FYE Summer Newsletter 2!

FYE SUMMER NEWSLETTER EDITION 2!

Whether you’ve already walked across the stage at your high school graduation or your big day is just around the corner, we’re celebrating with you and can’t wait to welcome you to Union!

As you shift into summer mode, don't forget to keep an eye on your Enrolling Student Checklist in your applicant portal, it’s the best way to stay on track. A big reminder: your Advising and Course Registration Form is due today!

If you haven’t set up your Union computer account yet, now’s the time. Once you’ve completed the ITS Computer Account Agreement, be sure to follow the instructions in the Computer Account Information section on your applicant portal (just below the box with my contact info).

As always, if you have any questions, reach out to me at firstyearexperience@union.edu. 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

KEY DATES, TASKS AND UPCOMING DUE DATES!

Many of the tasks below can be found on the Enrolling Student Checklist on your Applicant Portal!

May 26

Complete your Advising and Course Registration form

June 1

Housing Registration and Commuter Exemption Request Forms open

June 12

Health Forms due

July 10

Fall Term billing statements available

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!

ACADEMICS

Thomas Jordan, Director of Academic Advising

As a reminder, the deadline to submit your Advising and Course Registration Form is TODAY, May 26. The form is available through the applicant portal. If you have any trouble accessing the form, please contact us by phone or email. For more details on academic advising, first-year courses, and placement exams, please consult our New Student Academic Planning Guide.

Questions? Email academicadvising@union.edu or call (518) 388-7116.

RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION AND HOUSING

Catie Straube, Director of Residential Education and Housing

Housing Registration and Commuter Exemption Requests will open on Monday, June . When you are ready, please log into your student housing portal. When you are ready, please log into your housing portal and complete your registration. It is so important that you complete this independently to really help us learn about you. Your registration will directly impact your room and roommate placement.

All first-year students have the option to opt in and be priority assigned to the gender-inclusive floor. Gender-inclusive housing provides a safe and affirming living environment where students can live together regardless of their gender identity. It allows students to choose roommates based on shared preferences rather than traditional gender-based assignments. If this is something you are interested in, please make sure to note it on your application.

In the meantime, start thinking about what to bring and what to leave at home.

Questions? Email housing@union.edu or call (518) 388-6117.

ID CARD PHOTOS

Your Union ID card is your key to campus, it gives you access to residence halls, classrooms, dining, the library, and more. To have it ready for pickup with your room key on move-in day, please upload your ID photo through your applicant portal by August 1.

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 cardaccess@union.edu.

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!

They’ll share who they are, what they’re involved in on campus, what they love most about Union, and their best advice for incoming students. We’ll also include a fun fact or two, because we want you to start feeling connected even before you arrive.

Keep an eye out for this section in each newsletter to you get to know the friendly faces that will be there to greet you in September!

MEET ANGUS!

Hi, my name is Angus Hall and I am rising Senior on the Orientation Committee! I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering with minors in Math and Energy Studies. Outside of the OC, I am a member of the Union Men’s Crew team, club soccer, a Career Center employee, as well as involved in Greek Life. I love to spend time outdoors either hiking, running, or playing pickleball! If you have any questions or want to reach out, feel free to email me at halla2@union.edu!

Favorite Union Tradition: My favorite Union tradition is probably Run Ribs and Reggae! It’s so fun to see everyone come out to run around campus and then get all the great BBQ afterwards!

Fun Fact About Me: I have never traveled outside the Northeast!

Best Piece of Advice for New Students: Make Union yours, you will get whatever you put into your experience! Talk to as many people as possible once you get on campus and make connections early!

FINANCIAL AID

Linda Parker, Director of Financial Aid

Students who are receiving need-based financial aid may have received notification from our office requesting additional information to verify income and finalize the financial aid offer.

To ensure that the financial aid award is confirmed prior to our first billing cycle in early July, forward the required information to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible. Once income verification is complete, our office will follow up with information regarding student loans.

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

BRIDGES FIRST-GEN PROGRAM

Niamaya Canady, Assistant Director, Office of Intercultural Affairs

Aileen Schatz, Director of the First-Year Expereince

Welcome to Union! If you’re the first in your family to go to college, take a deep breath, you’ve already done something amazing. And you don’t have to do it alone.

Bridges First-Gen Program, is here to support you every step of the way. We’re a community of students, staff, and faculty (many of us first-gen ourselves!) who are all about making sure you feel seen, supported, and connected.

Here’s what you’ll find in Bridges:

Mentors who are intentionally matched with you
Workshops to help you navigate college life
Social events and spaces to build community
People who are here to cheer you on

We will share more information about joining the Bridges program later this summer, but we are also here for you even before the school year begins. As you pack your bags and get ready to take your first steps onto campus, you probably have a lot on your mind. What should I know before I get there? What paperwork or forms are due over the summer? What is college life actually like? Take a deep breath, we’ve got your back!

Join us on Tuesday, June 9th at 7PM EST for a virtual First-Gen Q&A Night designed specifically to help first-gen student navigate the transition to Union College. This is your casual, no-pressure space to get your questions answered, map out your summer to-dos, and start building your community before move-in day.

During the virtual session, Niamaya, Aileen and two student leaders will plan to cover:

Summer To-Dos: A clear breakdown of what forms, health records, and deadlines you need to tackle before the summer ends.
The Inside Scoop: What to expect during your first term at Union.
Open Q&A: No question is too big or too small. Ask us about classes, dorm life, or where to find the best food on campus.
Instant Community: Start meeting and chatting with fellow incoming first-generation students.

To join us virtually on June 9th, please use this registration link.

Questions? Want to learn more? Reach out anytime, we’d love to hear from you, email Niamaya at canadyn@union.edu or Aileen at schatza@union.edu.

INTRODUCING THE BOLT POINT PROGRAM

Students, want to get rewarded just for showing up and exploring campus? We are excited to introduce the Bolt Point Program, Union's reward program where you earn points simply for attending "Bolt Point" events.

To kick things off, you are getting an exclusive sneak peek this summer and into orientation with the opportunity to earn Orientation Bolt Points before classes even start.

How to Earn Orientation Bolt Points:

Be On Time: Complete required summer tasks and forms by their deadlines.
Stay Engaged: Answer the questions hidden right here in our First-Year Newsletters.
Go Virtual: Tune into eligible virtual summer events (we will let you know which ones count).
Show Up: Attend designated "Orientation Bolt Point" events throughout Orientation week.

Students, answer the question in the form linked here to earn your first 10 Orientation Bolt Points now!

How to Redeem & Stay Involved

You can redeem your Orientation Bolt Points through the first week of classes for Union gear and other fun prizes. Plus, the fun does not stop when Orientation ends, all first-year students will be automatically enrolled in the campus-wide Bolt Point Program just in time for the first day of fall classes.

Get a Head Start: Download the Modern Campus Involve App (available on the Apple App Store or Google Play) or visit UEngage.union.edu. Look for events with the "Bolt Points" tag to see where you can earn points all year long.

STAY CONNECTED WITH UNION:

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If you missed our first newsletter, no worries! You can find it 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.