FYE SUMMER NEWSLETTER EDITION 1: LET'S GET STARTED!
Hello again, Class of 2030!
We can’t wait to officially welcome you to campus this fall, congratulations on choosing Union!
Here is the first edition of our bi-weekly summer e-newsletter, designed to keep you connected, informed, and supported as you prepare to join the Union community. Each edition will highlight key deadlines and tasks, helpful resources, and tips to help make your transition smooth and meaningful. Think of it as your go-to guide for all the things you need to know or do this summer as you prepare to start at Union in the Fall.
If questions come up, about forms, housing, majors, or anything else, I’m here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. In the meantime, I also encourage you to check out a few other ways to stay in the know:
First-Year Website – Bookmark it for easy access to resources and updates.
Instagram: @UnionFirstYear – Follow along for tips, reminders, introductions and behind-the-scenes peeks from campus this summer.
If you haven’t already, start regularly checking your Union.edu email address and reviewing your Enrolling Student Checklist in your Applicant Portal, a few deadlines are already around the corner!
We’re here for you every step of the way, and I can’t wait to help you make the most of your first year at Union.
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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YOUR FYE NEWSLETTER
We want these newsletter updates to be as helpful as possible for both students and parents.
Is there a campus office you’re curious about?
Do you want to know the best spots to visit in Schenectady?
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KEY DATES, TASKS AND UPCOMING DUE DATES!
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Many of the tasks below can be found on the Enrolling Student Checklist on your Applicant Portal!
May 15
Complete your ITS Computer Account Agreement
Complete your Biographical Form
May 26
Complete your Advising and Course Registration form
June 1
Housing Registration and Commuter Exemption Request Forms open
June 12
Health Forms due
July 10
Fall Term billing statements available
July 15
Placement Exams due
Submit your Final High School Transcripts to Admissions
August 1
Submit your ID Card Picture
August 7
Fall Term Tuition 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!
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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.
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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!
Keep an eye out each newsletter to get to know some of the friendly faces that will be there to greet you in September!
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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 admissions@union.edu.
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ACADEMICS
Thomas Jordan, Director of Academic Advising
All students can access the Advising and Course Registration Form through their applicant portal. This form is due by May 26th. The information you provide will help us pair you with an academic advisor and develop your fall term course schedule. If you have difficulty accessing the form, please call or email us. For more information on academic advising, first-year courses, and placement exams, please consult our New Student Academic Planning Guide.
Questions? Email academicadvising@union.edu or call (518) 388-7116.
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RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION AND HOUSING
Catie Straube, Director of Residential Education and Housing
Welcome to Union! It is an exciting time to be on campus and we can’t wait to welcome you in September. Check out our Residential Education and Housing website for more information.
Students who plan on applying for commuter status should reach out to us at housing@union.edu to ensure the correct form is added to your housing portal when applications open in June.
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Housing registration and commuter exemption request forms will be available in your applicant portal in June.
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Housing Assignments will be sent out no later than August 1st.
- International Student Move In: September 3, 2026
- First Year and Transfer Move In: September 4, 2026
Questions? Email housing@union.edu or call (518) 388-6117.
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SNEAK PEAK OF CAMPUS LIFE WITH CLUBS & ORGS
Emily Rocha, Director of Student Activities
Wondering what your experience might look like outside the classroom?
Get ready for a vibrant and active campus community filled with events, club meetings, and ways to get involved every day of the week.
Union is home to more than 100 student-run clubs and organizations, ranging from cultural and identity-based groups to academic, service, performance, and special interest clubs. Whether you’re passionate about sustainability, dance, robotics, debate, or community service, you’ll find your people here.
To see what kinds of events and activities happen throughout the year, check out Uengage.union.edu. This is our campus hub for student activities, where you can browse clubs, find upcoming events, and get involved.
Students, want a sneak peek of what your days might include? Sign up for our Daily Digest email, which gives you a daily snapshot of club-sponsored events happening that day and the next.
Spring term is packed with opportunities to connect, explore, and have fun—we can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself!
Questions about getting involved? Email getinvolved@union.edu or call (518) 388-6118.
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ACCOMMODATIVE SERVICES
Laura Galt, 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 the Accommodative Services Office and upload your supporting documentation for our review. Please use this link to register: New Student Registration Portal
Applications for accommodations will be reviewed beginning in late June. Students are encouraged to begin the application process as early as possible so that accommodations can be put in place before classes begin in September.
Once our office has reviewed your application, we will contact you if any information is missing or needs updating. Please note that 504 plans and IEPs, while providing helpful information, do not automatically transfer to post-secondary settings. See our eligibility and documentation guidelines for more detailed information. Our director will contact you over the summer to discuss and finalize your accommodations once documentation is received.
If you wish to apply for special housing accommodations, please see the separate forms and guidance on our webpage: Special Housing Accommodation Requests-Forms and Process. The deadline for housing accommodation requests is June 15.
Questions? Email accommodations@union.edu or call (518) 388-8785.
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HEALTH FORMS
Angela Stefanatos, Director of the Health Center
Health portal forms, physicals and immunization forms from physicians should be uploaded to the health portal by June 12. See the health requirement checklist for details and form links.
Please note, Health center staff will review each document for completeness before it shows as complete with a Green Check Mark in your applicant portal.
Questions? Email or call (518) 388-6120.
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BURSAR’S OFFICE
Student Account Access: The Bursar’s Office provides an online billing and payment system available 24/7 through Self Service. Students may grant their parents or authorized users proxy access, allowing them to view billing statements and make payments.
Please note: Without proxy access, parents and authorized users cannot view billing information or communicate with the Bursar’s Office regarding the student’s account.
Billing: Fall Term billing statements will be available July 10th with a due date of August 7th. 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 2026-2027 academic year, coverage is offered through Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield in partnership with Haylor, Freyer and Coon (HFC). Details of the insurance policy will be made available at the link here. All students will automatically be billed for this insurance with the Fall Term statement.
- International students are required to enroll in the college-sponsored plan and may not waive coverage.
- Domestic students may either enroll in the plan or request a waiver by providing proof of comparable coverage.
Beginning in July, domestic students can access the HFC portal to submit a waiver request by uploading proof of active insurance coverage. Coverage must include both emergency and non-emergency care in the Schenectady area.
Once submitted, waiver requests are reviewed by HFC. If approved, the insurance charge will be removed from the student account. Please allow 3–5 business days for the credit to appear.
The waiver form (for U.S. citizens only) must be completed annually by September 15
Questions?
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES
- Fall Term Tuition Due: August 7, 2026
- Health Insurance Waiver Deadline: September 15, 2026
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Union has multiple locations with accessible computing facilities. Check out our public computing facilities website for a basic understanding of facility capabilities.
By now, students should have claimed their 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.
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 on our coming to campus website linked here.
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 ITS Help Desk at (518) 388-6400, contact us via the client portal to submit a detailed request.
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Robin Olinsky, Class Dean and International Student Advising
Heidi Hodges, International Advising
We’re so excited to welcome our incoming Class of 2030 international students. You should have received an email from the International Advising office outlining the steps to obtain your initial I-20. Please contact us if you have any questions or did not receive this email.
This year, we anticipate increased scrutiny of visa applications and limited interview availability. We strongly encourage you to complete the steps detailed in your email as soon as possible so you can receive your I-20 promptly and allow ample time to secure your F-1 visa before arriving in September.
Please join International Advising for an upcoming virtual information session for incoming students and their families. We will go over the process to request your Initial I-20 and visa interview preparation. The session is Thursday, May 21, 2026, 8:00am - 9:00am Eastern Standard time. Click this link here to tune in!
As a reminder, international students are permitted to arrive on campus September 2, 2026. We cannot allow earlier move-in dates, so please plan your travel accordingly.
International student athletes can expect to receive specific instructions regarding arrival times from their respective coaches.
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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REGISTRAR
Sarah Farsad, Registrar
Welcome to Union! Please be sure to complete all information in the applicant portal, including the biographical form.
AP scores: These should be sent to Union College (NY) 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 registrar@union.edu or call (518) 388-6016.
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