BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University offers a robust network of resources and support for the entire App State Community year-round, including in times of emergency situations. These resources and support services include AppState-ALERT — the university’s 24/7 emergency messaging system; the AppCares site — a comprehensive hub for wellness and safety information and resources; and the Appalachian Safety App — a mobile tool that puts emergency resources, safety features and support at users’ fingertips.
24/7 emergency messaging through AppState-ALERT
Using a combination of text messaging, voice messaging, the siren warning system, desktop alerts, email and web technologies, AppState-ALERT is designed to provide App State students, employees and their families, as well as campus visitors, with timely information in the event of an emergency at the Boone or Hickory campuses.
Students, faculty and staff should register for AppState-ALERTS through their AppalNET account to opt in to receive text messages and voice alerts. Alerts via desktop, email and web technologies are automatically sent to campus emails and campus-controlled technology, such as computers and digital signage.
Students and employees already registered to receive voice and text alerts are automatically enrolled in Hickory campus messages, but may choose to update their messaging preferences through AppalNet Self-Service via the General Self-Service tab.
Texts and voice messages are only sent by the university when an emergency exists that is considered an imminent threat, which is defined as a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the life or safety of campus community members.
“We encourage students, faculty and staff to register for AppState-ALERTS so they can receive text and voice alerts in the event of any campus emergency in Boone or Hickory,” said Jason Marshburn, App State’s director of environmental health, safety and emergency management. “It is equally important to have your own communication safety plan with your family and friends too, including how and when you will reach out in the event of an emergency.”
The AppState-ALERT system delivers emergency messages to students, faculty and staff, as they are the ones who immediately need the information, said Marshburn. However, family members of students and employees can register to receive text-only AppState-ALERTs by texting “appstatefamily” to 67283.
All cell phone numbers registered with AppState-ALERT are kept confidential. Parents and families only need to register once each academic year for text-only alerts. Registrations remain in the system for the rest of the academic year, or until opting out. Registered parents and families will receive a notification text when it is time to re-register and will receive both Boone and Hickory alerts.
Up-to-date emergency information is publicly available at appstatealert.com. This website is App State’s primary source of information and updates during an emergency. It is kept up to date with the most current operational status of the university.
The levels of campus emergency conditions that App State could be operating under include:
- Normal — App State is operating under normal conditions and there is no emergency information.
- Emergency — There is information of an immediate threat on campus or directly involving App State.
- Special — There is a nonemergency condition, such as adverse weather, that indicates that App State is not operating regularly.
These conditions are posted on appstatealert.com.
During some high-risk conditions, such as an active shooter incident, a siren may be used at the Boone and/or Hickory campuses to broadcast an audible message that can be heard outdoors. Examples of the tones that will be used in an emergency or during tests of the emergency notification system can be heard by visiting App State’s Siren Warning System webpage. The siren is typically tested on the first Wednesday of each month in Boone with a discontinuous air horn.
New siren systems are being installed at the Boone and Hickory campuses. The first siren test for both locations is expected to take place later this fall, after the new systems are installed.
Event-specific alerts are also available to the public during large campus events, such as football games held at Kidd Brewer Stadium, so that anyone attending can opt in to receive important safety-related information specific to that event via text — for example, in the event the stadium must be evacuated due to hazardous weather. AppState-ALERT is reserved for emergencies that impact the entire campus.
For campus venues where an event-specific alert has been established, a designated event keyword will be announced prior to the event. The keyword can be texted to 67283 to register for the temporary alert. Each event-specific alert is only active for a few days, and attendees must re-register for each event.
Students, faculty and staff already registered for AppState-ALERTS should make sure to also register for event-specific alerts if they wish to receive venue-specific safety information during large events, such as updates concerning weather delays.
For more information about AppState-ALERTS and to register for AppState-ALERT text and voice notifications, visit App State’s emergency preparedness website.
AppCares — resources, support for the App State Community
The AppCares website serves as a central hub for wellness and safety information and is an ideal starting place to locate support services and review options for reporting a crime or suspicious activity.
Highlighted below are key resources dedicated to supporting students, faculty and staff in Boone, Hickory and online.
Student resources
- Student Success: Provides academic empowerment and advising to guide students through their educational journeys.
- Counseling and Psychological Services: Offers confidential mental health counseling, crisis intervention and emotional support for students.
- Student Health Service: Delivers comprehensive primary healthcare, preventative care and medical services to students.
- Wellness and Prevention Services: Promotes holistic well-being through health education, peer programming and risk-reduction initiatives.
- Office of the Dean of Students: Serves as a central advocate for student needs, offering guidance, emergency support and case management assistance.
- Mountaineer Safe Walk: Safe Walk is a free safety escort service available to students in any main campus building or parking lot in Boone. A secure ride to and from satellite campus locations in Boone during fall and spring semesters is also available. Call 828-262-7433 in Boone. Students in Hickory who would like to request a safety escort to their vehicles in the evenings can call 828-262-8000.
Faculty and staff resources
- Faculty and Staff Guide to helping students: Available on the AppCares site, this resource equips university employees with practical tools to identify behaviors of concern and assist students in distress.
- Office of Human Resources: Delivers workplace support, benefits coordination and professional employee guidance.
- Counseling for Faculty and Staff: Offers specialized, confidential psychological support and mental health consultation for employees.
- Employee Assistance Program: Provides 24/7 access to confidential counseling, financial guidance and work-life balance resources for employees and their families.
Campuswide resources
- App State Police Department: Provides 24/7 professional law enforcement, safety patrols and emergency response across the university’s campuses.
- AppState-ALERT System: Sends real-time emergency notifications and safety advisories to the campus community.
- University Ombuds: Offers an independent, confidential and impartial resource for resolving university-related conflicts and concerns.
- Office of Access and Opportunity: Oversees Equal Opportunity initiatives and Disability Resources to foster an accessible and welcoming environment across App State's campus communities.
“App State counselors are fully prepared to support students in times of crises, such as a campus emergency, to help them understand the event, process their emotional responses and navigate forward in the healing process,” said Dr. Christopher Hogan, director of App State's Counseling and Psychological Services Center.
Hogan added that the Counseling Center offers after-hours emergency services for students and counselors can even provide services in residence halls if a crisis impacts a group of students, meeting students where they are.
“It is common and completely normal to experience a range of strong emotions — from fear to grief — after a traumatic event,” explained Hogan.
Visit the AppCares site at appcares.appstate.edu for a comprehensive overview of health, wellness and safety resources available to Mountaineers at App State.
Appalachian Safety App
Available for free on iOS and Android to those with an App State email address, the Appalachian Safety App (Rave Guardian) transforms any smartphone into an active personal safety device.
While calling or texting 911 remains the primary action in any emergency, the app provides direct connections to the Appalachian State Police Department (APD) and local emergency service providers in both Boone and Hickory.
Key features include:
- Safety Timer: When walking alone or in unfamiliar areas, users can set a virtual timer monitored by trusted friends or family. If the timer expires without being deactivated, designated contacts — or APD if the user is on campus — are automatically alerted with profile details to check on the user’s safety.
- APD dispatch and campus safety updates: Use the “Text APD” feature to message App State Police Dispatch directly regarding specific topics, and enable push notifications to receive urgent campus safety updates directly through the app.
- Location-based resources: Select between Boone or Hickory locations to find campus and local resources related to topics such as mental health crises, interpersonal violence and substance abuse. A direct link to the AppCares site is also provided.
App users are encouraged to complete their in-app profile with as much information as they are comfortable providing — which can help emergency responders provide more effective assistance when it’s needed most. APD can only see a user’s profile when the Safety Timer alerts them automatically or when the user calls for emergency help. No user information is otherwise visible.
The Appalachian Safety App can be downloaded directly through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
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About the Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management (EHS&EM)
The Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management (EHS&EM) at Appalachian State University works in coordination with other university departments to support App State's commitment to campus safety. The office’s primary responsibility is environmental health, safety and emergency management functions across App State’s Boone and Hickory campuses. EHS&EM also coordinates App State’s on-campus emergency medical service (EMS) program, Mountaineer Medics, which provides emergency medical care and support to the App State Community. Learn more at https://ehsem.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center
The Counseling and Psychological Services Center at Appalachian State University supports the mission of the university and its Division of Student Affairs in the academic, vocational, emotional, social and cultural development of students. The goal of the center is to assist the Appalachian Community in maximizing the personal growth and development of its members. Services, which are primarily offered to students, focus on education, prevention, remediation and crisis management. These services help students resolve personal difficulties and acquire the attitudes, abilities and knowledge that will enable them to be successful and take full advantage of their college experience. Learn more at https://counseling.appstate.edu.
About the App State Police Department
Appalachian State University’s official policing agency — the App State Police Department — supports the university’s academic mission by working in partnership with the campus community to prevent crime, solve problems and improve the quality of life on campus. The department’s philosophy is one of proactive community engagement, collaboration and customer service, holding the safety and health of App State’s community members as its top priorities. State-certified police officers, security officers and civilian employees compose the department, and this team of professionals helps to create and maintain an inclusive sense of belonging for all members of the App State Community — students, faculty, staff and visitors. Additionally, through its efforts, the department aims to be a leader in innovative public safety ideas and strategies. Learn more about the App State Police Department at https://police.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.
