BY: Alecia Hicks
Since 2019, the entire world has been struggling with the extreme changes that come along with a global pandemic. It has affected almost every part of our lives, from masks to mandates to virtual schooling. Society has learned to adjust to a world with minimal personal contact while still staying connected as humans.
One of the many things affected by the pandemic is higher education. Schools have had to learn how to continue to cater to the needs of their students in the safest ways possible. Everyone has been patiently waiting for some relief. The newly released COVID-19 vaccine has proven to be just that.
AUM is one of the many universities that have had to get creative with how they approach the vaccine. This year, the university has chosen to ease away from online classes and return back to the full swing of on-campus academics. With this also comes the responsibility to make sure that students are as protected as possible.
Although there has been some controversy over the vaccine, AUM has fully promoted it. So much so, that they have created the Vaccination Incentive Program to encourage students to get the vaccine. The program offers a list of incentives starting with a $200 guaranteed stipend that can be applied to the cost of tuition and/or applied directly to students’ personal accounts. Some of the other incentives are:
- One $2,500 scholarship
- Five $1,000 scholarships
- Five $200 AUM Bookstore vouchers
- Five $200 AUM Dining vouchers
- 10 free passes to “park anywhere” on campus (Fall and Spring)
- Three Apple iPads
- VIP graduation parking pass and free regalia
- Priority class registration
- VIP lunch for four with AUM Chancellor Carl A. Stockton
- Three housing scholarships for Fall and Spring
AUM has also built in a recurring drawing for these prizes that will be given out throughout the semester. Qualification for these prizes is proof of full vaccination and registration for the program by October 1, 2021.
The first drawing from the program happened on September 7th. These drawings can always be viewed on the AUM Facebook page. A registration table for the program can be found in the Taylor Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information on how you can sign up for the program, you can visit https://www.aum.edu/vip/.
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