In this mailing:

• A warm welcome from the First-Year Experience (FYE) Team

• Information about:
  • What to expect from FYE, including move-in and orientation
  • Course registration
  • Housing
  • Transfer Student Mentors
  • Required First-Year Forms
  • The Garnet Gateway
  • How to access required online resources

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Monday, December 8, 2025

You’re receiving this email as a new transfer student starting at Bates College in the Winter 2026 semester. Please note that all future correspondence will come to your Bates inbox only.

Dear Bates Student,

Welcome to Bates! We are so excited to welcome you into our vibrant community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Everything in this email is important to your transition to Bates. Please review it thoroughly.

We are 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, and Luke Allen ‘22, Coordinator of Campus Life Programming and First-Year Experience. We will be communicating with you to provide information and resources, which will help you prepare for your arrival to campus in January. More information about the First-Year Experience (FYE) and New Student Orientation is at the FYE website.

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The Bates FYE and New Student Resources

The Bates FYE is made up of 9 distinct programs held throughout your first year. These programs are organized around 6 values that support you in your transition to Bates. You can read more about the FYE here. We know that a successful start to your Bates experience requires far more than just a few days of Orientation. The FYE is organized to support you throughout your entire first year to help you build the foundation to thrive throughout your time at Bates.

The first of the FYE programs you’ll engage with are accessible on your Transfer Experience Resources page, which can be accessed here. Please complete all modules on the page prior to arriving at Bates.

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The Garnet Gateway and Required First-Year Forms

The Garnet Gateway and your Bates email account are now open to you. Please note all future correspondence will come only to your Bates email. Please check your Bates admission portal to receive your login information if you haven’t done so already.

The Garnet Gateway is a portal where important information relevant to your Bates experience exists, including personal information, course registration information, and more. It is also where you can find required First-Year Forms, which must be completed prior to your arrival at Bates, including mandatory health forms, emergency contact information, and more. The forms will be made available later this week – we will notify you when they’re live. To login and access these forms, please go to the Quad and then click on “Log in to Garnet Gateway.”

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Transfer Student Mentors

All new transfer students are assigned a Transfer Student Mentor. Their primary role is to serve as your advisor and consultant on issues relevant to acclimating to the Bates environment, primarily providing peer support and advice on a range of topics, including navigating academic support and resources, the social environment, Bates culture, and the wide array of resources available to students. They are trained to be a resource and advocate for you! Engage with yours frequently.

Help us understand where you’re coming from, and what you’re interested in at Bates to make sure your mentor is a good fit for you – submit your Transfer Student Mentor Match Form here. Please note that if you do not submit this form, a mentor will be assigned to you at random.

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Arrival & Orientation Schedule

You may find the Winter 2026 Orientation Schedule here.

Residences open for winter semester on Sunday, January 11. Plan to arrive to campus between 10am and 5pm.

When you get to campus, first head to Campus Safety at 245 College Street to obtain your key and Bates ID. You may then proceed to your residence to load in.

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Course Registration

Please work closely with Prof. Michael Rocque, who will help you register for classes for the winter 2026 semester.

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Housing

Residence Life will be contacting you soon with more details on your housing assignment for the winter 2026 semester.

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Finally, please note that as you prepare to come to Bates, the college will be closed for Winter Break from Wednesday, December 24 through Sunday, January 4. You are welcome to email or call us during this period, but please do not expect a response until the week of 1/4.

We are excited to work with you in the coming year!

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
Luke Allen ‘22, Coordinator of Campus Life Programming and First-Year Experience