Mark Marin, a first-year accounting major from Matthews, left, with his mother outside Coltrane Hall. Marin was one of more than 3,900 students who moved into residence halls at Appalachian State University Aug. 10–13. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Allie Dotson, a first-year political science major from Asheville, left, checks into Appalachian State University’s Coltrane Hall with the help of Melissa Vanover, an administrative support associate in Campus Dining. Appalachian staff were on hand to greet students and their families and assist with any needs throughout the move-in experience. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Sara Martinez, a first-year middle grades education major from Hamptonville, left, and her father, Louis Martinez, move items into Appalachian State University’s Eggers Hall. Students were provided a rolling cart, which was sanitized between uses, to help move their belongings. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Skylar Chappell, a first-year commercial photography major from Fuquay Varina, left, moves her belongings into Appalachian State University’s Bowie Hall with the help of her mother, Marilyn Chapel. Face coverings are required on Appalachian’s campus due to the novel coronavirus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Chloe Tate, a sophomore nursing major from Cherryville, right in foreground, is one of the first residents of Raven Rocks Hall — one of two newly completed residence halls at Appalachian State University. Her mother, Rhonda Tate, left in foreground, helps her carry in her belongings. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Father and son — Jimmy Cilone, left, and Johnathan Cilone — work together to carry a minifridge during move-in. Johnathan, a junior finance and banking major from Spindale, was one of more than 3,900 students who moved into residence halls at Appalachian State University Aug. 10–13. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Thomas Dixon Jr., a first-year dance studies major from Louisburg, left, with his mother, center, and his father during Appalachian State University’s fall 2020 move-in week. Dixon is one of the first residents of Thunder Hill Hall — one of two newly completed residence halls at Appalachian. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Caden Felts, a first-year music education major from Lowgap, right, and his father, Teddy Felts, move a couch into Appalachian State University’s East Hall. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Jackson Keys, a first-year communication, journalism major from Durham, left in foreground, carries a laundry hamper filled with his belongings into Appalachian State University’s Gardner Hall during move-in week Aug. 10–13. Photo by Chase Reynolds
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s campus was alive with activity Aug. 10–13 as more than 3,900 first-year and transfer students moved into residence halls across campus.
Similar sights and sounds took place outside each location — vehicles filled with clothes, toiletries, bookcases and couches; roommates meeting in person for the first time; and students and their families sharing bittersweet goodbyes.
“It was great to see campus come back to life after many months away, and parents, students and staff were all happy to be back,” said Dr. Alicia Vest, Appalachian’s associate director of university housing.
This year’s move-in experience also included a variety of new safety precautions due to the novel coronavirus. Vest said many university departments worked hard to make move-in a positive, exciting experience for Appalachian students.
For instance, she said, University Housing staff were on hand to greet students, and University Housing Facilities staff frequently cleaned high-touch areas and made requested adjustments to rooms such as raising and lowering beds.
Additionally, representatives from the Appalachian Police Department and the Department of Parking and Transportation helped keep the parking lots and roads moving efficiently, and resident assistants in the residence halls hosted virtual meetings to bring students together.
Appalachian’s University Housing staff assessed and adjusted every step of the experience to keep students and their families as safe as possible.
Here are a few of the safety precautions that were in place during the fall 2020 move-in, several of which remain in place:
- Students were assigned a specific date and time for their move-in.
- Only one person was allowed to accompany each student in the residence halls.
- Common areas of the building are equipped with navigation signs to allow for physical distancing.
- All common areas, including lounges, kitchens, lobbies and elevators, have occupancy limits.
- Face coverings are required on Appalachian’s campus.
Vest said with the many changes to the move-in process, the Trailhead Experience and Appol Corps (Appalachian Orientation Leader Corps) were vital to helping students engage with the Appalachian Community in their first days on campus.
During Aug. 14–16, more than 1,300 returning students moved into residence halls, and the fall 2020 semester began Monday, Aug. 17.
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About Student Affairs at App State
Student Affairs at App State supports student success and well-being by fostering a culture of care, inclusion and engagement. Its mission is to develop lifelong learners and dynamic leaders through meaningful experiences that challenge and support students. Grounded in a commitment to care, engage and transform, Student Affairs creates a student-centered environment that encourages resilience, leadership, service and global learning. Student Affairs encompasses the following units: Campus Activities, Case Management, the Child Development Center, Community-Engaged Leadership, Counseling and Psychological Services, Office of the Dean of Students, New Mountaineer and Family Engagement, Off-Campus Student Services, Plemmons Student Union, Student Conduct, M.S. Shook Student Health Service, Student Legal Services, Student Veteran Services, University Recreation, and Wellness and Prevention Services. Learn more at https://studentaffairs.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
