The arrival day for the first-year class of 2027 will be on Thursday, August 31st between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM.

After Move-in and Orientation

Please refer to the Orientation website for information on the schedule and activities on August 31 and beyond. If you have questions on orientation please email fye@bates.edu.

The arrival days for returning students will be on Sunday, September 3rd to Tuesday, September 5th, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM each day.

August 24-30	Orientation week leaders including JA/CA staff, OWLs, and AESOP leaders *please connect with your program lead for specific arrival dates
August 21-28	Fall pre-season athletes -August 21: Volleyball, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Field Hockey -August 22: Football
August 27	Kessler Scholars and First-year international students
August 31	First-year student arrival day

Overall, all first-year students should plan on arriving on August 31st and all upper-class students should plan to arrive on September 3rd-5th. There are some groups that will arrive on different dates, including orientation week student leaders, fall athletes, and certain groups of first-year students.

In general, students who are not involved in a leadership position for orientation or on a fall athletic team are not allowed to arrive on campus ahead of their designated arrival date. If you have an extenuating circumstance for arriving outside of the designated date(s) and time(s), please see the “Frequently Asked Questions” section of this page.

Family members and support members are welcome to enter their student’s residence hall during the move-in process! We ask that parents and support members be mindful of the time that they are spending in the residence halls, in an effort to de-densify the indoor space for others to move in. Please stay tuned for additional move-in day information coming later in the month.

• All students arriving to campus should head to Commons for check-in. Students will have their ID cards activated, receive their room key, and then may proceed to their residence hall or house to move in.
• Meal plans will begin on the following dates:
  • First-year students: August 31st
  • Returning students: Dinner on September 4th
  • If you are arriving early, please check with your program lead for info about meals
• Students are not required to sign up for an arrival time on Garnet Gateway (this is a change from the past few years). Instead, students are free to arrive at anytime during check-in. As a reminder, that means:
  • First-year Students: August 31st, 8am-12pm
  • Returning Students: September 3rd-5th, 10am-6pm

I’m arriving early. What does the arrival process look like for me?

• If you belong to an approved early arrival group, please contact your program leader for more information about your arrival process.
• If you do not belong to an approved early arrival group but have a need to arrive early, please fill out the following form: Fall 2023 Early Arrival Petition.

My plane/train/bus/ride to campus will arrive after check-in is closed. What should I do?

• If at all possible, students should make every effort to arrive during check-in hours on designated arrival days. We understand that for some students, flight times or other travel restrictions may cause a challenge. If you know you will arrive after designated check-in hours, please complete the following form: Fall 2023 After Hours Arrival.
• Once you arrive to campus, please go directly to the Campus Safety Building (245 College St) to retrieve your key.

I cannot get to campus until after September 5th due to extenuating circumstances. What should I do?

• Please complete the following form: Fall 2023 Late Arrival Petition.

How can I get to Bates from the Portland Jetport?

• Please visit this webpage for information about travelling to campus.

What is the schedule for my parents/guardians on Arrival Day?

• As noted above, the arrival window for students is 8am to noon. Once your parents/guardians drop you at Commons to pick up your ID, they will drive directly to your residence call. You will meet them at your residence after picking up your ID and other check-in items. Once at your residence, you and your family will have plenty of help unloading. 
• There will be a picnic lunch for students and loved ones from 10:30am to 2pm. Families are invited to meet members of the Parent Team and other Student Affairs staff at a drop-in lunch dessert event. There will be welcome remarks for students and family members at 3pm, and parents/guardians depart campus by 4pm.
• Further timing and location details for all these elements will be shared with students and directly with families in mid-August.