Posted on Sep 6, 2009

Ariel Blum laughed as she pulled a suitcase with one hand, clutched a small duffle bag with the other, and deftly steadied a neatly rolled comforter about to topple to the pavement with her chin. Her parents, looking tired but happy, followed their youngest child and only daughter up to the third floor of West College.

Sitting breathlessly down on her bed, Blum smiled at her new roommate, Caroline Clark of Upper Montclair, N.J.

“I’m so excited to start meeting new people here,” said Blum, of Bloomfield, Conn. “But, I’m also nervous because it’s a big change.”

Just a couple of doors down the corridor, Tess Skoller of South Orange, N.J. echoed this sentiment.

“I’ve never been on my own before, so this will be very different for me,” she said. “But it’ll also be interesting and very exciting.”

The Class of 2013 – Union’s most diverse incoming class in its history – officially arrived on campus Sunday with a daylong series of events planned to make a smooth transition for students and their parents.

Its 525 members, with average SAT scores of 1920 (out of 2400), were chosen from 4,825 applicants. These students represent 22 states and 13 countries, with individuals of color comprising 20 percent of the class. Four percent of the class is international students.

The first-year students moved into their residence halls Sunday morning. They then received an official welcome from College leaders in Memorial Chapel, followed by group orientation activities. Orientation activities continue on Monday, with a full slate of programs.

Residence halls open for returning students Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Opening convocation, in which the Union community celebrates the official opening of the academic year, is set for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Memorial Chapel.

Fall term classes for all students begin Wednesday, Sept. 9.

For Kate Schurick, dean of first-year students, Sunday marked her 17^th orientation. She and a staff of nearly 50 people, including dozens of student volunteers, began planning for the event right after last year’s event ended.

“This is probably the most exciting day of the year for us,” said Schurick. “We want to make sure the students get acclimated to the campus and are ready to begin classes.”

Molly MacElroy, director of Residential Life, helped oversee the 36 resident advisors and five resident directors as they worked to help students move into their new living quarters. Last year’s move-in day was plagued by stormy weather and a prolonged power outage. This year’s class fared much better.

“We could not have asked for a better day,” said MacElroy. “This is a great beginning.”

Ben Wolkon of Sudbury, Mass. was excited to begin the journey.

“It’s good to be here, I’m looking forward to everything – to a great new adventure,” he said.

Posted on Sep 4, 2009

Dear Union Alumni,

During the past year, hundreds of positions have been posted online in the Alumni Jobs Bulletin. Whether this message finds you seeking a new job, or looking to post job opportunities for your fellow alumni, we can help you to take advantage of this resource.

To access the Alumni Jobs Bulletin, visit the Becker Career Center Web page, click Alumni on the left menu, then click on Alumni Jobs Bulletin.

If you would like to post job openings to the Alumni Jobs Bulletin, please e-mail Laura Leib at leibl@union.edu. Job opportunities are posted as received.

Are you interested in getting your entry-level job and internship opportunities to current Union College students? Contact Lyndsay Ferguson for more information about posting jobs at fergusol@union.edu. Contact Rochelle Caruso for more information about posting internships at carusor@union.edu.

If you have any questions, let me know by calling (518) 388-6176, or contact me by e-mail at soulesr@union.edu.

Thank you,

Bob Soules

Director, Becker Career Center

Posted on Sep 3, 2009

With the start of a new academic year, the College’s Health Services has been working closely with the Schenectady County Health Department and the New York State Health Department to prepare for any outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus on campus.

A special Web site has been created to keep the campus up-to-date on any developments or new guidelines regarding the virus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The site also includes tips to help reduce the threat posed by the virus.

A recent survey of 165 colleges and universities by the American College Health Association showed that more than half have documented cases of the flu, which could include the H1N1 virus, according to a report in the Chronicle of Higher Education. As of the week ending last Friday, 1,640 cases of "influenza-like illness" had been reported, according to the survey, which will be updated weekly. One student had been hospitalized, and no deaths had been reported. The 165 institutions enroll more than two million students, the Chronicle reported.