A message from the Vice President for Student Affairs,
Annette Diorio

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

Visit Union’s Academic Calendar and Residential Education’s Dates and Deadlines for more details and upcoming dates.

Updates from Campus Offices

Athletics

Fall sports are underway on campus! Click here to check out the most up-to-date schedules and links to live stats and video streaming for all Union varsity teams!

Bursar's Office

Student bills have been posted in Self-Service (requires login) for Fall 2026!
Please make note of the following billing and payment due dates for the year:

2026-2027
Comprehensive Fee – Fall

Comprehensive Fee – Winter

Comprehensive Fee – Spring

If your student has not done so already, they should grant you Proxy Access to view the bill and receive important notices from our office.

The deadline to enroll or waive the Student Health Plan is Sept. 15, 2026. An insurance waiver is only good for one academic year and must be waived annually.

Visit our website for more information about payment options.

Questions? Email bursar@union.edu or call 518-388-6106.

Career Center

How to schedule an appointment? 

Scheduling an appointment with our staff is simple. All a student needs to do is log in to Handshake via their single sign-on, head to “Career Center” on the left-side toolbar, and then select “Appointments.” From there, they can select their class year and desired appointment type.

Fall Career Fair

Our annual Fall Career Fair is on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 4–7 p.m. in College Park Hall. Over 70 employers and graduate schools are expected to attend, and students from all class years and majors are invited! Even if your student is just starting their career exploration, attending is a great way to get more comfortable engaging in a professional setting. Our staff will be available throughout the event to support students with whatever they need. 

U Ready Career Accelerator

The U Ready Career Accelerator is a 10-step action plan housed in Nexus, designed to guide your student through their career development journey over the next four years. These self-paced modules will equip them with the tools, resources, and milestones to help them explore pathways, build key professional skills, and gain meaningful experiences throughout their time at Union.

Civil Rights & Title IX

Effective July 1, Union College launched the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX (formally the Office of Title IX). This restructuring of existing reporting mechanisms centralizes all reports and allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation under one umbrella to better serve all faculty, staff and students.

The Office will strengthen the College’s commitment to civil rights protections for all campus community members by streamlining processes to ensure clarity, efficiency and compliance with federal and New York State legal standards.

The Office is led by Ann Ciancia, our Title IX and VI Coordinator. The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX is located in Reamer Campus Center 306 and more information on reporting and resources can be found on the office’s website. For questions, please email civilrights@union.edu.

Class Deans

At Union, every cohort is paired with a dedicated Class Dean who serves as a resource from move-in day to graduation. The Class Dean serves as the first point of contact for faculty, staff, and families, connecting students with campus departments, support services, and other campus resources whenever needed. We invite you to read a message from your student’s Class Dean to learn more about the year ahead and our commitment to their success here at Union.

Union College complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the federal law that governs student’s rights to their educational records. While we value families as essential partners in supporting your student through their educational journey, federal law requires that students grant us permission in order to discuss specific details in the course of supporting your student. If your student would like to grant permission for their Class Dean to be able to discuss their records with you, they can schedule a meeting at the start of the term and sign a release form. Even without a signed release, we are always happy to discuss in general any policies, campus processes, or broad concerns you may have. In case of emergency, College officials will reach out to you in accordance with our emergency protocols.

And we invite you to join us at Union’s Homecoming and Family Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Wold Center Atrium to meet your student’s Class Dean in person. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our ongoing commitment to their success and support at Union.

College Relations

It was a delight to meet so many first-year families during the 2026 Fall Move-In Day Resource Fair!

We hope to see you back on campus for Homecoming & Family Weekend, Oct. 23–25, 2026. Visit union.edu/hfw to learn more about the weekend. Registration opens Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Get Ready to Register

An account on the Alumni & Parent website is required to register for Homecoming & Family Weekend events.

As a Union parent, you have a unique Union ID number that allows you to create a personal profile, log in, and register for weekend activities.

To make registration as easy as possible, we encourage you to create your account in advance. The information you need to get started, including your Union ID number, is in the Homecoming & Family Weekend Save-the-Date email sent on July 30, 2026.

We are so glad to welcome you to the Union community and look forward to seeing you again in October!

For questions or assistance, please contact the Office of Alumni & Parent Engagement at 518-388-6168 or alumni@union.edu.

Dining

Union Dining is excited to welcome students back to campus and looks forward to supporting them throughout the new trimester. With a variety of dining options across campus, students can use meal swipes at Reamer Dining Hall and eligible meal exchange locations, including Rathskeller, C-Store Grab + Go, Dutch Hollow, and Garlic Nott.

We’re making it easier for students to grab a meal on the go. Dutch Hollow is now open Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring a convenient Breakfast Express with breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Students can also enjoy a variety of dining options throughout campus during designated meal periods.

Supporting students with special dietary needs remains a priority for Union Dining. Our Ingredient Experts are available to answer questions about ingredients and preparation, while McKenzie Simmons, Senior Wellness Coordinator, is available to meet with students individually regarding nutrition goals, food allergies, intolerances, celiac disease, and other dietary needs.

Stay connected with Union Dining by following @unioncollege_dining on Instagram for food photos, menu highlights, special events, and behind-the-scenes updates. Students and families can also sign up for Menu Mail to receive daily menus by email. We value your feedback and encourage you to reach out with questions, suggestions, or concerns as we continue working to make every dining experience a positive part of the Union experience.

Eppler-Wolff Counseling Center

As your student has started their year at Union College, it is natural to feel a mix of excitement, pride, and perhaps a little uncertainty. College is an important time for students to grow in confidence, independence, and self-awareness. One of the most meaningful ways parents can support that growth is by being present without taking over. Let your student know that you are available to listen, encourage, and help them think through challenges, while also giving them space to make decisions and learn from their experiences.

As the trimester begins, encourage your student to establish routines that support both academic success and overall well-being. Simple habits like getting enough sleep, eating regularly, attending classes, managing time, and exercise can make a significant difference. Do not ask about grades; instead focus on asking broader questions: How are you feeling about your classes? Have you met anyone new? What are you looking forward to this week? Is there anything that feels harder than you expected? These questions can open the door to meaningful conversations and help students feel supported without feeling pressured.

It is also important to remind students that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Union College has a variety of resources to help students, from academic advising, counseling, health services, career support, and student organizations. Encourage your student to learn what resources are available and to reach out early when something is not going well. As a parent, you do not need to solve every problem, but guiding your child to the supports is a great way to help your child develop the confidence and skills to advocate for themselves.

Financial Aid

Now is the time to secure loans for the year! 

Federal Direct Student Loans

If your student has been offered a Federal Direct student loan as part of their financial aid package, they can view their specific loan requirements in their Self-Service (requires login) financial aid checklist. Requirements may include:

Union Loan

If your student has been offered a Union College Loan as part of their financial aid offer they will accept/decline the loan in Self-Service and will be receiving an email from the Union College Loan servicer, ESCI. It will provide further instructions on steps they 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.

Student Employment

All students that were offered work-study as part of their financial aid package received emails over the summer with details regarding the hiring process and new hire paperwork (for first-time students). Students that did not receive work-study as part of their financial aid package can browse ‘student worker’ positions, posted on HR’s Student Careers page.

Questions? Email finaid@union.edu or call 518-388-6123.

Fraternity and Sorority Life

Last year was a wonderful year for the Fraternity and Sorority Life Community. The community welcomed over 200 new members throughout the year. They logged over 4,700+ community service hours and raised over $30,000 for different philanthropics. On top of that, over 100 members ended each term with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Fraternity and Sorority Life is excited to welcome new members to our community for the fall term. As a reminder, Union participates in deferred sophomore year recruitment, meaning you must be at least a sophomore to join one of our social organizations.

The Panhellenic Council will host sorority recruitment from Sept. 17–22. Interested women can still register through Sept. 15 at 12 p.m. 

The InterFraternity Council will host a rush for the 7 fraternities from Sept. 22–25. Men can learn more on our Instagram page (@uniongreeks) or by attending the informational meeting on Sept. 22. 

All students, including first years, interested in joining Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity or Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity should follow our Instagram page for more information or reach out to those chapter leaders directly.

International Advising

International students received information in late August about changes to immigration policies impacting authorization to work off-campus (including internships) and the duration of their status in the US. All international students are required to attend a student Town Hall with staff on Sept. 10 or Sept. 15 which will provide an opportunity for students to learn more about the policy and regulation changes, understand how they may affect their individual circumstances, and ask questions or raise any concerns they may have. Following the student town hall meetings, International Advising will provide an update to families as well.

Union will be participating in the New York 6 Consortium International Student Summit on Sept. 26. Ten international students from Union will join students from the other schools for a day of learning, networking, and sharing their experiences.

New2U Community Closet

The New2U Community Closet is a free thrift closet that is located on the first floor of West College and accessible to all Union students. Designed to support our students’ needs, the closet offers a diverse selection of clothing and accessories, ranging from casual everyday wear to professional attire. Students can also find winter clothing and essential household items such as bedding, dishware, and silverware to help make their campus residence feel a little more comfortable. Open with regular hours each term, the New2U Closet operates with a focus on sustainability and community; students are invited to both find items they need and donate gently used belongings that they no longer need. We also work with campus partners to organize themed pop-ups each term, starting with the professional clothing pop-up happening on Sept. 25 in the Career Center, encouraging students to gear up for the Career Fair on Sept. 29. So please remind your student to explore this supportive campus resource and keep an eye out for future events!

We’ll be collecting donations during Homecoming & Family Weekend for any families interested in contributing to the New2U Closet!

Residential Education & Housing

Welcome Meetings

Resident Assistants and House Managers across campus will hold welcome floor meetings within their residence halls for all students. This is a wonderful opportunity for your student to meet their fellow hall mates, while receiving important information from our team.

Important Dates 

Bed Lofts & Bunking

Students can request to have their bed lofted or bunked. The process is first come-first serve, and beds will be lofted once students are on campus. The link to request this can be found on the Residential Education & Housing website. 

Work Orders

As students settle into the new Fall term, we want to make sure their living spaces are comfortable, safe, and in good working order. If your student notices anything in their room or living space that needs attention, they should submit a work order to Facilities using https://www.union.edu/facilities-services. If they need assistance with completing the work order process, they can reach out to their RA for support.

Fire Safety and Life Safety Inspections

Every year our residence halls are inspected by the New York State Fire Marshal to ensure compliance with state regulations. The purpose of these inspections is to find and remediate potential safety issues and concerns before a significant incident happens. Our goal throughout this process is to educate our students on safe practices in our residence halls for the wellbeing of themselves, and their peers. 

Inspections will take place in September and October. Prohibited items will be confiscated by Environmental Health and Safety.

Student Accessibility Services

We are happy to announce an exciting change! Accommodative Services is now Student Accessibility Services. This change represents our continued dedication to supporting students with disabilities at Union College under a banner that better communicates our purpose and values. We look forward to serving our students and continuing to build a more accessible and inclusive campus community together. 

If your student has a documented disability and is interested in applying for accommodations, please have them register with our office and upload documentation using this link: New students - registration portal. Our office will then contact them for an intake meeting to discuss their needs and eligibility. 

Returning students who already have accommodations in place must request their accommodation letters be sent to professors each term, using this link: Returning students-term accommodation requests. They should be sure to follow up with each professor during the first week of classes to discuss the implementation of their accommodations. 

Questions? Please have your student email us at sas@union.edu, call us at 518-388-8785, or stop by our office in Schaffer Library, Room 222. 

Student Success

I hope your summer was great and relaxing! As we approach the beginning of the term, there are a couple of reminders I would like to share. As usual, our Academic Support Centers will be running throughout the term. This webpage contains a list of all the Academic Support Centers as well as the days and times that they will be open this term. The webpage is updated regularly to reflect any changes in days/times (which can vary from term to term).

This term we are going to support 9 individual courses through the Supplemental Instruction Program (SI). The SI Program offers two weekly review sessions (weeks 2–10) for historically challenging courses. Students do not have to sign up to attend SI sessions. It is strongly recommended to attend on a regular basis to make sure they are keeping up with the material and are actively applying concepts (not just memorizing). If your student is registered to take a course that will be supported through SI, they will meet the SI leader during the first day of classes. At that time, students will vote on days/times for SI sessions to be held. 

If your student is scheduled to take MTH 105 - Differential Calculus w/ Precalc, they will have access to math coaching for the duration of the fall term. The Math Coach is a student that will work very closely with the Professor and students during the term. Students in MTH 105 will meet their Math Coach on the first day of classes. Math Coaches will be an additional resource for MTH 105 students and will also hold drop-in hours on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Harris Seminar Room. Drop-in hours will begin on Thursday, Sept. 10 and will run through the last day of classes. 

Last but not least, Academic Coaching will be available to students throughout the year. This is a free resource for students looking to improve their time management, organization, executive function, study skills, exam prep, and note taking skills. Students can request a meeting through this link: https://union.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ernDNX7RJP3ok4e.

Undergraduate Research

Over 155 students and 80 faculty mentors participated in our annual 8-Week Summer Research Program. Collectively, the fellows put in about 33,000 paid work hours to advance their projects, share their new knowledge, and grow as artists, engineers, scientists, & scholars. Our seminar series included 44 elevator pitches, 36 poster presentations, and 2 long talks from students and featured 13 faculty and staff presenters from across the College. See: From Birds to Beavers to Books. 

Applications for next summer's program are due Feb. 4, 2027. Students are encouraged to start thinking about applying in the fall. We've created a guide to help students get started with research at Union.

The Undergraduate Research Office is hosting a Student Research Poster Session during Family / Homecoming Weekend on Friday, Oct. 23, 12:50–1:45 p.m. in Wold Atrium. It will highlight work done this year, over the summer, and last year. All members of the wider Union community are welcome to attend.

Union is also hosting this year's annual NY6 Undergraduate Research Symposium on Saturday, Nov. 7. The event will bring together several hundred students and faculty from the NY6 schools (Union, Skidmore, St. Lawrence, Hamilton, Colgate, and Hobart & William Smith) to share their scholarship. The call for presenters will soon go live.

Wicker Wellness Center

Chris McGovern, MS, RPA-C, has stepped into the Medical Director role at the Wicker Wellness Center.

Wicker Wellness is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the academic year, with reduced hours in June and August. The Center is staffed with Administrative Assistants, Registered Nurses, Advanced Practice Providers (NP/PA) and one Physician.

Wicker Wellness offers appointments for sick visits, injuries and wellness (physical exams), along with rapid testing for strep throat, influenza, Covid, urinalysis, and pregnancy. Wicker has a limited pharmacy, and a relationship with Lange’s Pharmacy nearby. Lange’s will deliver right to campus for a small fee.

We have an extensive list of local medical specialists for referral if needed, as well as a professional relationship with Ellis Hospital. Ellis Hospital is located 2 blocks from campus.

Students can also sign up for Timely Care, which is a virtual care platform, offering phone advice and/or tele-health visits. It is available 24/7, but mainly used when the health center is closed.

Our goal is to offer care and compassion to our students and to keep our campus community healthy. Feel free to contact us with any questions: 518-388-6120 or uchealthcenter@union.edu.

Contact Information for Emergencies and Concerns

In case of an emergency, parents and families are encouraged to call Union College’s Campus Safety Department at 518-388-6911. In addition to responding to emergencies, Campus Safety can also activate Union’s on-call system. The on-call system operates in the evenings, after College offices are closed, on weekends, holidays, and College breaks. The on-call system includes student and professional residential staff, the Counseling Center, Health Services, and other College administrators.

During regular business hours, parents and families should contact their student’s Class Dean, with questions or concerns about their student.

Additional Campus Resources

Find additional campus resources and helpful information for families below.

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