UAlbany Welcomes New Great Danes

With classes started this week for the Fall 2020 semester, UAlbany would have traditionally greeted its more than 5,550 new Great Danes with an Opening Convocation and Candlelighting Ceremony.

Instead, COVID-19 restrictions called for some creative thinking.

New students were invited to take part in a Convocation Expedition last week – a two-mile, physically-distanced tour that included stops at more than a dozen key spots on campus, including the Campus Center, athletics complex, the main University library and magnolia gardens. Students downloaded informational videos at each stop. For example, a welcome video from President Rodríguez at the Entry Plaza asked students to imagine their graduation in the same spot.

“Imagine yourself standing here four years from now,” said President Rodríguez. “As a new member of our UAlbany community, you have just gained an amazing support network. We will be here with you, to ensure that on graduation day you are throwing your cap high in celebration of success.”

Welcome festivities culminated with a virtual Candlelighting Ceremony on Sunday. Per tradition, the 2020 Torch Award recipient – Political Science Professor Julie Novkov – was featured. There was also addresses from President Rodríguez, Provost Carol Kim, college deans, Vice President for Student Affairs Michael Christakis, Dean for Undergraduate Education JoAnne Malatesta and Student Association President Damilola Adesanya. The evening concluded with a ceremonial lighting of the University Torch.

By the Numbers

UAlbany is welcoming some 2,700 first-year students to the Class of 2024 from more than 26,000 applicants. Approximately 1,275 transfer students and 1,600 graduate students are also joining the campus community this fall.

Notably, the Class of 2024 includes 401 students enrolled as Presidential Scholars (92 percent increase from last year) and 250 students joining the University’s Honors College (87 percent increase from last year). Students in the Class of 2024 come from 21 states and 23 foreign countries. They boast an overall high school average of 90.7 percent.

Also joining the campus community are more than 22 new full-time faculty members. This includes both tenure-track faculty and lecturers/visiting professors appointed across the institution.

Course offerings will look different this semester: 58 percent delivered fully online, 34 percent in-person and 8 percent hybrid. Various other campus changes will also be in place to ensure the health and safety of the University community.

As the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, so will the University’s policies and plans. For the latest guidelines please visit: albany.edu/covid-19