Posted on Oct 2, 2008
Hello from Union Campus!
It’s hard to believe that October is already upon us. Mid-terms are here and just around the corner – Homecoming Family Weekend – October 17-19th! I hope you will be able to join us for the weekend. This action packed weekend has many activities and events to choose from. If you are planning to be on campus that weekend, we ask that you register on line.
You can read all about it, select which events you will be attending, and view the complete schedule online
Of special interest to parents, here is what is happening…
… on Friday, October 17th:
– Visit a Class (all day). Check out the link to the classes that are available:
– The President’s Welcome Reception, 4:30-6:00 pm at the Nott Memorial
… on Saturday, October 18th:
– Come and meet us at the Parents Association Open House, from 9:00 am through 11:00 am at the Olin Rotunda (hope to see you there!)
– Attend the Experiential Education, from 10:45 am to11:30 am at the Olin Auditorium
… on Sunday, October 19th:
– Joins us at the Term Abroad Panel Discussion, starting at 10:30 am through 11:15 am at Reamer Auditorium
While you are with us on Campus, here are some helpful questions you could be asking your student:
1. Are you going to class? Skipping class is the #1 reason why students fail.
2. Are you studying at least 25 hours per week? College is a FULL TIME job. You should be in class, studying, doing homework 40 hours per week.
3. Are you reviewing the material in each class weekly? Review all material, and then preparing for an exam is easy.
4. Are you starting your assignments early? The UNEXPECTED happens…you get sick, your computer crashes – start assignments with plenty of time for the unexpected.
5. Have you gone to your professors’ office hours? Professors are willing to help students. Be proactive and get help before you get behind.
6. Are you getting enough rest and eating properly? Staying healthy is the best way to stay ahead of the game.
Please note that most neighborhood hotels are full. Our website, however, is an excellent resource and you can still find accommodation.
Something new on our webpage!
Got a hot tip that may be of interest to other parents? Had a recent experience that other parents can learn from? Have a concern or question that you would like to voice? If so, our new ‘Parents’ Corner’ is the place to share your news. Send your submissions to parents_office@union.edu
Minerva Houses
November is quickly approaching, and it is important to stay up to date and informed on election matters. Although most people have already decided which candidate to vote for, there are many who are still undecided. It is important for every college student to exercise their right to vote, and do so based on facts. This is why Golub House is hosting the EDUCATED VOTER SERIES. This series event will bring in a speaker each week to discuss an issue relevant to each presidential candidate and the elections, including Healthcare Plans, Foreign Policy, the Economy, and Environmental Issues. The event begins its kickoff tonight at 6PM in Golub House. Professor Hays (PoliSci dept.) will be discussing "swing states" and their role in the candidates' campaigns, as well as giving an "Elections 101" talk regarding how the electoral college works. After the brief talk, we'll have a casual discussion on the matter. Desserts from Villa Italia will be served! Hope to see you there.
Mondays at 6PM at Golub House
9/29 Elections 101 & Swing States
10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27: Healthcare, Economy, Environment, Foreign Policy
U Sustain
Do you have a great idea that would make Union more sustainable?U Sustain, Union College’s committee on sustainability, is pleased to announce the President’s Green Grant Program. Thanks to the generous support of President Ainlay, U Sustain is pleased to invite proposals for Presidential Green Grants. Grants (up to $2000) will be awarded to fund projects that contribute to the sustainability of Union College activities and/or research projects that will contribute to the sustainability of the region or world. Students, faculty and staff are invited to submit grant applications. We are accepting proposals for projects that fall into one of the following categories:
1) Campus projects: These are projects that will make Union more sustainable in such areas as energy use, recycling, transportation, or dining, among others;
2) Research projects: These are projects that will make specific contributions to sustainability at the regional or national level.
Campus Safety
We want to remind the campus community that we will resume the monthly test of our emergency notification system. The tests are conducted at 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month and last no more than a minute. When you hear the siren, please don’t be alarmed (the text alert will not be sent to students, staff or faculty today even though we have the cell phone numbers). We also urge that you don’t react by placing calls to the Campus Safety Office or local emergency services, such as the Schenectady Police and Fire departments.
We are also pleased to inform you of a number of important changes related to campus safety that took place over the summer.
A committee of senior administrators, members of campus safety and others routinely examine the College’s Emergency Response Plan, which includes procedures to ensure a rapid response to an unanticipated emergency or threatening situation.
In the event of an emergency, an effective College-wide communications process is critical in providing the greatest safety possible for our students, faculty and staff.
The latest initiatives:
- Security locks have been installed in classrooms in the Humanities and Social Sciences buildings. Locks will next be installed in classrooms in Bailey Hall.
- Automatic gates have replaced the chains that were frequently used to restrict traffic on Alexander Lane and South Lane.
- Indoor speakers are being installed to allow emergency messages to be broadcast in all residence halls, including the seven Minerva houses. We expect to complete this process by December.
- Speakerphones have been installed in every kitchen of all college-owned houses on Seward Place and Huron Street, as well as 1480 and 1294 Lenox Rd. and 32 Union Ave. In addition, RA’s and dorm directors were provided with speakerphones for rooms and offices that tie into the emergency system.
- An outdoor loudspeaker is being installed at College Park Hall.
All of the speakerphones and loudspeakers are equipped to receive emergency announcements. We are also able to broadcast an emergency announcement to specific buildings.
In addition, we have added a second off-duty Schenectady police officer to bolster our security patrols at night, a time when most incidents occur.
We are also working with the Schenectady Police Department and the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office to install six additional surveillance cameras around the perimeter of the campus.
The College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, employees and staff. Therefore, it is important that we have your most current contact information. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact my office at 388-6911. To learn more about our emergency response procedures, including how to sign up for text message alerts, please go to http://waterfall.union.edu/emergency/
Personal Safety & You
Campus safety and security is a shared responsibility. There are many things that you can do to make the campus community safer. No campus safety department can function effectively without the concerted assistance of the community it serves. If you are careful, your time at Union will be safer. Remember that, in most cases, criminals are as successful as you allow them to be. Don't give them a helping hand or become apathetic – it CAN happen to you!
You can protect yourself by taking steps to decrease your exposure to risks. Being aware of your surroundings and the people around you at all times, using assertive body language to communicate that you are aware and in control.
If you are confronted, it is best to comply with instructions and not resist. I
If you are leaving College buildings after dark, try to leave with someone you know & trust, who can walk with you to your destination.
If this is not possible, travel with friends or use the college transportation or walking escort services.
If you must walk alone, do so with confidence. Keep your head up, always alert and shoulders back. Make eye contact with anyone you may be suspicious of. A passerby with honest intentions will not be irritated with you for acting cautiously. Let others know that you are aware of their presence.
If you plan to work in a building after normal hours and are concerned about being alone, let Security know where you'll be & when you anticipate leaving.
Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you feel uneasy, get out or away from the situation.
Travel only in well-lighted areas. Don't take shortcuts through vacant, wooded, dark areas. Avoid delays in secluded areas; waiting to meet with people, speaking on cell phones, or stopping for any reason can make you a target.
If you think someone is following, switch direction abruptly. If you still feel uncomfortable, seek an area where there are other people, or find an Emergency Phone and alert Security.
If you feel threatened, don't be afraid to make a "scene". Public embarrassment is the least concern when you are in a dangerous situation.
Don't fumble in your purse/pocket for door or car keys have them ready in your hand before you reach your car/home.
Report any suspicious sounds, activities or behavior that you see to campus safety immediately at 911 (for emergencies) or x6911 (for non-emergencies).
By working together we can insure a reasonably safe and secure environment.
Bike Patrol
Bike officers patrol campus from early spring through late fall. They are especially well suited to respond quickly to emergencies on the pedestrian-based campus. Their versatility for split level terrain and their quiet, low-profile allows for the prevention of crime on campus. The bike patrols also play an important role in the College Park neighborhood to the west of campus.
There are multiple Bike Patrol Officers in addition to the motorized and foot officers. Bike officers are fully trained Campus Safety officers who have gone to bike patrol school in addition to their regular training. Students can identify the Bike Officers by their vivid yellow and black, custom designed uniforms.
Walking Escort
The student walking escort service is a program administered by Campus Safety. Students in the Work Study Program provide escorts for other students on campus. The service is designed and intended for personal safety; primarily for hours of darkness when a student must travel the campus or get to their residence when they are otherwise unaccompanied.
You are encouraged to call Campus Safety at ext 6386 (518-388-6386 from a cell phone) and one of the student escorts will be sent to your location to pick you up and walk you to your destination.
Becker Career Center
I’d like to let you know that this fall we have been busy helping students who are in different phases of the career planning process. For students who have no idea what they want to do we have been conducting numerous individual appointments, encouraging students to engage in academic and non-academic experiences, administering self-assessments, and more. For students who have a clearer idea of what they want to do we have been working individually and in groups on resume and cover letter production and interviewing and networking skills development. In addition to our normal marketing efforts, we have conveyed to the students that if they are interested in any of our programs, and they can get together with 10 or more of their friends and we will be happy to conduct the program on a day and time of their choosing. As such, you should feel comfortable that accessing our programs and services is easy. The students just have to want it.
In addition, our employer relations work continues in earnest. We currently have over 60 full-time and 80 internship opportunities listed for our students. Furthermore, 15 employers will be coming to campus beginning in October to interview our students, and numerous employers will be coming to campus to conduct information sessions.
We are working with Columbia University to have our students participate in their engineering career fair which occurs at the end of October. We are also working with our small college consortium to have our students participate in the Boston Recruiting Event, which involves over 50 employers interested in meeting students for full-time and internship opportunities.
Also, in collaboration with Alumni Relations and Unitas, we will be producing a Homecoming Weekend Alumni Panel. The panelists work in professions that you would not normally associate with their undergraduate major. As such, these panelists will help our students understand that their Union College education prepares them to do anything they want, anything that stirs their passion.
So, I hope you can see that we are focused on helping your student navigate the career planning process and compete effectively in the marketplace. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Also parents, if you have or know of internship or full-time employment opportunities for students or alumni, we would be happy to post the opportunity for our students or alumni. You can either call or email Laura Leib at: 518.388.6176, or leibl@union.edu.
On Campus Interviews
Oct. 9
James McGuinness
WB Mason |
Oct. 16
AYCO (a Goldman Sachs cos) |
Oct. 10
ADP
Management Planning Inc. |
Oct. 21
AngioDynamics |
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Oct. 14
GE Energy
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Oct. 23
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
Oct. 15
GE Energy |
Oct. 24
EF Educational Tours
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| |
Oct. 30
National Grid |
Employer Information Sessions
Oct. 8
AYCO (a Goldman Sachs Co.) |
Oct. 21
Student Conservation Association |
Oct. 8
GE Energy |
Oct. 22
National Grid |
Oct. 9
Meditech |
Oct. 23
EF Educational Tours |
Oct. 14
Teach for America |
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Alumni Panel Sponsored by Unitas & The Becker Career Center “You Can Do Anything You Want”
Oct. 17, Reamer Campus Center Auditorium, 4:00-5:00 pm
Alumni Speaker Sponsored by the Pre-Law Society & The Becker Career Center – Oct. 16, Breazzano House, 1:00 pm
Student Activities
October is an exciting & very full month in Student Activities! Men's & Women's Rugby, Karate, Kendo, Ballroom Dancing, Spirit & Cheer and Ultimate Frisbee are in full swing–practicing and competing!
Former Rusted Root drummer Jim Donovan will talk & jam with students, hypnotist Steve Taubman will mesmerize them, and Comedian Ryan Reiss will have them laughing all night long! Your student can feel like a rock star with a special Halloween Live Band Karaoke–yes, that's right…a real live band will play while your sons and daughters sing their hearts out!
Free movies in the campus center continue with titles such as "Wall E", "The Dark Knight", and "Mamma Mia". And if that's not enough, students can still borrow movies from our 200+ DVD library for free! If a night out is what they are looking for, they can get discount passes to local movie theaters, too.
Our College Democrats and College Republicans are working hard to keep the campus informed of political issues and to make sure your student gets to vote. And finally, we are looking forward to your visit during Homecoming & Family Weekend! There will be a FREE concert by Naturally 7, an amazing a capella & vocal play group who have opened up for Michael Buble on his European and American tours. It is on Saturday, October 18th at 8:00 PM in Memorial Chapel! You won't want to miss this, so make your dinner reservations for an early time!
Catholic Chaplaincy
The Union Catholic community welcomed back returning students and welcomed first-years at its opening barbecue Sun., Sept. 14, prior to the 7:30 p.m. liturgy at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, just across the street from campus. At the liturgy we celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit, invoking God’s Holy Spirit over the College community at the beginning of the new academic year. At the end of the liturgy, all students present were asked to stand and the congregation joined in a special prayer of blessing for them.
Every Sunday at 6:00 p.m., before the evening Mass at St. John's, we're holding our new Catholic community dinners in the Everest Lounge of Hale House. I've often heard students say that there are few appealing dining options on Sunday evening, so this is our little attempt to fill the void. It's been wonderful so far–good food and good conversation before heading off to Mass together.
Our new weekday Mass, Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. in Memorial Chapel, has attracted a number of students, staff, and faculty. Everyone sits on the stage of the Chapel around the altar table for a more intimate experience of the community at prayer. Local priests have been taking turns coming to preside.
This week offers a couple of opportunities for students to prepare for taking their part for the first time as voters in this November's elections. Tue., Sept. 30, in Nott Memorial, Alan Wolfe, director of the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life and professor of political science at Boston College, will address the question, “Who’s Afraid of American Religion? Politics and Religion in the 2008 Elections,” in a public lecture co-sponsored by the Catholic Chaplaincy. The next evening, Wed., Oct. 1, I'll be taking interested students to a parish in nearby Rotterdam, where the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany is sponsoring a forum on faithful citizenship and the November elections, about the Catholic values that ought to guide our approach to voting. Albany Bishop Howard Hubbard will be among the panelists.
Our fall retreat day–at which students can take time out of the busy-ness of the term and join together to discuss, reflect on, and pray about what God is calling them to as Union students and Catholic young adults–has been moved back to Sat., Oct. 4, and will be held at the Emmanuel Christian Center in Glenmont (south of Albany).
We'll again be offering Catholic Mass and brunch during Homecoming & Family Weekend, Sun., Oct. 19, beginning with liturgy at 10:00 a.m. in Memorial Chapel. The guest speaker at the brunch will be Kathleen Gallagher, director of pro-life activities and director of the Catholic Action Network for the New York State Catholic Conference. Registration through the College for the brunch is required, as seating is limited. The cost is $5.00 per person. Hope to see you there!
Peer Assistants for Learning
The peer mentors in the PALs (Peer Assistants for Learning) program provide coaching that addresses general academic needs that are necessary for success at Union College. These include study skills, and dealing with time management and anxiety. The PALs will help students with their personal development and also with adjusting to college life.This term the PALs are holding “office hours” in Reamer 303 and in the first-year dorms and have upcoming workshops in October on Advising and Planning for Study Abroad. Students can visit their web site at http://mentors.union.edu.
History Department
Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, the Civil Rights Public History Mini-Term will be offered for the first time during the Nov-Dec. 2009 winter break. On this mini term, students will travel to the sites of major Civil Rights events throughout the South, combining academic and experiential learning. This mini term aims to accomplish three objectives: first, it aims to teach students about the transformative social movement of the twentieth century. Second, it will encourage students to think about the ways in which historic events are commemorated and remembered. Finally, it is important that Union students realize that the Civil Rights movement was brought about in significant part by ordinary people committed to change – many of them young people the same age as the students themselves.
In the spirit of the Civil Rights movement itself, we are committed to locating funding for this mini-term so that all students whose GPA and interest qualify them are able to apply. No student should be kept from applying because of limited financial resources. A mini-term at Union costs each student $3500 plus airfare and there is no financial aid available. It is our goal to establish an endowment so that each year we can finance scholarships for students.
Women’s and Gender Studies
Thanks to Valerie J. Hoffman, a Union College Board of Trustees member and graduate of Union College in 1975, the Women's and Gender Studies program is able to introduce a new lecture series for 2009-09 on "Feminisms for the 21st Century." The series features established and emerging feminist scholars who emphasize the links between feminist politics, the struggle for racial justice, and human rights activism. All events will be held during the common lunch hour in the Sadock Women’s and Gender Studies lounge on the 3rd floor of the Campus Center. We are sponsoring two events this fall. The first will be on Thursday 16 October, 12:40 pm -1:45 pm, titled "Bitch is the New Black:" The failure of feminists to think intersectionally during the 2008 Presidential race," given by Michaele Ferguson from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Ferguson is the co-editor with Lori Marso, who is program director of WGS for Union College, of W Stands for Women: How the George W. Bush Presidency Shaped a New Politics of Gender (Duke University Press, 2007). Our second event for fall term will be on Thursday, 23 October, 12:40-1:45, titled "Bush in Drag: Palin, McCain and the Endless War," given by Kathy Ferguson from the University of Hawaii. Kathy Ferguson has published extensively on feminist critiques of militarism and is completing a book on Emma Goldman.
Office of Religious and Spiritual Life
Religious Programs celebrates a name change. We are now the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. The name change reflects some of the shifts we see happening in our student body. Our programs are also expanding. This fall we will open a Prayer and Meditation Room in Reamer Center. This space will be used by all faith traditions and those who make no faith claims, as a quiet space for worship, prayer and reflection. During the month of September, Muslim students will be offering their Ramadan prayers on a daily basis. Catholic Mass will be held weekly and a weekly Protestant service of prayer and reflection will begin after Ramadan concludes. There are plans for Hindu prayer services on special holy days. Prayer rugs and cushions, various sacred texts and objects will all be available for use by all members of the community.
Dinner, Diversity and Discussion, sponsored by the Campus Protestant Ministry, is a student led discussion group held over dinner. This year DDD will be held from 6 pm to 7 pm in Golub house. All are welcome to these respectful discussion concerning religious and spiritual topics.
Hillel Program
By the time you receive this mailing, Hillel will have hosted services for Rosh HaShannah and preparing for Yom Kippur as well as meals for both holidays. Our service leader, a rabbinic student at Hebrew College in Boston made a special trip to Union to meet with a dozen students to help create a meaningful service. We will be decorating the succah in Jackson’s Garden and hosting several events for the holiday.
Homecoming/Family Weekend is scheduled for October 17-19th. On Sunday morning Professor Stephen Berk will be giving a stimulating lecture at 10:30 followed by brunch behind Reamer Campus Center. The mailing with reservation form should already have arrived at your home. This brunch is our only fundraiser to support the Kosher Kitchen. The Kosher Kitchen allows us to provide weekly student prepared Shabbat dinners as well as holiday meals and kosher for Passover food. We will be showcasing our work to President and Mrs. Ainlay in November.
Parents Fund
I hope many of you will join me on campus for Homecoming and Family Weekend on October 17-19, 2008. In addition to giving you an opportunity to spend time with your student, there are many informative and enjoyable programs scheduled. It is a wonderful way to experience the unique living/learning environment at Union College.
During the fall term, students will be calling you to share all the exciting things happening on campus. They look forward to explaining how your support for the Parent Fund will make a difference for all Union students. Through gifts to the Parent Fund, you will help students learn about other cultures (as well as their own) through terms abroad, engage in award-winning undergraduate research, and receive professional training through independent study and internships.
Thank you for your support and for 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. It is easy to give online at www.union.edu/give.
If you have any questions about the Parents Fund, please visit the Parents Webpage at www.union.edu/parents/parentsfund or contact Elizabeth Epstein, Associate Director of The Parent Fund, at (518)388-6142. Vivian Falco, Peter '09 The Parents Fund, Chairperson
In closing, I look forward to getting to know you throughout the year, as well as I hope that your daughters and sons are enjoying Union so far this year! If you have any questions, feel free to email me at Parents_Association@union.edu.
Sincerely,
Karen Dumonet (Vanessa ’07, Sebastian ’09)
Parents Association Chairperson
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