The Union College Academic Calendar 2026 starts with the Winter 2026 term from Sunday, January 5, 2026, Spring 2026 begins Monday, March 30, 2026, and Fall 2026 commences Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
Union College in Schenectady, New York, operates on a trimester system with three 10-week terms annually, making the 2026 academic calendar span two academic years: Winter and Spring 2026 belong to the 2025-2026 academic year, while Fall 2026 begins the 2026-2027 academic year.
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Understanding Union College’s Trimester System
Union College adopted the trimester calendar structure in 1966. This 10-week term format differs from the traditional semester system used by most colleges. Students typically enroll in three or four courses per term rather than five or six courses per semester.
The trimester structure provides flexibility for study abroad programs. Approximately 60% of Union College students participate in international programs across 40 destinations in 30 countries. The winter break between Fall and Spring terms enables three-week mini-term study abroad opportunities without disrupting the regular academic schedule.
Key Differences: Trimester vs Semester Calendar
| Feature | Union College Trimester | Traditional Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Academic terms per year | 3 terms (10 weeks each) | 2 semesters (15-16 weeks each) |
| Courses per term | 3-4 courses | 5-6 courses |
| Study abroad windows | Fall, Winter mini-term, Spring | Fall or Spring only |
| Final exam periods | 4 days per term | 5-7 days per semester |
| Schedule flexibility | Higher course rotation | Lower course rotation |
Winter 2026 Term Calendar (2025-2026 Academic Year)
Winter term classes begin on Monday, January 5, 2026, following residence hall opening on Sunday, January 4, 2026. The term concludes with finals from Monday, March 16, through Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Winter 2026 Critical Deadlines
Add/Drop Period:
- Classes begin: Monday, January 5, 2026
- Add/drop period starts: Monday, January 5, 2026
- Last day to add open courses without instructor approval: Friday, January 9, 2026
- Last day to add/drop without a late fee: Friday, January 9, 2026
- Last day to drop without “W” grade: Friday, January 16, 2026
- Last day to finalize schedule with instructor permission: Friday, January 16, 2026
Academic Program Changes:
- Last day to add/change/drop major or minor: Friday, January 16, 2026
- Last day to declare Pass-Fail option: Friday, January 23, 2026
- Graduation application due for Class of 2026: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Course Withdrawal:
- Last day to drop with “W” grade: Friday, February 27, 2026
Spring 2026 Planning:
- Spring course information available: Friday, February 6, 2026
- Academic advising period: Monday, February 9 through Friday, February 27, 2026
- Spring prescheduling appointments: Monday, March 2 through Thursday, March 5, 2026
Winter 2026 Enrollment Verification
Off-campus and commuter students must complete enrollment verification between Monday, January 5, and Wednesday, January 7, 2026. This three-day window confirms active enrollment status for financial aid and registration purposes.
Winter 2026 Final Examination Schedule
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Last day of classes | Friday, March 13, 2026 | Regular instruction ends |
| Reading period | Saturday, March 14 – Sunday, March 15, 2026 | Study period before exams |
| Final exams begin | Monday, March 16, 2026 | Four-day examination period |
| Final exams end | Thursday, March 19, 2026 | Examinations conclude |
| Residence halls close | Friday, March 20, 2026 | Spring break begins |
| Grades due | Monday, March 23, 2026 | Faculty submission deadline |
Union College Academic Calendar Spring 2026 Term
Spring term 2026 begins Monday, March 30, 2026, with residence halls opening the previous day on Sunday, March 29, 2026. The term concludes with Commencement on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Spring 2026 Important Dates
Registration and Add/Drop:
- Residence halls open: Sunday, March 29, 2026
- Classes begin: Monday, March 30, 2026
- Off-campus enrollment verification: Monday, March 30, through Wednesday, April 1, 2026
- Last day to add open courses: Friday, April 3, 2026
- Last day for add/drop without fee: Friday, April 3, 2026
Schedule Finalization:
- Last day to drop without “W”: Friday, April 10, 2026
- Last day to finalize spring schedule: Friday, April 10, 2026
- Last day for major/minor changes: Friday, April 10, 2026
- Last day to declare Pass-Fail: Friday, April 17, 2026
Fall 2026 Preparation:
- Fall course information available: Friday, May 1, 2026
- Academic advising period: Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 22, 2026
- Summer class registration begins: Monday, May 11, 2026
- Fall prescheduling appointments: Tuesday, May 26 through Thursday, May 28, 2026
Steinmetz Symposium 2026
The Steinmetz Symposium takes place on Friday, May 8, 2026. Classes do not meet on this date. The symposium showcases undergraduate research, creative projects, and scholarly work across all academic departments at Union College.
Spring 2026 Course Withdrawal Period
Students can drop courses with a “W” grade through Friday, May 22, 2026. This deadline falls three weeks before the last day of classes on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Spring 2026 Finals and Commencement
| Event | Date | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Last day of classes | Friday, June 5, 2026 | Spring instruction ends |
| Reading period | Saturday, June 6 – Sunday, June 7, 2026 | Examination preparation |
| Final exams | Monday, June 8 – Thursday, June 11, 2026 | Four-day exam period |
| Residence halls close (non-graduates) | Monday, June 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM | Most students depart |
| Commencement ceremony | Sunday, June 14, 2026 | Graduation for Class of 2026 |
| Residence halls close (all students) | Monday, June 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM | Academic year ends |
| Spring grades due | Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | Faculty deadline |
| Summer classes begin | Monday, June 22, 2026 | Optional summer term |
Union College Academic Calendar 2026 Fall 2026
Fall 2026 represents the beginning of the 2026-2027 academic year. Classes start Wednesday, September 9, 2026, following extensive orientation programs for new students.
Fall 2026 Orientation and Move-In
New Student Arrival:
- International student orientation: Thursday, September 3, 2026
- First-year and transfer student residence halls open: Friday, September 4, 2026
- Orientation program: Friday, September 4 through Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- Returning student residence halls open: Monday, September 7, 2026
- First-year advising and schedule adjustments: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Fall 2026 Registration Deadlines
Add/Drop Timeline:
- Classes begin for returning students: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
- Off-campus enrollment verification: Wednesday, September 9, through Friday, September 11, 2026
- Last day to add without instructor approval: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
- Last day to add/drop without fee: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
- Last day to drop without “W”: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
- Last day to finalize fall schedule: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Academic Changes:
- Last day for major/minor changes: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
- Last day to declare Pass-Fail: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Winter 2027 Planning During Fall 2026
Preparation for Winter 2027 Term:
- Winter course information available: Friday, October 9, 2026
- Academic advising period: Monday, October 12 through Friday, October 30, 2026
- Graduation application opens (Class of 2027): Monday, November 2, 2026
- Winter prescheduling appointments: Monday, November 2 through Thursday, November 5, 2026
Fall 2026 Course Withdrawal and Finals
Withdrawal Deadline: Students must drop courses by Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to receive a “W” grade. This deadline provides sufficient time for academic decision-making before finals.
Fall 2026 Examination Period:
| Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall classes end | Tuesday, November 17, 2026 | Instruction concludes |
| Reading period | Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | Single-day study period |
| Finals begin | Thursday, November 19 – Friday, November 20, 2026 | First two exam days |
| Finals continue | Monday, November 23 – Tuesday, November 24, 2026 | Remaining exams |
| Residence halls close | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 | Thanksgiving break begins |
| Grades due | Wednesday, December 2, 2026 | Faculty submission deadline |
Union College Academic Calendar: Contact Information and Resources
The Office of the Registrar manages all academic calendar matters at Union College. The office is located on the first floor of Silliman Hall at 807 Union Street, Schenectady, New York 12308.
Registrar Contact Details:
- Email: registrar@union.edu
- Phone: (518) 388-6109
- Campus location: Silliman Hall, 1st Floor
- Mailing address: 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308
Union College Location and Campus Access
Union College occupies a 130-acre campus in Schenectady, New York. The campus is located 25 minutes west of Albany, 16 miles from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, and approximately three hours from both New York City and Boston.
The campus was designed by French architect Joseph Ramée in 1813, making it the first planned college campus in the United States. The Nott Memorial, a 16-sided National Historic Landmark, serves as the campus centerpiece.
Geographic coordinates: 42.8158° N, 73.9478° W
Union College Academic Calendar Comparison: 2025-2026 vs 2026-2027
| Term | Academic Year | Start Date | End Date | Exam Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2026 | 2025-2026 | Monday, January 5, 2026 | Friday, March 13, 2026 | March 16-19, 2026 |
| Spring 2026 | 2025-2026 | Monday, March 30, 2026 | Friday, June 5, 2026 | June 8-11, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 | 2026-2027 | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | Tuesday, November 17, 2026 | November 19-24, 2026 |
Understanding Academic Year Transitions
The Union College academic calendar 2026 spans two distinct academic years. Winter 2026 and Spring 2026 complete the 2025-2026 academic year, while Fall 2026 initiates the 2026-2027 academic year.
This structure affects graduation applications, financial aid periods, and academic standing calculations.
Students graduating in 2026 complete their degree requirements during the Spring 2026 term. The graduation application deadline falls during Winter 2026 on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Union College Academic Calendar
When does winter term 2026 begin at Union College?
Winter term 2026 begins Monday, January 5, 2026, with residence halls opening the previous day on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
What is the last day to drop a winter 2026 course without academic penalty?
Students can drop winter 2026 courses without a “W” grade through Friday, January 16, 2026. After this date, withdrawals appear on transcripts.
When is Union College’s commencement in 2026?
Commencement 2026 takes place Sunday, June 14, 2026, following spring term final examinations from June 8-11, 2026.
How many weeks are in each Union College term?
Each term lasts 10 weeks of instruction plus one week for final examinations, totaling 11 weeks per term.
When should students apply for the May 2026 graduation?
The graduation application deadline for the Class of 2026 is Thursday, January 15, 2026, during the winter term.
Does Union College operate on semesters or trimesters?
Union College operates on a trimester system with three 10-week terms annually: Fall, Winter, and Spring.
What is the Steinmetz Symposium date for 2026?
The Steinmetz Symposium occurs on Friday, May 8, 2026, during the spring term. Classes do not meet on this date.
When do fall 2026 classes start?
Fall 2026 classes begin Wednesday, September 9, 2026, for returning students, following orientation programs for new students from September 4-8, 2026.
Union College Enrollment Statistics and Academic Programs
Union College enrolls approximately 2,031 full-time undergraduate students across 130 acres in Schenectady, New York. Founded in 1795, the institution ranks #46 among National Liberal Arts Colleges according to Niche 2026 rankings.
The college offers seven ABET-accredited engineering majors: Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and three additional specializations. Union College remains the only “Little Ivy” institution with a comprehensive engineering program alongside liberal arts curricula.
Study Abroad Integration with Academic Calendar
Union College’s trimester calendar enables flexible study abroad participation. The winter break between Fall and Spring terms accommodates three-week mini-term programs in international locations. Approximately 60% of students participate in study abroad experiences across 40 programs in 30 countries.
The International Programs Office, located on the third floor of Old Chapel, coordinates these opportunities. Students can complete a full-term study abroad during Fall, Winter, or Spring terms without extending their graduation timeline.
Planning Your Union College Academic Year
The Union College academic calendar requires strategic planning due to the trimester structure. Students should consult academic advisers during designated advising periods:
- Winter 2026 advising: February 9-27, 2026 (for Spring 2026 courses)
- Spring 2026 advising: May 4-22, 2026 (for Fall 2026 courses)
- Fall 2026 advising: October 12-30, 2026 (for Winter 2027 courses)
Academic advisers help students select courses, plan study abroad experiences, and ensure timely degree completion within the trimester framework.
Summer 2026 Term Information
Summer classes begin Monday, June 22, 2026, following spring term commencement. Summer registration opens Monday, May 11, 2026, and closes Monday, June 15, 2026. Summer courses provide opportunities for accelerated study, prerequisite completion, or exploration of elective subjects.
Union College vs Other Institutions: Calendar Comparison
Union College’s trimester calendar distinguishes it from peer institutions operating on traditional semester schedules. Comparable liberal arts colleges like Williams College and Hamilton College use two 15-week semesters annually.
The trimester structure offers advantages for course concentration. Students focus on three or four courses per 10-week term rather than five or six courses simultaneously. This intensity enables deeper engagement with subject matter during shorter timeframes.
Approximately 15 colleges in the United States operate on trimester systems, including Stanford University, Dartmouth College, and Carleton College. This calendar format remains relatively uncommon among higher education institutions.
Document Accuracy Statement: This Union College academic calendar information reflects official data from the Office of the Registrar at Union College, Schenectady, New York. Students should verify specific deadlines through registrar.union.edu or contact the Registrar’s Office at (518) 388-6109 for confirmation of dates and policies. Academic calendar information is subject to change by institutional authority.
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