The big day is almost here! We put together this checklist for families and loved ones to help make sure you don’t miss a thing.

Celebrating Virtually?

• Make to tune in to the livestream, and share the link with family members, friends, and loved ones. The ceremonies will also be available for download after the conclusion of the event.
• Let your Bobcat pride shine on social media! Use our Bates 2021 profile frames and stickers, and use #Bates2021 and #BatesGrad to share celebratory posts and good wishes.

Coming to Campus?

• Make sure you are familiar with our campus visitor guidelines and our Guest Testing and Vaccination Policy. 
• Remember that due to logistical complications of offering two ceremonies, we can host ticketed guests only on campus on Thursday, May 27. We request that you limit your time on campus to your student’s ceremony and their move-out  

Ticketed Guests

• Take another look at the Commencement map. Access to many parts of campus is a little different than in past years. Plus, you’ll want to make sure you know how to find the entrances to the guest seating area.
• Check your seating times carefully.  We do not want you to be disappointed if you arrive at a time when we cannot seat you.
• Have your guest ticket handy. You can print your ticket or show it on your phone. There are no extra tickets.
• Once your ticket has been taken, you will receive a lanyard that signals to Commencement staff that your ticket has been confirmed. This lanyard also contains your meal ticket and lets you move out of the seating area if you need to use the restroom, so do not take your lanyard off.
• The temperature on Commencement Day is forecast to range from mid-60s to mid-70s, low humidity, with plenty of sun and a breeze.
• Because of this year’s logistics, you may have longer periods of waiting before and after the ceremony. We encourage you to pack snacks or non-alcoholic drinks to have with you in the seating area. There will be water available nearby.
• We are only able to accommodate service animals at Commencement this year.
• Guest bathrooms are marked on the Commencement map and located near guest seating. Commencement staff will check your lanyard on the way out of the seating enclosure and on the way back in.
• Please turn off your phone and stay seated during the ceremony. Plan to take any photos from your seat, as guests will not be able to move around the Historic Quad to take photos of their students this year. There will be a professional photographer who will take pictures of each senior as they cross the Coram Terrace.
• Commencement staff will release guests by row once the students have processed out of the ceremony. After your row is released, please meet your student at the food station closest to their residence.

Non-Ticketed Guests

• We hope you’ll watch the livestream from your hotel, local B&B, or wherever you have wifi.
• Visiting campus on another day or helping with move-out? Make sure you’re up to date on our campus guest policies.

Moving Out

• Bates has shared many helpful details about the move out process — along with guidance for any helpers coming to campus to help move seniors out of college housing.
• Does your senior have items they’d prefer to donate? Do you wish to lessen the amount of stuff needing to travel back home? From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, May 24, and Tuesday, May 25, a box truck from the Share Center accept donations prior to student move-out. The truck will be located between Pettengill and Commons and will accept everything except mattresses and items that are obviously trash. Students can also donate items at the Auburn Goodwill, about a five-minute drive from campus.