Beating the Delta blues: Vaccine incentives
USC Aiken launched its program to “beat the Delta blues” Sept. 15 when eight Pacers (students, faculty, and staff) were awarded with the first round of incentive prizes totaling $6,600.
The university is giving away approximately $55,281 total, not including the full-time scholarship that was donated, to those who have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine over the next few weeks until Fall break, Nov. 24. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and others have had similar incentive programs. Funds come from the second round of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act also known as the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).
In April, excluding international and/or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), students who completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and were receiving credit for their classes were offered anywhere from $150 to $1,000 thanks to HEERF depending on if they had the Pell Grant and how many classes they were taking last semester.
During the first round of CARES aid, the university was granted $3,065,412. Only 50% was required to be allocated to students, so the other $1,532,706 went to the institution. Information pertaining to the distribution of the second round will presumably be made available at the end of the fiscal year.
The second round of CARES aid is estimated to be 2.5 times greater than that of the first, meaning the university has retained over $3,000,000 in CARES aid over the past two years, yet this incentive program encompasses less than two percent of that, begging the question as to where the remaining millions of dollars are going.
The goal of the incentive program: to get every student, faculty, and staff member fully vaccinated. According to an email from Dr. Daniel Heimmerman, Chancellor, as of Aug. 24, 51.5% of residential students were vaccinated, which only represents 22% of the student population according to U.S. News. The hope is that significant research, FDA approval of the BioNTech vaccine, and financial incentives will inspire the Pacer community to get a vaccine.
The Family Pharmacy will be administering the Moderna vaccine soon. On Thursday and Friday, Sept. 23 and 24, the first dose will be administered from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Student Activities Center in room 106. The second dose will be administered Thursday and Friday, Oct. 21 and 22 during the same window at the Family Pharmacy, located at 333 Newberry Road NW. Students should bring their photo ID, insurance card (if applicable), and vaccination cards (if applicable). Preregistering will make the process simpler.
If these dates and times are not convenient, the CDC has created a website designed to help individuals find a vaccine near them.
Last week, Sophia Hoffman won a $2,000 scholarship; Carly Ann DeWitt won a $1,000 scholarship; Emma Chartier won a $1,000 housing voucher; Leanna B. Bryant won a $250 textbook voucher; Dr. Jason Munsell, associate professor of communication, and Dr. Edward “Ed” Callen, department chair and professor of psychology, won $1,000 each for travel, research, and/or departmental expenses; Dr. Philip Mason, associate professor of sociology, won a $250 meal card; and Beth Eberhard, instructor of the Bridgestone Environmental Education Program, won a reserved parking place. A $100 gift card was also awarded to a student who did not wish to be identified. Next week, the same prizes will be dispersed as well as an additional $1,000 travel/research/department voucher.
Dr. Callen said he was just about first in line for the shot in March. “It was clear at that point that the only way to minimize the effects and spread of COVID, here and worldwide, was through a massive vaccination effort, similar to what we’ve done in the past with measles and polio.” He emphasizes the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
South Carolina reached a 50% vaccination rate Thursday, Sept. 17, though Aiken county lags behind at 37.5%. Dr. Callen emphasized, “We all must do better. We are so fortunate that anyone can get the vaccination any time they want… Get the shot, help yourself, and help those around you.”
To enter the vaccine sweepstakes, click here. To be considered, one must take a short survey that should take no longer than five minutes, entering basic information and uploading proof of vaccination. It is not too late to get vaccinated and participate; the winnings only get more valuable as time goes on!
“Getting the vaccine is an act of love for your fellow humans,” Dr. Munsell said.
