Students Taking the Lead : 2020-2024
COVID-19
In early 2020, there were news reports about a novel coronavirus. In March, students left for Spring Break, but the break was extended due to COVID-19, and soon after, classes were moved online. In August 2020, students could return to campus for online and in-person hybrid classes, with restrictions such as mandatory mask-wearing, daily health assessments, and increased cleaning protocols. The university distributed cloth masks to students, faculty, and staff. During the first year of the pandemic, over 97,000 masks were mailed out. Due to the new normal environment, first-year students began their college careers with mostly virtual interactions, including the commencement ceremony.
Collective Movement
In July 2020, the student and alumni-led Black at AppState Collective sent a list of demands focused on diversified recruiting and a bias reporting system to campus administration, student affairs, and board members. In September, the Collective led a march from the Sanford Mall to the Chancellor’s Office to protest the lack of action on the group’s demands.
Appalachian State University adopted a Land Acknowledgement Statement in 2022, recognizing the Indigenous Peoples as the original inhabitants of the lands on which the campus is located.
More Exposure
On September 10, 2022, the Appalachian State Mountaineer football team defeated Texas A&M in a stunning upset. Texas A&M was ranked as the sixth-best team in the nation then, so the upset win garnered national attention for the Mountaineers. Additionally, App State secured $1.5 million to play Texas A&M.
Beating Texas A&M also brought ESPN's College GameDay to App State's campus on Saturday, September 17, 2022. College GameDay is a weekly television show hosted at a different college campus. When the show visited Appalachian State, approximately 9,000 App State fans watched the show live on Sanford Mall. According to ESPN's public relations department, the episode had an average audience of 2.2 million, with 2.8 million viewers during its final hour, an unparalleled level of national publicity.
College GameDay poster winners
Winners of the College GameDay poster contest, prizes included free tuition.
We Still Have Work to Do
By 2023, 40% of university waste was averted from landfills through reduction, recycling, and composting, and unserved food was donated to a local food bank.
Appalachian State University Hickory campus
In August 2023, Appalachian State University opened a campus in Hickory, North Carolina, with a goal to reach nontraditional students.
Campus Dining
Campus Dining sources and uses local, sustainable products in dining facilities; 27% of food is sourced locally, often from one of the campus' sustainable farms.
Hillel
In response to anti-semitic acts that were committed in Watauga. Hillel, a student organization set to educate about Jewish culture and faith, partnered with Alpha Epsilon Pi to organize A Day Against Hate on April 16, 2023. The event was open to all communities with the purpose of “combatting antisemitism, racism, and other forms of hate.” -Hillel
Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina's Flag Induction in the Plemmons Student Union
The Lumbee Tribal flag was hung in the Student Union in 2023.
Student American Indian Movement presidents
Student American Indian Movement president Cierra Bell, and former SAIM president Tori Hunt with the Lumbee flag in the Student Union.
Student activities on the Sanford Mall
The Campus Climate Support Program is established in 2023 to educate the campus and provide a bias reporting system.
Once again, the University is reevaluating its core curriculum as part of the reaccreditation process to keep it relevant and meet future employment demands. Climate Literacy is increasingly becoming necessary for a thorough and relevant education. In Fall 2024, the University will implement the Pathways to Resilience initiative and focus on responsibility, agency, and collaboration.
Muslim Student Association Community Iftar
The Muslim Student Association (MSA) and University Libraries collaborated to host a community Iftar in 2022 to observe the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Latin Hispanic Alliance Organization
"The Latin Hispanic Alliance (formerly known as the Hispanic Student Association) is dedicated to promoting awareness of Latin and Hispanic culture on Appalachian State's campus and in Boone, North Carolina. This is an organization for people who are of Latin and/or Hispanic origin AND for people who appreciate Latin and Hispanic culture. " -Latin Hispanic Association statement
Asian Student Association
The Asian Student Association explores "Asian Identity, leadership, and personal develoment through friendships, programs, and oppotunities. We are dedicated to building connection among the Asian American Pacific Islnder community as well as between people of all cultures and ethnicities on campus." - Asian Student Association
Student American Indian Movement with Chief Dugan.
Student American Indian Movement with Joyce C. Dugan, former Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (1995-1999).
Appalachian State ACT office student volunteers
Appalachian State ACT office students volunteer with FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2020