Guidance for Students On- and Off-Campus

Students Living On-Campus

Suggestions for Social Life On-Campus

  • Attend social events on campus
  • Reserve spaces on campus (such as lounges) for larger gatherings (with or without alcohol)
  • Partner with Campus Life (Chase Hall) to plan events open to everyone on campus
  • Gather with a smaller group of friends in a residence hall room or a lounge

Guideposts for Social Life On-Campus

  • What to expect from Security?
    • As mentioned in our communication over the summer, all Security Officers are now expected to regularly engage with students in non-enforcement settings. We hope this will serve to rebuild trust over time.
    • We have asked officers to focus on safety concerns and high risk or disruptive behavior, which includes:
      • Hard alcohol or other drugs
      • Complaints from fellow students regarding noise or other disruptive behavior
      • Fire safety
      • Dorm damage
      • Open containers of alcohol in public
    • Security Officers will continue to walk through residence halls for the primary purpose of community engagement, but will focus on the above issues, should they arise.
  • What to expect from Lewiston Police?
    • We do not expect LPD officers to be in residence halls unless they are called for a particular concern
    • Uniformed officers will be patrolling the surrounding public streets and sidewalks including on Frye Street
    • LPD officers will address violations such as underage possession or consumption of alcohol. These are considered civil violations.
    • Please also be aware of the recent noise and party ordinances being considered by the Lewiston City Council. These would be considered civil violations.

Students Living Off-Campus

Suggestions for Social Life Off-Campus

  • Host gatherings of a limited size and limit the noise in the evening hours
    • If serving alcohol, only invite those who are 21+
    • Invite a limited number of individuals in order to control the size of the gathering
  • Reserve spaces on campus (such as lounges) for larger gatherings (with or without alcohol)

Guideposts for Social Life Off-Campus

  • If hosting a gathering, be aware of what might be bothersome to neighbors
    • Excessive music or noise
    • Any noise later in the evening or during weekday nights
    • Trash accumulating on your lawn, the sidewalk, or other properties
    • Guests creating a disturbance through noise or other actions
  • Role of Security
    • Security will attempt to be proactive by encouraging crowds to move back to campus and by letting you know if a party appears to be getting out of hand
    • Please call Security if you require help dispersing students you do not want at your house
    • When LPD responds, Security plays a secondary, supportive role
  • Lewiston Police
    • LPD officers will respond to all noise or other complaints
    • Uniformed officers will be patrolling the surrounding public streets and sidewalks including on Frye Street
    • Please call LPD if you require help dispersing students you do not want at your property
    • If an officer gives you a warning for a noise complaint and needs to return for a second time, you may be cited or arrested for disorderly conduct. This is considered a class E crime.
    • Those renting the property have a duty to control what happens in their house, including not permitting minors to consume alcohol. Furnishing alcohol to a minor is considered a class D crime.
    • Please also be aware of the recent noise and party ordinances being considered by the Lewiston City Council. These would be considered civil violations.

In all circumstances, we encourage students to be aware of their civil rights and to exercise them appropriately when dealing with law enforcement. Should there be any specific concerns regarding the actions of any Bates Security or law enforcement officer, we would welcome a conversation to discuss your experience and address any questions you may have.