Concordiensis 5/30/25

Concordiensis T H E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R O F U N I O N C O L L E G E S I N C E 1 8 7 7

Volume CLIV Issue XIV

Friday, May 30, 2025

concordiensis.com

Union Focuses on Balancing Budget Amid Enrollment Decline Allyson Bennett Staff Writer

Two weeks ago, President Harris sent an email to Union faculty stating that the class of 2029 fell short on enrollment expectations. As a result, the college will need to make fiscal changes to balance its budget.

Other colleges, including the University at Albany and RPI, have been facing similar enrollment issues. The Times Union originally reported on Harris’s email, and Concordiensis has spoken to college administrators about its contents.

The college’s preliminary enrollment numbers indicate that Union is “tracking to have around 500 students [for the class of 2029] at this point, which is very similar to last year. For comparison, we were at 550 two years ago. Enrollment news from across the country suggests that a number of peer colleges have experienced similar results,” Matt Malatesta ‘91, the VP for Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment, told Concordiensis.

Malatesta explained that this drop in enrollment is because “it has been a very challenging year for us in the international space.

We are down approximately 40 international students from last year, which is tied, in part, to geopolitical challenges and the changing national dialogue

Opinions, page 3 Florence Term Abroad

around international education within the United States,” He explained. The college enrolled 75 first year international students in Fall 2024, according to the college’s common data set.

Other schools, including the University at Albany and RPI, are also reporting that fewer international students are enrolling on their campuses in the fall.

This dip in enrollment has financial implications for Union College, President Harris explained to Concordiensis. For example, even though there are less students enrolled, fixed costs such as faculty salaries do not change. Student tuition makes up 2/3rds of the college’s revenue, and with less students, revenues decrease. The college also operated at a $14.1 million budget deficit in the 2023 fiscal year, according to the college’s most recent i990 filing. Harris also told Concordiensis that the college will have a $5.5 million budget deficit next year.

In an email sent to faculty, President Harris “outlined the steps that the board approved the College take to balance the budget in the upcoming fiscal year. These actions are part of a plan to eliminate Union’s structural deficit over the next five years and set the College on a course for long-term success,” Michele Angrist, the Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, described to Concordiensis.

Pop/Culture, page 4 AEVUM Battle of the Bands

“Those actions include reducing the College’s contribution to employees’ retirement accounts from its current 11 percent to 8 percent; non-compensation expenses from current budgeted levels and an increased distribution from the College’s endowment.”

Angrist said.

“I anticipate that the 10% reduction in non-compensation spending will affect both department and interdisciplinary studies program operating budgets in academic year 25-26. I will be working with academic leadership to make sure the reduction will have as little effect as possible on the student experience,” Kara Doyle, the Dean of Academic Departments and Programs, told Concordiensis.

Doyle said she had not received feedback about how this will impact individual department budgets.

“These were difficult decisions to make, and we are very aware of the pain the compensation actions will cause for some of our outstanding faculty and staff, who are at the heart of the Union experience.” Angrist said.

“I’ve been saying for a long time that change is coming in higher ed, and change is here.

I’ve been saying status quo is not stable,” Harris said in terms of these financial decisions. “We have to redouble our efforts.”

See ENROLLMENT on Page 2

Sci/Tech / 807, page 5 Fleishman Retirement Managing Burnout

Union College

Exclusive: an Exit Interview With President Harris Concordiensis recently sat for an interview with President Harris, reflecting on his time at Union as well as the future of the institution as he prepares to leave the position.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q. What would you call the largest area of growth in your administration? What are you most proud of regarding your legacy, and also what is the largest place you think Union still requires work in?

A. It’s always how do we take this great place and make it better? Union’s had engineering since 1845, and liberal arts, engineering, computer science is what we are, but we got rid of civil engineering 20 years ago. When I arrived, the strategic plan started just looking at data, and I’m like, hold on a second. We have far too few resources in engineering given student interest, and not just one year student interest, as you’ve seen. And so we’re effectively over invested in what’s called center one, which is humanities, social

Sports, page 7 Hockey Transfers Club Cricket

sciences, and under invested in center two. So the question was how do we get that right? Because if we don’t, we won’t be able to fulfill who we are, our identity as liberal arts, engineering, computer science. And so I’m excited that working with folks we’ve been able to get over $90 million in gifts to allow us to build up that piece. I’m also really excited about student affairs. One of the things I did at my first trustee meeting was show a pie chart based on the average data I could find of how students spend their time. Coursework and sleeping only account for 49% of the average student’s week. So when we think about how we’re developing students, we have to be more intentional in what we do about the time outside of the classroom. And so we’ve really built up student affairs, not because we care about that at the expense of academics, but because again, we’re thinking about the whole you, and we’re under-invested in this part, so let’s invest. On the administrative side, there were lots of questions See INTERVIEW on Page 2

Photos, page 8 Lobsterfest Nott Alone

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NEWS

Friday, May 30, 2025 | concordiensis.com

ALEX SANO, EDITOR sanoa@union.edu

INTERVIEW Continued from page 1

I had that the administrative team couldn’t answer because we didn’t have the systems and processes, and we’ve now put these things in place. As I said to the board, it’s like I was driving the car with my hand in front of my eyes, and now I can at least see; it doesn’t mean the road’s any less scary, but at least you can see it in advance.

Another thing is communication and marketing, and the last one is DEIB; My goal from the beginning has been that I want everyone to spend time feeling like they’re in their own house and spend time feeling like they’re in somebody else’s house.

As far as areas of improvement, it comes down to our core: we’re different. We’re not just liberal arts or tech. We’re really trying to be both, and that requires constant work.

Q. You mention striking the balance between humanities and STEM fields. Liberal arts, humanities, the fine arts aren’t as subsidized in America as they are in Europe, and they’re becoming even less subsidized. How do you see that balance being a problem and when do you think you tip the scale too far right into STEM? A. I hear that from students in particular. It all depends on what your starting point is. I think what students maybe don’t appreciate is that all of the buildings for humani-

ties and social sciences are new or have been fully renovated in the last 15 years. Have you been in Steinmetz? Have you been in Butterfield?

It’s a little bit different. ISEC opened my first year - if you if you take the starting point of four years ago or so, it looks like, wow, why are we only investing in engineering and computer science space? But if you went back 15 years, you’d say, wait, we invested in all these, oh, now we’re finally investing in those.

It’s about taking that long view too.

Biomedical engineering is an area that’s just been booming. We had almost no faculty in it. I mean, my first year or two, I thought constantly about, oh my gosh, what if one of these small number of faculty gets sick or quits? I’m not sure we could sustain a program, and we have students who are here trying to get that major. So now with Templeton primarily, but other funding, we are able to hire faculty. So, okay, now I can sleep at night without worrying about that. And so again, it’s about balance, I think, more than the tipping. So I feel good about where we are. That said, we gotta do a better job of selling to everybody as far as the broader issue, you know. I think as a first-gen, lower income kid, I was too worried. When I went to college, I thought about, okay, what’s my job gonna be? How can I make sure that I have financial security?

And so I feel like I never gave myself

the opportunity to be undecided. It took me a while to give myself the opportunity to say, I’m just interested. And what I’ve been trying to push since I got here is telling folks, you don’t know yourself. You don’t know the majors and you don’t know how they map on each other, so you probably can’t pick your life plan at 18. Taste around, right, sample. It’s okay to say, I don’t know.

Q. What’s your favorite place to eat in Schenectady? On campus?

A. Well, I am really enjoying the bowls at Stellar for lunch. Those are really good. The Skeller before, it was like, oh my God. Chicken fingers, fries, shakes. I was like, I’m gonna need a nap if I eat there.

And now it’s just really good and I love seeing how many students go there. Around Schenectady, there’s so many places I enjoy. I’m a huge Simone’s fan. The family went to Whistling Kettle for brunch recently, that’s great. Druthers. Shaker and Vine is great, they do mainly wine, but the food is great, and you can see the river. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Stewart’s Ice Cream.

Q. Alumni and students sometimes lament about Union falling in rankings in the past couple decades and Union decreasing in selectivity: what’s your perspec-

tive?

A. One of the things I always say about the rankings, US News - low validity, high impact. So, you know, is the number 20 school really better for you than the number 30 school?

Maybe. It depends what you’re interested in. But do people freak out when you move up or down a few spots? Yep. The fact of the matter is that Union has never been better than, I think, 33. And so when I have conversations with people, they sometimes talk like, ‘we were number 20, what happened?’ And I’m like, we were never number 20.

It’s a lagging indicator. When I got here, we were at 50 - we’re now at 40. As we start to implement things every year, you see us moving in the right direction. And I think that’s an indicator that the world is catching on to what’s special here.

Q. Can you tell us about the selection process for President Kiss and how does she might fit in Union’s plan for the future?

A. You would have to talk to the chair of the board or the search committee. The role of the president isn’t very involved - I meet with the finalists, show them the house, answer their questions, and the board makes the hiring choice. As far as Elizabeth, I feel like I’ve gotten to her quite well. We have regularly

ENROLLMENT Continued from page 1

Additionally, the college is working to reduce its discount rate, the average amount of financial aid given to students. President Harris described this as “If we have three students here, and we charge each $90,000, we should have $270,000 in revenue. But if they get financial aid, maybe we only get $135,000 in revenue, in which case we’d say we have a 50% discount rate.”

“Over time as the discount rate has been going up, that means even with the same number of students, your net revenue’s going down, and so you have to make these structural changes. We said to the board that we cannot solve that in one year without doing irreparable harm to the school.” Harris said.

In order to decrease the college’s discount rate, “What we’re trying to do is to make Union more attractive to fuller pay students,” Harris explained. “It’s not that everyone’s that’s gotta be one extreme or the other, rich or poor. But if you can find more students who can pay $40,000 instead of students who

can pay only $30,000 in your distribution, you’re better off.”

The college is trying to attract fuller paying students by upgrading its engineering facilities, building a new hockey rink, and is considering changes to academic programs to attract more applicants.

Harris, Angrist, and Doyle told Concordiensis that despite these struggles, they still remain optimistic about the college’s future. “We’re ranked in the top 40, our graduates go on to become leaders in their chosen fields, and we’ve had good success with fundraising recently,” Doyle said. “Despite the need to address that budget gap, we think Union has the overall momentum we need to carry us forward.”

“If you don’t make those kind of changes and have those tough conversations, it’s not a good story long term. But it’s not that Union closes anytime soon, we have a $550 million endowment,” Harris said. “So it’s about changing things to get a secure future to happen.”

scheduled zooms, And we’ve sat down in person. We’ll do that again shortly. And the key for me is that I think her values are highly aligned with mine. I don’t have the hubris to say she has the right values. I’ll just say they’re aligned with mine. And so I think that she will be a good fit. We’ve talked about challenging things - every time you pick up your phone or your watch, something’s happening in higher ed in the government. And her response to them is my response to them. And I think they’re the right responses for Union.

Q. What will you miss about Union, and what do you have to say about going to Harvard?

A. The Harvard president-in-residence will be fun, I co-teach two courses, one of which will be online.

So it’s not a full-time job, but it’ll be a great opportunity to reflect on what I’ve been doing for 20 years in senior leadership. I’ll miss you folks. It’s such a treat - and few people ever get the opportunity to have this - to see students from move in, through commencement, and all the things in between. I’m gonna miss more than anything that I will not regularly have substantive, meaningful interactions with 18 to 22 year olds who are not my kids. It’s a treat to see people grow and develop.

OPINIONS

Friday, May 30, 2025 | concordiensis.com

Learning the Language of Art

Spending A Term Abroad in Florence, Italy Talia Gitlin Contributing Writer

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GILLIAN PASEKA, OPINIONS EDITOR pasekag@union.edu

WHAT ARE U LISTENING TO? Selection of songs picked by Union Students. Check out

What exactly propelled me to study abroad in Italy? I can’t quite remember. Perhaps it was the convenience—my preferred program aligned with the only available term.

Maybe it was my interest in learning a new language and a glimmering fascination with drawing. Nonetheless, after spending ten weeks here, the expectation I initially had for this endeavor only resembles a small fraction of the value I now attribute to this experience. After all, there is nothing like Italy.

Florence possesses a rare combination of antiquity, history, and youthful vibrancy that other cities envy. Even quotidian practices– like walking as a primary form of transportation– are nothing short of an experience. The city is ornamented with cobblestone corridors that invite pedestrians to walk almost everywhere. Needless to say, should you ever find yourself in Florence, prepare for lots of walking.

Oddly enough, my favorite part of being in Italy may have been the sheer amount of walking, not only as a form of moderate exercise, but as a way to optimize time and immerse myself in culture. For instance, if you exit a local pizza spot adjacent to your school building, you might pass the Basilica di Santo Spirito, home to a young Michelangelo’s early marvel. Such accessibility to the Renaissance arts is not a concept I entirely appreciated until about halfway through my time in Italy when my class took a trip to Assisi, a small hill town in the Italian region of Umbria.

To preface, I attribute my expanded awareness largely to Professor Laini Nemett. She tactically dilutes her nuanced understanding of pieces we encountered to provide us with a comprehensive, but novice-level, knowledge of the ingenuity in the art we encountered.

Nemett deduced what makes Renaissance artists so acclaimed, whereas prior, most early art was indiscernible to me. These early artists’ resources were limited, and so the visual principles that we take advantage of today (like atmospheric perspective or light theory) were a language they invented themselves. How mindblowing that must have been for spectators to witness

the top songs picked by you!

Olivia Murphy ‘27 is listening to Angie by Spill Tab

Photo by Gillian Paseka

Photo of The Baptistery of St. John the Baptist located in Florence, Italy.

the first replications of real life. Realizing that humans can replicate the world with their hands is a technical advancement equivalent to today’s reconstructive surgery.

One particularly impactful experience that Laini shared with us was the opportunity to visit the home of painters Alan Feltus and Lani Irwin, two painters who, in the late eighties, forsook their lives in the States to pursue an Italian lifestyle in Assisi. It is at their home where I truly comprehend the language of art itself. Much like language, art has its rules.

However, it deviates in two critical ways: It is far more intuitive, and for that, it has its behavior. In other words, rules, in many cases, render themselves. Lani reaffirmed this, stating: “[for] me, painting comes from within myself, a reflection of who I am and what I feel. I paint imaginary worlds with objects I have

Realizing that humans can replicate the world with their hands is a technical advancement equivalent to today’s reconstructive surgey.

Talia Gitlin ‘26

collected and figures I invent”.

Irwin’s assertion aligns with a general artistic principle that I’ve come to discover: Whereas certain artistic choices may have intentional meaning, others are simply rendered by feelings that inexplicably move us.

Entering Irwin and Fetus’s home, you can feel how art infuses their daily lives; there is no distinction between creation and themselves. And this, I’ve found, holds to the condition of Florentine life; there is no distinction between curiosity, creation, and existence.Art permeates every aspect of life. From my immediate lens, I see this in the people who parade the Florentine streets, with their casual elegance and ease. Irwin, too, appreciated this slower,more romantic energy, arguing that: “[our] connection to the past and connection to the present seems more alive [in Italy]. The fast-paced focus on success is less apparent or intrusive. Families and friends eat together, linger over a meal”.

In the United States, however, this intersection of beauty and existence feels a bit more unnatural - we feel our professional demands seep into our personal experiences.

We must do, rather than we can do.

Feltus underscores the wondrous

Talk to us!

Concordiensis welcomes letters to the editor on its coverage and school-related issues. Submissions are selected by the editor

nature of access to Renaissance art by emphasizing that the intersection of Italian culture and history permits a more genuine appreciation of the arts that reside there: “[in] Italy one sees and absorbs something that can only be hinted at from books and lectures. Paintings reduced in size and out of context differ from what we experience in the space where they were made…It is about absorbing a total experience subconsciously, without thought”.

And so, I implore—whoever you are–to at some point take the intentional time to experience the wonders of Italy. Not just the attractions, but also the culture of the people.

And not just the history of Italian art but also the questions that arise when encountering it.

I assure you, the amount of walking may hurt your legs, but your heart will never feel stronger.

Have You Studied Abroad?

Let us know about your personal experience with your study

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(including from comments posted to our social media pages) to provide a variety of opinions and voices and all are subject to editing for accuracy, clarity and length and to remove personal attacks. Letters may be emailed to concordy@union.edu. The

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Mariah Jackson ‘27 is listening to Love On The Brain by Kidz Bop

Danny Talacci ‘27 is listening to Money by Pink Floyd

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POP/CULTURE NEWS

Friday, May 30, 2025 | concordiensis.com

SIENNA CHAMBIAL, EDITOR chambias@union.edu

Aevum: A Dance Club Legacy is Born Aldo Leal Contributing Writer

Orchestrated uniformity or collective consciousness? On May 23rd at Proctors Theater, various dance groups - distinguished by their respective genres - shared both unique and collaborative pieces that materialized a shared passion into blossom. What made the whole experience even more exceptional were the its circumstances surrounding the performances: In just a week, the performers organically conceived, organized, and rehearsed one of the pieces — a fact that added an implicit intensity to the work. The spectacle

showcased a spectrum of different choreographies to create a melting pot of shared humanity. To be specific, 6 clubs, 27 choreographers, 10 dances and 2 collabs. Ranging from LDCs rendition of Anitta’s Brazilian funk, to Hip-Hop Club’s interpretation of Kendrick Lamar’s refreshing RnB engineering, the audience became transported into sensorial spaces of student artistry…(continue) An unforgettable moment would be the mobilizing performance from the Bhangra Club, who fluidly interpolated the sounds of the saap clapper to create a musical rift in the room. Merari Rios ‘26 offered a first-hand perspective of what participating in Aevum symbolized for her — she

described the program as a nucleus, incubating the diverse reach of club opportunities available on campus and enabling each group to express themselves: “aevum is a bridging between the different kinds of clubs that we have here on campus and I think it does a really good job representing each one of them.” Rios remarked on the fast-paced schedule: “We came up with it in about a week - It was a lot of listening to the songs over and over, getting stuck in moves, figuring out what comes next without making it look to busy, making it look too slow. We had a day to figure out formations on the stage - the day of Aevum is when we all were able to space ourselves

Allyson Bennett ’25

KAU Crew performing their piece “Go Crazy”.

in Proctor’s Theatre but its pretty similar to the studio we have in Henle so it wasn’t that hard to adapt.

As the recipient, you are incapable of denying the open-ended symmetry of rhythm, transfixing an unburdened gaze. The dancers, a conduit of vulnerability made visible, were granted the opportunity to reclaim not just movement, but memory — each gesture a resurrection of something forgotten or sensitively desired. Aevum’s ethos is driven purely by that nostalgic surrealism. In partnership with ACE and the Minerva Department, Aevum seeks to create a space with no boundaries — one that honors the creative autonomy, expression, and spirit of every member.

Allyson Bennett ’25

Latine Dance Club performing their piece “Vamos Pa’ La Calle”.

UPCOMING MOVIES

“Bring Her Back” Directed by Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou May 30, 2025

“Karate Kid: Legends” Directed by Jonathan Entwistle

UPCOMING ALBUMS

Bhangra Union performing their piece “One Last Time”.

Allyson Bennett ’25

Allyson Bennett ’25

Hip Hop club performing their piece “One Soul, One Body”.

Battle of the Bands 2025 on Saturday Angelina Martinelli Notices Editor

In Old Chapel tomorrow, music from all kinds of instrumentation is coming to campus in a competition that will provide a night full of fun and entertainment for all who attend.

At 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, WRUC 89.7 and the Concert Club will host their third annual Battle of the Bands event, where student bands both old and new will play against each other for pride and applause.

Bands that you know and love will be there—like Nott Logical—but the event will also feature recently

developed bands that are ready to bring new energy to the stage.

Some of the other student bands include Velvet Valentines, Devi and the Tritones, the Dutchmen’s Revenge, and My Big Bass.

When asked how they came about joining a band, sophomore Sam Dickinson, president of WRUC and the Concert Club, as well as the Nott Logical bassist, exclaimed, “I’ve been playing music for my whole life, so it has always been a dream to get to perform in that way.

Then I got really lucky that I met the people I play with now. Finding people like that who enjoy playing as much as me was what made me want to stick with that dream and

keep pursuing it.”

This and other such events allow students on campus to come together and share their love of music with each other and anyone willing to listen. Programs like Union College’s Music Department are necessary for many students, as music is such a vital part of their lives, providing them with an outlet to express their creativity.

After being asked about the music department at Union, first-year Evan Schieren, bass guitar player for the Dutchmen’s Revenge, stated, “All the people here are wonderful; professors are great, and the students are really friendly. All in all, it’s just a very familial department—

everyone feels together.”

The students themselves have dedicated lots of their time to putting on an entertaining show for the audience. When asked how she feels about the upcoming performance, Grace Schultz, first-year drummer for Devi and the Tritones, said, “I’m really excited to show people what my band has been working on and to be able to see what the other bands have been up to.”

This Saturday, each band will be given 12 minutes to play songs of their choosing, so come prepared for hours of great music. Finish May off right by heading over to Old Chapel to support the students and have a good time.

“I Forgive You”

by Cynthia Erivo June 06, 2025

“Tha Carter VI”

by Lil Wayne

SCI-TECH

Friday, May 30, 2025 | concordiensis.com

05

ABIGAIL TRZEPLA, SCI-TECH EDITOR trzeplaa@union.edu

Professor Fleishman to Retire After 35 Years in the Biology Department Abby Trzepla Sci-Tech Editor

After almost 36 years, Professor Leo J. Fleishman will be retiring with the end of the 2025 academic year, marking the end of his time as a part of the Biology department here at Union College.

While teaching courses ranging from Topics in Physiology to Animal Behavior, Professor Fleishman carried out research investigating animal communication through visual signals and how they are perceived.

His work delves into how organisms (frequently lizards) detect and process information like motion and color from the world around them, and the role it has played in their evolution.

In a short Q&A, Professor Fleishman reflects on the path that led him to this career, memorable highlights from his time at Union, and words of wisdom for the generations of students to come.

What led you to the field of animal communication / perception?

I was an animal lover as a kid for as long as I can remember. I had many pets—hamsters, gerbils, lizards, fish—while I was growing up.

I cannot remember exactly when I became fascinated by communication, although I was a big fan of Dr. Doolittle books. (Dr. Doolittle was the British doctor who was taught by a parrot how to talk to all animals.)

In college, for my senior research, I tried to show movies to fish to decipher how their threat displays enabled them to settle fights. The experiments did not work, and I began to wonder if the way they perceived color, depth, and motion might differ from humans.

After graduating college, I got a job working in the tropics. While there, I got to see lots of small lizards signaling to one another. I became entranced with lizard communication because they are so colorful and their movement patterns have a hypnotic effect. Then,

in graduate school at Cornell, I took a course on animal communication that examined the relationship between sensory systems and signals, and that got me thinking a lot about visual processing and its role in communication. Finally, when I started my research at Union, I began to think about the role that the environment and the visual system played in causing the evolution of signal diversity, and I’ve been pursuing that question ever since.

a mountain through the rain and the mud. The horses were slipping and sliding the whole way. It was terrifying and exhilarating.

My other big international teaching opportunity was directing the term abroad in Australia one year.

I loved everything about that country, and we encountered so many interesting animals and amazing landscapes. It was a thrill to travel with students to so many amazing locations.

What were some of your most memorable experiences during your time teaching and doing research at Union?

Is there any message or advice you want to give students?

My most memorable teaching experiences occurred when I was leading trips to other countries. I taught a 3-week course on tropical biology that traveled to Panama.

One year we traveled on horseback to a remote jungle field station.

While we were there, it rained for several days in a row. When we returned, we had to ride horses down

A few things come to mind: First, everyone’s path is unique. You have to find your own way forward. The best advice I can give is to work hard and follow your passion. Opportunities will present themselves, and you should grab them.

Second, become political. Right now the country and the planet are in trouble and it is up to our young people to save it, and that means you have to engage. There are two

Union College

Professor of Biological Sciences Leo J.

sides to the debates about the future of our climate: the wrong one and the right one. Pay attention to what leaders are saying and vote vote vote!

807 UNION ST.

Thursday, May 30, 2025 | concordiensis.com

RYAN CUDWORTH, 807 EDITOR cudwortr@union.edu

Battling Burnout: How Union Students Can Cope with Finals Alekhya Buragadda Contributing Writer

As finals week approaches, students across the country are bracing themselves for what is often the most stressful time of the academic year. Endless hours of studying, back-to-back deadlines, and pressure to perform well can lead to a phenomenon known as student burnout—a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It’s more common than many realize, and if left unaddressed, it can severely impact both academic performance and personal well-being.

Symptoms of burnout can include fatigue, lack of motivation, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and even physical symptoms like headaches or stomach issues. In some cases, students may feel completely detached from their work or experience a sense of hopelessness.

Recognizing these symptoms early on is key to preventing more serious

consequences like anxiety, depression, or academic probation.

Fortunately, Union has been increasingly aware of the toll finals can take and have introduced initiatives to support student mental health.

One popular method our campus adopts during finals is therapy dog events, which usually take place at the library or in Wicker Wellness.

Petting or playing with dogs, even for just a few minutes, can reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), lower blood pressure, and boost mood.

These visits create a moment of joy and calm in an otherwise high-pressure environment.

Another valuable resource that many students overlook is UWill Telehealth Counseling, a free or low-cost service available offered at Union. UWill connects students with licensed mental health professionals for video, phone, or chat sessions, often within 24 hours of requesting help. It’s private, flexible, and tailored to the college experience, making it a powerful tool during times of peak stress.

In addition to utilizing these support services, there are several simple yet effective strategies students can implement to combat burnout:

impairs memory, attention, and decision-making—all things you need to perform well.

Schedule breaks and downtime. Studying for 8 hours straight isn’t productive. Use the Pomodoro technique—25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break— to maintain energy and focus.

Reach out. Don’t isolate yourself. Talk to friends, professors, or counselors. You’re not alone in how you feel, and sometimes a quick conversation can make all the difference.

Move your body. Exercise, even a short walk or a 15-minute yoga session, releases endorphins that naturally improve mood and reduce anxiety.

Burnout may feel overwhelming, but it’s not permanent—and it’s certainly not a sign of weakness. It’s your mind and body telling you to slow down and take care of yourself. This finals season, prioritize your mental health just as much as your GPA. Take advantage of your campus’s resources like therapy dogs and UWill Counseling, breathe deeply, and remember: one grade does not define your worth.

You’ve made it this far. You’re stronger than you think. Finish the semester with compassion for yourself—you deserve it.

Stay nourished and hydrated.

Skipping meals or living on energy drinks might seem efficient, but it only makes things worse. Fuel your brain with nutritious food and plenty of water.

Sleep is non-negotiable. Pulling all-nighters might feel necessary, but sleep deprivation

Union College

Union Students Studying in Schaffer

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NOTICES

Friday, May 30, 2025 | concordiensis.com

ANGELINA MARTINELLI, NOTICES EDITOR martina2@union.edu

Concordiensis Editor-in-Chief

Matthew Lowry ‘27

CRIME & FIRE LOG 5/19/25, 5:45 PM / Guard Shack Arrest - individual previously issued a persona non grata letter observed on campus - individual issued appearence ticket Closed. Referred to Police

News Editor

Alexander Sano ‘28

5/24/25, 9:49 AM / Raymond House Vandalism to college property - broken window pane - date/ time of occurrence unknown

Opinions Editor Gillian Paseka ‘27

Open Investigation 5/25/25, 3:00 AM / Payne Gate Vandalism to college property - flower pulled from flower

Sci/Tech Editor

Abigail Trzepla ‘27

Sports Editor

Noor El Maayargi ‘28

bed - incident ocurred at 2:19 AM on 5/25/25 Open Investigation

EVENTS FOR U! Courtesy of First-Year Experience

Courtesy of Wold House

Courtesy of WRUC 89.7 and Concert Club

Courtesy of ACE

Courtesy of Society of Physics Students

Courtesy of Breazzano House

Courtesy of Union College Music Department

Courtesy of Union Chabad

Pop/Culture Editor Sienna Chambial ‘27

807 Editor

Ryan Cudworth ‘25 Notices Editor

Angelina Martinelli ‘28

Photo Editor

Kavita Trivedi ‘27

Staff Writers

Allyson Bennett ‘26 Contributing Writers Talia Gitlin ‘27 Aldo Leal ‘26 Ashvin Singh ‘26 Alekhya Buraggada ‘28 Finance Chair

Aaradhya Sharma ‘27

Concordiensis is the official student newspaper of Union College since 1877 and is published on Thursdays; weeks 2-9 during Fall, Winter and Spring terms.

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Concordiensis welcomes letters to the editor on its coverage and school-related issues. Submissions are selected by the editor (including from comments posted to our social media pages) to provide a variety of opinions and voices and all are subject to editing for accuracy, clarity and length and to remove personal attacks. Letters may be emailed to concordy@union.edu. The writer’s full name, class year and e-mail or phone number must be included, but only the name and class year will be published.

SPORTS

Friday, May 30, 2025 | concordiensis.com

07

NOOR EL MAAYERGI, SPORTS EDITOR elmaayee@union.edu

Union College Club Cricket Men’s Hockey Loses Wraps Up Spring Season Players to Portal, Looking for New Goaltenders Ashvin Singh Staff Writer

Allyson Bennett Staff Writer

This offseason, the Union men’s and women’s hockey teams have seen players come and go from the Division 1 Hockey transfer portal.

Men’s hockey has lost six players to the transfer portal and gained at least three, as previously reported

by Concordiensis. Most notably, the team is searching for two additional goaltenders.

Five of six Union men’s players who entered the transfer portal have found other schools, according to several college hockey transfer portal trackers and Elite Prospects.

Josh Phillips ‘25 and Joe Messina will transfer to Canisius University, where Phillips will spend a graduate year and Messina will complete his two remaining college years.

Eli Pilosof will transfer to Tufts University for their Division 3 hockey program, as he confirmed with Concordiensis staff. Last season, Tufts was ranked #17 in Division 3 Pairwise Hockey Rankings. David Côté is currently in the transfer portal and

uncommitted to another school.

Goaltenders Lucas Massie and Kyle Chauvette have committed to other schools. Massie will spend the next three years at Robert Morris University, and Chauvette will spend his senior year at the University of New Hampshire.

With two goaltenders transferring to other schools, the men’s team has one current goaltender on its 2025-2026 roster: Cameron Korpi ‘28, an incoming transfer from the University of Michigan.

Head Coach Josh Hague discussed what he is looking for in those two goaltenders on The Parting Schotts Podcast by Ken Schott of The Daily Gazette. “We are looking at a guy for potentially four years, and then a transfer that would come in with two years left.

You want someone that’s been in the net and been put in those situations,” Hauge said.

“But at the same time, on opening night, I gotta be pretty honest with people right now, Cameron [Korpi] is the guy that we see carrying the game for us to start,” Hauge explained. “The guys coming in

Union College

Incoming goaltender Cameron Korpi ‘28

will have every opportunity to fight for [the net] and earn it, but we just wanna be upfront and honest with that. Every day in practice, it’s a battle to get the net, but right now it’s Cameron’s to lose.”

Hauge did not mention any specific goaltenders who will be transferring to Union, and Concordiensis staff could not identify any other potential transfers from transfer portal trackers. However, Hauge did confirm on the podcast that the team will play against UNH at Mohawk Harbor this season, and Chauvette will possibly be in the opposing net.

Women’s Hockey Gains Two Transfers, Loses Two to Portal Allyson Bennett Staff Writer

The Union women’s hockey team has seen players come and go from the Division 1 Hockey transfer portal this offseason. They have lost two players to the transfer portal, but also gained two from it.

Union has seen two players transfer to other schools. Defensewoman Kendal Davidson will be transferring to RPI this upcoming season. This past season, Davidson scored a goal with four assists and blocked 44 shots, the third most on her team. Forward Danica Mark will transfer to the University of Delaware for the team’s inaugural season. Mark played nine games this past season, notching a goal and

two assists.

Union also welcomes two players from the transfer portal this offseason, as confirmed by the team’s Instagram account. Forward Hayley Kelleher ‘28 will transfer from Clarkson University this fall; Kelleher did not play this past season. Defensewoman Peyton O’Neill ‘28 will also transfer from Long Island University. O’Neill appeared in 22 games at LIU, notching two assists and blocking 18 shots.

According to a press release from Union Athletics, the women’s team will play the first-ever game at Mohawk Harbor Events Center on Friday, September 26. The season schedule will likely be released in the next few weeks.

Clarkson University Athletics

Incoming transfer Hayley Kelleher

Long Island University Athletics

Incoming transfer Peyton O’Neill

It is a wrap for the spring season as the Union College Cricket Club completes its final game.

The cricket team came charging through matches against UAlbany, Princeton, Vassar, and Siena.

Union started off strong against UAlbany, fought a close game against Princeton, and triumphed in the official matchups against Vassar and Siena. The season‘s final game concluded with a rematch against UAlbany. Although ending in a close and tight game, the Union College Cricket Team’s performance was solid throughout the season, thanks to a number of outstanding performances from many of the players. Union College cricket captain Nabeel Naqvi, who earned Player of the Season for his run-scoring, performed exceptionally well this season, with 292 runs at a 167.8 strike rate. His performance and leadership have held the team together since the start, and his run tally played a significant role in Union’s wins. New team vice captain and president Daneyal Quraishi’s firm grip on this season’s runs was crucial. His presence and agility were pivotal to many key victories. Quraishi’s leadership drives the momentum for a competitive squad with a promising season this coming fall. Bowlers Salman and Gohar pitched exceptionally well, knocking down wickets and setting the tone for a competitive season.

Nawfal Qadri, Aradhya Sharma, and Muhammad Farooq Memon’s batting skills helped propel the team with crucial runs. Mustafa’s fielding skills helped create an organized team effort on defensive positions. The team’s added presence on campus is not just a testament to international sports.

They represent the exceptionally gifted and talented students of Union College. The drive to make the sport a lasting legacy is a commitment brought on by the visionary leadership of Farooq. Farooq founded the club in 2022, and with the help of friends and campus engagement, he helped grow the club into the competitive team it is today. As part of the graduating class of 2025, he will surely be

missed. His club symbolizes the eternal bond and friendship that comes with cricket. He is leaving Union better than how he entered.

The fall season is coming up, and with it, a stronger team. The groundwork built by the founding seniors leads the team to a positive future. With our newfound leadership, the Union College Cricket Team is ready to charge harder into the coming seasons.

Union College Cricket Club

Two Union players in a match against Vassar

Union College Cricket Club

The Union team strategizes before their last match of the season against Ualbany

Union College Cricket Club

The team gathered for a picture after a win against Princeton

08

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Friday, May 30, 2025 | concordiensis.com

KAVITA TRIVEDI, PHOTO EDITOR trivedik@union.edu

Lobster Fest 2025 Kavita Trivedi | Concordiensis

Students enjoyed the sunshine at Lobster Fest by talking with their friends and playing games in the Richmond Lawn.

Kavita Trivedi | Concordiensis

Students lined up, waiting to get a t-shirt at Lobster Fest on Wednesday, May 28.

Nott Alone:

Allyson Bennett | Concordiensis

Allyson Bennett ’26 poses for a photo, dressed as a lobster.

A Walk for Suicide Awareness​​​​​​​

Allyson Bennett | Concordiensis

Students walk around the Nott Memorial as a way of raising aweness for suicide prevention.

Kavita Trivedi | Concordiensis

Lights lit up as students walked around the Nott as a reminder that “U Are Nott Alone.”