Thursday, August 21, 2025

Hello Class of 2029 and new transfer students!

With Arrival Day just around the corner — Thursday, August 28, 2025  — there are a few final details that we would like to share as you prepare to join us on campus to begin your time at Bates. 

We thank you for your consistent engagement with the resources that we’ve put together on your Lyceum Summer Resources and Orientation page. 

Getting to Bates

For helpful information on getting to Bates see this page.

Move-In Logistics

We welcome you to check-in and to start moving into your residence between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Thursday, August 28. We know you are excited to get here — and believe us, we are so excited to have you here! — but we want to emphasize that there is no need to arrive earlier than 8:00 a.m. There will be ample time to move in and get settled.

• When you arrive, new students should plan to be dropped off first at Commons (136 Central Avenue) by their families and/or loved ones to check-in and receive their residence key and campus ID. Do not go to your residence first.
• Once the student is dropped off at Commons, families and loved ones should then proceed in their vehicle to the residence with the student’s belongings.
• While families and loved ones are going to the residence, students will then go through Commons to obtain their residence key and Bates ID, and fill out any lingering mandatory forms. 
• After going through Commons, students will proceed to their residence.
• At the residence, staff and upperclass year student volunteers will meet and help families and loved ones unload and bring student belongings to rooms.
• Staff will kindly ask that families and loved ones unload the car first by dropping items at the curb.
• Following unloading of the car, families and loved ones will need to move the car immediately to a parking area, so other students and families can unpack in the unloading zone. 
• Parking will be available nearby after unloading.

Doing check-in this way allows us to make the process as efficient as possible for all new students, so we thank you in advance for collaborating in this effort. We will provide you with a map to help you navigate parking and drop-off when students are dropped off at Commons.

In-Person Orientation Schedule

Beyond checking in, moving in, and settling in, there are a number of campus events throughout the day that we encourage students and their families to engage with, including a Welcome Address from President Jenkins at 2 p.m. on the Historic Quad.

We also know that some families, students, and loved ones have had a long travel day to get to Bates, so we start the Campus BBQ nice and early at 10:30 a.m. for an opportunity to get food and refreshments.

For full event listings and details for Arrival Day and the rest of New Student On-Campus Orientation, please visit the schedule here. 

A Note on Textbooks from Our Partners at the College Store

Textbooks are available to buy online at our partner site via bates.ecampus.com. All textbooks purchased through this site can be shipped directly to Bates for on-campus pick-up. Books ordered from eCampus can be picked up at Post & Print like any other incoming mail or packages. Textbooks are not carried on the shelves of the College Store.

If You Have Questions …

• Questions about Residence Life: housing@bates.edu  
• Questions about New Student Orientation: fye@bates.edu   
• Questions about Information Technology: helpdesk@bates.edu  

Summer is quickly coming to an end; we hope it has been both productive and restorative. While we may watch with a small sigh as the warmer days fade into crisp autumn, we know that fall also brings our new students to campus, and we cannot wait for you to be here during one of the most exciting days of the year.

So, pack your raincoat and a window fan (and check this page to make sure everything you’re planning on bringing is permitted!) as anything is possible in Maine! We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, August 28! Safe travels!

All best,

Michael Rocque, Professor of Sociology and Associate Dean of the Faculty 
Kim Trauceniek, Senior Associate Dean of Students
Nick Dressler, Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life and First-Year Experience
Catie Luedee, Associate Director for Outdoor Education and Programs
Luke Allen ‘22, Coordinator of Campus Life Programming and First-Year Experience