It’s Vaccination Week at Shippensburg University. Students are encouraged to submit proof of having received the COVID-19 vaccine, learn about the vaccine and get the vaccine, according to Chris Clarke the director of the SU COVID Office. 

The week has a “three-pronged approach” Clarke said. It will recognize students who have been vaccinated, help the COVID Office get accurate statistics of how many SU community members are vaccinated and to provide education and information about the vaccine, he said. 

Information on how many students are vaccinated will help university officials make decisions for the spring semester.  A high vaccination rate is the best tool to get rid of restrictions for the spring semester, he said. 

There will be several COVID-19 vaccine information sessions will be held during the week. The first will be a question-and-answer style session held in Orndorff Theater (located in the Ceddia Union Building), Clarke said. The others education opportunities are the “Vaccination Take Your Best Shot” tables held in the great hall of the CUB throughout the week, Clarke said.

“Fun, facts and prizes” will be offered at the table, an email from the COVID office said. Students can also submit proof of vaccination at the tables which will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

To gather accurate information and encourage students to get vaccinated, students who submit proof of full vaccination will be entered to potentially win scholarships, the email said. 

Students who submit proof of vaccination by Nov. 12, have the chance to win one of 14 scholarships that will be offered throughout the school year. The scholarships were provided by the college.

The other 13 scholarships will be awarded in January to students who submit proof of vaccination by Jan. 14. Students who will have one or both shots by Jan. 14, will be allowed to enter by submitting proof of vaccination. 

Several vaccination clinics will be held on campus throughout the week to meet students where they are, Clarke said. One clinic was held on Monday in the Harley Hall quad. Clinics will be held in the Academic Quad on Tuesday and Thursday and a clinic will be held in the CUB Amphitheater on Wednesday. All clinics offer the Pfizer vaccine and are open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The vaccinations at these clinics are not the booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccinations. However, the COVID office is working on setting up booster shot clinics in the future, Clarke said. 

From coast to coast, people remain divided on whether to get the COVID-19 vaccination. “I think it will raise conversations and we’re hoping it can be done in a positive and constructive manner,” Clarke said when asked if he thinks the inactive will raise discontent on campus. “One of the great things is that well not always going to agree with each other, but respectful dialogue is something we encourage here at Shippensburg. You are entitled to your feelings, we’re just putting forward what we think is best for our community.”

Vaccination Week has been a group effort organized over the last three weeks. The COVID Office partnered with other campus groups like the Women’s Center and the Activates Programming Board to make it happen, Clarke said. 

A full schedule of events and more information on the incentive inactive can be fund at the Raider Respect website. To get in touch with the COVID Office, call 717-477-1458 or email the office at covid19@ship.edu. 

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