App State Operations: Fall 2025 Hickory campus start-of-semester update

App State sends periodic operational updates that include information about key university operations, health and safety resources and other important campus information for students and employees. Keep reading for helpful resources and the latest Hickory campus updates.

Fall 2025 semester classes begin Monday, Aug. 18

• Beginning Monday, Aug. 18, the Hickory campus will be open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Friday, 7 a.m – 5 p.m. Note: The front lobby doors remain open until 9 p.m. as scheduled; all other exterior doors lock at 5 p.m.
• Review the Academic Calendar tab on the University Calendar for key, upcoming academic dates/deadlines — a printable version is also available.

Campus Updates and Reminders

• Visit the Hickory campus Engage portal for upcoming events. 
• Visit the Campus Services Express Desk for questions related to AppCards, campus dining, student employment, parking and the Campus Store.
• Mobile AppCard is available and replaces physical IDs — use it on your phone for food purchases, library access, university recreation, printing and building entry. Set up your Mobile AppCard today. 
• Students are automatically enrolled in App State’s textbook rental program. Visit the Campus Store’s Order and Access Textbooks page for more information. 
  • If ordering rental physical textbooks and purchased course materials, select Hickory campus pickup to have your order delivered to the Campus Services Express Desk. 
• Hickory Library and Information Commons is open with limited hours — regular schedule begins Monday, Aug. 18.
• Dining options include Common Grounds Coffee Shop, offering drinks, salads and sandwiches, as well as the Snack Stop and grab-and-go vending.
• Hickory Fitness Center will open Monday, Aug. 18, and will operate Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m., and Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
• No permit is needed to park on the Hickory campus — students who need to travel to the Boone campus between 7 a.m.–5 p.m. on weekdays should purchase visitor parking or a Boone campus permit.
• Student Health Service Hickory clinic will operate on Wednesdays, from 8 a.m.– 4 p.m., starting Wednesday, Aug. 20. Call 828-262-3100 to schedule an appointment — last appointments of the day are taken at 3 p.m.
  • The Hickory clinic offers appointments for routine care and physicals, illnesses and injuries, over-the-counter pharmacy items and limited vaccine resources for students. 
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free and confidential services for students — schedule an initial consultation to get started. 
  • Counseling staff will be at the Hickory campus on Thursdays, beginning Thursday, Aug. 21. Brief drop-in consultation sessions are also available without an appointment on Thursdays.
  • Emergency services are available 24/7.
• Wellness and Prevention Services promotes healthy behaviors, risk behavior modification services, health awareness and active lifestyles while taking an all-inclusive approach to wellness. Staff are available weekdays to virtually engage with Hickory students.
• Looking for more Hickory campus information? Contact Monica Reed (828-827-6529 | [email protected]) or Karen Laws (828-827-6522 | [email protected]).

Campus Safety and Security

• In any emergency, call 911. 
• For non-emergency needs, including a safety escort to your vehicle in the evenings, call App State Police at 828-262-8000. App State Police are on staff during building operating hours, and dispatch remains available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• AppState-ALERT is the university’s 24/7 emergency messaging system that uses texts, voice messaging, the siren warning system, desktop alerts, email and web alerts. 
• Register for AppState-ALERT text and/or voice messaging for real-time campus alerts. Parents and families can text “appstatefamily” to 67283 to register for text alerts.
• Review App State’s Emergency Preparedness page for tips on how you can prepare for specific types of emergencies.
• Fraudulent email scams impersonating faculty or known contacts tend to increase at the beginning of an academic semester. Immediately report suspicious emails to [email protected].
• Review tips and tricks to recognize scams, information security attacks and ways to protect your personal information and reach out if you have questions or need assistance — 828-262-6946 or [email protected].

Campus Resources and Information

• The Office of the Dean of Students provides individualized support and case management for students, including support for parents and families, off-campus student resources and student veteran services.
• The Student Success team offers learning resources for all students, including academic advising and support, career readiness programming and the University Writing Center. 
• The Writing Center serves Hickory students virtually, Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m.–noon.
• Visit Community-Engaged Leadership to learn about academic, experiential and community-oriented service and leadership programs — including Alternative Service Experience programs.
• IT Support Servicesprovides assistance for university-owned and personal devices:
• Call the ITS Help Desk at 828-262-6266, weekdays, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. 
• Submit a support ticket (login required) and indicate your location for routing. 
• Visit the Technology Support Center, Room 1414
• Monday, 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m. 
• Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. 
• Visit App State’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) website for approved AI tools, guidance and training, use cases and resources. Always check course syllabi or connect with your instructors around AI use.
• University Events Scheduling and Communications manages on-campus event/meeting space requests. Visit the website to review policies and access the scheduling system to request space (App State email required for login).

Campus Information

• Updates from Chancellor Heather Norris are published to the Chancellor’s Newsletter webpage.
• Campus construction updates are available at the university’s App State’s Future website, including the latest Hickory campus updates.

Additional Helpful Links

Academic Affairs • App Cares • Career Development Center • Case Management • Interactive Campus Map •  Mountaineer Food Hub and Free Store (Campus Food Pantry Network) • Office of Access and Opportunity • Student Learning Center