Transfer Community Advisors (Transfer CAs) act as mentors for incoming new transfer students in a variety of situations ranging from academic to social in transitioning into Bates, with the understanding that Bates is new to you, but you’re not new to college. Your Transfer CA will be there when you move in and will help you from orientation through your whole first year at Bates. By creating programs each month, Transfer CAs create a community in their residence hall. The Transfer CAs uphold Bates community standards within Transfer Communities, but are not responsible for the enforcement of disciplinary actions. Your Transfer CA will reach out to you in August before you arrive to introduce themselves and answer any pre-arrival questions you may have.

Your Transfer Community Advisor (Transfer CA) will be with you throughout orientation as a guide and mentor. For most meals your Transfer Community will sit together, so you don’t have to worry about finding a seat! Please check the First-Year Experience website for more information on dates, schedule, and details.

The goal of Transfer Community programming is to offer residents a wide variety of exciting and engaging events within the residence hall, in the wider Bates campus, and in the surrounding community. Your Transfer CA will plan and facilitate programs all year long! Participating in these programs helps residents build a stronger connection with each other and create a positive climate within the residence. Below is a non-exhaustive list of programming categories residents may engage in:

• Health Promotion & Well-Being: The purpose of these programs is to equip you with the relevant skills and knowledge to help you be the healthiest you possible while here at Bates, and for the rest of your life. Transfer CAs will coordinate this programming according to topics that are most pertinent to students in general, and also topics that you personally are interested in learning more about. Ultimately these programs aim to equip you with the tools necessary to feel supported, capable, and ready to thrive.
• Campus Partner Collaboration: Expand connections college-wide and learn about how other departments and offices can support you! Sometimes these programs take place in the residence halls while others may take place in the hosting department’s office or in the surrounding L/A community. Topics can range from volunteering at a local organization through the Harward Center for Community Partnerships to a residence hall recycling competition supported by the Office of Sustainability and the EcoReps.
• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI): The Office of Residence Life is committed to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; with one of our office values being “Inclusive Community.” Transfer CAs not only support our department mission and values in the work they do, but they too value these elements that help Bates as an institution and students as individuals grow to be more connected each day through encouraging authenticity, striving for best accessibility practices, not tolerating hateful behavior, and cultivating spaces for all students to show up as they are.
• Social: Some of the most popular programs on campus, social programs offer fun, low-stress activities in the residence hall or across campus. Whether it’s a cookout in the warmer weather, catching a basketball game altogether, traveling to an apple orchard, or just enjoying a slice of pizza during a movie night, social programs are a fun and free way to get involved with others.