Last updated on August 17, 2024, 4:24 p.m.
BOONE, NC — What began as quiet on Tuesday morning, August 13, evolved into a day of bustling excitement as Mountaineer College freshman and returning students moved into their residence halls on Appalachian State University’s Boone campus to prepare for the first day of classes in fall 2024 on Monday, August 19.
Among the 6,100 students moving into App State’s 19 dormitories:
- approx. 3,900 first-year students;
- 500 transfer students; and
- 1,700 returning students.
“Move-in is a huge help, and our volunteers and campus partners do a great job supporting our students and their families,” said Dr. Brandon Nelson, director of university housing at App State.
In 2019, the university implemented a week-long, phased move-in process that provided students and their families with a smoother transition from home to campus and helped ensure that the number of people arriving on campus and in Boone was more measured and manageable. In previous years, move-in occurred on a weekend before classes began.
“University Housing is pleased to have another successful move-in week at App State,” said Dr. Amanda Cutchens, assistant director of student and administrative services at University Housing. “We enjoyed welcoming new and returning students to our on-campus residence halls.”
University Housing has provided 100 additional move-in carts this year to help students and families expedite the move-in process. Also new this year are move-in appointments for incoming students, allowing students to choose when they move in, contributing to a more efficient and flexible move-in experience.
A smooth transition to campus
Students are excited about the coming year, and many say the new appointment process has made it easier for them to move to campus.
“Moving in was a little stressful, but everyone was so helpful – they came with carts and offered to carry things for us,” said Lana Benson, a freshman from Fuquay-Varina who plans to study elementary education. “I was also able to decide when I wanted to move in by scheduling an early appointment so I could spend the afternoon unpacking with my parents.”
Alan Voth, a freshman from Asheville who plans to study anthropology, chose App State because of the “friendly and close-knit” community it has, he said – which was evident during move-in week: “They were very flexible. We got a parking space quickly and were able to move in,” he said.
The move also brought a lot of joy to the parents and the home helpers.
“I’m moving in our fourth child going to college and first Mountaineer,” said Tabitha High of Lowell, whose son Mario High is a freshman in App State’s Scholars with Diverse Abilities program. “We’re excited to be here and the process has been so smooth. The university gave us a time frame to move in and we arrived early, were shown to the parking lot and given help getting Mario settled in.”
“Move-in was so smooth compared to when I first moved in,” said Sierra Focazio, a dorm assistant in Summit Residence Hall, Honors College student and junior physical and astronomy science major from Holly Springs. “I remember moving in as a freshman and so many people moving in at once. Now everything is more spread out, which makes it easier for students to move in and get the help they need.”
Dave Burch of Durham, who was helping his daughter, freshman Katie Burch, move into her dorm, summed up the move this way: “This is a very big deal – sending a kid to college – and App State has done everything possible to make the transition as smooth as possible.”
Welcome to App
In conjunction with the week-long move-in, App State’s Division of Student Affairs has organized welcome events and programs where students can participate in a variety of activities designed to help them become familiar with campus, meet new friends, and settle into campus life. Events during the first week of classes include:
- App Ready: The Path to College Success – Tips and resources for academic success at App State.
- Welcome to App Field Day – nostalgic garden games and crafts.
- Boonearoo – live music at Sanford Mall.
- Self-guided gallery tour at the Turchin Center – with instructions and QR codes with more information about the Turchin Center’s artwork.
- AppSpectacular – Music, games and giveaways at Sanford Mall and Varsity Gym.
- Ring the bell at Founders Plaza – a tradition that marks the beginning of the students’ App State Experience.
“We want to thank our Administrative Services, Facilities and Residence Life teams for helping to make this move-in week as smooth as possible for students and families,” said Cutchens. “We also want to thank everyone who volunteered to help us with move-in in the fall. We couldn’t do what we do without them!”
Nelson thanked App State Parking and Transportation, App State ROTC, App State Athletics and the Appalachian Police Department for their assistance with move-in, which included use of the new Holmes Drive parking deck, and also thanked the Campus Store for hosting a daily social event for App State families during move-in week.
