Back to Bates Events for Alumni
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Enjoy this fall homecoming with your fellow Bobcats! Back to Bates welcomes alumni from across the generations back to campus for food, fun, and friendship in the place where it all began!
2023 Schedule
We’re delighted to share this schedule with our alumni to help you plan your Back to Bates visit. We will continue to add details, event times, and more. Please note that specific events, times, and locations are subject to change.
Saturday, October 7
| Time | Location | Event Description | Ticket Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8am-7pm | Chase Lounge, Chase Hall | Alumni Check-In Make our check-in center your first stop to pick up or purchase your Campus BBQ Lunch tickets and snag some Bates alumni swag. | No |
| 8-10:30am | Chase Lounge, Chase Hall | Coffee Station Grab a quick coffee, tea, or cool drink as you stay hydrated on a busy Bates day! | No |
| 8am-4pm | Bates College Store | Need new Bobcat gear? Stop in at the store during open hours! | No |
| 9am, 10am, 11am | Lindholm House | Admission tours and info session Do you have another possible Bobcat in the family? The Bates Admission office will offer their usual Saturday tour and info sessions; registration is required via the Admission portal. Note that these are Admission-specific tours for prospective students and families, not general campus tours. | |
| 9:30–10:30am | Olin Arts Center Auditorium | Armchair Conversation with President Jenkins Join us as President Garry Jenkins shares impressions from his first months at Bates, offers perspective on the potential of the liberal arts, and discusses what makes the Bates community so special. President Jenkins will take audience questions as time allows. Seating for this event is limited to 300. Overflow seating will be provided in Olin 104/105 for viewing of the event livestream. | No |
| 10am -5pm | Bates College Museum of Art | Visit the current exhibition, “Selections from the Diversify the Collection Program,” featuring new acquisitions in oil, prints, photography, and other media. Also on display: Who Are They? Who Am I? Portraits of Artists and Artist Self-Portraits from the permanent collection. | No |
| 11am | Campus Avenue Field | Bates Field Hockey vs. Hamilton | No |
| 11am | Russell Street Track & Field | Bates Women’s Soccer vs. Hamilton | No |
| 11:30am – 2pm | Commons | BBQ Lunch Enjoy a relaxed picnic BBQ lunch for all ages. Tickets must be pre-purchased: $20 per adult, $15 per person 12 and under. Bates students must present their ID. Rain plan in effect: BBQ lunch indoors at Commons. Guests must have a ticket (no cash sales for the lunch), and Bates students present their ID. Overflow seating at the Bardwell Tent. | Yes |
| 1pm | Garcelon Field | Bates Football vs. Amherst | No |
| 1-9pm | Marcy Plavin Studio, Merrill Gymnasium | Back to Bates Student Performance Showcase Join us to see a lively showcase of their engaging artistry! Seating is limited to 150 and is first come, first served. | No |
| 1-5pm | Bardwell Street | Curb Cats Food Truck Rain plan in effect: Canceled | No |
| 2pm | Alumni Gym | Bates Volleyball vs. Tufts | No |
| 2-3pm | Keck Classroom (G52), Pettengill Hall | Purposeful Work Student Panel Preparing students for lives of meaningful work lies at the heart of the liberal arts mission. Join us as a panel of students discusses their internship experiences as part of this signature Bates program. Panelists: Aaliyah Moore ’24, Ben Morse ’24, and Harris Ramlee ’25 Moderator: Allen Delong, Senior Associate Dean and Director of the Bates Center for Purposeful Work | No |
| 2:30–3:30pm | Commons 221/222 | Alumni Award Ceremony Celebrate our exceptional alumni community as we recognize 2023 recipients of several alumni awards. · Alumni Community Service Award – Cat Lathrop Strahan ’86 · Alumni Professional Recognition Award – Aditi Vaidya ’00 · David G. Russell ’66 Award – Gary Silverman ’83 · Bates’ Best – Tom Carey ’73, Liza Danello ’14, Deborah Gahm ’73, Allison Matlack ’85, Kevin Tejada ’17 | No |
| 4–5pm | Bonney Living Room, Bonney Science Center | MOSAIC Families, Students, and Alumni Networking Our MOSAIC family and alumni events seek to build community among the family members, guardians, and support networks of underrepresented racial, ethnic, LGBTQIA+, first-generation-to-college, and international Bates students, and among those members of our alumni network who identify as MOSAIC community members. | No |
| 5–6pm | Mount David Society Reception This invitation-only event is an opportunity for Bates to thank families, alumni, and friends who make the college a philanthropic priority through leadership gifts. | Yes | |
| Dinner Options · Curb Cats Food Truck (credit card only) · Commons (credit card only) · Off-campus | No | ||
| 6-9pm | Bardwell Field Tent | Horse-drawn wagon rides | No |
| 6-8pm | Gritty McDuff’s Brew Pub 8 Main Street, Auburn | Class of 2023 Gritty’s Takeover Bates Alumni Engagement welcomes the Class of 2023 back to campus as alumni with a fun celebration at Gritty’s in Auburn! Join us for a night of reconnecting and celebrating the newest alumni cohort. Registration is free. We encourage you to pre-register, but walk-ins are welcome. Food and one drink ticket provided. This event is not open to current students. Participants provide their own transportation. | No |
| 7:30–9:30pm | Perry Atrium, Pettengill Hall | Dessert Fair Finish your day with something sweet! Join families, students, and alumni for tasty treats provided by the talented Bates dining team. Rain plan in effect: This event has been moved to Perry Atrium. | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentials
Where should I park?
You may park in any legal spot on campus or on nearby public streets. The largest campus lot is located between Underhill Arena and the Russell Street Track (enter from Russell Street). Please respect handicapped parking signs.
What should I wear?
Maine is a relaxed place! Pack comfortable clothes with plenty of layers so you will be ready for sunny days, cool evenings, and rain.
In case of rain, will the schedule be adjusted and updated?
Yes! We have already made some schedule adjustments to account for this year’s weather forecast. Event locations and descriptions have been updated, with significant changes highlighted. We will continue to post updates to the web, and you can always get the latest from staff at the Check-in Center.
Where should I go when I first arrive?
Please make the Alumni Check-in Center at Chase Hall your first stop! We will have your name tags and any tickets ready for you if you registered in advance, and if you are a walk-in, we can get you squared away.
What are our dining options?
We will have several ways to dine on campus throughout the weekend, listed in the schedule above. We also have pulled together a list of places off-campus for dining and activities to check out while you are in the area.
Additionally, the Curb Cat Food Truck will be available from 1-9pm on Bardwell Street. Credit card payments only.
Can I bring my dog to campus?
We certainly welcome your leashed pet on campus, but with the exception of certified service animals, pets are not allowed in any area where food is being served or in residence halls. Please read the full policy here.
How do I address my accessibility needs?
We want to ensure that Back to Bates: Alumni & Family Weekend is an inclusive experience for all. If you anticipate a barrier on campus or within any of the programming, please contact Christine Schwartz at cschwart@bates.edu. To ensure that we are able to implement any accommodations in a timely manner, please reach out to us by September 12 if at all possible.
How can I address my dietary restrictions?
Bates Dining labels food served for the following common allergens: nuts, dairy, egg, pork, fish, shellfish, vegan, coconut, gluten-friendly, and soy.
However, it is important to note that manufacturers may change the formulation of foods without our knowledge. Additionally, because food is prepared in a commercial kitchen and presented in a self-service environment, there is a possibility of cross-contact with allergens. Anyone concerned about food ingredients should be aware of these risks and be proactive about their food choices. While it is ultimately your responsibility to decide whether or not to eat certain foods, we encourage you to direct specific questions to the chef on duty at the station or a manager.
If you have food-related allergy concerns, we also strongly encourage you to contact Cheryl Lacey, Director of Dining, to discuss your needs.
How do I contact campus safety?
Campus Safety: 207-786-6254
Emergency Only: 207-786-6111 (dial 6111 if using an on-campus phone.)
How do I contact campus health services?
St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Central Maine Medical Center are within a mile of campus if you need medical attention during the weekend. Please call Bates Campus Safety (6254 from a campus phone, otherwise 207-786-6254) if you need a ride or other assistance.
Is there a lost and found?
Inquiries about articles lost on campus may be made at the Check-in Center located at Chase Hall until 8pm on Saturday and thereafter at Bates Campus Safety, 245 College Street. Following the event, all unclaimed articles will be taken to the Office of College Advancement at Bates College, and the College is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
What are the smoking regulations?
Smoking – the burning of any type of pipe, cigar, cigarette, or similar product, and chewing tobacco is prohibited in all campus buildings – including residence halls. This policy also includes but is not limited to, battery-powered e-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems.
Smoking is prohibited within 50 feet, approximately 20 paces, of all campus facilities, including residence halls and athletics grounds.
Registration
What does registration for Back to Bates include?
By registering for Back to Bates: Alumni & Family Weekend, you will automatically have access to several aspects of the weekend; however, the BBQ lunch is ticketed.
Pre-registration is now closed. We look forward to having you join us as a walk-in! Make your first stop at the Check-in Center in Chase Lounge. We would be happy to get you registered, print your nametags, and help you with any BBQ lunch ticket purchases.
Who can register for Back to Bates?
All current students and their families, as well as Bates alumni, are welcome to attend Back to Bates. Families will have a different schedule of events, taking place on Friday, October 6, and Saturday, October 7.
Pre-registration is closed. We look forward to having you join us as a walk-in! Make your first stop at the Check-in Center in Chase Lounge. We would be happy to get you registered, print your nametags, and help you with any BBQ lunch ticket purchases.
What is the refund policy for this event?
To request a refund, your email must have been received in the backtobates@bates.edu inbox and time stamped by 5pm Eastern by September 25. We cannot make exceptions to this deadline.