Hello, Bates Class of 2024 Families –

The Historic Quad is mown and ready, the forecast is sunny, and students are busy with an exciting slate of Senior Week activities. We’re just days away from Commencement for the Class of 2024!

Friday’s Events: To kick off the weekend, we hope you’ll join us on Friday, May 24 at 8 p.m. in Chase Hall, Room 212 to celebrate the success of this year’s Senior Parent Gift. Together, we’ve raised over $600,000 – and counting! – to name the Families of the Class of 2024 Collaborative Work Space in Chase Hall. All are welcome at this gathering, and we hope you’ll also attend the Senior/Parent Wine and Cheese Tasting in the Perry Atrium of Pettengill at 8:30 p.m.

A Note on Parking: On Sunday, Campus Avenue will be closed off to through traffic throughout the middle part of the day. The easiest parking option will be the big lot at Merrill Gymnasium, which can be reached via Russell Street. Accessible parking will be available behind the Bonney Science Center.

Seating Reminder: Seating on the Historic Quad opens to families at 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 26. [Correction: in our previous update, the incorrect date was given.] If you wish to hold seats, a person from your party must remain with your held seats. Unattended seats are not considered held, even if you leave items on the chairs. Families who need accessible seating are reminded to look for chairs with blue covers. Staff ushers will be happy to help you find them.

What to know about photographs:

1. A professional photographer will take photos of each graduate as they cross the Coram Stage. Seniors who have provided the college with a post-Bates email address will receive a link approximately two weeks after Commencement to view and purchase any photos in which they appear.
2. You are welcome to take photos throughout the event from your seat (standing when your graduate crosses the stage), from the edges of the seating area, or from the barricades near the front.
3. We ask you to stand clear of the graduate seating area and the parade path once the procession has started. Additionally, as diplomas are awarded, guests must keep the three main aisles clear as a safety precaution. Ushers will remind you to keep these areas clear, and we appreciate your help with this.

If you haven’t already, make sure to bookmark the Commencement Weekend schedule as well as the campus map.

See you soon!
The Bates Parent Team

PS: Looking for a past Commencement email update? Find them all here!

Would you like to read about Commencement in a different language? Use the translation tool at the top of the page.