Starting April 6 select groups of college students will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In a press briefing on March 29, Governor Groper announced that certain students will receive priority over the general student population given the group that they fall in.

Groper outlined that there are four groups that students will fall into as vaccines are more available. These groups include Greek Life, Student Athletes, Freshman, and “anyone else who is left,” according to Groper. Starting April 6, students involved in Greek Life will be the first to gain access to the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Students on the St. Lawrence University campus are looking forward to these vaccinations. President of Kappa Dappa Rappa, Anita Room class of 2022, stated this is great news for greek life on campus. “I seriously feel like we don’t get the same treatment as every other group on campus,” she explained. “It feels like no one pays attention to us, I am so glad the governor is recognizing the need for sororities and fraternities to be vaccinated.” 

In the press briefing, Groper had numerous reasons for prioritizing groups of students. “I feel that because Greek Life is so important in the workforce, these students should have priority,” Groper stated. “I mean, think about it, how often do you meet someone that was not involved in greek life in college? It is like a prerequisite to have a career lately.” 

In terms of the other student groups, Groper stated the vaccine rollout was based on relevance and necessity. “The last thing we need to happen in this state is to miss another season of not sitting in the stands or in the bleachers. It is integral that student athletes get vaccinated after greek life.” 

St. Lawrence Safety and Security have applauded Groper for his efforts in vaccinations. “We have had so many complications with COVID and Greek Life, the best solution is to vaccinate them first,” stated the president, Joe King. However, safety and security are concerned that freshmen may not be able to wait that long. “We have seen many problems with the spread of COVID because of freshman parties, hopefully our warnings keep them at bay until they get vaccinated.” Freshman will be the third group to get vaccinated starting May 4. 

Now that students in Greek Life can get vaccinated, organizations look forward to the events they can host. President of Beta Theta Pi, Arty Fischel class of 2021, says that the fraternity will be doing more for the campus community. “We have not been able to do fundraisers at all this year, we will finally be able up our game and donate money to things,” said Fischel. 

Sororities feel the same as well. “I feel like in this past year I have almost forgotten what we do for campus and the world, and I think other students have forgotten as well. I am hoping with students vaccinated, we will be able to find that meaning again,” stated Room. 

The last group to get vaccinated will be the students who are not in greek life, student athletes, or freshman. However, these students are happy for those in greek life. “I have honestly missed seeing students rushing for greek life, it makes everyone on campus seem so much happier. I will admit that it is a lot easier now to find a nice white dress and strappy sandals for spring since they aren’t being bought out” emphasized Kay Oss.

The vaccines becoming more available leads students to believe that the need to quarantine will go down. “I feel like every other week I am being contact traced because of greek life. I am so glad they will not have to worry about getting sick now that they will be vaccinated,” stated Oss. 

“April 6 cannot come soon enough. I am so ready to get back to normal and not worry about COVID violations,” exclaimed Room.