The St. Lawrence University administration has received both backlash and support from students, employees and families regarding it’s COVID-19 policy put in place in the Fall of 2021. The initial policy mandated every student and employee to be tested weekly regardless of vaccination status. If someone tested positive, they were required to leave campus for 10 days.
Image Credits: St. Lawrence University Website
Once a student received positive test results, they had to leave campus. “I had to miss three days of classes because of how sick I felt on top of needing to travel which took basically a whole day, all while having assignments due,” said Katie Wojnowski, a student at St. Lawrence University. Being sent home so soon after moving in presented many challenges. “When I came back to school, I felt like I was so far behind and super lost, it honestly kind of started a big spiral on all of my course work, even up until now, I still feel lost in some of my classes,” said Wojnowski, who tested positive Aug. 31.
The COVID-19 policy has been adjusted in several ways since the beginning of the semester to maintain the safest campus possible while attempting to give the students a normal semester. “I think the university did a below average job in the beginning,” said Robert Chase, a parent of a St. Lawrence student, but more importantly “they have kept everyone there so the overall process was good, I just think the beginning was too aggressive.”
Parents became very frustrated throughout the initial transition period partially because students and families were led to believe all would go back to normal on campus. “My issue with St. Lawrence was how they shut everything down very quickly when everyone came back which I think was very difficult on the students, overall, I think St. Lawrence seems to have everything back up and running smoothly which is good to see,” said Chase.
The administration welcomed feedback even if changes could not be guaranteed. “The university was tremendous and all over the response, very quick, it was handled very well,” said Chase. Not only did the administration acknowledge concerns, but it also created an environment in which members felt comfortable voicing their opinions.
Student-athletes have also felt annoyance while trying to lead a normal season, which has been challenged by the COVID-19 policy. “It almost shut down my team and all of the girls that had Covid were asymptomatic, I just feel like it is harming our sports,” said Allie Posnick, a member of the volleyball team.
The policy adjustments decreased the precautions taken regarding employee safety. “Except for the isolation there isn’t much else being done, I am welcome to go get tested but now that I am not receiving the emails, getting tested is optional,” said Lori Brooks, an employee who works in close contact with students in residence halls as well as the Alumni house. “I don’t feel nervous coming into work because I protect myself, I feel like it is my responsibility,” said Brooks.
Image Credits: St. Lawrence University Admissions
The community’s level of concern is quieting down, and the administration has made necessary adjustments to the policy. The policy in place seems to be succeeding, but the upcoming Holiday breaks are assumed to pose a new challenge. “I am nervous that when we come back from break, the guidelines regarding COVID-19 will become more strict,” said Posnick.