DAVIS, Calif. (AP) \u2014 The University of California, Davis is offering students $75 to be used for \u201cstaycations\u201d to encourage them to avoid nonessential travel during spring break.<\/p>\n
Students who choose to stay home during the March 22-26 break will get the money in gift cards. Student response has been \u201cawesome,\u201d the university said in statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea behind this was to provide a positive incentive for students to follow public health guidance,\u201d Sheri Atkinson, associate vice chancellor for student affairs,\u00a0told the Los Angeles Times.<\/p>\n
About 50% of the student body is living either on campus or in the Davis area, she said.<\/p>\n
To receive a gift card, students must apply by giving a basic description of their spring break plans. They must pledge to stay in town for their weeklong break and complete a COVID-19 test.<\/p>\n
The university initially planned to give 750 such grants, but because of student interest, it upped the cap to 2,000. The anticipated $150,000 program will be paid through philanthropy and other university funds \u2014 not student fees or tuition, Atkinson said.<\/p>\n
Colleges around the country\u00a0are scaling back spring break\u00a0or canceling it entirely to discourage partying that could spread the virus and raise infection rates back on campus.<\/p>\n
Texas A&M University opted for a three-day weekend instead of a whole week off. The University of Alabama and the University of Wisconsin-Madison also did away with spring break but are giving students a day off later in the semester. University of Mississippi also canceled spring break but will end the semester a week early.<\/p>\n