By Theodore Geigle
The Scene staff
St. Louis Community College spent $1,146,800 in COVID-19 funding to reward students and employees for getting vaccinated.
“I think the college overall thinks it was a good opportunity and that it was a smart move,” said STLCC Communications Manager Nez Savala, who also serves on the COVID-19 committee.
Some 3,263 students on four campuses took advantage of the Vax to School incentive program during fall and spring semesters. Each received $100 (before deductions) by showing proof of vaccination.
Some 1,641 employees took advantage of the program. Each received $500.
That means about 22% of students and 67% of employees received the incentive money.
The figures don’t indicate how many got vaccinated, as some who were eligible may not have applied.
“There was no target goal,” Savala said. “It was just an incentive program to promote health and safety. The college wanted to promote vaccination to those without it and reward those who did get the vaccine already.”
Funding came from the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund of the Office of Postsecondary Education, which received $14 billion through the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act passed by Congress in 2020.
One of the Forest Park employees who got vaccinated and received incentive money was reading tutor Kristi Page-Purley, 60.
“I think it is great,” she said. “Some people need the motivation, and money motivates people. The more vaccines people get, the better.”
Nearly 3.5 million Missouri residents have been vaccinated for COVID-19, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. That’s about 57% of the state’s population.
STLCC has 14,910 students and 2,458 employees, according to Kelli Burns, associate vice chancellor for institutional research and academic process.
One of the Forest Park students who tried to participate in the Vax to School program was business major Miterrion Smith, 19. He reported that “technical issues” caused his application to be denied.
“I think it’s a good idea because it motivates people to get the vaccine,” he said.
Charmion Gorde, 44, a medical coding and billing student, didn’t think it was worth it to go against her “personal beliefs” and get vaccinated for $100.
Some faculty members were disappointed when less than $350 of the $500 incentive was deposited in their bank accounts. The rest went for taxes and other deductions. Writing center supervisor Amanda Gallogly thought officials should have mentioned that beforehand.
The deadline for participation in the program was March 17 for everyone except work-study students.
“My understanding is, no, there will be no incentives for the summer or fall semesters,” Savala said. “There is limited amount of time to spend the money, and limited funding.”