FYE SUMMER NEWSLETTER EDITION 8 (FINAL EDITION)!!!
The Countdown to Move-In & Orientation Is On!
We are just over two weeks away from welcoming the entire Class of 2030 to Union! Our football team already joined us on campus last week, and our field hockey, soccer, and volleyball teams moved in yesterday! And we couldn’t be more excited to meet the rest of you soon!
Orientation is designed to help you feel confident and prepared, academically, socially, and personally, from day one. Get ready to connect, explore, and discover everything Union has to offer!
Move-In Day is Friday, September 4, 2026, followed by our Orientation program that runs through Tuesday, September 8, with other First-Year specific programming happening throughout week 1 of the academic term including Club Expo and John Calvin Toll Days of Community Engagement.
Parents and families are invited to join students for the move-in process and can take part in arrival-day activities including lunch in the Dining Hall (vouchers available at move-in check-in), the Resource Fair, and the President’s Welcome. Because students head straight into programming following the conclusion of the President's Welcome, we ask that families share a quick goodbye at that time and head off campus so students can fully immerse themselves in the orientation schedule.
As always, please keep an eye out on your Union email as the College will share any updates with you via email.
If you have questions as you get ready, don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re here to help! You can email firstyearexperience@union.edu, call (518) 388-6061, or visit our first-year website.
We can’t wait to officially welcome you and your families to Union and kick off an unforgettable year ahead!
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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If you missed our previous 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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MOVE-IN
First Year Move-In takes place on Friday, September 4, 2026 from 09:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Instructions and First-Year Move-in maps are available on our website for your convenience. To check-in students will need to arrive with some form of photo ID for identification purposes. If you have not already done so, please sign up for a check in time slot in your student housing portal prior to Tuesday, September 1. Please be sure you've submitted your ID photo on your applicant portal (following the requirements) so that your Union ID card will be ready for you at check in!
We encourage you to label all of your belongings with your name, building, and room number; masking tape and a permanent marker work great. Labeling will assist our move-in volunteers in getting your items where they need to go. Please note that many of our students and families choose to check in at the start of their assigned move-in period. If you wish to arrive with less congestion, we recommend arriving later in the time block.
International students and pre-season athletes will receive specific arrival instructions from the housing office about where to arrive and pick up keys on their early arrival date.
Questions? Email housing@union.edu or call (518) 388-6117.
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SHARED EXPERIENCE DAY, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH
Get ready for an incredible highlight of Orientation! Shared Experience Day is takes place on Sunday, September 6th!
Keep a close eye on your inbox as the amazing faculty and staff leading our 18 unique experiences reach out with exciting details about your day. They’ll also share a few quick prep tasks, like submitting lunch orders or activity waivers. Please remember that all students must fill out the Shared Experience Day waiver*, just be sure to select the experience you were assigned** to on the form!
You will have the opportunity to connect with others in your group (including the OLs on the experience) on Saturday, September 5th, to ensure you have all the details for your day together the next day!
A tremendous amount of care and planning has gone into crafting each of these expereinces! We worked very hard to place all students who completed the ranking form in one of their top three choices, so we kindly ask for your understanding that we are unable to accommodate experience switches at this time. We are so excited for you to dive in, connect with your classmates, and kick off an unforgettable day!
*If you are 17 years old, please ensure that your parent or legal guardian also signs the waiver on your behalf.
**Shared Expereince Assignments were emailed to your Union.edu email address on July 30th from FirstYearExperience@union.edu.
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FIRST-YEAR LEADERSHIP SEMINAR
Aileen Schatz, Director of the First-Year Experience
Matt Milless, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
During the fall term, you have an opportunity to participate in a Leadership Development Seminar, designed specifically for first-year students. This seminar will meet on Fridays during common hour (1:00–1:50 p.m.), a time when no courses are scheduled.
The program is limited to 20 students and weekly attendance is expected. Participants will come together as a small, engaged group to learn more about their leadership styles, explore their personal strengths, and discover ways to get involved at Union.
Through this experience, you will further develop your leadership skills, connect with peers, and explore your unique talents using the CliftonStrengths assessment.
There are no prerequisites to join, just an interest in getting involved, learning about yourself, and growing as a leader. If you would like to participate, please complete this form. You will be notified by August 22 if you were one of the first 20 students to sign up. We will create a waitlist of students once the 20 seats are filled.
Our first session will be held on Friday, September 12, at 1:00 p.m. in 406 Reamer Campus Center.
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STUDENT ACTIVITIES
DON'T MISS CLUB EXPO - SEPTEMBER 11th
With more than 100 clubs and organizations to choose from, Union has something for everyone! Check out the Club Expo Friday, Sept.11, on Library Plaza hosted by Student Forum. Join clubs, enjoy delicious food and engage in fun activities. This event is a great opportunity to talk with student leaders and learn more about what these student-run groups have to offer.
Interested in a club sport? Bring your gear! Interested in joining pep band? Bring your instruments! Practices will start shortly after the Club Expo, so come ready to dive in!
You're earning Orientation Bolt Points, don't forget about Bolt Points all year long!
Students can earn "Bolt Points" for attending events across campus!
If you haven't already, download the Modern Campus Involve App (via Apple App Store or Google Play) or visit UEngage.union.edu to see events with the "Bolt Points" tag to know where you can earn points. Students can redeem their points for prizes throughout the year for items such as movie tickets, Airtags, water bottles, Spikeball sets, Speakers, Nintendo Switches, and more!
Questions? Email getinvolved@union.edu or call (518) 388-6118.
And don’t forget to follow Student Activities on Instagram (@unionstuact) to stay up-to-date with events and activities throughout the year.
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A UNION TRADITION: TOLL DAYS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Build your connection to your new Schenectady home during John Calvin Toll Days of Community Engagement – starting September 12. This Union College tradition is an opportunity for you to meet our neighbors and participate in the powerful work they are doing to make a difference in our community.
To participate you will need to activate your Community Connections account – just visit volunteer.union.edu, and click “Sign Up.” Then follow the “SSO Login Here” link to access your account with your Union College email password. Once you have signed up, you can customize your profile to your interests. This platform will be your portal to volunteer activities throughout your time at Union, and will help you keep track of those experiences as you reflect on your impact and prepare for future internships, job opportunities, and civic participation.
During Orientation you will work with your Orientation Leader to select a Toll Days shift that fits your schedule and your interests. The event centers around partnerships with elementary schools, neighborhood associations, cultural centers, local festivals, and community gardens. Each of the opportunities will be guided by student leaders and take place within Schenectady County – most are just a short walk from campus, others have transportation provided. This year’s event features over 30 different options for you to choose from – with many taking place on Saturday, September 12, and others available September 13, 14, or 19, each for approximately 2 and a half hours.
For now, all you need to do is activate your Community Connections account and then come to campus ready to get to know our wonderful neighbors! Students will receive 10 Orientation Bolt Points for creating your Community Connects account prior to September 4th!
To find out more about Toll Days and other Community Engagement opportunities, visit Community Connections, email volunteer@union.edu or follow the Kenney Center for Community Engagement and Outreach on Instagram (@unioncommunityengagement).
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Robin Olinsky, Class Dean and International Student Advising
Heidi Hodges, International Advising
International students are permitted to arrive on campus September 2, 2026. We cannot allow earlier move-in dates, so please schedule your travel accordingly. International student athletes can expect to receive specific instructions regarding arrival times from their respective coaches.
Be sure to check out this helpful Visa Interview Prep Hub by our Homebase partners to help you prepare for your visa appointment!
Questions? Please check your Union email account for important communications from International Advising. If you’d like to connect further about immigration documents, your visa process, or your arrival at Union, please email internationaladvising@union.edu or call (518) 388-8003.
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UNION COLLEGE BOOKSTORE
The Bookstore is a one-stop shop for course materials, school supplies, and Union gear. With a brand new entrance on the 1st floor of Reamer Campus Center, the Bookstore offers students all sorts of necessities for class and everyday life.
The Bookstore will be open for your convenience during our move-in day on September 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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THE C-STORE
The C-Store, located on the first floor of Reamer Campus Center, is convenience style store with some of our students' favorite market staples and an expanded array of hot and cold grab-and-meals, all prepared from scratch daily.
The C-Store will be open for your convenience during our move-in day on September 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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MAILROOM AT REAMER CAMPUS CENTER
The mailroom is located on the first floor of the Reamer Campus Center. The Service Window is available for sending and package pick up.
Mail and packages to Union should be addressed as follows:
Union College
Student's Name
Students' Dorm Building Name, Room Number
807 Union Street
Schenectady, N.Y. 12308
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.
The mailroom will be open for your convenience during our move-in day on September 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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DOWNTOWN DOLLARS FROM OUR FRIENDS AT DSIC
On August 4, the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp. (DSIC) announced the community gift card program for Downtown Schenectady, called Downtown Dollars that lets you enjoy shopping, dining, entertainment and more, all from one digital card!
Instead of purchasing a gift card to every single one of your favorite businesses here or trying to keep track of the ones you already have, this virtual gift card stays in your phone wallet, works via tap-to-pay and lets you purchase from nearly 50 businesses in the Downtown Schenectady business district! It's the perfect gift! Plus a great way to explore Downtown Schenectady!
How it works:
You purchase the gift card online at Schenectady.yiftee.com and can send it to yourself or someone else. That person receives an email with the gift card information and puts it into their phone wallet. From there you simply tap-to-pay at the participating location, including the campus store!
Participating locations can be found on schenectady.yiftee.com.
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