When 20-year-old University of South Carolina Upstate senior Sydnee Geer found out that the school was raffling off a year of free tuition to students who got the COVID-19 vaccine, she felt angry and helpless. As a Christian, she didn’t feel comfortable getting the vaccine. Although she was a nursing student who was smart enough to bypass nearly two years of college, she still felt the financial burden of tuition. The bottom line, the school’s “Vax Up” program was unfair and discriminatory.
Sydnee said, “I believe that it is discriminatory for the university to provide an opportunity for a year of free tuition, as well as other prizes, solely based on a medical decision. People can have approved medical and religious exemptions. It is also immoral to coerce students to make a medical decision with a carrot and stick mentality.”
Sydnee was so upset that she contacted the Dean of Students, R. Britton Katz. Needless to say, he was unkind and unhelpful. After writing a litany of emails and being ignored, the school finally granted her religious exemption and allowed her to enter the “Vax Up” sweepstakes.
“My religious exemption is based upon my belief that God tells me to treat my body like a temple. I am now aware that the vaccine contains aborted fetal cells. God does not condone the murder of anyone for any use,” Sydnee explained.
Sydnee was extremely happy that USC Upstate granted her exception, but she is still worried about other students on campus who may need medical and religious exemptions as well. She asked the school to update the student body on their policy, which they declined.
Sydnee, who is also the Turning Point USA Chapter President, plans on making signs for their on-campus table indicating that exemptions are available and she is there to help with the process. She is also considering posting flyers around campus but is fearful of retaliation.
Brave students like Sydnee should be celebrated. She worked hard and fought back against medical tyranny. Doing the right thing isn’t always easy; it isn’t always without consequence and can be downright scary. Be like Sydnee; she chose freedom over fear.
To express your displeasure with the school’s vaccine policy, please contact Dr. R. Britton Katz at 864-503-5107 and email RK17@uscupstate.edu.
