By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
On Monday, Fort Hays State University welcomed students for the first day of classes and a little bit of fun, with the annual Back to School picnic.
Hundreds crowded the FHSU quad to visit with over 40 area businesses and student organizations during the afternoon event.
"The Back to School Picnic is iconic," said Fort Hays State University President Tisa Mason.
That event welcomed NCK Tech and Hays Hair Academy students to campus, along with the community, to introduce students to Hays.
In previous years, Downtown Hays Development Corp. has hosted the March 2 Main, but this year those activities were included in the picnic.
"Re-evaluating it in 2021, we got all of the major key players together and said, 'Why have two fantastic events that are going to compete against each other? Why not join forces and have one big blowout?' " said Allie Glidewell, DHDC director of events and operations.
"So that's what we did."
The university also hosted vaccination events during the first week to make it easy for anyone to be vaccinated to receive one, including an event during the Back to School Picnic.
While the university began the semester with no face masks or vaccination mandates, Mason said FHSU would monitor the situation closely and encourage safe behaviors.
"We will continue, just like we did with our phaseout plan, to encourage face coverings," Mason said.
But she said some specific courses, situations or gatherings on campus might implement masking requirements as needed.
"Unlike many of the other universities, it is not an all-class mandate. It is by decision of the faculty member or a specific organization," Mason said.
Even without the requirement in place, she said some have taken to wearing masks.
"We want to make sure the people who are wearing masks are feeling comfortable, not bullied, and that we are respecting them and thanking them for doing that," Mason said.
The university will also encourage COVID-19 vaccinations for those students and staff.
"We have a robust vaccination incentive program," Mason said. "That includes direct payment of $400 to eligible Fort Hays State University students and employees."
Other Kansas schools have offered drawings and scholarship dollars, but she said the direct financial payment made more sense for FHSU.
"First of all, it is a direct payment of cash," Mason said. "It applies to every student and our faculty and staff. ... We think cash is a good incentive. We think our students will spend a lot of that money locally, which will pump into the community as well, and it's the right thing to do. It's to encourage people to take that step if there are people willing and able to, to protect our community."
And those previously vaccinated are also eligible.
"All you have to do is show your card, voluntarily, and you will get your $400," Mason said.
She said with this program, they are respecting individual rights while incentivizing community members to move forward with the vaccination.
Through the FHSU gateway program, students at NCK Tech and the Hays Academy of Hair Design are also eligible for the incentive.
Local online students are also eligible.
Eligible students and staff can provide their vaccination cards until Oct. 8 to be eligible.
While FHSU students will being classes without COVID-19 precautions mandated, as case counts continue to rise, Mason said they will continue to monitor and make changes as needed.
"The one thing that we don't want to do, is to go back to remote learning," she said. "We know that that is a challenge for students so we are doing everything possible to prevent that. We have the flexibility and we will do what we need to do, but we want to keep students face-to-face."
