Academic Affairs
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty: Strom Thacker, Feigenbaum Hall, (518) 388-6102
Dean of Academic Departments and Programs: Jennifer Fredricks, Olin Center 210 (518) 388-6233
Dean of Studies: Michele Angrist, Olin Center 210 (518) 388-6234
Director of Academic Planning and Finance: Greta Donato, Feigenbaum Hall, (518) 388-6033
Academic Affairs is responsible for the formulation of educational policy, matters involving the faculty, and all academic related processes. The Academic Affairs Office includes the Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of Academic Departments and Programs, the Dean of Studies and the Director of Academic Planning and Finance.
The Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs has responsibility for all Academic Affairs areas, including academic matters related to faculty and students, the curriculum and academic budgeting. Supervisory responsibilities include the College Grants and Sponsored Programs, Institutional Research, International Programs, Learning Technologies and Environments, Registrar’s Office, Schaffer Library, the Union College Academy for Lifelong Learning (UCALL), the Director of Assessment, the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer, the Director of Engineering and the Director of General Education.
The Dean of Academic Departments and Programs oversees all academic departments and interdisciplinary programs, playing a key role in faculty recruiting, faculty development, curriculum development and advising the Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs on matters associated with the review and promotion of faculty. Supervisory duties include Common Curriculum (General Education), Interdisciplinary Programs, Faculty Development, the Leadership in Medicine program and department chairs and program directors.
The Dean of Studies has responsibility for the implementation of the Honor Code and has academic policies and has supervisory responsibilities of the Academic Achievement program, Academic Advising, the Academic Opportunity Program, Class Deans, the Health Professions Program, the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program, National Fellowships & Scholarships, the Scholars Program, Undergraduate Research, and the Writing Center.
The Director of Academic Planning and Finance manages academic finances and facilities, supervises the Engineering Machine Lab and supports the Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, faculty members, administrators and staff within Academic Affairs on various resource matters.
Academic Achievement Office
Director: Kristen Fanfarelli, Olin 101, (518) 388-6493
The office provides academic support for all students at Union to help them reach their full academic potential. A variety of programs are available to assist students in becoming stronger, more independent learners. Supplemental Instruction (SI) provides academic support for some of our traditionally challenging courses by offering optional, collaborative, peer-led study sessions.
Academic Opportunity Program/Higher Education Opportunity Program
Director: Philip Poczik, Olin Center 112, (518) 388-6115
aop@union.edu
The Academic Opportunity Program (AOP) and the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) have a long and proud tradition of academic excellence, serving students for over fifty years. These talent search programs offer support services to ensure academic success for a select group of students. Services include: an intensive five-week pre-first year summer program; individualized and group tutoring; academic, career, and financial counseling; and a peer mentoring program.
Advising
Dean Michele Angrist, Olin Center 210, (518) 388-6234
Academic advising is central to the mission of a liberal arts college such as Union and is a key faculty responsibility. Union students enjoy a close working relationship with the faculty advisors who encourage and assist their advisees to make informed choices that maximize the benefits of a liberal arts education. First-year students are assigned advisors by the Dean of Studies while upper-class advisors are chosen by the student. Students may request a change of advisor at any time through the Dean of Studies office. Additional information on advising can be obtained on the advising website.
Accommodative Services
Students interested in support services for learning disabilities should refer to “Accommodative Services ” in the Student Services section for additional information. Students are also encouraged to consult with the Director of Accommodative Services in the Dean of Students office.
Health Professions Advising
Director of Health Professions Advising: Professor Carol Weisse (Psychology), Olin Center 110, (518) 388-6300
Director of Leadership in Medicine & Combined Health Degree Program: Joanne Fitzgerald, Olin Center 212, (518) 388-6836
The Health Professions Advising Office at Union College is designed to advise students who are planning a career in medicine (including osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and other health professions such as nursing, PA). In addition to academic advising, advisors works closely with students to help them identify the kinds of experiences on campus and in the community that will foster personal growth and the development of interpersonal skills necessary for a successful career in healthcare delivery.
Professional schools give no preference to any particular major when seeking candidates; therefore, Union College does not offer a “premedical” major. Although many major in the natural sciences, students are encouraged to choose a major in any field in which they are interested. Today more than ever, professional schools are searching for students who have not only mastered the sciences but who also have backgrounds that are well-rounded and diverse. Please consult with the directors on requirements for various professional schools. Most professional schools require students to complete and do well in the following courses:
Note: Introductory Psychology or Sociology and statistics are also recommended. Some health professions programs (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing) also require additional courses such as Microbiology and Developmental Psychology as well as Human Anatomy and Physiology.
Learning Technologies and Environments
Director of Learning Technologies and Environments: Denise Snyder, Steinmetz Hall 108B, (518) 388-6661
Union College and Information Technology Services make computing resources available to all students. Through Union’s G Suite environment, students have access to Google Mail, Calendar and Drive. Wireless network access is available in all buildings on campus in addition to outside wireless access in Library Plaza and the College’s outdoor classroom. Union College has partnered with Apogee to provide high-speed internet access through the residential network with 24/7 customer support. There are also many other resources dedicated to assist students. Assistance with hardware and software problems is provided by USTAR, the student-run technical support program providing assistance to students by students. Full-time Help Desk personnel are also available to provide assistance. Additional information including network access, assistance, training, computing policies & forms can be obtained from the Learning Environment website.
Language Center
Director: Audrey Sartiaux; Schaffer Library 217, (518) 388-6216
Reception desk: Schaffer Library 222, (518) 388-8363
The Language Center is open to all students with a valid Union ID. The Center is divided into a main lab/classroom, a collaborative workspace, and a reception/social space. The main lab contains a Smartboard, 10 PC’s and USB headsets with microphones. The collaborative workspace area contains 2 iMacs and 2 multi-zone DVD players. Language methods for self-study are available for the languages taught at the college (to be used in the center only). All computers have East Asian, Slavic, and Arabic languages enabled as well as Romance Languages. Language Assistants and Language Mentors (skilled in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish) are available during their office hours to answer questions and to help with practicing your language skills, reviewing vocabulary etc. This is a complimentary service for all Union Students. Conversation Partners are available for students registered in an Intermediate Spanish course (see your syllabus). The center is open during Union College academic terms. Consult the Language Center website for more information (such as opening hours and Mentors hours).
Prelaw Advising
Advisor: Associate Professor Bradley Hays (Political Science), (518) 388-6227
Union College provides prelaw advising to students interested in graduate legal education. As a general rule, law schools do not require a specific major but instead look for academic success in a student’s chosen academic discipline. Given the many available academic paths to law school, prelaw advising is inclusive of general curricular and extracurricular guidance, insight into the Law School Admission Test and the application process, and aid in targeting appropriate law schools for admissions.
National Fellowships and Scholarships
Director and Class Dean: Lynn Evans, Old Chapel, 201C, (518) 388-6643
The Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships provides support to students and alumni applying for prestigious, external undergraduate and postgraduate awards. Students are recruited to apply for fellowships and scholarships months before their national deadline. During the recruitment period, the director works closely with students to understand their goals and to match opportunities to their strengths and needs. The office then oversees the application process for the appropriate awards. Union regularly supports students for awards such as the Rhodes Scholarship, the Marshall Scholarship, the Fulbright programs, the Watson Fellowship and many more.
Permanent Collection and Mandeville Gallery
Director and Curator of Art Collections and Exhibitions: Julie Lohnes, Schaffer Library 212, (518) 388-8360
https://muse.union.edu/mandeville
The Union College Permanent (Art) Collection and Mandeville Gallery are responsible for stewarding over 3,100 artworks and items of material culture held in the collection, and for producing contemporary art exhibitions in three campus locations.
The Union College Permanent Collection (UCPC) holds significant visual art resources from internationally recognized artists, as well as Eastern and ancient cultures. Our strongest collections consist of contemporary art, historic 19th century scientific instruments, ancient Asian ceramics, fine art prints on paper, and 19th century portrait paintings. Many artworks from the UCPC are installed around campus in departmental buildings, administration offices, and throughout the library, and include informational labels. Images and details of a number of sub-collections can be found on our website.
The Galleries are comprised of the Mandeville Gallery on the 2nd floor of the Nott Memorial, the Wikoff Student Gallery on the 3rd floor of the Nott, and the Castrucci Gallery located in the Peter Irving Wold Center. Additionally, the annual Art Installation Series, featured in the library’s first floor Learning Commons, is curated and produced by our staff. All exhibitions, as well as our events programming, which includes artist talks, receptions, and demonstrations, are free and open to the campus and the community during academic terms. Information about exhibitions can be found on our website.
The offices are located on the second floor of Schaffer Library in rooms 212, 239 and 241.
Registrar’s Office
Silliman Hall, (518) 388-6109
www.union.edu/offices/registrar
The Office of the Registrar is responsible for overseeing the functions of online registration, maintenance of student schedules, creation of each term’s course and final exam schedules, creation of the academic calendar, assignment of classrooms, grade entry, Self Service (a new student planning module), rank in class, Dean’s List, academic records, certification for graduation, transcript processing, certification of eligibility for veterans’ benefits, and the maintenance of the online Academic Catalog. The Registrar’s Office also coordinates the reporting of student enrollment status and degree verification to the National Student Clearinghouse, which in turn, reports to the National Student Loan Data System.
Schaffer Library
College Librarian: Frances Maloy, (518) 388-6739
www.union.edu/Library
Schaffer Library provides print and electronic information resources in a comfortable environment for reading, writing and research. The library is open extended hours during the term and 24 hours per day, 7 days per week during exams. The friendly and knowledgeable staff assist students with all phases of their research. The library provides a variety of spaces for quiet study, collaborative learning as well as production areas furnished with both Apple and Windows workstations, software, scanners, printers, and other hardware. The Adirondack Research Library, located 4 miles from campus in the Kelly Adirondack Center, houses an extensive collection on the 20th century wilderness movement in New York State’s Adirondack Park. The Special Collections and Archives Department houses rare and unique materials that document the College’s history along with rare books and prints available for research upon request. Refer to the Schaffer Library website for additional information.
Undergraduate Research
Director: Associate Professor Heather Watson, Science and Engineering N319, (518) 388-6829
Students are encouraged to explore the many different ways that student-faculty collaborative scholarly activity is promoted at Union. All students complete a Sophomore or Scholars Research Seminar as part of the Common Curriculum. There are generous funds available to students for research opportunities including the Summer Undergraduate Research Fund, which provides funds to students who work on independent projects with a sponsoring faculty member. The Student Research Grant program provides financial support for students for sophomore research project, practicum and senior thesis/project expenses. In addition, Union annually sends students to professional society meetings and to local and national undergraduate research conferences to present their research results. More than 500 students take part in the annual Steinmetz Symposium, a celebration of student scholarly work, held in early May. Students communicate the results of their scholarly efforts through oral presentations, exhibits, posters, and performances.
Writing Center
Director: Joseph Johnson, Schaffer Library 221, (518) 388-6680
Located in Schaffer Library Rooms 226 & 227, the Writing Center helps Union students with all forms of writing: essays, reports, research papers, theses, personal statements, etc. Trained Union undergraduates are available to help students plan, organize, revise, or edit their writing to improve its structure, style, clarity, or overall effectiveness. Supporting the College’s mission to improve students’ writing and critical thinking skills, the Writing Center provides assistance to students of all ability levels and within all disciplines. Open Sunday through Thursday, 3-11pm. Closed Friday and Saturday. Make an appointment online at the Writing Center.
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