STOCKTON, Calif. — San Joaquin Delta College pulled an Oprah and announced that they will be offering free textbook access to vaccinated students for the Fall 2021 semester.
San Joaquin Delta College announced that they will not require students, staff and campus visitors returning to campus for the fall semester to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on July 8. They will still require face masks and social distancing mandates.
On July 10, just two days later, San Joaquin Delta College’s Board of Trustees sent out a press release saying that they will be offering access to textbooks free of charge for students who provide proof of vaccination for the fall semester. This is an incentive to encourage protection from COVID-19.
It was a complete switch for the college, whose Board of Trustees voted June 22 to mandate vaccinations. They ended up voting 4-3 to reverse the mandate
When ABC10 contacted board president Dr. Charles Jennings as to why they reversed it, he had "no comment."
“We are providing this incentive not only to encourage students to get vaccinated but also to support their growth and success in the classroom”, Jennings said in the press release.
In addition to free access to textbooks, San Joaquin Delta College will be providing free loaner laptops and hotspots, free parking for the fall semester, free bus service in conjunction with the San Joaquin Regional Transit District and free on-campus vaccination clinics at the new Delta College Health Center, operated by Community Medical Centers.
San Joaquin Delta College posted the announcement on their Instagram and Twitter. Students' responses were mostly positive online, a lot of them eager to learn more information about it.
"That would honestly be a great way to motivate people to actually go get vaccinated and it's a good way to like save them money and stay safe at the same time," Delta College business major Bola Ibrahim said.
But not all students are so excited about it.
"I think it's kind of bribing us to get the vaccines. Some of us don't want it. But, that is a pretty good deal: get a vaccine for some free books," 23-year-old student Brittany Elsholz said.
Since Delta College is offering both online and in-person classes this fall, it gives students the flexibility to decide what is best for them.
“This is the time to begin or to resume your college education," Dr. Omid Pourzanjani, Delta College’s President, said. "After this remarkably difficult time in our history, Delta College is determined to help our students achieve their dreams.”
WATCH MORE FROM ABC10: Extended Interview: Dr. Mark Ghaly explains what's ahead for masking up in the classroom
