This program will include:

• The 乐播传媒 Health Service and after-hours care
• CAPS (Counseling & Psychological Services)
• The role of the student support advisor
• Multifaith Chaplaincy
• Res Life resources

Q&A

Our written Q&A is shorter for this orientation session because so many questions were answered live during the event. We encourage you to view the video in its entirety.

Health Services

If our student has signed an advanced healthcare directive, should that be provided to the college?

Yes, students can provide this documentation to Health Services to ensure we have it as part of their medical record.

Is the form that the students sign at the health center so parents can be contacted somewhere online? 

The Authorization for Release of Student Health Information form can be found on this website.

CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) 

How much do the counseling services and student support services cost? Do they work through insurance?

Counseling services are free to students.

If a student does not reach out to connect, is it likely someone might notice?

Excellent question! To add to the answer you are hearing live now, one of the benefits of the small college setting is we truly do try to stay alert and connect with students we may be concerned about. 

Healthy choices

Does the college have anything in place to help students avoid the temptation of the proliferation of dispensaries in the L/A area?

Great question! We work with a team of students called the peer health educators to create programming opportunities around things like this. Each first–year also participated in a pre-arrival program designed to provide additional information.

• Kim Trauceniek, Senior Associate Dean of Students for Campus Life
• Darby Ray, Director of Harward Center for Community Partnerships and Harward Professor of Civic Engagement
• Molly Newton, Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life and Health Education
• Celine Cunningham, Senior Associate Director of Athletics
• James Reese, Associate Dean for International Student Programs
• Tonya Bailey-Curry, Director of Special Projects + Bobcat First Programs
• Dri Huber, Assistant Dean for LGBTQ+ Programs from the Office for Intercultural Education
• Hoi Ning Ngai, Associate Director for Employer Engagement and Business Advising at the 乐播传媒 Center for Purposeful Work

A summary of written responses to questions submitted by participants is below.

Q&A

Campus Life

Do student clubs and club sports typically have any sort of fee or dues for participation? What kind of expenses might be associated with different clubs?

Great question! For club sports, it varies by club and is decided by the club leadership. Some clubs have dues to cover some equipment, league fees, or just for social events. Some do not require anything at all and rely on the allocated funds from the college.

Student clubs that Campus Life supports are typically free and accessible to all students. We provide clubs with ample resources to meet their goals. In the rare case that there may be an additional expense, Campus Life has funding to support students if this cost is a barrier.

For families who want to know more about all the club options, try this link: /clubs/

What are the rules and/or checkpoint for the people who attend the 乐播传媒鈥� parties given the Covid situation. Can non-乐播传媒 students attend?

Students are required to present a 乐播传媒 ID to get into any college event.

Residence Life

Will First–Year Centers have more planned events together? I am not sure my first-year has gotten to know the other students in their First–Year Centers very well yet.

Definitely! Junior Advisors will be leading lots of programs and events for their First–Year Centers in the days and weeks ahead. Thanks for this great question.

Can students gather informally? 

Yes, students are able to gather informally adhering, of course, to the Covid-19 guidelines they are fully aware of.

Harward Center

Are there any opportunities to “crash” local establishments to support them as many might be struggling with sales or having staff? For example, pick a night for a certain food, open up odering and then have 乐播传媒 students pick up and deliver?

Love this idea! Yes, that kind of engagement with local businesses is right in line with our emphasis on participating fully in the off-campus community.

Purposeful Work

Does Purposeful Work help with students who receive work study?

Purposeful Work can definitely work with students on resumes and cover letters and prepping for interviews for work-study and other on-campus jobs! They can connect with our PW fellows or advisors for assistance. There are drop-ins throughout the week with our fellows and they can make appointments with our advisors on our Handshake platform.

Most work study students have the opportunity to do their work in off-campus settings with local nonprofit organizations (in addition to the many on-campus opportunities they have for work study). This can be a great way to get 鈥渞eal world鈥� experience and expand one鈥檚 network while making one鈥檚 work study dollars.

Study Abroad

Is the study abroad program on hold?

The study abroad program is not on hold! There are students studying abroad this semester and other鈥檚 planning to go next semester. Students interested in these options should reach out for the Center for Global Education to get started. 

• Steve Engel, Professor of Politics and Special Assistant to the Dean of Faculty
• Malcolm Hill, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty
• Lisa Hardej, Associate Dean of Students for Accessible Education and Student Support
• Grace Coulombe, Director of the Math Stats Workshop and Acting Director of the Academic Resource Commons
• Bridget Fullerton, Acting Director of Writing at 乐播传媒
• Pat Schoknecht, Vice President for Information and Library Services
• Mary Meserve, Registrar

A summary of written responses to questions submitted by participants is below.

Many resources mentioned in the webinar are available to students all year via Lyceum. Please keep pointing your student to this detailed resource.

Q&A

Academics

Are the [First-Year Experience] workshops required and organized through the FYS or are they just available as a resource?

The FYE workshops are connected to the FYS, so the FYS instructor is a guide to help students complete all six. But, they are fully accessible to all first-year students to watch, re-watch, and engage with. It is recommended that students complete all six by late November, and FYS faculty integrate them into their FYS with that timeline in mind.

I saw that Calculus 1 was recommended for first-years who have not yet had Calculus. Would Logic be a good substitute for Calc 1 for a student who is not planning on a STEM major?

There are a variety of QF or Quantitative and Formal Reasoning courses that are available in the curriculum that are not necessarily Math courses or Calculus 1. For example, Logic in the Philosophy department or a variety of Economics courses or statistic courses in Psychology, Sociology, or Politics are all tagged as QF. I encourage your student to work with their FYS instructor/pre-major advisor to identify a QF that works for them. Also, it is recommended that students complete their 5 Mode of Inquiry courses prior to their junior year, but there is no rush to get them all done in the first year.

If your child is interested in taking a math class but not sure where to start, you can send them to the Math & Stat Workshop to talk to Grace and/or Andee about possible courses to consider to satisfy the Quantitative and Formal Reasoning.

Can you explain about modes of inquiry requirements? My student was unable to get into a course for his major and was counseled to try instead to satisfy a mode of inquiry?

This resource might help supplement Steve’s live comments on the modes of inquiry: /registrar/academic-information/general-education/faqs-for-students-about-the-mois/

My student got 2 classes and FYS. Do they need a 3rd class, and could you talk about drop/add?

Yes, students do need to take 3 courses to be a full-time student. Their advisor or SSA can assist.

What is the last date a student can drop a class? What is the last date that a student can make their grade Pass/Fail?

The last day to drop is Oct 22. The last day to make a course pass/fail is Sept 14. They can change a pass/fail grade back to letter grade through Oct 22.

My student鈥檚 Chem 107A class is pretty big for a liberal arts college; do you subdivide it into smaller recitation sections to give students more support?

There are no recitation sections for Chem 107. Rather, they are subdivided into smaller groups for their weekly lab sections. Chem 107 is one of the courses for which we embed Course-Attached Tutors (CAT). The CAT attends class to support the active learning in the Chem classroom. Additionally, the CAT provides a weekly help session outside of class. Currently, CATs have polled the students regarding their availability and are identifying times for the evening help sessions. Information will be provided to students in class and via email regarding when the scheduled help sessions will take place. Lastly, we do have drop-in tutors available in ARC to help students who stop by without an appointment.

Please explain in summary how the pre-med program works?

In addition to Malcolm’s remarks, you may find this helpful: /purposeful-work/pre-health-studies-advising-resources/

What is offered in terms of a pre-law track?

Here are the Purposeful Work resources Steve noted: /purposeful-work/pre-law-advising-resources/

Academic Resource Commons (ARC)

How difficult is it to schedule appointments [for ARC resources]?

ARC opens for support starting on Monday [Sept. 6, 2021]. We strongly encourage students to drop by in-person to have someone at our front desk help them to navigate the appointment system. Alternatively, students can make appointments online using this link: /academic-resource-commons/log-in-to-wc-online/

What hours are ARC resources open?

You can find the hours for ARC and the Writing & Language Center at /academic-resource-commons/

Similarly, the Math Workshop hours are found at /math-stat-workshop/

Student Support Advisors

Have the students met their SSA [Student Support Advisor] yet?

Students should have received an introduction email from their SSA with information about how best to connect with them.

How are students referred to Student Support if an apparent need arises or is observed by faculty?

We use a communication system called 乐播传媒Reach. Faculty will raise a flag if they are concerned about a student, and the Student Support Advisor will follow up directly with the student to offer the necessary support.

Accessible Education

If students had an educational support plan in high school (ie for dyslexia, extended time on testing, etc) is any of this transferable at 乐播传媒?

We will look at the 504 or IEP as a guide point for understanding what have been helpful accommodations for a student in high school but will adapt the student’s accommodations for the college setting. We take each student’s situation individually and engage in an iterative and ongoing process with the student around which accommodations may be appropriate given barriers they are encountering due to their disability.

Q&A

Academics

How will students know if faculty changes have impacted their approved scheduled class for fall, in time enough to consider options in case staff was a factor in the course selection?

We will be communicating with students regarding changes to the fall Schedule of Courses in mid-August so they can make decisions before Add/Drop opens on the 31st.

In addition to Economics, which departments have been impacted by departure?

As is the case every year, faculty move to different positions outside of 乐播传媒. We have been fortunate to have solutions (e.g., hiring new tenure-track professors) in place long before the departures impact the courses offered in an academic year. That will be the case with the other departments that have shifts in personnel. Some of the details of those leaves are still in flux, but we have already covered courses that were anticipated for those colleagues for next academic year.

What additional resources will 乐播传媒 allocate to support seniors majoring in Economics?

We are actively identifying a variety of supports for seniors majoring in economics. Our goal is to ensure that students have opportunities that meet or exceed the high standards for the major. My team and I will ensure that the appropriate resources are allocated to meet student needs as best we can. As department co-chairs, Professors Shea and Riera-Crichton are also evaluating a range of support options for our seniors. We are exploring all options and will continue to work to find qualified, talented colleagues who can add to the offerings this year.

Given that 乐播传媒 has already hired new faculty, why will thesis be reimagined? 

Seniors will have the opportunity within advanced courses to craft capstone research projects that involve original empirical or theoretical content and collaboration with faculty, which are defining characteristics of the thesis. It is important to note in this regard that several 乐播传媒 departments, including economics, have offered seniors the option to complete course-based capstone projects rather than individual theses for a number of years, and the course-based research experience has worked well for many students.

What experience do the new instructors in economics have?

Each of the three visiting assistant professors have taught at 乐播传媒 and know the curriculum well. They each have several years experience teaching introductory and advanced economics courses, and they each have terminal degrees in the field. The bios of these faculty members are on the Economics webpage.

Given the current situation in the Department of Economics, will you ensure the seniors will receive their preferred elective courses?

Professors Shea and Riera-Crichton are working with their colleagues to create a fair and simple process to ensure seniors have the courses they need to graduate and courses that meet their academic goals. They are ready to work with the majors to find good outcomes.

Will Malcolm Hill be present at the department meeting for economics majors on Friday?
[Staff note: This question was asked prior to the July 30 meeting for econ majors.]

The Dean of the Faculty will be at the Friday meeting that the department will hold for economics majors. This is a useful opportunity for students to hear an overview of changes and updates and a forum for them to ask questions about their specific schedules and requirements to complete their major.

Athletics

Have you hired a Dive Coach yet?

Unfortunately, we haven’t, although not for lack of trying. There are not many candidates out there at the moment, but we are continuing to expand our options and work on it.

Are there any updates regarding a new head coach for the mens and womens golf teams?

Yes! We have secured new coaches for both teams: Brendon Croteau for the men and Abby Spector for the Women. More information coming soon!

Can testing be moved to a different location, such as the Gray Cage in order for teams to be able to use Underhill ice arena?

Unfortunately, this not possible due to the renovations and multi purpose use of Gray Cage, but we are still working on alternatives

Will families be able to tailgate for fall sports?

Yes, pending any changes in public health guidelines.

Families

If we come to campus for Back to 乐播传媒, can we visit student rooms?

We will follow the college鈥檚 visitor protocols in place during Back to 乐播传媒: Family Day, but it is our hope that masked visitors/guests will be allowed short visits to their students鈥� residence halls as they will be for drop-off. 

Campus Life

Is there a plan for an early in year, class-wide mandatory AESOP like trip/experience to drive cross class bonding?

We are not able to replicate another AESOP experience for the class of 2024, but spending time this academic year focusing on class bonding is a priority for us. This will include  day trips, programs, events, and other sundries.  We plan to keep this momentum going throughout the fall into the spring.

I appreciate 乐播传媒鈥� efforts to help the class of 2024.  However it would be great to really do a true AESOP replica – not optional one-off activities – for the class of 2024, such as a weekend trip this fall.

While we are not able to offer another AESOP  experience for the class of 2024, we will be working with the 乐播传媒 Outing Club to offer sophomore specific trips. We cannot commit the Outing Club to a weekend trip at this time but we are looking into what might be possible. There will be program specific to Sophomores as well as outing opportunities for all students. We will focus on sophomore engagement specifically by offering events that are intentionally designed for the class of 2024.

Will students be able to sing indoors together? Like acapella practices, other music groups, and religious services?

At this time, we do plan to allow students to sing together inside, but as is the case with all of these policies, they could shift based on the changing COVID landscape.

Can you confirm whether 乐播传媒 students will be permitted to enter other dorms this year?

Yes, we plan to return to allowing students to have universal access to the residence halls. However, should we become concerned about transmission on campus and congregate housing, this policy could change.

Will there be restrictions on the number of students gathering?

At this time we have not established a max capacity for events, but for each larger event, we are seeing if there is a way to do it outside and if we can scale it down and space it out.  So, we will continue to be cautious about hosting really large gatherings inside.

Will dances be held in the fall?

Traditional dances will not be possible in the same way they were in the past given that they create environments that essentially stack students close together in ways that are not wise given the current climate. That said, performances and events that include opportunities to dance will be part of our programming but they will look different this fall.

Students are allowed to gather indoors and enjoy the dining experience again, as they should since they are fully vaccinated. How are dances any different risk than sitting shoulder to shoulder indoors eating?  

Commons is fundamental to the student experience, and therefore we are doing all that we can to get back to that experience. However, large scale social programs with hundreds of students side-by-side dancing are not as fundamentally important and we can support late-night social life in different ways, which we are planning to do. We are confident that we can return to a set of social experiences that students will enjoy.  Campus Life is working with students to plan these events for the fall.

Dining

Thank you for your support for catering for meals during Ramadan.

Many thanks to our student colleagues who partnered with us on this project. We are in the process of increasing the number and frequency of Halal protein offerings.

Will snacks be offered at Commons for students to take back to dorms?

As always students can take an apple, ice cream, or similar item out of Commons, but the racks of snacks which were available during COVID are no longer part of the offerings.

Health protocols

What will happen to students who test positive on the first couple days? Will they be required to quarantine?

Vaccinated, asymptomatic students who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will need to follow isolation protocol in a single occupancy space or with another individual who has already been diagnosed with COVID-19 for 10 days from their positive test result.

Students with a medical exemptions who are diagnosed with COVID-19 must move out of their residence hall room and to a designated isolation space and follow isolation protocol for 10 days from their positive test result.

A medical provider will speak with any student following isolation protocol and ensure that they are safe to discontinue their isolation at the end of 10 days.

Do students enter their dorms after finishing the COVID Testing?

After your COVID test in Underhill, you will go to Merrill to get your ID card activated and get your key. You will then be able to go to your dorm. You will only be contacted by the Testing Center staff if your antigen test result comes back positive.

if a vaccinated student is a close contact of someone with COVID, will they have to quarantine?

Any student who is fully vaccinated will not need to quarantine based upon close contact with an individual who was diagnosed with COVID-19. Any student with a medical exemption will need to quarantine for 10 days from the date and time of exposure to the positive individual.

What鈥檚 the frequency of COVIS testing on arrival?

Testing will occur upon arrival to campus utilizing a PCR and an Antigen Test.  Following arrival there will be two follow up antigen tests on Thursday 9/2 and Thursday 9/9.

How is 乐播传媒 dealing with potentially fake vaccine cards? 

All COVID-19 vaccination information submitted on the Garnet Gateway will be individually reviewed by BHS medical staff.

How often are students going to be tested this semester? What exactly is the policy for masking on campus? 

You can find more information here: /health-services/2021/07/27/fall-2021-public-health-policies-frequently-asked-questions/

What about students who travel abroad for spring.  Will Wellfleet insurance cover them while abroad?  

Yes, the Wellfleet insurance covers 乐播传媒 students while studying abroad. Many programs and schools require their own insurance, and it is important to have both.

What support will be offered to the new OIE hires? What will the B1st pre-orientation program look like for incoming first–years? Will there be specified support towards 2024 B1st members that did not receive the same amount of support and guidance?

Tevis Bryant is working on a pre-orientation schedule, including what programming and support will look like for the class of 2024. He鈥檒l be in touch around the mentoring program as well.

Is there a chance that campus visitor policies will evolve over the course of the semester?

Yes, they could evolve over the semester, but the density of our housing remains a concern. As such, it would be best to assume that we will continue to have a no guest policy for our residence halls. Many of our events with guests, especially large events, we are trying to move to outdoor venues, including nearly all aspects of the Back to 乐播传媒 program.

Res Life

Will residence hall kitchens be available this year?

Yes, they will.

Do JARC staff need to sign up for a testing time slot if we鈥檙e moving in early?

Nope, your testing time is built into res life training and arrival. Expect more specific instructions over email in the next few weeks. 

Are faculty members going to be living in the dorms?

No, we don鈥檛 have faculty members living in dorms at 乐播传媒. There are a small number of residence life staff who live in certain residence halls.

Will there be one staff person per dorm to handle after-hours issues or will there be one per floor monitoring the comings, goings and doings of the students every minute?

Student res life staff will still live in buildings and be available to students at the floor level, particularly for first–years. We will have five new professional staff members supporting all students on a rotating schedule.

Do you know how students will contact the new residence life coordinators yet?

Students will be able to call 24/7 to access the coordinator on duty.

A significant number of questions were answered in the Q&A function during the session. That information has been collected below and organized roughly by topic.

Academics

Will students have the opportunity to speak to an advisor before choosing courses?
All students will have an August Registration Consultant (who is a member of the 乐播传媒 faculty or staff) who will reach out to the Class of 2025 on or about August 3 to schedule any conversations and support during the registration period from August 4 to 10. Additional supports (information on the general education program, language placement, AP credit, etc.) are currently posted to students鈥� Lyceum pages

How many students are typically in each first-year seminar?
Approximately 15 to 16 students are in each first-year seminar (or FYS). First-Year Seminars meet on the same schedule as other courses. Most meet three times a week, though some are twice a week.

Will schedulers make sure class schedules of fall sports athletes don鈥檛 conflict with training schedules?
Class schedules will take precedence, and athletic practices are scheduled by coaches around the academic schedules. There are sometimes conflicts. When the conflict is with a practice, the class takes precedence. For athletics contests, the student will communicate with the faculty member and will in most cases be excused as long as work is made up and the student is doing well in the class. We work as hard as possible to minimize these conflicts, but they do exist.

Can you please talk about how we can double major?
This is a great question to ask your Registration Consultant when they reach out to you in early August.听 It’s possible, but a conversation is best to determine if a double major is the right path for you.听 We also have GECs and minors that you can consider as well.

Are PE courses required for graduation?
PE courses are no longer required for graduation.

Where can we find information on AP credits and how they impact what courses we sign up for?
The specific website for AP information on the Registrar’s Office website is: /registrar/academic-record/non-bates-credit/advanced-placement/ 听 AP credit can serve as a prerequisite for other 乐播传媒 courses. Reach out to registrar@bates.edu for additional information. We encourage students to send in their AP scores as soon as they can so they can potentially serve as prerequisites for courses, but there is no particular deadline.

You mentioned that first-year seminars are not first-come first-serve; does that also apply to general studies classes?
That is correct. You can register at any time between 10 AM EDT August 4 and 4 PM EDT August 10. Every student has equal access to your course. The registrar takes your course preferences into consideration. Course schedules will be released on or near August 20.

How do students handle registration if they want to do a music ensemble, which are half credit each? Can they enroll for 3.5 or 4.5 classes for fall semester?
Students do often take music ensembles or applied music lessons in addition to their 4.0 full-credit courses. They don’t have to, though. Students need to register for a minimum of 3.5 credits per semester and can register for up to a maximum of 5.5 credits if they feel they can handle that workload. The standard course load is four credits.

Where can we find a list of learning supports and explanations?听
Academic resources can be found here: /academics/resources/

How do we get access to the student “Ask Me Anything” sessions?
The student AMAs resources are sent directly to all incoming students. Please have your student check that email that Prof. Engel referenced in his remarks.

Do you get two academic advisors if you are a double major?
Yes. Students receive an academic advisor in each major. Students also receive an academic advisor in a minor if they declare a minor

How do I make contact with my advisor once FY Seminars are assigned?
You will get to meet your FYS instructor/academic advisor once you come to campus for Orientation. Prior to orientation and for support during the August 4-10 registration period, you will be contacted by email on or near August 3 by an August Registration Consultant to assist you with fall semester course registration.

Academics and Tech听

Are there specific requirements for a computer? What are the options for IT support for students?
Please see ILS link for computer support.: /helpdesk/it-bates-just-for-you-class-of-2024/

Can students use the Google platform to write and submit assignments? Do they need Microsoft word?
Students do utilize Google workspace (docs, sheets, etc).

Is there guidance on the type of laptops that students should have?听
Students will receive access to any specialized software through the Information Library Services department or the Helpdesk. Most do not have specialized programs on personal computers. For specific questions about laptops, email helpdesk@bates.edu.

Does it cost anything to print documents at the library? Would you recommend bringing a small printer for the dorm?
Most students do not bring their own printers and use public printers on campus. Printing in the library is free.

Athletics

Is there an athletic center available for non-athletes who want to work out?
Yes! The gym is open to all 乐播传媒 students, and many students who are not on teams use these spaces as well. This is a very popular gathering space on campus, so all are welcome! The only time that student-athletes utilize them solely with their teams are outside of regular operating hours.

Is there a swim club?
Reach out to head coach/aquatics director Peter Casares at pcasares@bates.edu for swim options outside of the varsity team.听

Are student-athletes able to register for AESOP?听
There will be minimal interruption in athletics participation during orientation. Athletics staff has worked closely with the orientation staff, and your coach will have more information.

I was disappointed to see that my daughter has two away field hockey games for visiting day weekend. Are there other options for parents to visit in a formal way?
Unfortunately, this is a regular occurance as the NESCAC conference produces the schedule and each year, either FH or Soccer will be away that weekend since the conference schedule calls for one sport to be home while the other is away. This is done to avoid missed class time during the week. Reach out to Coach Dani Ryder as she will usually work on an alternate game that might welcome parents in a more formal way.听

Has a new women’s lacrosse coach been hired?
Yes! We are very excited!

Has a new diving coach been hired?听
Diving coach search is still in progress.听

Campus Life

Is Lewiston, in general, safe for student access? Furthermore, is Lewiston, in general, safe for minority students from 乐播传媒 to access?听
Students (vaccinated or not) will be safe to walk around Lewiston masked. If as student does experience discrimination or hostile reactions there are lots of resources and avenues of support for that student.

Can we run through what the Bonner Leader Program entails?听
Please email harwardcenter@bates.edu to learn more about the Bonner program.

What鈥檚 the best way for a new student to connect with Purposeful Work?
Email! They are very responsive. Feel free to reach out at any time!

Is there a link that has travel information, such as shuttles to Portland and other travel options?
Here you go. /sustainability/to-from-campus/

How often does that shuttle run throughout the year? Is it only during first-year arrival?
Shuttles run throughout the year! Students have the ability to call for rides to move around the local community.

Are there shuttles to leave campus and go into town for students without cars?
Please see the Campus Life website now and in coming weeks for activities and shuttles for the fall. /campus/

Is there any reason to bring dress clothes? Is a suit needed for any school events?
This is a personal decision that will depend on a student鈥檚 activities, events, and preferences. Most students can sneak by without a formal suit. College-sponsored events don鈥檛 typically require it. If a student is planning on joining debate society or other very formal activities, more formal dress might be more frequent. This is a great question for students to ask their JA as well!

How do you know if you get picked for the Bobcat First program?听
It鈥檚 an opt-in program, no need to apply. Please reach out to the OIE!

Are there leadership opportunities for underclassmen?
Lots of leadership opportunities through student clubs and organizations. Check out th Campus Life website

Are there special opportunities or programming for students of color, or is this an individualized effort?
The Office of Intercultural Education (OIE) will do programs for students of color. In addition, there are a number of student clubs and organizations that will facilitate programs for students. Some examples are Black Student Union (BSU), Caribbean Student Association, Asian American Students in Action (AASIA), and Latinos Unidos. Check out the Campus Life website for a full list!

What is the parking situation in regards to first-years?
You can access parking information at the Campus Safety link: /campus-safety/parkingbicycles/parking-policy/parking-faqs/

Dining

What hours will the Commons be open vs when the Den will be open?听
Commons is open Monday through Thursday from 7a-9p , on Fridays from 7a-8:30p , on Saturday and Sundays from 7:30a-8:30p. We anticipate the Den will return to its regular schedule in September, which includes late night service till 11:00p Sunday through Wednesday, 12:00mid Thursday, and 1:00a Friday and Saturday.

What sort of meal plans are available?
All students are on a comprehensive meal plan that gives them full access to our dining hall.听

Are there dining options that are open really late at night?
The Bobcat Den is open after Commons closes as an on-campus, later evening dining option

Can students use their meal card to access food at The Bobcat Den after Commons closes?
No, they can not.

Do you recommend students have bottled water in the dorms or is the water in the dorms potable?
There are bottle fillers throughout campus. Most students do not use bottled water regularly.

For dining, please confirm students will have the halal option.
Yes, there are always options available.

Are there vegetarian and vegan options?
Yes, there are both vegan and vegetarian options available at every meal

Families

Is there any programming听 for parents during drop off?
We will host a President鈥檚 Welcome for families and students; this is currently scheduled for 3:15pm on Aug. 26.

Are the September family orientation seminars in person or online?
These parent orientation panels will be virtual to allow most parents to attend (or to view the sessions afterwards). But, we are very eager to start mixing more in-person events into our offerings as soon as we can this fall, both on-campus and in various regions!

When will a decision be made as to whether Back to 乐播传媒 will be held in person or remote?
We are hoping to announce a decision by the end of July, if not sooner.

Do (or can) parents receive emails from 乐播传媒 to their students?
We may periodically share campus-wide emails with parents/families as we did last year with the evolving issues related to COVID, but this is not common.

Health

What is the protocol if a student who is vaccinated tests positive for covid?
The student would be moved into isolation for the duration of their infectious period (10 days from the date and time they tested positive). They would be evaluated and supported by a medical provider for their time in isolation. This provider would also clear them following Day 10 as long as there are no worsening symptoms. We would also provide the student with outreach from our support team at Health Services.听听

Will students be required to wear masks on campus?
At the moment, only those students who have medical exemptions from the vaccine requirement will need to wear masks. We know that some international students will not be able to get vaccinated until they arrive in the US, and they will have to wear a mask until fully vaccinated. We also know that a number of students who are fully vaccinated will still choose to wear masks even though they are not required to do so.

When will the health care waiver be available to complete?听
There is an insurance waiver based on type and location of coverage.听 You can find more information here: /health-services/2020/07/31/health-insurance-faq/

Will students be able to visit friends in other dorms, and gather as in pre-pandemic times?听听
At the moment, we expect students to have universal access to the residence halls so they can see friends in other halls.听

If our student uses student health services, do you bill our health insurance plan?
Yes, Health Services bills students鈥� health insurance plans for appointments.

Is a physical required?
A physical is not required for the First-Year Health Forms. All students will need a medical provider to sign their Immunization form and the TB Assessment form if necessary.

Do students need to opt into 乐播传媒 Insurance to get access to the health center?
No, all students can access Health Services. All students are required to have health insurance coverage while on campus. In order to waive the 乐播传媒 Student Health Insurance Plan, students must have comparable health insurance coverage, which includes access to non-emergency care in Maine. Health Services does bill students鈥� health insurance plans for appointments.

Orientation and Move-in

When do students find out which AESOP trip we will be going on?
AESOP trip information will be announced in the first couple weeks of August.听 Stay tuned!

If a student were to take an in-person campus tour before the move-in date, could they view the inside of buildings, dorms, etc?
At the moment, campus tours are not going inside buildings.

What can parents of first-generation students expect upon arrival?
Please make sure your first-gen student gets plugged in with Bobcat First if you are interested!听听

Is AESOP mandatory?
Yes. All students participate in AESOP, and a few students on fall athletics teams participate in their sport during this period instead.

Will parents be able to help their students move in?
Right now, we anticipate being able to allow fully vaccinated and masked parents into residence halls to help students move in. We also ask you to be mindful of听 time and traffic; due to the need to de-densify, we would appreciate it if you can keep it to 1 hour if possible.

Are there different move-in dates for different athletic teams?
Yes. Based on the athletic teams, NCAA requirements, and team needs, different fall teams have different move-in days.

What鈥檚 the process of sending boxes for move in? Can they be sent ahead of time? Will they be delivered to rooms or will the student have to manage the (heavy) boxes themselves?
Info on Post & Print, the office who handles shipping is available here- /post-and-print/. If you have a specific question about a heavy box, reach out to them at postandprint@bates.edu and they can help your student make a plan. Thanks!

My student is an athlete and will be moving in on 8/25. Should we, as parents, plan to stay for anything happening on 8/26 for first-year families?
No need to stay around for the night unless you would like to return for the President鈥檚 Welcome on the afternoon of Aug. 26. We will be using the next day to do testing, uniforms, photos, physicals, etc., and听 getting ready for practices, so you won鈥檛 see your student, and due to still-unknown factors around COVID, we won’t be doing any athletics family programming. But, we do look forward to seeing you at a game!

Move in for International students is on Aug 22nd…any programme for parents on 22nd?
Programming for international parents is informal and will depend on who is attending. If you reach out to Dean James Reese (jreese@bates.edu) and let him know you’re attending, he’ll give you more information.

For families staying for the President鈥檚 Welcome on Aug. 26, what time should they anticipate leaving campus?
That event is currently scheduled for 3:15pm, so families should be ready to depart campus by 4:30pm or so – perfect timing to make a dinner reservation in Portland, should you so desire!

Written Questions & Answers

Academics

Short Term is critical for getting specific credits to meet requirements for academic majors. How will that be handled?

We are looking to spread the extra sections of existing courses around the time grid in Modules C and D. The goal is to have more selections, and we anticipate that students will see additional course options once these sections are placed on our schedule. This will likely help with the situation you describe.

Has 乐播传媒 considered adding Short Term or other class options in the summer?

We won鈥檛 be adding any Short Term courses in the summer. There are several reasons for this. The majority of our faculty are deeply engaged in the scholarship during that period, some that also involve 乐播传媒 students in that work, and the summer of work last year was lost in preparation for the fall. Some faculty are working to bring their Short Term T course into Mod C or D. We also will be faced with the same physical distancing, covid testing, and masking challenges. We have focused on building towards a strong rebound of Short Term next year, bringing some of that into the calendar in the winter, and fortifying the teaching that happens from Feb-March.

Are you encouraging professors to teach in person? Why are some classes partially or fully taught online.

Faculty adopted modes of instruction/teaching strategies that worked for their pedagogical goals. Some remote options worked for classes or met the faculty member鈥檚 health needs. Some faculty adopted mixed strategies for reasons that matched the curricular needs of the class (e.g., flipped classrooms, working problems in person, analyzing datasets outside of class, interpreting texts on their own before coming into the classroom (remotely or in person) etc.). But with close to 75% of the faculty teaching with some degree of in person, this was the dominant mode of instruction.

Athletics

How does the change in schedule affect spring sports? 

The change in schedule does not change any plans for spring sports as of now. The only difference is that potential practices will not be able to start until we complete an acclimatization period once students return to campus. That said, any NESCAC seasons will likely be delayed anyway since almost all of the NESCAC institutions are not returning to campus until February, including a few who will return after 乐播传媒 does. While the NESCAC Spring schedules are likely to be modified if we are able to compete at all, we are hopeful that there will be some type of sports this spring. That will eventually be determined by the NESCAC Council of Presidents sometime in the weeks to come. Stay tuned to the NESCAC and 乐播传媒 websites and social media accounts. And, feel free to direct specific questions directly to our coaching staff. 

My student plays hockey. I understand that the rink is unavailable this year as it is being used for Covid testing, but is there any reason a hockey rink cannot be placed on the football field in February? 

Thanks for this interesting question! While we have looked at many outdoor options to keep students active, building an outdoor ice hockey rink on Garcelon field is not being considered. The costs and logistics associated with a project such as this coupled with the very short period of time that it would be in use make this tough. Garcelon is used by so many other teams and students that as soon as the snow is cleared; students and teams use it for practice even in the winter. Hockey has sometimes been played recreationally on the frozen Lake Andrew (The Puddle), and depending on how frozen it gets, perhaps we can explore that and some other possibilities for outdoor “frozen recreation.” Please encourage your student to reach out to Scott Lehmann (slehmann@bates.edu) to discuss hockey possibilities. 

College Calendar

What are the plans for Spring Break?

The break schedule that you may have become used to in previous academic years looks different for this academic year.  There will be a break between modules C and D on Saturday, April 3 – Sunday, April 4. There will then be 3 rest days in module D: April 20, April 28, and May 6    

Note that the 3 rest days in Module D could be pulled into the break between Modules C and D if we found ourselves needing to switch from in-person to remote learning following Module C and before Module D.

Campus life

What can 乐播传媒 do to create more social interaction so first-years can build relationships with a broader set of the community?

This is certainly something we have been thinking of and focusing on this year in the Office of Campus Life. There are a variety of ways all students can get connected on campus in a 鈥榗ovid friendly鈥� way. One would be events that are hosted every weekend, both in person and virtually, by the student led programming board Campus Activities & Traditions (CAT). The tentative schedule for these events can be found here.听听听听听听

Our clubs and organizations have been active this year, remote and in person. In Mod C, we are planning a variety of first-year specific programming each weekend that will help them get connected with one another and with clubs they may be interested in. A description of our many (many!) clubs can be found here. 听

Please encourage your student to take a look at these public Instagram pages that advertise smaller-scale events that take place each weekend: 

If your student isn鈥檛 sure how to get connected, please have them reach out to Jen at jhaugen@bates.edu

Unavoidably, first-years have had an unusual social experience this year. Next year, they might be sophomores in an almost “socially freshmen” situation. Will the college be looking at that possible need for them next year, while also greeting and planning for the next incoming class?

Absolutely. We are thinking of ways to really lean into this class throughout Mods C and D and in the fall. We think there are lots of possibilities to have another new start this year and next fall. 

Are the tents back and are they heated?

We had tents in certain places in the fall, but tents can be challenging in the snow. With the Maine winters, adding sides and heating those tents creates spaces with airflow dynamics that are worse than indoor classrooms.

Is it possible for this first-year class to participate in AESOP in the fall?

AESOP is a program designed for First-Year students transitioning to 乐播传媒 to introduce them to clubs, organizations, and Maine in order to foster social connection. If students are looking for connection, they now have the opportunities to pursue these engagements right away when they return in the winter since they are part of the fabric of the college community. 

If a student is particularly inclined to participate in outdoor activities, they can look into the Outing Club and participate in trips that would have fit into the AESOP design (as soon as the pandemic and restrictions allows for more travel and recreation). In addition, if a student would like to make social connections with other types of engagement – such as theater or dance or board games or video games –  they can do so by engaging with clubs.

Have you considered adding fire pits around the campus to give the students another avenue for being outside socially?

We have looked at this in prior years, and safety and proximity to campus buildings have limited the opportunities on campus. We have reviewed specific sites with the Lewiston Fire Department but without success at this time.

In the fall, students were permitted to leave campus, but not permitted to go to other dorms. Have you considered having a quarantine period when they first return in February, and then allowing more interactions -with masks- in a bigger campus bubble to enhance social interaction?

As several panelists mentioned in the verbal remarks, we anticipate opening for the winter semester with the same public health policies in place. This includes restrictions related to visiting other residence halls and limitations on gathering sizes. We will keep a close eye on the public health situation in Maine to see when we might be able to loosen these restrictions.

CAPS

Will CAPS be available for students during january?

CAPS is available in January for students with some restrictions, given that professional licensure limits CAPS providers to only provide clinical services to those who are in Maine. However, we are doing our best to offer what we can during the extended break. Please look at for details.

Dining

Will Commons open? As we all know without Commons, community at 乐播传媒 is compromised

We appreciate how important Commons is in a non-pandemic year, and share your sentiment on community. 乐播传媒 continues to be constrained by the state limitations to indoor capacities and gatherings, currently 50 people. We have not turned to heated tents, as airflow in such spaces are more compromised than indoor spaces with mechanical ventilation systems. Our team in dining is looking for ways to accommodate appropriate dining given the constraints. 

What about gluten-free/vegetarian/other specialized dining needs? 

This is an area on which we have been focusing. We have added gluten-free options at every meal. For students who can eat gluten, we have included more whole grains. As part of the updated menu rotation for winter semester, we have increased vegetarian offerings. 

Should your student have specific needs which are not being met, please have them reach out to cschwart@bates.edu, and we can develop a plan to make sure that they are taken care of.

Is there any possibility of opening the Gray Cage for dinner in order to relieve pressure at Commons?

Gray Cage was open for dinner in the initial weeks of fall semester, and we found that students did not use the facility. Traffic patterns indicate that for dinner, students prefer to dine through Commons.  We will of course continue to track traffic patterns and adjust as patterns change.

Housing

When will students find out their assigned housing given the change in calendar?

Students in the winter placement process will still receive notification of their housing assignment by the original deadline (12/18). Students in this group heard from us [on Dec. 14 ] via reslife@bates.edu with additional details. If your student has a specific question or did not participate in the winter placement process, have them reach out to us at reslife@bates.edu. We are always happy to talk more specifically with students about their personal situations. 

What about the students who could not go home and are staying at the Hampton Inn? 

We have been providing this group of students with need-based grant aid and will continue to do so for the duration of the break.

Will students still live in the hotel for the next two modules?

Yes, we anticipate students will continue to be housed at the Hampton Inn next semester as well.

Purposeful Work

Will the career center be available during the break so students can use some of that time to research summer internships?

The staff at the Center for Purposeful Work will absolutely be on hand during this time to help students plan for summer 2021. Purposeful Work will also host three Virtual Road Shows to help students explore careers in tech, arts and entertainment, and finance.  Please tell your student to watch their inbox for more information.

What support is 乐播传媒 providing for graduating seniors during these unprecedented times to assist with post-graduate outcomes?

In addition to our regular programming and focus on seniors, graduating seniors will once again be eligible for funded internships in the summer of 2021.

How can we parents help with either connections or support for internships, providing specific knowledge or experiences that may be helpful for students or staff?

Thank you for the offer! [Allen Delong] would welcome the conversation about support for internships (or other forms of support for students). For those interested, please send me a quick email at: adelong@bates.edu to explore the possibilities.

Registration

When will students be able to see/register for the Short Term classes that will now be part of Module C and D? 

We are working with the faculty now to understand the updates to the winter 2021 Schedule of Courses. We’ll be updating students on specific new course sections and new seats by mid-January, and there will be time for them to look over new options well in advance of an added registration adjustment period, which we are finalizing now. This registration adjustment period will be towards the end of January and will occur several weeks before classes start. Please have your students watch email for additional details.

Some students could not register for certain Mod D courses because they had not taken a prerequisite course, despite the fact that those same students were registered for the prerequisite in Mod C.  Has this been addressed?

Unfortunately, given that registration had to occur for both modules at the same time, the registration system was not able to see the Module C courses as completed prerequisites. Students should feel free to reach out to instructors, though, as they have the ability to give prerequisite overrides if they feel the student will be prepared for the course. We were certainly not trying to have first-years end up in more remote courses than other classes. I hope that students will be able to take advantage of the new courses and seats that will open as a result of cancelling Short Term. Additional information on new offerings, added seats, and registration will be coming in January. Please have your student watch email for additional information.

Will the additional courses be only half credit?  Will additional sections of popular courses be added?

The courses being added will be full credit courses. Faculty will offer some new courses but are mainly focusing on adding additional sections of the popular courses students have already registered for in Modules C and D so more students can enroll. Please have your student watch email for additional details regarding offerings and registration.

Remote study

Do students have an option to choose remote learning in Feb?

Yes,听 students who wish to switch to remote learning can email studentaffairs@bates.edu to discuss this option.

Short Term

Will current sophomores [Class of 2023] still be required to do 2 short terms in their tenure at 乐播传媒?

Sophomores will be expected to complete two Short Terms, except those who may elect to study abroad next winter semester. Students in that situation will automatically receive a waiver for one Short Term. Others with compelling circumstances may petition the Academic Standing Committee to request a waiver. This information was communicated to all sophomores at the end of last week [week of Dec. 7]. Sophomores will continue to need to earn 32 units towards graduation.

Study abroad

Will there be study abroad for the year 2021?

Yes, we hope so! We are working with students to plan for study abroad during the 2021-2022 academic year. They can find out more about the process here.

Written Questions & Answers

Academics

What percentage of professors and classes will be remote? Do you expect that percentage to increase?

All courses will be available remotely to accommodate students who can’t return to campus or are electing to study remotely. Approximately 25% of courses are planned to be offered remotely by the faculty. We are hoping that if the fall goes smoothly with safety protocols, that will reduce for module B.

Arrival

By inviting students to campus without pre-tests, you could infect entire pods/dorm floors. will they all be moved to quarantine? Shouldn鈥檛 it be strongly suggested that students be tested before arrival?

The testing is wildly inconsistent across the country. Not all states will do asymptomatic testing. We do strongly suggest students get a test if they are able prior to arrival. We also want students to symptom checks prior to arrival and closing circles at home.

For a student traveling solo to Maine, when in the process between bus arrival, testing and quarantine do you want them to collect their bedding shipped to Post and Print?

Post and Print will be available for essential item pick up from 4-8PM on arrival days.

Why do they need to pack light? Are they going to have to take everything home at the November break? Can you explain more about what packing light really means? 

Packing light means that if for some reason the college has to close, they can easily and quickly pack their room to be evacuated within 24 hours of closure.

If my student gets tested before coming to campus and brings a negative test result, will this mean she will not have to quarantine?

No, all students will follow all protocols. We know that not all available tests are the same. We will test every student upon arrival and expect them to quarantine. Pre-testing to campus helps us to limit students arriving on campus ill.

If a student is in a house, will there be a mover to help move her in?

Movers will be spread out across campus.

Dining

For students who have big appetites, are they limited in how much food they can get with Dash? 

Lots of questions about this! Dining will make sure students have access to plenty of food and are not restricted to a certain size portion.

Dorm life

Will students be able to leave their belongings at 乐播传媒 when they return home in November?

Yes, they can leave belongings. If we would ever have to evacuate the college, however, students should plan to take all their belongings.

Hampton Inn students

Do the students who will be living at the Hampton Inn also come to Merrill/ Underhill for check in and to get keys etc?

Yes! All students need to be tested and checked in before arriving at the Hampton Inn. Thanks!

You have assigned my student to live in a hotel.  Where will he be able to eat on campus, if all food is pickup and he has no dorm room?  Similarly, where can he wait on campus between classes? 

We agree that outdoors is not sustainable!  We are working to identify an on campus space for these students. The specific location will be shared as soon as plans are completely finalized.

Will students be able to visit their friends in other dorms? Will students living on campus be able to visit their friends who are staying in the Hampton Inn?

They can meet in the lobby, but we do not want students in each other’s rooms. We know this is a space where they do not mask, similar to home.  We want to limit the risk of transmission.

Will the Hampton Inn be exclusively 乐播传媒 students in the entire building?

乐播传媒 students are living on floors that are being used exclusively by the college.

Health

When you say anyone who spends 15 minutes within 6 feet, you mean indoors without a mask, correct?

A close contact as defined by the CDC is someone who spends 15 minutes within 6 feet of another person masked or unmasked, inside or outside.

Housing

For residents of 乐播传媒 campus Houses, will they be able to use the kitchens? 

Refrigerators and microwaves will be available. Stoves will be closed to address concerns about clean up and hygiene in shared kitchen spaces.

Isolation

Where exactly is the isolation space located for those who test positive?

We have many isolation beds on campus. These are in 乐播传媒 overflow apartments and houses.

How many isolation rooms does 乐播传媒 have available?

We are planning for the high end of 5% planning that Dean McIntosh mentioned.

Do students need to have a special bag packed in case they need to move to isolation assuming they will not be able to head back to their room to pack up?

They should pack a 鈥済o bag鈥� that they can take to isolation with clothes, toothbrush, books, etc.  We will help them get their books and computer to isolation, if necessary

Do isolation rooms have their own bathrooms?

They are small houses and apartments on campus.  The bathroom to student ratio will be very low, in most instances 1 to 1.

If a student tests positive but is asymptomatic are they isolated or quarantined?

All students who test positive with a new case of COVID-19 will be moved to isolation housing.

Masks/face coverings

Is 乐播传媒 providing any masks for students?  If so, what type, and how many?

乐播传媒 will provide two masks at check in. 

When students are being tested in the testing center, will all be required to wear masks?

Yes, masks are required in all public areas of campus.

A panelist mentioned the importance of students wearing clean masks. Will students receive guidance/advice on how many masks to bring to campus, what type of masks are acceptable, and how often to wash their masks?

This answer depends on how often your student does laundry! Students should plan to bring enough masks to wear a clean mask each day. Masks should not include exhalation valves or vents.

Do students need to wear a mask in their dorm room when their roommate is present?

Students need to wear masks in hallways and bathrooms. All shared spaces. We do not require masks in their rooms, similar to at home. They will need to navigate this discussion within their own individual spaces with roommates.

Are there specific TYPES of masks you want students to bring with them? Will they be able to purchase masks at 乐播传媒?

Students can bring whatever type of mask is most comfortable to them as long as they do not include external vents or exhalation valves.

Student Life

Will the gym and other exercise facilities be open?

Yes, we will be updating exercise facilities to the State of Maine Guidelines and there will be a new registration process for equipment and spaces.  More information can be found on the website /fall-2020/athletics/

Could you describe what they will be able to do for fun and specifically for extracurriculars creatively making use of outdoor space exp in the fall?  They are hearing so much about the 鈥榬ules鈥� that it would be great to hear more about fun.

Yes, this is a great question. The Office of Campus Life and other campus partners are prepared to support social programming and events this fall. We plan to utilize outdoor spaces on campus for in-person gatherings as much as possible. Student clubs, organization and event programmers are planning to also offer virtual and hybrid programs. Events and programs may include live musical performances, movies, Bingo, trival, art activities, and health and wellness opportunities. Student club leaders are often the ones driving events that reflect our diverse student interests such as gaming, knitting, dance, etc. We have more than 80 active clubs and they have lots of ideas for student engagement.

What options for socializing between kids in different dorms or students in dorms and hotels will you provide?

The Office of Campus Life and other campus partners will be offering opportunities for smaller scale in -person programming and events throughout the semester as well as virtual and hybrid options. This will include student and professional performances and activities, student club engagement that reflect the diverse students interests. We always encourage student leadership in these spaces and we are prepared to support their creative ideas.

Testing

What is the accuracy of the Broad testing?

The test from the Broad is regarded as a high performing test, which is further supported by our testing strategy. The clinical sensitivity has been measured at 95%, which is on par with other tests available. False positives have been reported at .02%. More information about the test can be found at /fall-2020/testing/ 

I know you have the materials but what about delays that have been reported on returning results?

Thank you for the question. The Broad has continued to report to us that they have and continue to scale up their ability to process and return test results in the 24-48 hours. They have yet to report any delays in test response time.

Written Questions & Answers

Academics

If a student has to quarantine, will they be able to zoom their classes for those 10-14 days?

Absolutely!  All faculty have created and are working to create a remote option for their classes.

If a student tests positive, but is asymptomatic (feeling well), will they still be able to take classes online?

Absolutely! All faculty members are preparing remote components to their courses to attend to this need.

How will teachers handle hybrid class (in person + remote)?

Professors are managing classes on a case-by-case basis, and many are taking the approach of a flipped classroom – classroom and group discussions in-person, lectures done remotely.

What changes are being made to classrooms being used for in-person instruction? I realize masks will be required. Are students sitting 6 feet apart? Are partitions being erected in the space? You mention tents will be used. Can you elaborate on this?

Thanks for the question!  Masks are required, students are spaced out at least 6 feet apart, and classes are happening fewer at one time in order to reduce traffic flow in hallways.

Dining

How will food be delivered during quarantine?

For students in isolation because they tested positive for COVID-19, meals will be delivered to isolation housing locations.

Can students notify someone about dietary restrictions for food during quarantine?

For students in isolation, yes, but meal options will be limited.

Drop-off

Do you know of any specific Covid protocols for Maine Specifically that will have any affect on how the move in will happen?  I heard that there must be quarantines or negative covid tests for visitors to Maine otherwise fines may be given.

As of July 3, the state of Maine requires individuals entering the state either (1) demonstrate proof of testing negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of arrival or (2) complete a 14-day quarantine. (Vermont and New Hampshire Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York residents are currently exempt from this state order.)

Arriving students will meet this state guidance by being tested upon arrival at 乐播传媒 and beginning a campus quarantine.

Family and others who must accompany their student to campus should plan to either comply with state order or depart campus immediately after dropping their student off. 

If a student is tested before arrival do they need to be quarantined?

Getting a test 72 hours prior to arrival is a great strategy to reduce the chance of COVID-19 transmission to campus.  Students who have taken this step will still need to get tested and quarantine upon arrival pending the results of their test.

Some colleges have required students to document a negative test result within 2 weeks before returning. Why hasn鈥檛 乐播传媒 done this?

For many of our students, they are not able to get a test completed in their community. Testing availability remains a challenge in many parts of the country.

Can students come home during the semester?

Students may not leave the state of Maine from arrival until departure just before Thanksgiving.

When students arrive and when they are waiting for results of their test will they be isolated? How will they be fed?

Students will quarantine in their room assignments.  They will follow the arrival quarantine protocol, which includes grab and go meals.

Health

Can you please explain what happens if a student develops Covid or Flu symptoms? Will they be tested by 乐播传媒 Health Services or sent off campus for testing? If so where will they be sent and will parents be notified?

All students who are ill and have symptoms will be directed to the Health Services and a medical provider will make the determination individually on what care and testing is appropriate.

Will 乐播传媒 offer seasonal flu shots in the fall or will students need to find a local provider for flu shots?

乐播传媒 will be running multiple flu clinics here on campus this fall.  Tell your student to stay tuned for dates!

Will costs associated with isolation be covered by 乐播传媒?

Isolation is part of our care for students.  If a student requires elevated medical care this will go through student insurance.

Could you explain further on the treatment taken in the event that a student gets tested positive? In the website, it only mentions that “check ups” will be made, but no explanations on the kind of treatment being taken.

Medical treatments will be directed by the providers at Health Services and be tailored to the individual’s illness presentation.

If a student tests positive for Covid do they have to quarantine at school? Could they leave campus for the two weeks and quarantine at home?

Once a student is in isolation, they will be monitored daily by BHS/CMMC medical staff. These clinical evaluations will be used, under the guidance of the Medical Director, to make determinations about care.  Parents may not retrieve an ill student from campus per guidance from CDC on travel.  

If our student gets COVID, will they be provided medicine (mucinex, sudafed, cough drops, antibiotics as necessary) or should we plan to send them with enough medicine to get them through a covid type illness.  What type of care will they receive if they are sick with Covid and stuck on campus?

The clinical team at BHS, under the direction of the Medical Director, will monitor symptoms and determine what care is necessary based on their clinical judgement, and hospital procedures and protocols. We are fortunate to have two hospitals, both within 1 mile of campus.  We also have illness care kits available at 乐播传媒 Health Services. Thermometers, cough medicine, fever reducers, etc.

Will overall positive tests, isolations and quarantine numbers be reported to the community? Transparency is important for the students’ and families’ peace of mind and understanding of the situation. How will these numbers be reported, and how often will they be updated?

We are developing a metrics dashboard that will be shared with students, faculty, staff, and families. It will track data in Maine-and at 乐播传媒. We are planning to update the dashboard each week.

How did 乐播传媒 come to the decision to ask students to sign a liability release to students?

We wanted students to fully understand our collective responsibilities. This was done in the form of a public health agreement and acknowledgement of shared risk. It is not a liability waiver. You can learn more here.

Will students be allowed to leave campus, and if so鈥hy?

While students must not leave the state of Maine, they may leave campus as some of them will have medical appointments, need access to a pharmacy for medication and personal goods, and need access to a grocery store. Students are expected to follow the public health practices whether on campus or off campus.

If a student is living off campus, are they provided the same isolation housing if needed?

Yes.

I am worried student mental health in a such restricted campus life

I understand your concern. Our student support team, including Student Support Advisors and Counseling and Psychological Services staff, are prepared to help students who may struggle with mental health.

How can you assure that you will have enough tests and timely results?

The Broad Institute has designed their test by using easily sourced materials, beyond that they have stockpiled testing materials and have already begun to send high volumes of tests.  The Broad has also scaled up and will continue to scale up their ability to run 100k tests per day.  This has afforded them the ability to provide results to us in 36-48 hours.

We were delighted that 乐播传媒 President Clayton Spencer held a virtual event with current parents on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.. The event took the form of a 鈥渜uestion and answer鈥� session, with President Spencer updating families on the state of the college and responding to pre-submitted as well as live questions.

The livestream is embedded above. If you prefer, .

We appreciate the many challenges 乐播传媒 families are navigating during this period while supporting their students. We hope this parent-only Q&A with President Spencer has helped you learn more to help you through this process.

The 乐播传媒 Parent Team is always happy to support you. Please reach us by email at parents@bates.edu.