FAQs from Student Affairs

Student Affairs is here to help you. Sometimes that means giving you the answer; other times it means we’ll direct you to the office or person who can help you out.

1. Can I move in to my campus residence early?
2. What do I do in case of a medical emergency?
3. I have a problem with my campus phone / Internet / computer.
4. I have questions about studying abroad.
5. Who do I contact about making changes to my room, like building a loft?
6. I want to ask someone about a charge for dorm damage. Who is that?
7. I have questions about campus parking and about having a car on campus.
8. I have a question about registering for courses.
9. What do I need to do if I want to take a leave of absence, withdraw, or transfer?
10. I want to share some feedback about food and menu options in Commons. How do I share that?
11. The window in my room is stuck open and it’s letting heat out.
12. How do I send packages/deliveries/flowers to a Bates student?
13. Is there a local bakery that delivers cakes to campus for birthdays and other occasions?
14. What happens if I lose my room key?
15. How can my parents or visiting friends get access to the Bates network?
16. What is BatesReach and where can I find additional information?
17. Where can I find information regarding voting?
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1. Can I move in to my campus residence early?

Access to your building is allowed only when residences open for the semester or after break.

Early access to residences is not granted for any reason. If you need to return to campus before residences open, you will need to find alternate, off-campus accommodations such as staying with a friend.

Bates does have a policy for winter varsity athletes who wish to return to Bates from study-abroad programs that end in November.

2. What do I do in case of a medical emergency?

For medical emergencies, call 207-786-6111 (ext. 6111) on campus, or call 911 off campus. Bates EMS will respond immediately to emergencies on campus.

Bates is located between two hospitals, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center at 93 Campus Ave. and Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Health Services is located at 31 Campus Ave. and is open 8:30am-5pm Monday through Friday when school is in session.

3. I have a problem with my campus phone / Internet / computer.

Contact the college’s  IT Service Desk at 207-786-8222 (ext. 8222).

4. I have questions about studying abroad.

Check out the Center for Global Education website.

Our philosophy at Bates is that off-campus study is for everyone, meaning that this opportunity is possible for the full range of students, majors, interests, and backgrounds at Bates.

Don’t hesitate to visit Off-Campus Study. They’re in 124 Roger Williams Hall.

5. Who do I contact about making changes to my room, like building a loft?

You may contact Hunter Smith of Environmental Health and Safety at 207-786-6413 (ext. 6413) for a permit. The Facility Services Student Information Guide addresses questions about room decorations and changes.

6. I want to ask someone about a charge for dorm damage. Who is that?

That is David Larrabee in Facility Services. Contact him directly at 207-786-6205 (ext. 6205) or email dlarrabe@bates.edu.

7. I have questions about parking and having a car on campus.

If you bring a car to Bates, regardless of whether or not you have obtained a student parking permit, you must register your vehicle with Bates security. The overall parking policy is overseen by Campus Security and Safety, and they have a set of FAQs here.

8. I have a question about registering for courses.

Registration for academic courses is handled by the Registrar and Academic Systems, and they have a set of FAQs here.

9. What do I need to do if I want to take a leave of absence/withdraw/transfer?

For a leave of absence or withdrawal from the college, please see Faith Hauger in Lane Hall, Room 103. She will talk with you about your decision and will help you to complete any necessary paperwork.

For transfer procedures, please email Faith Hauger at fhauger@bates.edu.

10. I want to share some feedback about food and menu options in Commons. How do I share that?

The online Napkin Board makes communication between Bates Dining and students, faculty, and staff easy and convenient. Online submissions are reviewed and commented on Dining Services staff.

11. The window in my room is stuck open and it’s letting heat out.

We encourage students to report damage or repairs directly, instead of asking a custodian or your RC/JA to call for you, as we often have questions related to the issue.

Call the Facility Services work-order line at 207-786-6449 (ext. 6449) between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. to report for repairs and trouble, e.g., broken locks, no heat, plugged toilets, broken shades, or a tripped circuit breaker.

12. How do I send packages or mail to a Bates student?

Whether sending mail or a package to a student, the addressing format is the same:

Student’s Name
[Student’s Box Number] Bates College
65 Campus Ave.
Lewiston ME 04240

A set of FAQs by Post & Print covers many of the questions in this area.

13. Is there a local bakery that delivers cakes to campus for birthdays and other occasions?

Yes! Grant’s Bakery in Lewiston delivers cakes to Bates.

14. What happens if I lose my room key?​

The college enforces an Electronic Access Policy to ensure a measure of safety and security for members of the campus community.

Students are issued a key to their room upon arriving at Bates. You are expected to carry their key with them at all times.

One free lockout is allowed per semester, after which a $20 fee will be charged to your account.

15. How can my parents or visiting friends gain access to the Bates network?​

Bates provides wireless access (via the Bates Visitor SSID) as a courtesy to guests and visitors.

16. What is BatesReach and where can I find additional information?

In order to help students develop and maintain strong connections with faculty and staff across the campus at Bates College, and enhance student success, a new online tool has been implemented called, BatesReach. The purpose of BatesReach is to help students succeed by connecting the student to faculty and staff that are in a position to help by virtue of their role with the student. To learn more about BatesReach, and training resources available, start here, BatesReach

16. Where can I find information regarding voting?

If you have questions about voting, including where you can register to vote in Maine, please start here, Voter Registration Information