A message from Aileen Schatz, Director of the First-Year Experience
Welcome to Union College! We can’t wait to see you this fall. First and foremost, congratulations to you all on your high school graduations and for choosing to continue your education at Union!
Here is your first of three monthly e-newsletters to keep you connected to the Union community and provide important information – from detailed news, deadlines and program information to helpful phone numbers and links. We're excited to provide a successful and meaningful transition to college life for the Class of 2028, and that starts with sharing our many resources.
As the summer progresses, if questions come up about forms, rooms, majors or anything at all, please know that I am here to help. Please reach out. You can (and should) also listen to our Charging Up Your First-Year podcast, visit the first-year website, and follow us on Instagram @UnionFirstYears for more information.
I look forward to meeting everyone this fall!
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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We encourage you to check out our Charging Up Your First Year podcast series throughout the summer. New episodes will be released weekly on Fridays. Throughout each episode, you will have the opportunity to learn about different topics and offices on campus and hear about what to expect when you arrive on campus. Our current students will even share some of their favorite things about Union and tips and tricks to help you with your transition to the College.
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio.
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A message from Kate Schurick, Dean of First-Year Students
Hello and congratulations!
June is a special time for incoming students and their families. There’s so much change and excitement – like graduating from high school. Enjoy this momentous accomplishment and the exhilaration of preparing for college!
As the dean of first-year students, I work with first-year students and their families to navigate social, academic and personal challenges. Union is an extremely supportive community. I collaborate closely with colleagues in all departments and offices to help students thrive during their first-year and beyond.
Together, Aileen and I are here to assist you during your first-year at Union.
Have a wonderful summer!
KATE SCHURICK
Dean of First-Year Students
303 Reamer Campus Center
schurick@union.edu | 518.388.8060
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Please pay close attention to due dates and deadlines. If you have questions about any due date or deadline, please contact the associated office or program. Or reach out to Aileen Schatz by email.
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TRANSFER STUDENTS
Welcome to Union College! All services described in this newsletter are available to transfer students. Please access your portal and complete all requirements. For questions related to the transfer process, visit our website for transfer students or reach out to Aileen.
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ADMISSIONS
Please make sure high school counselors send final high school transcripts to the Union College Admissions Office by July 15. Some high schools send transcripts automatically while others require students to put in a request.
Questions? Email us.
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PRE-ORIENTATION EXPERIENCES
Union offers three innovative, optional Pre-Orientation programs to give incoming students a jump-start on their college experience. Choose between our Community and Culture, Leadership, or Outdoor experiences. Pre-orientation programs run Aug. 29- Aug. 31.
These programs are a great way to get settled into campus a few days early and to make connections with peers, student leaders and staff before orientation begins.
Registration for all Pre-O programs opened today on a first-come, first-serve basis through your applicant portal.
There is a $400 fee for each program that is added to the fall tuition bill. The deadline to withdraw from programs without incurring a charge is Aug. 14. After Aug. 14, all charges are non-refundable.
Full or partial funding may be available to cover Pre-O fees through Union’s Making U Possible (MUP) initiative. You may request MUP funding during registration or email us with questions.
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ACADEMICS
Michelle Osborn, Dean of Studies
All students should have completed the advising and registration form on the applicant portal. The information you provided will help create your fall term schedule, which you will receive in August. If you had difficulty with the form, please call or email us.
Also, all students must take the Mathematics Placement Exam. The deadline is July 15.
Students interested in taking chemistry courses must take the Chemistry Placement Exam. The deadline is July 15.
Questions? Email or call (518) 388-6234.
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HOUSING
Catie Straube, Director of Residential Education and Housing
Allie Krohn, Associate Director for Housing Operations, Office of Residential Education
First-year student Housing Registration and Commuter Exemption Requests opened on May 8 and closes on July 1 in your Union College student housing portal. Housing assignments will be sent out by August 1st. In the meantime, start thinking about what to bring and what to leave at home.
Save the date for Move-In:
International Student Move-in: August 28th & 29th
Pre-Orientation Move-in: August 29th
First-Year Student Move In: September 1st
Questions? Email or call (518) 388-6117.
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WELLNESS RESOURCES
Angela Stefanatos, Director of the Health Center
The Health Center provides a wide range of services; many are free and not billed to insurance or have a nominal fee or charge. Visit our website to learn more.
Health portal forms, physicals and immunization forms from physicians should be uploaded to the health portal by June 14. See the health requirement checklist for details and form links.
Questions? Email or call (518) 388-6120.
Marcus Hotaling, Director of Counseling
As students transition into college life, the Eppler-Wolff Center for Psychological Services can help make the move smoother. There is no cost for counseling center services and we provide 24/7 on-call coverage. All services offered at both the health and counseling center are confidential.
Questions? Email or call (518) 388-6161.
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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Jennifer Mitchell, Chief Diversity Officer and Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
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Niamaya Canady, Assistant Director, Intercultural Affairs
Adonis Richards, Program Coordinator, Intercultural Affairs
Interacting with fellow students, faculty, and staff from a variety of backgrounds is one of the most significant and influential dimensions of the college experience. At Union, we encourage all students to lean into discomfort in order to learn more about diversity, all while contributing to an inclusive and equitable campus. The Dean of DEIB, the Office of Intercultural Affairs, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, and the LGBTQ+ Affairs Committee all provide support and resources for students with different backgrounds and identities. Those affiliated also support a broad range of programs for students to participate in throughout the academic year. Union’s annual social justice retreat, identity dialogues, Pridefest celebration, and speaker series are just a few examples of such programs. We invite you to join us as we engage with people from all walks of life and learn more about other cultures, identities, and perspectives.
Questions? Email Jen, Niamaya, or Adonis.
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FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT SERVICES
Niamaya Canady, Assistant Director, Intercultural Affairs
In the last five years, the number of incoming students that have identified as first-generation college students has remained above 50%. With more than half of students identifying as first-gen, it is imperative that they know the importance of their unique perspective, and the resources available to support them in their collegiate journey both professionally and personally. Currently, Union offers two programs to assist first-gen students; the Bridges First Generation Mentorship Program and the First-Gen Experience Pre-Orientation Program (learn more).
Questions? Email Niamaya Canady, Assistant Director of Intercultural Affairs.
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ACCOMMODATIVE SERVICES
Laura Galt, Interim Director
If you are a student with a documented disability who will need accommodations for the upcoming school year, you will need to register with our office and upload your most recent documentation/psychoeducational evaluation
Applications for accommodations will be reviewed beginning in mid-June. Students are encouraged to begin the application process as early as possible so that accommodations can be in place when classes begin in September.
Once our office has reviewed your documentation, we will contact you if any information is missing or needs updating. We look for evaluations that have been completed within the last two years (age 16+), using adult measures. Our director will contact you over the summer to discuss and finalize your accommodations once all relevant documentation is received.
Questions? Email or call (518) 388-8785.
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UNION PARENTS & FAMILY PROGRAM
Noelle Marchaj '05, Director of Parent and Family Philanthropy
Damond Heath '10, Senior Associate Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement, and Director of DEIB Initiatives
Parents, welcome to the Union community. Your student is creating a lifelong relationship with the College and we invite you to be active partners in that experience. Check out the Parents and Families website to learn more about how you can create your connection to Union.
Before heading to campus this fall, we hope you'll join us for one of Union's Summer Welcome Receptions. These family events are hosted by alumni and current parents. Each event is a wonderful opportunity to meet other members of the Class of 2028 and their families, as well as Union leadership, current students, alumni and College staff.
You are welcome to attend any one of the events in your region or join the virtual program. Look for an email invitation in mid June.
July 17: Albany, NY
July 24: North Andover, MA
July 25: Armonk, NY
July 29: Virtual Reception
August 6: Old Saybrook, CT
September 1: Orientation Welcome Reception - on campus
Questions? Contact Noelle. We look forward to meeting you!
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DINING SERVICES
Union College Hospitality is your one-stop shop for fresh, fun and exciting culinary adventures. We specialize in healthy, delicious dining options using locally-harvested products whenever possible. Our “All U Care to Eat” options are offered at West Dining Hall and Reamer Campus Center Dining Hall. Additional options include Dutch Hollow, The Garlic Nott, The 807 Deli, The Market, Rathskeller, Wold Starbucks, and Ushi Bar (sushi inside Dutch).
The culinary team is prepared to work closely with students and their various dietary needs in both all you care to eat and retail operations. This includes vegan/vegetarian options as well as options free of the top 9 allergens.
Please note: First-year students are required to be on the 15 Meal Plan and are automatically enrolled in it. An unlimited meal plan is available upon request. Learn more here.
Visit us online, email, or call (518) 388-6050.
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| 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. If
you have not yet submitted the required information, please do so as soon as possible.
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.
Information for 2024-25 Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS Loans)
has been posted on our website.
If work-study was offered as part of the financial aid package, students interested in working on campus must create a profile on Handshake and apply to one or more positions starting July 1. Learn how to apply on our website. Students should monitor the status of their application(s) in Handshake throughout the month and withdraw any pending applications once they have been hired. Our office will be sending emails prior to the start of classes indicating other employment details.
Questions? Email or call (518) 388- 6123.
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HUMAN RESOURCES
Employment on campus: Students intending to work on campus must complete new student hire forms prior to starting work (learn more here). Please be sure to bring original forms of ID with you; copies are not acceptable for the I-9 form.
Questions? Email or call (518) 388-6108.
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Robin Olinsky, Class Dean and International Student Advising
International students should complete the application to obtain Form I-20, which needs to be issued prior to scheduling a visa appointment at a US embassy in your home country.
We will be hosting an information session for all international students and their families on Thursday, June 20 at 8am Eastern Time. This will be a great opportunity to ask questions about immigration documents, travel and arrival plans, and how to prepare for your first-year at Union. Register for the session here.
International students should arrive on campus on Aug. 28 (from 4pm-10pm) or Aug. 29 (from 10am-10pm), with mandatory Global Orientation taking place on Aug. 30 - Aug 31. No exceptions will be made to the arrival days, so students are encouraged to book their travel accordingly.
Questions? If you have concerns about immigration documents or your arrival at Union, please email or call (518) 388-8003.
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BURSAR’S OFFICE
Student account access: The Bursar’s Office offers an online billing and payment system, accessible to students any time through Self Service. Students may grant their parents proxy access to Self Service, which provides convenient access to payment and billing information online. Without proxy access, parents are not able to view bills or communicate with the Bursar’s Office regarding the student account.
Billing: The Fall Term bill will be available July 15th with a due date of August 12th. Winter and Spring Term billing take place in November and February, respectively. For more information on payment options and due dates, please visit the Bursar’s website.
Student health insurance: Union College requires all students to have active health insurance that covers them while in Schenectady. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Union is offering coverage from MVP through Haylor, Freyer and Coon (HFC). Details of the insurance policy will be made available here. All students are automatically billed for the health insurance with the Fall Term bill.
Using the Haylor, Freyer and Coon portal, domestic students may request to waive the insurance by uploading an active insurance card to the portal as proof of coverage. This portal will be available in July. The fee for the insurance will remain on the student account until the waiver is submitted and approved by HFC. Please allow three to five business days to see the credit on the student account. Domestic students who waive the plan should confirm that their own health insurance provides coverage for the entire school year while in Schenectady. International students may not opt out or waive this insurance. The waiver form, applicable to U.S. citizens only, is required annually and must be completed by September 13, 2024.
International questions? Please contact the International Student Advising office at (518) 388-8003 or email internationaladvising@union.edu.
Other questions? Email, call (518) 388-6106 or visit the Bursar’s website.
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES
Fall Term tuition deadline: August 12, 2024
Complete health insurance waiver form: September 13, 2023
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REGISTRAR
Welcome to Union! Questions about registration for fall courses should be directed to Dean of Studies, Michelle Osborn, but please note that you will have the opportunity to change fall classes during orientation. If you have any other general questions, please feel free to email us.
Please complete all information in the applicant portal, including the biographical form.
AP scores: These should be sent to us so they can be considered for college credit. Academic departments also use AP scores for placement in their courses. If students selected Union College as their first choice for receiving their test scores, there is no need to do anything. If not, please request scores from College Board.
Questions? Email or call (518) 388-6016.
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Union has multiple locations with accessible computing facilities. Check out this website for a basic understanding of facility capabilities.
Before coming to campus, make sure personal computers have all the latest security patches and updates, as well as current antivirus software. Devices that access the Union College network must be registered and the patches, updates and antivirus software are required during the registration process. Learn more here.
By now, students should have claimed Union email accounts to access College utilities (Student Self Service, housing, health portal, etc.) through the Admissions Portal. When logging into Union Gmail, use username@union.edu. For all other functions, only the username (not the @union.edu) is required.
As stated above, the Bursar’s Office offers an online billing and payment system, accessible to students anytime through Self Service. Specific instructions about how to use Self Service and how to grant access to parents are located on the ITS Help Desk site.
ITS cannot update a parent/guardian password. If it is forgotten or not working, use the Self
Service portal to re-grant access. Please note that parents/guardians will not have access to housing, class schedules, grades or other student-owned information.
Questions? Call our Help Desk at (518) 388-6400, contact us via the client portal or submit a detailed request.
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CAMPUS STORE
The campus store provides a transparent model for low-cost course materials. Check out our comparison software for textbooks to see how our prices compare to sites online. We carry all available course materials, as well as a full line of school supplies and general merchandise.
Questions? For general inquiries, email the campus store. For computer/technology purchase inquiries, email us here.
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