Greetings Union Parents –
March is certainly entering in like a lion! We’ve had snow, sleet and rain here on campus. It’s hard to believe that winter term has ended and students will be taking their exams in just a few short days. They’ll have a short (but well deserved) break before spring term classes begin on the 31st.
We want to take this time to address some “hot topics” and provide some information and insight on their processes.
International Programs: The term abroad program continues to be a very competitive and popular program. Many programs have limited number of available slots because of the agreement between Union and the partnering institution. Rather than increasing the number of students in a program, which would diminish the cultural immersion aspect of the program, the Committee on Study Abroad has announced three new opportunities for study abroad which will begin in the 2008-09 academic year.
Non Union Programs (Winter/Spring Terms only)
We will increase the number of opportunities for students to study on a non-Union program. A student wishing to study at an institution overseas (host institution) must be certain that that institution offers a spring semester program and must participate in it. The student will be away from Union during winter and spring terms. Most semester programs give credit for four courses. There are a number of ways to complete the additional two winter-spring courses at no cost to the student.
- If the host institution will allow a fifth course for an additional fee, Union will pay that fee.
- If a student is credits ahead, then he/she may count one or two of these credits toward graduation at no cost.
- The student may take one or two fourth courses without charge upon returning to Union.
- Students may take one or two summer school courses, whether at Union or another institution. Union will pay tuition, but not room and board. Students who have completed the sophomore year are reminded that these courses may not be taken at a community college unless approved by the Dean of Studies.
- A Union mini-term, with the usual fee (currently $3000) being waived.
- If a student believes that there is yet another way to obtain a free fourth course, he/she should discuss it with Dean Rosenthal, Dean of Studies.
Successful applications for non-Union programs are likely to be ones that complement the student’s major or major area of interest in a way that no Union program can do. Normally, there must be compelling academic reasons to allow a student to go on a non-Union program to a country where Union already has a program.
Independent Study Abroad Program (Winter or Spring term)
The Independent Study Abroad (ISA) program is designed primarily for students in the junior year who develop a passion for going where Union does not have an international program and/or who want an autonomous experience in a foreign culture. The program is consistent with the strategic vision of the College for its students—a vision that includes increased global and interdisciplinary experiences, innovative research and creative scholarship, the integration of academic and personal development, and continuous engagement in a process of self-discovery. The program reinforces the College’s renewed commitment to encourage students to “find their own path toward a world of many cultures.” Placing the emphasis on independent study and responsibility for program design on the student will likely foster much greater cultural immersion during the time abroad.
The principal criteria of evaluation are the relation of the proposal to previous academic experience (e.g., language study or research project) and its contribution to the applicant’s overall academic program. [Note: Union Scholars can tie their sophomore research project on campus to field work that they will subsequently do abroad.] Other criteria include: enhancement of personal development; evidence of cultural immersion; reason that traditional (faculty-led) group programs cannot meet the need; institutional arrangements and provisions for oversight of project at the site(s) abroad; extent of deliverables—blog/journal, paper, on-campus presentation; and, letter of support from faculty mentor.
Academic credit for the research project per se will normally consist of 1-2 courses, depending on the project’s scope. Students will typically arrange to take a course or two at a host institution in order to obtain the three credits equivalent to a full trimester at Union. COSA must give prior approval of the academic credit to be granted for the research/independent study. Other course work for credit will be approved by the Dean of Studies in consultation with the ISA director.
Reinstatement of Sicily Term Abroad (Spring 2009)
Union International Programs will offer a term abroad in Palermo, Italy, in the spring term of 2009 for science and engineering students. Professor Jay Newman will be the faculty member in residence. Since this program involves science research, the GPA and science background will be relevant, and applications will be competitive.
For all three new opportunities, a 2.5 GPA and certification by the Dean of Students are required.
Campus Safety
A budget of $217,000 to update campus security and improvements was approved for 07/08 and additional security measures have been put in place. Seven (7) new security cameras have been installed, campus lighting has been improved, added and is monitored daily for repair/replacement and additional areas of need are continually identified.
Union has implemented an emergency notification system, fully functional and consists of alerts via; text messaging, voice mail, email and siren. Students, Faculty and Administrators were asked to select their preferred notification via an email this past Fall. The installation of a public address system in 22 campus buildings was completed in January.
The college is working in partnership with the City of Schenectady, its Mayor, elected officials and the police department for three (3) additional security cameras installed on the peripheral and monitored by the Schenectady Police to insure safe access to the Schenectady Community for students.
Registration
PRESCHEDULING INSTRUCTIONS – Course selections must be made in consultation with faculty advisors. The 2007-08 Academic Register contains full descriptions of courses as well as information on prerequisites. Additional course descriptions may be found within this document.
COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM: Courses numbered 0-49 carry no credit. Courses numbered 50-99 are designated for General Education or do not count for the major. Courses numbered 100-199 are all introductory level offerings. Courses numbered 200-299 are those at the sophomore/junior level that may also be taken by non-majors. Courses numbered 300-399 are upper-level that are primarily intended for majors, i.e., which represent the depth component of the major. Courses numbered 400-499 are all advanced level courses for seniors, including those used to fulfill the Senior Writing Experience (WS), seminars, research, thesis and independent studies.
In order to preschedule for spring term classes, each student must follow these steps:
1) Create a conflict-free schedule including lab, lecture sections, and alternative choices in the event one of your first three selections is filled. This schedule must be approved as indicated by your Faculty Advisor’s signature on your “Prescheduling Course Request Form”
2) Petition Course Signup on Web Advising. If a course is a “petition” course (indicated by a “Y” in the Petition column on the course listing), interested students must request a petition, online. To make your requests:
PLEASE NOTE: For science courses that count towards the GenEd SCLB/SCIE requirement (AST 50, AST 52, BIO 50, BIO 89, BIO 94, CHM 50, ENS 100, GEO 106 & GEO 107) be sure to rate your preference among this group if you ask for more than one. In the area marked “Why do you need or want this course”, please indicate if you need it for GenEd credit (SCIE or SCLB), or for your major or minor.
3) Petition Acceptance
If you run into any problems with signup for petition courses please contact the department secretary within the specific department.
4) Prescheduling:
a. Prescheduling will be conducted by appointment via the web in Hale House Dining Room. Please refer to your prescheduling sheet available in the Registrar’s office starting, for your specific appointment day and time.
b. Your prescheduling sheet must be relinquished to a member of the Registrar’s staff before leaving Hale House. Students wishing to add or change courses after this date will need to wait until the first day of spring term, Monday, March.31st.
Students who do not plan to return to Union for the Spring Term, except for seniors who are completing their requirements early, should immediately NOTIFY the Dean of Students Office. Students who will be on a Union College term abroad for the Spring Term DO NOT need to preschedule their courses.
Parents Fund
The Parents Fund Corner: Fund Year Update
The Parents Fund is an important component of The Union Fund, which provides support for scholarships, academics, term abroad programs, library materials, athletics, student organizations, and many other college programs each year.
I would like to thank the many parents whom have participated with a gift to The Parent Fund. I am happy to report our donor numbers are up from last year in both Current Parents and Former Parent/Grandparent categories. The dollars raised this year are down from the previous fund year. Compare the figures below.
2007-2008
Current Parent Donors 586
Former Parent/Grandparent Donors 394
vs.
2006-2007
Current Parent Donors 488
Former Parent/Grandparent Donors 355
The dollars raised this year are down from the previous fund year. Compare the figures below.
2007-2008 Year to Date $330,581
vs.
2006-2007 Year to Date $336,692
With a few months left in the fund year, it's not too late to participate. The fund year continues until June 30, 2008. You may always give online. For more information, please visit the Parents Webpage at www.union.edu/parents/parentsfund
Thank you for your support and your consideration of a gift this year. Every gesture, no matter how great or small, supports our students and faculty at Union and has an immediate impact. Vivian Falco, Peter '09, Parents Fund Chairperson
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at Parents_Association@union.edu. I hope that all of your students do well on their finals and enjoy their breaks!
Take care,
Karen Dumonet, Vanessa ’07 and Sebastian ‘09
Chairperson, Parents Association