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. We’re also thrilled to invite you to First-Year Spark, our optional summer preview event happening on Saturday, July 26, a great chance to meet classmates, explore campus, and get a feel for Union before move-in day.
Parents and family supporters, we didn’t forget about you! Be sure to register for our “Ready to Launch” webinar on July 15, and consider joining us at one of our Summer Welcome Receptions in New York or Massachusetts to connect with other families, students, and members of the Union community. More details on all of this below!
As always, follow us on Instagram @UnionFirstYear, keep an eye on your Enrolling Student Checklist, continue checking your Union email, and don’t hesitate to reach out t to me at firstyearexperience@union.edu with any questions. I’m here to help!
We can’t wait to meet you soon!
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 first few newsletters, no worries! You can find them on the First-Year Experience website, toward the bottom of the page, under Class of 2029 Summer Communications. All newsletters will be posted there as they go out. |
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YOU'RE INVITED:FIRST-YEAR SPARK – SATURDAY, JULY 26!
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A special summer preview event for the Class of 2029 and incoming transfer students!
We’re excited to invite you to First-Year Spark on Saturday, July 26th from 2:00–7:00 PM, a fun and casual way to meet future classmates, explore campus, and experience what Union has to offer, all before move-in day! All incoming students are welcome to join us for a relaxed, low-pressure day designed to help you start feeling at home at Union.
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From 2:00–5:30 PM, it’s all about U (our new students), meeting new friends, getting to know campus, and easing those pre-college jitters. Then, at 5:30 PM, we’ll welcome back parents and families for a BBQ dinner celebration!
Ready to join us?
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RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION AND HOUSING
Catie Straube, Director of Residential Education and Housing
The deadline to complete your Housing Registration and Commuter Exemption Requests in your Union College student housing portal is quickly approaching. The form is available through July 6th 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 15th, 2025 at 11:59 pm. After July 15th, 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 or call (518) 388-6117.
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READY TO LAUNCH: A CONVERSATION FOR NEW UNION PARENTS
Sending your student off to college is a big transition, for them and for you. Join us on July 15th at 7pm EST for Ready to Launch: A Conversation for New Union Parents, a supportive and informative webinar designed to help parents and family supporters feel more prepared for the journey ahead.
This webinar will be moderated by Aileen Schatz, Director of the First-Year Experience, and will feature insights from panelists including: Sharif Rosen from the Class Deans Office; Marcus Hotaling, Director of the Eppler-Wolff Counseling Center; and special guest, Jennifer Teplin ’13, a licensed therapist and Union alumna . Together, they’ll offer candid advice, thoughtful perspectives, and helpful guidance for navigating the first-year experience alongside your student.
We’ll talk about what to expect, how to support your student from afar, and how to navigate some of the important aspects of this transition, both for your student and for you. If you’d like to join us for this live webinar, please register here.
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UNION PARENTS & FAMILY PROGRAM
Noelle Marchaj '05, Director of Family Philanthropy
Ashley Breslin, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement, and Advancement Events
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. Also save the dates of October 10 -12, 2025 for Homecoming and Family Weekend!
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 fellow members of the Class of 2029 and their families, as well as Union leadership, current students, alumni and College staff.
Register for the 2025 Welcome Receptions
North Andover, MA
Date: Wednesday, July 30th
Hosts: Emily and Mark '88 Webster P'23 P'26
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Armonk, NY
Date: Thursday, July 31st
Hosts: Piper '95 and Roger '94 Smith P '26
Time: 6 - 8 pm
*Event address will be provided in the registration confirmation email.
Wishing your U’s an amazing start to their Union experience and we look forward to meeting you!
For questions, please contact Noelle.
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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 KASSIE!
Hi, I am Kassandra Smeltzer (Kassie) and I am a rising junior at Union on the Orientation Committee! Outside of orientation, I am involved with Student Forum, our student government on campus, as the rising Student Forum president. I am also a part of the U-Sustain Club, Sustainability Office, orchestra, and Greek Life. If you have any questions or want to reach out, feel free to email me at any time: smeltzek@union.edu!
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| Major: Chemistry
Best Piece of Advice for New Students: Union is a place where visions come to life - what you put in is what you will get out!
Favorite Union Tradition: I am a big fan of the Kenney Community Center's Goose Hill Clean-Up in the springtime for Earth Day!
Fun Fact About Me: My favorite movie is the original Robin Hood!
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What am I looking forward to? I am super excited for Club-Expo in September where all clubs and organizations on campus come together, and having a new Union President, Elizabeth Kiss, join our community!
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TELL US WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO!
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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 will be feature in an upcoming newsletter! |
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BURSAR’S OFFICE / BILLING
Student health insurance: Union College requires all students to have active health insurance that covers them while in Schenectady. Union offers coverage with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield through Haylor, Freyer and Coon (HFC). Insurance is effective July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025 for international students and August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025 for domestic students. All students are automatically billed for health insurance and will see the charge with their fall bill. International students may not opt out or waive this insurance. Domestic students may enroll in the insurance or may request a waiver (with proof of insurance that covers them for non-emergency visits to a doctor as well as emergency visits in Schenectady) and have the charge removed.
As of July 1st, using the Haylor, Freyer and Coon portal, domestic students may enroll in or apply to waive the Union College insurance plan. Upon submission of proof of insurance and waiver form, HFC will evaluate your policy to ensure it will cover you completely while in Schenectady. If your policy meets this requirement, HFC will approve your waiver request and the charge will be removed from your account. Please allow three to five business days to see the credit on the student account. The waiver form, applicable to U.S. citizens only, is required annually and must be completed by September 15, 2025.
International questions? Please contact the International Student Services office at (518) 388-8003 or email internationaladvising@union.edu.
Other questions? Email, call (518) 388-6106 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 or call 518-388-6123.
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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:
- aid your transition to campus life, helping you to identify and pursue your academic interests;
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introduce you to curricular requirements, including degree plans, the General Education Curriculum, and the Writing Across the Curriculum program;
- 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 Dr. Jordan, Director of Academic Advising and Enrichment, at academicadvising@union.edu.
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Robin Olinsky, Class Dean and International Student Advising
The next information session on Arriving in the US and Maintaining your visa status is tomorrow, June 25 at 8am Eastern Time. Register here.
Incoming students have been invited to complete the newest course in Homebase. This required pre-arrival course should be completed by August 1.
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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 bi-weekly on Wednesdays. Our first episode released on May 21st. 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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