Academic program: Union offers nearly 1,000 courses in the humanities, the social sciences, the natural sciences, and engineering — a range that is unusual among America's highly-selective colleges.
The major: There are 20 academic departments. Students also may choose an interdepartmental major, an organized interdisciplinary program, or a personally-designed organizing theme major. There are several accelerated programs in which students may earn two or more degrees. About 30 percent major in science, 30 percent in the social sciences, 20 percent in the humanities and arts, 15 percent in engineering, and 5 percent design their own major.
General education: Each student takes a two-course history sequence (chosen from ancient, American, or European history) and two associated literature and civilization courses. There are strong incentives to study a foreign language, embark on a Term Abroad, or study a non-Western culture. Students also must select courses from mathematics, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The Writing Across the Curriculum program requires all students to take a certain number of courses where writing is a key element.
International study: More than 50 percent of Union's students participate in at least one of the College's term abroad programs, one of the highest participation rates among American colleges. Terms abroad and exchanges are offered in more than two dozen countries. Mini-terms abroad in Brazil, Jamaica, or India are held during the winter break, and there is an engineering “virtual term abroad” with a university in Turkey.
Union Scholars: A faculty committee chooses about three dozen top students from each year's freshman class. Scholars can use additional courses to create an enriched academic program that meets their specific needs and interests and that enables them to graduate in three years.
Research opportunities: Independent study or scholarly research is required in most majors. Union has hosted the National Conference on Undergraduate Research twice and regularly sends one of the largest contingents to the annual event. More than 250 students present their research in Union's annual Steinmetz Symposium. Each summer about 50 students use research fellowships in conjunction with faculty members, and the College has a special fund that supports student-initiated projects. Research opportunities are available with industry and government agencies.
Internships: Widely available through many academic departments (e.g., in Washington, D.C., students work for a term in congressional offices or governmental agencies). There also are internships during academic calendar breaks and over the summer.
Enrollment: The College received 4,008 applications for this fall's freshman class (a Union record) and accepted 47 percent. More than 570 enrolled. The undergraduate enrollment of 2,000 is 52 percent male, 48 percent female (there are 100 full-time graduate students). About 40 to 45 percent are from New York State; 30 percent from New England; 10 percent from mid-Atlantic states other than New York; 10 percent from the South, Midwest, and West; and 7 percent from international backgrounds. Approximately 40 states, the District of Columbia, plus Canada and several other nations are represented. African-Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans comprise about 16 percent of the student body.
Inside the classroom: The student-faculty ratio is 11:1. Nearly all of the 189 full-time faculty members hold doctorates or equivalent degrees. The average introductory class size is 22. The average upperclass size is 16. Nearly two-thirds of the classes have fewer than 20 students. There are no graduate students teaching classes. Nearly 85 percent of Union's students graduate in five years (the national average is less than 50 percent).
Residential life: Theme housing, which offers students autonomy in creating the community atmosphere in which they live, is a popular option for upperclass students. The dozen theme houses include communities promoting East Asian cultures, cultural unity, community involvement, the arts, languages, and more. Apartment-style living opportunities are available for 160 upperclassmen in newly-renovated houses adjacent to campus; the apartments are owned by the College. Also offered are a 24-hour quiet environment for upperclass students and a substance-free choice for all classes. About one-third of students join 14 fraternities and four sororities.
Community service: Actively encouraged by the College, Union volunteers make a major difference to many community agencies such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, We-Care-About-U-Schenectady (renovating low income housing), and tutoring in local elementary schools. The Kenney Community Center includes a homework center where Union students tutor neighborhood children and serve as mentors; UCARE is Union's placement service for student volunteers.
Sports: Union offers 25 intercollegiate sports for men and women at the Division III level (men's ice hockey is Division I). There also is an extensive club and intramural program (more than 1,300 students participate in intramurals).
After Union: More than 97 percent of Union students are either employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. About 35 percent of each graduating class goes immediately on to further study. Major areas include medicine, law, engineering, health administration, education, and business. The Career Development Center oversees a network of more than 1,100 alumni who help students explore possible career tracks, internships, co-ops, and employment.
Finances: Tuition for 2000-2001 is $24,750. Room and board charges are about $6,600, depending on the choice of meal plan. The College has an annual budget of about $87 million and an endowment of more than $270 million.