Appalachian State University: A Vibrant Campus Life

Appalachian State University (ASU), nestled in Boone, North Carolina, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offers a rich and engaging campus life for its students. As one of the seventeen institutions within the University of North Carolina system, ASU provides a diverse range of opportunities for students to grow both academically and personally. The campus, spanning approximately 250 acres, blends rustic and modern architecture, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere. The region's pleasantly warm days and cool evenings contribute to its popularity as a favored vacation destination in North Carolina.

Housing and Residential Life

The University houses nearly 6,000 students in its 20 residence halls, fostering a living and learning environment that enhances the educational process. These halls are staffed by trained personnel dedicated to creating a friendly atmosphere where students feel connected to the University community. Each residence hall features a hall council that collaborates with staff to organize social, educational, cultural, and recreational programs.

Residence Hall Features and Policies

Each room is furnished with essential furniture, and students are encouraged to personalize their spaces with rugs and other personal items. While certain appliances like lamps, television sets, and small refrigerators are permitted, items such as hot plates, toasters, heat lamps, halogen lamps, heaters, and George Foreman-type grills are prohibited. Irons are permitted for use in laundry rooms.

Items not allowed in residence halls include:

Ceiling fans or track lighting
Power tools
Nails
Lofts (due to fire code regulations)
Pets other than fish (10-gallon tank limit)
Candles, incense burners, or any apparatus that produces an open flame
Handguns, rifles, shotguns (possession of a weapon on campus is a felony)
Knives, BB guns, fireworks (possession of these items on campus is a violation of NC law)

The Residence Hall License Contract outlines specific regulations and policies governing residence hall life, and all students are responsible for adhering to these guidelines.

Read also: ASU Admissions Guide

Housing Requirements for Freshmen

All new, incoming freshmen are required to live in University-owned housing, with exceptions made for students living with parents or guardians within a 30-mile radius, those who are married, single parents, 25 years of age or older, or veterans eligible for training under Public Law 358, G.I. Bill effective June, 1966. It is important to note that ALL RESIDENCE HALLS ARE CLOSED DURING WINTER BREAK.

Students reserving rooms are subject to an academic year room and board contract, obligating them to pay room rent for both the fall and spring semesters as long as they are enrolled. Exceptions are made for students participating in off-campus field service programs.

The average cost for campus housing is $12,258 per year.

Student Involvement and Leadership

The Lee H. McCaskey Center for Student Involvement and Leadership plays a vital role in fostering student development through both in-class and out-of-class learning opportunities. The Center's programs are designed to enhance leadership, intellectual, personal, cultural, and professional development, grounded in the philosophy that all students should have opportunities and responsibilities for engaging in activities relevant to their individual, educational, and professional goals.

The Center assists students in developing environments that enhance diversity, promote ethical and moral development, and provide leadership and experiential learning opportunities through the implementation of student development theories in traditional and non-traditional settings.

With over 275 clubs and organizations recognized by the University and more than 8,000 students involved, there is a diverse range of opportunities for students to engage in campus life. These organizations include academic, honor, special interest, service, religious, and activity groups, all open to all students. The Greek system comprises 25 fraternities and sororities with 1,200 students, maintaining an active presence on campus.

Students can learn about clubs through club expos, advertising and recruitment activities, new student orientation, and visits to the Center. Research indicates that involvement on-campus is a positive factor for academic success and personal satisfaction with the college experience.

The Center offers a variety of leadership and involvement opportunities, ranging from an Emerging Leaders Program for new students to a Keystone Series for seniors. Students can also participate in the Student Government Association (SGA), which consists of elected representatives from residence halls and off-campus constituencies. The SGA allows students to take an active role in University governance, deliberating on student welfare matters and making recommendations to the University. Students also contribute to University policy by serving on faculty-student-staff committees.

Student Programs and Activities

Student Programs, a division of Student Development, provides the Appalachian community with a variety of social, cultural, and community service educational programs and experiences. The Appalachian Popular Programming Society (A.P.P.S.) is the all-campus programming organization, offering leadership opportunities and enhancing the quality of campus entertainment.

The Plemmons Student Union serves as a central hub for ASU students, offering a range of services and facilities, including the A.C.T. Community Outreach Center, coffeehouses, a Career Exploration Office, the Multi-Cultural Center, a game room, ballrooms, an art gallery, lounges, and meeting rooms. McAlister’s Deli and the Cascades Café are located in the Union, along with the Information Center, Mt. Mitchell Fitness Center, computer labs, and study rooms. The Greenbriar Theater is a popular location for classic films, and the Summit Trail Solarium is a prime gathering place for students. A rooftop patio and amphitheater are also available for outdoor performances and receptions.

Read also: Find Your Perfect App State Look

Legends is Appalachian’s social and entertainment center, with a capacity of 1,000 patrons and staffed by student employees. A variety of entertaining programs, coordinated by the A.P.P.S. councils, include regional and local bands, national entertainers, theme parties, DJs, and comedians.

Community Engagement

ACT, supported by both Student Development and Academic Affairs, provides opportunities for students to engage in community service, academic service-learning, and community-based research within the NC High Country, as well as across the state, nation, and world. ACT offers engagement opportunities for every ASU student, from one-time events in Boone to full-year international opportunities abroad. Students who participate in the ACT program increase their awareness, become involved, and affect change concerning critical social, economic, and environmental issues.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Office of Multicultural Student Development contributes to the academic mission of Appalachian State University by providing marginalized and underrepresented students with mentoring, advocacy, community, and identity affirmation. The office also offers learning opportunities for all Appalachian students to develop an appreciation for diversity, enhance self-awareness, increase multicultural knowledge, and strengthen intercultural competency. Multicultural Student Development operates three student-led outreach centers: the LGBT Center, the Multicultural Center, and the Women’s Center.

Athletics

Appalachian State is known for its athletic success, particularly in football. The Mountaineer football team won three consecutive NCAA Division I FCS national championships from 2005-07. In 2007, a 34-32 victory over the University of Michigan put Appalachian in the national spotlight. In 2015, Appalachian State became the first team to ever win 11 games in its first full-fledged season as a member of NCAA Division I FBS.

Appalachian State student-athletes are also high achievers in the classroom. In 2016, Appalachian State swept the Sun Belt Conference’s highest individual honors for academic performance.

Appalachian State possesses some of the finest athletic facilities that the nation has to offer. Each of the Mountaineers’ 20 sports train and compete in facilities that have been built or remodeled since 2000. The facilities are highlighted by the 120,000-square-foot Appalachian Athletics Center, which houses training and academic areas for all 20 sports.

Career Services

Appalachian provides a full range of career services to assist students with career-related issues and career management skills. The Career Exploration Office assists students in identifying academic majors and career options compatible with their interests, abilities, and values. The Career Development Center offers individualized advising on self-managed career development, experiential learning, and personal marketing strategies. Students can access www.careers.appstate.edu for a variety of resources on careers, graduate schools, employers, and full-time job opportunities. Special services for graduating seniors include on-campus interviews and an online career account for posting resumes and viewing job openings. The Student Employment Office assists students in obtaining part-time job opportunities.

Counseling and Psychological Services

The Counseling and Psychological Services Center is part of a comprehensive program of student services within the Division of Student Development at Appalachian State University. The Center provides confidential individual, couples, and group counseling for a variety of developmental and psychological issues. The Center also provides 24-hour emergency response services for students experiencing extreme psychological crises. The Center also seeks to assist in the creation and maintenance of a University environment that will foster the well-being and personal development of its members.

Additional Campus Resources

App State's faculty, staff and students have a strong service ethic and are actively involved in the communities surrounding Boone and throughout the world. Tutoring & Support Services are open to all students, not just those who are struggling. Early intervention is key for students who are struggling academically, socially or personally. Academic Advising is key to timely graduation and fundamental to student success. IT Support Services can answer all of your technology-related questions.

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