Photo above found under Creative Commons License, courtesy of Christian Emmer
By: Jayden Presley, Vallo Vision News
MONTEVALLO, ALA. – Vaccination status is a controversial topic in the U.S. and for students at the University of Montevallo.
Colleges across the U.S. are encouraging their students, faculty and staff in different ways to get the COVID-19 vaccine, including UM.
Photo by Jayden Presley
“Don’t wait. Vaccinate.” The slogan can be seen on UM’s Student Health Services website and may be familiar to UM students, faculty and staff who have received university emails.
UM encouraged students to vaccinate through “Vallo Voice”, the university’s weekly newsletter, at the beginning of the fall 2021 semester. UM also held several vaccination clinics for Montevallo residents.
The UM website says “getting a COVID-19 vaccine today is the best way to help us all return to normal.”
On Friday, Aug. 27, a COVID-19 vaccination clinic occurred at Student Health Services from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
UM also held Flu/COVID-19 vaccine clinics on Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Student Health Services and on Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m at the Student Activity Center.
Frequent clinic reminders were sent to students, faculty and staff through “Vallo Voice.”
Photo by Jayden Presley
Students vaccinated before Aug. 20 were eligible for the Welcome Weekend Incentive Program. According to the newsletter, students who could prove vaccination were able to receive book scholarships and free meal plans.
Welcome Weekend lasted from Aug. 20-22. Students could prove vaccination through this website before the deadline of Aug. 20. The website now links to COVID-19 vaccine information.
Emily Allen, a freshman speech-language pathology major, said the Welcome Weekend Incentive Program was a good idea.
“Even though I didn’t know about it, I think it was really good, because it helps to keep other people safe,” said Allen.
She came to UM because it is a small, local school, and it was one of the only colleges that offered a degree in speech-language pathology.
Jaycey Bowling, a junior Communication Studies major, agreed that the incentive program was a good way to get students more involved.
Photo courtesy of
Jaycey Bowling
“I think that this is a good idea as long as they aren’t forcing students to do things they are uncomfortable with,” said Bowling.
Bowling is an active student at UM. She is a pole vaulter on the track and field team, part of Phi Mu and the Outdoor Scholar’s Program.
If UM were to issue a vaccine mandate for students, faculty and staff, Allen said she would be “neutral” about it. Even though it wouldn’t effect her, she said that people should have a choice to take the vaccine.
“I don’t feel like it should be forced upon somebody,” said Allen. “It should be somebody else’s option.”
Bowling would not support UM issuing a vaccine mandate.
“If the university were to have a vaccine mandate, I would take online classes or withdraw from the university,” said Bowling. “I would not let them make me make a decision that I do not want to make.”
Bowling said vaccine mandates in general, such as requiring vaccinations to enter restaurants or attend events, are “taking away our freedom as American citizens.”
She said she has not vaccinated because her freedom to decide is being challenged. Many U.S. companies are mandating vaccinations or proof of vaccination for their employees.
Photo courtesy of Emily Allen
“I feel like they are trying to force us into something we are unsure of, and this makes me feel like they are completely ignoring the principles of our Constitution,” said Bowling.
Many students on campus are not comfortable speaking about their vaccination status. Also, some vaccinated individuals are not comfortable being around others who choose not to vaccinate.
“Personally, I have not been treated differently by my peers, but if I were, I would stand up for myself and not let that happen,” said Bowling.
Allen said her family situation “forced” her to make the decision to vaccinate.
“My Aunt has MS (Multiple Sclerosis), so we all had to get vaccines to keep her safe,” said Allen. “She can’t get normal vaccines.”
Allen said her aunt is in a wheelchair and has had Multiple Sclerosis for years.
“She gets sick easier than us. She can’t get things like a Flu vaccine,” Allen said. “We all have to be very safe and careful. Even if we have a common cold, we can’t be around her.”
Other universities began their own incentive programs to encourage students to vaccinate.
UAB continues vaccine incentives with name-drawing giveaways that include book, tuition and housing scholarships.
“My Aunt has Multiple Sclerosis, so we all had to get vaccines to keep her safe.”
Emily Allen
According to the University of Alabama News, UA “invested more than $750,000 on student cash incentives to encourage vaccinations this semester.” Students could also receive parking passes, housing scholarships and tickets to football games when proving their vaccination.
The Alabama Department of Public Health created a contest for vaccinated individuals between the ages of 13 and 29.
The ADPH Vaccine Alabama TikTok Contest gave four winners $250 in Visa gift cards. Contestants had to submit a TikTok video of getting vaccinated, along with a message explaining why they are vaccinated. The contest concluded on Aug. 6.
Vallo Vision News 