From the Nominator

When it comes to discussing COVID-19 with college students, communications from students might be the best strategy. Such is the mindset of a bold student-run public health campaign at Boston University. Campus is home to students. It’s where we feel safe, valued, and heard, so it is paramount for our peers to follow protocols that make a safe on-campus experience possible. We introduced "F*ck It Won’t Cut It," a student-to-student public health campaign that encourages and explains protocols in the candid language students use daily. Backed with the university’s support and promulgated by a team of more than 50 student ambassadors, our campaign emphasizes that we can’t say “F-it” to the health guidelines that protect ourselves and our community. The campaign stops students in their tracks at decision points each day and discusses “taboo” topics at the intersection of college and COVID-19. Not only has it generated more than 6,700 followers on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, but our messaging also lives on digital signage on buildings and ball fields, decals in bathrooms and elevators, wraps on the Boston University bus, stickers, beanies, bags, T-shirts, and more. The campaign is a bold approach that breaks through the noise of routine COVID-19 communications, and shows that young adults take the virus seriously.

From the Judges

This entry clearly stood out, and we love that it is a student-led campaign. It is edgy, but that speaks to the student voice and the clear point of the campaign to tackle “taboo” topics in relation to COVID-19. The media following is impressive. These students deserve to be recognized for their extraordinary work on behalf of their university and fellow students.