Parents, please encourage your students to attend the following event:
Internship Fair, Student Union, January 25, 11am-2pm

Students are invited to attend the Internship Fair to explore intern opportunities for Summer, Spring, and Fall.

Internships are well suited for all majors and representatives from each organization will be on hand to speak with your student about the projects they can do for their workplace.

Please encourage your student to attend. Visit internships.appstate.edu for a list of participating organizations.

Residence Hall Opening Information
All students may return to their residence halls on Friday, January 13, 2012. Classes begin Tuesday, January 17.

Fall 2012 Housing Options
Students who wish to live on campus for the 2012-2013 academic year must reapply for housing. Applications are available January 30-February 19. Please visit http://housing.appstate.edu/reapp for more information.

Resident Assistant Applications
If your son or daughter lives on campus, he or she has a Resident Assistant (RA). RAs are student leaders who live on each floor of our residence halls. They help their peers build community, resolve conflict, get involved on campus, and navigate their education. Your son or daughter has the opportunity to become an RA for the 2012-2013 academic year. Applications are now available and are due January 27, 2012. Please visit http://housing.appstate.edu/bnra for more information.

Its Major Declaration Time!

Please remind your students that the Major Declaration deadline for sophomores, juniors, and seniors in good academic standing is Friday, February 17, 2012. Students who have not yet declared their majors can complete the online major declaration form (login is required). It is quick and easy! Students who declare by the deadline will be able to seek academic advising for Summer and Fall classes from their major departments or Colleges.

Students are eligible to declare their majors if they have earned 30 semester hours, have credit for English 1000 (Expository Writing), have credit for or are currently enrolled in First Year Seminar (UCO 1200), and have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Of course, some departments such as Music, Art, Athletic Training, Nursing, and Communication require official admittance before students can declare their majors. Please encourage your students to contact their UC advisors for assistance.

Kiplingers Personal Finance magazine has released its Best Values in Public Colleges, 2012 issue and once again Appalachian State University is among the top 50 public institutions.

When comparing affordability based on tuition, fees, room and board and financial aid, Appalachian was ranked 33rd for in-state students, based on 2011-12 data.

Other UNC system schools on the list are UNC Chapel Hill, which was ranked first for both in-state and out-of-state costs, UNC Wilmington, which was ranked 15th for in-state costs and N.C. State University which ranked 19th. Also on the list are the UNC School of the Arts, ranked 41st for in-state costs and UNC Asheville, ranked 45thfor in-state costs.

The Summer 2012 course schedule is now available for viewing on the registrars Class Schedule Search page.

Tuition for summer 2012 will not be officially approved until February 1; however tuition and fees for a summer course are in line with the academic year. In-state tuition and fees for a three credit hour undergraduate course in summer 2011 was $438.25. A minimal increase is expected for this coming summer. Parents and students are welcome to visit the Summer School webpage for information concerning summer school or contact the Office of Summer Sessions at 828-262-3154 or by email summerschool@appstate.edu.

Parents and Families:
2012 Family Weekend has been set on the campus of Appalachian State University for September 28-30, 2012. More details regarding this weekend will be coming your way very soon. Please mark this date in your calendar!

Thanks,
Traci Royster
Director, Parent & Family Services

COMPLETE YOUR 2012-13 FAFSA APPLICATION

Students must complete a 2012-2013 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to be considered for financial aid for Fall 2012, Spring 2013 and/or Summer 2013. Please be mindful of the early processing dates listed below:

PRIORITY PROCESSING DATE FOR NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS IS MARCH 1, 2012
PRIORITY PROCESSING DATE FOR OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS IS MARCH 15, 2012

APPLYING FOR THE 2012-13 FAFSA IS AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3, 4.

1. You and your student will need to obtain a Department of Education PIN # at www.pin.ed.gov
2. You will need your student and parent 2011 Federal Tax information
3. You are allowed to file the FAFSA using estimated tax return numbers. However, you are required to make corrections to the FAFSA to update the tax return numbers once you have filed your return.
4. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and complete the 2012-2013 FAFSA. (*Remember, the ASU school code is 002906).

The Career Development Center has planned several upcoming programs for 2012. Career Development Center 2012 Newsletter. 

MANDATORY HEALTH SERVICE INFORMATION:

Mandatory Immunization Requirements: We must have these important forms, in their entirety, prior to 30 days after the start of class (to avoid being administratively withdrawn). Please confirm with the student by having them verify a check mark on their First Connections website confirming this record has been received and that the student is showing as compliant as to all required immunizations.

Also, please remember to include the Report of Medical History Form.

To obtain a copy of the Immunization and Medical Forms, go to www.healthservices.appstate.edu to download the PDF printable copies for health and immunization forms. Once the forms have been completed, mail to:

M.S. Shook Student Health Service,
Appalachian State University,
614 Howard Street, ASU Box 32070,
Boone, NC 28608-2070,
Attn: Medical Records.

Please read on for more information.

Soweto Gospel Choir
January 28, 2012
8pm, Farthing Auditorium

Join your student as they experience a glimpse of true South African gospel music and dance. This high energy, colorful and authentic performance celebrates the inspirational power of African gospel music and will delight and inspire you! It is definitely a performance you don't want to miss!

Check out a video of the Soweto Gospel Choir on YouTube.

Parents: Protect Yourselves and Boone Neighborhoods

Are you considering buying a home or apartment in Boone for your student, or do you currently own rental property in town? If so, please be aware that the Town of Boone has a strict zoning ordinance that prohibits more than two unrelated people from residing in R-zoned districts (which include most neighborhoods in and around Appalachians campus). The purpose of the ordinance is to keep Boone neighborhoods safe and intact. If tenants and/or owners are in violation of this ordinance, fines can range up to $200/day until the tenants move out. Please be aware of this ordinance before you make plans to purchase property. For more information about zoning, contact Christy Turner in the Town of Boone Planning and Inspections Department at 828-268-6960 or christy.turner@townofboone.net.