FYE SUMMER NEWSLETTER EDITION 6!

We’re getting closer to welcoming you to Union, and there’s a lot to be excited about! 

I'm thrilled to announce that the Shared Experience ranking form is now live in your Enrolling Student Checklist on your applicant portal. Shared Experiences are small-group programs that take place during Orientation on Sunday, August 31, giving you a chance to build connections around a common interest, and have fun before classes begin. Be sure to review all 17 options and rank your top choices by August 4.

Also, a quick reminder that First-Year Spark is happening this Saturday! If you haven’t signed up yet, there’s still time to register for on-campus Spark experience or add your name and Union email address here to receive an invite to the virtual meet and greet taking place on Thursday, August 29. 

And good news, our full Orientation schedule will be available on the First-Year website by the end of this week!

As always, we’re here to help you feel prepared and supported as you begin your Union journey! Don't hesitate to reach out, feel free to email or call 518-388-6061. We’re looking forward to meeting many of you in person this Saturday at First-Year Spark!

AILEEN SCHATZ

Director of the First-Year Experience

403E Reamer Campus Center

firstyearexperience@union.edu |  schatza@union.edu  |  518.388.6061

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP FOR INCOMING STUDENTS

Ask Us Anything: Thriving in Your First Trimester

Join licensed therapist and alumna, Jennifer Teplin '13, for a candid, supportive chat designed to help incoming first-years feel more grounded heading into college. Jennifer and her team of relatable, highly-trained therapists have supported hundreds of students navigating this exact transition, and now they’re sharing what they’ve learned.

In this virtual student-only workshop, we’ll break down the most common mistakes new students make, how to avoid them, and what it actually takes to thrive (not just survive) your first trimester. This AMA (ask us anything) style talk enables you to anonymously submit your questions, worries, or just your curiosity, we’re here for all of it.

Students, if you’d like to join us for this live workshop, please register here!

CAMPUS DINING UPDATES & FIRST-YEAR MEAL PLANS

We’re making some exciting changes to campus dining this fall to give you more variety, better service, and flexible options that fit your schedule! We’ve made the decision to close West Dining so we can focus on enhancing your experience. Here’s a quick look at some updates you’ll see this fall:

• Faster service and new flavors at Dutch Hollow, including dumplings, noodle bowls, and globally inspired entrées
• A grab-and-go market at the Reamer Bookstore, with allergen-friendly and locally sourced options
• Rathskeller serving breakfast, lunch & dinner, featuring favorites like kabobs, flatbreads, and specialty coffee
• Pop-up restaurants at College Park Hall
• More pastries & house-made snacks at Starbucks
• A new expanded seating area in Reamer Dining
• West 1st floor will now be used social and study space for students to enjoy!

As a First-Year student, you have a choice between one of two meal plans. You’ll automatically be placed on the Unlimited Plan, but you can switch to The 15 Plan during the first 10 business days of the trimester. More information about our meal plans can be found here. 

RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION AND HOUSING

Catie Straube, Director of Residential Education and Housing 

The end of the summer is approaching and we are getting more and more excited about welcoming you to campus!

All students received an email with housing assignments last week. You can view your assignment in your student housing portal. As you prepare for your arrival, you’ll need to prepare to select your move-in time slot in your student housing portal.

First Year Move-In takes place on Friday, August 29th, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  

Check-in time slot selection will be available starting on August 1st, 2025 at 10:00 am on a first-come, first-served basis and will close on August 24th, 2025 at 11:59 pm. Check-in time slots will be available every 30 minutes starting at 10:00 am through 1:30 pm for standard first-year move-in on August 29th. Approved early arrivals, such as Fall Varsity athletes and international students, will be assigned a check-in time window on their approved arrival date. Approved early arrival students should refrain from selecting a check-in time slot on August 29th, 2025. 

Your selected half-hour check-in time slot will be the time you arrive on campus, check in with our team, and pick up your room key and ID card. You do not need to be completely unpacked or moved in by the end of your half-hour check-in time slot. As you prepare your packing lists, we ask you to take a moment to review our packing list and prohibited items list and check out our Frequently Asked Questions. 

How to select a check-in time slot: 

Log in to your student housing portal

Navigate to the assignments tab on the homepage of your housing portal

Hit the drop-down arrow on the “select time block” 

Select your preferred time block and hit the “Update My Time” button

Questions? Visit the Residential Education webpage, email or call us at (518) 388-6117.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Michelle Osborn, Dean of Studies

All incoming students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Training Module, which introduces Union’s Honor Code, highlights college resources, and promotes academic honesty.

The module must be completed by Friday, August 22. Once finished, you’ll earn an Integrity Badge on Nexus.

To complete the tutorial, log onto Nexus and select the course tab for Academic Integrity Training
Use the key: honorcode

Questions? Email deanofstudies@union.edu.

MAILROOM & MAILING BELONGINGS

Our mailroom is quite small. If students need to mail their belongings to campus, please do so after Aug. 20.

Please address items sent to the College mailroom (located in Reamer Campus Center) as follows:

Union College

Student's Name

Students' Dorm Building Name, Room Number 

807 Union Street

Schenectady, N.Y. 12308

A few helpful mailing tips:

• Although your dorm building name and room number are included in your mailing address, all mail and packages are delivered to and will need to be picked up from the Mailroom in Reamer Campus Center. 
• Students will receive an email when they have mail or a package to pick up. Mail and/or packages must be picked up within two weeks.
• First-class mail (letters, bills, postcards) is forwarded over the summer to the address on record. No other mail is forwarded. FedEx or UPS packages cannot be forwarded and must be held or returned.
• If shipments require tracking, use either UPS or FedEx.

The College is financially responsible only for insured incoming mail that requires a signature. Please be advised that a signature is not required for USPS delivery confirmation and priority mail.

The College mailroom offers a range of services. The “ship it home” program allows students to send belongings home easily. And while the mailroom is not a U.S. Post Office, it provides limited postal services (including UPS and FedEx shipments). The College is not responsible for outgoing packages or mail. For full-service postal needs, the Schenectady Post Office is located downtown on Jay Street, just a short walk from campus.

Questions? Email Paul Debiase, Mailroom Director.

MEET THE MEMBERS OF THE ORIENTATION COMMITTEE!

Each edition of our summer newsletter will introduce you to one of the six student leaders on our Orientation Committee (OC). These dedicated upper-class students work closely with the Office of First-Year Experience to help plan Orientation and support your transition to Union. They’ve been in your shoes and are here to make sure you feel welcomed, supported, and excited for what’s ahead!

MEET AHDAF!

Hey! I’m Ahdaf and I am a rising Junior at Union on the Orientation Committee. I am a Biology major with an interdepartmental (ID) major in Psychology. Outside of the OC, I am involved in the Leadership in Medicine (LIM) program and faculty research in Biophysics. I am also a part of the Students of South Asia (SOSA) multicultural club and my Minerva, Beuth House If you ever have any questions, feel free to stop me if we pass by or reach out at any time by email at zamana@union.edu!

Fun Fact About Me: I’m studying abroad in Sydney Australia this Winter Term through Union!

FINANCIAL AID

Linda Parker, Director of Financial Aid

Now is the time to accept or reject student loans. 

Federal Direct Student Loans

If you have been offered a Federal Direct student loan as part of your financial aid package, please complete the following steps. For more detailed information about this process, please see our website. Students can view their specific loan requirements in their Self-Service financial aid checklist.

1) Accept or decline loans in Self-Service Parents do not have access to accept or reject loans, this is a student-only function. If you are accepting the loan(s), please complete steps 2 and 3.
2) Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (link in Self-Service checklist)
3) Direct Loan Entrance Counseling session (link in Self-Service checklist)

Union Loan

If you have been offered a Union College Loan as part of your financial aid offer you will be receiving an email from the Union College Loan servicer, ESCI. It will provide instructions on steps you must complete to use these funds.

Private Loans and Federal Parent PLUS Loans
Please refer to our website for more information on private and PLUS Loans.

Questions? Email or call 518-388-6123.

UNION PARENTS & FAMILY PROGRAM

Noelle Marchaj '05, Director of Family Philanthropy
Ashley Breslin, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement, and Advancement Events 

There is still time to join us for one of Union's Summer Welcome Receptions happening next week. 

Our North Andover, MA Welcome Reception, hosted by Emily and Mark '88 Webster P'23 P'26, takes place on Wednesday, July 30th and our Armonk, NY Welcome Reception hosted by Piper '95 and Roger '94 Smith P '26, takes place on Thursday, July 31st. Both events run from 6 - 8 pm and event address will be provided in the registration confirmation email. 

For questions, please contact Noelle.

CAREER KICKBACK

You are invited to join us for the Virtual First Year Career Kickback on Thursday July 24th at 5pm. You'll get to meet the Career Center team, see our space, and learn about our resources in a laid back virtual space. You can register HERE. The Zoom Link to the session you sign up for will be sent out the night before the event.

If you have any questions, email Julie Brannon, Assistant Director of Career Education. 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Robin Olinsky, Class Dean and International Student Advising

The next information session on Financial Aid, Tuition Bills, Student Employment, and Banking is next week, July 30 at 8am Eastern Time. Register here.

Incoming students have been invited to complete the newest course in Homebase. This required pre-arrival course should be completed by August 15.

ID CARD PICTURES

Don't forget to submit your Union ID card photo through your applicant portal by August 1 To have it ready for pickup with your room key on move-in day!  Your Union ID is your key to campus, it gives you access to residence halls, classrooms, dining, the library, and more.

Be sure your photo meets the requirements (plain background, forward-facing, no hats or filters, etc.). If your photo doesn't meet the guidelines, FYE will contact you to resubmit.

Questions? Email the Card Access Office.

FIRST-YEAR PARKING REQUEST

First-year students can now request to register a car on campus for Fall 2025. Students must complete the form linked here by August 4. The fee for vehicle registration is $150. Approval is not guaranteed, so please do not bring a car to campus unless you receive written approval. Commuter students must also complete the form. Unauthorized parking may result in tickets or towing.

STAY CONNECTED WITH UNION: 

First-year student webpage

Charging Up Your First-Year Podcast

First-year students on Instagram

Parents & families

Athletics

News & events 

YouTube

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