Immunize, win a prize
With the fall quarter around the corner, Louisiana Tech University is making a push for its students to get the COVID-19 vaccine by unveiling the “Get Your Shot to Win Big This Fall” incentive program, giving scholars the chance to win prizes for getting inoculated.
Students will be provided with a link to an online form to enter the giveaway for a chance to win one of about 30 initial prizes in the program.
A Tuesday press release announcing the giveaway lists some of the prizes on the line: tuition and fees for one quarter, a meal plan for one quarter, an Apple iPad Pro, an Apple Watch Series 6, a declining balance credit for campus dining, and a Bulldog Bundle credit for textbooks.
“We also plan to provide vaccination opportunities on campus for those who have not yet received their shots,” Associate Vice President for Student Advancement Dickie Crawford said.
Getting the vaccine will not be a requirement for students this fall, however.
Prize winners will be drawn beginning Aug. 23, and winners’ vaccination status will be verified after their names are drawn and before the prizes are awarded.
“We know that vaccination is the surest way to avoid a serious battle with COVID-19 – especially with the new Delta variant,” Tech President Les Guice said. “Our students will be big winners when they receive the vaccine, and this program will encourage them to engage in good health and safety measures as we approach the fall quarter.”
Tech’s push for the vaccine comes amidst a resurgence of new COVID-19 cases across Louisiana and in Lincoln Parish that is being billed as a “fourth surge” largely driven by the new Delta variant of the virus.
The Louisiana Department of Health reported 6,797 new cases across the state on Tuesday alone, the second highest daily increase since early January.
When asked if the university knew how many of its employees have received the vaccine, the communications office said a “a majority” of faculty and staff have been vaccinated and that Tech will “continue to work with the (University of Louisiana) System on requirements for tracking cases and/or vaccinations.”
“The more members of our campus community who get vaccinated now, the better chance we have at a normal fall quarter,” Guice said.
