Dear Bates Families,

We hope your family enjoyed a restful holiday season. As we look ahead to the start of the Winter 2026 semester, we’re sharing a few timely updates to help you stay connected with campus and support your student as they return to Bates.

• Winter Semester Move-In: Residence halls will reopen for students from Sunday, January 11–Tuesday, January 13, with Access Control open on Sunday, January 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to support arrivals. Winter semester classes begin on Wednesday, January 14. View the residential calendar →
• Travel Planning: As students are returning to campus, this resource is helpful for planning transportation to and from campus. Getting to Bates FAQ →
• Add/Drop Period: Students may adjust their Winter 2026 course schedule through Monday, January 27, at 11:59 p.m. Full details are available on the Registrar’s website →
• Stay Connected: BatesNews features regular updates on academics, student life, campus events, and community highlights. Explore recent stories anytime, and in case you missed it, check out this recap of the Top 10 Social Media posts of 2025 →

If you’d like to connect with our team, please reach out at parents@bates.edu or 207-786-6242. We’re grateful for your continued engagement and for the many ways families help strengthen the Bates community.

Best from Bates,
The Bates Parent Team

(Photo Credit: Joe Massa/Bates College)