Students return to App State’s residence halls for spring 2021

By Linda Coutant
Photos by Marie Freeman and Chase Reynolds

Posted Feb. 2, 2021 at 9:41 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — The first group of Appalachian State University students who live in campus residence halls blew into town for spring semester on Thursday, Jan. 28 — amid high winds, a sprinkling of snow and continued health and safety precautions regarding COVID-19.

According to first-year student Josiah Sink, of Lexington, who moved into Dogwood Hall, returning to the App State campus could not have happened soon enough. Students enjoyed an extra long winter break from mid-December 2020 to the third week of January due to COVID-19 precautions, followed by the Jan. 8 announcement to hold the first two weeks of classes online for additional safety.

See the photo gallery for a glimpse of the first day back as captured by university photographers Marie Freeman and Chase Reynolds.

View larger image — First-year student Josiah Sink, of Lexington, moves his items from the Legends parking lot to the newly named Dogwood Hall on Appalachian State University’s campus. Students who live on campus returned to their residence halls for spring semester beginning Thursday, Jan. 28. Photo by Marie Freeman

More than 3,700 students were scheduled to arrive between Jan. 28–31 at pre-assigned appointment times issued by University Housing. The university's COVID-19 dedensification strategy for on-campus student housing included allowing students to rework their schedules for all online classes and opt out of their housing contracts if they preferred to live with their parents or guardians for the spring semester.

Students who live on campus were required to submit a negative PCR (molecular) or antigen (rapid) COVID-19 test prior to move-in. In addition to this re-entry testing, all students moving in are required to complete a follow-up COVID-19 test between Feb. 1–6 to identify those who might have become infected between the time of their pre-move-in test and their actual transition to campus. They will also be required to complete periodic testing throughout the semester. Additionally, App State faculty are engaging in wastewater surveillance testing in residence halls, which will help further refine the university's targeted COVID-19 testing strategy. The cost of the on-campus testing is covered by the university.

Members of App State's Wellness and Prevention Services team have contacted the students who will be living in on-campus housing in spring 2021 to remind them about required testing and answer any questions they may have.

Classes at App State began Jan. 19 all online and resumed with a mix of face-to-face, hybrid and online formats Feb. 1.

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What to expect in spring 2021

Here are additional precautions students can expect this semester regarding health and safety due to COVID-19:

All students, faculty and staff are being given five new, washable, reusable face coverings to help prevent spread of the coronavirus.
10% of the on-campus student population will be selected at random for periodic testing. Testing frequency will be based on available data, including voluntary surveillance testing events, contact tracing information and, as noted by Chancellor Sheri Everts, wastewater surveillance research.
The enhanced cleaning services put into place in fall 2020 will continue in residence halls as well as in classrooms. Additional staff have been hired to increase the frequency of cleaning high-touch surfaces, common areas and restrooms. Read more on the university’s Health and safety on campus page.

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.

What to expect in spring 2021

Here are additional precautions students can expect this semester regarding health and safety due to COVID-19:

All students, faculty and staff are being given five new, washable, reusable face coverings to help prevent spread of the coronavirus.
10% of the on-campus student population will be selected at random for periodic testing. Testing frequency will be based on available data, including voluntary surveillance testing events, contact tracing information and, as noted by Chancellor Sheri Everts, wastewater surveillance research.
The enhanced cleaning services put into place in fall 2020 will continue in residence halls as well as in classrooms. Additional staff have been hired to increase the frequency of cleaning high-touch surfaces, common areas and restrooms. Read more on the university’s Health and safety on campus page.