No one likes to imagine a disturbance to the peace and safety of our community. While we hope a crisis will never occur at Appalachian, the University has made safety and emergency preparedness a priority. Appalachian maintains a campus emergency plan, which can be activated during emergencies that require a coordinated effort between University departments, community partners, and officials. The University’s response system is designed to ensure campus-wide awareness of emergency situations, and provides guidance on actions to take. By using multiple communication methods, Appalachian provides rapid notification of campus emergencies to students, faculty, and staff.
AppState-ALERT (opens in a new tab) is Appalachian’s 24/7 emergency messaging system. The system uses a combination of alert methods, such as text messaging and an outdoor siren system, to provide Appalachian students, faculty, and staff with timely information in the event of a campus emergency. Emergency alerts will be sent via the AppState-ALERT system when an emergency exists that is considered as an emergency or dangerous situation presenting an immediate threat to the health and safety of the Appalachian State University campus.
What Parents Should Do In Case of an Emergency
In the event you, as a parent or family member, receive word that Appalachian is not operating under “normal” conditions, the first thing you need to do is visit the Emergency Preparedness (opens in a new tab) website. During a campus emergency, this website is updated with the most currently available information. As difficult as it may be for parents and families not to get in the car and drive to Boone, this is not helpful and you will not be allowed on campus for safety reasons. The best thing is to visit the website mentioned above, and follow the communication plan you developed with your student.
Actions Parents Can Take Now to Prepare for Campus Emergencies
- Develop a Communication Plan: If you have not done so already, think about developing a communication plan with your student. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Contact Information: Make sure that your student has all of your contact numbers (home, work, cell, e-mail, etc…) and you have all of their information.
- Out-of-Town Contact: It is a good idea to choose a family member or close friend who does not live near you or your student so they will not be affected by the same disaster.Make sure you and your student have this person’s contact information. Remember, phone lines may become busy and it may be easier for your student to call or send a text message out than it will be for you to call in. Consider encouraging your student to contact a designated person, and have that person communicate with others.
- Insurance Cards: Please make sure that your student has their own copy of their insurance card in case of an emergency. This will make their visit to the emergency room or doctor go a little more smoothly.
- Emergency Information: Take time to review the campus emergency guide and other related information with your student. Make sure they understand what to do should an emergency occur, where to get information,and any expectations you may have about how and when to contact you.
Appalachian Police Department
Appalachian State University is a safe campus, but we cannot guarantee a crime free environment. That is why student safety is the Appalachian Police Department’s (opens in a new tab) top priority. We have several things we want to make you aware of so that you may share them with your student before they come to campus.
- Report Emergencies and Crimes: We want students to report emergencies, crimes and suspicious activity/persons by calling (828)262-8000 or by using one of the more than 75 emergency blue light phones located across campus.
- Anonymous Reporting: Students can report criminal or suspicious activity anonymously via e-mail by going to the Appalachian Police Department (opens in a new tab) website.
- No Weapons: NC law and the University prohibit the possession of firearms, explosive devices and other weapons on campus. The only exception allowed is for a person who has a valid NC concealed handgun permit, provided the weapon is a handgun, is in a closed compartment or container within the person’s locked vehicle and the vehicle is legally parked on campus. Prohibited weapons includes BB gun, stun gun, paintball gun, air rifle or pistol, bowie knife, dirk, dagger, switchblade knife, blackjack, slingshot, leaded cane, metallic knuckles, fireworks and razors/razor blades (except for personal shaving). If you suspect that a student or any other person might have a weapon on-campus, immediately call the Appalachian Police Department at (828)262-8000.
- Alcohol Policy: It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to possess alcohol on campus and persons over 21 can only possess alcohol in their residence hall room or at officially approved alcohol events.
- Drugs: Appalachian prohibits the unlawful possession, use or distribution of controlled substances or illicit drugs on campus.
- Crime Alerts: When a serious crime occurs on campus we send out campus wide Alerts via email and post on the Appalachian Police Department (opens in a new tab) website.
- Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report: Each year an annual security report (opens in a new tab) (Clery Act) is published that informs students and employees of our safety and security policies, procedures and practices. This report also discloses crime statistics from the previous three years as required by law. You can also request a paper copy of our report by calling us at (828)262-2150.
- Safety/Security Programs: We offer several safety and security related programs during each semester. To find out more about these and other campus security/safety topics visit the Appalachian Police Department (opens in a new tab) website.
