In light of rising numbers of COVID-19 on campus and in Boone, and in observance of the avoidable tragedy of the passing of Chad Dorrill, we the faculty of Appalachian State University present this petition to the administration to urge a pivot to 100% online engagement for the rest of the semester with consideration for the same for the spring semester.

The health of our campus community and the community beyond campus is of great concern and it is clear that the approach to the pandemic the institution has taken is not working and is in fact, endangering the entire town of Boone. To avoid any further unnecessary spreading of this disease, and to avoid any other deaths, we are calling on the Appalachian State University administration and by extension, the Board of Governors, to act from a place of care.

By signing this petition, we affirm the desire to put the health and safety of people first. We ask that the administration of Appalachian State University demonstrate their desire to do the same:

*By moving classes 100% online

*By designating a day of mourning for Chad Dorrill and students and families impacted by Covid

*By publicly acknowledging that the methods employed by the university in the mitigation of the spread of the virus are no longer sufficient.