College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu shared the following message regarding Vax on the Bricks, CofC’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign:

Dear Students,โ€ฏย ย โ€ฏย ย 

I hope you are enjoying your summer. Optional, on-campus orientation kicks off this week,ย and itโ€™s wonderful to see so many new faces on campus. Iโ€™m writing to update you on theย Vax on the Bricksย campaign. As a reminder, our goal is to reach 90 percent vaccination among students, and we need your help! Please remember that you still have to upload your vaccination status hereย even if youย received the vaccine at the on-campus MUSC event or at Student Health Services.ย The information uploaded to thisย separate portal is strictly confidential and will only be shared with campus leadership.ย 

Take a moment to watchย thisย videoย featuring Student Health Servicesย Directorย Lee Penny as sheย explains the importance of getting vaccinated for the wellbeing of our community,ย and the incentives offered when enoughย of our student body uploads their vaccination information.ย 

Weโ€™re alsoย excited toย launch the first of many raffles.ย This week, oneย lucky vaccinated student will be the recipient of a CofC spirit pack and two tickets to the Fall Alumni Weekend Oyster Roast on November 20, 2021.ย All students who have uploaded their vaccineย information to this link are eligible for the raffles.ย 

As I mentioned in a previous email, the College has joined the national COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge, which is being spearheaded by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education to help end the pandemic. By participating in this challenge, the College has agreed to encourage all students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated as well as to provide vaccine access and information. On June 11, members of our campus community attended a live webinar hosted by the White House to learn about some of the innovative ways that campuses are promoting vaccinations. The webinar featured Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical advisor to President Biden, who reminded the attendees why educational institutions play a crucial role in combating the virus: ย 

โ€œYoung people are at a higher risk of COVID-19 than many of us because they are frequently in congregate settings. Itโ€™s part of their social life,โ€ Fauci said. โ€œAnd they have more exposure to unvaccinated people, many of whom are their peers.โ€ย ย 

So, letโ€™s continue to do our part in this national effort, and letโ€™s reach our goal of getting 90 percent of our students vaccinated. Please upload your vaccination information today!ย ย 

Sincerely,โ€ฏย ย 

Andrewย 

Andrew T.ย Hsu,ย Ph.D.
President
College of Charlestonย