FYE SUMMER NEWSLETTER EDITION 4!
We hope your summer is off to a great start! As Union’s campus settles into summer, we’re turning our full attention to welcoming U this fall.
This week’s newsletter is packed with helpful updates and some upcoming deadlines, including information on housing registration, financial aid, and even academic advisors.
As a reminder, Move-in Day for the Class of 2030 will take place on Friday, September 4, 2026. Orientation programming will continue from Move-in Day through Tuesday, September 8 with other First-Year specific programming happening throughout week 1 of the academic term. International Student move-in is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, 2026 and Fall Athletes will arrive based on the dates and times of their pre-season schedules.
As part of orientation, students will have the opportunity to join a Shared Experience, a day long activity or outing taking place on Sunday, September 6. Shared Experiences, designed to help new students connect with their classmates and Orientation Leaders (OLs), explore the area, and build community, are led by Union faculty and staff and offer a variety of fun and meaningful ways to start your time at Union. Be on the lookout as we will share details soon and ask students to rank their preferences for the Shared Experience they would like to participate in. The Shared Expereince Ranking form will appear on your Enrolling Student Checklist on your applicant portal in the coming days.
As always, follow us on Instagram @UnionFirstYear, check out the First-Year Webpage, keep an eye on your Enrolling Student Checklist, continue checking your Union email, and don’t hesitate to reach out to me at firstyearexperience@union.edu with any questions. I’m here to help!
AILEEN SCHATZ
Director of the First-Year Experience
403E Reamer Campus Center
firstyearexperience@union.edu | schatza@union.edu | 518.388.6061
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KEY DATES, TASKS AND UPCOMING DUE DATES!
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June 30
Housing Registration Due
July 7
First-Year Parking Request form opens
July 10
Fall Term billing statements available
Roommate Requests must be submitted
July 15
Placement Exams due
Submit your Final High School Transcripts to Admissions
August 1
Submit your ID Card Picture
August 7
Fall Term Tuition Due
August 15
Academic Integrity Training Due
September 4
First-Year Move-In Day
September 15
Health Insurance Waiver Deadline
*Additional tasks, keys dates and deadlines will be added here throughout the Summer!
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If you missed our first few newsletters, no worries! You can find them on the First-Year Experience website, toward the bottom of the page, under Class of 2030 Summer Communications. All newsletters will be posted there as they go out. |
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RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION AND HOUSING
Catie Straube, Director of Residential Education and Housing
The deadline to complete your Housing Registration in your Union College student housing portal is quickly approaching. The form is available through June 30th at 11:59 pm. Students who plan to commute can request the commuter exemption form by emailing us at housing@union.edu.
After you have completed your housing registration, students gain the ability to search and match with roommates.Only students who have completed the housing registration will be able to search and select roommates. Roommate matching will close on July 10, 2026 at 11:59 pm. After July 10, our office is unable to honor roommate requests.
Don't want to match with a roommate ahead of time and want our team to match you with someone? No problem! Our team will match students based on lifestyle preferences and assign them together if they have not matched with a preferred roommate.
Questions? Email housing@union.edu or call (518) 388-6117.
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ACADEMIC ADVISING
Tom Jordan, Director of Academic Advising and Enrichment
You will receive your academic advisor assignment following the July 4th holiday. As a reminder, your academic advisor will:
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aid your transition to campus life, helping you to identify and pursue your academic interests;
- introduce you to curricular requirements, including degree plans, the General Education Curriculum, and the Writing Across the Curriculum program;
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introduce you to academic support resources across campus.
You will have the opportunity to meet with your academic advisor when you arrive on campus. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to send academic questions to Tom Jordan, Director of Academic Advising and Enrichment, at academicadvising@union.edu.
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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!
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MEET AHDAF!
Hey! I’m Ahdaf Zaman and I am a rising Senior 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 and Hospice Care. 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!
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Best Piece of Advice for New Students: Go to the Club Expo at the Library Plaza and sign up for as many clubs that you find interesting! You can always choose not to be an active member later in the year, but I totally recommend getting involved in anything and everything that piques your interest early on. It’s also an amazing way to meet new people who share similar interests and form friends!
Favorite Union Tradition: You’re going to hear this from a LOT of Union students, but it definitely has to be Springfest! It’s the best combination of outdoor food, live music, cool outfits, and good vibes!
Fun Fact About Me: I have a brother named Ahnaf.
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STUDENTS, EARN YOUR ORIENTATION BOLT POINTS NOW
Click the button below to complete this week's question to earn 10 Orientation Bolt Points now!
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We know there’s a lot to be excited about as you get ready to join the Union community, so we want to hear from you! What are you looking forward to as you prepare for your first year? Whether it’s meeting new friends, diving into your major, or exploring campus traditions; in 2-3 words, tell us what you're excited about! Responses may be feature in an upcoming newsletter! |
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BURSAR’S OFFICE / BILLING
Student Health Insurance Reminder
All students are required to have active health insurance coverage while attending Union College in Schenectady. The college offers a plan through Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield in partnership with Haylor, Freyer, and Coon (HFC).
Coverage dates:
- International students: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
- Domestic students: August 1, 2026 - July 31, 2027
All students will automatically see the insurance charge on their Fall Term bill.
- International students must remain enrolled in the plan and cannot waive coverage.
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Domestic students may either enroll or request a waiver by submitting proof of comparable insurance coverage that includes both emergency and non-emergency care in the Schenectady area.
Starting July 1st, domestic students can log into the Haylor, Freyer and Coon portal to enroll or submit a waiver request. HFC will review submitted documentation to confirm eligibility. If approved, the insurance charge will be removed from the student account within 3-5 business days.
The waiver form (for U.S. citizens only) must be completed annually by September 14, 2026.
Questions?
International students: (518) 388-8003 or email internationaladvising@union.edu.
Bursar’s Office: (518) 388-6106, email bursar@union.edu, or visit the Bursar’s website.
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FINANCIAL AID
Linda Parker, Director of Financial Aid
If work-study was offered as part of the financial aid package, now is the time to apply! Students interested in working on campus can review open positions on our Student Careers site. Learn how to apply on our website. Our office will be sending emails prior to the start of classes indicating other employment details.
Student Loans
The Next Steps for Incoming Student letter was mailed to students in May. It provides instructions on accepting or declining loans along with additional requirements if you are accepting loans. The information is also available on our website, and students can see their specific requirements in their Self-Service financial aid checklist.
Questions? Email finaid@union.edu or call (518) 388- 6123.
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OFFICE OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS
Ricky Reiss, MSEd, Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution
At Union College we aim to support the health and wellbeing of every member of our community. We understand that there are many things to consider before starting your journey with us here in the Fall. We recommend that you take a look at our website for The Office of Community Standards as well as the website for Residential Education and Housing. These two sources list out items that could be against policy on campus. This is especially important as you start to map out your dorm rooms for the upcoming year. Some items in stores, even marketed toward college students, aren’t permitted by New York State guidelines and Fire Codes. To avoid having to repack items you just brought, we recommend taking a look at the list of restricted or prohibited items.
The Office of Community Standards’ focus is helping students recognize behaviors, the impacts they make, and how to ensure those marks we leave are positive ones. In about a month or so, you will receive an email containing information about mandatory online educational modules that all first-year students must complete before arriving on campus. Again, please keep eye on your Union.edu email as this important information will be sent to you there.
Additional questions or concerns, please email Ricky Reiss, Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at reisse@union.edu or give us a call at: 518-388-5555.
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