Life for SUNY students is almost back to normal - as nearly 99% of them have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The high number seems to show that students want to come back to campus, learn in person and be with their friends again.

During a visit to SUNY Purchase, Chancellor Jim Malatras told News 12 that a remaining 3,800 students have until the end of the week to decide if they will follow the vaccine mandate.

Upon full FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine, SUNY students were required to get a shot to learn in-person and attend on campus activities.

Malatras says the mandate did not hurt student enrollment, and because of the combination of vaccinations, wearing masks and COVID testing, their COVID-19 case numbers are very low.

"A lot of college students have gotten a bad rap from society, like they're the problems in society. SUNY students have not been. In fact, they've been the models for people. If society did what every SUNY student is doing…is getting vaccinated, COVID would be over," says Malatras.

Malatras says, aside from those with medical or religious exemptions, unvaccinated students won't be able to attend on-campus events and will have to take classes online.

However, not all courses may have a virtual option.