South University, Columbia recently partnered with South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to facilitate a drive-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic using the university’s parking lot and facilities. The Columbia campus has been a part of the Columbia area now for over 20 years. Campus leadership continually identifies opportunities to give back to the city of Columbia and Richland County while at the same time expanding the visibility of the campus. On March 9, the university began collaborating with DHEC and the National Guard to offer a closed vaccination clinic for 566 DHEC employees.
The Columbia campus welcomed and showed great appreciation to the volunteers helping with the vaccinations Friday, March 19, by providing coffee, water, snacks, and lunch in one of the student lounges. In addition, students, faculty and staff volunteered to give away swag and engage with participants during their 15 to 30-minute observation period.
Many DHEC employees learned about South University through in-depth discussions about the school and program offerings with South representatives present during the closed vaccination clinic. Multiple DHEC employees requested additional information and expressed interest in enrolling.
Congratulations to the South University, Columbia students, faculty and staff who had the opportunity to engage with DHEC and who contributed to the fight against the spread of COVID-19 through helping to facilitate this vaccination partnership! DHEC has placed the Columbia campus on the FEMA list as a future potential vaccination site.
