Dear Bates Alumni,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I write today to share what I know will be disappointing news: Due to the COVID-19 crisis, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Reunion Weekend 2020. Given where we are in the current pandemic, we are not able to move forward with plans for a massive gathering of people\u2014coming to Bates from all over \u2014 in early June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I doubt this will come as a surprise to anyone, but it is\ncertainly not what any of us hoped for. The news will hit hardest those of you\nin the \u201c0\u201d and \u201c5\u201d classes, who were scheduled to return to campus in June. Many\nof you have been planning for months to come back to Bates to connect and\ncelebrate with friends and classmates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to recognize important class\nmilestones, we will host a number of virtual Reunion programs on June 12 and\n13, 2020. Although they could never\napproximate the joy and spontaneity of reconnecting with classmates in the many\nprograms and activities that mark Reunion Weekend, we hope they will provide a\ntouchpoint with your friends and the college in this moment when human\nconnection has never been more important. Details about our plans for June 2020\nvirtual programming will soon be coming your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, when the current crisis is decisively behind\nus, we hope that we can find an opportunity to bring the \u201c0\u201d and \u201c5\u201d classes\nback to campus to enjoy the experience they are missing this year. This will\nrequire some longer-term planning. We will work with class leaders over the\ncoming months and keep you posted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who have been working for months to plan their classes\u2019 Reunion events. Your efforts will not be wasted \u2014 and they are deeply appreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wish very much that the situation were different, and that\nwe could all look forward to being together on the Bates campus in June. My\nhope is that when we do gather together, in person, it will be all the sweeter\nfor this period of interruption and isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Until then, please take very good care of yourselves and your loved ones. And remember that you are always \u2014 even at a distance \u2014 an essential member of the Bates community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stay well and keep in touch,\n\n\n\nClayton\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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