Bates Community -

Many thanks to the entire Bates community for your patience and understanding working through yesterday’s storm, with particular appreciation for Campus Safety assisting through the day, the facilities teams clearing campus in adverse weather and the DCCE teams serving meals without core power for much of the day.

A few comments to start the day:

• Bates is open today, and classes will be held as scheduled. Power is on in academic buildings, and the campus is cleared, though it will be a little slushy as yesterday’s snow melts.
  
• Frye Street houses have not had power for over 24 hours. Please give these students grace and understanding. We are working with Central Maine Power (CMP) to restore power for them.
  
• Bates may be hosting several dozen CMP employees in Alumni Gymnasium for them to have a “home base” to sleep and eat while they are in our region of Maine restoring power. You may see them in Alumni gym, in Commons, and in the general vicinity of these facilities on Central Avenue. This will also result in a concentration of power trucks near our campus. They could arrive later today, and be with us through Monday morning. Thank you in advance for your Bates friendliness and hospitality while they are with us if this comes together.
  
• With temperatures largely above freezing we will continue to see melting, though overnight lows may result in morning ice in spots that experience a freeze-thaw cycle. Use appropriate footwear, and keep a low center of balance when walking in slippery conditions.

Again, thank you all for helping the college get through this unusual April weather.

Gratefully,

Geoff

Bates Community - 

Due to power outages on campus, Bates College will be closed today, Thursday, April 4. Only employees designated in advance as “essential” should report to work. Any updates to campus operations will be communicated via text and email.

• Classes will not be held.
• Dining services in Commons and library access in Ladd will be available.  Additional information about dining is forthcoming via email from Christine Schwartz.
• Many buildings on campus have power, however Hedge, Olin Roger Williams, Commons, athletics and several residential buildings are without power. 
• The groundskeeping team will prioritize clearing core campus pedestrian corridors. Please support them in this effort by keeping a wide berth while they plow or remove snow. Remain visible to equipment operators, avoid quick movements in front of or behind equipment, avoid reading or texting while walking, and keep your head up and be aware of your surroundings.
• Parking lots may not be fully plowed; the groundskeeping team will prioritize clearing the Bardwell parking areas. Lewiston makes available its municipal lots and garages; vehicles that do not have a Bates parking permit are expected to use the option made available by the city. Please see the email from David Chick for more information on parking.

As always, please use good judgment when traveling in inclement weather. Use appropriate footwear, and keep a low center of balance when walking in slippery conditions.

Be safe!

Geoff