to campus. We also shared our appreciation and respect for the veterans in attendance at the event, as well as for each of the 384 student veterans and 76 employee veterans who elevate the App State Experience each day. Thank you to all U.S. military veterans and those who are actively serving our country, and thank you to the military families who support these heroes.

  This week, my leadership team and I concluded a series of meetings we have held each week with leadership representatives from Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, the Council of Chairs, Deans and the Student Government Association to discuss COVID-19 operations. We discussed what we might expect to see in the spring semester, including continuing our efforts to increase vaccination rates, required testing for those who aren’t fully vaccinated and enhanced cleaning and sanitization measures. We will share university guidelines and expectations for the spring 2022 semester soon.

  We remain collectively focused on using our mitigation tools to decrease the spread and the impact of COVID-19 on our campus — the most important being the vaccine.

  • Our current data show the campus rates of those who are fully vaccinated continue to outpace county and state rates: 69% of students and 81% of employees have provided documentation of their fully vaccinated status. For local and statewide context, in Watauga County, the rate of those fully vaccinated is 53%, and for North Carolina, the rate is 56%.
  • Preliminary results from the 1,247 COVID tests we have conducted on campus so far this week indicate a positivity rate of 0.6%. Watauga County’s latest reported positivity rate is 2.8% and North Carolina’s latest reported rate is 5%.

  As world health experts examine how to manage COVID as an endemic virus, these metrics remain important in university decision-making. We will continue our regular consultation with public health experts to ensure we are referencing the most relevant data.

  The 26th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference ends today, and Drs. Lee Ball, Dave McEvoy and Martin Mezner, who have been in attendance, are looking forward to bringing back to our campus the information they have learned about ways we can continue to mitigate our university’s impact on climate change.

  For many years, the university has been working to renegotiate energy contracts as part of our overall commitment to reduce our use of fossil fuels. In early October, I was pleased to report the university is increasing our renewable energy purchase portfolio, and these efforts continue. We are working on an agreement that will convert the power for Leon Levine Hall — our campus’s largest building — to 100% solar beginning in early 2022.

  Spirits were high at our Staff Connect event on Thursday afternoon, highlighting the collaborative spirit and camaraderie that is carrying us into the final weeks of the semester. We look forward to further recognizing veterans, as well as military personnel, first responders and health care workers at Kidd Brewer Stadium during Heroes Day at the App State conference football game against South Alabama on Saturday. As our team likes me to say, Roll ’Neers!

  Each and every day, it is great to be a Mountaineer.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, November 5, 2021

  Yesterday, the first snow of the season dusted our campus landscape. While short-lived, it energized campus with enthusiasm for future snowstorms — and reminded us the end of the semester is quickly approaching. A regional reporter used one of our webcams to showcase the beautiful sight to a broad audience — garnering nearly 5,000 views within two hours. Particularly during the changing of seasons, the beauty of our campus reminds us how fortunate we are to learn and work in this special place.

  In Glasgow, Scotland, App State leaders are attending the 26th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference. This global collaboration of world leaders and influential business, academic and civic change agents is described by the United Nations as the biggest and most important climate-related conference in the world. Chief Sustainability Officer Lee Ball, Dr. Dave McEvoy, chair of the Department of Economics, and Dr. Martin Meznar, associate dean for global and civic engagement in the Walker College of Business, are representing our university at this event for the first time. They are pursuing opportunities to include our students in future conferences and are exploring ways App State can further employ this significant global platform to address the threats of climate change and build resilience — on our campus and beyond.

  Earlier this week, App State was awarded the 2020–21 Institutional Graduation Rate Award for having the highest overall graduation rate in the Sun Belt Conference. This award recognizes the academic success of not only our student-athletes but of all of our students, and it speaks directly to the culture of academic excellence at App State. We are so very proud to lead the conference with our graduation rate for all students. Congratulations are in order for our outstanding students, faculty and staff for achieving this honor.

  We continue our efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging vaccination, making testing readily available and providing our campus community with the most up-to-date information at the start and end of every week. Last week was the deadline for faculty and staff to submit proof of full vaccination or be required to report weekly COVID test results. Our COVID data dashboard now reflects the rates of faculty, staff and students who have submitted proof of their full vaccination status. The student vaccination rate excludes students who attend classes exclusively online or remotely, who are not placed in internships, practicums or off-campus university assignments, who do not travel to or attend university events and who do not come to campus.

  • Our current data show the rates of those who have uploaded documentation of their fully vaccinated status are 69% for students and 76% for employees. While we continue our efforts to increase vaccination rates among our students and employees, we are pleased with these numbers and are seeing evidence that increased rates of vaccination are helping to control the spread of COVID-19. For local and statewide context, in Watauga County, the rate of those fully vaccinated is 53%, and for North Carolina, the rate is 56%.
  • Preliminary results from the 1,286 COVID tests we have conducted on campus so far this week indicate a positivity rate of 0.5%. Rates in Watauga County and the state continue a downward trend, with latest reported rates of 2.9% and 4.4%, respectively.

  In honor of Veterans Day, the university has planned a week of events. On Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, the App State Community will gather at the Veterans Memorial on campus. I invite the campus and greater community to join the presentation of colors by our Army ROTC and hear from our special guest, Barbara Ashley. A former App State student, she will share insights specific to the experiences of military spouses and family members. I hope you will join us as we honor and commend those who have served our country in the armed services, and also acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices made by their families.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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October 2021

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, October 29, 2021

  It’s been a busy week on campus, and excitement is high as we are together in person for Homecoming celebrations, which began Monday with festivities and events for students on campus, and will continue through the weekend. Our Student Affairs and Alumni Affairs offices have a slate of events planned to continue throughout the weekend, and we look forward to welcoming the University of Louisiana Monroe to campus for our Homecoming football game.

  This is a fitting time for us to celebrate the longstanding support of our alumni and the impact their legacies can have on future generations of Mountaineers. Kind and generous alumni and friends continue to make it possible for more students to access higher education and enjoy a richer Appalachian Experience.

  • Tonight, we will honor the recipients of the Fleming Scholarship program, a merit-based scholarship established to honor the legacy of alumnus and former Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Willie Fleming. The scholarship covers full in-state tuition and fees, and includes mentorship from alumni as well as networking and leadership-building opportunities.
  • Earlier this week, we highlighted the Frank Scholars Program, named for and funded by the late Hughlene and Bill Frank, longtime friends and supporters of the university. This scholarship program is already covering 75% of the cost of tuition for a dozen students.

  On Tuesday, local leaders in education, business and government gathered together with campus leaders in the North End Zone building for our regular Community Leaders Breakfast. We were pleased to host this event in Grandview Ballroom and showcase the event space as a resource for our community, as well as our campus. This event is an important forum for discussion as we work together to maintain lasting and strong partnerships across the High Country.

  This week, the Sun Belt Conference announced highly anticipated new additions to the conference in 2023: the University of Southern Mississippi and Old Dominion University. These teams are bringing incredible talent to the conference, and we look forward to challenging and exciting seasons ahead.

  As we return to holding more events in person, I encourage our campus community to remain safety-focused. Our data show that our COVID-19 safety precautions are effective.

  • So far this week, we have tested 1,548 individuals on campus. Preliminary results from these tests indicate a positivity rate of 1.2%, maintaining our trend of lower positivity rates than Watauga County's latest reported rate of 4.4% and the state's latest reported rate of 4.5%.
  • Today is the deadline for faculty and staff to submit proof of full vaccination, and our dashboard update on Monday will replace the employee attestation data with verified vaccine data for faculty and staff. As a reminder, students have been required to submit proof of full vaccination status since the start of the Fall 2021 semester. Monday’s dashboard update will reflect the vaccination rate of students who are participating in on-campus classes and activities, and will exclude the student population attending classes exclusively online or remotely, not placed in internships, practicums, or off-campus university assignments, not traveling or attending university events and that does not come to campus.
  • Our current data show 69% of employees and 66% of students have uploaded documentation of their fully vaccinated status. The rate of those fully vaccinated in Watauga County is currently reported as 53% and for North Carolina, that rate is 55%.

  As we move into our Homecoming weekend, we can be proud of the care and consideration we have shown one another throughout the pandemic, and particularly since our return to campus this Fall. Indeed, #AppStateIsHome. Enjoy your weekend!

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, October 22, 2021

  On Wednesday, we welcomed members of the UNC System Board of Governors, System staff and Presidential Scholars to campus for a look into the App State Experience and a tour of campus, including the site of our future Innovation District. Mini-Mountaineer ambassadors from the Academy at Middle Fork guided the group through a showcase of academic programs from each college and several disciplines that also included an exhibition of our solar vehicle.

  Faculty, staff and students – including our mini-Mountaineers – did a terrific job demonstrating App State as the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast. As we shared our accomplishments, we also underscored our drive to do more with more.

  Several of our visitors stayed for App State football’s victory against nationally ranked Coastal Carolina — offering our special guests a chance to join a stadium full of Mountaineer fans for a nationally televised game. This historic victory was our first win over a nationally ranked team since moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2014.

  As we continue to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, our latest data show:

  • Faculty and staff are steadily submitting proof of full vaccination. To date, 38% of employees have uploaded their vaccine documentation, with a deadline of Oct. 29. The vaccination rate of our students remains at 64%. The rate of those fully vaccinated in Watauga County is currently reported as 53% and for North Carolina, that rate is 59%.
    
    
  • So far this week, we have tested 1,515 individuals on campus. The positivity rate of our on-campus tests is 1%, maintaining our trend of lower positivity rates than Watauga County's latest reported rate of 3.7% and the state's latest reported rate of 5.1%. The CDC still classifies Watauga County as an area of high transmission and continues to recommend wearing face coverings in public, indoor settings.

  We are also mindful that flu season is upon us. Health experts urge everyone to get a flu shot to protect themselves and those around them and to boost overall immunity. On campus, we have many opportunities to receive a flu vaccine. Today, we are hosting a flu vaccine clinic for faculty and staff. For those students who were not able to take advantage of the student clinic held earlier this week, another flu vaccine clinic for students is scheduled for Nov. 1. Students can also make appointments for a flu vaccine at Student Health Service.

  Our Homecoming events begin Monday and will continue throughout the week with activities for students, the parade and street festival on Friday evening, and our football game against ULM on Saturday afternoon, which includes an on-field recognition of the classes of 1970 and 1971. We look forward to gathering with students, faculty, staff, alumni, families and friends as we celebrate the many reasons we all consider App State our home away from home!

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, October 15, 2021

  Our students and many of our faculty returned from Fall Break, signaling we are midway through the fall semester. I would like to take this time to thank our students, faculty and staff for your diligence in following COVID-19 safety protocols. Our COVID response continues in earnest, and while we did see an increase in positivity rates this week, case counts remain low while our student vaccination rates continue to steadily increase. As a reminder, we update our COVID data dashboard on Mondays, and I report end-of-week data in my weekly Friday emails.

  • The latest reported App State student vaccination rate is 64%. For students who live on campus, that rate is 76%. The vaccination rate for Watauga County’s total population is currently 56%, and for North Carolina, the latest reported rate is 54%.
  • So far this week, we have tested 1,142 students, faculty and staff on campus, with a positivity rate of 2.3%. Watauga County's latest reported positivity rate is 3.2% and North Carolina’s latest reported positivity rate is 5.9%. The CDC continues to keep Watauga County in their “high transmission” category, and, following their guidance, our requirements for face coverings in public, indoor settings remain in place.

  Beginning Monday, all employees will be required to upload a copy of their vaccine cards using this link, which is also posted on the vaccine page and reporting page of the university’s COVID website. My leadership team and I are having weekly meetings with university leaders representing Faculty Senate, Department Chairs, Deans, Staff Senate and the Student Government Association. In these meetings, we have consistently heard that these constituent groups would like to see faculty and staff take the next step, and move from attesting to their vaccine status to providing the same level of vaccine documentation we are requiring from students.

  Required and optional testing continues. In addition to testing clinics for students in residence halls, testing clinics remain open for all students, faculty and staff each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon for anyone who wants or needs a COVID test for any reason.

  Provost Heather Norris, Vice Chancellor Hank Foreman and I are continuing our meetings with academic departments, joined by the Deans and other members of the university’s leadership team. Last year at this time, our discussions in these meetings largely centered on the university’s COVID response, and while we continue to discuss COVID to some degree, these conversations are more focused on what we have learned as an institution over the last 19 months and how we can leverage our resilience and innovation to become even better prepared for a post-pandemic higher education landscape. These conversations have been engaging and informative, and have included faculty sharing their research successes, ideas for collaboration across colleges and disciplines, and how planning for our future Innovation District, in particular, can benefit not only the campus community but also the local community, state, region and beyond through continued education, research and outreach.

  As part of a grant with the National Geographic Society, Dr. Baker Perry, in the Department of Geography and Planning, is leading App State’s collaboration with citizen scientists in Nepal to operate and maintain the network of weather stations they installed on Mount Everest in 2019. This week, Provost Norris and I had the pleasure of meeting with Panuru Sherpa, one of the Nepali citizen scientists who helped Baker Perry’s team install the weather stations, and who is helping keep the equipment operational between scientific expeditions. This installation was just recently recognized in the Guinness World Records Book as the highest altitude weather station on land. The stations provide important data — including daily forecasts for Mount Everest and temperature and precipitation readings at the Base Camp — that are informing research around the world, and expanding and deepening our perspectives on climate science.

  Closer to home, this is a beautiful time of year to enjoy the outdoors and all the beauty and resources our region has to offer. The emerging fall colors are a sure sign autumn traditions are on the horizon — including our Homecoming celebrations coming up at the end of the month.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, October 8, 2021

  This afternoon, our faculty and staff will gather for the annual Fall Faculty and Staff Meeting, hosted by Academic Affairs. During the meeting, we will honor our faculty who received the UNC System Board of Governor’s Excellence in Teaching Awards and our Staff Excellence Award winners. Afterwards, I hope faculty and staff will join the Provost and me for a reception — a small expression of our thanks for the incredible work they do each day in support of our students.

  Though we are settling into the normalcy of in-person meetings and events, COVID continues to be an important consideration in everything we do. The latest data prove promising.

  • Worldwide and nationwide, we are seeing significant declines in new cases of COVID, as well as in serious cases that require hospitalization. In North Carolina, active case counts are declining as well, and in Watauga County the rate of positive COVID cases is the second lowest in the state. So far this week, we have tested 1,851 students, faculty and staff on campus, with a positivity rate of 0.5%. Watauga County's latest reported positivity rate is 3.8% and North Carolina’s latest reported positivity rate is 6.4%.
    
    
  • App State’s latest reported student vaccination rate is 60%, and we expect to see this number continue to rise. We have seen a 25% increase in verified, student vaccine card submission since Aug. 23, when we first reported vaccination rates for the semester. The Watauga County, North Carolina and national vaccine rates are 52%, 54% and 56%, respectively.

  These data inform our operational decisions, which we have adjusted countless times since we began the university’s preparation, response and recovery efforts 631 days ago. As we evolve our response to an unpredictable virus, I would like to sincerely thank the staff in Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management and in Student Affairs who are central to our comprehensive COVID management strategy. The leaders in these areas regularly review the latest data, guidance and university resources, and make recommendations to the Vice Chancellors and me. As we consider daily guidance from the UNC System, as well as from federal, state and local public health agencies, these recommendations help us make the most judicious and effective safety decisions possible.

  On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of touring App State’s Sustainable Development Teaching and Research Farm in Ashe County with Provost Heather Norris and Vice Chancellors Hank Foreman and Jane Barghothi. As we ventured through the greenhouse and gardens, the students and staff were harvesting and preparing produce for delivery to Campus Dining. The farm models research-based preservation and, like so many opportunities for our students to learn in our beautiful Western North Carolina region, provides an experiential learning lab for students to expand their knowledge and explore their passions.

  Though we are still dealing with many unknowns, the ground is beginning to feel a little more solid beneath our feet. As our students and some of our faculty are departing for a brief Fall Break, I encourage our campus community to remain committed to following all safety precautions related to COVID-19.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, October 1, 2021

  Since my arrival on App State’s campus in 2014, I have been acutely aware of the high cost of living in the Boone area. Our beautiful location is also one of the most expensive places to live in North Carolina, and this brings with it significant challenges as we seek to recruit and retain talented faculty, staff and students. Yesterday, I sent an email to campus containing a survey that will help us assess the current housing and transportation needs and preferences of our faculty, staff and students. Your voice is important as we work to address a concern that has affected the members of our university community for many years.

  Engaging with campus representatives is a key priority for my leadership team and me, and we appreciate hearing from departments and groups across the university about their priorities and points of pride. These discussions have included sharing successes, research priorities, resource allocations, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, and they inform the decisions we are making for our university.

  • My leadership team and I are hosting weekly, small group discussions with leaders representing Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, the Student Government Association, Graduate Student Senate, academic Department Chairs and Deans.
    
    
  • Earlier this week, Interim Chief Diversity Officer Jamie Parson organized a breakfast for our faculty and staff affinity groups, myself and my leadership team as we work to further elevate diversity and inclusion at App State.
    
    
  • Yesterday, the Staff Senate Executive Board met with members of my leadership team to discuss ways to enhance the work environment for our staff members.
    
    
  • Provost Norris and I are continuing our meetings with faculty from academic departments, joined by Deans and other university leadership team members.

  Our future planning is focused on App State’s role in advancing graduates who are critical thinkers and active participants in developing economically, environmentally and equitably sound communities, and in broadening economic development opportunities for rural areas in Northwestern North Carolina. App State’s future Innovation District is an ambitious enterprise that will have a lasting and powerful impact on the region. This exciting, long-term project has been included in the university’s master planning since 2016, and numerous faculty and staff have worked to develop a vision for it with input from students and alumni. Provost Heather Norris will share more information during next week’s Fall Faculty and Staff Meeting, and we will continue to provide regular updates to campus via communications and the university’s Innovation District webpage.

  Last week, I reported on key sustainability initiatives to the university’s Board of Trustees. One area of significant progress: The university is increasing our renewable energy purchase portfolio from just under 2% to 15%. With this conversion, we also anticipate a cost savings of about half a million dollars. This notable step is the result of many years of work, and is a clear demonstration of many units across the university working cooperatively to effect major purchasing changes. It also includes an important commitment from the student-led, student-funded Renewable Energy Initiative, which voted to contribute $50,000 toward the university’s purchase of hydroelectric power from App State’s electric company, New River Light & Power.

  Across the country, App State is known as a leader among public educational institutions for our sustainability and resilience practices, and we continue making headway in the areas of transportation, purchasing, waste management and land use planning. Chief Sustainability Officer Lee Ball has a campus sustainability update underway that will be shared with campus in the coming weeks.

  As we near the halfway point in the semester, our primary COVID-19 data points are trending in a favorable direction. We remain vigilant in our mitigation efforts. The vaccine is the key to our success in managing the effects of COVID-19 on our campus, and it is what allows us to continue holding in-person classes and events. In advance of our COVID-19 dashboard updates on Monday, here is a look at the latest data:

  • So far this week, we have tested 1,925 students, faculty and staff on campus, with a positivity rate of 2.34%. Watauga County's latest reported positivity rate is 4.5% and North Carolina’s latest reported positivity rate is 7.7%.
    
    
  • The vaccination rate of our students continues to rise and has increased to 60%. The vaccination rate of employees remains steady at 94%. With more than 13,000 of our faculty, staff and students fully vaccinated, the university's overall vaccination rate is currently 64%, exceeding that of Watauga County, which is 52%.

  Collaboration across the university is important to our success, and I appreciate the many faculty, staff and students who are working together to help shape the future of App State — the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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September 2021

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, September 24, 2021

  Today we are hosting meetings of our Board of Trustees — a welcome opportunity to share with them the many successes we have achieved so far this semester. The full board meeting will be livestreamed and my full remarks will be posted to my website later today.

  The educational experience at App State continues to garner national recognition. In addition to our recent rankings by U.S. News & World Report, App State has also been lauded by The Princeton Review and Forbes magazine as a “Best” and “Top” college for 2021 and 2022. As I said in my message last week — and it bears repeating — these affirmations of our educational excellence speak directly to the high-caliber faculty and staff who work alongside our stellar students each day.

  My leadership team and I continue to operate a holistic response and recovery effort in regard to COVID-19. A critical component of this effort is regular meetings with leaders from across campus and we are thankful for this continued collaboration. We also closely monitor trends and make decisions informed by data and by CDC, state and local health guidance. In advance of our dashboard updates on Monday, below is a look at the latest data:

  • Preliminary reports from our testing lab indicate we have tested 1,496 students, faculty and staff on campus this week, with a positivity rate of 1.3%. Watauga County's active cases are on a downward trend, with a latest reported positivity rate of 5.7%, and North Carolina’s latest reported positivity rate, currently at 9.1%, is also on a downward trajectory.
    
    
  • The vaccination rate of our students has increased to 58% and that of employees remains steady at 94%. Of note, 76% of students who live on campus are vaccinated. The university's overall vaccination rate has been steadily rising and is currently at 63%. Our campus vaccination rate exceeds that of Watauga County, which is currently at 51%. On campus, we are seeing an increase in the demand for vaccines, and this week, we hosted four on-campus clinics with the FEMA vaccine team.

  These are important, favorable trends during a time in which we are working to balance a return to in-person activity with the reality that the pandemic is still very much a part of our lives. As we see increases in both testing and vaccination rates and lowering positivity rates on campus, locally and across the state, we are cautiously optimistic these trends will continue.

  Last night, our Mountaineers football team hosted longtime rival Marshall University in Boone for the first time in 25 years. Like so many campus experiences, game day at The Rock is a living tradition that creates new and lasting memories with each season. Today, the Class of 2020 will inaugurate a new campus tradition as they ring the Founders Bell to signify their academic achievements. This kicks off their long-awaited, in-person commencement ceremonies this Saturday, and we are excited to celebrate our graduates!

  From hard-earned accolades to a collective response to a global pandemic, the Appalachian Community proves time and time again that Mountaineer spirit prevails.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, September 17, 2021

  From groundbreaking research and creative endeavors, to engaging first-year experiences and resources for student-veterans, the value of an App State education speaks to the excellence of our faculty, staff and students. App State regularly earns top national rankings for academic excellence, and this year is no exception. The 2022 U.S. News & World Report annual “Best Colleges” rankings, released earlier this week, listed App State as:

  • No. 1 in Most Innovative Schools for the second year.
  • No. 2 in Best Undergraduate Teaching for the second year.
  • No. 2 in Best Colleges for Veterans, up one spot from last year.
  • No. 3 in Top Public Schools for the third year.

  Our dedicated faculty and staff continually find new ways to support and mentor our ambitious and supportive community of students, and these national recognitions affirm their good work.

  Together, we are sustaining a reputation for excellence established 122 years ago. This afternoon, we will celebrate our successes and history during our fourth annual Founders Day. We will also continue our tradition of ringing the Founders Bell as we honor more than a century of educational leadership at App State, and a bold academic mission set forth by B.B., D.D. and Lillie Shull Dougherty. This iconic symbol of App State’s history stands as a visual testament to the university’s enduring legacy of academic excellence that is the foundation of our current standing as the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast.

  This weekend students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, families and special guests will come together to celebrate many important events and milestones, including our first in-person Family Weekend since 2019, the naming of Watson-Brumit Hall in honor of a Mountaineer who is continuing the legacy of our Founders by funding a key scholarship program, the dedication of the plaza outside of Kidd Brewer Stadium in honor of legendary App State Football Coach Jerry Moore and our first home football game of the season. These are opportunities for us to celebrate the past, present and future of App State.

  As excited as we are to celebrate the ability to come together in person in ways we have not in 18 months, and as weary as we are with the ongoing pandemic, we must continue to incorporate safety precautions into our daily lives and routines. Remember that face coverings are required in all indoor locations on campus, and while they are not required outdoors, public health recommendations encourage wearing a face covering in crowded outdoor settings.

  The vaccine remains our greatest defense against COVID-19 and we continue to strongly encourage all Mountaineers to get fully vaccinated. To help make vaccines more available to our university and greater community, on Sunday from 1–5 p.m. and Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., the FEMA mobile vaccine team will be on campus offering Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen vaccines free of charge. I urge everyone who is not yet fully vaccinated to take advantage of these upcoming campus vaccine clinics.

  As an expression of our appreciation to students, faculty and staff for prioritizing the health and well-being of themselves and the entire campus community, we have included the names of everyone who has provided their fully vaccinated status to the university in a pool for prize drawings. In addition to other prizes, I am pleased to share that, to date, we have awarded $100,000 in scholarships to vaccinated students.

  Each Monday, we update our COVID-19 data dashboard, and in my Friday updates, I provide interim updates so our community has the latest information at the beginning and end of each work week. Here is a snapshot of the latest data:

  • Preliminary reports from our testing lab indicate we have tested 2,658 students, faculty and staff on campus this week, with a positivity rate of 1.7%. Watauga County's latest reported positivity rate is 7.8% and the state's latest reported positivity rate is 11%.
    
    
  • The vaccination rate of our students has increased to 57% and that of employees remains at 93%. The university's overall vaccination rate has been steadily rising, and is currently at 62%. Our campus rate exceeds that of Watauga County, which is currently at 51%. We are seeing a marked increase in the demand for vaccines on campus, and as a result, expect the campus vaccination rate will continue to rise in the coming weeks.

  Yesterday, our campus community received a message from Interim CIO Tom Van Gilder about an important campuswide IT assessment underway. It is important we have the IT infrastructure and support that is fitting for an institution of our size and caliber. Coordinated, efficient and secure information technology is critical to support the university’s mission now and in the future, and your input is essential to a successful assessment. I appreciate that Tom has taken on this important project for our campus, and I encourage you to provide your full input.

  The principles that inspired the Founders of Watauga Academy in 1899 continue to move our university forward today. Our commitment to providing a life-changing educational experience remains stronger than ever. We can all be proud of our efforts and achievements as we continue the work of our Founders for centuries to come.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, September 10, 2021

  September is filled with opportunities to engage at App State — through highlights of campus resources, visits from families and alumni, and the recognition of research and creative endeavors.

  Through Sept. 14, Wellness and Prevention Services is presenting our annual Health, Wellness and Safety Week. Next week brings Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian, Founders Day and Family Weekend, followed by our commencement celebration for the Class of 2020 at the end of the month. These events and engagements only heighten our focus on promoting the safety of our campus community.

  As I shared last week, and will reiterate, the COVID-19 vaccine is what allows our university, our community and our state to remain open and fully functional. I am encouraged by the increase this week in students, faculty and staff who have reported their fully vaccinated status to the university.
  
  As a reminder, the university's COVID dashboard is updated on Mondays. Our latest reported numbers for this week indicate:
  

  • The vaccination rate of our students has increased to 55% and that of employees has increased to 92%. The university's overall vaccination rate of 60% exceeds that of Watauga County, which is currently at 50%.
    

  • So far this week, we have tested 1,914 individuals on campus. The positivity rate of our on-campus tests is 3.7%. While we will see higher testing numbers in the coming weeks, this is the largest number of tests we have conducted on campus in a single week this semester, and it is encouraging that the positivity rate is significantly lower than Watauga County's latest reported positivity rate of 9.2% and the state's latest reported positivity rate of 11.3%.

  COVID is a presence in all of our lives. Vaccinations make a difference in containing the spread and severity of COVID-19. While it is still possible to contract COVID regardless of vaccination status, the data are clear that the illness is much more severe in unvaccinated individuals, and that those who are vaccinated are much less likely to contract and transmit COVID to others.
  

  To show our appreciation to those who are responsibly vaccinated, we have been placing the names of faculty, staff and students in a pool for prizes. Over the last several weeks, we have awarded more than 60 students with $1,000 scholarships and distributed many other prizes including AirPods, campus bookstore gift cards and free campus parking.
  
  All students, faculty and staff who have not been vaccinated against COVID must submit test results each week, or get tested at an App State clinic. Both App State and local public health offer COVID testing free of charge. Beginning next week, the university will add additional testing clinics for students, faculty and staff so there will be multiple, on-campus testing clinics each week, in addition to the testing clinics offered by local public health each weekday. New test clinic dates will be added to the university's COVID website soon. With the prevalence of the pandemic in all of our lives, additional testing will not only give us a more complete understanding of the extent to which the virus is on our campus, it will also provide greater peace of mind to those who have concerns about COVID exposure, regardless of vaccination status.
  

  These are beautiful early fall days and it is a privilege to be here on campus. In order to be here together, it is up to all of us to get fully vaccinated, to follow safety precautions and to focus on the well-being of the entire Appalachian Community.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, September 3, 2021

  It is with profound sadness that I share Dr. John E. Thomas passed away yesterday. A beloved member of our campus community, he served as chancellor of App State from 1979–1993. His legacy of innovation — and his strong belief that teaching and research work hand in hand — will be upheld on our campus for centuries to come. He championed the importance of teaching, research and service and, for so many who knew him, he was the embodiment of what it means to be a Mountaineer: kind, thoughtful and community-focused. For me, personally, he was also a trusted mentor and dear friend. Through conversations over a cup of coffee, surprise visits and lighthearted emails, we stayed engaged in one another’s lives for nearly a decade. I will always treasure the time I spent with him. He will forever occupy a special place in my heart and the heart of our campus community.

  Earlier this week, we welcomed UNC System President Peter Hans to our campus. He met with students, faculty and leaders from across the university, who put together engaging tours and presentations underscoring why App State is the premier public undergraduate university in the Southeast. I am incredibly proud of all President Hans saw firsthand: our high-quality academic programs, our impressive facilities and, most importantly, our faculty, staff and students, who are truly the heart of our university. As we shared with President Hans what we have accomplished, we also demonstrated the potential our campus has to achieve so much more with a funding model that matches our caliber and the distinction we have earned.

  We remain vigilant and data-driven in our approach to managing the effects of the pandemic. Our goal is to keep classes in person and, at this time, we have no plans to move our in-person classes online. We will continue making data-driven decisions, informed by public health guidance.

  • The vaccination rates of our students (currently 52%) and employees (currently 89%) are increasing and exceed those of Watauga County.
    
    
  • So far this week, we have tested 1,345 people, with a positivity rate of 5%, well below North Carolina’s latest reported positivity rate of 12.6% and below the national rate of 7.7%.
    
    
  • None of the active cases in our students, faculty or staff are hospitalized.
    
    
  • We will continue to keep the university community informed via weekly messages from me, our campus operations updates and our COVID data dashboard.

  As positivity rates and hospitalizations rise across the state, the key to managing the severity of the impact is the COVID vaccine. We are focused on vaccinating our campus community because vaccinated individuals are less likely to contract COVID and if they do contract it, they are less likely to be hospitalized, experience long-term effects and die of COVID-19. The vaccine reduces the severity of the illness, lowers the stress on our medical system and allows the university, our community and our state to remain open and fully functional.

  To gain a more complete picture of the spread of COVID-19 on campus, we will adjust our testing strategy, beginning next week. Rather than placing those who have not reported their fully vaccinated status into a randomized testing pool, beginning next week everyone who has not reported their status as fully vaccinated will be required to get tested each week. Our weekly COVID-19 testing events held each Wednesday are one opportunity to fulfill this requirement, and they are also open to any student, faculty or staff member who would like to get tested, regardless of vaccination status.

  If you are not yet fully vaccinated, or if you have not yet reported your vaccination status, please do so as quickly as possible.

  Last Friday marked the UNC System’s census day, during which we officially determined our enrollment for the 2021–22 academic year. I am pleased to share some remarkable milestones that demonstrate that students have put their trust in App State during the pandemic. In particular, our landmark total enrollment of 20,641 and our steady increases in the enrollment of underrepresented, transfer and App State Online students reflect our university’s commitment to making higher education accessible for all students.

  • First-year enrollment growth has broken a new record at more than 4,000 students, undergraduate enrollment is up nearly 3%, and graduate student and App State Online enrollment are each up more than 6% from 2020.
    
    
  • Underrepresented student enrollment has reached an historic high. Just over 19% of the total first-year population identifies as underrepresented, an increase of 5.7% since last year. We have more than doubled our first-year underrepresented enrollment since 2014 and, in the same time period, we have increased our total underrepresented student population by 66%.
    
    
  • Enrollment from rural populations has surpassed our goals three years early with 34.3% of in-state, degree-seeking undergraduate students from rural populations. First-generation undergraduate students compose 32% of the undergraduate student body.
    
    
  • The transfer student population has grown by nearly 5% since last year.

  Our slow and steady growth since 2014 is critically important to the future of App State. It directly impacts our financial stability and our ability to attract and retain high-caliber students who will go on to make positive contributions to North Carolina’s workforce and far beyond.

  Over the last week, Mountaineers from near and far engaged in the Queen City Takeover, which culminated with last night’s App State football game against East Carolina University. It was incredible to see Bank of America Stadium filled with black and gold fans cheering on our team — an experience topped only by our first win of the season! We look forward to many more this season!

  Each year, new generations of Mountaineers entrust our university with their education. Our faculty and staff foster lifelong relationships with these students as they help shape their Appalachian Experience. We are grateful for the opportunity to guide our students as they grow personally and professionally — now and long into their futures.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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August 2021

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  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, August 27, 2021

  As we conclude our second week of classes, I offer my sincere thanks to the students, faculty and staff who are complying with the safety precautions in place to help mitigate COVID-19. As someone who has battled cancer in the last year, I am in a medical category for which additional COVID-prevention precautions are recommended. While getting my booster vaccine this week, my thoughts turned — with heartfelt appreciation — to everyone who has become fully vaccinated or is in the process of becoming fully vaccinated. Every single vaccinated person contributes to a safer face-to-face learning environment for the entire Appalachian Community.

  While we will update our COVID-19 data dashboard on Monday, our current vaccination rates are 51% for students and 87% for employees. Vaccination rates are an important metric for determining operations and safety measures. If you have not already done so, please submit your vaccine status so we can count you among those who have reported they are vaccinated. You will also be eligible to win scholarships and other prizes, you will be exempt from weekly COVID testing and you are less likely to have to quarantine if you are exposed to an active case of COVID.

  If you are fully vaccinated, you have an important voice to share. Please encourage your friends, loved ones and peers to get vaccinated and to share their fully vaccinated status with the university.

  Today, the 10th day after the start of the fall semester, is the day we officially determine our enrollment for the 2021–22 academic year. While the final numbers will be released later today, we expect to have some exciting successes to share, which are particularly meaningful since they were accomplished amid the immense challenges presented by a global pandemic. The value of an App State education is lasting and is the result of the collective efforts of the entire Appalachian Community. Our faculty excel at teaching, research, creative endeavors and service. Our staff are dedicated to the well-being and success of our students. Our students compose an ambitious and supportive community of learners. Together, we are carrying forward the legacy of our founders, more than 120 years in the making.

  This week also brought opportunities to engage with our campus community.

  • The Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board — which focuses on supporting diverse recruitment — joined me for lunch on Tuesday. They shared their successes and challenges from the past year, and we discussed their goals for the upcoming year and how our community can support their work. I look forward to seeing all they accomplish this year!
    
    
  • On Thursday afternoon, I had the pleasure of speaking at an open house event for Mountain Laurel Hall, our university’s first dedicated residence hall for transfer students. I was able to visit with our transfer students and thank the many dedicated staff and faculty members who create engaging programming and robust support services for these students.

  As the Appalachian Community continues to grow and change, we are excited about the potential of our students who will, beyond doubt, continue to make real and powerful differences in communities across the state, the nation and the world.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, August 20, 2021

  With classes underway, it's been a busy and exciting week at App State. Classrooms, the Student Union, the library and Sanford Mall are filled with students, and the energy on campus is high. Welcome Week activities continued, our women's soccer team won their first game of the season and our highly decorated solar vehicle team took a victory lap around campus and Downtown Boone to celebrate their first-place win in the American Solar Challenge. In less than two weeks, we will kick off our football season in Charlotte with a highly anticipated game against East Carolina University, and we are getting ready to show ECU how App State does a Queen City Takeover!

  We continue to closely follow state and local public health guidance and monitor COVID-19 data and trends. Models indicate we will see an increase in positive cases in the coming weeks. Vigilance is critical.

  All Mountaineers should get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While we are requiring face coverings in all indoor campus locations and continuing our enhanced cleaning and sanitization measures, I cannot overstate the importance of becoming fully vaccinated.
  

  • Those who are unvaccinated are 400% more likely to get COVID-19 than those who are fully vaccinated according to NC Department of Health and Human Services. The CDC indicates that infections, even the Delta variant, happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, and that symptoms tend to be mild. We are seeing this locally as well — severe cases and hospitalizations are occurring at much higher rates among those who are unvaccinated.

  • Because the likelihood of spreading the virus and variants is lower among those who are vaccinated, vaccinated individuals who have been exposed to someone with COVID are not required to quarantine if they are not exhibiting symptoms.
    

  • Ultimately, when enough people are vaccinated, everyone's risk of contracting COVID will lessen to the point at which this virus will not be the most prevalent consideration in our daily decision-making.

  With advisement from local public health, we will launch our COVID-19 data dashboard for Fall 2021 on Monday, Aug. 23, in order to inform our campus about the efficacy of our university's COVID suppression efforts. Preliminary information indicates that more than 47% of our students and 85% of our employees have reported that they are fully vaccinated. This is good news, but we must do better.

  • As a reminder, those who have not provided their vaccination status will be subject to weekly COVID-19 testing. This targeted testing is already underway, and we will begin testing larger groups next week.
    
    
  • This week we placed the names of students, faculty and staff who have submitted their full vaccination status into a pool for prize drawings, including parking passes, $1,000 scholarships for students and tickets to Mountaineers football games. Our first winners will be notified via email this afternoon. This is just one way we are showing our appreciation for those who are helping to protect themselves, our campus and the greater community, and we will continue to do so.
    

  As fall semester gets underway, we are once again reminded how meaningful it is to be back to a full Appalachian Experience. I am confident our students, faculty and staff will continue to prioritize the health and safety of the App State community.
  

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, August 13, 2021

  The joyful sights and sounds on our campus this week signaled the start of a new academic year — proud families helping their Mountaineers move into residence halls, students exploring their homes away from home and Sanford Mall once again filled with students enjoying outdoor activities. Our campus is invigorated by this renewed energy!

  We remain cautious and safety-focused. In my conversations with our students, faculty and staff, it is understood that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over.
  

  We must continue to be vigilant:

  • Get fully vaccinated from COVID-19, if you have not done so already.
  • Submit your vaccination status by Aug.16.
  • Wear face coverings indoors.
  • Stay informed by reading the latest university updates.

  Faculty, staff and students can get vaccinated on campus at Student Health Service. Beginning Monday, Aug. 16, every student, faculty and staff member who has submitted their full vaccination status will be placed into a pool for prize drawings, which include free parking passes, gift cards for on-campus dining and community businesses, football getaway weekends and more. Additionally, students will be eligible to win $1,000 scholarships.

  Faculty, staff and students continue to attest their vaccination status as they arrive on campus and in the local community. On Monday, Aug. 23, we will launch our COVID-19 data dashboard for Fall 2021. With the advisement of local public health, we are determining the metrics that will most effectively inform our campus about the university's COVID suppression efforts.

  Our campus experts also serve as important resources for information for our campus and the community. Two recent examples include:
  

  • Dr. Kurt Michael has offered expert advice for transitioning back to face-to-face social situations.
  • Jason Marshburn was interviewed this week about the university's COVID safety measures with Boone Chamber of Commerce President and CEO David Jackson.

  The entire App State community has been cheering on our solar vehicle team, Team Sunergy, as they competed in the 2021 American Solar Challenge. This rigorous competition tests the limits of groundbreaking sustainable technology, problem-solving skills and teamwork. Team Sunergy, finished in first place for multi-occupant vehicles — winning all three stages from Missouri to New Mexico, clocking a total of 964.8 miles and also earning awards for teamwork and electrical design.
  

  Our students were outstanding representatives of App State and excelled among a roster of highly elite institutions. Team Sunergy is the epitome of true Mountaineer spirit and I am extraordinarily proud of their ingenuity, perseverance and teamwork. Read more about how they earned a podium spot in this challenging race.
  

  Earlier this week, I toured campus with members of my leadership team to ensure we are ready for classes to begin on Monday. With welcome week events in full swing, our university is bustling with activity and anticipation of a great fall semester to come.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, August 6, 2021

  Below is a special welcome message for the members of our university community, which could not be more heartfelt:

  Students are beginning to arrive on campus for the fall semester, and by the end of next week, 6,200 students will be settled into residence halls. We are so excited to be providing a full Appalachian Experience for our students once again — many will be continuing their time as Mountaineers while others are just beginning.

  As we return to pre-pandemic operations:

  • We will maintain our practice of making data-driven decisions about COVID safety that are informed by the latest guidance from federal, state and local public health agencies, as well as guidance from the UNC System.
    
    
  • We will continue to adapt our protocols, procedures and policies as necessary to best protect the safety and well-being of our university community.

  The pandemic is still very much with us. I cannot stress more urgently how essential it is for our continued in-person experience that we all get vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccine is the single most effective tool we have to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19, and to slow the spread of the virus.

  If you haven’t yet read the latest university operations update, which was sent to campus Wednesday, I encourage you to do so. It includes details about COVID safety protocols for fall semester. Most importantly:

  • Face coverings are now required in all indoor campus locations due to cases rising in Watauga County and the county moving to the category of “substantial” transmission rates.
    
    
  • Students, faculty and staff who have not uploaded their vaccine status will be required to participate in regular, randomized COVID-19 testing. Visit the vaccine page of App State’s coronavirus website for additional information, including how to submit your COVID vaccine status.

  As the fall semester gets underway, I will continue to regularly share campus updates and COVID safety guidance.

  App State is rooting for our solar vehicle team, Team Sunergy. Last weekend, the team took second place in its class at the 2021 Formula Sun Grand Prix in Topeka, Kansas, and qualified for the American Solar Challenge — a nearly 1,000-mile road race from Missouri to New Mexico that began on Tuesday and concludes tomorrow. Yesterday, driven by seniors Jessica Navarro-Luviano and Stephany Garcia Henao, App State’s vehicle summited a nearly 8,000-foot mountain pass in Colorado — one of only three in the race to do so!

  We will be thrilled to welcome Team Sunergy home, along with all the rest of our remarkable Mountaineers.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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July 2021

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, July 30, 2021

  Campus activity is ramping up as students will soon move into residence halls and classes will begin for the fall semester on Aug. 16. The latest operations update was sent to campus yesterday. If you haven’t yet read it, I encourage you to do so, as it includes details about COVID safety protocols for fall semester, including links for students, faculty and staff to upload their vaccine status. Having data about the vaccine status of our university community will be key to our ability to make informed safety policy and protocol decisions, and I greatly appreciate the nearly 30% of faculty and staff who have, since yesterday, attested their vaccine status.

  As the fall semester approaches and gets underway, additional guidance and more frequent communications will be sent to campus.

  Yesterday, Governor Cooper announced a new Executive Order, EO224, and updated the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) guidance.

  • The EO224 requirements do not apply to UNC institutions or employees.
    
    
  • The NCDHHS guidance, which isn’t mandated under the Executive Order, is in line with the latest guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and recommends various COVID-19 protocols for both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals. We are reviewing these carefully.
    
    
  • Gov. Cooper also confirmed that all face covering requirements under the previous Executive Order EO220 will expire today at 5 p.m. and will not be renewed.

  The Vice Chancellors and I meet daily to review the latest guidance and discuss the university's COVID response and recovery efforts. The safety of the university community is our utmost priority and we continue to take the global pandemic very seriously.

  • Since the start of the pandemic, we have relied on data and guidance from the UNC System as well as public health guidance from the CDC and state and local public health agencies to inform our decisions in regard to COVID-19 safety policies and protocols. The updated university guidance we shared yesterday is in line with the latest federal, state and local public guidance.
    
    
  • After 18 months of actively responding to COVID-19, we are acutely aware that guidance necessarily must change as circumstances change and new information is available. We review all information, guidance and directives carefully to determine how they apply to App State. We will continue to make data-driven decisions based on the latest public health recommendations.
    
    
  • A team led by Emergency Management Director Jason Marshburn and Dr. Alex Howard, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director of Wellness and Prevention Services, meets regularly to review the latest data, guidance and university resources, and makes recommendations to the Vice Chancellors and me. The Vice Chancellors and I review these recommendations each week, in addition to our daily meetings to review and discuss the latest information available from the UNC System, as well as federal, state and local public health agencies.

  In a few weeks we will begin a new academic year with the benefit of 18 months of data, guidance that has been developed by the best medical experts in the world and the most powerful tool available that has been proven to stop the severity and the spread of COVID-19 and its variants — a plentiful supply of vaccine.

  • The COVID vaccine is key to a successful fall semester. If you haven’t yet had the vaccine, please do so now. On campus, faculty, staff and students can make an appointment at Student Health Service by calling 828-262-3100.
    
    
  • The CDC is recommending vaccinated individuals wear face coverings in areas with “substantial” or “high” rates of transmission. Watauga County is currently an area of “moderate” transmission. We are closely monitoring our county transmission rates, and will post the county’s transmission status on the university’s homepage, as well as the university’s coronavirus website. Face coverings will be available for classrooms, and in academic departments and public areas throughout campus.
    
    
  • The enhanced sanitation procedures and rigorous cleaning schedules put in place last year will continue. Please use the hand sanitizer stations across campus and the sanitizing wipes provided in each classroom.

  The last few weeks have also brought important discussions and momentous occasions.

  • Today, we will cut the ribbon on Laurel Creek Residence Hall — the third new hall to open on our campus in the last year! I am proud of the team that completed these buildings on time and under budget despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, and am pleased that our perseverance also helped contribute to the local economy during especially challenging economic times. These buildings, and the many other projects in progress on our campus, represent the future of App State. At a time when the focus is very much on the day to day, we also have our sights on the horizon — anticipating the needs of the Appalachian Community and planning for generations of Mountaineers to come.
    
    
  • Team Sunergy, App State’s solar vehicle team, is in Topeka, KS, representing App State in an international competition in which they will race the App State solar car on the Heartland Motorsports Park track in the Formula Sun Grand Prix, a three-day track race that begins today. Next week, they will join the American Solar Challenge, a five-day, cross-country road race that spans nearly 1,000 miles from Missouri to New Mexico. We are so proud of our team, which has persevered through the pandemic to represent App State at these competitions for the fourth time, inspiring others and testing the limits of what can be accomplished with the power of the sun.
    
    
  • Last week, at the meetings of the UNC System Board of Governors, I represented App State as a member of the Committee on Budget and Finance. During the full board meeting, President Hans reinforced the value of System institutions’ collaboration with community colleges, and also recognized App State as a Literacy Innovation Leader. The rich heritage of our institution has always been focused on student learning, and we are proud to be part of these important UNC System initiatives, which will create profound and lasting positive effects for the future of North Carolina.

  Although the last year and a half has taken a toll on all of us, we have demonstrated our ability to persevere and come together as a community to problem-solve under the most difficult of circumstances. I sincerely thank every faculty and staff member for their hard work to ensure our university is ready to provide a meaningful experience for all Mountaineers this fall. We all look forward to welcoming our students back to campus soon!

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, July 16, 2021

  Exactly one month from today classes will begin for the fall, and face-to-face interactions will once again be the norm. 

  As we prepare for the coming semester, faculty and staff across campus are continuing ongoing efforts and initiating new programs to create an exceptional experience for our students.

  • Provost Heather Norris and I are hosting a new, three-week comprehensive leadership workshop for chairs of academic departments, presented by the Division of Academic Affairs. This workshop ensures these campus leaders have access to important resources and information needed to foster the success of their students and faculty. The first week has been full of engaging conversations, and I have greatly appreciated spending time with these key campus leaders.

  • Our newly digitized textbook rental program is already providing tremendous value to students. This digital addition to the program — only the second of its kind in the country — offers equitable access to most course materials for all students, and provides our students with convenient access (online or offline) to their materials before their classes begin.

  • Later today, I will greet donors and student scholarship recipients at the Appalachian Scholarship Celebration. This annual event offers the chance for our donors to meet and hear stories from students whose lives they have forever changed through their generosity and leadership. Scholarships are vital to our efforts to promote access and inclusion on our campus. These donors are helping open doors and lessening the burden of debt for students, making it feasible for them to earn a degree from the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast.

  We continue to urge all Mountaineers to get vaccinated to help protect our community, especially children under 12 and immunocompromised individuals who are unable to take the vaccine. This week, ECU Chancellor Rogers accepted my challenge to see which university can vaccinate the most students before the highly anticipated football game between our two schools on Sept. 2. Let’s show them how to do it, Mountaineers!

  This summer, our university and faculty have received prestigious recognitions from the UNC System that reflect App State’s far-reaching influence.

  • An App State research team was one of three from the UNC System to be awarded a grant through the University of North Carolina’s Research Opportunities Initiative (ROI), marking the first time our university has been selected as a lead principal investigator on an ROI grant. Led by Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, chair of the Department of Computer Science, the project aims to answer key questions on bee hive health, development and genomic diversity. App State will partner with a faculty member from UNC Charlotte for this project.

  • App State was selected by the UNC System as one of six institutions to receive recurring grants from the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program. As part of the program, the Reich College of Education will partner with 12 school districts and the Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance to train and support future principals through the university’s school administration program.

  At our Staff Connect networking event earlier this week, it was clear our campus is starting to bustle with renewed energy and in-person experiences. With safety directing our decisions, we are getting back to the people, places and activities we love.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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June 2021

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University

  Friday, June 18, 2021

  With each passing day, App State’s campus is looking and feeling more like pre-pandemic operations. Today we hosted a meeting of our Board of Trustees and we welcomed the opportunity to see our Trustees in person. These meetings are always a welcome opportunity to highlight the important work taking place at App State and to share our appreciation for the many ways our Trustees advocate for and champion our university.

  In my remarks, I shared insights into our plans for a full return to pre-pandemic operations in the fall semester, updates about our campus construction projects and fundraising efforts, and spotlights of our extraordinary faculty, staff and students. You may read my remarks in full here.

  With regret I also announced an important staffing update. Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Paul Forte has announced his decision to leave our university, effective July 31. Since joining App State in 2016, Paul has provided expert administrative oversight of finance and administration, facilities operations and the areas that manage university safety and security. At each turn, Paul found fiscally sound methods to carry out my direction: from ensuring our P3 projects were financially viable, to allocating resources for faculty and staff salary increases, to re-assigning staff who would otherwise have been furloughed. In the process, he has helped our institution become financially stronger, has earned university-wide respect and admiration, and has become not only an esteemed colleague but also a dear friend.

  Sharon Bell has assumed the position of Interim Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, and I know you join me in thanking Sharon for taking on this role. A national search for a Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs will be announced soon.

  Tomorrow is Juneteenth, and as Interim Chief Diversity Officer Jamie Parson shared in her message to campus, President Joe Biden signed a bill yesterday designating Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Jamie will represent App State at the unveiling of the new historical marker for the Junaluska community — Boone’s historic African American community — during a ceremony in downtown Boone tomorrow evening. Many thanks to Jamie for her leadership as she continues to move forward our diversity and inclusion initiatives and find new ways to celebrate and recognize underrepresented populations.

  This summer stands in stark contrast to the summer of 2020, when we were at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our plans now focus on returning to normalcy and encouraging the Appalachian Community and beyond to get vaccinated. We are less than two months from the first day of classes for fall 2021 and it cannot get here soon enough!

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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May 2021

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of May 24–28

  Friday, May 28, 2021

  On Monday, the university will be closed in observance of Memorial Day — a day honoring those who gave their lives in service to our country. This morning, Air Force veterans Christy Cook, a faculty member in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, and David Cook, a staff member in the Office of the Chancellor, placed a wreath at our Veterans Memorial to commemorate this important occasion. We appreciate their dedication to the university and to our country, and thank them for helping honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military.

  On June 1, Dr. Willie Fleming, our first cabinet-level Chief Diversity Officer, is retiring. Willie has been long beloved and respected by faculty, staff and students, and I know you join me in thanking him for his decades of dedicated work to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion at App State. While we will miss Willie’s presence on campus, he will always be a Mountaineer! As I announced on May 6, Jamie Parson has already begun transitioning into the role of Interim Chief Diversity Officer. Jamie is a proven leader of inclusive excellence at App State who is sustaining and advancing our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and I appreciate her continued leadership as she steps into this important role.

  With summer upon us and safety ever at the forefront of our decisions, the hope, excitement and anticipation of the Appalachian Community for a robust fall semester rise. As we work to bring our faculty and staff back to campus and to prepare for a fall semester with pre-pandemic operations, we are regularly updating our university’s COVID-19 website and our Summer and Fall 2021 Guide to Campus Operations. We continue to emphasize the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine in getting back to the people, places and activities we love, and we are proud to be part of North Carolina’s vaccination efforts. Every student, faculty and staff member should get vaccinated against COVID-19. You can find more information about COVID-19 vaccines and our next community vaccine clinic here.

  As I have walked through campus during the last 15 months of the global pandemic, the beauty of our university — both the physical landscape and the heart of our Mountaineers — has been a source of inspiration and hope. I know we all look forward to once again seeing our campus bustling with energy and in-person activity.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of May 17–21

  Friday, May 21, 2021

  The first Summer Session begins Monday. As we look forward to our signature summer events, such as An Appalachian Summer Festival, we continue to welcome prospective students and families to campus for in-person tours. Across campus, units are busily preparing for fall 2021. As we refine our plans for the fall semester, we are beginning a return to pre-pandemic operations with safety precautions in place. We will share operations updates via email, and the latest information and guidance may be found on the university’s coronavirus website.

  Almost exactly 14 months ago, we announced our first campus case of COVID-19. I am proud to report, as of the first of this week, our active cases are at almost zero. While we know the pandemic is not over, this is a tremendous milestone and one that required the dedication of every Mountaineer. I am so very proud of how our campus and community have come together to take care of one another.

  The COVID-19 vaccine is our single best hope for ending the pandemic and getting back to the people, places and activities we love. At App State, we continue to offer COVID-19 vaccines to anyone in North Carolina age 18 and older. Our next clinic is scheduled for Thursday, May 27, from 9 a.m.–noon in the Blue Ridge Ballroom of Plemmons Student Union. Every student, faculty and staff member should get vaccinated against COVID-19. If you have not yet done so, please get vaccinated as soon as possible — I am providing each person who gets vaccinated at the upcoming clinic a $10 Campus Dining card as a thank-you for prioritizing the health and safety of yourself and all those around you.

  While we continue our work to overcome the pandemic, our expert faculty and staff remain focused on creating a supportive and academically challenging environment for students on our campus and beyond. I am so pleased to help share some recent accolades and accomplishments they have earned. I hope you will join me in congratulating:

  • Dr. Maggie Sugg, assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Planning, who received the prestigious CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development Program. This award is given to early career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education, and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.
  • Dr. Alex Howard, interim assistant vice chancellor in the Division of Student Affairs and director of Wellness and Prevention Services, who was named one of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s 4 Under 40 in the education professional category.
  • Drs. Rahman Tashakkori, Cindy Norris and Jay Fenwick, faculty members in the Department of Computer Science, who were awarded a National Science Foundation grant to create and implement Computer Science for All, a program designed to expand access to and diversify computer science education for students at rural high schools in the Appalachian region of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

  We have much to celebrate as we see COVID-19 restrictions lifting and look forward to the upcoming fall semester. Together, we have helped slow the spread of COVID-19 and we are starting to see the first glimpses of a return to pre-pandemic campus life. We will remain focused on safety and vaccinations, and appreciative to be part of this resilient community.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of May 10–14

  Friday, May 14, 2021

  App State’s Spring 2021 Commencement was momentous, with more than 3,600 graduates honored during 13 in-person ceremonies over the course of five days, in addition to a virtual conferral of degrees. The heart of our commencement was captured by the excited smiles of our graduates, and the pride radiating from their many supporters and loved ones who were celebrating from near and far.

  The photos capturing the celebration help tell the story of our graduates marking a most defining moment in their academic careers. We are so very proud of the Class of 2021, particularly for the determination they exhibited under historically challenging circumstances. Their experiences at App State have taught them new ways to innovate and persevere, and I am certain as alumni they will continue to make real and powerful differences in their communities and beyond.

  Our in-person commencement ceremonies were attended by 4,420 individuals and viewed, via livestream, more than 30,000 times. While faculty and staff participation was limited due to COVID-19 safety restrictions, each academic college also held celebrations for the Class of 2021, and we were pleased to be joined in the Holmes Convocation Center by mace bearers Paul Orkiszewski, Drs. Robin Byerly, Rodney Duke, Beth Fiske, Barbara Howard, Marie Huff, Jeff Vahlbusch and Sandra Vannoy, and Appalachian Police Department Capt. Johnny Brown. I am very grateful to Drs. Mark Bradbury and Jay Jackson, who carried the university banner and read the names of our graduates as they crossed the stage. I was also pleased that Dr. Caroline Smith, associate professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science, was recognized by UNC Board of Governors representative C. Philip Byers for being App State’s winner of the UNC Board of Governors’ 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award.

  Our celebrations helped mark the end of a year of incredible campus-wide efforts managing the many impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we recognize this work will continue, we do feel a sense of optimism, driven not only by recent guidance and announcements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as Governor Cooper, but also by our campus data, which show our collective efforts to get vaccinated and to follow safety guidelines are effective. We closed out the academic year having conducted 57,370 COVID-19 tests on campus, having administered 4,340 COVID-19 vaccines to faculty, staff, students and the general public, and having only two active COVID-19 cases — the lowest number of active COVID-19 cases since June 2020.

  Our next operations update will be sent to campus on Monday, and will reflect any changes necessary in light of Governor Cooper’s announcement today.

  The end of the academic year and our Spring 2021 Commencement ceremonies remind us of all we have accomplished during a most challenging year. Thank you to each of our faculty, staff and students — you all overcame incredible difficulties with grace and unwavering resilience.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of May 3–7

  Friday, May 7, 2021

  Today we were thrilled to honor the Class of 2021 during our first of 13 in-person commencement ceremonies since December of 2019. After a year and a half, it was moving to see graduates in regalia and loved ones looking on with pride. We are so very pleased we can offer in-person ceremonies. As more and more people get vaccinated, we look forward to fewer COVID-19 restrictions, a return to the personal interactions we all miss and a fully in-person fall semester. I encourage you to look through these images to experience many touching tributes for and from our graduates that offer a look into the lasting relationships built among Mountaineers.

  Our commencement website also includes a virtual conferral of degrees for those who chose not to, or were unable to, participate in the ceremonies on campus, and the website will offer daily links to the livestreamed ceremonies so graduates and their families can relive this momentous occasion at any time.

  As we conclude the spring 2021 semester and look ahead to the summer and fall, I want to thank our faculty for completing this semester with grace and excellence; our staff for unrelenting and often extraordinary support; and our students for your collective good spirit, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives.

  Through campus communications and public health campaigns in the local community, we continue to champion the importance of getting vaccinated and following all safety precautions related to COVID-19. We update our dashboard with weekly data each Monday, and the totals for this week thus far are below:

  • To date, we have administered 4,280 COVID-19 vaccines to faculty, staff, students and the general public.
    
    
  • We have conducted 57,257 COVID-19 tests on campus, to date, and this week we have conducted 295 COVID-19 tests, with a positivity rate of 1.02% — significantly lower than the state’s latest positivity rate of 4.4%.

  This morning I was proud to announce Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris has been named provost and executive vice chancellor after serving as interim provost since February 2020. She has earned respect and trust across campus, and I appreciate her passion for advancing the success of our great university.

  Congratulations are also in order for renowned climate scientist Dr. Baker Perry, who was once again featured in National Geographic, and gained international attention for his groundbreaking work. After helping to install the highest weather station in the world on Mount Everest, he recently served as co-lead of an expedition to place a weather station just below the summit of the Tupungato Volcano in Chile — making it the highest weather station in the Southern and Western hemispheres.

  The final weeks of the semester have been filled with important end-of-academic-year meetings. Last week, I appreciated the opportunity to share university updates and engage in discussions with several groups, including the university’s Diversity and Inclusion Accountability Team and Faculty Senate. My remarks to Faculty Senate are available to read here. Last Friday’s campus budget presentations for our faculty and staff shared the major goals and accomplishments of the last year, and the budget priorities for the coming year.

  As we celebrate our graduates, our hearts also remain with the many people affected by last week's tragedy. Please remember counseling resources for students, as well as for faculty and staff, are available.

  I look forward to presiding over our remaining commencement ceremonies in the coming days as we honor the accomplishments of the Class of 2021 and the unwavering support of our faculty, staff and App State families.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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April 2021

• Message from Chancellor Sheri Everts

  Friday, April 30, 2021

  Wednesday’s tragic incident that took the lives of two courageous Watauga County Sheriff’s deputies and two App State alumni has shocked and saddened the Appalachian Community.

  Sgt. Chris Ward and K-9 Deputy Logan Fox died in the line of duty, willingly risking their own safety to protect others. Michelle Wilson Ligon ’94 and George Ligon ’86 were well known and active participants in both the App State and Boone communities.

  We mourn these terrible losses.

  As the incident was unfolding and once it was determined there was no imminent danger to our campus, we immediately engaged teams from across the university to assist our local law enforcement. App State Police were involved in the initial attempt to rescue the deputies, joining other brave officers and first responders from throughout the area who put themselves at terrific risk.

  App State’s Emergency Management, Communications and Campus Dining teams also provided essential support to the local law enforcement and incident management teams. App State will continue to provide resources and support as the impact of this tragedy plays out over time. We are thankful we are able to join so many others in providing expertise and support when our community partners need us.

  For those members of the App State Community who wish to pay respect to the fallen officers, a procession escorting Sgt. Ward and Deputy Fox is expected to arrive in Boone today at approximately 2 p.m. and will travel down King Street.

  It is important to note that despite the prolonged nature of this incident, authorities assured us from the start that at no time was our campus in any danger. Nevertheless, tragedies can have long and lasting aftermaths. Please remember counseling resources for students, as well as for faculty and staff, are available for you.

  As we try to cope with the overwhelming heartbreak and regret, we can lean on one another as Mountaineers.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of April 19–23

  Friday, April 23, 2021

  At their meetings this week, the UNC System Board of Governors heard reports about the significant contributions of System institutions to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our state. At App State, we are proud to work alongside our sister institutions in the UNC System to support the statewide COVID-19 vaccination efforts by offering vaccine clinics that are open to anyone in North Carolina age 18 and over.

  Vaccine clinics and testing opportunities are both critical to our strategy for managing COVID-19 on our campus, and our positivity rates show that these important components, combined with safety measures and public health campaigns, are making a difference. Our positivity rate has not exceeded 3.2% this semester, and has remained below 2% since mid-March.

  • To date, we have administered 4,152 COVID-19 vaccines. Our next COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held Thursday, April 29. Please get vaccinated so we can resume operations that are as close to normal as possible in the fall. We look forward to getting more shots in arms and we are giving away $10 Campus Dining gift cards to everyone who gets a vaccine at our clinic on Thursday!
    
    
  • To date, we have conducted more than 56,000 COVID-19 tests on campus. So far this week, we have conducted 633 COVID-19 tests, with a positivity rate of 1.42%, significantly lower than the state’s latest positivity rate of 5.1%. Our next testing event will be tomorrow from noon–5 p.m. Monday’s update to our dashboard will report the final testing and vaccine data for the week.

  Yesterday, the UNC System Board of Governors confirmed four members of our Board of Trustees, with four-year terms beginning July 1. The Governors re-appointed our current Chair, Scott Lampe, and Trustee Bonnie Schaefer. They also appointed Fairley Bell Cook and Joseph Jeffries Chesson. Two additional Trustees will be appointed by the legislature soon. I look forward to continuing to work with Chair Lampe and Trustee Schaefer, and to welcoming our newest Trustees to the Board. On behalf of the entire university community, I thank our outgoing Trustees — Lee Barnes, Donald Beaver, Charles Murray and Carole Wilson — for their service. We will honor them at the June 18 meeting of the Board.

  We appreciate the support of our Governors and Trustees for our faculty, staff and students, who continue to make a difference across the university, the nation and the world.

  • Congratulations are in order for Dr. Caroline Smith, associate professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science, who was named App State’s winner of the UNC Board of Governors’ 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Smith, like so many of our expert faculty, adapted and thrived this year, and her focus on engaging her students in real-world research is an exemplar for our campus. Dr. Smith is described by one of her former students as a “powerful female in science and a groundbreaking researcher at Appalachian,” and she was instrumental in leading efforts to redesign and develop selected courses within the exercise science curriculum. I am proud to see her work recognized by the Board of Governors.
    
    
  • Congratulations, also, to the six App State faculty members who were honored with campus-based awards for their innovative teaching methods in the classroom and for making a difference in the way students learn:
    
    
    • Brian Zimmer, senior lecturer in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, is the recipient of the Appalachian State University Excellence in Teaching Award.
      
      
    • The winners of the Appalachian State University School/College Awards are Dr. Phillip Ardoin, professor in and chair of the Department of Government and Justice Studies; Dr. Sushmita Chatterjee, associate professor and director of the gender, women’s and sexuality studies program in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies; Dr. Bonnie Guy, professor in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management; Dr. Christine Leist, associate professor of music therapy in the Hayes School of Music; and Dr. Patrick O’Shea, associate professor of instructional technology in the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies.
      
      
  • In celebration of Earth Month, the Office of Sustainability, along with departments across the university, hosted programming focused on solving major environmental issues. Our Chief Sustainability Officer, Dr. Lee Ball, and the Office of Sustainability team shared some of the university’s major goals and accomplishments and provided practical tips for staying environmentally conscious year-round.
    
    
  • Earlier this week, my leadership team and I shared some of the Appalachian Police Department’s important community policing initiatives, including the new Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement Unit and implicit bias training. Along with the Black Student Association, our police recently co-hosted a “Courageous Conversations” event, which brought together local police and student leaders for open and honest conversations about race, trust and policing.

  The final day of classes is next week. With the semester’s end and Spring Commencement on the horizon, the energy on campus is palpable. Together, we have persevered, and we look forward to a bright future for our graduates and our university!

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of April 12–16

  Friday, April 16, 2021

  As we enter the final weeks of the spring semester, I continue to be impressed by and incredibly proud of our students, faculty and staff. Each day, you demonstrate academic and professional excellence in the face of extraordinary challenges presented by this global pandemic.

  We are making a difference in the urgently important work of mitigating the COVID-19 virus. Our schedule of mitigation efforts, which includes COVID-19 testing events and COVID-19 vaccine clinics, has intensified. Each week this semester, we have held at least two major testing events, and since mid-March, we have held at least one vaccine clinic per week. This incredible work is powered by the staffing and expertise of our own App State staff, students and faculty.

  • To date, we have conducted more than 55,000 COVID-19 tests during our surveillance testing events, targeted testing in residence halls and with other student populations, and in our student health center. This week’s testing data show a positivity rate of less than 1% of the 780 COVID-19 tests conducted so far. Our positivity rate remains considerably lower than the state’s latest positivity rate of 5.5% reported by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
    
    
  • The addition of regular wastewater testing for our residence halls has been led by Dr. Ece Karatan, vice provost for research; Dr. Alex F. Howard, interim assistant vice chancellor in the Division of Student Affairs and director of Wellness and Prevention Services; Dr. Jenna Valley, lab supervisor for molecular and microbiology in the Department of Biology; and Jason Marshburn, director of environmental health, safety and emergency management. This early detection method allows us to respond quickly with targeted testing and contact tracing, helping reduce the spread of the virus.
    
    
  • To date, our student and faculty nurses and Student Health Services team have administered 3,965 COVID-19 vaccines. This week, we administered the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at our clinic, and we will administer the Moderna vaccine again at our next clinic on Thursday, April 22. Our vaccine clinic is part of North Carolina’s COVID-19 vaccination distribution plan for rural areas and is open to anyone in North Carolina age 18 and over. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is vital to returning to more normal operations, and the full return to campus for the fall 2021 semester. Please be sure to take advantage of these free opportunities to get your shot.
    
    
  • Monday’s update to our dashboard will report this week’s testing and vaccine data.

  At Staff Senate’s meeting earlier this week, I was energized by their ideas for getting our community vaccinated, preparing for our full return to campus in the fall and strategically planning for our university’s future. This group is enthusiastic and results-oriented, and I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss our institutional priorities with them.

  As we continue to showcase and celebrate the faculty and staff who make the Appalachian Experience so meaningful for our students, I encourage you to read this profile of Lynn Patterson, who coordinates the scholarship program for our University Libraries, in addition to managing the libraries’ communications, outreach, social media, event planning and donor relations. For 30 years, Lynn has prioritized students and helped make our university a welcoming community.

  I am also excited to share that our Child Development Center earned the highest possible reaccreditation license from the N.C. Division of Child Development and Early Education — a reflection of our university’s commitment to support our youngest Mountaineers and their families. Congratulations to the center’s director, Moriah Stegall, and her team for achieving this gold standard of excellence as they prepare to welcome additional families to the center in the fall.

  I extend my sincere thanks to these individuals and everyone in the Appalachian Community for continuing to elevate our institution while prioritizing the health and safety of our community. We are so very fortunate to work and learn side by side with expert faculty, visionary staff and outstanding students.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of April 5–9

  Friday, April 9, 2021

  Earlier this week, the UNC System shared that more than 50,000 vaccine doses have been administered through UNC campus clinics — a reminder that we are a vital resource for all North Carolinians. App State is proud to be part of this effort. To date, we have administered nearly 4,000 COVID-19 vaccines at our campus clinics, including 943 yesterday. We welcome and encourage anyone in North Carolina to register for future vaccine clinics on our campus. Our next clinic is scheduled for Thursday, April 15.

  Our widespread and multipronged testing strategy has been key to reducing the spread of the virus, allowing us to respond quickly with isolation and quarantine procedures. While Monday’s update to our dashboard will report this week’s testing and vaccine data, our testing data as of today are below:

  • So far this week, we have conducted 769 COVID-19 tests with 5 positive results, or 0.65% — our campus numbers remain significantly lower than North Carolina’s, which has a latest reported positivity rate of 4.6%.

  • To date, we have conducted more than 54,000 COVID-19 tests during our surveillance testing events, targeted testing in residence halls and with other student populations, and in our student health center.

  Earlier this week, Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Norris and I signed an agreement with Western Piedmont Community College to create a seamless pathway for students to begin their education at Western Piedmont and complete their degrees at App State. This marks our sixth such agreement with partner community colleges in Western North Carolina, and we continue to develop new partnerships across the state. We are proud to continue the mission of our founders to provide access to higher education and to support the myFutureNC goal of ensuring that by 2030, 2 million North Carolinians will have a postsecondary degree or credential that meets the demands of our businesses and industries.

  With national, state and local efforts to return students to classrooms underway, and a nationwide increase in COVID-19 vaccine supply, we are preparing for the full return of students, faculty and staff to campus for the fall 2021 semester. Yesterday, in my regular meeting with the Faculty Senate Chancellor’s Advisory Committee and members of my cabinet, we discussed some of the logistics and expectations for this return. We will work with units across campus to develop the return to campus plan. Our return to campus will include stringent safety procedures, and will be informed by the latest national, state and local public health guidance. We will share more information and guidance soon, and will continue to do so throughout the coming weeks.

  The UNC System recently launched #EssentialUNC, a campaign to celebrate hardworking faculty and staff across the System, and I am pleased that three of our Mountaineers have been recognized — Ron Elmore, regional director of App State’s Small Business and Technology Development Center, and Sherry Street-Tobin and Karalee Cole, both of whom serve as speech-language pathologists in the Communication Disorders Clinic. Our faculty and staff are the heart of our institution and my leadership team and I will continue to share stories of their dedication and innovation with our campus, the UNC System, legislators and media. Our university’s recent recognitions are continued evidence of these successes.

  • The Reich College of Education was recognized for the fifth consecutive year as the national leader for the number of alumni who are National Board Certified Teachers, with 2,178 alumni having earned the national credential to date.

  • U.S. News & World Report named App State to its “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” and “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs” lists, part of the 2021 “Best Online Programs” rankings.

  • App State has earned gold level recognition from Exercise is Medicine® On Campus for 2021, and we were honored with the 2021 COVID-19 Conqueror badge for our work to make creative adaptations to physical activity programming throughout the pandemic.

  • Forbes magazine highlighted App State’s partnership with AT&T to conduct research designed to help rural communities in the southeastern United States identify barriers and build resilience to climate change. As part of this research, Dr. Tammy Kowalczyk led App State’s efforts to provide climate data to help at-risk neighborhoods prepare for extreme weather events.

  Across our campus, there is a renewed sense of excitement, hope and optimism as the work of our Mountaineers is recognized, and as we continue to gain momentum in vaccinating our campus and community against COVID-19.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of March 29–April 1

  Thursday, April 1, 2021

  It’s been a great week to be a Mountaineer!

  Even with a few snow flurries, spring is in the mountains and optimism is in the air. As we enter the final few weeks of classes and see warmer weather on the horizon, we are proud of the progress we have made in assisting with the statewide vaccination effort and we look forward to more in-person events — outside and with safety protocols in place. We have also been excited to welcome prospective students who are touring our campus and learning more about the Appalachian Experience.

  At two successful clinics this week, our Student Health Service team and nursing students administered 1,970 vaccines to students, faculty, staff and community members. Our next clinic is scheduled for Thursday, April 8. You have heard me say that every vaccine brings us closer to returning to the in-person working and learning environments we all miss, and I am so encouraged by the response we have had to our vaccine clinics so far.

  Our testing events remain a strong component of our COVID-19 management strategy, and this week, we have conducted 919 COVID-19 tests with 8 positive results, or 0.87%, well below the state’s latest reported rate of 4.4%.

  Monday’s update to our dashboard will report this week’s testing and vaccine data. As we begin an extended holiday weekend, I encourage all Mountaineers to remain vigilant in following all COVID-19 safety precautions. I thank everyone for their continued focus on the health and well-being of our campus community.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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March 2021

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  Update from Appalachian State University — week of March 22–26

  Friday, March 26, 2021

  This week brought two important milestones to our campus: the reopening of the beautifully renovated Sanford Hall and our second community COVID-19 vaccine clinic. We also welcomed many members of our Board of Trustees to campus today for their scheduled March meeting.

  Yesterday, we celebrated the reopening of Sanford Hall. For more than 50 years, this building has been one of the most frequented academic spaces on our campus. The building underwent extensive and much-needed renovations, including updated critical safety and mechanical systems, the installation of air conditioning and enhanced energy efficiency systems, and reimagined classroom, office and event spaces. With its elegant glass elevator tower, this building is now a beautiful anchor to the east end of Sanford Mall and I look forward to seeing it once again become an epicenter of activity at App State.

  At our community COVID-19 clinic this week, we vaccinated nearly 300 students, faculty, staff and community members in just four hours. We have two clinics scheduled for next week, and as we anticipate and prepare for additional vaccine supplies, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the many faculty, staff and students who have already taken the vaccine, or plan to do so. Every vaccine brings us closer to returning to the in-person working and learning environments we all miss. Find out more about our vaccine clinics and register on the vaccine page of our coronavirus website.

  Our students, faculty and staff have worked hard to remain safe and protect the safety of others throughout this pandemic, and our continued vigilance will see us through. It is critical we continue to do everything we can to mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19 until enough people have been vaccinated. Please continue to follow the three Ws and get your vaccine when the time comes.

  Health experts also emphasize the importance of continued COVID-19 testing, and our regularly scheduled testing events continue to be well attended. We have conducted more than 52,000 COVID-19 tests for students, faculty and staff so far. This week, we have conducted 1,138 COVID-19 tests with 17 positive results, or 1.49%. Our campus positivity rate remains significantly lower than the state’s latest reported rate of 4.3%. We will update our dashboard Monday with our weekly testing and vaccine data.

  During today’s Board of Trustees meeting, the trustees approved the university’s Bridge Strategic Plan, promotion and tenure and emeritus and emerita status for our faculty, and the university’s adoption of a digital textbook rental program that will offer flexibility for faculty and significant savings for our students. In my report to them, I highlighted the inspiring work of our faculty and staff; shared an update on some of our university’s diversity initiatives; provided information about additional federal COVID-19 relief funding for our students; gave an update on our performance in meeting UNC System strategic priorities; celebrated the academic and NCAA success of our student-athletes; reported a new university accolade that places us among the top 10 large public institutions in the U.S. for supporting our veteran and active-duty military students; and shared the progress of our Child Development Center expansion. Additionally, I shared an update about the advocacy work taking place with the state legislature for university resources. Read my full remarks to the Board of Trustees.

  Our outstanding university community deserves a strong, vibrant institution that will carry forward the legacy begun by our founders, and as we look beyond the pandemic, the future of App State is bright. The university you have helped shape is defined by innovation and resilience, and your dedication to its success is inspirational.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of March 15–19

  Friday, March 19, 2021

  As we look ahead to May Commencement and into the fall, our COVID-19 data, vaccine outlook and prospects for more face-to-face interactions are promising.

  • On Thursday, March 25, we will host our second vaccine clinic for students, faculty, staff and community members. We are so pleased to be a part of the public health vaccine distribution process and proud to help in efforts to make the COVID-19 vaccines more accessible and our campus and community safer for everyone. Our coronavirus dashboard now includes weekly totals for the vaccines administered at App State’s vaccine clinics.
  • This week, we have conducted 1,110 COVID-19 tests, and we surpassed a landmark 50,000 on-campus COVID-19 tests. So far this week, our numbers show 21 positive results, or 1.9%, a positivity rate significantly lower than the state’s latest reported rate of 4%. We will update our dashboard Monday with our weekly data, which will include Saturday’s testing data.

  I encourage every Mountaineer to get vaccinated when the time comes and help bring the Appalachian Community closer to returning to the in-person working and learning environments we all miss. Additional information about vaccines is available on our coronavirus website and in our weekly COVID-19 updates.

  Presiding over commencement exercises is perhaps my most precious duty as chancellor — it marks one of life’s most important milestones. In my March 5 message to campus, I announced that we will hold de-densified, in-person commencement ceremonies, in addition to a virtual conferral of degrees. Our commencement planning committee has been hard at work planning the details to ensure each graduate can celebrate with as many options as possible.

  • In-person ceremonies will take place on May 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12. Graduates who wish to participate will walk across the commencement stage in their regalia, have their names read aloud as they receive their diploma covers and have their degrees conferred by me in person. We will livestream all in-person ceremonies.
  • I will also confer degrees virtually on May 7 for those who wish to celebrate with their loved ones remotely.
  • Options to order regalia and receive diploma covers and honors cords (as applicable) are available to all of our graduates, regardless of commencement participation.
  • This afternoon, graduates received additional information via email and details are available on our university’s commencement website, which we will continue to update with additional information.

  We are also busily planning for the upcoming fall semester, which, as I announced on Feb. 5, we expect to look more like fall 2019, provided vaccine distribution continues to go well and people remain vigilant. Given these circumstances, our expectations are:
  

  • In-person classes, and on-campus work, will be the norm again, with renewed flexibility to allow for many operations to continue during times of inclement weather.
  • Residence halls will be fully occupied, campus dining will be fully operational and events and activities will once again be held in person.

  We will, of course, continue to set the standard for excellence with safety and cleaning procedures. In the coming weeks, we will communicate additional guidance as we work toward a robust return to campus.

  Earlier this week, I was pleased to join Charlie Ciaramita’s marketing class for a discussion about our partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital and the online licensed veterinary technician degree we will begin offering in fall 2022. As a former professor, I always enjoy being back in the classroom, and each time I do, I am impressed and energized by our students and faculty.

  Next week our Board of Trustees convenes, and we will celebrate the extensive renovations completed on Sanford Hall. In April, we will share campus budget presentations, which I encourage you all to attend. At the state level, I continue to advocate for our employees and champion the tremendous quality of work taking place on our campus. As I shared at the Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting, UNC System President Hans indicated one of his key operating budget priorities is faculty and staff salaries. He is advocating for us — and for you — as well.

  As access to vaccines increases and our collective commitment to safety remains steadfast, we see encouraging signs of a return to in-person teaching, learning, research, scholarship, creative endeavors and recreation.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of March 8–12

  Friday, March 12, 2021

  Our campus was uplifted and energized this week as temperatures warmed in the High Country, our men’s basketball team returned from winning the Sun Belt Conference Championship — where our women's team also made us proud — and we hosted our first COVID-19 vaccine clinics.

  The opening of our COVID-19 vaccine center is a momentous occasion in the history of our university and represents a critical step forward in returning to primarily in-person working and learning environments. We look forward to hosting future clinics for our faculty, staff, students and the local community.

  • During our two-day clinic this week, we administered 680 vaccines — all the doses that were allotted to us — to staff, faculty, students and community members who were eligible according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services prioritization system. When we update our coronavirus dashboard with our weekly data on Monday, we will include weekly vaccine totals.

  • I have heard many positive comments about how well the clinic was run, and the staff on-site were thrilled to be part of this important time in the history of our university and nation. I was told one of the registered nurses in Student Health Service even commented that the event was so exciting it felt like “our own March Madness!”

  • This behind-the-scenes video shares some details about our center, which was set up and staffed by university employees from Student Health Service, Emergency Management and the Holmes Center, as well as re-assigned Campus Dining staff members.

  • Faculty and students from the Department of Nursing were also involved in staffing the center. Our nursing students gained real-world experience, rotating through each station of the clinic, helping administer vaccines and observing patients during the post-vaccine waiting period. WSOC-TV featured these outstanding students — and one elated faculty member — during the 5:30 news yesterday evening.

  Even as we focus on vaccines, our surveillance testing events continue to be well attended by students, faculty and staff, and we remain encouraged by the numbers, which are showing a trend of continuing decline in positivity rates in our county and state.

  So far this week, we have conducted 1,485 COVID-19 tests with 21 positive results, or 1.4%. Our campus positivity rate remains significantly lower than the state’s latest reported rate of 3.7%.

  Earlier this week, I was pleased to share updates and key priorities with Staff Senate, including an update on our strategic planning, which addresses financial solvency and adequate compensation for staff and faculty. I was joined by our Board of Trustees Chair Scott Lampe, who applauded our efforts over the past year, and reinforced these are priorities the Trustees are committed to helping support as well. Our bridge strategic plan will go before the Trustees at the board's March 26 meeting.

  Your ongoing efforts continue to have widespread impact throughout our community and beyond — from your support for Habitat for Humanity and the App Builds a Home project, to your commitment to the AppKIDS program, which you have sustained for more than 40 years, to your recent generosity in volunteering for vaccine efforts in and around our county. I sincerely thank each and every person who has contributed time to these and so many other important causes and events.

  The Appalachian Community proves time and time again that Mountaineers are resilient, resourceful and ready to take on any challenge.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of March 1–5

  Friday, March 5, 2021

  As we approach the halfway mark in the Spring semester, we are encouraged by statewide and campus data, and we are focusing on both our testing and vaccination efforts.

  • Surveillance testing events continue to be a cornerstone of our COVID-19 response. So far this week, we have conducted 1,316 COVID-19 tests with 22 positive results, or 1.67%. Our campus positivity rate remains significantly lower than the state’s latest reported rate of 4.3%. As a reminder, our coronavirus dashboard is updated each day, with weekly data updated on Mondays.
    
    
  • I am pleased to share we will host two vaccine clinics next week — on March 11 and 12 — to assist with public health efforts in distributing the COVID-19 vaccine in our area. As I shared with campus on Tuesday, we will follow the state’s prioritization system, and the university will send you an email when it is time for you to schedule your vaccine appointment. Many thanks to the staff in Emergency Management and Student Health Service for their leadership and expertise in coordinating and staffing our vaccine center.

  With Commencement on the horizon, our goal is to prioritize safety while offering a memorable experience for every graduate and their loved ones, on campus and away. We are planning a series of de-densified, in-person Commencement experiences, along with a significant virtual component. If COVID-19 trends present an increased risk for safety at any point for the in-person components, we will modify our planning and update our graduates and campus community. We will update the university's Commencement website with more information early next week.
  

  Yesterday, more than 2,350 Mountaineers participated in iBackAPP Day and showed their pride for App State through support, donating nearly $250,000. This was our most successful iBackAPP Day yet! Thank you to everyone — faculty, staff, students and alumni — who showed black and gold spirit and helped make the day a tremendous success. Your pride and generosity support the tireless efforts of our faculty and staff, who are dedicated to creating opportunities and setting strong examples for students.

  I am proud, always, to be a Mountaineer.
  

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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February 2021

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  Update from Appalachian State University — week of Feb. 22–26

  Friday, February 26, 2021

  We had a taste of spring on campus this week, and the positive energy on campus was palpable.

  Consistent adherence to safety precautions makes a difference. We have conducted more than 13,000 COVID-19 tests so far this year, and our weekly positive case count has not exceeded 3.3%. So far this week, we have conducted 1,429 COVID-19 tests with 34 positive results, or just under 2.4%. Our campus positivity rate remains significantly lower than the state’s latest reported rate of 4.7%. As a reminder, Monday’s update to our coronavirus dashboard will include this data, as well as the data from this weekend’s testing.

  I am thrilled to share App State’s application to become a community distribution center for COVID-19 vaccines has been approved by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. We anticipate beginning vaccine clinics in March, according to the state guidelines for the categories by which groups are prioritized for vaccination. Currently, North Carolina is vaccinating Groups 1 and 2, as well as Group 3 frontline essential workers who work in child care or in pre-K-12 schools. On March 10, Group 3 frontline essential workers will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

  • College and university faculty and staff who are working in person at their work site are included in the group that is eligible to receive the vaccine beginning March 10.
  • All other university personnel who are not prioritized into other groups (for reasons such as age or health care worker status, for example) are in Group 4.
  • Students who are not prioritized into other groups are in Group 5.
  • You will receive an email from the university when it is time for you to schedule your vaccine appointment.

  More information about the state vaccine prioritization system may be found here, and we will continue updating our university’s COVID-19 vaccination webpage with additional information, as well as providing more specifics in our weekly COVID-19 updates.

  I would like you to join me in thanking Jason Marshburn, Margaret Bumgarner, Dr. Alex Howard and their teams in Emergency Management, Student Health Service and Wellness and Prevention Services, who have been preparing and planning logistics for vaccine distribution for many months, as well as Vice Chancellor Hank Foreman, who has been working closely with the UNC System Office on the application and approval process. I also know I speak for the entire campus when I thank President Hans and his leadership team at the UNC System Office for their assistance and advocacy with the application and approval process.

  Gov. Cooper’s new executive order eases some restrictions on public gatherings. Notably, his new order, which is now in effect, increases capacity limits for indoor and outdoor venues. Additional details are being provided by App State Athletics about what this means for App State sporting events. Please know, we are also working hard to determine the best option for celebrating spring commencement. We are reviewing the details carefully and consulting with public health experts to help inform our decisions with as much data as possible. This is a monumental moment in the academic lives of our students and their families, and we will share information about spring commencement plans soon.

  Each day, our faculty and staff continue important work designed to address the current and future needs of our campus community.

  • The Office of Disability Resources continues to provide members of the Appalachian Community with access to essential resources. This work is especially critical given the significant shift to virtual learning and events throughout the pandemic, and the associated increase in awareness of and demand for accessibility and accommodations. Many thanks to the Office of Disability Resources team for their advocacy and support of these important initiatives.
  • I, along with my cabinet members, attended a meeting of the Diversity and Inclusion Accountability Team yesterday, during which staff from App State Athletics — including Athletics Director Doug Gillin, Director of Student-Athlete Development Pierre Banks, and Senior Associate Athletics Director Makini Thompson — presented action plans for education, retention and mentorship of Black student-athletes, as well as progress made regarding hiring and supporting athletic coaches, staff and trainers of color.
  • March 4 is our eighth annual iBackAPP Day, a 24-hour day of giving where Mountaineers everywhere come together to support and celebrate App State. I invite you to participate in whatever way you choose: by making a gift to support an initiative you care about, including the Mountaineer Emergency Fund, by wearing your black and gold or by sharing your love for App State with your friends and family.

  During a virtual visit to App State's Academy at Middle Fork this week, I had the pleasure of reading “How to Read a Book” by Kwame Alexander to the academy’s K–5 students. Afterward, as I listened to the students recite their Mountaineer Pledge, which includes, “I’m a Mountaineer … I show honesty, integrity, kindness and excellence in all that I do,” I was reminded of what makes the connections among Mountaineers so meaningful, no matter where we are.

  We have remained connected throughout a year defined by distance, which makes the news of our upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics all the more exciting. This news, coupled with the coming of spring, brings hope for better times to come — evidenced this week through the enthusiasm of our young Mountaineers at the academy and the optimism of our students as they enjoyed a hint of warm weather on Sanford Mall.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Feb. 15–19

  Friday, February 19, 2021

  At yesterday’s UNC System Board of Governors Meeting, President Peter Hans lauded the focus and hard work of people across the state as he shared the significant progress that has been made on the System’s strategic plan goals and acknowledged the challenges facing rural and low-income student enrollment.

  At App State, we are proud of the progress we have made in our work to serve rural and low-income students. As I reported at the Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting on Feb. 5, our rural student enrollment exceeds the System’s strategic plan benchmark for this year by more than 300 students, and we are above our benchmark goals for graduating students from low-income backgrounds. Thank you for your work in meeting these important goals that make critical differences for the citizens of the state of North Carolina.

  Our campus community’s collective dedication to health and safety throughout this pandemic is evident every day. Thank you for staying vigilant. Adherence to safety precautions — especially wearing face coverings properly — makes a tremendous difference in our ability to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

  • Since the start of the spring semester, we have conducted 43,497 COVID-19 tests through targeted testing, as well as our regularly held surveillance testing events. Thank you for your participation in these events. Testing data remain critical to our ability to accurately assess and quickly respond to the spread of COVID-19 within our campus community.
  • So far this week, we have conducted 1,185 COVID-19 tests with 22 positive results, or 1.86%, significantly lower than the state’s latest reported rate of 5.7%, which also represents a downward trend. Monday’s update to our coronavirus dashboard will include this data, as well as the data from this weekend’s testing.
  • As a reminder, we share additional key metrics and important COVID prevention information each week in our campus operations updates.
  • We also are preparing to assist in vaccine distribution, in anticipation of North Carolina’s planned move into Phase 3, which will include university employees who are working in-person at their work site beginning March 10.

  Our faculty and staff work daily to create innovative programs and exceptional experiences that benefit those on our campus and beyond.

  • Our College Access Partnerships program has been awarded nearly $12 million in federal grant funding to implement the Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL) project — a virtual, teacher-directed professional learning program for Western North Carolina educators. This latest grant is a testament to the continued success of our faculty and staff in meeting our strategic goal of increasing our external grants and contracts funding.
  • Our Campus Dining team continues working to enhance the experience of our students who are learning on campus. Many thanks to this team for your work in developing new, delicious menu items, as well as ensuring those with dietary restrictions are accommodated.
  • At the Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting earlier this month, we honored our outstanding staff for their work as selfless leaders and visionaries for our university. We also recognized the faculty winners of the Excellence in Teaching awards and the Academic Freedom and Faculty Governance Award.

  With focus and hard work, our faculty, staff and students are powering the future of App State, as we work together to create a better future for our university, our region and our state.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of Feb. 8–12

  Friday, February 12, 2021

  As we complete our fourth week of classes, we are encouraged by national and statewide trends, which indicate declines in positive cases of COVID-19 — but we must remain vigilant. Please remember to wear your face coverings, maintain distance and wash/sanitize your hands frequently. These small actions really do make a tremendous difference.

  • So far this week, we have conducted 1,121 COVID-19 tests with 32 positive results, or 2.85%. We are mindful this is an increase from last week and are closely watching these numbers. We are encouraged that both our cumulative and week-to-date positivity rates remain significantly lower than the state’s latest reported rate of 6.5%, which also represents a downward trend. As a reminder, we will update weekly testing data on our coronavirus dashboard on Monday, in order to include tomorrow’s testing event in our weekly report.
  • To date, we have collected more than 41,700 COVID-19 tests from students, faculty and staff. Last week, we conducted a weekly record of 4,233 COVID-19 tests. We had nearly 100% participation in the follow-up COVID-19 testing required of on-campus students after move-in. For any students who missed their follow-up test, expect follow-up communication from Wellness and Prevention Services. Throughout the semester, 10% of the on-campus student population will be selected at random for periodic testing based on available data, including voluntary surveillance testing events, contact tracing information and wastewater surveillance research.
  • While we have not seen many large gatherings, our police have been assisting our local law enforcement partners with calls to gatherings that violate Gov. Cooper’s executive order. These are not only violations of the law, they are also student conduct violations and we take them seriously. I thank the many, many students who are diligently following the public health guidelines. For those of you who are taking in-person classes, I know how much you want and need to be on campus. Please be assured we are doing everything possible to make that happen and greatly appreciate your attentive compliance with public health guidance, which is helping to slow the spread of COVID-19.

  Last week, in my remarks at the Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting, I announced a multimillion-dollar sponsored contract between App State and Banfield Pet Hospital. We are thrilled to partner with the leading provider of preventive veterinary care in the U.S. to develop a first-of-its-kind, four-year, online degree program for licensed veterinary technicians aimed at strengthening the pipeline of licensed veterinary technicians and creating a more sustainable future for the veterinary profession. This new signature program will advance the profession, elevate the role of the licensed veterinary technicians and address the market demand for skilled, rural veterinary professionals. Our faculty and staff excel at developing visionary academic programs, and our reputation for doing so is a large part of what has made this synergistic and forward-thinking partnership a reality.

  Yesterday, I was pleased, along with members of my leadership team, to meet with members of the Faculty Senate Advisory Committee. We discussed topics that ranged from the university’s financial situation to how we can support parents and caregivers. We shared that we are preparing for campus-wide budget presentations in April, and we discussed the progress on the university’s Child Development Center expansion, which is slated for completion in August. This will allow the center to be open for 40–50 additional children — on top of the nearly 70 they already serve. We also talked about some more immediate ways we can help those who are working from home with young children, including providing online educational programming and developing a resource list for parents and caregivers.

  To be sure, there are still challenges before us, but we have come quite a way together. When I consider our achievements over this past year, "Go ’Neers" has new significance, and an even more positive meaning!

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of Feb. 1–5

  Friday, February 5, 2021

  Snow in the High Country bookended our third week of classes — and was a beautiful addition to our campus landscape for our first week face-to-face this semester. It is wonderful to have students back on campus!

  Because much of our campus has become accustomed to remote working and learning, the winter weather has done little to disrupt our course delivery. Our students, faculty and staff also continue taking advantage of our weekly COVID-19 testing events.

  • So far this week, we have conducted 2,645 COVID-19 tests with 36 positive results, or just over 1.3%. Both our cumulative and week-to-date positivity rates are significantly lower than the state’s latest reported rate of 7.9%. We will continue to update our dashboard with weekly testing data on Mondays, to include information from our Saturday testing events.
    
    
  • App State’s four new vaccine cold storage units have arrived and, collectively, these units can store 116,200 vials of COVID-19 vaccines. Many thanks to the UNC System for providing these important resources for our university and our community. Our team stands ready to assist in vaccine distribution when doses become available, and I encourage the Appalachian Community to review the university’s vaccine information on our coronavirus website.

  This afternoon, I was pleased to have the opportunity to share some important campus updates at our Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting — including a partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital to develop a four-year online program for licensed veterinary technicians, a budget update from Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Paul Forte, and the status of our Child Development Center expansion project. I invite you to view my remarks here.

  Each year, App State welcomes more than 1,800 new transfer students — with students who first enrolled as transfers composing about 25% of the student population. Our transfer students enrich campus with varying perspectives, backgrounds and experiences, and they have distinct needs as they pursue their educational goals. I am pleased to share that this fall, students who are transferring into App State will have the opportunity to live in our first residence hall designated for transfer students. In addition to housing options, we are actively working to streamline and enhance other services and resources for transfer students, including programming, events and easier access to staff who support transfer students.

  As we look to the future of our university, our exceptionally talented faculty and staff are key to elevating the Appalachian Experience and preparing our Mountaineers to be successful in their lives and careers.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more

January 2021

• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Jan. 25–29

  Friday, January 29, 2021

  Our campus is full of activity — with students moving into residence halls and faculty and staff finalizing preparations to resume face-to-face instruction on Monday. At last count, 24% of spring semester courses will be taught in person, and 76% will be taught in fully remote and hybrid formats.

  Our university has done tremendous work in managing a global pandemic while also making progress toward our future goals, and I was proud to highlight our efforts at the annual High Country Economic Kickoff event — hosted virtually by the Boone and Blowing Rock chambers of commerce on Thursday. My remarks — which are available here — shared insights into our COVID-19 testing strategy; our support of the local community throughout the pandemic; our business strategies to mitigate financial hardship for our students, faculty and staff; and our key initiatives underway.

  As many of our students and faculty prepare for the return to classrooms next week, we are all reminded of the power of staying connected to our community. With the proper safety precautions in place, App State is committed to offering opportunities for students, faculty and staff to engage with one another, whether in person — in distanced settings like our new campus campfire locations — or via virtual activities and programs our staff are bringing to our campus community each day.

  Since Jan. 1, we have conducted more than 4,562 COVID-19 tests, with a positivity rate of 2.8%. This is a significantly higher number of COVID-19 tests and a slightly lower positivity rate than when students began their return to campus for the fall 2020 semester. So far this week, we have conducted 923 COVID-19 tests with 19 positive results, or about 2%. Both our cumulative and week-to-date positivity rates are significantly lower than the state’s latest reported rate of 8.7%. We will continue to update our COVID-19 dashboard with weekly testing information on Mondays, in order to capture the Saturday testing data.

  We do expect to see positivity rates rise some as students return, but our students, faculty and staff have demonstrated that they follow our on-campus COVID-19 prevention measures. We have had no documented classroom transmission of COVID-19. Our students, faculty and staff continue to regularly take advantage of our on-campus COVID-19 testing. Our spring testing strategy includes mandatory entry testing for students who live in residence halls and also benefits from faculty research that informs us as we continue with wastewater testing in our residence halls. We have also been pleased to see some improvement in the COVID-19 positivity rates in the state and locally, as well as significant improvements in the capacity of our local medical infrastructure.

  Our cold storage units should be arriving soon for use in vaccine storage when doses become available. As I have mentioned in previous messages, our application to become a community distribution center for COVID-19 vaccines has been submitted to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Our team stands ready, and we are eager to assist in providing vaccines to faculty, staff, students and community members.

  I appreciate the many ways our students, faculty and staff — amid incredible challenges — have continued to show our Mountaineer resilience and pride by improving our resources, innovating at every turn and fostering strong relationships.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Jan. 18–22

  Friday, January 22, 2021

  With the busy spring semester now officially underway, I would like to take a moment to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the many of you who have sent me well-wishes and prayers as I recover from the breast cancer surgery I had earlier this month. My prognosis is good; I am doing very well, and I truly appreciate your support.

  Earlier this week the nation honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Our university has a long history of using this annual holiday as a time for service, reflection and education with community partners, and I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who continued the tradition of having a day “on” instead of a day off. We will continue our commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day during Tuesday evening’s marquee event, An Evening with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson.

  Our COVID-19 surveillance testing continues, with events scheduled each Wednesday and Saturday this semester. Since Jan. 1, we have conducted more than 2,800 COVID-19 tests at these testing events and through Student Health Service.

  • So far this week, we have conducted 953 COVID-19 tests with 31 positive results, or 3.25%. We continue to provide isolation/quarantine support to students, and we are using 7% of our isolation/quarantine inventory at the present time.
    
    
  • We have added spring 2021 semester charts and graphs to our COVID-19 dashboard, and we will continue to update weekly testing information on Mondays, in order to capture the Saturday testing data.
    
    
  • Our application to become a vaccination center for the community as well as for our university is under review by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. If approved, we will be able to provide significant infrastructure and resources to the vaccination efforts currently underway in our area.

  We remain focused, always, on the fulfillment of our academic mission and the safety of our students, faculty and staff. While classes are being held virtually until Feb. 1, the many departments in our Academic Affairs and Student Affairs divisions are here to assist our students as they work toward their educational goals in the midst of a global pandemic, and, now more than ever before, it is important that our students remain engaged with and connected to daily Mountaineer life. Thank you to the leaders in Academic Affairs and Student Affairs for sharing information about campus resources and support available to our students. Many thanks also to the Office of Human Resources for continuing to share important resources for faculty and staff.

  Spring semester is full of promise and I look forward to seeing students and faculty back on campus and, in many cases, in the classroom the first of next month.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Jan. 11–15

  Friday, January 15, 2021

  As we finalize preparations to begin classes on Tuesday, I am mindful that it has been 362 days since our university began planning discussions around COVID-19. We can reflect with pride on the distance we have come in the past year. UNC System President Peter Hans recently lauded the collective efforts of UNC System universities, writing, “Thanks to dedicated work by faculty, staff, and health officials, hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians have continued making progress toward their educational goals.” His insights are particularly true at App State, where our faculty and staff have gone above and beyond.

  Across our campus, faculty and staff have been assisting students with the delayed return to campus, ensuring all safety precautions remain in place, reviewing and enhancing our COVID-19 testing strategy and planning, and preparing for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

  We continue to review key data and make informed decisions to keep the safety of the Appalachian Community at the forefront, working to preserve and continually elevate the Appalachian Experience we all value. As we remain watchful of the availability of local and regional medical resources, as well as of local and state positivity rates, I appreciate your continued commitment to this critical work.

  • Our surveillance testing events continue to be well attended. This week, we conducted 871 COVID-19 tests with 19 positive results, or 2.18%.
  • We continue to provide isolation/quarantine support to students who need it throughout the winter break, and we are using 4% of our isolation/quarantine inventory at the present time.
  • We are in the process of distributing five new face coverings to every student, faculty and staff member. The new designs feature adjustable ear loops and three-ply construction. Our students’ adoption rate of wearing face coverings on campus has been nearly universal. I am most appreciative of everyone’s vigilance, and I expect we will show the same respect for one another in the new semester.

  I am very pleased that App State has submitted an application to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to be a community-facing COVID-19 vaccination distribution center. If approved, we will assist with North Carolina’s COVID-19 vaccination distribution plan for rural areas by administering COVID-19 vaccines to community members — as well as to students, faculty and staff — once vaccine allotments are provided.

  • Vaccine distribution is managed by public health. AppHealthCare, our local public health department, is leading the vaccination distribution plans in our county, and they have developed a form for those who wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to complete.
  • More information about our university’s role in the COVID-19 vaccination planning is available on this new COVID-19 vaccine page of the university’s coronavirus website. We expect to have additional updates to share in the coming days, which we will add to the website and send to campus via email.

  Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Mountaineers have worked diligently to support our university and communities in the region, and they are making significant differences in the daily lives of the citizens of our state:

  • Our Small Business and Technology Development Center helped North Carolina small businesses respond to new challenges while managing four times its normal caseload of clients.
  • A regional North Carolina business owned by two App State alumni donated more than 2,000 face coverings to App State’s Academy at Middle Fork to help keep our students and staff at the academy safe.

  My sincere thanks to all those who show each day that Mountaineer resilience is alive and well — and who prove our university will emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever before.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• Spring Classes Update from Appalachian State University — Jan. 8, 2021

  Friday, January 8, 2021

  On Jan. 6, Gov. Roy Cooper announced an extension of North Carolina’s Modified Stay at Home Order to last until at least Jan. 29. Additionally, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) issued an advisory secretarial directive with immediate actions we should all take to protect ourselves and others. Read the FAQ document here. Please take advantage of App State’s free testing events, and remember to regularly check the university’s testing schedule, as winter weather can impact these operations.

  • This week, we conducted 818 COVID-19 tests with 26 positive results, or 3.2%. While this is well below our statewide rate of 13.9%, it is the highest positivity rate we have seen since October.
  • All university-related clusters identified last semester have moved into inactive status.
  • We are using less than 1% of our isolation/quarantine inventory at the present time, and we continue to provide isolation/quarantine support to students who need it throughout the winter break.
  • We have had no documented cases of classroom transmission of COVID-19.

  While our campus numbers are not a cause for current concern, we are cognizant that across the state cases of COVID-19 are high and Watauga County’s case counts have been steadily rising. Data modeling indicates a peak in this latest wave of COVID-19 cases is likely to occur in the western part of the state in the next 1-2 weeks, and we are seeing a strain on local and regional hospitals. State and local data trends are concerning as students prepare to return to Boone and, in particular, to live in residence halls on campus.

  After careful review of the current data and positive case trends locally and statewide, we have made the decision to delay the return to campus. Classes will begin on Jan. 19 as scheduled and will meet online until Feb. 1.

  • Students with residence hall contracts will receive a message from University Housing with new move-in assignment dates, adjusted rental rates and new COVID-19 re-entry test deadlines on Monday.
  • For classes not originally scheduled to meet 100% online, course schedules will indicate that the class is scheduled to meet online until Feb. 1.
  • Students who need in-person lab access, clinical assignments, and student teaching should work with their faculty, clinical supervisors and schools to continue their mode of instruction.
  • Academic Affairs will follow up with specific guidance for students and faculty next week.

  University operations and staffing will resume as scheduled on Jan. 12.

  • As we did prior to the winter break, we will continue to maximize teleworking to the extent possible in order to reduce opportunities for exposure. Staff who need to be on campus to perform all or part of their work will continue to do so.
  • Student employees should reach out to their supervisors to determine whether their work can be performed remotely the first two weeks of the semester.
  • As communicated prior to the break, campus building access will vary through Jan. 18. A key or card swipe may be required for access. Contact your department chair or administrator with questions.
  • Human Resources will send additional employee return-to-work guidance next week.

  Our COVID-19 response team is preparing for vaccine distribution.

  • In my last message to campus, I shared that the UNC System Office will continue to coordinate with NCDHHS about distribution of a vaccine to university students and employees. The university will not independently procure, store or distribute COVID-19 vaccines.
  • We do have an agreement in place with AppHealthCare, the local public health department, to serve as a distribution site for vaccines for students, faculty and staff.
    
  • We do not have a vaccination timeline to share at this time. Vaccine availability varies state- and nationwide, and the planning and distribution is managed by public health at the state and local levels.
    
  • AppHealthCare has developed a form for those who wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If you would like to receive the vaccine, please fill out public health’s vaccine interest form.
  • We will share additional information about vaccine distribution in upcoming weekly operations updates.

  I appreciate the work of the many staff and faculty who have been planning steadily for weeks, preparing for different contingencies for the spring semester, as well as those who, this week in particular, have helped with the final details of planning for this scenario.

  In addition to my weekly messages, please remember to continue checking your email and carefully read your weekly operations updates, which will begin again next week. Both messages include important logistical information and keep our campus informed of the latest information. These messages are also posted to the university’s coronavirus website.

  Everyone please stay safe, and for those of you who are in Boone today, if you can, spend a little time outdoors enjoying this beautiful snow.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more

December 2020

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — Dec. 21, 2020

  Monday, December 21, 2020

  In higher education, our focus on continual improvement means we sometimes neglect to celebrate our successes. This year in particular we have had many significant achievements worth honoring — specifically our ongoing response to the global pandemic. In preparing this message — my final update in 2020 — I find myself reflecting on all we have accomplished this year in light of the remarkable circumstances presented by COVID-19.

  This year, we have:

  • Administered nearly 31,300 COVID-19 tests at no cost to our faculty, staff and students.
  • Maintained isolation/quarantine inventory at optimal levels. Even at the height of our use, capacity never dropped below 62% and stayed well above 70% for the majority of the semester.
  • Provided more than 15,000 meals for campus and community members — for those in isolation and quarantine and through the Meals for Mountaineers program.
  • Distributed more than 97,700 washable, cloth face coverings to our faculty, staff and students. Our new face coverings have arrived and we are beginning the process of distributing five new face coverings so each student, faculty and staff member will have them in time for the start of the spring semester.
  • Awarded nearly $7 million to students in need through CARES Act emergency grants and the Mountaineer Emergency Fund.
  • Made more than 15,800 calls to check on new and continuing students.
  • Had no documented cases of classroom transmission of COVID-19.
  • Graduated more than 5,300 students through two virtual commencement ceremonies.

  These milestones — and so many others — speak to your compassion and pragmatism as we collectively responded to the many impacts COVID-19 has had on our campus community. Above all, we prioritized safety and sought to assist one another, innovating new ways to help members of the App State and broader community. In times of crisis, we reveal our true character, and I am proud of how we have come together as Mountaineers — working together to rebuild our university infrastructure, even as we are using it, while taking care of one another. This is what we do at App State.

  Last week, we conducted our final COVID exit testing events of the year.

  • Our fall semester COVID-19 exit testing numbers remain strong. Last week, we conducted 617 tests with 9 positive results, or 1.46%.
  • All university-related clusters have moved into inactive status. This means the NCDHHS-established 28-day period for no new active cases in active clusters has passed for all clusters identified as associated with the university.
  • We are not using any of our isolation/quarantine inventory at the present time, but we will provide isolation/quarantine support to students who need it throughout the winter break.

  We will pause updates to our COVID-19 Dashboard from Dec. 24–Jan. 1, and will add daily data for that time period on Jan. 2.

  Our entry testing plans for the spring semester are well underway. This week, students who will be living in residence halls received information about required entry testing, and updates will continue as we approach the beginning of the spring semester. Campus surveillance and entry testing events will resume in early January 2021.

  As I shared in my Dec. 4 remarks to the university’s Board of Trustees, App State has been engaged in conversations with state and local public health officials for several weeks about our role in administering COVID-19 vaccines. With support from the UNC System, we will be well positioned to assist state and local public health officials with storage of the vaccine as part of the state’s implementation of the NCDHHS vaccine distribution plan. App State will be among 15 institutions in the UNC System to receive cold storage units that can collectively store 1.86 million vaccine doses. The units, which will be provided by the UNC System, were purchased by the UNC Policy Collaboratory with funds appropriated by the North Carolina General Assembly to support COVID-19 recovery and response efforts across the state. We will repurpose our four cold storage units at a later time for academic research. We appreciate the state legislature’s forward thinking that will enable us to be a part of the local and state response to serve rural areas in our state.

  • Vaccine distribution will be via state channels in line with the NCDHHS vaccine distribution plan. App State will not independently procure, store or distribute COVID-19 vaccines.
  • The UNC System Office will continue to coordinate with NCDHHS about distribution of a vaccine to university students and employees.
  • We have an agreement in place with AppHealthCare, the local public health department, to serve as a distribution site for vaccines for students, faculty and staff.

  As the university moves into our holiday break, our operations will slow down for a few days. Our campus COVID-19 response team remains hard at work implementing campus safety measures and preparing for spring semester and beyond, and my weekly updates, as well as weekly campus operations updates, will resume the week of Jan. 11.

  This year, more than any before, has illuminated the resilience, perseverance and kindness of the Appalachian Community — and that is something of which we should all be extremely proud. I wish each of you a safe and restful break.

  Happy holidays, Mountaineers!

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• 

  Update from App State — Congratulations, #AppStateClassof2020!

  Friday, December 11, 2020

  Today as we celebrate our second virtual 2020 Commencement, we can be proud of our perserverance and steadfastness during these past months. Even as we complete the final days of the fall 2020 semester, we continue with our COVID-19 response operations.

  So far this week, we have administered 949 COVID-19 tests with 25 positive results, or 2.6%. We can attribute many of these cases to travel over the Thanksgiving break. Because the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services considers clusters to be active until there have been no cases in isolation for a 28-day period, we still have four clusters associated with residence halls that are considered active, but there are no active cases in any active clusters. We are not using any of our quarantine/isolation space inventory at this time. We continue daily updates to our COVID-19 dashboard, and will update it on Monday with this week’s final testing results.

  We will continue offering free COVID-19 testing events through next week, and will begin next semester’s testing schedule on Jan. 4. I am pleased to see that in addition to faculty and staff, students who remain in Boone continue to take advantage of opportunities to be tested for COVID-19. Throughout the incredible challenges COVID-19 has presented this year, our students remain dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of our community. They exhibit this through their proactive behavior — participating in COVID-19 testing and wearing face coverings — and throughout the semester they have been actively engaged in several peer-to-peer efforts to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

  Today, we are hosting our second virtual commencement ceremony — which you can view here — to honor more than 1,700 App State graduates. We celebrate the Class of 2020, and applaud their grace, perseverance and unwavering resilience. They have earned one of the most significant achievements of their lifetimes while overcoming the tremendous challenges of a global pandemic unlike anything the world has seen in more than a century.

  This year — perhaps more than any other in our institution’s history — our faculty and staff have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to helping our students achieve their dream of graduating from App State. You have earned this day as well and we honor your contributions.

  Faculty — through your teaching, research and service you have made a transformational difference in the lives of these outstanding graduates. Your mentorship of our graduates throughout their academic careers will have a lifelong impact.

  Staff — you have supported and worked alongside our graduates as they faced each obstacle placed before them. You have helped them establish lasting connections that will endure time and distance.

  During this occasion, we also extend our deepest gratitude to our App State families and friends, who have served as role models, supporters and cheerleaders for our graduates. This is your celebration as well. We are grateful for your investment in our amazing students.

  I am moved by the thoughtful messages and good wishes that have been flooding social media even before our ceremony. I’ve shared a few below. We are collecting more on our commencement website:

  “I go from a ‘student of teaching’ into a ‘teacher of students’ in less than a week! 💛🖤🍎”

  “... A virtual graduation is definitely not what I was expecting, but then again this whole year was very unexpected. I’m so thankful to be able to graduate from such an amazing school and I definitely wouldn’t take back any moment from my four years here. ... As a first-generation college graduate, I am proud of this accomplishment and can’t wait for what’s next! ❤️ 📷”

  “Join us in raising a glass (or a coffee cup) to the 1,700 graduates of the #AppStateClassof2020. Excited to watch featured commencement speaker and @Appstatecomdept alum @JohnCarterWBTV.”

  This year, we have adjusted to new ways of celebrating the important moments in our lives and, moreover, we clearly recognize the importance of doing so. I am profoundly thankful we are able to honor our graduates today, and regardless of our mode of celebration, the value and significance of this occasion cannot be overstated.

  Congratulations, Class of 2020!

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of Nov. 30–Dec. 4

  Friday, December 4, 2020

  The first week of primarily virtual exams also brought the first accumulation of snow to campus. View a photo gallery of snowy campus scenes here.

  On Wednesdays through Dec. 16, we are offering free COVID-19 testing to faculty, staff and students. View the testing schedule here.

  • Since the start of the semester, we have conducted the majority of the tests in Watauga County, administering more than 29,000 COVID-19 tests to students, faculty and staff, with an overall positivity rate of 3%.
  • Over the last two weeks, we administered more than 5,200 COVID-19 exit tests, with a positivity rate of just under 1%.
  • As of today, we are not using any of our quarantine/isolation space inventory.
  • Currently, we have zero active cases within the active App State COVID-19 clusters, and we expect to see the number of active clusters to continue on a downward trend.
  • So far this week, we have conducted 966 COVID-19 tests with 19 positive results — a positivity rate of approximately 2%. More than 500 people — mostly students — participated in Wednesday’s testing event. We will update our COVID-19 dashboard with weekly test data on Monday.

  Next week we will conclude exams and celebrate the Fall 2020 Commencement of more than 1,700 students — an impressive class of graduates who will forever recall the culmination of their days at App State taking place during a historic pandemic. We are pleased to have alumnus John Carter as our keynote speaker. John is a celebrated WBTV News anchor who earned a Bachelor of Science in communication arts with a concentration in broadcasting from App State in 1979. The ceremony will also feature two stellar student speakers: Walker College of Business undergraduate Wendell Addy and graduate student Jennifer McCracken, who has served as Catawba County’s public health director while pursuing her master's degree in public administration. Vocalist and Hayes School of Music senior Samantha Latino will also perform, with piano accompaniment by Hayes School of Music Dean James Douthit. You can read more about the ceremony and learn how to participate here.

  Logistical planning for the spring semester has been underway for many weeks. The safety of our community and our academic mission remain our guiding principles, and we will continue to rely on data to inform our decision-making. In many ways, the spring semester will look and feel similar to this fall.

  • Next semester, every student, staff and faculty member will receive five washable, reusable face coverings. New designs, along with three-ply material and an adjustable ear loop feature, should make them even more popular than the ones we distributed this fall.
  • We will continue with a robust COVID-19 surveillance testing schedule, including required entry testing for all students living in residence halls, and we are engaging in residence halls wastewater testing research, which will help us further refine our targeted testing strategy.
  • Daily health self-assessments will continue to be required for all faculty, staff and students prior to leaving their residence halls or coming to campus. All cleaning and sanitizing procedures and distancing requirements will remain in place.
  • Course delivery methods will be similar, although there will be more synchronous courses for those taking remote classes. We do expect to have fewer class cancellations for weather, since many classes can now pivot to remote learning.

  We continue working on ways to minimize feelings of isolation and facilitate the community connections our students need while also following safety guidelines. Upon their return to campus, students will find outdoor campfire locations. These will allow them to gather, roast hot dogs and marshmallows, listen to music and enjoy the outdoors, while staying physically distanced, but socially connected.

  Today I had the opportunity to recap the year’s challenges and accomplishments with our university’s Board of Trustees. I shared the efforts of our faculty, staff and students that mitigated the risk of contracting COVID-19, allowed us to further our academic mission in the face of historic adversity, and provided classroom and residential experiences for students who needed them — as well as flexibility for students and faculty who needed remote learning and teaching options. I also shared research highlights and student successes, a construction update — including the status of our Child Development Center expansion and that of Sanford Hall — and highlighted some of our institutional advancements with our diversity and inclusion initiatives.

  My complete remarks to the Board of Trustees may be read here. They recount a year of extreme challenge and laudable resilience, and speak to the incredible strength and character of our university community.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more

November 2020

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  Update from Appalachian State University — Thanksgiving week

  Tuesday, November 24, 2020

  Today marks the last day of classes for fall semester, and I am heartened by how our campus community has shown thoughtfulness and care for one another by following safety precautions, taking advantage of testing events and finding new ways to engage and connect.

  • Since the start of the semester, we have conducted more than 28,000 free COVID-19 tests for students, faculty and staff.
  • At last week’s exit testing events, more than 3,717 tests were collected. This was the highest week of the semester for test collection and represents a 99% increase over the number of tests collected the prior week.
  • Forty-one, or 1.1%, of last week’s tests were positive for COVID-19. The university is supporting these individuals as needed and will continue to support those students who will remain in quarantine over the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • Yesterday’s exit testing event was busy as well, with more than 1,000 tests collected. We will update our COVID-19 dashboard on Monday with the results from all tests conducted this week.

  As many of our students depart for this week’s Thanksgiving break and prepare for a primarily online exam period, please remember university resources remain available. From the Meals for Mountaineers program, to counseling resources for students, faculty and staff, to exam preparation assistance for students, there is a robust support network available for the entire Appalachian Community. Additional details are in this week’s operations update for campus.

  We will spend our Thanksgiving holiday in a world that has been fundamentally changed by this global pandemic. As I reflect on this year, I am so appreciative of the members of our Appalachian Community, and especially for the many ways you have persevered through immense difficulties and demonstrated your innovation and determination to prevail over hardship.

  • Thank you to our students for showing unwavering resilience and grace during a semester unlike any other in your college career. I appreciate your proactive and conscientious behavior and care for one another as you work to stay connected and engaged in a radically changed campus environment.
  • Thank you to our faculty for your tremendous flexibility and vision as you have adapted courses and worked many additional hours — individually and with your colleagues — to position our students for success under the most difficult circumstances in the history of our university.
  • Thank you to our staff for working tirelessly to reimagine the Appalachian Experience — from open houses and wellness events, to athletics and recreation. As COVID-19 continues to shift the circumstances around us, your preparation, fresh perspectives and unwavering focus on the well-being of our students have endured.

  I send my best wishes to all Mountaineers for the Thanksgiving holiday. It is great to be a Mountaineer.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Nov. 16–20

  Friday, November 20, 2020

  Next week, we will hold our last day of classes and take a short, much-needed break for the Thanksgiving holiday. Vigilance in our personal COVID safety measures is critically important at this time.

  Current statewide and national headlines are reminding us of the importance of limiting exposure to others and getting tested for COVID-19. I am so pleased that our students are utilizing our drive-up/walk-up exit testing events. Please continue to utilize campus testing opportunities, limit your exposure to others to the greatest possible extent, and be sure to make plans for prioritizing safety during the holiday.

  While we will update our weekly testing data on the university’s COVID-19 dashboard on Monday, below are some key exit testing metrics:

  • We have conducted 2,309 free COVID-19 tests on campus for the week so far, with 28 positives, a 1.2% positivity rate.
  • On Monday, we saw a 48% increase in the number of tests conducted over the previous Monday.
  • On Wednesday, we saw a 75% increase in the number of tests conducted over the previous Wednesday.

  Our own campus experts provide important information. In particular, guidance for how to create a pandemic pod, or a small group of people who limit their non-distanced social interaction to one another, has been provided by Dr. Alex F. Howard, interim assistant vice chancellor in the Division of Student Affairs and director of Wellness and Prevention Services.

  Throughout the year, and especially during this season of giving and gratitude, I am inspired by how the Appalachian Community works to help those on our campus and in our local community.

  • To date, we have served approximately 10,000 meals to individuals from our campus and in the community who are in isolation or quarantine. Many thanks to Jason Marshburn and his team in Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management for coordinating this effort, to Campus Dining for preparing these meals and to Parking and Transportation for facilitating these important deliveries. We will continue providing support to our students who are in isolation or quarantine over the break.
  • Last week, App State’s Staff Senate sponsored its 40th annual AppKIDS event. With safety in mind, the committee instituted several new or modified events: the AppKIDS Give Day for online donations; a virtual silent auction; and online shopping for each child in need instead of the traditional in-person shopping day. In total, AppKIDS raised $18,500 for winter clothing and necessities for local children.
  • App State's Campus Dining has created a new Meals for Mountaineers program that offers free, chef-inspired meals to those in need in the Appalachian Community during Winter Break — no questions asked. Available from Dec. 11 to Jan. 14, 2021, this program is another way Campus Dining is serving our Mountaineers, and I am so very proud of their efforts.
  • Yesterday, students enjoyed WinterFest on Sanford Mall — hosted by Campus Activities and Wellness and Prevention Services. With free food and games, this event was a great opportunity for our campus community to enjoy a beautiful Boone afternoon with all safety precautions in place. I appreciate the tremendous work of Wellness and Prevention Services and Campus Activities, as well as Student Health Service, Counseling and Psychological Services and University Recreation in helping keep our students healthy and engaged this semester.

  Finding ways to connect is more important than ever — as App State’s Glee Club reminds us in this virtual performance. While we miss the sights and sounds of performances like these in the Plemmons Student Union and Broyhill Music Center, I am thankful for the many ways we are learning to stay connected, no matter the distance.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Nov. 9–13

  Friday, November 13, 2020

  In less than two weeks our campus community will depart for the Thanksgiving holiday. It is a significant milestone to have maintained in-person instruction this semester, one which speaks directly to the commitment of our faculty, staff and students to following the 3Ws and the many other safety precautions we have in place on our campus.

  Your actions make a difference, and I thank you for your diligence. While we remain encouraged by our data, we are seeing a slight increase in cases related to group activities, gatherings and Halloween events.

  • So far this week, we have conducted 1,456 tests, with 28 positive cases, or a rate of 1.9%.

  • We currently have 45 active university cases.

  • This week, the Chi Omega and Newland Residence Hall clusters moved into inactive status. The total number of individuals who are active cases in all active clusters is four and the maximum number of individuals who are active cases in any active cluster is two.

  • On Monday, we will update the weekly testing and cluster data on the university’s COVID-19 dashboard. Active case data are updated daily.

  Earlier this week Governor Cooper announced, through Dec. 4, the indoor gathering limit has been reduced to 10 people. As we prepare for the holidays, we must continue to prioritize safety and adhere to gathering limits.

  • The experts tell us that now is the time to limit our exposure to others.

  • I encourage everyone to take advantage of the regular COVID-19 testing opportunities on campus. Walk-up/drive-up testing continues, with another event tomorrow from noon–5 p.m. in the Rivers Street Parking Deck.

  • Additionally, be sure to read and follow the guidance in place for departing from and returning to campus.

  This week also brought Mountaineers and members of the community together, virtually, for several important events:

  • App State observed Veterans Day by virtually celebrating some of our campus heroes: staff veterans in Facilities Operations and retired Army Col. Nick Katers, who now serves as the associate vice chancellor for facilities management. Their stories and a photo gallery of our ROTC cadets raising the flag are available on Appalachian Today, our news and events website.

  • I attended the Diversity and Inclusion Accountability Team’s most recent meeting on Thursday, which focused on our efforts to increase diverse representation among our faculty members. Thank you to Chief Diversity Officer Willie Fleming and Director of Intercultural Student Affairs Lamont Sellers for leading this meeting and facilitating our discussions. Active progress continues on our initiatives, and Dr. Fleming regularly shares updates about this work in his messages to campus and on the university’s Diversity and Inclusion website.

  • This afternoon, we officially cut the ribbon on the Kidd Brewer Stadium north end zone facility, which will offer more than 88,000 square feet of much-needed space for athletic, academic and community uses, including an expansive event space for conferences and programming. The facility, which has four floors, will open in phases and in accordance with Governor Cooper’s executive orders. While we had hoped to make this a bigger celebration, we kept today’s event small, and will share photos and more information about the building with campus and our community early next week.

  I am incredibly thankful to be among Mountaineers who have embraced new ways to connect with and support one another, and who seek to make our community stronger than ever before.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Nov. 2–6

  Friday, November 6, 2020

  This week, and for months prior, the 2020 election has dominated headlines. The democratic process is a core function of our society — and one of our greatest responsibilities as citizens — and we can be proud so many in our district made their voices heard. App State has a long-standing, nonpartisan commitment to civic engagement and it was an honor for our university to continue to offer a voting site on campus.

  As we go into the weekend, we are encouraged by the data, which show we have had 12 consecutive days of 30 or fewer active COVID-19 cases on App State’s campus — for the first time since before the start of the fall semester.

  Here are a few other important COVID-19 data points:

  • Since students moved in the week of Aug. 10, we have conducted more than 20,000 COVID-19 tests on campus.
  • So far this week, we have conducted 1,370 tests, with 22 positive cases, or a rate of 1.6%. On Monday, we will report testing data for the week on the university’s COVID-19 dashboard.
  • We also have several clusters that moved into inactive status this week, including App State Football, Alpha Delta Pi and Kappa Delta sororities, Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, and four of our residence halls: White, Frank, and the formerly named Lovill and Hoey halls. In all, 12 clusters, out of 25 total, are now classified as inactive. Active cases in the remaining active clusters total 15 and the maximum number of active cases in any active cluster is 4. Cluster data on the university’s COVID-19 dashboard will be updated by Monday afternoon.

  More key metrics will be shared in this week’s operations update, which will also provide guidance for the departure from campus. We strongly encourage all students, as well as staff and faculty, to limit exposure to others and get a COVID-19 test before departing Boone. Additionally, we encourage everyone to follow the Centers for Disease Control’s guidance for travel during COVID-19. More information will be shared soon.

  In the context of COVID-19, celebrating good news is all the more important. We learned this week that App State won the 2019–20 Sun Belt Conference (SBC) Overall Student Graduation Rate Award — the second straight year we have had the highest graduation rate among overall student bodies of SBC schools. What a terrific testament to our students under particularly challenging circumstances.

  Next week, our nation will take time to observe Veterans Day. Instead of gathering in person at App State’s Veterans Memorial, this year’s observance will be virtual. Thank you to the staff in the Office of Student Veteran Services for gathering insights about military service from veterans who now lend their talents to our Facilities Operations. Veterans Day, originally Armistice Day, is officially observed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — a commemoration of the 1918 armistice, which ended World War I. The videos and stories from our campus heroes will be available at appstate.edu at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

  On Veterans Day and throughout the year, let’s take the time to thank our veterans for their service to our country. It is more important than ever to support one another, and that’s what we do as Mountaineers.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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October 2020

• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Oct. 26–30

  Friday, October 30, 2020

  This week, the data show five consecutive days with less than 30 active COVID-19 cases on App State’s campus — for the first time since before the start of the fall semester. This milestone is a testament to the commitment of our faculty, staff and students to slowing the spread of this virus.

  • Since students moved in the week of Aug. 10, we have conducted more than 19,000 COVID-19 tests on campus.
    
  • We currently have 29 active cases, all of whom are recovering in isolation off campus.
    
  • So far this week, we have conducted 1,308 tests, with 15 positive cases, or a rate of 1.1%. On Monday, we will report testing data for the week on the university’s COVID-19 dashboard. Today’s operations update will include more key metrics.

  Our campus community is committed to protecting one other, and dedicated to following safety precautions. Now is when it is most critical we remain vigilant. I appreciate how many of you have helped to reiterate this message, which was also shared by Charlotte media this week.

  I am proud of the leadership of our students in encouraging others to follow all safety precautions related to COVID-19 — from Wellness Ambassadors, to the App State vs. COVID campaign, to public service announcements by the Student Government Association.

  Our faculty continue to accommodate students’ needs as we plan for spring semester with a mix of face-to-face, hybrid and remote course delivery methods. I appreciate the individualized approach they provide to our students always, and particularly throughout this pandemic, as they look holistically at each student’s circumstances and help them find the best solutions.

  Our staff continue to go above and beyond, remaining flexible and responding to the changing needs of our students and faculty. I would like to especially thank the staff who were reassigned when we had to close some of our Campus Dining facilities due to decreased demand. These staff are currently assisting with COVID-19 response efforts, delivering COVID-19 related supplies to campus units, helping with testing site logistics, and providing courier services for students in quarantine by delivering food, hygiene items, laundry and medication as well as class assignments. For those departments that face the possibility of reducing staff hours due to COVID-19 challenges, we will continue to employ every option to keep our staff working in other areas of the university.

  I want to be clear: we are fighting a long fight, and we cannot claim success, but the science and the data tell us we can flatten the curve if we remain attentive and keep caution at the forefront of our decision-making.

  • Wearing face coverings makes a difference — as does physical distancing and washing hands (or using hand sanitizer) frequently. When you are around others who are not in the household you are living in, wear your face covering. At the beginning of the fall semester, we distributed three washable, reusable face coverings to every student, faculty and staff member. If you need a new face covering, you can request one through the Cloth Face Covering Replacement Request Form. Next semester, students, faculty and staff will each receive five new face coverings.
    
  • Group gatherings must remain small and safe. Keep face coverings on. As much as possible, gather outdoors and maintain distance. As we head into Halloween weekend — with an App State football away game also scheduled for Saturday afternoon — Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs J.J. Brown shared terrific reminders and resources with students about how to have fun while keeping safety in mind.
    
  • Take advantage of COVID-19 testing. On-campus, we will continue to offer walk-up or drive-up COVID-19 testing for students, faculty and staff on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Local public health is also conducting targeted testing events at our residence halls and some local apartment complexes free of charge.
    
  • Start planning for the holidays. We will share guidance about COVID-19 prevention strategies for the holidays and winter break soon. In the meantime, it’s good to familiarize ourselves with the guidance on social gatherings developed by the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services and the holiday celebrations guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  While there is less face-to-face and on-campus activity this semester, daily Mountaineer life continues — we are still teaching, learning, researching, participating in activities, elevating our work, connecting with other Mountaineers and moving ever forward. Here are a few recent examples:

  • App State received recognition in Forbes as one of 19 universities selected to join an ongoing project aimed at developing more inclusive faculty recruitment, hiring and retention in STEM disciplines.
    
  • This fall we welcomed nearly 200 students in our first class from Appalachian GEAR UP, a federally funded college access program. For more than five years, we have partnered with 11 school districts in Western North Carolina to provide academic support, college visits and programming for GEAR UP — staying true to our mission of providing access to education for students in our region and beyond.
    
  • The experts in Belk Library and Information Commons’ Special Collections Research Center are helping preserve the history of App State as well as the history of Appalachia. A recent video and photo essay highlight some of the most interesting items in the collection.

  Thank you for your commitment to helping slow the spread of COVID-19 and for your continued dedication to excellence under any circumstances.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Oct. 19–23

  Friday, October 23, 2020

  This week we celebrated Appalachian’s Homecoming — a time to show our Mountaineer pride and enjoy traditional festivities, including the Kazoo Band and crowning of the Top of the Rock. Like everything, our celebrations look different this year — with all of the events reimagined to accommodate safety guidelines. Campus was quiet without tailgating, but the black and gold spirit is still palpable, even when shared virtually, and the Homecoming football game victory was even sweeter after a pause in practice and 26 days without a game. At The Rock, we had 2,100 spectators. I am especially proud of the way our students modeled COVID-19 prevention and safety by maintaining distance and wearing face coverings. Their cheering provided terrific motivation for a great Homecoming win, and a great soundtrack for the national coverage on ESPN.

  Many thanks to our Appalachian Police Department and Emergency Management team for their thorough safety preparations for last night’s game. In addition to extensive access to hand sanitizer stations and required face coverings, social distancing measures in the stands, in restrooms and in entry and concession lines were in place, allowing a portion of our community an important opportunity to celebrate Homecoming together and enjoy some much-needed, in-person social interaction.

  We are encouraged to see our positive and active cases of COVID-19 trending downward, as I shared earlier in the week. The data continue to support this trend — today's active case count of 37 is the lowest it has been since Aug. 31. Since students arrived on campus for the fall semester, we have administered more than 17,500 COVID-19 tests to students, faculty and staff. Throughout the semester — and with guidance and assistance from local public health, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the UNC System — we have adjusted and enhanced our testing volume and strategy. We have increased surveillance testing to three times each week and have worked with local public health to add targeted testing at residence halls. As we near the end of the fall semester and continue planning for spring, we are also working with UNC System and NCDHHS leadership to further refine our testing strategy, review the latest guidance and acquire additional resources. We will soon share more information about testing before the winter break and the return to campus in the spring.

  We have continued to work throughout the semester with students who would like to opt out of their housing contracts and students who would like to adjust the delivery method of their courses to be fully online. In the spring semester, we will continue with a mix of in-person, hybrid and all-remote course delivery. We are listening to the needs of our students and faculty alike who are seeking further engagement in virtual and socially distanced settings. Each day, both formally and informally, faculty continue to enhance virtual learning experiences for students. The Center for Academic Excellence team remains a valuable resource for faculty in this regard. I would like to thank our faculty, staff and students for the flexibility and innovation they continue to demonstrate under constantly changing circumstances. There is no one approach that works for everyone, so we will continue providing a mix of solutions that provides a high-quality education and the best possible overall Appalachian Experience. When we look back on these times, we may not be able to say we got everything exactly right, but we will be able to say confidently that as a campus community, together, we employed every option to continue our academic mission, while prioritizing the physical and mental health of our students, faculty and staff.

  As we head into the weekend feeling encouraged by our COVID-19 testing numbers, we cannot let down our guard. I urge everyone to follow COVID-19 precautions: Keep wearing your face coverings when you are around others you don’t live with — in any size group — whether indoors or outdoors. Maintain 6 feet of distance and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.

  While we have not seen many large parties, our university police and student conduct team are strictly enforcing COVID-19 safety ordinances and policies. The most effective strategy, however, is peer-to-peer reinforcement, which we see taking place across campus. Let’s continue these practices wherever we are. Wearing face coverings, in particular, must be the norm — not the exception — for the foreseeable future.

  Slowing COVID-19 demands a tremendous amount of our attention. Still, our faculty, staff and students remain dedicated to simultaneously advancing the Appalachian Experience and I am so grateful for their efforts. We recently announced the recipients of Appalachian’s premier signature scholarships — a group of 24 students who exemplify Mountaineer values and ideals. We are excited to see these students thrive at App State! Last week, we also hosted our first virtual open house of the fall, welcoming 2,500 students and families remotely for information sessions, a virtual tour, meetings with faculty and opportunities to learn about the many programs and resources available.

  I was fortunate to have the opportunity to virtually attend the UNC System’s Board of Governors meetings this week, and while there is significant concern about the state budget outlook, President Hans emphasized as key priorities enrollment growth and strengthening support for faculty and staff. He took special note of the work faculty and staff are undertaking to continue providing high-quality educational experiences for our students, and said, “There is no pausing people’s lives, which means we must be resilient and resolute in providing a life-changing education. We have had to adapt, to do our part in slowing this pandemic while also weighing the risks of lost opportunity for thousands of students. There is no perfect answer for the decisions we face — only honest grappling with a challenging situation.” I encourage you to read his full remarks.

  With each passing week of this historic semester, I am inspired by the resilience of our campus community and the strong desire to do our part to help keep our community as safe as possible. When we work together, we can — and do — make a difference.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• Stay Vigilant

  Monday, October 19, 2020

  I have heard from many of you who have noticed an encouraging downward trend in our active COVID-19 case counts and in positive test results from our on-campus testing. Today’s numbers, which show a 2.3% positive rate in last week's on-campus tests and 61 current active cases, continue to reflect this trend. My leadership team and I are also encouraged, but this is a formidable virus we will be battling for many months to come, and we must not become complacent. Please remember to stay vigilant.

  • Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, continues to remind us that cloth face coverings are effective in reducing transmission of COVID-19. While on campus, I, along with many others, have noticed excellent compliance with our face coverings requirements. Please continue wearing face coverings off campus as well, even in small social gatherings and whether indoors or outdoors.
    
  • Utilize today’s free testing event. These take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
    
  • Download the free SlowCOVIDNC exposure notification app, which sends a notification if you have been in close contact with someone who has shared a positive COVID-19 test result. Read more about how the app works.
    
  • Remember to complete your daily health check before leaving your residence hall or coming to campus.
    
  • Use the university’s mental and emotional well-being resources. You can also access the national distress hotline by calling 1-800-985-5990, or texting TalkWithUs to 66746.

  Thank you for your continued hard work and diligence. The data show that together, we can make a difference.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Oct. 12–16

  Friday, October 16, 2020

  We continue to closely watch our active COVID-19 case counts and active cases of individuals in clusters. Sharing data with our campus is important so our faculty, staff and students can see the data points we are considering and use these data to inform their own decisions. You’ll see additional data in the operations update coming soon, but a few key points my leadership team and I reviewed in our daily meeting yesterday are below:

  • We have steadily increased our testing volume and, to date, we have administered more than 15,600 tests on campus this semester. Last week we saw record numbers of on-campus testing and this week we saw an encouraging drop in our active case counts. So far this week, we have collected 1,560 tests with 33 positive cases, or just over 2%. As a comparison, by the same time last week, we had collected 1,805 tests with 77 positive cases, or just over 4%. Working with local public health, we have additional, targeted testing underway at residence halls. Public health has also been implementing targeted testing at nearby apartment complexes this week.
    
    
  • Residence halls occupancy is down to 76% and we continue to work with students who are requesting exemptions from their housing contracts.
    
    
  • Currently, we are using 17% of our isolation/quarantine space, with 83% available. We have not exceeded 30% of capacity to date this semester and we have no hospitalizations.

  Earlier this week, Provost Norris and I received a message from Faculty Senate asking that we consider the option of an immediate pivot to all-remote instruction. We have also both been asked about a single metric, or “tipping point,” that would determine this action. There is no simple answer to this question. We have looked at the steps taken by other institutions and continue discussions with their COVID response teams and our regular communications with UNC System leadership, the NC Department of Health and Human Services and our local public health agency.

  The work of our deans, associate deans, department chairs, advisors and many others to meet the individual needs of faculty, staff and students has been incredibly important to maintaining quality and continuity to our teaching and learning experiences. Likewise, Student Affairs staff have worked to meet housing and countless other key student support needs. University-wide, we continue to adjust our efforts and responses as data, guidance from health care officials and resource availability change. The result has been an extraordinary level of customization that is not as visible as a broad-based change but is focused and individualized at a level many institutions of our size simply have not undertaken. I am proud of the work you have done. This approach is harder, less visible and frankly less publicly lauded than more broad-based approaches. I hear daily from our students and their parents how incredibly important it has been to them. On behalf of those students, their families and the staff and faculty who have sent me so many messages expressing their appreciation for your work, I thank you.

  In discussions on campus, with UNC System leadership and with local and state public health officials, we have discussed other important considerations, which include:

  • White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx and Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci have both publicly stated that sending college students home is not an advisable strategy and that robust testing and isolation strategies are areas on which colleges should focus in order to mitigate the spread of the virus.
    
    
  • While approximately 20% of our courses are scheduled for face-to-face learning in classrooms, we do not have a concrete number of how many students are actually in classrooms each day. As the semester continues, we know some students have been allowed to pivot to online instruction by their faculty. We have efforts underway to learn more about the actual numbers.
    
    
  • Even as we continue to accommodate students’ requests to move to remote learning formats, we are not seeing students leave the Boone area en masse. Many students sign year-long leases, get jobs, register to vote and stay in the area as much, and as long, as they can.
    
    
  • Many staff are unable to telework, and without state or federal government funding at levels similar to what we had in the spring, a shift to a fully remote format may result in loss of employment for some university employees.
    
    
  • We are also taking into account the mental health impacts of the decisions before us. Isolation, loss of experiences and lack of motivation, largely due to the presence of COVID-19, are concerns for students in particular, and for faculty and staff as well. I appreciate the work our student, faculty and staff support teams have done to make important resources and support for the campus community in remote-friendly formats.
    
    
  • The science clearly shows what works: Compliance in wearing face coverings, distancing, limiting gathering sizes and hand-washing limits the spread of COVID-19. The combination of education, peer influence, incentives and enforcement has proven effective in influencing broad-based behavioral changes in many settings, and we continue to both encourage and enforce these behaviors.

  As anticipated, COVID-19 is causing financial impacts on our campus, which we are doing our best to mitigate. Our receipt-supported areas, in particular, are facing challenges. In some cases we may continue re-assignment of duties as we are forced by our circumstances to adjust where we most need staffing, but I have made clear to my leadership team that we will spare no effort to keep our employees working.

  • Our Athletics Division is implementing furloughs across the division. Beginning next month, Athletics staff will rotate taking 1-4 days off per month through June 2021, with the highest-paid employees taking the most unpaid leave days.
    
    
  • Our Campus Dining facilities have seen a 41% decrease in transactions since 2019 and have closed three locations until further notice: McAlister’s Deli in the Student Union, Rivers Street Cafe in Roess Dining Hall and the Wired Scholar coffee shop in Belk Library and Information Commons. We re-assigned the full-time, permanent staff who worked in the three closed facilities to other areas on campus. I appreciate the work of the Career Development Center staff, who are communicating directly with each of the affected part-time student employees to help them find other job opportunities.

  In the midst of a coordinated response to a global pandemic, we remain focused on moving forward in other important ways:

  • The UNC System’s Racial Equity Task Force is hosting a series of virtual town hall meetings Oct. 19–29 for students, faculty and staff. I encourage you to register and lend your voice to this important effort. Our Deputy General Counsel Toussaint Romain, who has a long career and service history of social justice work, is participating on the staff session panel. Spaces are limited, so register soon! Learn more.
    
    
  • A special thank-you to Dr. Tandrea Carter, who, in addition to her critically important role as director of App State’s Counseling for Faculty and Staff, began her duties as the university’s new ombudsperson on Sept. 15. With this new role, Dr. Carter’s expertise and specialized skills will benefit the Appalachian Community in new and broader ways.
    
    
  • In times of extreme challenge, celebrations gain new importance. Our annual Homecoming celebration is a welcome moment of levity and an opportunity to show our Mountaineer pride and to connect over distance.

  Appalachian’s academic mission is as strong as ever. Despite the backdrop of COVID-19, which takes an extraordinary amount of our time, energy and focus each day, we persevere.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Oct. 5–8

  Thursday, October 8, 2020

  In recent days, I have heard from many members of the Appalachian Community who have shared their desire to remain on campus and others who have requested we move to strictly online learning. The common theme is heartfelt concern for all Mountaineers.

  While we have no confirmed cases of classroom transmission, we are concerned about the residence halls clusters and are closely watching test result data. Here is data from the COVID-19 tests we have conducted so far this week (we will update the weekly test data on our dashboard on Monday):

  • Monday, Oct. 5: 665 tests with 37 positive results: 5.6%
  • Tuesday, Oct. 6: 161 tests with 10 positive results: 6.2%
  • Wednesday, Oct. 7: 979 tests with 32 positive results: 3.4%
  • Week to date: 1,805 tests with 79 positive results: 4.4%
  • We have 4 new cases in the active football team cluster. Active cases in that cluster are down from 25 last Friday to 17 today.
  • 70% of our active cases are in students who live off-campus.

  While we remain concerned about clusters in our residence halls, those teaching, learning and working on campus have noted campus facilities remain at a low density, and our data show campus services are being utilized at greatly reduced rates as compared to the same time last year.

  In addition to our continual coordination with the UNC System, we meet twice weekly with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services COVID response team and daily with AppHealthCare. We continue to review the data and respond with measures that best meet the needs of our students and faculty, and support the teaching and learning experience at App State. Our latest actions include:

  On campus:

  • We are offering on-campus students the ability to voluntarily opt-out of their housing contracts if they want to return to their hometowns.
  • We are implementing mandatory, large-scale testing in residence halls with active clusters.
  • Mountaineer football practice has been suspended until further notice and the football game against Georgia Southern University, scheduled for Oct. 14, has been postponed.
  • University Housing staff are communicating regularly with our on-campus students to not only ensure their understanding of and compliance with safety restrictions, but also to just to check in. It’s been a difficult adjustment for some, and I greatly appreciate the important work of the permanent and student housing staff to support and engage our students who live in residence halls.

  Off-campus:

  • The Appalachian Police Department is assisting local agencies with patrolling and responding to off-campus sites, including off-campus apartment complexes with large populations of students.
  • We are partnering with AppHealthCare, our local public health agency, to implement community-based testing at off-campus apartment complexes with large populations of students.
  • We are working with local public health, local law enforcement and local housing complexes on next steps, which include helping identify cases, assisting with tracing close contacts, sharing public health messages, and enforcing university, local and state policies and ordinances.

  On-campus compliance with the university’s COVID-19 safety measures has been excellent, but we are serious about enforcement:

  • Office of Student Conduct staff visit the courthouse biweekly to pick up information involving App State students.
  • App State will exercise every measure under the Code of Student Conduct for violations of restrictions related to social activity, face coverings and social distancing on and off-campus.
  • On-campus residents must also comply with restrictions related to visitors and group gatherings.
  • Serious and/or repeated violations will result in suspension.

  We urge everyone to reflect on your daily activities and make any needed adjustments to ensure you are being as safe as possible — from following the 3Ws to taking advantage of our free weekly pop-up testing events now held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays in the Rivers Street Parking Deck. We also encourage all Mountaineers to download the SlowCOVIDNC exposure notification app, released by the NCDHHS. This is an anonymous way to share a positive COVID-19 result or learn if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days.

  Thank you to the Appalachian Community for setting an example — through your actions — of how seriously we are committed to protecting the people we care for and the institution that brings us together. Your thought, care and concern for one another underscores the resilience of our university.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  
  

  Learn more
• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Sept. 28–Oct. 2

  Friday, October 2, 2020

  This has been a sad and difficult week on our campus as we all work to process the death of Chad Dorrill. Yesterday, we announced 35 active cases of COVID-19 in seven new clusters in our university community. The coronavirus touches all of us, and its effects can be devastating.

  In times of tragedy and uncertainty, many of us ask “What can I do?” and “How can I help?”

  Here are some action steps we took at App State this week:

  • We added an additional weekly pop-up testing event, so we now have two free testing options available without an appointment each week for students, faculty and staff, every Wednesday and Saturday.
    
  • We added contact tracing resources to support the efforts of local public health.
    
  • We postponed the Oct. 7 Mountaineer football game and have suspended practice.

  Additionally:

  • We have engaged in numerous discussions with local public health, local law enforcement and local businesses about off-campus parties and gatherings.
    
  • A team representing the Chancellor’s Office, Student Affairs and Emergency Management meets daily to strategize with local public health officials and twice weekly with a team of state public health officials that include medical professionals and members of the state COVID-19 response team.
    
  • Academic Affairs and Deans are working on options for additional flexibility in course delivery for faculty and students who need it.
    
  • We are utilizing the student conduct process to take disciplinary action against those who violate our safety protocols.

  The question on everyone’s mind is “What’s next for App State?” We publish daily active case counts and weekly cluster and on-campus testing data on our COVID-19 dashboard. Here’s the current status of some other metrics we are watching:

  • Active cases in residence halls account for 1.2% of the residence hall student population.
    
  • We are using 28% of our available quarantine space.
    
  • We are using 28% of our available meal support capacity.
    
  • The status of our personal protection equipment supplies is good.
    
  • Residence hall occupancy is at 84%

  As my leadership team and I watch the metrics and discuss options with UNC System leadership and local and state public health officials, we are continually evaluating a complex set of interrelated circumstances. Some of these are:

  • Most of our students live off campus in and around Boone and are taking the majority of their classes remotely.
    
  • Those in our classrooms are physically distanced, in spaces that are regularly cleaned and sanitized.
    
  • Face coverings compliance on campus is nearly universal.
    
  • We need better compliance with wearing face coverings off campus, adhering to quarantine and isolation instructions, and answering contact tracing calls from public health.

  Our current on-campus density is low; our available response resources remain high; we can offer flexible course delivery options to those who need it and, should we need to, we are ready to pivot to all-remote learning.

  On a personal level, Chad’s family has, in the midst of their grief, given us very clear direction: we must each stay vigilant with our safety precautions.

  • We must wear face coverings — even outside and in small groups. This is the single, most effective tool we have in the prevention of COVID-19.
    
  • Keep group gatherings small. While Phase 3 of Governor Cooper’s reopening plan eases some restrictions, it also emphasizes safety. Limitations on gatherings remain at 25 people indoors and 50 outside. Remember to wear face coverings and maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet in these settings.
    
  • If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive, it is critically important to follow quarantine and isolation instructions. These time periods can vary from person to person depending on circumstances. If you need support while in quarantine, contact the Office of the Dean of Students or Emergency Management.
    
  • Assist with contact tracing. If you receive a call or text from public health, respond quickly. They will ask questions about where you have been and who you have been with. We know this process slows the spread of COVID-19, so answer these questions as completely as possible. You can also download the SlowCOVIDNC app to your mobile phone — this is an anonymous way to 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. More information is available in this article on Appalachian Today.
    
  • Take advantage of regular COVID-19 testing events. Each Wednesday and Saturday, free pop-up testing events are held in the Rivers Street Parking Deck from noon-5 p.m. for students, faculty and staff. Additional testing is available by appointment through our Student Health Service, AppHealthCare and other locations in Boone. Details are available on the university’s coronavirus website.
    
  • Kindly but firmly, we must hold one another accountable. Many of our students and faculty are not on campus very often — for those who are, you can see the 3Ws in clear evidence. We must practice these behaviors consistently, no matter where we are.
    
  • Spend time on the university’s coronavirus website. There is a lot of information on this site, including key metrics, information on testing, how contact tracing works, prevention information, resources, and every update sent to campus since February.
    
  • Seek and offer support. If you or someone you know is having difficulty coping with grief or stress and need support, please reach out. Some key resources are:
    
  • For students: contact the Counseling and Psychological Services Center at 828-262-3180. The Office of the Dean of Students can connect students to additional resources for support.
    
  • For faculty and staff: free counseling is available from Counseling for Faculty and Staff at 828-262-4951 or through the Employee Assistance Program. Academic Affairs and Human Resources can connect faculty and staff to additional resources for support.
    
  • Our student death protocol provides guidance and important resources and support information for our campus community.

  Finally, I would like to say that many people have asked how they can reach out to Chad’s family to offer their condolences and share their memories. The Dean of Students office has coordinated a virtual memorial book to collect these thoughts and share them with the Dorrill family.

  In a time in which so much is out of our control, your university leadership is working harder than ever to help keep you as safe as possible. Let us all please focus on what we can do — be kind; be compassionate; and be diligent with safety and prevention practices. Mountaineers are resilient. No matter what the future holds, we are stronger together.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more

September 2020

• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Sept. 21–25

  Friday, September 25, 2020

  Today I shared university updates with Appalachian’s Board of Trustees. For my message this week, I encourage you to read my full remarks — available below. This compilation of updates and successes speaks to the tremendous thought and care that has gone into our university’s ongoing management of a global pandemic, and simultaneous efforts to elevate the Appalachian Experience.

  As a reminder, the next pop-up COVID-19 testing event will be held tomorrow from noon–5 p.m. in the Rivers Street Parking Deck and the results will be updated on the university's COVID-19 Dashboard.

  Thank you to the entire Appalachian Community for continuing to #ShowYourLove for our Mountaineers and the local community.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  
  

  Remarks from the Sept. 25, 2020, Meeting of the Board of Trustees

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Sept. 14–18

  Friday, September 18, 2020

  We have been back on campus for six weeks now (having completed our fifth week of classes), and I sincerely appreciate the examples set by our faculty, staff and students in following safety precautions to help slow the spread of COVID-19. We saw an increase in active cases this week, following an increase in testing events after the Labor Day holiday weekend. Additionally, we announced three clusters this week, which, combined, have nine active cases. Still, we are using less than 10% of our currently available quarantine space. A huge thanks to our Emergency Management team and the Case Management, Wellness and Prevention, and Student Health Service staff, who, in addition to their regular case loads, are working hard to respond to the needs of our students who are managing COVID-19 diagnoses.

  We all must remain diligently focused on following the 3Ws when we leave our homes and are around others: wear a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer and wait to maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others. As a reminder, the next pop-up testing event will be held tomorrow from noon–5 p.m. at the Rivers Street Parking Deck and the results will be updated on the university's COVID-19 Dashboard.

  While our semester looks and feels different, our faculty and staff have made every effort to ensure our campus community still has ready access to exciting and thought-provoking offerings. This week, in particular, our campus virtually hosted several great events.

  • The 2020–21 webinar series sponsored by the Appalachian Energy Summit opened this week, celebrating a remarkable accomplishment: Working together, the institutions and affiliates in the UNC System have achieved and exceeded the goal set in 2012 of avoiding $1 billion in energy costs incurred by institutions across the UNC System. The latest figures indicate a reduction of $1,030,282,949 in avoided energy costs as compared to the 2002–03 UNC System's energy usage. I applaud Chief Sustainability Officer Dr. Lee Ball and the Office of Sustainability for their continued leadership of this important initiative!
    
    
  • Congratulations to Drs. Curtis Ryan and Alecia Jackson, who were honored with the Chancellor's and Provost's Awards, respectively, during the second annual Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian event. This celebration of faculty research featured digital posters, oral presentations, performances and digital art pieces, which are available for viewing on the event webpage.
    
    
  • The first event of the fall 2020 Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series featured poet Jacinta White. The season will also include novelist Jacinda Townsend, poet Nickole Brown and creative nonfiction writer Graham Hoppe.

  Thank you to everyone who joined us and a special thank-you to our faculty and staff who reimagined and executed these events.

  Three important reminders to end the week:

  • Earlier this week, you received an email about the UNC System’s Racial Equity Task Force survey, which will be open until Sept. 30. I encourage all faculty, staff and students to use this opportunity to share your thoughts, as your feedback will be invaluable in helping support System-wide change. More information is available here.
    
    
  • Please also take time to complete the 2020 Census, which has been extended until Oct. 31.
    
    
  • Appalachian is committed to civic engagement, and there will be an on-campus voting location for the upcoming election's 20-day voting period. While touring campus locations with the Board of Elections, the university identified Holmes Convocation Center as an alternate location for this voting cycle to better ensure safety and to avoid further disruption of the teaching and learning experience. After this process, the Board of Elections selected the Blue Ridge Ballroom in Plemmons Student Union. While the process to confirm the final location is still underway, Appalachian's long-standing, nonpartisan commitment to hosting a voting site on our campus remains steadfast.

  The Appalachian Community continues to adapt and innovate our events, our programming and every aspect of our daily lives. Thank you for upholding and elevating the Appalachian Experience during these uncertain times.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  
  

  Learn more
• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Sept. 7–Sept. 12

  Saturday, September 12, 2020

  Today and every day, we are proud of how our own Appalachian Police Department (APD) is working to help our local community. APD employees, including Appalachian Police Academy recruits, have completed implicit bias training and, later this month, APD is sponsoring 15 local officers from agencies in Watauga County — including Boone Police Department, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Blowing Rock Police Department — to become certified trainers so they can conduct this implicit bias training within their own agencies. I’d like to extend my personal congratulations to the newest graduates of the Appalachian Police Academy, as last month, all 30 recruits passed the state examination to become certified North Carolina police officers.

  Today is the opening of the App State football season, and like everything else this semester, it will be very different from what we’re used to. We are pleased we will have parents of junior and senior players in attendance today, but in accordance with the outdoor gathering limits, as shared by App State Sports, there will be no tailgating permitted on campus and no fans allowed at The Rock for the home football games in September. Our fans in the stands have powered many Mountaineers victories, and we will miss seeing students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members decked out in black and gold on campus during game day. However, this is a necessary precaution to help keep our campus and community safe. I encourage our fans to watch the game from home or at local businesses in small groups, while adhering to the 3Ws. Visit App State Sports to learn how to watch or listen to the game, and be sure to follow @appstatesports to see how the Appalachian Community is cheering on our Mountaineers football team!

  As we continue to work diligently on increasing diversity and inclusion on our campus, this work is also taking place within the broader university system. The UNC System’s Racial Equity Task Force — a special committee of the Board of Governors — has developed a survey to help assess issues of race and equity in the UNC System. Your input is important and I hope you will take this opportunity to share your feedback. More information will be shared next week. You can also share your thoughts anonymously through this form.

  On Tuesday, I met with Staff Senate, and I appreciated the opportunity to answer the thoughtful questions they shared from staff members across the university. The commitment of our staff supports Appalachian’s daily success, and because of the hard work of the entire Appalachian Community, we are entering our fifth week back on campus — a tremendous accomplishment. Here are some important updates:

  • As of Sept. 11, we have 53 active cases, which means people who are currently in isolation due to a positive COVID-19 test. Our available quarantine capacity is currently at 84% (with 16% of the current capacity in use) and we have the ability to add more as needed.
  • We have added metrics to the dashboard — found here — on our university coronavirus website to show both the number of on-campus tests administered and the percent positive.
  • At Thursday’s pop-up testing event, COVID-19 tests were administered to 816 students, faculty and staff, and the results will be included on the university's dashboard on Monday. As a reminder, the next testing event is today from 12–5 p.m. at the Rivers Street Parking Deck.

  Thank you to the entire Appalachian Community for working together each day to fulfill our academic mission.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  
  

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Aug. 31–Sept. 4

  Friday, September 4, 2020

  This afternoon, I gave my annual remarks at the opening meeting for faculty and staff for the academic year. For this week’s update, I am sharing my remarks below. I also encourage everyone to read the latest operations update, which includes important information, and to please take advantage of the pop-up testing events that are coming up on:

  • Saturday, Sept. 5
  • Thursday, Sept. 10
  • Saturday, Sept. 12
  • Saturday, Sept. 19
  • Saturday, Sept. 26

  These testing events will be held from 12–5 p.m. in the Rivers Street Parking Deck. Visit the university’s COVID-19 Testing page for information on upcoming testing events and on-going testing for students, faculty and staff.

  I wish you all a safe and restful weekend.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor
  
  

  ---

  Remarks from the Fall 2020 Faculty and Staff Meeting:

  Learn more

August 2020

• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Aug. 24–28

  Friday, August 28, 2020

  With our second week of classes complete, all of us are adapting to new routines, including submitting our daily health checks and wearing face coverings when we are on campus. In large part, our entire Appalachian Community is acting responsibly and I could not be more grateful. Thank you all for doing your part.

  I am especially appreciative of our students’ adherence to precautionary measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 — wearing a face covering, physically distancing and washing hands often. Mountaineers are setting an excellent example, and I am proud that our students’ broad use of face coverings, classroom safety precautions in place and pop-up testing opportunities were noted in a report on Thursday on WSOC-TV. Tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rivers Street Parking Deck, we are again providing free COVID-19 testing for students, faculty and staff. Thank you to Jason Marshburn and his team in Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management for coordinating this effort. We recently added some enhancements to our informational COVID-19 case count dashboard. Previously, we updated the dashboard as soon as we received data and now, thanks to our local public health agency, AppHealthCare, we are able to update it daily. We are especially appreciative of faculty input on making this a more informative and easy-to-understand resource.

  Today, we received numbers from the fall 2020 census data and the Office of Admissions. Continuing our path of slow and steady growth, we have record-breaking numbers again this year. You can read about them here. These promising statistics during extremely challenging times speak directly to the tremendous efforts of our faculty and staff to recruit, retain and graduate high caliber students.

  • Our total fall 2020 enrollment is 20,023.
    
    
  • Undergraduate enrollment is up 3% for a total of 18,061.
    
    
  • Graduate student enrollment is up 11% for a total of 1,962.
    
    
  • App State Online (undergraduate and graduate) enrollment has increased by more than 18% for a total of 1,513.
    
    
  • Rural student enrollment is 5,992, more than 300 students above the University of North Carolina System's strategic plan benchmark for this year.
    
    
  • First-generation undergraduate students total 6,100, which is 34% of the total undergraduate population.
    
    
  • A record 18% of the total population is racially/ethnically diverse.
    
    
  • We have increased our total underrepresented student population by 56% since 2014.
    
    
  • We have nearly doubled our first-year underrepresented enrollment in the last six years — a 97% increase.

  I am incredibly proud of the work our faculty, staff and students have done to help realize these numbers. These are your successes during a time in which colleges and universities face significant uncertainties about what the future holds, and I hope you take pride in them.

  Next week, we will host our third annual Founders Day celebration. On this day, the first day of classes on Sept. 5, 1899, we honor the principles set forth by our founders that have guided us as educators and leaders in our state and beyond. Their determination to carve out a center of academic and cultural excellence in the ‘lost provinces’ continues to inspire us as we adapt and recharge for the challenges we face every day. This year’s celebration will feature a series of virtual events that include the dedication of our new residence halls, Thunder Hill and Raven Rocks, and the ringing of our Founders Bell. Many thanks to AppTV for livestreaming these events and making it possible for Mountaineers near and far to be a part of this important annual event.

  I am always inspired by stories of how our faculty and staff find new ways — both large and small — to make App State a place our students feel at home and supported. When first-year student Madeline Ryan’s bicycle arrived boxed and unassembled at the University Post Office, administrative support specialists Tim Norris, Matt Story and Daniel Greer jumped at the chance to help and put the bike together for her. Madeline, who had just moved to Boone from Chicago, said, “It was such an important act of kindness to me during a pretty difficult transition.” Read the full story.

  The Appalachian Experience is fortified by the strong connections among our faculty, staff and students, and these bonds will unite us through another century of educational leadership.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Aug. 17–22

  Saturday, August 22, 2020

  Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the entire App State Community, this week we held the first classes of the fall semester. I am incredibly proud of the collaboration across university departments to make this possible. The decision to welcome students back to campus was guided not only by our desire to give students the Appalachian Experience they hoped for, but also by recommendations from public health officials and the UNC System — as I shared in an Aug. 17 message to campus.

  A few weeks ago, in my June address to our Board of Trustees, I said this pandemic has necessitated our creating what is essentially a new Appalachian State University. Every aspect of campus life is different: in the ways we teach, deliver books, clean, meet, exercise, sit and eat together, and even where we place our toothbrushes. Since March, teams of staff and faculty have been working to prepare our campus to continue our premier teaching, research and learning experiences under the massive constraints and challenges imposed by this pandemic.

  Earlier this week, I spoke with Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). She called to discuss our plans of action and individual challenges, and she was complimentary of Appalachian’s extensive preparations and safety measures. On Aug. 21, the NCDHHS released updated guidance for institutions of higher education, and our preparation throughout the spring and summer has ensured we are in full compliance with this guidance.

  Across the nation, the operations of colleges and universities face daily uncertainties. These first few days are critical in ensuring we are able to flatten App State’s curve. We must all be diligent following the 3Ws, and limiting social gatherings to small numbers. Wear face coverings in compliance with university requirements and when you cannot maintain 6 feet of physical distance; wait to ensure 6 feet of physical distance between yourself and others; wash your hands frequently, scrubbing with soap for 20 seconds, and use hand sanitizer. If you are concerned about your or someone else’s exposure to or illness from COVID-19, you can report it here, and our Environmental Health and Safety and Emergency Management staff will immediately engage a team, including our public health partners, to review and respond as needed.

  Thanks to Student Government President and Vice President Michael Davis and Cam Hunter for the messages they shared with students yesterday, reminding students to limit parties and gatherings to no more than 10 people indoors and no more than 25 outdoors. Their messages and leadership are crucial to our success in being able to maintain an on-campus learning experience for our students. Every student can be a leader by example. As Michael and Cam both said, the actions of each individual person make a difference in our ability to stay the course this semester and beyond.

  While much of our reporting has been on the intricacies of returning to campus, it’s important to remember our faculty and staff continue to create meaningful experiences for our campus community.

  • Dr. Krista Terry, an associate professor in the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies, shared her thoughts on our faculty’s expertise in online instruction and connecting with students through all learning modalities. App State has long been known for its relational culture, and Dr. Terry underscores the importance of that focus now more than ever. Read what she had to say.
    
    
  • University Recreation’s Erin Sanders and Dr. Becky Battista of the Department of Health and Exercise Science and director of the Office of Student Research provided options and safety tips for outdoor exercise, enjoying the fall weather and learning what the university campus and Greater High Country have to offer in outdoor settings.
    
    
  • Landscape Services took advantage of our largely empty campus this summer to cultivate more durable turf on Sanford Mall. These grassy areas can now better withstand sustained amounts of high foot traffic and recreational use. Read more about the project.
    
    
  • During the spring and summer, more than 100 App State employees volunteered to personally call nearly 16,000 incoming and current students as a way to check in with our Mountaineers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to see how they were doing and connect them to any needed resources. Read more about this initiative.

  In the last few weeks in particular, we have received many messages commending our university’s response to COVID-19 and highlighting the tremendous efforts of our staff, faculty and leaders. The parents of a returning student, who moved into a residence hall last weekend, shared one such message. They thanked the university for the “thoughtful planning for the upcoming fall semester during these unique and unsettling times. We feel very comfortable having witnessed the preparedness and precautions in place and look forward to a successful fall semester.”

  I, too, want to extend my sincerest thanks to our faculty and staff for your work to elevate the experiences of our students — inside the classroom and beyond. The involvement of our faculty, staff and students is central to our institutional mission, and we are working harder than ever to engage the Appalachian Community in our decision-making processes. Your input is valued and we will continue to seek it as we move forward.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of Aug. 10–14

  Friday, August 14, 2020

  Welcome back to all of our new and returning Mountaineers! Move-in week has brought fresh energy to our campus and it is so great to see our students again. Above is a special message to our students.

  As we prepare for the first day of classes on Monday, I remind those of you on campus to wear your face coverings, practice physical distancing and good hygiene, and submit your daily health check. Every aspect of university life has been assessed with safety at the forefront — from academics, to dining, to residence life. You can read more details and find images of how each area of our university has been adjusted in this news story. You can also find more information here about how the university is working to maintain as much continuity as possible during these uncertain times.

  My leadership team and I will continue to work closely with local and state public health and the UNC System. Our work is informed by renowned infectious disease experts, including NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen and infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist Dr. David Weber, who serves as associate chief medical officer of UNC Health Care. To watch updates from Gov Cooper that include Sec. Cohen’s reports, click here.

  Dr. Weber has said, “It is my opinion that if certain precautions are implemented at the university level, the most important being the use of face coverings and maintaining physical distancing, faculty and staff can safely resume instruction and other educational related activities on campus. My opinion is based upon my education, training, experience, and my knowledge and review of reliable, authoritative, science-based data, and clinical observations.” You can also view Dr. Weber’s July 23 presentation to the UNC System Board of Governors here (timestamp 11:40).

  We will work together to make the best possible decisions for our university community and continue our actions to mitigate risk associated with COVID-19.

  I ask that we all continue to diligently practice the 3Ws — wear face coverings, wait to ensure 6 feet of physical distance and wash hands often or use hand sanitizer. Together we can reduce the spread of COVID-19.

  The past few months have presented difficult challenges and decisions, met head-on with resilience and innovation by the Appalachian Community. Now, as we embark on a new academic year, I am certain Mountaineer Spirit will continue to prevail.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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  Social media highlights

  • 08.12 — Appalachian’s University Bookstore has been hard at work planning, cleaning and following safety guidelines.
  • 08.10 — Move-in week looked different this year, including lots of App State face coverings — a great way to #ShowYourLove!
  • 08.10 — Appalachian’s University Housing team put a tremendous amount of thought and care into keeping our on-campus residential students as safe as possible.
  • 08.07 — Our newest residence halls look terrific, and the first residents recently moved in!

  Follow me on:

  • Twitter @AppChancellor
  • Facebook

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of Aug. 3–7

  Friday, August 7, 2020

  Next week, students will begin moving into residence halls. Even as we all work to manage the challenges of a global pandemic, I am excited about beginning a new academic year.

  Earlier this week, Governor Cooper announced the extension of Phase 2 “Safer at Home” through Sept. 11 while also emphasizing that universities are returning students to classrooms. He acknowledged the importance of opening schools and institutions of higher education, saying “Education must go on.” Higher education is indeed an essential function, and we will ensure that education goes on.

  Governor Cooper and Mandy Cohen, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), acknowledged this return to campuses is not without risk, and we acknowledge this as well. As we return to campus, we expect to see an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks, but our staff and faculty have been working for months on countless measures designed to mitigate the risk to members of our community. Our campus will look and feel different with new safety protocols in place — you can learn more about those precautions here.

  I am proud of the ways our campus community has already shown its commitment to work together to keep everyone as safe as possible. Leaders from Appalachian’s fraternities and sororities recently issued a joint statement — which you can read here — with guidelines and actions for the safety of students and others in the community who are returning to campus. Our Student Government Association is working with University Communications on an App State Share the Love public health education campaign. We applaud the proactive approaches of these and other student leaders.

  Our students who begin moving into residence halls on Monday will find that the University Housing team has created an environment that sets community expectations for safety with education, training and visitation protocols. You can see a short video here, in which Associate Director of University Housing Dr. Alicia Vest explains some of the measures in place to help protect students living in the residence halls. I’d like to thank Alicia and the entire University Housing team for the incredible amount of work they have done to rethink every aspect of our students’ on-campus housing experience to make our community safer.

  Our on-campus residential students will also have an opportunity to receive a free COVID test as they move onto campus next week, thanks to a partnership with Mako Medical Laboratories to increase testing availability for our campus community. Next week, Mako will be on campus with a “pop-up” site for students who will be living in residence halls. Testing events like these are one of many efforts each of us can take to promote the health and well-being of the Appalachian Community. Residential students will receive further information about this testing event soon. Our local public health agency, AppHealthCare, continues to offer testing for other members of the Appalachian Community. Please find additional information about testing here.

  NCDHHS tracks trends over time for four metrics — surveillance data, testing data, hospitalization data and viral spread — which inform decisions made by public health at the state and local levels. This then affects our planning and response. We have a strong partnership with AppHealthCare, as well as support from NCDHHS and the UNC System, as we prepare for and respond to many scenarios. This coordinated planning accounts for a multitude of planning scenarios, risk assessments and mitigation strategies.

  Our dedication to the health, safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff will continue to guide us as we embark on another semester in the eye of a global pandemic, and I thank each of you for your commitment to our university and each other.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

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  Social media highlights

  • 08.07 — Thank you to AppalCART for implementing enhanced cleaning procedures and other safety protocols.
  • 08.06 — We appreciate all the Mountaineers who are showing their love by following the 3Ws, especially wearing a face covering.
  • 07.28 — Safety precautions related to COVID-19 are nearing completion in Roess Dining Hall and across campus.

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July 2020

• 

  Update from Appalachian State University — week of July 27–31

  Friday, July 31, 2020

  In only two weeks, we will welcome our Mountaineers back to campus. I am proud of the way we have adapted to the challenges of this global pandemic, which has challenged every aspect of daily university life — from how we live and learn, to how we engage and educate. As we work together to adjust to our new safety protocols, we are looking forward to connecting in ways we have not been able to for quite some time. We are building an entirely new learning and living environment, designed to continue offering a meaningful experience for the entire Appalachian Community with safety at the forefront of every decision.

  During the UNC Board of Governors meeting last Thursday, infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist Dr. David Weber, who serves as associate chief medical officer of UNC Health Care, gave an informative presentation on COVID-19 that supports the effectiveness of face coverings and social distancing. Notably, he reported on a study that found wearing a face covering reduced the transmission radius of the novel coronavirus by more than half. A recent survey of Appalachian students conducted earlier this month by the Student Affairs Assessment Team and Wellness and Prevention Services shows Appalachian students are "very willing" to wear face coverings, adhere to physical distancing guidelines and practice good hygiene.

  The entirety of the Appalachian Experience has been assessed to ensure the appropriate precautions are in place to keep us as safe as possible. Face-to-face classes will look and feel different with social distancing and required face coverings in all instructional areas. For those students who will be learning remotely for some or all of their coursework, our faculty have spent hundreds of hours over the summer to develop compelling and engaging learning experiences. Campus Dining staff have also implemented many new safety measures while ensuring students have access to quality food through Campus Dining as well as through contracts with GrubHub and local food truck vendors. You can learn more about the changes to Campus Dining in this video. Additionally, Student Affairs is ensuring health services, wellness and prevention services, and student activities are available in new and safer ways. Students and their families can learn more about student life here.

  As we receive new information and guidance from the UNC System, state and local public health, the state legislature and other key oversight agencies, we work to determine what it means for our campus and share with the Appalachian Community as quickly as possible any new guidance and information, as well as any steps we take in response.

  As I mentioned in my message to campus on July 18, the UNC Board of Governors has asked all UNC System institutions to conduct financial scenario planning exercises. This afternoon, the UNC System released scenario planning documents for all campuses. While we are not facing 25%–50% budget cuts at this time, I want to emphasize it is important to responsible fiscal planning that we engage in budget scenario planning.

  Decisions made by the Board of Governors have a direct impact on our university, and Appalachian’s leaders work diligently to ensure our priorities are heard and considered. My positions on the budget and finance and capital construction committees give me insight and a voice in these important areas. The recent Board of Governors meeting resulted in decisions that are important to our university: A motion was approved for the 2020–21 Operating Budget Allocations, which included $5 million for Appalachian for enrollment change funding. Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Paul Forte and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs J.J. Brown presented to the strategic initiatives committee about Appalachian’s approach to student health services, particularly our decision to begin billing our students’ insurance companies to gain additional revenue we can re-invest in further resources for students, such as telehealth options.

  On Saturday, Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Willie Fleming shared an update from an important meeting held last Tuesday. This meeting addressed initiatives and progress underway, and set up a way that university administrators can be accountable to students, faculty, staff and alumni for accomplishing these objectives. Many conversations with students have taken place since that time, and they continue. We are committed to continuing to push ourselves and our university forward. If you have not done so, I encourage you to read Dr. Fleming’s message and spend some time with the chart he presented at the meeting. You can find both here. 

  We are charting new territory, for certain. In these times, it is more important than ever to stay focused on our academic mission and our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for every member of our community.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• Update from Appalachian State University — week of July 13–17

  Saturday, July 18, 2020

  As we look to our first day of classes on Aug. 17, faculty, staff and students are engaged in robust planning that provides the safest possible on-campus community experience for our students. Among our preparations are ensuring 6 feet of distance between those who are in classrooms, offering a variety of instructional methods and enhanced cleaning and sanitizing. In the coming days, students can expect communications from Academic Affairs about the course delivery methods for their classes and from Student Affairs about community expectations and the student experience. Staff and faculty are working diligently around the clock to prepare our campus for a return that will provide as robust an on-campus student experience as possible, while adhering to strict safety measures.

  Earlier this week, Governor Cooper announced the extension of Phase 2 “Safer at Home” through August 7, and in-person instruction guidance for K-12 public schools. You can read the Executive Order here, and the announcement about public schools here. I recognize this will have significant impacts on our students, faculty and staff who work with and have children in the K-12 public schools, and my leadership team and I are working to address the many questions these decisions are raising for our community. Please know additional communications will be forthcoming to address these questions.

  As we all work to respond to the latest impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UNC Board of Governors has asked all UNC institutions to conduct financial scenario planning exercises. These scenarios are based on potential drops in enrollment; reductions in state appropriations; the loss of business, athletics, and auxiliary revenue, and unanticipated expenses. We are not alone in assessing the possible financial implications of the pandemic, but certainly recognize that should we encounter sizable budget cuts, we could face unprecedented changes to our university. While it is important to recognize these are planning exercises, I want to be clear that my leadership team and I meet regularly with the Faculty Senate Executive Team, and we will continue working collaboratively with Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and our Student Government Association to ensure they are engaged should we need to enact any of the possible financial scenarios.

  Enrollment remains critically important and as we approach fall semester, I am pleased to welcome Kimberly Holley, Appalachian’s new senior director of admissions, to help support our institutional goals. She has been a leader in enrollment management for more than 15 years and has significant experience in supporting marginalized populations and increasing enrollment diversity.

  Along with Provost Norris and Vice Chancellors JJ Brown and Paul Forte, I continue to attend listening sessions with departments across campus to answer questions and hear the thoughts, concerns and ideas of our faculty and staff. While we all yearn for a return to normalcy, I appreciate the many ways the Appalachian Community has continued to move forward. Thank you.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  ---

  Social media highlights:

  • 07.14 — Appalachian deeply values its partnerships in the community, and we recently donated 200 masks and helped deliver more than 500 meals to students and community members in isolation and quarantine.
  • 07.14 — Thanks to the Office of Sustainability for giving me a tour of the university’s Roots Garden!

  Learn more
• Update from Appalachian State University — week of July 6–10

  Friday, July 10, 2020

  This week, I hosted a discussion with Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs J.J. Brown and Michael Davis, our new Student Government Association president. I also attended listening sessions with academic departments, including Interdisciplinary Studies, Mathematical Sciences, Leadership and Educational Studies, and Social Work. At each meeting, I heard the conviction of the participants as they shared concerns and asked questions about the logistics of the fall semester in the context of COVID-19, how we plan to keep our faculty, staff and students safe, and what we are doing — or plan to do — to foster cultural change on our campus.

  We are considering all possible scenarios and confirming as many specifics as possible while also awaiting further guidance from Governor Cooper and the UNC System. Governor Cooper’s announcement expected next week about the next steps of his phased reopening plan will be an important indicator for us. I appreciate the collegiality of our faculty and staff, and the patience of our students, as we all work toward the best solution for continuing instruction in the fall. I know all of us want the safest possible learning environment and I appreciate those who are working on this.

  We have added more information about course delivery to our coronavirus website, which includes important information about what to expect in the fall. You can view the Course Delivery page here. Additional information about student life, COVID testing and training modules for health and safety expectations is forthcoming.

  As we work to protect the collective health of our community, it’s essential each person in the Appalachian Community recognizes their individual responsibility. It is up to each of us to follow all recommendations, including wearing face coverings, practicing physical distancing and self-reporting any tests for COVID-19. Full guidance on these topics can be found on the Returning to Work Safely page of our coronavirus website, under the “Phased return of staff and faculty” section.

  We are not alone in rising to the challenges presented by COVID-19. This pandemic necessitates the utmost cooperation within our community, and we are fortunate to have strong relationships with partners throughout the town, county and region. To date, Appalachian has worked with AppHealthCare to donate 200 disposable surgical masks and to deliver approximately 435 meals through Appalachian’s Campus Dining to students and community members under isolation and quarantine. You can read more about our partnership with the community here.

  The Project Management and Implementation Team continues its important work coordinating preparations for fall semester and beyond. These weekly updates are important, as they respond to frequently asked questions that are emailed to many across the institution, as well as the questions and comments submitted via the “Continuity in the time of COVID-19” page of the university’s coronavirus website. We are working to provide important information and answer questions to the best of our current ability in as timely a fashion as possible. You can read all of the latest updates, including today’s update, here.

  As we continue to do our very best to support our students, faculty and staff, I would like to thank Dr. Jesse Lutabingwa, Associate Vice Chancellor for International Education and Development, for quickly reaching out to our international students with resources and support this week. Our international students, faculty and staff enrich our culture and are valued members of our community, and we will continue our support for them. I would like to ensure the campus community is aware of the statement of support for our international students, which I echo wholeheartedly, and I assure you the excellent team in the Office of International Education and Development is working diligently to support our international students.

  Finally, I am pleased to welcome Lamont Sellers as the new director for intercultural student affairs. He comes to Appalachian having previously served as the associate vice president for diversity at the University of South Dakota. Identifying and hiring a new director has been a priority this year for the Division of Student Affairs, and I am confident Lamont will be a tremendous leader at Appalachian.

  We have difficult decisions and work ahead of us — and hard questions to answer. Thank you to everyone in the Appalachian Community for continuing to give of your time and efforts as we move forward.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  ---

  Month in review

  • Update from Appalachian State University — week of June 29–July 2
    Posted July 2, 2020
  • Update from Appalachian State University — week of June 22–26
    Posted June 28, 2020
  • Update from Appalachian State University — week of June 15–19
    Posted June 19, 2020
  • Update from Appalachian State University — week of June 8–12
    Posted June 12, 2020
  • Update from App State — message from Chancellor Sheri Everts
    Posted June 5, 2020

  Learn more
• Update from Appalachian State University — week of June 29–July 2

  Thursday, July 2, 2020

  With the fall semester approaching, we are continuing to assess and evaluate the needs of our campus community. Last week, Interim Provost Heather Norris and I reached out to all 43 academic departments to schedule individual department meetings. We want to hear from our faculty colleagues and answer questions they have about the coming days and weeks. This week I also met with the Black Faculty and Staff Association, a team focused on donor and alumni engagement, and a group focused on establishing operational protocol recommendations for Campus Dining, Camps and Conferences, Parking and Traffic, the University Post Office and the University Bookstore. I am very appreciative of the immense amount of work these dedicated faculty and staff perform in support of continued and improved university excellence.

  I also toured Sanford Hall to check on the construction progress, and Anne Belk Hall to see some strategies underway, as we prepare our campus for fall semester and beyond, including reconfiguring classrooms to accommodate 6 feet of physical distancing. We have been running simulations, looking at classroom capacities, assessing all available space (including administrative space) for additional classroom use, and working to balance the course delivery options (face-to-face, fully online and hybrid) to meet the needs of each academic discipline and department — all while providing the best possible academic experience for our students. While we hope and expect to have our students back on campus this fall, we are also making plans to pivot to online delivery in the event it is necessary. With the complex and ever-changing nature of the pandemic, our faculty have been sharing their questions and concerns with university leadership. You can read an open letter Interim Provost Norris and I shared with them earlier today here.

  Each member of our leadership team is exploring the role of diversity and inclusion initiatives in their systems and processes, and identifying areas for improvement. Right now, it is important that we better communicate the resources we have in place, so we have expanded support to Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Willie Fleming to help increase the visibility and accessibility of his office’s important work as well as resources for Black faculty, staff and students, which you can access here. You can also read regular messages from Dr. Fleming about the efforts in place and planned on the Diversity and Inclusion website.

  Appalachian’s faculty members continue to use their expertise to offer valuable perspectives on this global pandemic. Recently, the Office of Research awarded internal grants to eight multidisciplinary faculty teams exploring COVID-19 research related to the spread of the virus in nursing homes and social distancing on greenways and trails, among other topics. Additionally, App State faculty collaborated with the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies to research the relationship between COVID-19 transmission and weather.

  We can all be proud that earlier this week, Dr. Baker Perry, a professor in the Department of Geography and Planning, was featured on National Geographic Channel’s special program “Expedition Everest,” which details the trek of a team of researchers, including Dr. Perry, to install the two highest operating automated weather stations in the world on Mount Everest. Our faculty members do tremendous work on and off campus, and our students are fortunate to learn from these respected professionals.

  Across the university, we are critically evaluating every piece of our societal puzzle — from how we can host safe, socially distanced classes, to continuity in the important research, teaching and service work of our faculty, to the additional resources needed for our faculty, staff and students of color. While providing these resources is critically important, we must look to the sources of inequity and trauma present and take real action to remove the causes, to ensure our campus is a safe and just space for all.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  ---

  Social media highlights

  • 06.30 — I saw great construction progress on my recent tour of Sanford Hall and my visit to Anne Belk Hall showed clear strategies for social distancing and enhanced sanitation.
  • 06.30 — Dr. Baker Perry was featured on National Geographic channel, showing the tremendous expertise of Appalachian’s faculty.

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June 2020

• Update from Appalachian State University — week of June 22-26

  Sunday, June 28, 2020

  Friday, I had the opportunity to share university updates with Appalachian’s Board of Trustees, and to help welcome new Staff Senate constituency representative Kelli Wilson to her first board meeting, as well as Student Government Association President Michael Davis, who was sworn in as a voting member of the board by Judge Rebecca Eggers-Gryder, a 1983 graduate of App State. You may read my full remarks here.

  I welcomed the chance to showcase the work taking place at Appalachian as we confront two of the most important issues to hit higher education in our lifetimes: a global pandemic and the exposure of systemic racism. Notably, I shared with our Trustees our evolving plans for a phased return to campus as well as the strategies we have implemented to continue to build a culture of inclusive excellence on our campus.

  One important change that will be in place before classes begin in August will be new names on our residence halls. Appalachian’s faculty, staff and students have worked diligently to research, assess and make recommendations regarding iconography on our campus. We recognize the names of our buildings are a reflection of Appalachian’s values and priorities. We are re-naming Lovill and Hoey halls so they may echo our commitment to creating an environment that is welcoming, safe and respectful to our Mountaineers and to all those who visit our campus. Additionally, because many of our students choose Appalachian, in part, because of our stunning location, we welcome the opportunity for our students to build a stronger connection with the local geography, geology and biology.

  Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Willie Fleming champions this work taking place across our campus, though we know the work belongs to all of us. Last week, he began sharing regular updates broadly with campus. These updates, as well as the significant milestones we have achieved in recent years, resources, support services, and important information about initiatives and programming, are all available at diversity.appstate.edu.

  We miss our students and are looking forward to welcoming them to campus, and yet we are not naïve about doing this during a global pandemic. As Governor Cooper confirmed in his press conference Wednesday in which he extended Phase 2 of North Carolina’s re-opening, the percentage of positive COVID-19 cases in North Carolina remains elevated. President Roper, in consultation with UNC System Chancellors, continues to watch these numbers for how they might impact our plans for the future. As we look at a variety of scenarios for a return to campus, we recognize one likely scenario might mean we pivot to online instruction. As we continue watching the numbers, I, along with my leadership team, continue to appreciate our partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as continued conversations with student leaders, to ensure the safest path forward. Next week, interim Provost Heather Hulburt Norris and I will begin our meetings with academic departments across campus to discuss concerns and develop solutions as we strategize plans for the fall. The Project Management Implementation Team sends weekly updates to campus with additional details, which you can read here.

  Each week brings new questions and new concerns. We are engaging groups across the university to assess conditions and plan for every scenario to keep our Mountaineers safe, and we are actively taking into account the Appalachian Community’s thoughts and insights as we find the best path forward for our university.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  ---

  Social media highlights

  • 06.24 — Three washable, reusable face coverings are being provided to every faculty, staff and student upon their return to campus. Here’s a preview of what they look like.
  • 06.18 — After 37 years of dedicated service to Appalachian, Dr. Randy Edwards, is retiring from his position of vice chancellor for university advancement. We know he’ll always be a loyal Mountaineer!
  • 06.16 — As I check in with each team managing our response to COVID-19 and our preparations for Fall and beyond, I appreciate the efforts of the Emergency Management Task Force, a knowledgeable and efficient group that responds to campus emergencies, and which has been working on the university’s coronavirus response for 159 days.

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• Update from Appalachian State University — week of June 15-19

  Friday, June 19, 2020

  Today is Juneteenth, a day that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It commemorates the date in 1865 that Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and told slaves of their emancipation — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and months after the end of the Civil War. More than 150 years later, as we are also enmeshed in a world-altering pandemic, our campus and our nation still face the ugly roots of racism and the devastating inequalities they create.
  

  This commemoration calls on us to reaffirm that Black Lives Matter and to reflect and consider the importance of Juneteenth and what each of us can do in our daily actions to make real and powerful changes.
  

  As a key member of my leadership team, Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Willie Fleming elevates the important work of aligning our university’s diversity and inclusion goals with our values of embracing diversity of thought, belief and community, and offers further insight into how our university can be more responsive, supportive and resilient. While we have moved forward on key actions and initiatives, there is still much we need to do. Dr. Fleming and his colleagues are finalizing the universitywide strategic diversity plan that will guide the full commitment of our institutional efforts and bring invaluable coordination to the urgent work of creating a more diverse and equitable Appalachian and will provide the Appalachian Community with updates on our continuing progress — and our challenges — on a regular basis. You can read an important update from him here:
  

  As Appalachian’s Chief Diversity Officer, it is my role to provide the vision, leadership, coordination and strategic planning for improving Appalachian’s campus diversity and inclusion so that everyone in our university community is valued, supported and respected. I am the first Chief Diversity Officer of a stand-alone office, which is one of many firsts that have been a foundation for real change through action. With my colleagues, I continually study our campus climate to assess how we value, respect and support members of our underrepresented groups, as well as the general campus community. Are we where we need to be? Absolutely not, but we are committed to ensuring Appalachian’s culture is one that fosters inclusive excellence. [Read more]
  

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  ---

  Because of the pandemic, for the past three months, staff, students and faculty dispersed across the area, even across the country, have come together Zoom by Zoom, hour by hour, day by day, focused on sustaining the academic mission and working our way back to campus. For that I am extremely grateful. I and members of the dedicated recovery leadership teams are meeting with UNC System leaders and local public health agencies as well as groups across campus to get input from faculty, staff and students. We are touring classrooms, hallways, walking paths, construction sites and transportation systems to observe and advise, to ask and answer questions.

  • The website dedicated to sharing the planning underway for continuity of teaching, research and learning during the challenges of COVID-19 is available here.
    
    
  • Read the update from the Project Management Implementation Team sent to campus yesterday here.
    
    
  • Read the update on COVID-19 positive case counts and reporting process here.
    
    
  • In my June 12 update to campus, I shared face coverings would be required for - and provided to - faculty, staff and students. Here's a link to the latest message to campus with additional details.
    

  Learn more
• Update from Appalachian State University — week of June 8–12

  Friday, June 12, 2020

  The extraordinary confluence of a global pandemic and recent displays of deplorable racism is rightfully forcing the evaluation, assessment and reconfiguration of the most basic tenets of our lives. Now, our thoughts, our words and, most importantly, our actions define us and determine our path. We are coming back together to safely make in-person connections during the two most important issues that have hit higher education in our lifetimes. Beginning next week, I will be meeting with small groups across campus to hear your thoughts and ideas as we work together on safely reopening and progressing forward together during this difficult and painful time.
  

  The voices of Appalachian have been loud and clear, standing in solidarity with our Black faculty, staff and students. This week, the UNC System established a six-member Equity Task Force — a special committee of the Board of Governors that will meet with student, faculty and staff groups to discuss issues of race and equity in the UNC System. On campus, my leadership team is increasing the work of their divisions, digging deeper into their systems and processes to help unearth and remedy the disparities that result from centuries of systematic, nationwide oppression. We have made great strides, yet recognize they are small in comparison with the necessary systemic change that must be made. We must — and will — continue progressing forward.
  

  Dr. Willie Fleming, who many of you know is Appalachian’s first Chief Diversity Officer specifically tasked with Inclusive Excellence, champions this work taking place on our campus. Beginning next week, he will share regular updates broadly with campus, and will also make this information available on the university’s website dedicated to diversity and inclusive excellence.
  

  Right now:
  

  • Black-identified students can connect with one another and engage in meaningful conversations about the impact of race-based stress and trauma through a virtual Racial Trauma Healing Space developed by the Department of Wellness and Prevention Services. Register here.
    
  • Daily Zoom sessions offered by Counseling and Psychological Services are offering informal and confidential opportunities for students to problem solve, gain perspective and obtain resources. Find out more here.
    
  • Additional resources and assistance for students is available by contacting the Office of the Dean of Students here. Faculty and staff can find employee assistance resources here or access free counseling services for faculty and staff here.
    

  We are working each day to manage the significant ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its financial impact on our campus has hit our receipt-supported areas the hardest. Athletics in particular, has faced a significant budget shortfall, which is projected to be at least $5 million as a result of this pandemic. This week we took an extremely difficult step, informing Athletics staff of mandatory furloughs that will impact every full-time employee of the department, a total of 106 employees. By implementing furloughs, it is our goal to protect as many jobs as possible as we navigate the financial consequences of this pandemic. The furlough plan will reduce the hours worked by most Athletics employees over a 90-day period. A smaller number of employees will be on continuous furloughs, but for shorter periods of time. All employees will retain health insurance and other employee benefits. Athletics has implemented operating budget cuts, sport reductions and changes to scheduling and travel strategies. We are hopeful this will be the last step we need to take to address their significant financial challenges.
  

  Furloughs are limited to receipt-supported areas, and Human Resources and Business Affairs have been diligently engaged in finding ways to protect as many jobs as possible. To avoid additional furloughs, I asked that people in other receipt-supported areas, including Campus Dining, be reassigned to the important work of safely returning our students, faculty and staff to campus.
  

  Committees across campus are working diligently on a phased return to campus, always with the health and safety of the community guiding our every decision:
  

  • Next week, our Project Management and Implementation Team will begin weekly progress reports to campus.
    
  • This week saw our Child Development Center and Lucy Brock Child Development Laboratory Program begin phased reopening plans, and I am grateful to these staff and faculty for their diligence in returning these important services to our campus.
    
  • We have a range of personal protection equipment, including plexiglass shields and face coverings. Three reusable face coverings will be provided to every student, faculty and staff member. Face coverings will be required to be worn in accordance with CDC guidelines whether at work, in class or in public areas on campus.
    
  • Classroom plans are being developed; we have identified additional classroom space for use as needed; cameras and microphones, projectors and other equipment are being purchased, and air flow systems are being maximized to allow for increased outside air exchange.
    

  All of these efforts are taking place thanks to faculty, staff and academic leadership, and I would like to thank our academic department chairs, our faculty, and our Environmental Health & Safety and Emergency Management, Building Services and Facilities Operations staff in particular for their incredible work in this regard.
  

  We are first and foremost a university, a center for learning. Appalachian’s faculty, staff and students continue to elevate the Appalachian Experience:
  

  • Throughout the month of June, our Student Orientation Undergraduate Leaders (SOULs) are dedicating their time and efforts to one-day virtual orientation sessions for more than 5,000 incoming students, ensuring they feel connected to the university and prepared to start their Appalachian education.
    
  • Faculty in the Walker College of Business collaborated with faculty at Kristu Jayanti College in Bengaluru, India, to provide a two-week virtual study abroad experience for students at both institutions.
    
  • Reich College of Education faculty members shared advice and insights into how to make the most of online teaching and learning, and how to engage students in virtual spaces.
    

  I am thankful to work alongside Mountaineers who are invested in the success of the entire Appalachian Community. We have and will continue to adapt for the pandemic, and we will work harder and more deliberately to eradicate institutional racism and inequity.
  

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• Update from App State — message from Chancellor Sheri Everts

  Friday, June 5, 2020

  Earlier this week, I shared my immense sadness and anger in a message to our campus community and also shared remarks by App State Police Chief Andy Stephenson and Chief Diversity Officer Willie Fleming about our continued commitments to our community. If you haven’t read them in full, we hope you will here.

  As critical conversations take place across the nation and world about the importance of inclusion and equity, I have been deeply touched by the dozens of our colleges, departments and programs; athletic teams; student organizations; student services; university offices and more that have shared emails, social media posts, website posts and messages in public support of our students, faculty and staff of color. In particular, Reich College of Education Dean Melba Spooner wrote, “I know words are inadequate right now, but I also know that silence is not an option.” The diverse perspectives and approaches — which mirror what so many of us are feeling — are united in the belief that we can all do more and do better, and we are collectively dedicated to doing so.

  Since classes resumed after spring break, the Office of the Dean of Students has hosted a weekly town hall meeting with students to discuss these important issues. The office worked with three Appalachian students to host a special meeting today called “Dialogue with the Dean.” This was an opportunity for the participants to have open, honest conversations — and to share their anger, frustrations and sadness — about recent national events and the needs of Appalachian students.

  When lives are at stake, systemic change is more critical than ever. Black Lives Matter; and we are listening, hearing and working to effect change.

  When racism is institutionalized, change — to be real and effective — must be implemented across the entire institution. Many of the foundational changes we have made and continue to grow include more inclusive hiring practices, increased diversity on our leadership team and in our faculty, staff and students, decreased divide between the success of our white students and students of color, and an innovative police development program that is changing the way we train officers and reinvent policing. As we become more diverse we will continue listening, hearing and acting because our changing community will continue to identify ways we need to do better and be better. Even as we misstep, make mistakes and say and do the wrong things, academic settings are filled with people who value learning from our past to improve the future.

  As we respond to the upheaval of our lives and our emotions brought on by police violence and systemic racism, we are also navigating a global pandemic. In May, Appalachian began a calling effort to reach out to every current and incoming App State student. Now more than ever, it is critical our Black students hear from us directly that we care and value them in our community.

  Support for our entire campus community is always available. Students can contact the Office of the Dean of Students here or the Counseling & Psychological Services center here. Faculty and staff can find employee assistance resources here or access free counseling services for faculty and staff here.

  We all want to be together, in person, to support one another during these troubling times and to facilitate needed opportunities to dissect these complex issues — and I am thankful for the committees that are planning for our safe return to campus. I would like to share a few updates on our plans to return to campus:

  • Earlier this week, Human Resources sent a message to faculty and staff regarding the safe, phased return of employees to campus. You can read the message here.
    
    
  • We are continually updating our guidance, protocols and information regarding the return of faculty and staff to campus, which you can view here. The university will provide face coverings for returning faculty and staff.
    
    
  • We have also made updates to the university website dedicated to the planning of our return to campus, which you can view here.
    
    
  • We have updated the university’s coronavirus website to include a dashboard that gives increased visibility regarding testing, from the number of positive COVID-19 cases to information related to testing sites. This website and dashboard are the most accurate and immediate source for the latest information related to Appalachian's response to COVID-19.
    

  Appalachian’s faculty, staff and students continue to build connections with those in our community and across the world. For instance, last weekend, App Builds a Home hosted a virtual dedication for its first home completed through a partnership with Watauga County Habitat for Humanity — and the team is already planning a second home, construction of which will begin this fall. Also, several of Appalachian’s faculty Fulbright scholars — who were brought home from their respective partner universities at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis — are continuing their work remotely to further global connections for their students and the Appalachian Community.

  I also want to extend a special congratulations to the fifth-grade graduating class of Appalachian’s Academy at Middle Fork — our second class of mini-Mountaineers! Last night, we honored their accomplishments with a virtual ceremony, which you can view here. I know they will all go on to do big things!

  We work every day to make our university more inclusive, safe and connected. This week, especially, has brought increased urgency to this work and we will continue to make it a priority.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  ---

  Social media highlights

  The Appalachian Experience extends far beyond our physical campus location, and I hope everyone in our community will continue to strengthen relationships with Mountaineers near and far through the university’s social media channels and other virtual platforms offered by campus clubs, organizations and professional groups. I will continue to utilize these outlets to keep our community informed and engaged.

  • 06.04 — Congratulations to the fifth grade graduating class of Appalachian’s Academy at Middle Fork.
  • 06.03 — I shared with the App State community my reflections on recent national events and our university’s role in fostering change.
  • 06.01 — Appalachian is fortunate to have our Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Willie Fleming, who has clear perspectives and keen insights to help us all do better.
  • 05.30 — I am proud of the Appalachian Police Department for helping reimagine law enforcement.

  Follow me on:

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  Learn more

May 2020

• COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of May 25–29

  Friday, May 29, 2020

  We are prioritizing our academic mission as we continue our response efforts to COVID-19 and simultaneously manage the “recovery” phase of this crisis situation. In this regard, there are many groups across campus working on Appalachian's transition back to classes and labs in the fall and beyond. As we continue refining the plans for fall, we are also putting plans in place for a phased-in return of employees to campus.

  What will returning to work look like?
  We will continue with our current teleworking plan until at least June 26. Earlier this week, faculty and staff received a communication from Human Resources that shared updated work and leave provisions, which you can view here.

  As we prepare for the safest possible phased return of our staff and faculty to campus, we have developed a return-to-work guide, which you can view here.

  This living document discusses in detail the safety measures that will be in place during Governor Cooper’s Phase 2 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions. The guide also provides information about face coverings, physical distancing, sanitation and initial scheduling guidance for supervisors and employees. It is not a full guide for returning to classrooms, laboratories, internships and other learning environments. That work is ongoing.

  We are keeping the health, safety and well-being of the Appalachian Community at the forefront of every decision.
  As we phase employees back to work on campus, the safety measures we are implementing include close coordination with state and local public health agencies, while following UNC System guidance and guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which you can view here.

  We will provide face coverings for all employees for use while working, as well as visible signage and guides on campus to help with physical distancing. A robust cleaning schedule will also be in place.

  Planning for fall semester and beyond continues.
  In every aspect of our operations, seeking and sharing information is key to making the best possible decisions. As teams across campus work to make recommendations about many important areas — including academic course delivery; safety, health and wellness; the on-campus residential experience; campus services and sanitation; and child care — we will share their work. To that end, as noted in my weekly update to campus last week, we have created a dedicated website to provide and solicit information about the planning underway for fall 2020 and beyond, which you can view here.

  Since the launch of this website last week, the Project Management and Implementation Team has received informative feedback and questions from many of you, which they have directed to the appropriate work teams. We have kept our UNC System leadership up to date on the work of these planning groups, and will provide an early June status update on key progress areas, including health and safety guidance, communication planning, contingency plans for maximizing remote study and telework if necessary, cleaning and sanitization procedures, and fiscal management.

  Thank you to the many members of the university community who have been involved in both formal and informal discussions. We all share the goal of creating an optimally safe and quality learning experience for our students, and I hope you will all continue to be active participants in this process.

  Other important projects, initiatives and distinctions.
  Faculty and staff across the university have shown tremendous resilience in adjusting to the challenges of the pandemic, all while proceeding with initiatives and projects and earning well-deserved distinctions, including:

  • On Monday, the university observed Memorial Day, a day honoring those who have died in service to our country. Navy veteran Chuck Ford, director of App Catering and assistant director of Campus Dining, placed a wreath at our Veterans Memorial to commemorate this important occasion. We hold close the strong military tradition on Appalachian’s campus, which is uplifted daily by the hundreds of enrolled student veterans and active-duty military members, as well as our veteran staff and faculty members.
  • The University Priorities and Planning Council has continued revising the university's strategic plan, and they intend to complete the plan this fall. I encourage all those in the Appalachian Community to engage in this valuable process by providing feedback through the form linked here.
  • The Climate Action Plan Committee work continues, and they will present their plan to campus in August.
  • The Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences earned Silver LEED certification. This is our university’s 10th building to be awarded LEED certification, a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.

  During this pandemic, Appalachian’s faculty, staff and students have continued to exemplify the qualities of a Mountaineer: caring, service-oriented and research-driven. I have never been prouder to be part of this extraordinary university.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of May 18-22

  Friday, May 22, 2020

  As we transition from Spring Semester into Summer Sessions, I want to take a moment to recognize and congratulate our faculty, staff and students for the excellent — and extra — work everyone completed to finish a particularly difficult semester. Thank you, too, for your considerable efforts to support one another over the past months. As we celebrated our graduates last Saturday, I was struck by the tremendous support — from every state and dozens of other countries — for our 2020 graduates. Our commencement ceremony was one of which we can all be proud, no matter how we took part. You can read more about it here.

  As we move into Summer Sessions and look toward Fall Semester, I’d like to provide some important updates on our future planning:

  Future Planning

  We are preparing for a return to campus in August with safety as our top priority. For many weeks, planning for Fall Semester and beyond has been underway. My leadership team and I have been working with UNC System leadership, as well as our counterparts across the UNC System, to anticipate and respond to many possible scenarios. Across our campus, faculty and staff have also been engaged in future planning. Many working groups, which cross every division and many, many departments, are engaged in planning and implementation. In the coming days and weeks, these working groups will continue addressing dozens of details and questions.

  We are developing ways to be as flexible and responsive as possible in order to be ready for whatever the coming weeks and months hold. On June 1, my leadership team and I will discuss our preliminary plans for fall with UNC System leadership.

  You can find out more about this work, as well as share the questions you have, here. We will direct your questions to the appropriate working group on campus to be addressed.

  Academic Calendar Update

  We will begin our semester on Aug. 17 as planned, with one adjustment to the calendar: The two-day Fall Break will be eliminated in order to hold our last day of classes on Nov. 24. The final exam period will remain unchanged. All final exams for Fall 2020 will be held online, with the exception of courses that require clinical or lab-based assessments. December Commencement will be held on schedule, and at this time we are still planning for an in-person ceremony. This plan will allow for the greatest number of our students to remain home for an extended period of time before the Spring Semester begins in January. I would like to extend my thanks to the faculty, staff and students who make up the Academic Calendar Committee for the work they did to recommend this change.

  Here are some key safety measures that will be in place:

  • Prior to employees returning to campus, we will establish and share clear guidance on safety measures that must be taken in order to be on campus, including wearing face coverings, washing hands often and maintaining safe physical distance. The university will facilitate this by providing face coverings, adjusting classroom and work spaces and adding hand sanitizing stations across campus.
  • We are working with state and local Public Health to develop and communicate clear and concise public health and safety awareness information that will be visibly displayed in every building and every classroom on campus.
  • Our decisions will be informed by CDC and Public Health data and guidance, as well as by state and local government decisions. We will continue engaging faculty, staff and students in our future planning.

  As a campus, we are becoming more flexible and adaptive to an environment that is subject to rapid social, political, economic and technological changes. We are doing so because we must — and our ability to do so makes us a stronger community.

  Thank you for your unwavering commitment to App State.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• 

  Celebrating the #AppStateClassof2020

  Saturday, May 16, 2020

  Today, we joined together from our living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms and front porches to witness a defining moment in each of our graduates’ academic careers and in Appalachian’s history. During our university’s first virtual commencement — which you can view any time here — more than 3,600 students began the next chapters of their lives as our newest Appalachian alumni.

  I was overwhelmed — as I hope our graduates were — by the outpouring of excitement and support on social media from graduates, family, friends, alumni and all those who care for our students. I hope you will take a moment to visit our commencement website and view the many heartfelt testaments to the Class of 2020, such as these:

  “... stage or no stage … we did it, Class of 2020!🎓 Forever grateful to be a Mountaineer.”

  “Congrats to my sister on her graduation from @appstate! Fun fact: My siblings and I have now all graduated from the same university! Our love for Boone runs deep.”

  “While not having graduation obviously isn’t ideal, missing one day doesn’t diminish the past four years — not in the slightest. It’s hard to put into words how much this school has changed me. My friends, Dance Team and even getting roasted in graphic design critiques all made me the person I am today and for that I’m truly grateful. Thanks for the best four years, Appalachian, and as always: roll ’Neers. 🖤💛🎓✨”

  “Six years, two degrees, one sorority, lots of great friends and countless memories — thank you Appalachian State for it all. Boone will always have my heart. Cheers to officially having our master’s; couldn’t have done it without y’all! Here’s to the next step.”

  “Regardless of how it ended, I’m beyond blessed to be able to conclude this chapter of my life and start a new one with my Bachelor of Science. Huge thank you to everyone who made my collegiate experience the most memorable four years of my life.”

  Our commencement speakers and guest performer were outstanding! New York Times best-selling author and Appalachian alumnus Stephen Dubner encouraged students to use their experiences at Appalachian to “do something wild, something bigger than they have ever done before.” He also advised them to think of those who may someday thank them for accomplishing their wild endeavors, as well as who they want to thank right now for helping them get to this moment. Student speakers Olivia Gentry and Ann Marie McNeely gave fresh perspectives on the responsibilities of Appalachian graduates to make a difference in the world. Award-winning country music artist Luke Combs delivered a moving rendition of our university’s alma mater and a surprise version of “This One's for You” he tailored just for us. The contributions of these Mountaineers, who span disciplines and generations, transformed our ceremony into a lasting tribute to the power of the Appalachian Spirit.

  To our graduates: A virus may have stolen the culminating, face-to-face celebration of your accomplishments at App State, but your university, your families and the alumni who have come before you admire the resiliency and creativity you have shown leading up to this great day.

  To our faculty and staff: Your investment in our students helped bring them to this moment and their vast accomplishments reflect the time you spent as teachers, fellow researchers, mentors and role models. My sincere thanks to each of you for the passion you bring to Appalachian, year after year.

  I am profoundly grateful that in a time of physical distancing we were able to come together in a new way to honor our graduates and celebrate their achievements. Thank you to everyone who joined us today — we will never forget this extraordinary celebration nor the graduating Class of 2020.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  ---

  Social media highlights look different these days.

  The Appalachian Experience extends far beyond our physical campus location, and I hope everyone in our community will continue to strengthen relationships with Mountaineers near and far through the university’s social media channels and other virtual platforms offered by campus clubs, organizations and professional groups. I will continue to utilize these outlets to keep our community informed and engaged.

  • 05.14 — Appalachian’s campus is in full bloom, which makes us miss even more the sights and sounds of our students.
  • 05.12 — In the midst of the transition to online instruction for schools, Appalachian’s dedicated student teachers continued providing a tremendous experience for their students while completing their Appalachian education.
  • 05.11 — During National Nurses Week, we extended our thanks to nurses everywhere, especially the more than 1,200 students who have graduated from the Beaver College of Health Sciences’ nursing program.

  Follow me on:

  • Twitter @AppChancellor
  • Facebook

  Learn more
• 

  COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of May 4–8

  Friday, May 8, 2020

  Our students have completed their exams and have officially concluded the semester. For some, it is the conclusion of the spring semester, and for others, it is the end of their academic careers at Appalachian. We are proud of our entire campus community for a strong end to a challenging semester. A heartfelt thank you to our faculty and staff for your tremendous efforts and for helping define the Appalachian Experience.

  Earlier this week, Governor Cooper announced an executive order commencing Phase 1 of his plan to lift COVID-19 restrictions in the state of North Carolina effective Friday, May 8, at 5 p.m. With current telework and online and alternative course delivery in place, our operations will not see a significant impact as a result of this order. As a reminder, the current campus staffing plan under Governor Cooper’s stay-at-home order remains in place (read the full message to campus here). We will provide further details as they become available.

  Human Resources Director Mark Bachmeier has been working closely with the UNC System, which recently released additional guidance on pay and leave provisions. You may read the most recent guidance here. Please note we also encourage our employees to review the criteria for leave available to eligible employees under the new Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which you can do here.

  We will continue to keep our campus updated on these and other important matters related to COVID-19. Please continue to check for emails and visit the university’s coronavirus website for the latest updates.

  As part of Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4–8, I shared, on behalf of the university, our gratitude for local teachers and employees of Watauga County Schools, as well as those at Appalachian’s Academy at Middle Fork. Our university has a long legacy of preparing educators to empower future generations. Many of our education students continued to make an impact while serving as student teachers this semester, even with the move to online instruction for themselves and their students. Laura Ialuna, a graduating senior majoring in elementary education, said it best: “Adapting to remote teaching has demonstrated to me how tough and resilient teachers are.” I certainly agree and would add, it has also highlighted just how much we all appreciate our educators!

  Laura, along with about 3,600 graduates, is quickly approaching another major milestone: Appalachian's first virtual commencement ceremony, which is just one week away. As I shared with campus earlier this week, we are proud to welcome award-winning country music artist Luke Combs as a special guest performer, joining his alma mater in celebrating the Class of 2020. His contribution will beautifully complement those of our student speakers, senior Olivia Gentry and Ann Marie McNeely ’16, and our keynote speaker, Stephen Dubner ’84. I hope you will all tune in on May 16 at 11 a.m. to help us honor our newest class of alumni!

  Throughout the spring semester, our students, faculty and staff continued to find ways to serve our university and local communities. Here are two such examples:

  • Department of English faculty member Donna Akers transformed the final project in her Business Writing class to allow students to give back to their communities by working with local businesses, organizations and causes.
  • Appalachian’s Food Resource Hub has continued to provide food and personal care items for the Appalachian Community since we transitioned to virtual working and learning in March.

  Though the Appalachian Community has rallied to help those in need, many students across the university are still experiencing financial hardship. More than 1,200 students affected by challenges associated with COVID-19 have applied for emergency aid since we implemented the Mountaineer Emergency Fund. You can learn more about the significance of this fund to our students’ success, donate to the fund or apply for assistance here. My sincere thanks to all those who have supported this critical student resource.

  While we continue working through answers to many important questions, we will make every decision with the safety of the Appalachian Community as our top priority, and we will approach each day as we always have — as Mountaineers, together.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  ---

  Social media highlights

  The Appalachian Experience extends far beyond our physical campus location, and I hope everyone in our community will continue to strengthen relationships with Mountaineers near and far through the university’s social media channels and other virtual platforms offered by campus clubs, organizations and professional groups. I will continue to utilize these outlets to keep our community informed and engaged.

  My weekly updates and additional information for campus about the university's response to COVID-19 are posted to the university’s dedicated coronavirus website.

  • 05.07 — Appalachian appreciates all educators, especially those in our local community.
  • 05.07 — When one faculty member reimagined her final class project during the switch to online instruction, she created an opportunity for students to give back.
  • 05.05 — We are proud that nearly 40 faculty members have come together to develop research clusters to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on our community and region.

  Follow me on:

  • Twitter @AppChancellor
  • Facebook

  Month in review:

  • COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of April 20–24
    Posted April 24, 2020
  • COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of April 13–17
    Posted April 17, 2020
  • COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of April 6–9
    Posted April 6, 2020
  • COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of March 30–April 3
    Posted April 3, 2020

  Learn more
• 

  Luke Combs to perform at virtual Spring 2020 Commencement

  Tuesday, May 5, 2020

  I’m excited to share that award-winning country music artist Luke Combs will be a special guest performer during Appalachian’s first virtual commencement ceremony. We are proud to have Luke join his alma mater in celebrating the Class of 2020! Be sure to tune in to the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16, at 11 a.m. to hear him congratulate our graduates. Thank you, Luke, for bringing your talents — virtually — home to Appalachian!

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Spring 2020 Commencement Schedule

  Learn more
• COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of April 27 – May 1

  Friday, May 1, 2020

  The last day of classes for Spring Semester is behind us and exams are officially underway. We send good thoughts and well wishes to our students and faculty as they navigate this busy time made all the more challenging by our present circumstances. We continue to move forward in all aspects of university life. Below are updates on topics of importance to the Appalachian Community:

  Spring Commencement
  Our academic year will culminate with Appalachian’s virtual Spring 2020 Commencement ceremony on May 16. The ceremony will feature remarks by Olivia Gentry, who is earning a degree in public health in the Beaver College of Health Sciences and representing our undergraduate students, and Ann Marie McNeely, who is representing the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies and earning an Ed.D. in educational leadership. They both have compelling stories to share. I am also very pleased to announce alumnus Stephen Dubner ’84, recipient of the Appalachian Alumni Association’s 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award and co-author of the “Freakonomics” book series, has accepted our invitation to speak at this very special event. We are thrilled to welcome — virtually — Stephen home to Appalachian. In addition to being one of our most distinguished alumni, he is a celebrated interdisciplinary thinker. I am certain his perspectives, always astute and insightful, will prove meaningful for our graduates and all who join us for this special ceremony. We have another exciting addition to our commencement program that we think will make this event even more memorable. I will share more information on that soon, so stay tuned!

  Fall 2020 Semester
  We recognize that many in the Appalachian Community are eager to know our plans for the upcoming Fall Semester. Prepared by the experience of this semester, informed by Governor Cooper’s timeline and supported by the knowledge and experience of UNC System Interim President Roper, we are planning to have students and faculty return to classrooms and labs in the fall. I would like to share with you how we are planning for this.

  Our learning environment has been fundamentally changed by COVID-19, and Fall Semester 2020 will not look like Fall Semester 2019. We recognize returning to campus without a COVID-19 vaccine will present new challenges. We will take every precaution to maximize safety and limit exposure for those who are vulnerable. Learning environments will look and feel different, as will student living environments. Provided the conditions for re-opening our state are met, we will be ready.

  • Personal protective equipment, access to testing and new standards for cleaning and sanitizing our working and learning environments will be in place.
  • We will carefully adhere to recommendations for limitations on crowd sizes, exposure to vulnerable and high-risk populations and other strategies for mitigation.
  • We will develop new incentives for research and teaching practices that are adaptable and responsive to the intrusions of COVID-19.
  • Phase One of our newest residence halls project, which includes Thunder Hill and Raven Rocks halls, will be complete, allowing additional capacity and flexibility for us to manage new challenges presented by communal living environments.
  • Community events, experiences and gatherings will be different, but we will be together — face-to-face — in ways we will not have been for five months.

  In the midst of uncertainty, one certainty is our return to campus will be implemented with the safety of our campus community at the forefront of every decision.

  CARES Act funding
  Following all guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education, we are working quickly to finalize our plan to disburse the student aid portion of our CARES Act funds to eligible students. Our top priority is to support our students and ensure they have the means to complete their degrees, despite this unexpected and unimaginable situation. Our Financial Aid team has been working on a disbursement plan to prioritize students who are faced with additional expenses and those with urgent needs brought on by the disruptions of COVID-19. The funds will be paid directly to students. We will share further information about this soon.

  Faculty experts
  Appalachian’s focus on applied research and its history as a rural-serving institution of higher learning also position us to identify and solve issues presented by this extraordinary time. As I shared with Faculty Senate earlier this week, nearly 40 faculty representing about a dozen disciplines have come together to develop research clusters to generate information, knowledge and solutions surrounding the impacts of COVID-19 on our community and region.

  With no comparable circumstances in recent history, we are only beginning to see the effects the novel coronavirus will have on our region, our state, our nation and our world. Our faculty are adept at exploring local issues within a global context and preparing our students to do the same. With faculty guidance, our students will be addressing challenges, solving problems and maximizing the opportunities presented by this time in history for generations to come. Our faculty are truly shaping the future of our world.

  We are all fortunate to be part of Appalachian State University — an epicenter of innovation, research, service and compassion.

  
  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  ---

  Social media highlights

  The Appalachian Experience extends far beyond our physical campus location, and I hope everyone in our community will continue to strengthen relationships with Mountaineers near and far through the university’s social media channels and other virtual platforms offered by campus clubs, organizations and professional groups. I will continue to utilize these outlets to keep our community informed and engaged.

  My weekly updates and additional information for campus about the university's response to COVID-19 are posted to the university’s dedicated coronavirus website.

  05.01 — The Mountaineer Emergency Fund is a critical resource for our App State students financially affected by COVID-19.

  04.30 — Traditionally, we host a day of support and giving called #iBackAPP Day in the spring. This year, given our present circumstances, we decided what we all needed was an #APPBacksU Day: A time to celebrate all our Mountaineers are doing to support each other and their communities.

  04.30 — Mountaineers showed their support for UNC Charlotte on the first anniversary of the tragic shooting that took place on its campus.

  Follow me on:

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  • Facebook

  Learn more

April 2020

• COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of April 20–24

  Friday, April 24, 2020

  On Monday, we will start the final week of classes for spring semester. Final projects, exams and end-of-year celebrations look quite different this year, but our faculty, staff and students have rallied to find opportunities in adversity and to make the most of every situation. I would like to share some important updates about topics of particular interest:

  Fall semester:
  I am encouraged by Governor Cooper’s plan to lift restrictions as the metrics across the state support such a move. At the UNC System level and on our campus, discussions about what is possible for fall semester have been robust, creative and engaging. In meetings with my leadership team, I have asked them to view our operations differently and to consider options broadly, creatively and ambitiously. We are looking at every option that will allow us to welcome our faculty and students back to their classrooms and labs this fall. Our faculty and staff have been problem-solving numerous contingencies and mitigation strategies, and this work is what will make it possible for us to emerge from our stay-at-home status with solid recovery options in place. These times call for us to think beyond what we have always done and develop adaptable solutions, and you continue to demonstrate your talent and conviction in this regard. Thank you for your continued dedication as we move toward a return to campus.

  Spring 2020 Commencement:
  This year’s Spring Commencement will be unlike any event in Appalachian’s history. While we wish we could be together in the Holmes Convocation Center, our university’s first virtual commencement ceremony will retain as much pomp and circumstance as possible as we honor this tremendous milestone. Many thanks to the members of our virtual commencement committee — made up of 24 faculty, staff and students — who are working tirelessly to ensure our event will, beyond doubt, be a special and memorable occasion! The virtual commencement will broadcast Saturday, May 16, at 11 a.m. on appstate.edu and on the Appalachian State University Facebook page, and a recording will be available to continue sharing with family and friends. May and August graduates will also be invited to attend a special commencement ceremony in their honor in December.

  CARES Act funding:
  We continue to receive guidance from the U.S. Department of Education about CARES Act funding. The direction for disbursing the funding for students, as well as for how we may use the institutional funding, is extremely complicated and involves much oversight, but we are dedicated to providing financial relief to our students, especially for those hardest hit with financial challenges that are presenting obstacles to completing their degrees.

  We will continue to regularly share additional information and updates on these important matters. My weekly updates and additional information for campus about the university's response to COVID-19 are posted to the university’s dedicated coronavirus website.

  As we plan for the future, this is a time of year when we look back at the accomplishments of the academic year, and for many of our students, their academic careers. On Monday, I will share an end-of-year report with the Faculty Senate, and as I review this extraordinary year and the many challenges it has put before our community, I continue to be uplifted by the insights of our faculty.

  In a recent nationally published article, Dr. Andrew Koricich, associate professor of higher education in the Reich College of Education, offered his thoughts on how COVID-19 will impact students from rural communities. He wrote, “None of us get to sit this out, because we’re going to be in a very different world. And I want to be in a world where folks from rural communities are in a position to start speaking up more and being heard better. So we need those folks to come back to do the work that we have to do.” Thank you, Dr. Koricich, for underscoring our important legacy as a rural-serving institution.

  The academic mission is our greatest endeavor and the work of our students is our greatest legacy. I am proud to share the dedication to this ultimate goal with you, and I continue to be inspired each day by our faculty, staff and students.

  
  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  ---

  Social media highlights

  The Appalachian Experience extends far beyond our physical campus location, and I hope everyone in our community will continue to strengthen relationships with Mountaineers near and far through the university’s social media channels and other virtual platforms offered by campus clubs, organizations and professional groups. I will continue to utilize these outlets to keep our community informed and engaged.

  • 04.22 — The Center for Academic Excellence is working with a network of 50-plus faculty members across campus to provide an additional layer of support and encouragement for their colleagues.
  • 04.21 — Our faculty and staff have shown innovation and agility in reimagining experiences and events on virtual platforms.
  • 04.18 — Each evening, my grandson and I have been feeding the campus ducks on behalf of our absent students and it causes me to reflect on how members of the Appalachian Community everywhere are coping as they make minor and major adjustments in their daily lives.
  • 04.16 — A class assignment became an internet sensation for one App State student when a video he made about his family dog went viral.

  Follow me on:

  • Twitter @AppChancellor
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  Learn more
• COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of April 13–17

  Friday, April 17, 2020

  Our fourth week of online instruction is now complete, and many of us in the Appalachian Community are finding new routines that help sustain us in this prolonged and unprecedented situation. We are simultaneously managing a global crisis, establishing our path to recovery and working to restore normal operations as much as possible — it is a tremendous amount of work and, campuswide, we continue rising to the challenge.

  On Saturday, we shared information about federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, which will provide grant assistance directly to students as well as to the university. Appalachian’s allocation is $15,927,932, with 50% of that amount being provided in the form of direct aid to students. The U.S. Department of Education is preparing now to release the funding that will go directly to students, and the UNC System is working to determine the allocation formula. The legislation specifies these funds must be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care). These funds must be paid directly to students and cannot be used to refund the cost of reimbursements already paid to students by the university.

  We welcome and appreciate this much-needed financial relief for students and for the university. Even with this funding, however, we expect a significant budget shortfall, given our incurred costs and lost revenue to date, and our estimated costs and lost revenue through the end of this fiscal year. Interim Provost Norris, Vice Chancellor Forte and I have been meeting regularly with the Faculty Senate Budget Committee. My leadership team and I will continue providing regular updates to campus about our budget situation. A university-level budget update is planned to take place soon, so please look for follow-up communications about this.
  

  We are all looking ahead to the fall semester. Along with other UNC System Chancellors, I have been engaged in many discussions with System leadership about the delivery method for fall 2020 classes. There are numerous considerations involved, and it seems we uncover more each day.

  Planning for hypotheticals and contingencies isn’t easy, and I appreciate the work our faculty and staff are doing to try to plan for so many scenarios. Likewise, our students and their families are facing deadlines for signing leases and planning as best as possible for the fall 2020 semester.

  While there are still so many uncertainties, one sure certainty is that, to a person, everyone at App State is reviewing every option with the best interest of our students top of mind.

  As soon as we have further information from the UNC System, we will communicate it to the campus community. Thank you for your patience. Your workday and study schedules are already packed, yet you continue to help ensure we are proactive and thoughtful as we struggle with the ambiguities of the coming weeks and months.

  Day after day, Appalachian’s faculty members demonstrate an immense capacity to care for their students and colleagues. A special group has been at the forefront of our transition to online instruction — Appalachian’s faculty champions. These approximately 50 faculty members, selected by the leaders in the Center for Academic Excellence, have been providing technical and instructional support to faculty members since our initial switch and they are still working steadily to ensure everyone has what they need to be successful. Along with these faculty there are so many others, who offer advice and assistance without being asked by anyone. Our faculty care about our students, about one another and about our staff. We are incredibly appreciative of their time and efforts.

  Appalachian’s staff members also continue to serve the university and greater communities. I attended Staff Senate’s monthly meeting this week and was again struck by the selflessness and “can-do” spirit of Appalachian’s staff. University Recreation is offering live classes via Zoom and Instagram; the University Writing Center is available to students through its online platform; and the Office of Sustainability has organized virtual programming for Earth Month, including the 50th anniversary of Earth Day next week. Notably, many in our community are struggling with food insecurity in the midst of this pandemic. Even with our reduced campus population, the Office of Sustainability’s Food Resource Hub has distributed food bags to more than 50 people in the last month. Appalachian’s Academy at Middle Fork has also been active, distributing school supplies to 45 families and serving 566 meals, at last count.

  Our students are also making the most of this situation, even as circumstances disappoint. Students filmed a video of themselves singing “The Song of Purple Summer” — a song from their production of “Spring Awakening” originally scheduled for this semester — and garnered coverage in Broadway World. This is but one example of the resilience of the Appalachian Spirit, which remains strong.

  Though the enormity of this pandemic’s impact is staggering, each day brings new stories of Mountaineers rallying behind one another. These snapshots of hope and points of light sustain us.

  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  ---

  Social media highlights

  Although social distancing is our new normal, the Appalachian Experience extends far beyond our physical campus location, and I hope everyone in our community will continue to strengthen relationships with Mountaineers near and far through the university’s social media channels and other virtual platforms offered by campus clubs, organizations and professional groups. While they are not a primary mode of communicating, they are one important way to maintain a sense of connectedness. I will continue to utilize these outlets to keep our community informed and engaged.

  In addition to my weekly updates and social posts, we continue to send additional updates to campus as key information becomes available. I encourage you also to regularly visit the university’s dedicated coronavirus website for the latest updates, resources and information as this situation continues to unfold.

  • 04.14 — I always enjoy the chance to share university updates and exchange ideas with Appalachian’s Staff Senate.
  • 04.13 — Many thanks to the staff in the Career Development Center for offering new and timely resources for our students.
  • 04.10 — Our university takes seriously the health and safety of those in our community and beyond, and we encourage all Mountaineers to stay safe and follow guidance from public health officials.
  • 04.08 — Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Snodgrass for being honored by the UNC System for excellence in teaching!
  • 04.07 — Thank you to the Academic Affairs staff for compiling resources for App State families who are working and studying from home with their children.

  Follow me on:

  • Twitter @AppChancellor
  • Facebook

  Learn more
• 

  COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of April 6–9

  Monday, April 6, 2020

  Video Transcript

  Good afternoon. As we all continue to practice social distancing, it is my pleasure to deliver my weekly campus update through a more personal medium today.

  Yesterday evening, I drove a solar vehicle to feed the campus ducks, replacing what would have been a walk with a drive to ensure social distancing. In doing so, I reflected on how this minor adjustment to my routine is just one of so many changes we have all made in recent weeks. Our campus feels very different from a typical April. We are, of course, in a situation that is anything but typical.

  Yesterday, we announced another positive COVID-19 case in an off-campus student, who is recovering at home. Our hearts are with this student, and all of the members of our Appalachian Community whose lives are touched by this dangerous and pervasive virus.

  I would like to thank all of you for your cooperation with Governor Cooper’s stay-at-home order and the social distancing recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control. It is critical we continue to do so.

  As we are settling into new routines, we continue finding ways to connect virtually with friends, family, classmates and colleagues. New situations and questions arise daily, and we are all working steadily to find solutions.

  I want to convey my heartfelt thanks to the mandatory staff members who are still coming to campus to perform the essential operations of keeping our campus running.

  • We have just over 90 students still living on campus, and of course, support for them is critical.
  • Our IT staff continues to meet the heavy demand for their support, and our appreciation for their team grows day by day.
  • Campus Dining is keeping takeout meals available for those members of our campus who need them, as well as providing support for our community’s emergency response efforts.

  Finances are a heavy concern for many in the Appalachian Community. This week, we announced additional information regarding dining and on-campus housing refunds for our students. These payment processes have begun, and our Student Accounts team is working to process them quickly.

  The university’s Mountaineer Emergency Fund continues to see great demand from students who are facing significant hardship. Many faculty and staff have contributed to this fund, and I am so proud of how our community is stepping up to assist these students who are in dire need. Thank you so much. The fund is less than two weeks old and we have seen more than 700 applications for assistance.

  Thank you to our Case Managers and other Student Affairs staff for working with each of these students, and thank you to our Advancement staff, who continue their active work to help ensure this fund can continue to assist those who need it most.

  Earlier this week, faculty and staff also received information about zero-interest emergency loans for permanent faculty and staff facing financial hardship. I hope these measures will ease some of the burden for many in our community.

  As we continue to manage the COVID-19 crisis, our mission of teaching, research and service remains paramount. We recently announced the 2020 class of Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars. At a time when we are all being called upon to think more creatively than ever, these faculty and staff exemplify the research, scholarship and ingenuity that elevates the Appalachian Experience year-round. I also want to congratulate Dr. Jennifer Snodgrass, professor of music theory in the Hayes School of Music, on being selected for the UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award.

  I am so very proud of the accomplishments of our faculty.

  We also look forward to welcoming a new class of Mountaineers in the fall. Our Admissions team is working with the many staff and faculty across campus to flip our Spring Open house to a virtual event, and our Orientation team is also shifting the many student orientation events they host each spring and summer to online events. We all know how important the personal interactions that take place at these events are to our prospective and new students and their families. The staff, faculty and students who support these events are even more determined than ever to make these events personal, interactive and meaningful.

  As we all work to navigate these uncertain times, uplifting stories are all the more important. I’ll leave you with this one: Jakob Minton, a sophomore communication, electronic media/broadcasting major, turned a routine 30-second video production assignment into a clever 2-minute sketch about his beloved family beagle, who now has his own YouTube channel and Facebook page. Jakob attributed his overachievement to being at home with his parents, who inspired him to see beyond the original assignment. Stories like Jakob’s serve as a reminder that our current situation can bring us together in new ways, and yield unexpected returns.

  I sincerely appreciate the efforts and resilience of everyone in the Appalachian Community and I look forward to the days when our campus will again be filled with the sights and sounds of our daily activities.

  Until then, I will continue feeding the campus ducks.

  Please stay safe, and thank you, all.

  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of March 30–April 3

  Friday, April 3, 2020

  In this rapidly changing situation, accurate and timely information is key to navigating challenges associated with COVID-19. We are doing our utmost to address the questions each day brings and share our processes and solutions as we move forward. This week, with guidance from the UNC System, we have addressed several pressing issues:

  • Course grades. At the end of the spring 2020 semester, students may choose to opt in to an enhanced pass/no credit model after grades are posted, or they may keep their assigned grade. Read the full message to campus about grading here.
    
    
  • Dining and housing refunds. UNC System institutions will issue prorated dining and housing refunds to those who have these plans. We will send more information about App State’s process early next week. Read the full message to campus about refunds here.
    
    
  • Continuation of online instruction. UNC System institutions will continue to be online through summer 2020. Read the full message to campus about summer instruction here.
    
    
  • Emergency assistance. Nearly 500 students have applied for relief funds via the Mountaineer Emergency Fund, and our Advancement team is working hard to ensure we have funding to support those requests. Read about the Mountaineer Emergency Fund here. The university also has a zero-interest emergency loan program for permanent faculty and staff facing financial hardship. Read about this emergency loan program here.

  Mountaineers continue to work together to creatively provide helpful and necessary resources. A few examples:

  • Our health care providers in Wellness and Prevention Services, the Counseling and Psychological Services Center and Student Health Service are continuing to provide care to students via telephone, Zoom video conferencing and, on a limited basis, in person.
    
    
  • The Student Learning Center has shared tips for online learning and created a Keep Learning website with resources to ensure students have the needed support to be successful in their classes.
    
    
  • Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Jacqui Bergman led a collaboration among the Center for Academic Excellence, Lucy Brock Child Development Laboratory Program and the Appalachian State Child Development Center to develop resources for parents working and/or learning from home.
    
    
  • The Career Development Center is engaging with employers and connecting them with students while continuing to assist our students with career materials, job searches and interview preparation.

  I am immensely proud of our students, faculty and staff who see opportunities among the challenges. Members of the Appalachian Community have also used their words to provide solace, encouragement and a fresh perspective — several examples of which I have highlighted below. I shared some of these messages with our faculty earlier in the week.

  • “I just wanted to get word to you how grateful I am for App State’s efforts. I can only imagine the herculean effort required by staff and faculty to transition to virtual classrooms. My son is reporting it was ready a week later and moving forward without a hitch. And so, therefore, is my son. Thank you all. I am so glad, once again, that my son is with ASU.”
    
    
  • “I think my experience at App is what taught me these healthy ways to cope with a tricky situation like COVID-19 and to maintain a positive outlook. I don't know if I'd be equally as equipped to handle this situation without my App Experience.”
    
    
  • “I am excited for everyone to see how powerful online instruction can be. There are certainly some face-to-face benefits that cannot be recreated online, but there are also online benefits that cannot be recreated face-to-face. Both students and instructors will become more tech savvy, and I believe we’ll emerge from this situation awakened to new possibilities and equipped with new abilities that will strengthen our university."

  Amidst the uncertainty of our present situation, our words and our actions are proof positive that together we can — and will — continue to move mountains.

  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  ---

  Social media highlights look different these days.

  Although social distancing is our new normal, the Appalachian Experience extends far beyond our physical campus location, and I hope everyone in our community will continue to strengthen relationships with Mountaineers near and far through the university’s social media channels and other virtual platforms offered by campus clubs, organizations and professional groups. While they are not a primary mode of communicating, they are one important way to maintain a sense of connectedness. I will continue to utilize these outlets to keep our community informed and engaged.

  • 04.03 — The Turchin Center’s Little Free Art Pantry provides themed bundles of art supplies for community members.
  • 04.02 — Appalachian’s health care professionals are assisting students near and far through secure online telemedicine appointments, and we applaud their commitment to our students.
  • 04.01 — Our university’s Staff Senate responded to social distancing by making the annual AppKIDS 5K a virtual run — using social media to bring the runners “together” for a great cause.

  Follow me on:

  • Twitter @AppChancellor
  • Facebook

  Learn more

March 2020

• COVID-19 update from Appalachian State University — week of March 23–28

  Saturday, March 28, 2020

  With the first week after our “return” from extended Spring Break behind us, I would like to provide you an update from campus.

  Yesterday, I met with Appalachian’s Board of Trustees via teleconference and shared with them how the Appalachian Community is responding to COVID-19. You can read my full remarks here. I shared with them that we are simultaneously planning for every conceivable scenario, responding to each new circumstance, and learning to anticipate every eventuality as the ground continues to shift beneath our feet.

  We saw our first confirmed case of COVID-19 in an off-campus, App State student, which we shared with campus earlier today. I am pleased to share that the student who was diagnosed with the virus is now symptom-free. We shared with campus that the student has not been on campus since March 4, and has been self-quarantined since returning to the United States from overseas travel. Students who are concerned about symptoms should call Student Health Services at 828-262-3100 and ask to speak with a nurse. They are continuing medical and screening services to students in person and remotely. Faculty or staff who have concerns about students or their own health diagnoses should reach out to safety@appstate.edu.

  Yesterday, we alerted campus to Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order of March 27, 2020. Because those who are not necessarily at risk of serious disease can carry the disease to their loved ones, we are directing members of the campus community to carefully adhere to social distancing practices as outlined in Gov. Cooper’s order, not gather in groups and physically stay at least six feet apart from others. Read more information here. With current telework and online and alternative course delivery in place, we expect minimal impact to the university, and will provide additional details, including information about administrative leave and compensation for staff on Monday. 

  In recent days, we have:

  • Transitioned 2,600 course sections from face-to-face instruction to online learning in two weeks’ time.
  • Reached nearly 600 faculty last week alone with workshops, support and training sessions.
  • Managed the reduction of our on-campus residents from more than 5,600 to fewer than 130 — 2% of our usual number.
  • Reduced our operations to essential functions, with more than 2,150 faculty and staff working from home or off-campus locations.
  • Brought 128 students home from international programs and suspended or cancelled 58 more international programs scheduled to begin this semester and this summer.
  • Freed resources to ensure we can meet the immediate needs before us, limiting expenditures to essential spending and continuing to closely monitor our resources and COVID-19-related expenditures.
  • Delivered curbside meals to our campus community.
  • Cleaned residence halls, offices and public spaces with increased frequency.
  • Continued to support the emergency response and relief efforts of our broader High Country community.
  • Developed new work shifts to comply with social distancing and to share work hours across staff members.
  • Re-allocated resources to fortify emergency loans for faculty and staff, as well as student grants to help ensure a safety net for the Appalachian Community. 

  We are seeing an increase in financial need for our students affected by displacement and loss of employment. Our Mountaineer Emergency Fund can provide short-term grants to students who are facing financial challenges that present significant barriers to their academic success. With the fund merely days old, we have already granted allotments to students struggling with job loss, and those with child care and utility bills piling up.
  Those who wish can give to the fund here.
  Students can apply for assistance here.

  For faculty and staff who are facing financial difficulties zero-interest emergency loans are available, with minimal payments to be made through monthly payroll deduction.

  On so many occasions, I have been encouraged by the resoundingly positive response of the Appalachian Community to this difficult situation. I am immensely proud of our faculty. They have a keen awareness that the relationships with their students are all the more meaningful in times of widespread anxiety and fear of the unknown, and continue to prove themselves to be selfless and adaptive professionals. Many staff have worked long hours to ensure faculty and students had the technology, training and support necessary to begin a “new normal,” while continuing to keep the institution running and adapting to each new change as it comes. Our students have also shown tremendous versatility throughout this rapidly changing situation. They have opted to accept the new circumstances of spring semester as an opportunity to expand their ability to create and innovate. 

  As you know, along with our sister institutions in the System, we are prevented by the coronavirus from holding a face-to-face Commencement in May. In the history of this institution, we have never canceled the university’s main Commencement ceremony, not even for the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic or World War II. It was unthinkable for us to consider canceling our May Commencement ceremony, especially with the available technology that is allowing faculty to continue teaching and engaging in research. So, we will celebrate May Commencement virtually and invite our Spring graduates to December Commencement. While we don’t know when large events will become the norm, we want to go ahead and offer December commencement so that families and friends can plan ahead. These aren’t the options we want, but they are options we can commit to now, allowing our students and their families and friends the opportunity to celebrate from wherever they are in May, and the option to walk across the Commencement stage - with family and friends in attendance - in December.

  There are many questions yet to be answered. We know many of you have questions about refunds, how long classes will stay online, how grades will be handled, what the summer brings and even what to expect for Fall 2020. Please know we are working through all of these issues and more, addressing those items which we can control first, planning for every contingency we can imagine, and always keeping the health and safety of the Appalachian Community at the forefront of every decision we make.

  The heart of the Appalachian Spirit is resilience and kindness in the face of adversity. For more than 120 years, we have relied on this spirit to guide us through the most difficult moments in our history. 

  We are Appalachian State, and we will emerge stronger, more resilient and poised for even greater success.

  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• Virtual Commencement, virtual instruction and a new normal

  Friday, March 20, 2020

  First, my sincere thanks to each of you who has stepped up these past few weeks as we adjust to rapidly developing, unprecedented challenges. Faculty and staff are working long hours to transition to alternative course delivery for our students. We are keenly focused always on the health and safety of our campus community and the fulfillment of our academic mission.

  For many of us, the “Appalachian Experience” is firmly grounded in a sense of place. We are all saddened by our empty classrooms and sunny days with no hammocks and slacklines, and while we are fortunate to have technology to keep us connected, Zoom meetings and Panopto just aren’t the same.

  Typically at this time of year, we are well into planning May Commencement ceremonies. President Roper announced at today’s Board of Governors meeting that Spring graduation ceremonies will be disrupted, and campuses can make independent decisions about how to move forward with Commencement ceremonies. For Appalachian, this will mean a virtual Commencement in May. May graduates will have the option to participate in December 2020 Commencement.

  There are many details to work out, but please know my leadership team and I are committed to preserving, to the greatest extent possible, the essence of the celebrations and milestones of the final weeks of the Spring semester, including Commencement. We don’t know exactly what that will look like, but we are working hard on virtual solutions.

  On Monday, Appalachian will begin a new normal. What does “the university remains open” look like for us as we face increased prevalence of the coronavirus and the uncertainties that come with it?

  Here’s what it will look like on Monday: 

  • 160 students who met the criteria to stay on campus will remain in their residence halls. Many others picked up essentials - or more - this week and returned to their homes. The residence halls have been thoroughly cleaned, and only residents are allowed in the buildings.

  • Reduced staffing for facilities means we are all operating under limited capacities. Our academic classroom and office buildings, Student Union, and University Libraries are keeping their core services available, but some buildings will be key- or card-access only.

  • Dining facilities are on a reduced schedule, and takeout only.

  • Faculty and students, who are accustomed to face-to-face interaction, will be teaching and learning online. It has taken tremendous effort on the part of our faculty to make this move and they have proven yet again to be selfless and adaptive professionals. It will not be a seamless transition, and as we work out the kinks together, it will be important to be patient and recognize we are all working alongside one another to provide the best possible academic experience for our students.

  Many of us have loved ones who are attending other UNC System institutions. We find ourselves comparing methods and messages. Your university administrators are in regular contact with their counterparts across the system and in the System Office. We are following System guidance together and applying it to our campuses in the ways that make the most sense for each of our situations.

  We will continue to send you emails with key updates and changes. These will also be posted to the university’s dedicated coronavirus website, which also links to information from key areas across campus that are making operational adjustments.

  Our Mountaineer resiliency is being tested. We will continue to rise to these challenges. Your resourcefulness, ingenuity and hope bolster the entire Appalachian Community as we find our way,  and I am encouraged by your determination and creativity.

  Thank you.

  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• Resiliency, resources and how to stay informed about COVID-19

  Friday, March 13, 2020

  Mountaineer resiliency is in full force as the university community rallies to meet the challenges presented by COVID-19. Across our campus, faculty, staff and students are exhibiting tremendous ingenuity, determination and resourcefulness as we pull together to safeguard and protect our community. Please know I recognize and appreciate your efforts.

  Be assured, we are working together to keep our community safe and our academic mission on course. As the situation continues to change, your single source for the most recent Appalachian updates and directives is App State's coronavirus site.

  Our staff and faculty are employing their expertise to quickly and creatively address many questions and logistical considerations, and I greatly appreciate their resourcefulness and expertise.

  Please stay informed as we continue to navigate this evolving global challenge. These are difficult times, but Mountaineer Spirit prevails.

  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• 

  Resiliency, renovations and continued advocacy

  Monday, March 2, 2020

  Last month I traveled to the UNC System Board of Governors Meeting, where I continued to advocate for funding for salary increases and for infrastructure repairs and renovations at Appalachian. I shared details about these critical budgetary issues in a previous issue of my newsletter, which is available here.

  On campus, Interim Provost Heather Hulburt Norris met with the Faculty Senate Ad Hoc Committee last week and will share an update with campus soon.

  While we continue to utilize every avenue to address our challenges, we are fortunate for our academic achievements, the integrity of our faculty, staff and students, and the support we have garnered to maintain and improve our campus infrastructure. We have many points of pride to share, including:

  • Since 2010, our university has retained our distinction as a Military Friendly® School, and we were designated a Top 10 school for 2020–21. Our university values empowering the student veterans and active-duty military members enrolled at our university and ensuring they have access to needed resources and support.
  • Our construction projects are progressing smoothly and showing visible progress every day. Our project management team and site crew led a small hard hat tour of Sanford Hall last month. To see firsthand the extensive interior renovations taking shape — on time and on budget — click here.
  • The National Campus Safety Summit named the Appalachian State University Police Department (APD) as one of the top 25 university departments in the country for “increasing the safety and security of their campus community” and “making a difference in student safety” — two critical priorities for our university.

  As part of our emergency preparedness practices, Appalachian’s emergency response team routinely monitors situations that could affect campus. At this time, the team is monitoring COVID-19. Though incidents in the United States are low, we remain vigilant. Our staff is in regular contact with the UNC System and local and state public health officials, and we are following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).

  Appalachian has a resource and information website for those in our campus community who are seeking information and guidance related to our university’s preparation and response to COVID-19. Please refer to the information on this site as the definitive source for the latest information specific to Appalachian State University.

  At this time, we are closely monitoring travel guidance, restrictions and advisories from the CDC and U.S. Department of State (State Department). We are directly assisting students, faculty and staff who are traveling or have plans for international travel for university-approved educational or business reasons. As many students prepare to travel for spring break, we encourage consideration of CDC and State Department guidance.

  Students with international travel-related financial aid questions or questions regarding academic requirements related to international travel should contact the Office of International Education and Development.

  It is important to remember that students, faculty and staff have friends, family and loved ones in areas that are at higher risk than in the United States and to remain compassionate about their worries and concerns about their loved ones.

  I am appreciative of the faculty, staff and students who make possible our many accomplishments and sustain the resilient spirit of Appalachian.

  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Social media highlights

  • 02.18 – On Presidents Day, I was honored to discuss leadership with students at Mabel Elementary School alongside Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute President Mark Poarch.
  • 02.22 – In one day, I enjoyed a great Mountaineer basketball game and a fantastic performance by Trinity Irish Dance — a showcase of the range of entertainment offered to our campus and community.
  • 02.28 – Student Government Association representatives spent an afternoon discussing student wellness with members of my leadership team.
  • 02.29 – Appalachian’s men’s and women’s basketball teams celebrated Senior Day and were honored for their contributions to the Appalachian Community.

  Follow me on:

  • Twitter @AppChancellor
  • Facebook

  Learn more

February 2020

• 

  Leadership at Appalachian

  Friday, February 14, 2020

  Leadership on our campus and in the community is what drives our success.

  • We hosted the Community Leaders breakfast at Appalachian House where we discussed projects the university, Town of Boone and Watauga County have underway and our vision for the future.
  • Several vice chancellors and I shared our leadership challenges and triumphs with emerging leaders from the Boone Chamber of Commerce’s Watauga Leadership Challenge class.
  • A group of about 50 female faculty and staff, many from the Appalachian Women in Leadership Council, gathered for a panel discussion on effective communication.

  We also welcomed Interim Vice Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulbert Norris and Walker College of Business Acting Dean Sandy Vannoy to their new roles.

  Today, on her fifth day as interim provost, Heather met with members of the Chancellor’s Academic Leadership Development Program and addressed more than 300 faculty and staff at the 2020 spring Faculty/Staff meeting. She has hit the ground running and is well-poised to lead as we navigate budgets and priorities for our colleges, enrollment and diversity challenges, and faculty and staff compensation.

  In her remarks, Heather acknowledged the value of the help and support of all the people — faculty, staff, vice provosts, deans, chairs and all of the Appalachian Community — who have and will help her succeed. I echo that sentiment. We are all called to lead, to collaborate and to challenge one another in order to continue to provide the premier Appalachian Experience for our students.

  Our students’ future is our most precious charge, and a solid infrastructure is also essential to our academic mission. We are moving along briskly with bricks and mortar improvements on campus. Work already has moved inside on Sanford Hall, and we are on budget and on schedule to welcome students into a better equipped and restored building in 2021.

  It is my privilege to lead this university and to recognize and applaud the leaders who walk with me.

  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  January in review

  • Advocating for university funding
    Posted January 18, 2020
  • Upholding the Appalachian Experience
    Posted January 25, 2020
  • Mountaineer passion, creativity and expertise at work
    Posted January 31, 2020
  • Navigating the best path forward for salary increases
    Posted February 7, 2020

  Social media highlights

  • 02.02 – Appalachian senior Gabrielle Knight uses the university’s arts venues as living laboratories to gain rich insights into her future career field.
  • 02.04 – Reich College of Education Dean Melba Spooner represented the university well when she presented before the state’s Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.
  • 02.05 – Our student-athletes earned their 15th consecutive semester with a collective GPA of 3.0 or above. This achievement underscores the dedication of our students, faculty and staff.
  • 02.06 – Appalachian works diligently to strengthen partnerships with our local communities, and we were thrilled to see Forbes highlight Boone as a “Blue Ridge Carolina Vacation Treasure.”
  • 02.11 – Regular Community Leaders Breakfasts offers a great opportunity to connect with esteemed colleagues in the High Country.
  • 02.11 – Cultivating leaders in our region is critically important, and I was honored to participate with the Chancellor’s Council in a session of the Boone Chamber of Commerce’s Watauga Leadership Challenge.
  • 02.12 – Triangle-area media Appalachian’s Academy at Middle Fork on its Read 2 Succeed segment.
  • 02.14 – Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting was very well attended and the crowd was engaged and appreciative of the information shared.
  • 02.14 – My Valentine's Day was made complete by a serenade from several of our students.

  Follow me on:

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  Learn more
• Navigating the best path forward for salary increases

  Friday, February 7, 2020

  Since my arrival on Appalachian’s campus in 2014, I have remained steadfast in my commitment to improve working conditions for all Appalachian employees. This includes investing in our physical infrastructure to support our faculty, staff and students. It also includes improving the compensation structure for our most valuable resource: our people.

  As I advocate for Appalachian at the state level, I consistently emphasize these two key areas.

  Authorization, compliance and reporting measures for different sources of funds add additional layers of complexity to an already complex system.

  Remaining competitive in the current higher education market is critical to Appalachian’s success, and competitive compensation is one key to recruiting and retaining the talented faculty and staff who create the premier undergraduate experience for which Appalachian is often lauded.

  The ideal scenario for salary increases is legislative funding and authority to provide a merit-based annual raise process this year. It remains my priority to continue advocating for this option using every available avenue.

  However, in the event that we ultimately do not get an approved budget and authority to conduct an annual raise process, we will explore options within our existing campus authority. For example, at my direction, Vice Chancellor Paul Forte and Human Resources Director Mark Bachmeier have been working with Academic Affairs to identify how resources can best be applied toward labor market adjustments for faculty and staff.

  At this point, we feel the best path forward is to wait for the legislature to reconvene, and make a decision that will have the broadest possible impact for the most employees, but we are prepared to act within our existing authority.

  It is important we control what we can as we continue advocating for a sustainable source of funds and the authority to move forward, unified in our shared goal to achieve a compensation structure that matches the talent of our employees.

  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more

January 2020

• 

  Mountaineer passion, creativity and expertise at work

  Friday, January 31, 2020

  With the spring semester well underway, much important work is taking place on our campus. This week saw many members of the Appalachian Community lending their passion, expertise and creativity to the university's climate action plan, which will be completed by Earth Day, April 22. If you were not able to attend the public forum, you can still contribute your ideas via an electronic submission form, or in person by visiting or calling the Office of Sustainability, whose staff, along with several climate action working groups, are working diligently to develop a community-informed and developed plan for achieving climate neutrality. Thanks to everyone who continues to be a part of this significant milestone in Appalachian's history.

  This is the time of semester when many students are beginning to feel the full force of their academic and personal responsibilities. Appalachian’s many support services for students are designed and provided by dedicated staff and faculty to help our students balance academic and personal demands and to empower them to take charge of their future. Some key resources include:

  • The Office of Student Success and the Disco Student Learning Center lead our efforts to help students who need intermittent or regular assistance in meeting their rigorous academic goals.
    
    
  • Appalachian Cares. This dedicated web portal aggregates essential resources related to wellness and prevention, emergency preparedness and student health.
    
    
  • Appalachian’s Student Health Service and Counseling and Psychological Services offer an array of resources to help students get well, stay well and
    achieve their goals.

  It is also important to ensure our faculty and staff have access to support and resources, and are engaged with the university.

  Next week, all employees will receive a message from UNC System Interim President Bill Roper regarding the upcoming employee engagement survey, which identifies essential employment trends and issues across the UNC System. A link to the survey will be sent next week, as well. Your input is important! Our goal is for more than 50% participation in the survey, and I encourage each of you to take this opportunity to share your feedback.

  Thanks to everyone who contributes to Mountaineer wellness and success.

  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• 

  Upholding the Appalachian Experience

  Saturday, January 25, 2020

  On Tuesday morning, Appalachian’s Trustees met and unanimously passed a resolution calling on “all elected leaders who support and value the world class higher educational systems in North Carolina to move swiftly to enact a robust state budget that includes significant and meaningful support to the constituent institutions of the UNC System and compensation measures commensurable to the excellence of its faculty and staff.”

  Even as we navigate unprecedented challenges, our faculty, staff and students continue to bring their best every day - that's what we do at Appalachian.

  As I advocate for our university, your strengths and accomplishments continue to inspire me:

  • Academics. Because of our stellar faculty, Appalachian is routinely lauded by national publications for the high quality and value of our academic programs. Most recently, the Reich College of Education was recognized for the fourth consecutive year as the national leader for the number of alumni who are National Board Certified Teachers, with 2,057 alumni having earned the national credential to date.
    
    
  • Engagement. Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) hosted the 21st MLK Challenge earlier this week and the annual Dance Marathon is scheduled for February, both of which provide dedicated time for reflection and service to the local community. These are just two examples of the hundreds of service opportunities from which our students, supported and championed by our dedicated staff, extend their classroom learning throughout the academic year.

  On Friday, Jan. 31, our Office of Sustainability will hold an important next step in the development of the university’s new Climate Action Plan — slated to be completed by Earth Day, April 22. Please make plans to attend this listening session. Members of the campus community are invited to bring their knowledge and suggestions as we work to address our collective responsibility to mitigate — and work toward eliminating entirely — our carbon footprint. This is one of many opportunities for our faculty, staff and students to come together in structuring a pragmatic and progressive plan toward achieving climate neutrality.

  Along with institutions of higher education everywhere, we seek collaborative solutions. Mountaineer resilience and determination sustain us as we prepare our students to live purposeful lives.

  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Learn more
• Advocating for university funding

  Saturday, January 18, 2020

  As we enter the third quarter of our fiscal year without a state budget, I traveled to this week’s Board of Governors meeting concerned about critical budget issues for Appalachian.

  Representative of my greatest concerns are two key points I shared with President Roper, which are by no means an exhaustive list:

  • Funding for salary increases: Without a budget in place, we have neither the funds nor authority to address urgent salary needs, which has negative impacts on employee recruitment and retention. Appalachian’s value proposition lies in the talent of its employees, and it is critical that we remain competitive in the current higher education market.

  • Repair and Renovation funding and targeted renovation: Funding for major infrastructure work and repairs, in particular for our academic spaces and campus-wide security features, including electronic door access on all facilities, is key to supporting and empowering the vast human potential on our campus.

  Faculty may recall that at the beginning of this fiscal year, I tasked Provost Kruger and Vice Chancellors Forte and Brown to identify and re-allocate state funds from Student Affairs to Academic Affairs to develop a pool for faculty merit increases. I remain steadfast in my commitment to a merit-based increase for faculty as permitted.

  I will continue advocating for salary increases for all of our employees, for critical infrastructure and for every avenue we can use to not just maintain - but improve upon - our already enviable enrollment, retention and graduation rates.

  Advocacy for a budget is taking place at the topmost levels of the UNC System. Yesterday, our Board of Governors passed a resolution strongly encouraging our elected leaders to pass a budget and calling on all boards of trustees to create and approve a concurring resolution. Our Board of Trustees has called a meeting to address this matter early next week.

  These are unprecedented times. It is important you know that Appalachian’s leadership team remains dedicated to finding every available solution to meet the needs of our campus. We take daily inspiration from our university founders, and when times are tough, we roll up our sleeves and keep working- always for the betterment of our great institution.

  
  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Follow me on:

  • Twitter @AppChancellor
  • Facebook

  Learn more

December 2019

• 

  Celebrating accomplishments and new beginnings

  Saturday, December 14, 2019

  Yesterday, Appalachian hosted our Fall Commencement ceremonies, and I was honored to celebrate the accomplishments of the more than 1,300 students who crossed the stage. If you were unable to join us in person, you can relive the events through these archived videos.

  The student speakers — ranging from a Colombian immigrant earning his doctorate in Educational Leadership, to a music therapist focusing her skills on infants addicted to drugs at birth, to the father and husband of a family with four Mountaineers, three of whom are still currently enrolled — are sterling examples of the breadth and rigor of an Appalachian education and the opportunities it unfolds. A quick perusal of Appalachian Today, our news and events website, showcases countless examples of academic excellence, world-changing research and post-graduation achievement.

  The closing weeks of the semester are always full of activity and excitement and, this year, notably so for Appalachian football. The Mountaineers secured their fourth Sun Belt Championship, making history with the best FBS season in North Carolina. The team is gearing up now for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 21, and I am thrilled to officially welcome Appalachian alumnus Shawn Clark ’98 as our new head football coach. I know we all look forward to his continued success with this record-setting team.

  All of our graduates, including our student-athletes, can be proud of their achievements. I am certain they will go on to make real and powerful differences in our state and in communities throughout the world. We look forward to hearing their stories as they go forward — forever Mountaineers and our most enduring legacy.

  I am honored to be part of the Appalachian Community. Happy holidays and best wishes for a restful and restorative break!

  

  Sheri Everts, Chancellor

  Social media highlights

  • 12.03 – The Appalachian Community gathered to thank Dean of University Libraries