FYE SUMMER NEWSLETTER EDITION 8 (FINAL EDITION)!!!
The Countdown to Move-In & Orientation Is On!
We are just days away from welcoming the Class of 2029 to Union, and we couldn’t be more excited to meet you! Orientation has been newly recharged to help you feel confident and prepared, academically, socially, and personally, from your very first day. Get ready for opportunities to connect, explore, and discover all that Union has to offer.
Move-In Day is Friday, August 29, 2025, followed by our Orientation program that runs through Tuesday, September 2, with a return on Saturday, September 6 for our Toll Day of Community Engagement.
Parents and families are invited to join students for the move-in process and can take part in activities like the Resource Fair, Farewell Picnic, and the President’s Welcome. At the conclusion of the President’s Welcome, students will head directly into their Orientation programs, we’ve built in just a few minutes for goodbyes at that time, but we politely ask parents and families to head off campus after the welcome to allow our students to fully engage in our programs!
This week, you also received your Shared Experience placement via email. Be sure to keep an eye on your Union inbox for more important updates about your Orientation experience!
In the meantime, follow us on Instagram @UnionFirstYears to see all of our Orientation Leaders (OLs) and check out our Charging Up Your First Year podcast series (on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio) to help you prepare for a smooth transition to Union.
If you have questions as you get ready, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help! You can email us, call (518) 388-6061, or visit our first-year website.
Our Orientation Schedule is available here.
We can’t wait to officially welcome you and your families to Union and kick off an unforgettable year ahead!
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 previous 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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MOVE-IN
First Year Move-In takes place on Friday, August 29th, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Instructions and First-Year Move-in maps are available on our website for your convenience. To check-in students will need to arrive with some form of photo ID for identification purposes. If you have not already done so, please sign up for a check in time slot in your student housing portal prior to Sunday, August 24th.
We encourage you to label all of your belongings with your name, building, and room number; masking tape and a permanent marker work great. Labeling will assist our move-in volunteers in getting your items where they need to go. Please note that many of our students and families choose to check in at the start of their assigned move-in period. If you wish to arrive with less congestion, we recommend arriving later in the time block.
International students, pre-season athletes will receive specific arrival instructions from the housing office about where to arrive and pick up keys on their early arrival date.
Questions? Email Residential Education and Housing or call (518) 388-6117.
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UNITED EDUCATORS ONLINE EDUCATION MODULES
Ricky Reiss, MSEd, Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution
Ann Ciancia, JD, MBA, Title IX Coordinator, Title VI Coordinator, Director of Equal Opportunity
Dr. Marcus Hotaling, Director of Wicker Wellness Center
At Union College we aim to support the health and wellbeing of every member of our community. We understand that there are many things to consider before starting your journey with us here in the fall. These courses will provide you valuable information and insight on how to support your wellness. These modules are required for all incoming students and are designed to help you and your fellow community members better understand: Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sexual Assault Prevention, Title IX , Hazing Prevention, and Substance Use.
The link above will take you to the log-in page where you can use your Union credentials. If you receive an error message, try to use the temporary password "GoChargers1!" and you will be prompted to create a new password. There are 10 modules in total, they can be completed in any order, and they do not need to be completed in one sitting. Your progress will be saved and you can return to them at a later time to complete the remainder of the modules.
The deadline to complete these modules is Monday, September 8th. Failure to complete these modules on time may result in engagement with the Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.
By engaging with these courses, you will learn how to embody the values of Union College by treating yourself and your community with care respect. We thank you for taking the time to complete these modules. We want to personally welcome you to Union College and we look forward to seeing you on campus this fall.
For additional questions or concerns, please email Ricky Reiss, Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.
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FIRST-YEAR LEADERSHIP SEMINAR
Aileen Schatz, Director of the First-Year Experience
Matt Milless, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
During the fall term, you have an opportunity to participate in a Leadership Development Seminar, designed specifically for first-year students. This seminar will meet on Fridays during common hour (1:00–1:50 p.m.), a time when no courses are scheduled.
The program is limited to 20 students and weekly attendance is expected. Participants will come together as a small, engaged group to learn more about their leadership styles, explore their personal strengths, and discover ways to get involved at Union.
Through this experience, you will further develop your leadership skills, connect with peers, and explore your unique talents using the CliftonStrengths assessment.
There are no prerequisites to join, just an interest in getting involved, learning about yourself, and growing as a leader.
If you would like to participate, please complete this form. You will be notified by August 22 if you were one of the first 20 students to sign up. We will create a waitlist of students once the 20 seats are filled.
Our first session will be held on Friday, September 12, at 1:00 p.m. in 406 Reamer Campus Center.
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STUDENT ACTIVITIES
DON'T MISS CLUB EXPO - SEPTEMBER 6th
With more than 100 clubs and organizations to choose from, Union has something for everyone! Check out the Club Expo Friday, Sept. 5, on Library Plaza hosted by Student Forum. Join clubs, enjoy delicious food and engage in fun activities. This event is a great opportunity to talk with student leaders and learn more about what these student-run groups have to offer.
Interested in a club sport? Bring your gear! Interested in joining pep band? Bring your instruments! Practices will start shortly after the Club Expo, so come ready to dive in!
BOLT POINTS
We are excited to introduce you to our Bolt Point Program where students can earn "Bolt Points" for attending events across campus!
Download the Modern Campus Involve App (via Apple App Store or Google Play) or visit UEngage.union.edu to see events with the "Bolt Points" tag to know where you can earn points. Students can redeem their points for prizes throughout the year for items such as movie tickets, Airtags, Stanley's, Spikeball sets, Speakers, Nintendo Switches, GoPros, and more!
Questions? Email or call (518) 388-6118.
And don’t forget to follow Student Activities on Instagram (@unionstuact) to stay up-to-date with events and activities throughout the year.
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A UNION TRADITION: TOLL DAY OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - SEPTEMBER 6th
John Calvin Toll Day of Community Engagement is a longtime Union College tradition - connecting students with Schenectady and other Capital Region communities. Students work alongside local community members to support ongoing projects and activities in the community while learning about local culture and needs.
As part of Orientation, students will be able to choose their community engagement site for the day, and are invited to also attend local festivals after their service experience is complete.
To find out more about Toll Day and other Community Engagement opportunities, visit Community Connections, email volunteer@union.edu or follow the Kenney Center for Community Engagement and Outreach on Instagram (@unioncommunityengagement).
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SCHAFFER LIBRARY STUDENT SURVEY
The staff in Schaffer Library are so excited to see you on campus in a few short weeks! At the library, we provide research assistance, resources for courses, books for fun, and so much more.
We would like to get to know you a bit better so that we know how we can serve you best. We ask that you complete a brief, anonymous survey to help us assess your research capabilities.
Participants who complete the survey will have the opportunity to win $50 worth of merchandise from the Union Campus Bookstore.
Thank you for your participation.
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Robin Olinsky, Class Dean and International Student Advising
Our final international student information session on Travel Reminders and Looking Ahead (winter break, summer break, and graduation) is tomorrow morning, August 20 at 8am Eastern. Register now.
Don’t forget to pack traditional attire or other clothing that represents your home country and culture! Students will have a chance to wear it during Orientation and throughout the school year.
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INCLUSION AND BELONGING
Jennifer Mitchell, Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Niamaya Canady, Assistant Director, Intercultural Affairs
Adonis Richards, Program Coordinator, Intercultural Affairs
At Union, students, faculty, and staff all work together to cultivate a community of curiosity. The Dean for DEIB, the Office of Intercultural Affairs, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, and the LGBTQ+ Affairs Committee all contribute to this community in significant and substantial ways; through programming, professional development, and experiential learning, all members of the campus community take part in building an inclusive and equitable campus. Annual highlights include: Identity Dialogues, Pridefest, MLK Day of Service, and invited speakers including Monique Coleman, Derrick Johnson, attorneys from the Empire Justice Center and successful alumni including Pooja Kothari, Denielle Finkelstein, and Doyin Richards.
Interested in getting involved?
Reach out to deanofdei@union.edu and/or oia@union.edu for more information!
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MAILROOM AT REAMER CAMPUS CENTER
The mailroom is located on the first floor of the Reamer Campus Center. The Service Window is available for sending and package pick up.
Mail and packages to Union should be addressed as follows:
Union College
Student's Name
Students' Dorm Building Name, Room Number
807 Union Street
Schenectady, N.Y. 12308
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.
The mailroom will be open for your convenience during our move-in day on August 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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UNION COLLEGE BOOKSTORE
The Bookstore is a one-stop shop for course materials, school supplies, and Union gear. Located on the second floor of Reamer Campus Center, it offers students all sorts of necessities for class and everyday life.
The Bookstore will be open for your convenience during our move-in day on August 29th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
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THE C-STORE
The C-Store, located on the first floor of Reamer Campus Center, is a newly refreshed convenience style store with some of our students' favorite market staples and an expanded array of hot and cold grab-and-meals, all prepared from scratch daily.
The C-Store will be open for your convenience during our move-in day on August 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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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 and Families, don't forget to check out the Parents and Families website to learn more about how you can create your connection to Union and save the date for these upcoming events:
We look forward to meeting you soon!
For questions, please contact Noelle.
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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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