More than 17,000 University of Arkansas students have applied to win prizes, such as $500 scholarships or Razorback Football tickets in exchange for getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The number of applicants suggest about 59% of the campus’ 29,000 students are vaccinated.
Amy L. Schlesing, the university’s executive director for strategic communications, confirmed that more than 17,000 students have registered for the university’s vaccine incentives, and as of Oct. 27 there have been 245 winners. Vaccinated students, regardless of vaccination date, are given multiple opportunities to win a range of prizes such as scholarships, gift cards, concert tickets and adventure trips.
Sarah Nance, a senior studying public health, said the incentives are a definite plus, but not the most motivating factor for her getting vaccinated.
“I would’ve gotten the vaccine even if the incentives weren’t a thing,” Nance said. “It’s cool that they are offering them and I hope to win a scholarship!”
University Housing joined the campus-wide vaccination incentive last month by offering weekly gift cards and a $1,500 housing scholarship as a grand prize. The weekly gift cards are open to students with a University Housing contract who can show proof of vaccination.
A vaccine clinic held Nov. 4 in the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge offered free Pfizer and Moderna vaccines as well as booster shots. Gary Jackson, public health chair for Associated Student Government, campaigned the idea to provide service hours to students for getting vaccinated. Students can now earn 1.5 service hours for being vaccinated through GivePulse – the online platform provided by the Volunteer Action Center used to connect non-profit agencies, student groups and universities to their community.
Meredith Lowe, a first-year student studying business, was vaccinated in August and applied for the service hours.
“I think the service hours are a smart way to promote the health of everyone on campus,” Lowe said. “Everyone needs service hours for their major, sorority or other clubs so I think it’s really helpful.”
Despite state law preventing the university from requiring the COVID-19 vaccine, Zac Brown, the assistant director of communications for Pat Walker Health Center, said the student vaccine incentive program has been a highly successful effort for encouraging and increasing vaccination rates amongst the student population. More than 1,200 students who entered the vaccine incentives drawings reported getting vaccinated this Fall.
“We are so fortunate to have community and private partners willing to donate meaningful and exciting prizes that reward our students not only for getting vaccinated but helping to protect those around them like their professors, classmates, friends and family members,” Brown said.
Razorback Athletics, Walmart AMP, Walton Arts Center, TheatreSquared, Faulkner Performing Arts Center, University Recreation, University Bookstore and Chartwells are all providing incentives for students.
“We also extend a special thanks to Coach Sam Pittman and Coach Eric Musselman for their help with our RazorBACK Ready social media campaign, as well as their efforts in collaborating with a number of student groups,” Brown said. “Having great campus health stewards is not only an important necessity on our campus, but also what helps make the University of Arkansas a great community to be a part of.”
Students can sign up for the vaccine incentives on the Pat Walker Health Center’s COVID-19 site. Unvaccinated students can become eligible as soon as they are vaccinated and have entered to win. Students can apply for service hours for receiving a vaccine on the Volunteer Action Center’s GivePulse site.