Arrival Day Information
Please note that this information applies to first-year and transfer students arriving on Monday 8/24 or Thursday 8/27. If your arrival date is different, please touch base with your program lead for information on your move-in procedures.
Here’s what to expect:
Arriving with Loved Ones
1. Arrive at Commons between 8:00am and noon
- Located at 136 Central Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240. Don’t park the car and head there on foot – show up in your car!
- An energetic welcome team will be there to welcome you to Bates!
- Students will be dropped off to head into Commons.
- Loved ones (whoever’s driving the car!) will proceed to their student’s residence.
2. Students: Get your Bates ID and room key
- Check in inside Commons – they’ll ask you a few questions, and when all is said and done, you’ll get your Bates ID, and (if applicable) your room key.
- After checking in, exit Commons on the other side and head to your residence.
- NOTE: If you haven’t completed all of your New Student Forms, you will be asked to step aside to do so before getting your Bates ID and room key.
3. Loved Ones: Arrive at your student’s residence
- Pull up to your student’s residence – you’ll see signs denoting unloading zones. A Bates volunteer will greet you.
- You’ll be asked who’s being moved in, and they will confirm the room number.
- You’ll be handed an index card with your student’s room number on it, which you’ll be asked to display on your dashboard so our team of student movers know where everything’s going.
- Sit back and let our moving team do the work for you! Many find that their car is unpacked before their student arrives from Commons.
- Once the car is unloaded, proceed to a parking area. Volunteers can direct you to the nearest one to the residence.
4. Students: Arrive at your residence
- Head to the unloading zone signs at your residence, to see if the car is still being unloaded.
- If not, head inside to your room to rejoin your loved ones, and meet your ResLife student staff and roommate.
- Note that if you are arriving on Monday 8/24, you may not meet your student staff until later that day, and your roommate may not be arriving until Thursday.
- Start unpacking!
5. Enjoy the day!
- Take advantage of Open Houses, visit the Museum of Art, and grab a bite at Commons (on 8/24) or at the Campus BBQ (on 8/27) – more details on the orientation schedules here. Don’t miss out on the Welcome Address, or the start of program or Orientation sessions!
Arriving Independently
1. Arrive at Commons between 8:00am and noon
- Located at 136 Central Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240.
- If you drove, it’s OK to temporarily park on the street outside Commons – follow the directions of the welcome team. Drive to your residence after picking up your Bates ID and room key.
- If you’re just getting dropped off (e.g., via taxi or rideshare) you’re welcome to bring your luggage into Commons with you.
- An energetic welcome team will be there to welcome you to Bates, and direct you into Commons.
2. Get your Bates ID and room key
- Check in inside Commons – they’ll ask you a few questions, and when all is said and done, you’ll get your Bates ID, and (if applicable) your room key.
- After checking in, exit Commons and head to your residence.
- NOTE: If you haven’t completed all of your New Student Forms, you will be asked to step aside to do so before getting your Bates ID and room key.
3. Arriving at your residence
- With a car:
- Pull up to your residence – you’ll see signs denoting unloading zones. A Bates volunteer will greet you.
- You’ll be asked your name, and they will confirm the room number.
- You’ll be handed an index card with your room number on it, which you’ll be asked to display on your dashboard so our team of movers know where everything’s going.
- Sit back and let our moving team do the work for you!
- Once the car is unloaded, proceed to a parking area. Volunteers can direct you to the nearest one to the residence, or to permanent student parking.
- Head back to your residence, and start unpacking!
- Without a car:
- Check in with a Bates volunteer outside the residence – they will verify your room number with you.
- Head inside to your room to meet your ResLife student staff and roommate.
- Note that if you are arriving on Monday 8/24, you may not meet your student staff until later that day, and your roommate may not be arriving until Thursday.
- Start unpacking!
4. Enjoy the day!
- Take advantage of Open Houses, visit the Museum of Art, and grab a bite at Commons (on 8/24) or at the Campus BBQ (on 8/27) – more details on the orientation schedules here. Don’t miss out on the Welcome Address, or the start of program or Orientation sessions!