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Students Receive a $50 Grocery Store Gift Card After 1st Shot

Haven’t gotten your COVID-19 vaccine yet? Don’t worry. ������˾�� (������˾��) has your back.

The Maricopa Community Colleges District has partnered up with to offer free vaccines at all 10 of its college campuses. The vaccines are available to students, faculty, staff, and community members, and as an extra incentive, Maricopa Community Colleges students will receive a $50 grocery store gift card while supplies last.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer our students the vaccine at no cost, and to thank them for protecting themselves and the community by helping out with their grocery bill in the process,” said Laura Dulgar, Student Services Dean. “Many of our students are struggling with food insecurities and we all know, it’s hard to concentrate on an empty stomach. This gift card is a win-win.”

The first round of the vaccine was administered on Sept. 7 and additional clinics will be held on Sept. 20 and Oct. 7 and 20 in the Estrella Conference Center at ������˾��, 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale. Appointments will not be available. Instead, vaccines will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Follow-up clinics will be held in October and November for the second dose.

Students can go to any of the Maricopa Community Colleges vaccine sites to receive their free vaccine and gift card. They must show their student ID to receive the gift card, which will be distributed after the first shot.

The Maricopa Community Colleges District is committed to keeping its employees and students safe while reopening its campuses and bringing back more in-person classes. While closely monitoring the public health situation, the District decided that in addition to hosting the free vaccine clinics, it would also reinstate the mask policy. The policy, which went into effect on Aug. 12, requires all individuals — faculty, staff, students, and visitors — to wear a facial covering while indoors on all campuses.

“Because this requirement applies to all individuals regardless of vaccination status, it is in line with both the Governor’s Executive Order (2021-15) and Arizona Revised Statutes 15-1650.05, which will go into effect on Sept. 29,” said Dr. Steven Gonzales, District Interim Chancellor. “We understand that not everyone may be able or willing to be vaccinated, and our intent is to respect each individual within our community while also addressing the safety concerns associated with the current circumstances.”

������˾�� takes those safety concerns very seriously. It’s upgraded its HVAC systems, continues to follow the District cleaning protocols for COVID-19, and has 11 temperature check stations around campus that alert when one’s temperature exceeds 100.4 F. The stations also alert if the individual is not wearing a face covering.

“The safety of our students, employees, and the community remains our No. 1 priority,” said Dr. Heather Weber, Vice President of Administrative Services. “We’ve worked hard to ensure our students have a safe, inclusive place to learn and we’ll continue those efforts whatever challenge comes our way.”