A message from VP of Student Affairs, Annette Diorio

Office Spotlight: Student Success

From Lesly Clay, Director, Office of Student Success

Winter term is officially here! As your students make their way back to campus, I’d like to remind you about the academic support that is available. Through the Office of Student Success, all Union students can schedule academic coaching sessions on a regular basis/as needed. Popular topics of discussion include (but not limited to) time management, executive function, study skills, and test taking strategies. All appointments cater to each individual student's needs. If your student is looking to schedule academic coaching, please encourage them to visit the Student Success webpage. 

All students also have access to all academic support centers on campus. In addition to office hours, visiting these centers is a great opportunity to address challenging content and ask content specific questions. All centers are available to any student on a drop-in basis, according to this schedule. Sometimes tutoring can be tricky, especially because it can be challenging for us to identify what we don't know. Academic coaching is a great way to prepare for tutoring sessions/office hours. The earlier a student seeks help, the better because more options may be available. 

Lastly, I would like to remind you of our Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program. It is a great resource that provides two weekly review sessions in historically challenging courses. These review sessions are available to students free of charge. Here is a list of the courses and sections that we will support in winter 2026. 

Question of the Month

How can I help my student beat the winter blues?

From Marcus Hotaling, Director, Eppler-Wolff Counseling Center:

As our students return for winter term, they can take intentional steps to protect their mood and energy despite the cold, gray days. Maintaining a routine is especially important.  Regular sleep, consistent meals, and scheduled study and social time can create a sense of stability when days feel monotonous, as well as improve mood and academic performance. Getting outside when possible, even briefly, can make a meaningful difference; a short walk between classes or sitting near a window can help students soak in natural light. Additionally, incorporating indoor activities, such as stretching, yoga, or quick workouts (all of which can be done at Alumni Gym), can also boost endorphins and counteract the sluggishness that often accompanies winter months.

Equally important is staying connected and engaged, and parents can play a supportive role in this process. Regular check-ins (whether through texts, calls, or video chats) can help students feel encouraged without feeling monitored. Parents can support healthy habits by gently reinforcing routines, normalizing the challenges of winter, and reminding students to prioritize self-care (e.g., making plans with friends, attending campus events, or joining study groups). Offering empathy rather than solutions, asking open-ended questions, and encouraging use of campus resources when needed can make a meaningful difference. Small gestures, such as sending a care package, planning a visit, or simply acknowledging that winter can be tough, can help students feel supported and less alone during the colder months.

From Sharif Rosen, First-Year Class Dean:

We’re excited to welcome your student back for winter term at Union!

Your student may notice how winter conditions affect their desire to engage in and out of the classroom. Though there’s no fewer campus programs taking place, student participation during winter typically declines even as the need to stay connected and active remains as important as ever. 

Consider encouraging your student to regularly visit campus websites like U-Engage, which provides comprehensive listings of Union events and activities. On January 21, coinciding with MLK Day programs that week, our Kenney Center hosts an Impact Fair that brings out campus clubs and local organizations to share volunteer and community building opportunities. Alongside these, campus performances, residence hall-based programs, Garnet Charger athletics, and much more will be in full swing.  

Professional staff remain ready and eager to support the holistic needs of your student’s undergraduate experience. Class Deans, Wicker Wellness, and Student Activities are just some of the resources available to empower your student to connect, grow, and thrive at Union, in any season. We invite you to encourage your student to reach out and make the connections they need.

Updates from Campus Offices

Accommodative Services

Students with a documented disability who wish to apply for a housing accommodation for the 2026-27 academic year must submit a completed Special Housing Accommodation Request Form by Friday, January 23. 

Special housing accommodations are intended for students with a qualifying disability that substantially limits their ability to function daily in a residence hall environment. Such an accommodation is not based solely on a diagnosis, but rather on a comprehensive analysis of a student’s disability and how that disability directly and significantly interferes with one or more major life activities as would be encountered in the residential setting.

The special housing accommodation process is designed to address the housing needs of students with disabilities that cannot be met readily through the general housing selection process.  

***All students must still participate in the Housing Deposit and/or General Housing Application processes while they are going through this Special Housing Accommodation Request process, to be eligible for housing.***

Additional information can be found on the Accommodative Services webpage.

Athletics

While winter might be here in Schenectady, we are already looking forward to the spring! All Spring sports schedules have been released on the Union Athletics website and can be accessed at https://unionathletics.com/calendar or by visiting individual team pages. 

Career Center & Undergraduate Research

The Career Center is pleased to announce that Rochelle Caruso, Senior Associate Director of Employer Relations, has taken on the role of Interim Director following the departure of Roger Woolsey. Rochelle has been with Union College since 2001 and brings extensive experience leading both the Career Education and Employer Relations teams. 

Garnet Grove

As your student returns to campus and starts thinking about their job or internship search, we want to highlight the importance of networking in that search. A key networking resource for students is GarnetGrove, a networking platform built exclusively for the Union College community. Over 1000 alumni from a variety of industries have already joined the platform. Encourage your student to activate their account and schedule a networking appointment with our office! Parents of Union College students are also welcome to join the platform to share their expertise with students. 

Class Deans

Due to staffing changes in the Class Deans office, we’ve readjusted the Class Dean assignments for the Class of 2027. 

Class of 2029: Dean Sharif Rosen, rosens2@union.edu
Class of 2028: Dean Eun-sil Lee, leee4@union.edu
Class of 2027: Dean Robin Olinsky, olinskyr@union.edu
Class of 2026: Dean Robin Olinsky, olinskyr@union.edu

The Class Deans Office can also be reached by phone at (518) 388-8060.

College Relations

Happy New Year on behalf of the Family Circle! Thank you to everyone who shared year end gifts with Union. Your support and generosity makes such a positive impact for the community. This January, College Relations is hosting regional events in NJ, Boston, and Albany. Families are always welcome to join us. Click here for more information. Hope everyone enjoys the Union calendar and wishing your students a great winter term! 

To learn more about the Family Circle, contact Noelle Marchaj '05 at marchajn@union.edu. 

Residential Education & Housing

Student Leader Selection
Applications for the 2026-27 Resident Assistant (RA), House Manager (HM), and Head Resident Assistant (HRA) positions are open! Being a student leader is a wonderful way to gain leadership skills and create positive community experiences. Applications close on January 9, 2026 at 11:59pm. Late applications will not be accepted.

Housing Selection and Senior Release Process – February 2026
Housing selection for the 2026-2027 academic year will begin at the start of winter term. This process will include all returning students for general housing, senior release, Minerva Houses, theme housing, and fraternity and sorority life chapter spaces. Official selection will take place at the end of February. More information will be available on our website and emailed to students in January.

Important Reminder
Students should not sign any off-campus leases before receiving official written approval for release from campus housing. Signing a lease does not guarantee release and students may risk having to break the lease or pay for both on-campus and off-campus housing.

Union Dining’s Culinary Corner

Over the past several weeks, Union Dining has carefully reviewed comment cards, emails, and feedback from students and campus groups. We truly appreciate the time you’ve taken to share your thoughts. Your input has guided many of the improvements we’re excited to announce. Based directly on your feedback, we’re implementing several upcoming concepts designed to improve traffic flow, increase customization, and provide energizing options throughout the day.

In addition, Dining has been working closely with campus sustainability groups to develop initiatives that reduce waste and limit single-use plastics, especially in the grab-n-go program. We are actively exploring and implementing solutions to support these goals and will share more details as plans are finalized and launched. Dining is excited to have students experience these new concepts and enjoy our new food offerings.

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

Visit Union’s Academic Calendar and Residential Education’s Dates and Deadlines for more details and upcoming dates.

MLK Jr. Week of Service

If your student is looking for new ways to connect with opportunities on campus and in the local community, encourage them to take part in Union’s 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Week of Service from January 17 - January 24, 2026.

Highlights of the week include:

Check out the full schedule of programs!

Commencement 2026

Commencement is Fast Approaching!
The big day is Sunday, June 14th, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Please refer to our Commencement website for information we hope is helpful as you make your plans. This site will be updated as Commencement approaches. Encouraging your student to check out our Commencement Student Checklist!

Contact Information for Emergencies and Concerns

In case of an emergency, parents and families are encouraged to call Union College’s Campus Safety Department at (518) 388-6911. In addition to responding to emergencies, Campus Safety can also activate Union’s on-call system. The on-call system operates in the evenings, after College offices are closed, on weekends, holidays, and College breaks. The on-call system includes student and professional residential staff, the Counseling Center, Health Services, and other College administrators. 

During regular business hours, parents and families should contact their student’s Class Dean, with questions or concerns about their student. 

Additional Campus Resources

Find additional campus resources and helpful information for families below.

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