BOONE, N.C. — Students walking around campus in late August and early September saw 22 signs as part of a self-guided Health, Wellness and Safety Walk designed to inform them about helpful resources available to them for their well-being.

The signs featured resources related to counseling, student health, academic success, financial aid, student support and more, explained Kyra Patel ’16, coordinator for student social wellness in Appalachian’s Department of Wellness and Prevention Services.

The goal of the initiative was for students “to learn more about resources available at the university and where they are located. It’s one thing to know we have a Counseling Center, for example, and another to know exactly where to go for assistance,” Patel said.

Each sign included a QR (Quick Response) code that students could scan with their phone, which took them to a Google document detailing the resources in that particular building. The document also included a still image from Appalachian’s interactive campus map that identified the building’s physical location, along with a list of off-campus resources.

Those who participated were sent a post-event survey to gauge their level of knowledge after reading about the resources.

Previous campaigns using campus signs to emphasize healthy behaviors have been well received by students, Patel said.

The Health, Wellness and Safety Walk was sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs. Due to COVID-19 precautions, this initiative was developed as a safe alternative to the annual Health, Wellness and Safety Week activities.

Campus buildings housing health, wellness and safety resources

Appalachian’s fall 2020 Health, Wellness and Safety Walk featured the following campus buildings with signs and their respective resources:

Plemmons Student Union

• Office of the Dean of Students
• Appalachian Spiritual Life Association
• Student Conduct
• Intercultural Student Affairs

Rivers Street Parking Deck

• Appalachian Police Department
• AppState-ALERT
• Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management
• Safe Walk/Ride

Miles Annas Building

• Counseling Center
• M.S. Shook Student Health Service
• Wellness and Prevention Services

Anne Belk Hall

• Office of Disability Resources

I.G. Greer Hall

• Office of Student Success
• Office of Title IX Compliance
• First Generation Student Association

Trivette Hall

• Campus Dining

Peacock Hall

• Information Technology Services (main office)

John Thomas Hall

• Career Development Center
• Office of the Registrar
• Office of Student Financial Aid

Student Recreation Center

• University Recreation

D.D. Dougherty Hall

• Student Learning Center

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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.