Dixie State University is now giving out free merchandise to students who take a free COVID-19 test on campus as a way of encouraging more students to test and prevent the spread on campus. Photo by Breanna Biorato.
Dixie State University is stressing the importance of getting tested by making an effort to encourage students to get tested for COVID-19.
DSU students can get tested and receive a free swag item of their choice through the “Swab for Swag” incentive that includes hats, mugs, T-shirts, masks and more.
“We’ve decided to add incentives to testing when we observed a trend of insufficient participation,” said Garyn Gulbranson, director of the Booth Wellness Center. “We opened approximately 2,250 testing slots to students for testing and only had 279 students participate.”
DSU will be handing out swag for receiving a COVID-19 test during the following dates:
- Feb. 16-19
- March 15-19
- April 26-29
Josh Thayn, executive director of event services and risk management, said the dates have strategically been decided because they are after popular traveling weekends where there is an increased risk of the spread of COVID-19.
“While vaccinations will not be available to the general population, including students, for several months, testing remains an important tool for curbing the spread of COVID-19,” Gulbranson said.