Resources for Faculty and Staff

Concerned about the well-being or safety of someone in our campus community? App State has resources to help. What to Look For:

Distressed behavior

  • Reluctant to acknowledge the apparent need for help
  • Change in behavior and/or content of communication in the classroom*
  • Significant changes in academic performance*
  • Frequent tardiness and/or excessive absences*
  • Withdrawal and/or avoidance from participation*
  • Increased anxiety around exams or deadlines*
  • Difficulty working/interacting with others*
  • Prolonged or frequent sadness, crying, lethargy, irritability, rapid speech, preoccupation, increased or more intense disagreements
  • Changes in physical well-being, e.g. swollen eyes from crying, increased illnesses, poor self-hygiene, rapid weight loss/gain or frequent sleeping in class
  • Confusion or significant inability to concentrate
  • Loss of motivation
  • Excessive mood swings
  • Drinking alcohol or and/or using drugs in ways that appear to interfere with basic functioning and well-being
  • Repeated requests for special consideration, e.g., deadline extensions, changes in requirements, grade changes*
  • Communication in oral, written or electronic formats that may suggest they may be thinking about self-harm

*denotes recommendation of the academic referral process

Disruptive Behavior

  • Highly disruptive, explosive or disrespectful behavior to the living-learning environment (verbal hostility, aggression, disregard for classroom decorum and expected conduct, etc.)
  • Hostility toward corrective feedback
  • Inability to communicate clearly (garbled, pressured speech; disorganized, confused or rambling speech)
  • Loss of contact with reality (seeing or hearing things others cannot see or hear; unsubstantiated beliefs or fears that others may be conspiring against them)
  • Harassment/inappropriate communications (including threatening letters or electronic communications, such as phone calls, voicemails, emails, texts messages, social media posts etc.)
  • Communication in oral, written or electronic formats that may suggest they may be thinking about self-harm or harming others

How to help distressed or disruptive students

  • Deal directly with the behavior by providing corrective feedback and offer to help
  • Consider having someone meet with you and the student if you have any concerns for personal safety or you believe you or the student would feel more comfortable with another person present
  • Avoid offering confidentiality to the student, should they wish to talk
  • Consider helping the student walk to Counseling and Psychological Services or the Office of the Dean of Students in case of an emergency
  • Consider helping the student connect with Wellness and Prevention Services for any alcohol or drug-related concern or a dietary or nutritional concern
  • Recommend the student seek assistance from Counseling and Psychological Services and/or the Office of the Dean of Students. Remind the student that campus counseling services are free and confidential
  • Offer to help make initial contact with Counseling and Psychological Services and/or the Office of the Dean of Students
  • If the student rejects referral, consult with Counseling and Psychological Services and/or the Office of the Dean of Students for assistance
  • Normalize help-seeking as something everyone needs from time to time
  • Inform and consult with your supervisor

Resources for Distressed or Disruptive Students

These offices work in collaboration to support our students:

What will happen next:

  • Please be assured every effort will be made to help students successfully navigate challenges. We encourage additional contacts with the referral offices should your concerns continue. It is important to note that referrals to these offices are not intended to substitute for faculty or staff conversations with students.
  • Counseling does not impact or influence academic records
  • Counseling sessions are confidential and free to students
  • Assessment measures may lead to additional referrals, counseling or in some cases, police intervention
  • The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) applies to all student records, so unless the student chooses to share information with you, you will likely not learn the outcome of any assistance or intervention

Dangerous Behavior
(Safety is an immediate concern)

  • Verbal or physical threats to harm one’s self or others
  • Communicates intent to attempt suicide, either verbally or in writing, and is not receptive to attempts to help
  • Student expresses they feel they are in immediate danger due to threats of harm or actions by another individual

If you feel there is or could be immediate danger to yourself or others, seek immediate assistance

Emergency 911
App State Police, Emergency
Boone and Hickory Campuses 828-262-8000

  • App State Police Boone
    461 Rivers Street, Boone, NC 28608
    (first floor, Rivers Street Parking Deck)

  • App State Police Hickory
    800 17th St. NW, Hickory, NC 28601
    (first floor, next to Information Desk, office 1201)

Student Counseling

(Counseling & Psychological Services) 828-262-3180
After normal business hours, listen to the message and select the option to speak with a counselor

Sexual or Sex-Based Misconduct

  • Someone who has experienced sexual/sex-based misconduct or interpersonal violence may be trying to navigate next steps. All employees, including faculty, have an obligation to report such disclosures to the Office of Access and Opportunity: Equal Opportunity (EO) within 2 business days.
  • Reporting is required to ensure that students are provided with appropriate resources, support, and resolution options. Individuals who receive by outreach from EO are provided resources and not required to engage.
  • Reporting exceptions exist for confidential employees acting in an official confidential role, such as Counseling and Psychological Services, University Ombuds Office, Student Health Service, Wellness and Prevention Services, pastoral counselors and Student Legal Clinic.

To learn more about these resources or your role as a responsible employee, please visit: eo.appstate.edu

Guide to Helping Students

Student Referral Steps

Aggression

  1. Call 911 or App State Police at 828-262-8000 (both campuses)
  2. Refer to:
    1. STUDENT CONDUCT: Disciplinary or academic dishonesty consultation and assistance, dean certifications, classroom presentations on academic integrity and consultation. Report alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct, such as threats, cyberbullying, violence, or vandalism.
      1. studentconduct.appstate.edu
    2. APP STATE POLICE: Suspicious activity, after-hours help and crime reporting, including cyber crimes and cyberbullying.
      1. police.appstate.edu

Illness

  1. Call Student Health Service at 828-262-3100 (both campuses)
  2. Refer to:
    1. HEALTH SERVICES: Illness, testing for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, allergy injections, birth control information, and other health consultations and referrals.
      1. healthservices.appstate.edu
    2. WELLNESS AND PREVENTION SERVICES: One-to-one health advisement, smoking cessation and nutrition consultation.
      1. wellness.appstate.edu

Emotional Behavior

  1. Call Counseling & Psychological Services at 828-262-3180 (both campuses)
  2. Refer to:
    1. COUNSELING & PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES: Concerns with adjustments to college life, relationships, stress, depression, anxiety, family problems, alcohol or drug abuse, eating disorders, referral to community resources and online support program. Counseling and Psychological Services will present programs to classes or groups upon request.
      1. counseling.appstate.edu

Disability or Accommodations

  1. Call Disability Resources at 828-262-3056 (both campuses)
  2. Refer to:
    1. DISABILITY RESOURCES: Resources and accommodations, including consultation and referral, for students with disabilities, such as sensory, cognitive, or attentional disorders, mobility challenges, chronic health and mental health conditions.
      1. odr.appstate.edu

Other Resources

STUDENT SUCCESS: 828-262-8547
Academic referrals to share concerns related to estimated grade, participation/engagement level, attendance, and class presence.
studentsuccess.appstate.edu/student-referrals

CASE MANAGEMENT: 828-262-8284
Interpersonal and domestic violence, general student difficulties, concerned parents or family emergencies, situations that occur with App State students off campus, verifying illness or other absence-related concerns.
casemanagement.appstate.edu | deanofstudents.appstate.edu

Additional Resources for Students and Employees In Boone and Hickory

Download the RAVE Guardian app
for emergency resources and to
submit anonymous safety tips
emergency.appstate.edu

Making Referrals at App State

Any person who has concerns about a student’s behavior may make a referral. The severity of the behavior will determine the action plans or response. Remember, working with students of concern is a collaborative effort.

Campus Resources in Boone and Hickory

External Resources

  • Daymark 24/7 Crisis Line
    866-275-9552
  • Hickory Mental Health Crisis Line: Catawba Valley Healthcare
    828-695-2511
  • OASIS: (Boone) Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
    24-Hour Crisis Line 828-262-5035
  • Family Guidance Center: (Hickory) Domestic Violence Crisis Line
    828-228-1787 (call or text)
    and Sexual Assault Crisis Line
    828-302-6952 (call or text)
  • National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
    988 (talk or text)
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline
    800-656-HOPE (4673)
  • Hickory Police Department
    • 828-328-5551
  • Catawba County Sheriff’s Office
    828-464-5241
  • Watauga County Sheriff’s Office
    828-264-3761
  • Boone Police Department
    828-268-6900

Register for AppState-ALERTS

AppState-ALERT is App State’s 24/7 emergency messaging system. Using a combination of text messaging, voice messaging and web technologies, AppState-ALERT is designed to provide students, employees and their families with timely information in the event of a campus emergency. Please follow the safety instructions provided in any AppState-ALERT message.

Students and employees can register for AppState-ALERTS through AppalNET to opt in to receive text messages and voice alerts. Alerts via desktop, email and web technologies are automatically sent to campus emails and campus-controlled technology, such as computers and digital signage.

Parents and families can register for text-only alerts by texting “appstatefamily” to 67283.

For more information, visit emergency.appstate.edu