App State sends periodic operational updates that include information about key university operations, health and safety resources and other important campus information. 

Chancellor Heather Norris also sends weekly messages covering university progress on key initiatives and items of importance for the university community. Read these messages here.

Keep reading for helpful resources and the latest Hickory campus updates. Estimated read time: 4 minutes

Campus Updates and Reminders

• Spring 2026 semester classes begin Monday, Jan. 12. Review the Academic Calendar channel on the University Calendar for key, upcoming academic dates/deadlines — a printable version is also available.
• Beginning Monday, Jan. 12, 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.
• Visit the App State Hickory Calendar channel and the Hickory campus Engage portal (login required) for upcoming events. 
• Visit Campus Services Express for questions related to AppCards, parking and the Campus Store.
• Students areautomatically 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 regular hours.
• Dining options include Common Grounds Coffee Shop, which offers drinks, salads and sandwiches, as well as the Snack Stop and grab-and-go vending.
• Hickory Fitness Center is open and operates Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
• The Mofford and Griffin Food Hub, located in the Hickory Library, is open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.–9 p.m., and Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. The Food Hub provides food items and personal care products.
• Student Health Service Hickory clinic will operate on Wednesdays, from 8 a.m.–4 p.m., starting Wednesday, Jan. 14. 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, Jan. 15. 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.
• 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.

Looking for more Hickory campus information? Contact Monica Reed ([email protected] or 828-827-6529) or Karen Laws ([email protected] or 828-827-6522). 

Winter Weather

When adverse weather affects the university’s regular operations, decisions about changes to class or work schedules will be communicated via:

• The university homepage and AppState-ALERT website
• Emails to student @appstate.edu email accounts
• The university’s telephone snow line: 828-262-SNOW (7669)
• Posts to App State’s Facebook and X pages

Additionally, the university notifies campus and local media outlets. Information about event cancellations is communicated via messaging from the host area.
Adverse weather may not change operations at all campus locations — messaging will specify the campus areas that are affected and will be shared with both campuses for awareness. Learn more about how the university communicates winter weather closures and delays.

All public safety operations and essential campus operations continue regardless of weather delays or cancellations. These include, but are not limited to, App State Police, University Housing, Campus Dining and Student Health Service.

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 will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and Hickory campus hours are being finalized.
• 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 through Thursday, 7:30 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

• Campus construction updates are available on 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 • Office of Access and Opportunity • Student Learning Center< >