FYE SUMMER NEWSLETTER EDITION 6!

We’re getting closer and closer to welcoming you to Union, and there’s so much to be excited about! Newsletter #6 is packed with helpful information to make sure you're feeling ready, confident, and prepared for your arrival on September 4th.

 

This issue features a special welcome message from your Class Dean, Sue Jordan! Be sure to give that a read, along with these important updates and action items to keep in mind:

• Enrolling Student Checklist: Please keep a close eye on your checklist in the Applicant Portal so you stay on top of all your required items.
• Campus ID Photo: Make sure to submit your ID photo as soon as possible so your student ID is printed and ready for you when you arrive!
• Incoming Student Modules: Check your union.edu email! The Office of Community Standards sent an email yesterday regarding your required incoming student modules, which must be completed by August 17th.
• Orientation Schedule Live: The Orientation Schedule is now available! Plus, make sure to follow us on Instagram @UnionFirstYears to meet all of the Orientation Leaders (OLs) as we share their introductions later this week.

As always, we’re here to help you feel supported every step of the way as you begin your Union journey. Never hesitate to reach out to us at firstyearexperience@union.edu or give us a call at 518-388-6061!

 

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!

 

PAST DUE

Shared Expereince Ranking Form

July 21

Ready to Launch - Virtual Conversation for Parents/Supporters

July 23

Summer Research In Action Day

August 1

Submit your ID Card Picture

August 4

First-Year Parking Request deadline

August 7

Summer Visit Day

Fall Term Tuition Due

August 15

Academic Integrity Training Due

August 17

Incoming Student Modules 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! 

A WELCOME FROM YOUR CLASS DEAN

Dear Class of 2030,

 

Hello and welcome to Union College! Congratulations on joining this wonderful community. 

 

I am so excited to welcome you to campus, and I look forward to working with you throughout your college years as your Class Dean. I am working closely with Aileen Schatz, the Director of First Year Experience, to prepare for your arrival. You will continue to receive information from us via email and social media about getting to campus, what to expect at orientation, and advice for the transition to college. Make sure to check your email, or the Summer Communications section of our website, to stay up-to-date on important deadlines and get advice from the Union students on the Orientation Committee. 

ID CARD PICTURES

Don't forget to submit your Union ID card photo through your applicant portal by August 1 to have it ready for pickup with your room key on move-in day!  Your Union ID is your key to campus, it gives you access to residence halls, classrooms, dining, the library, and more.

 

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 the Card Access Office at cardaccess@union.edu.

FIRST-YEAR MEAL PLANS

All students are required to maintain an active meal plan. First-year and transfer students are automatically enrolled in the Reamer Dining Hall Unlimited Plan unless they choose to switch to the 15 Plan.

 

Changes to your default meal plans may be made through your Housing portal or in the Reamer Dining Office (2nd floor) beginning on September 4th through the first 10 days of the trimester. Changes to your meal plan will go into effect the following morning. 

 

More information about our meal plans can be found here. 

RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION AND HOUSING

Catie Straube, Director of Residential Education and Housing 

The end of the summer is approaching and we are getting more and more excited about welcoming you to campus!

 

All students will receive an email with housing assignments next week. Once that email goes out, you can view your assignment in your student housing portal. As you prepare for your arrival, you’ll need to prepare to select your move-in time slot in your student housing portal. First Year Move-In takes place on Friday, September 4th, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  

 

Check-in time slot selection will be available starting on August 1st, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis and will close on September 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Check-in time slots will be available every 15 minutes starting at 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. for standard first-year move-in on September 4th.

 

Approved early arrivals, such as Fall Varsity athletes and international students, will be assigned a check-in time window on their approved arrival date. Approved early arrival students should refrain from selecting a check-in time slot on September 4, 2026. 

 

Your selected check-in time slot will be the time you arrive on campus, check in with our team, and pick up your room key and ID card. You do not need to be completely unpacked or moved in by the end of your check-in time slot. 

 

How to select a check-in time slot: 

Log in to your student housing portal

Navigate to the assignments tab on the homepage of your housing portal

Hit the drop-down arrow on the “select time block” 

Select your preferred time block and hit the “Update My Time” button

 

REMINDER : Students arriving early for fall sports should order their microfridge through the vendor website prior to August 1st to ensure on time delivery. More information can be found here: https://www.mymicrofridge.com/order-now. 

 

Questions? Visit the Residential Education webpage, email Housing@union.edu or call us at (518) 388-6117. 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Michelle Osborn, Dean of Studies

All incoming students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Training Module, which introduces Union’s Honor Code, highlights college resources, and promotes academic honesty.

The module must be completed by Friday, August 15. Once finished, you’ll earn an Integrity Badge on Nexus.

 

To complete the tutorial, log onto Nexus and select the course tab for Academic Integrity Training
Use the key: honorcode

 

Questions? Email deanofstudies@union.edu

MAILROOM & MAILING BELONGINGS

Our mailroom is quite small. If students need to mail their belongings to campus, please do so after Aug. 26 (exceptions made for fall student athletes moving in prior to the 26th).

 

Please address items sent to the College mailroom (located in Reamer Campus Center) as follows:

Union College

Student's Name

Students' Dorm Building Name, Room Number 

807 Union Street

Schenectady, N.Y. 12308

 

A few helpful mailing tips:

• 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. 
• Students will receive an email when they have mail or a package to pick up. Mail and/or packages must be picked up within two weeks.
• First-class mail (letters, bills, postcards) is forwarded over the summer to the address on record. No other mail is forwarded. FedEx or UPS packages cannot be forwarded and must be held or returned.
• If shipments require tracking, use either UPS or FedEx.

The College is financially responsible only for insured incoming mail that requires a signature. Please be advised that a signature is not required for USPS delivery confirmation and priority mail.

The College mailroom offers a range of services. The “ship it home” program allows students to send belongings home easily. And while the mailroom is not a U.S. Post Office, it provides limited postal services (including UPS and FedEx shipments). The College is not responsible for outgoing packages or mail. For full-service postal needs, the Schenectady Post Office is located downtown on Jay Street, just a short walk from campus.

 

Questions? Email Rich Manzer our Mailroom Supervisor at manzerr@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!

MEET LILLY!

Hi! My name is Lilly, and I am a rising junior at Union on the Orientation Committee. I am a
biochemistry major with a double minor in mathematics and medical humanities. Outside of
orientation, I am involved in chemistry research and tutoring, tour guiding, and Greek Life! If
you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me via email, moorel2@union.edu. I am so
excited to meet you!!

Keep an eye out on our Instagram @UnionFirstYears, as we share all of our

Orientation Leader (OL) introductions later this week!

STUDENTS, EARN YOUR ORIENTATION BOLT POINTS NOW   
Click the button below to complete this week's question to earn 10 Orientation Bolt Points now!

 

During orientation, you'll have the opportunity to play Big Prize Bingo with prizes of things from dorm decor, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, a hammock, airpods, bluetooth speakers, an ipad and more! What are some prizes you'd like to see?

FIRST-YEAR PARKING REQUEST

First-year students can now request to register a car on campus for Fall 2026. Students must complete the form linked here by August 4. The fee for vehicle registration is $150. Approval is not guaranteed, so please do not bring a car to campus unless you receive written approval. Commuter students must also complete the form. Unauthorized parking may result in tickets or towing.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

As you prepare for your student’s transition to Union College, one important question often comes up: Should we get a computer before arriving on campus?

 

When choosing a computer for your student, the best place to start is their intended major. While Union College offers a range of campus computing resources, the ITS Help Desk within the Schaffer library is your student’s go-to support for all things tech—whether it’s accessing computer labs or getting help with personal devices. That said, many students find having their own laptop essential for academic success and everyday convenience.

 

Last month, we introduced Okta Verify, Union College's Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) tool. Okta Verify protects your account by requiring a second form of verification — such as a push notification or code — in addition to your password. It's easy to use and ensures that only you can access your account, even if your password is ever compromised. If you haven't set it up yet, now is a great time to get started!

 

To learn how to download and set up Okta Verify, visit the following link: Enable Multi-Factor Authorization Using Okta

STAY CONNECTED WITH UNION: 

First-year student webpage

First-year students on Instagram

Parents & families

Athletics

News & events 

YouTube

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