Orientation Schedules - Fall 2025

CHECK IN & RESIDENCE HALL MOVE IN
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Check-in and pick-up your key, and student ID at your residence hall. Orientation Leaders (OLs) and Resident Assistant (RAs) will be on hand to show you to your room and help you get moved in.

Your Residence Hall for Key Pick Up & Move-In

MINERVA WELCOME
Time TBD

Stop by our Minerva Welcome to learn more about the Minerva Program and to meet Minerva leaders.

West Beach/Richmond Lawn

INTRODUCTION TO ACCOMMODATIVE SERVICES ORIENTATION
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Students registered with Accommodative Services should plan to attend this session to meet the staff, tour the office, and receive important information about requesting their accommodations. Student should have received an e-mail invite from Accommodative Services Office with more details. Parents are encourage to explore campus or the bookstore during this time.

Schaffer Library

FIRST GEN MEET & GREET FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Are you the first in your family to attend college? Stop by the Unity Lounge to meet other first-generation students, supportive staff, and campus partners who are here to cheer you on. This is a great chance to build community, ask questions, and celebrate the start of your college journey.

Reamer Campus Center - Unity Lounge, room 304

RESOURCE FAIR
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Stop by the Nott Memorial for a resources fair. Representatives from across campus will be here, drop in to meet staff and have any questions answered.

Nott Memorial

CLASS OF 2029 FAREWELL PICNIC
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Drop in and join your classmates and their families for a relaxed and festive picnic as we celebrate the start of your Union experience! This special gathering offers time to connect, enjoy a meal, and say your farewells before heading to the President’s Welcome!

Tent on Library Plaza

PRESIDENT'S WELCOME
6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Join us as members of the Union Administration officially welcome you to the Union Community and your Union College experience.

Hear from:

• Elizabeth Kiss, President
• Annette Diorio, VP for Student Affairs
• Michele Angrist, Dean of Faculty, VP for Academic Affairs

Moderated by:

• Aileen Schatz, Director of the First-Year Experience

Frank Bailey Field

PARENTS & FAMILIES DEPART
6:30 p.m.

After the welcome, once our Orientation programs begin, we kindly ask that parents and families head back home so our students can be fully present in our programing.

ORIENTATION GROUP CONNECTIONS AND FIRST GROUP MEETINGS
6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Throughout Orientation you will get together with the members of your Orientation Group and meet your Orientation Leaders (OLs). Our OLs will facilitate conversations and connections among group members and serve as a mentor and friend during your transition to Union.

You'll be introduced to your OLs at the conclusion of the President's Welcome

SAFETY ON CAMPUS
7:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

You'll hear from members of Campus Safety and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) staff about their role on campus, the services they provide, how they work to enforce rules, regulations and policies on campus, and share personal safety tips and practices with you to keep the Union Community safe. Campus Safety's number is (518) 388-6911.

Memorial Chapel

CLASS T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY & CLASS OF 2029 PICTURE
8:00 p.m.

See an Orientation Committee Member on your way to the Nott Memorial to receive your official Garnet Chargers - Class of 2029 t-shirt! Put that shirt on and get ready to say, “Cheese” and be proud to be a member of the Class of 2029 as we take the official class picture of your incoming class!

Nott Memorial

WEST BEACH WELCOME
8:10 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Join your classmates, OLs and RAs for our West Beach Welcome! Enjoy snacks, have some fun, and get to know your classmates on the first night of orientation.

West Beach

BREAKFAST
7:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Reamer Campus Dining

OPTIONAL WELLNESS EXPERIENCES
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Students can opt into participate in a wellness experience during this time. Specific details will be shared as we get closer to orientation.

Pre-registration for some activities may be required.

Various Locations

RES HALL FLOOR MEETINGS
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Connect with your RA and floormates discuss what it means to be a part of your floor community.

Your Res Hall Floor

OL SMALL GROUP TIME
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Reconnect with your OL group before you begin day 1 of orientation.

Your OL group location

SATURDAY ROTATIONS BLOCKS

During this rotation block, you’ll move through four important sessions designed to help you feel informed, connected, and confident as you begin your Union journey. The topics include:

Time with IX – Hear from Ann Ciancia, Title IX Coordinator and Director of Equal Opportunity, to learn about your rights, resources, and how Union supports a safe and respectful campus community.
Reamer Auditorium

Campus Tour – Explore key spots on campus with your orientation group and build bonds with your classmates.
All Around Campus

Healthy Choices at College – Engage in an open conversation around topics including: alcohol & other drugs, hazing, health & wellness, and safety & support, to help you make smart and healthy choices while at Union.
Olin 115

Small Group Classroom Time – Spend time with your group in a classroom setting to learn about important Union platforms. You'll also have the chance to meet and hear from Dean of Studies, Dean Michelle Osborn and your Class Dean, Dean Sharif Rosen.
Karp/Lippman Classrooms

These sessions will rotate in groups so everyone has a chance to engage meaningfully with each topic.

SATURDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 1
10:50 a.m. - 11:20 p.m.

SATURDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 2
11:30 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.

LUNCH
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Reamer Campus Dining

SATURDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 3
1:50 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.

SATURDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 4
2:30 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.

MEET YOUR SHARED EXPERIENCE GROUP & LEADERS
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Get to know the other students and leaders you'll be spending time with during your Shared Experience tomorrow!

Meeting Locations by Shared Experience

CHARGERS ON THE HARBOR & TASTE OF SCHENECTADY
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Kick off your Union experience at Mohawk Harbor with music, games, and great food! Connect with classmates, enjoy samples from favorite local restaurants, and get a first look at the new hockey arena where our teams will play. It’s a fun and flavorful welcome to your new community!

Mohawk Harbor

ORIENTATION BINGO
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Join the Class of 2029 at one of Union’s most popular events. You could win anything from laundry detergent, Union gear, bluetooth speakers, and more.

BREAKFAST
7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Reamer Campus Dining

SHARED EXPERIENCES
All Day! - start & end times vary

This is what this day is all about! Get ready to connect with classmates through your Shared Experiences, a small-group program designed around common interests. With 17 exciting options, these programs offer a fun and meaningful way to build community before classes begin.

Students should rank their preferences in their applicant portal by August 4th, and you'll find out your assigned experience in mid-August!

The day will look different depending on which Shared Experience you're participating in.

Our 17 experiences include:

• Art and Theatre in the Hudson Valley
• Arts in the Berkshires
• Broadway for the Day
• Finding Your Voice: Social Justice, Identity & Action
• Gardens, Plants, and U
• Garnet Games : Connect, Play, Create
• Global Flavors and Local Treks
• Leadership Building Adventure Challenge
• Locals’ Best Kept Secrets: Hiking, Farm Tour and Ethnic Foods
• Our Schenectady Home
• Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
• Saratoga and Schuyler: The Revolution Comes to New York
• Summit Together: First-Year Experience Hike
• The Ultimate Adirondack Experience
• UC Orientation Grand Slam Experience
• Upstate Food Tour
• Wellness and U

Various Locations On and Off Campus

DINNER (for those with Shared Experiences ending before 5:30 p.m.)
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Reamer Campus Dining

EVENING SOCIAL ACTIVITIES HOSTED BY RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION & HOUSING
TBD

After a full day of activities connecting with your classmates, wind down with some fun evening events designed to help you get comfortable on campus, meet new people, and make memories. Keep an eye out for more details soon!

BREAKFAST
7:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Reamer Campus Dining

OPTIONAL WELLNESS EXPERIENCES
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Students can opt into participate in a wellness experience during this time. Specific details will be shared as we get closer to orientation.

Pre-registration for some activities may be required.

Various Locations

RES HALL FLOOR COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Spend time reconnecting with your RA and floormates as you continue building your floor community. This is your chance to reflect and talk about what it means to live and learn together, and set the tone for a supportive and respectful space.

Your Res Hall Floor

OL SMALL GROUP TIME
10:20 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Reconnect with your OL group after a day apart for your shared experiences and get ready to begin day 3 of orientation.

Your OL group location

MONDAY ROTATIONS BLOCKS

During this rotation block, you’ll move through four interactive sessions designed to help you explore key resources, reflect on your goals, and connect with the people and programs here to support you throughout your Union experience. The topics include:

All About Schaffer Library – Learn how to make the most of the Library’s spaces, services, and resources. Whether you need quiet study areas, research support, textbooks from other libraries around the country or world, a place to collaborate with classmates, or just a spare computer charger, Schaffer Library has you covered.
Reamer Auditorium

Eye on the Prize: Career Center & Bolt Points – Hear from the Career Center about how to start planning your path early, and connect with Student Activities staff to learn how involvement outside the classroom helps you grow, lead, and even earn prizes with our Bolt Point Program.
Old Chapel

All That We Share – Join the Office of Intercultural Affairs (OIA) for an engaging session focused on connection and community. Through this fun and thoughtful activity, you’ll explore the things that make us unique and the many ways we’re more alike than we think.
Library Plaza

Academic Support at Union – Succeeding in college takes more than just showing up. It takes initiative, curiosity, and knowing when to ask for help. Luckily, Union offers a wide range of academic resources to help you thrive, but it’s up to you to take advantage of them. In this session, you’ll hear from your Class Dean, Dean Rosen, and connect with experts from Academic Advising, the Office of Student Success, and the Writing Center. Whether you need help planning your courses, want to sharpen your study strategies, or just need a sounding board, these are the people who can support you every step of the way. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed, start building your academic support team now!
Olin 115

These sessions will rotate in groups so everyone has a chance to engage meaningfully with each topic.

MONDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 1
10:50 a.m. - 11:20 p.m.

MONDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 2
11:30 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.

LUNCH
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Reamer Campus Dining

MONDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 3
1:50 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.

MONDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 4
2:30 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.

OL SMALL GROUP TIME
3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Reconnect with your OL group before heading to your Minerva

Your OL group location

MEET YOUR MINERVA
3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Stop by your Minerva to learn more about your Minerva House and the Minerva leaders serving on your house's counsel.

Your Minerva House

DINNER
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Reamer Campus Dining

MINERVOLYMPICS
6:45 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Let the games begin! As an orientation group, you'll meet at your Minerva House then head to Rugby Field to compete as part of your Minerva House to acquire points in a variety of different challenges and activities. Which house will be this year's champion?!

Your Minerva then to Rugby Field

EVENING SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
9:00 p.m.

After a full day of activities, sessions, and connecting with your classmates, wind down with some fun evening events designed to help you relax, meet new people, and make great memories. Keep an eye out for more details soon!

BREAKFAST
7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Meal plans begin, you must have your ID card to swipe in.

Reamer Campus Dining

OPTIONAL WELLNESS EXPERIENCES
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Students can opt into participate in a wellness experience during this time. Specific details will be shared as we get closer to orientation.

Pre-registration for some activities may be required.

Various Locations

INDIVIDUAL ADVISING APPOINTMENTS
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Bring your schedule and any questions you want answered. This is your first opportunity to meet your advisor.

OFFICE OPEN HOUSES / DROP IN EVENTS
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Take advantage of this relaxed opportunity to visit a variety of campus offices, meet the staff who are here to support you, explore their spaces, and ask any questions you may have in a casual, welcoming environment. Multiple offices will be hosting drop-in open houses during this time — if you’re not in your advisor meeting, we encourage you to check them out! You'll receive Orientation 10 Bolt Points for every office you visit!

Locations include:

• Schaffer Library
• Kenney Center for Community Engagement & Outreach at
• Career Center at Becker Hall
• Makerspace
• Student Activities (Reamer 404)
• Student Success (Old Chapel)
• and more (full details and locations will be added throughout the summer)

TIPS AND TRICKS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT UNION (FROM YOUR OLs)
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Join your Orientation Leaders in Karp and Lippman classrooms for a variety of 20-minute sessions focused on the tools, tips, and campus know-how that helped them thrive at Union. From mastering your Google Calendar to getting involved in Student Forum and more, these sessions are full of insider advice to help you start strong. A full list of topics, times, and locations will be shared here the week before Orientation! You'll receive 10 Orientation Bolt Points for every office you visit!

Karp & Lippman Classrooms

MEET YOUR TOLL DAY GROUP & LEADERS
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Get to know the other students and leaders you'll be spending time with on Toll Day of Community Engagement on Saturday!

Various Locations by Toll Day Sites

LUNCH w/ FACULTY & STAFF
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Some members of our Faculty and Staff will join you for lunch in Reamer Dining. We encourage you to say hello and introduce yourself! Meal plans begin, remember you must have your ID card to swipe in.

Reamer Dining Hall

DROP/ADD FOR NEW STUDENTS
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

If you need to make changes to your class schedule, you’ll be able to make those adjustments during this time.

Nott Memorial

INDIVIDUALISED CLASSROOM TOURS WITH OLs
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Connect with one of your OLs to sign up for an individual tour to walk through your class schedule and be ready to start your classes tomorrow!

Connect with your OL for location meetups

MINERVA PROCESSION FOR CONVOCATION
3:30 p.m.

Join your OLs and Minerva Student Leaders for the procession into Convocation.

Rugby Field

OPENING CONVOCATION
4:00 p.m.

Join your classmates, faculty and staff to celebrate the start of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Memorial Chapel

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PHOTOS
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Stop by Reamer Campus Center for your first day of school photo! We will have first day of school boards to fill out to show off your first day!

Reamer Campus Center

CLUB EXPO
4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

You don't want to miss Club Expo! Every Year Student Forum hosts Club Expo to showcase all the clubs and organizations on campus. Stop by to sign up for all the clubs that interest you, for some great food, and for fun giveaways!

Tent on Library Plaza

JOHN CALVIN TOLL DAY OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Time slots available throughout the day starting at 8:00am - you'll sign up during orientation!

Join hundreds of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends for the single biggest day of community engagement at the College. Some examples of sites may include community cleanups, community schools programming, urban farming, park maintenance, supporting local nonprofit events, and event assisting with and attending some of the local festivals happening that day!

Various Locations

Check back soon for a schedule of sessions.