COVID vaccination deadline arriving at Santa Barbara City College

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The campus-wide effort at Santa Barbara City College to encourage those without the COVID-19 vaccination to get the vaccine has a deadline this week and an incentive.

The Board of Trustees passed a resolution as part of an action plan as the school year began.

Students were encouraged to get their shots and if they did by the October 1 deadline they would receive $100.

Federal financial sources related to the pandemic has made that funding available, including the CARES act, and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

A resolution of the Governing Board of the Santa Barbara Community College District says, in part:

As of October 1, 2021, or upon issuance of final FDA approval for at least one COVID-19 vaccine, whichever comes earlier, students and employees, and members of the public who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine but have an approved exemption, as stated in 3 above, may be present on district property or participate in college activities only if they (a) wear N95 Masks at all times while on SBCC property or SBCC teaching locations; and (b) provide SBCC with negative test results each week for COVID-19.

A student who just got her cash, Kaitlyn Allios said, "I love it since I was already  vaccinated before, I didn't need to do anything.  Free hundred dollars ! "

 In August students got the message to get their vaccination shots by an October 1st deadline.

 And those who were vaccinated, uploaded information, and came for their cash.

Santa Barbara City College Vice President of Business Services, Lyndsay Maas said "it was quite the commotion the first couple of weeks that we did it ."

The cash handout first started in the sports pavilion where there was such a turnout and wait, refreshments and snacks were brought in. Now the pace is under control and it's at the Garvin Theatre.

Maas said, "we were handing out $100 bills to 500 students at a time. We had very very long lines. As long as they come and upload their vaccination card they have the opportunity to get the $100."

 Some were already set when the program was announced.

Alani Bucifal is a student who says, "I work with child care so I did this last May."

For those who were on the same timeline, it was very convenient. Carlos Costilla said, "I already had the shot before  I heard about this  so it is like a lot of benefits from getting the shots. "

Kate Kikutani is from Japan and said, "I need to get the on campus class and also get the 100 fro"

The school also offered on site Covid vaccination clinics that many students took advantage of.  Athletes were  specifically told to get vaccinated to play sports.

Sergio Perez said, "I think it is awesome.  I have seen a lot of people go get vaccinated just for that.  It's a hundred dollars.  I does help with  bills whatever, go have fun."   

A student who waited, Sophie Strasburg said,"but it's ending soon so have to go do this before it ends.  We all need 100 bucks! Many people should go get their 100 bucks before the due date." 

Maas looked over the numbers and said, "we have had over 8000 students upload their vaccination card and of those 8000 we have over 5000 people who have picked up their hundred dollars in cash."

One student wanted to share the money with a good friend, " honestly, I am going to spend it on my dog," said Perez.

For those who do not get their funds this week, there will be a process to still get their money next week at two other locations.

For more information about the process go to: SBCC COVID response.