The Bates Student’s Orientation Issue WELCOME2022TOBATESCOLLEGE,CLASSOF’26!
FIRST-YEAR CAMPUS Familiarize yourself with Bates with of all the sights you need to know. 1 - Kalperis Hall 2 - Chu Hall 3 - Parker Hall 4 - 280 Hall 5 - Rand Hall 6 - Page Hall 7 - Adams Hall 8 - Miliken House 9 - Frye House 10 - Clayson House 11 - Frye Street HALLS / HOUSES 1 2 3 4 5 8910 11 33 14 15 161718 619 20 21 23 24 25 26 2827
CAMPUS MAP with this comprehensive overview 7 BUILDINGS 12 - Commons 13 - Alumni Gymnasium 14 - Gray Cage 15 - PGill Hall 16 - Lane Hall 17 - PGrew Hall 18 - Hathorn Hall 19 - Dana Chemistry Hall 20 - Hedge Hall 21 - Roger Williams Hall 22 - Olin Arts Center 23 - Ladd Library 24 - Carnegie Hall 25 - Chase Hall 26 - Bonney Science Center 27 - Health Center / CAPS 28 - Lindholm House 29 - Temporary Chase Hall 30 - Merrill Gymnasium 31 - Underhill Arena 32 - Benjamin Mays Center 33 - Le Ronj 13 14 22 29 3031 32 32
CAPS Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is the mental health wing of Bates Health Services, housed at 31 Campus Ave., across from Historic Quad. All counseling is free and unlimited on an appointment basis. (If you are in a crisis after-hours, you can call (207) 786-6200 and press ‘0’ to be connected to counseling.) It is a super helpful, welcoming place to go. CAPS counselors are all certified and have a variety of areas of expertise, ranging from eating disorders to mood disorders to grief. If you take psychiatric medication, it can be prescribed through CAPS and available for pick-up at local pharmacies, but note that medication is paid for by your health insurance.
Treehouse If you’re lucky enough to live in Kalperis or 65 (as many upperclassmen call it), you’ll get to enjoy the Treehouse (though if you don’t live there, you are still welcome to visit too), which is on the top floor of this residential hall. The Treehouse has a beautiful stainless steel kitchen, sitting area with great tables to study at, the Kalperis laundry room, a ping pong table, a television and vending machines. Weekend mornings my friends and I would head upstairs and spend countless hours studying in the Treehouse — mark your territory early though, the tables fill up quickly.
Students can change which classes they are registered for at the start of the semester. Students may “add” classes up to 5.5 credits; students may also drop classes down to a minimum of 3 credits. Students can only add a class which has open space. In some cases, instructor permission may be necessary. Students can email the instructor to request permission. This function can be accessed in Garnet Gateway, similar to class registration. Students can drop a class up until the add/drop period date and receive no penalty or mark on their record.
BATES
To help make your transition to college as seamless as possible, we’ve compiled some Bates tips and tricks for you -- from learning about ARC to all about the beloved Bates dances.
Libbey Forum Libbey Forum is where the Registrar’s Office and Student Financial Services is. It’s located at 44 Mountain Avenue or if you’re headed down Alumni walk towards 280, it’s the building that’s straight across from Alumni Walk. Hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Libbey Forum is operating remotely this year so if you need to contact the registrar or student financial services they’ll be available over email or phone. If you have any questions on registration, credits, your degree, or pay that $50 late registration fee contact the registrar. If you have a question on financial aid/finances, forms fill out, when these forms are due, and if you need pay those parking ticket fees issued by security which can range from $30-$100 contact student financial services.
Add/Drop
MUST-KNOWS
Lyceum Lyceum is Bates’ online platform for classwork and assignment submissions. Often, professors will post syllabi, reading assignments, project descriptions, videos and other resources for students to access. This year, Lyceum will likely become even more important due to the virtual components of classes. Nine times out of ten, if a professor mentions a reading assignment or a paper to write, the information will be posted here. Some professors will post all of your grades to Lyceum, making it easy to see where you stand. Others will only post major assignment or paper grades and others will never use Lyceum. It all depends on the professor.
• Kalperis Hall (in foyer): this one does not take cash or credit. You’ll need to get a code for your card from the laundry card website.
Academic Resource Center (ARC) ARC is the place where all that confusion, doubt, and uneasiness about your essays, exams, quizzes, and other hurdles in your classes. At ARC you can partner with a tutor for specific classes or subject matters, get a second pair of eyes to proofread and troubleshoot your essays, and work through proofs, formulas, and scientific mumbo jumbo for all you science and math majors. This is a free service and students can usually drop in unannounced or schedule a one-on-one appointment.
• Hacker House (green house on the left side of Frye Street): this one’s right where you walk in, you can’t miss it.
• Ladd Library Degree Audit
Music Lessons Whether you did it in high school or want to pick up something new, the Music Department offers a wide variety of private music lessons for 0.5 academic credit. Lessons are offered in the fall and winter semesters and meet once a week, scheduled between you and your teacher. Applied Music also has a separate fee of $320 added to your bill. This is because a lot of the Applied Music faculty are not full-time Bates faculty, but rather professional musicians. However, if you look at the per-lesson price (~$30), you’re typically paying about half of what you would pay a private teacher outside of Bates.
Laundry Card Machines
• Chu Hall (in foyer): this one does not take cash or credit. You’ll need to go get a code for your card from the laundry card website.
Napkin Board
The cost is waived for students on financial aid. You can repeat Applied Music for credit as many times as you want.
Unless you’re really into the whole all natural fad (no judgement here, you do you), you’ll want to pick up a laundry card and put some money on it. The machines take big bills, credit and debit cards and are located in the following buildings:
• Commons (past main doors, next to Arcade windows): usually the easiest one to find.
Can’t remember what classes you need to take in order to satisfy the requirements for your major or minor? Degree Audit can help you plan out your academic roadmap and help you stick to a schedule that allows you to graduate on time. Navigate to Garnet Gateway and look for the Students tab and the Degree subtab. There you will find your degree audit where you can figure out what you’ve fin ished, what you need to take, and what class counts towards what requirements.
Bates Museum of Art Bates’ Museum of Art is a wonderful place to spend some time. Normally, the museum is open during regular business hours to the Bates and L/A community. Students may visit the Museum of Art for a class, or simply walk in to view the exhibits. In the past, the museum has hosted educational events for the surrounding community. Additionally, beyond the displayed exhibits, the museum also has an impressive collection in storage which students may inquire about viewing for academic projects.
Was your taco just right? Did you enjoy the non-GMO, gluten free, (insert other adjective here) meal that was available in Commons that day? Let the folks know about it! The Napkin Board is the forum that students use to voice their opinions about the food in Commons and either complement or cri tique the food served that day. Normally, you would just grab a napkin and something to write with and leave your napkin on the Napkin board. You are also welcome to use the the lesser known online platform Napkin board. Within a few days, someone will respond to napkins with a meme, written sentence, or my personal favorite, a meme with a sentence written on it!
• Pettingill Hall (down the anthropology/politics wing, little hallway to main foyer): more central location and perfect for Smith and Adams Hall.
Research Librarians
Bate College Student Government More commonly known as Student Government or BCSG, this organization is the link between students and the administration. This year, BCSG is led by co-Presidents, Kush Sharma ‘23 and Ali Manning ’23. Check out our Q&A with them here. Each class year elects three representatives. Returning class years vote in the spring, while first-years vote for their representatives in the fall. In the past, BCSG meetings have been open to mem bers of the Bates community.
Dances
The Village Club Series, known better as VCS, is a Thursday night social event held in the Benjamin Mays Center. Events usually include performance artists such as poets, musi cians or comics. One of the highlights of the VCS schedule is the student showcase, where students perform themselves.
If you have any confusion on the research you’re doing you should contact the research librarians. Each librarian specializes in a certain topic such as STEM or Classical and Medieval Studies, so no matter what class you’re taking or what major you are you can contact them. They are useful for helping students navigate Ladd’s online and physical resources for research. You can call (207) 786-6271 or email researchlibrarians@bates.edu for more information.
Bates EMS Bates EMS is the 24 hour 7 day a week state licensed Emergency Medical Service run by Bates students for Bates students and anyone on Bates campus. That means that if you are a Bates student, but are at an off campus house for example you should not call Bates EMS, instead call 911. It’s important to call Bates EMS in an on campus emergency first because they can get to you quicker than the ambulance services in Lewiston/Auburn. Every mem ber of Bates EMS is a licensed EMT in the state of Maine. You can call whenever you are unsure about a health issue you or a friend are experiencing. For calls that involve alcohol, Bates has a policy that students will not get in trouble if they call EMS so it’s truly better to be safe than sorry. Their number is 207-786-6111.
Village Club Series
Bates has numerous campus-wide dances for students to enjoy. Most students go out for these dances, and they are a big part of Bates’ social scene. During the year, Bates hosts Halloween, Snow Ball, Gala and more. Often lots of Bates clubs and identity groups host dances throughout the year too. And, on graduation night, Bates hosts a 21+ dance for seniors. While many of these are casual dances, Snow Ball is a semi-formal dance and Gala is Bates’ formal dance. These two in particular traditionally sport live music.
I spent 12 years at a very transient international school; as a result, I purposefully set out to find a college that promoted togetherness and belonging within a diverse population, which brought Bates to the top of my list. The absence of Greek life and the decision to construct a single dining hall to feed the entire Bates campus demonstrated clearly to me that Bates values and fosters a strong, cohesive community, which thrilled me — and that is nothing short of the truth. I remember how intimidated I was walking into Commons after the upperclassmen arrived on campus; I was unsure where the first-years should sit, but to my relief, my Aesop leaders kindly explained that we were free to sit anywhere — there was no unassigned “assigned” seating. I was in awe. Yes, it sounds silly, but it was really lovely to see such kindness and inclusiv ity. I knew I had found where I belonged.
Aneeza Ahmad ’25 - Assistant News Editor
WHY WE LOVE BATES
Ellie Wolfe ’23 - Editor in Chief
Everybody says this, but it’s true — I love the people. Bates people are overwhelmingly kind, genuine, amazing human beings, and they’re the real reason I love this school. In my freshman year, so many people reached out their hand to me, listened to me, supported me, laughed with me…not just my closest friends, but strangers who I only talked to once or twice in class or in Commons. Class year meant nothing. It was just as easy to befriend juniors and seniors as it was to approach those in my year (this is actually so nice; it’s great to have upperclassmen friends). And it doesn’t stop with the students. Faculty and staff are also incred ibly warm and open. Bates is beautiful because of the people, and I’m so grateful for it.
Christina Leonard ’23 - Executive Managing Editor
Walking up two flights of stairs, entering the newsroom in a slew of extra large men’s clothing, and getting to work. Trust me about the clothing, I have worn a giant snuggie multiple times there. There is not an activity I love more than the Bates Student (okay, as Editor in Chief that should maybe be obvious?). I love sitting down on the couch or a desk chair, opening my computer, and taking about two hours to edit three stories just because I’m talking, complaining, and laughing with the other editors. I think people involved in all types of clubs know the feeling I’m describing; there’s nothing I love more about Bates than getting to sit in a room full of people who are passionate and excited about the same things I am, getting to work (and mostly complaining and shit talking, I’ll be honest), and being able to release a product that really impacts Bates. Even if you don’t feel like you’re a strong writer or editor, you should join the paper. Because it’s a communi ty full of people that are excited to be there. And we have snacks in the newsroom, which is pretty nice too.
Alexi Knight ’23 - Assistant Arts & Leisure Editor
Willa Wang ’25 - Assistant Forum Editor
I love Bates. It’s my home. I love Bates people. I love the campus. I love squirrels on the Quad. I love ducks near the puddle. I love myself more here. I love the feeling of being a Bobcat every second.
My relationships with my professors are definitely one of my favorite parts about Bates. I meet with my thesis advisor regularly, but often we spend at least half the meeting chatting about whatever. Most recently, she got back from a trip to Belgium, which we talked about for quite a while, then she even brought me some Belgian chocolate. The best part is that I’ve probably connected with at least half of my professors in this way. It’s so nice to have professors who are committed to their classes, but also committed to connecting with their students on a personal level.
Lunch and dinner offer a much larger range of culinary options. Certain fan favorites will have students forming lines that snake laps around the food service area. Chicken nuggets and fries, mac and cheese, and lemon chicken are steady hits among the student body. The Commons Vegan Bar is also responsible for many popular commons dishes among all students, not just those who don’t eat animal products. The vegan pad thai and vegan pho bar have made legendary names for themselves among the student body. Parker Caswell (‘22), a student who went vegan during his time at Bates, ranked the pad thai among his top three favorites, alongside falafel day and vegan pizza. Other vegan bar classics like sesame nuggets (mock chicken nug gets made out of a sesame base) and malibu veggie burgers deserve honorable mentions as well. When it comes to dessert, I personally rave for the Euphoria Cookies, which are chocolate cookies with white chocolate and caramel chips. Many others praise the Magic Bars, complete with layers of caramel, chocolate, coconut, and peanuts sat atop a graham cracker crust. Every once in a while, Kolaches, a polish desert made of a buttery dough piped with fruit jam, are served at the bakery win dow and are gone within seconds. Outside of the bakery, one of the most stand out dessert options of the week is the Sunday sundae bar, a DIY-ice cream buffet with a host of unique flavors and toppings. If you can’t wait all week to quell your ice cream crav ings though, the soft serve machine is also available at all operating hours of commons, which lends itself to some crazy ice cream concoctions.
Dining at Bates is a distinctive experience. Not only is an ample amount of care put into crafting the menu and forming meals, with the college sourcing ingredients from local farms as well as at tempting to draw menu items from cuisines all over the world, but also Batesies truly get excited about eating in this shared space with their peers.
Jessica Gross Writer
COMMONS MUSTS
Around mealtimes, the Commons building has a magnetic effect on the entirety of the Bates community. The peaceful expanse of alumni walk transforms into a bustling superhighway of hungry students, and crowds zone in from every angle to get inside of the cafeteria. Whether it’s because of its versatile dining options, the unity it fosters by bringing Bates students all together in one place, or its gigantic wall of cereal dispensers, Commons is truly a magical place for Bobcats.
To an inexperienced commons-goer, however, the dining hall’s bustling atmosphere and diverse food selections may make for an overwhelming first impression. Questions like “What to eat?” and “Do I use a tray?” (answer: don’t) and “Why is everyone clapping?” (you’ll find out if you drop a cup or plate) often circulate the minds of new first years. With multiple hot food windows, a constantly rotat ing menu, and college students’ personal dietary preferences to juggle, it takes some trial and error to figure out what will be your cafeteria staples. To help get your footing, these are some tried and true reviews of the best Commons meals and custom creations that Batesies love. For breakfast, it’s typical to see some sort of egg dish along with sides like crispy hashbrowns and breakfast meats. A notable aspect of Commons breakfast is the omelette bar on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Students can either choose fillings to go in an omelet made by the hardworking chefs behind the grill or get fried eggs in whatever style they please. Jacob Pribilsky (‘23) claims that the biweekly omelette bar “keeps him going” on cold Maine mornings. Commons-goers can also get creative with their eggs, utilizing other resources to chef up their breakfasts to new levels. Sophomore Gabrielle Brewer would often concoct an “open faced breakfast sandwich with two eggs from the egg guys with spinach from the salad bar and pesto sauce on a toasted whole wheat english muffin” to start her day. If eggs and bacon isn’t your style, there are bagels and spreads, oatmeal, fruits, and pastries (complete with an array of donuts from Dunkin’) every day. Some students like to build their own breakfast bowls, like Ella Lungstrum (‘23), who gets creative with her yogurt. “When I’m not having a slice of Borealis bread with raspberry jam for break fast, I usually make a yogurt bowl with almond butter, granola, honey, cinnamon and chopped up bananas. Sometimes I’ll throw in a honeycrisp apple too,” she shared. And if you still find yourself stuck on what to reach for in the morning, there’s always the illustrious cereal wall, whose options run the gamut from grape nuts to lucky charms.
’23 Staff
Pettengill Hall (Pgill): Over the past two years at Bates, I’ve spent more time in Pgill than anywhere else. Pgill is home to many of the humanities classes as well as offices for professors in the Politics, History, Latin American Studies, Classical and Medieval Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Africana, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, and Education depart ments. Within the four floors of Pgill, there are many options for study spots.
The second and third floors also have computer labs where you use Bates computers as well as do work. Printers are in here too.
The Library (Ladd): Ladd Library is, of course, a classic study spot. However, your experience will certainly vary depending on which floor you choose. The ground floor is usually where people work together in groups and it gets pretty loud. It is also home to the Math & Stats workshop. The first floor has a similar tendency toward group work and is a good choice if you want to grab a table with your friends to study. The printers and the IT help desk on the first floor can add to the noise level at times. The ARC (Academic Re source Commons), which is where you can access peer tutoring for almost any type of class, is also around the corner. The second and third floors of Ladd are geared towards very quiet, independ ent work. Most people sit at desks by themselves and won’t be having conver sations, so there aren’t any distractions there. These floors are often preferred during midterms or finals week.
Classrooms/lounges in Hedge Hall: Hedge houses the Environmental Studies, Philosophy, and Religious Stud ies departments. Hedge has numerous classrooms as well as lounge areas. The lounges are convenient spots to work during the day, especially if you have a class in Hedge. The basement also has a computer lab where you can use Bates computers as well as do independent or group work.
Shortly after you settle into Bates and your classes kick into full gear, finding the places on campus where you can be most productive will become critical. During your first few weeks at Bates, you will likely test out a variety of study spots before discovering your favorites. Personally, I find it almost impossible to concen trate in my dorm room, so I always hunker down in one of the academic buildings to do my work. Some locations are more preferable for quiet, independent work, while others are great for group projects and discussion. You may choose to bounce around to different spots depending on the kind of assignment you’re working on, or if you’re like me, you might just spend countless hours in Pgill.
Here’s a short guide to help you navigate the options for studying on campus and get an idea of the envi ronments in each spot.
Sophie Mackin ’22 Assistant Forum Editor Emeritus
A Guide to Study Spots at Bates
The Atrium on the first floor is one of my favorite locations on the Bates campus. The couches and comfy chairs are perfect for an afternoon or late night of essay-writing. The view of the puddle is incredible no matter what time of year it is; in the fall, you get to see the bright leaves changing colors, and in the winter, the frozen puddle draws lots of spontaneous ice hockey games. The Atrium is relatively quiet aside from people walking by and friends chatting occasionally. At times during the class day, however, it can get pretty crowded and noisy; when that is the case, I usually venture upstairs. In addition to classrooms, there are lounges on the second and third floors of Pgill that are a great choice if you and a few friends want a space to yourselves. During the class day, they’re usually free unless there is a meeting or class taking place. The lounges are quite popular during the evening though, so you might have to wait a little for an open one.
Fireplace lounge in Commons: The fireplace lounge is a great place to do work in between classes or before dinner. It can be noisy at popular meal times, but it’s a really cozy spot, especial ly in the winter. The Ronj: The Ronj is the student-run coffee house on Frye Street. It’s usually open during the evenings on weekdays and all day on Saturday and Sunday. It’s a great spot to meet up with friends, get some caffeine or snacks, as well as get work done. The first floor is set up with couches that are perfect for catching up with your friends or working on a group project over coffee. If you’re looking for a more quiet environment without the distractions of people coming in and out, you can go upstairs where there are plenty more seating options, including a private study space.
Classrooms/lounges in Roger Wil liams: Roger Williams is primarily home to foreign language classes as well as the Center for Global Education. Similar to the lounges in Pgill, the lounges here are often full, so you have to get there early in the evening. If you are able to secure a lounge or classroom though, it’s an awesome spot to get work done and has few distractions.
Classrooms/lounges in Hathorn Hall: Hathorn holds the Math and English departments. In the evenings, you can study or do work in the classrooms or lounges, though there are fewer options here compared to somewhere like Pgill or Roger Williams.
The Goose – Noun Iconic Bates bar, known for its spacious seating area and excellent cocktails, go see for Possibleyourself!Usage: “‘Is goose hap pening tonight?’ asked the senior, disillusioned with the college lifestyle.” Newman Day – Noun 24 beers in 24 hours. Not everyone comes out the same, and Drommons is the place to Possiblebe.
BOC: Bates Outing Club The closest thing Bates has to a mafia.
Talk like a Bobcat
GEC: General Education Con Secondarycentration degree equivalent to Monopoly money DCEMS: Don’t Call EMS That ambulance ride do be expensive tho.
Usage: Anyone else want IB coffee right now? Forage – Noun Market/Cafe, the antithesis to IB. You’re either a forage person or an IB person, freshmen will be sorted into either category shortly after arrival.
Usage: “Mom stopped paying my tuition after visiting campus on Newman Day.” PGill – Noun Huge building you probably remember from your tour. Be prepared to spend too much time here. Pro tip: make sure to knock on the door before you enter any study room.
Possible Usage: I went to Forage for my $10 bagel egg sandwich at 9 am but they were already sold out of bagels. Green Dot/Red Dot – Noun or Verb A campus-wide program that advocates sexual respect and proactive responses to sexual violence. For some reason, people have turned the terms “red dot” and “green dot” into kind of a meme.
Possible Usage: I want a cozy cat but it won’t fit in my forced triple in Page.
Cozy Cat – Noun Extended mattress for those that are too extra for the twin XL, or claim to be “too tall”.
Possible Usage: Don’t be a red dot.
Possible Usage: Wait, there’s a PGill and a PGrew? Bardwell – Noun The closest thing you’ll get to a frat house at Bates. Tradi tionally inhabited by the men’s lacrosse team, and most likely your last stop on any given Friday/Satuday night.
ARC: Academic Resource TutorsCenter and TAs abound. The slogan is: If you need to come here, it’s too late.
Possible Usage: People were being so loud in pgill this morning when I was trying to do my work. PGrew – Noun Pettigrew Hall, dance and theatre departments are located here. Be prepared to mix it up with PGill at least a few times freshman year.
DictionaryBaesies’ t
Possible Usage: Is Bardwell happening tonight? IB – Noun Italian Bakery, shortened to IB for convenience and style. Most known for their ice coffee and hangover-curing egg sand Possiblewiches.
Possible Usage: “I stood behind my commons crush waiting in the pad thai line today”
Bobcat Express – Noun Basically “free” campus taxi Possibleservice. Usage: I was too lazy to walk all the way to Frye, so I called the Bobcat Express. That’s just the tip of the proto-lin guistic iceberg. Here are some acronyms you should try to throw in at least a few times every sentence to professors and students to sound like you know what you’re talking about.
With a new environment often comes a new lexicon to familiarize yourself with. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to talk like a true, seasoned Bobcat!
Commons Crush – Noun That person you’ve possibly never spoken to but lovingly admire from your vantage point in commons.
Technically on campus, The Bates Garden (also known as the PLOT) is just off of Russell Street. It’s a qui et and sunny spot to hang out with friends, talk to the plants, or enjoy a picnic lunch!
The Riverside Trail
Amelia Keleher ’21 Managing Editor Emeritus
About a 10 minute walk from campus, this paved trail runs along the Androscoggin River for just over a mile. L/A Riverwalk
POPPING THE BATES BUBBLE
When you find yourself in need of a break from campus, here are some spots you can (mostly) walk or bike to:
Nezinscot Farm
Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary
Another good spot to run or walk, either alone or with a friend.
If you have the chance, go for a sunrise paddle or walk around the lake! It’s worth waking up for. Wallingford’s Orchard Wallingford’s is the place to go for apple picking –– a fun, outdoor activity for the fall. They also make their own donuts and other baked goods! Get out and explore L/A! Some of the best spots are the ones you just happen to stumble upon.
The Lewiston Farmers Market
Amelia Keleher ’21/The Bates Student
Many students enjoy running or walking along Thorncrag’s dirt trails. This peaceful setting –– with its towering trees, wideopen meadow, and wild apple trees –– offers a welcome escape when you need a break from campus. It’s also a beautiful place to enjoy Maine’s fall foliage!
The Bates Garden
My first off-campus excursion was a walk to the Lewiston Farmers Market with several other first-years on my floor. On the way back to campus, we shared the golden-yellow ground cherries we’d bought. Since then, I’ve continued to explore what the Lewiston/Auburn area has to offer.
A great place to meet local farmers and vendors and enjoy delicious produce or freshly-prepared Somali Bantu food from the Isuken Farm to Table Food Truck.
An ambitious 30-mile bike-ride from campus, Nezinscot Farm is worth the trip for their delicious breads, cheeses, home made farm products. Vista of Maine Vineyard & Winery A hidden gem with a stunning, birds-eye view! The vineyard is about an hour by bike (or 15 minutes by car) from Bates. Bring your ID if you want to try their cider and/ or wine… Lake Auburn
A strong immune system results from proper nutrition, good sleeping habits, exercise, and stress management. How ever, these healthy habits tend to be put on the backburner for incoming freshmen with the pressure of adjusting to life at Bates. If I had prioritized finding new healthy options in Commons and monitoring my sleep schedule and stress, I could have prevented myself from getting sick in the first Ifplace.there is one specific factor that influences the poor immunity among the freshmen each year, it is stress. “This is nothing surpris ing as there have been numerous studies showing the direct effects of stress on the human body,” Morin says. “Everyone has stress but not everyone handles it the same way and some people use unhealthy coping strategies to de-stress that alters the immune system even more!”
I remember one of my biggest concerns the summer before I left for college was whether or not I was going to be able to maintain my health. I had always been really good about eating healthy and getting enough sleep in high school, but I was worried that a new environment would cause me to change my habits. My friends and I feared the “freshman fifteen,” but little did we know we should have been fearing some thing a lot worse—the “freshman plague.”Ask any upperclassman and they will tell you their own version of the “freshman plague”: a term used to describe the high numbers of freshmen that get sick each year. College campuses are a petri dish for other viruses and bacteria. With Covid’s persisting global presence, we need to have a greater awareness of our health and wellbeing while in college. This was the biggest issue for me in my first semester of college. I was so busy adjusting to the new environment while balanc ing academics, athletics, and a social life that I ignored the signs of declining health. I remember waking up the morning of a big workout with chills, exhaustion, and a sore throat, but still choos ing to complete the workout. I didn’t become a better athlete that day, but I did drag myself into a month of extreme fatigue and a cough that could be heard across campus. I developed an unhealthy mindset and forced myself to keep going, when I should have been taking time for myself.
The Freshman Plague: A Greater Issue than the Freshman Fifteen
A study published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) found that chronic stressors oc curring both early and late in life can cause immune dysregulation, or the breakdown of the immune system. Immune cells have re ceptors for chemical messengers, such as neurotransmitters and hormones, that prepare the body for an immune response. How ever, this research showed that under stress these immune cells change how they respond to the chemical messages. The mind and body are more connected than one might think, which is why we have to maintain our stress levels throughout the semester. Checking in with yourself and how you are feeling is such an important part of maintaining your health. During my first se mester, when I wasn’t in class or at practice, I used every moment to study. Not only was this unnec essary, but I was also constantly forgetting to monitor my mental health and take time to rest and recharge. I believe this is largely the reason why I struggled with immunity.Justas it was last year, it is still especially necessary to prioritize your health and wellbeing. Enjoy all of the things this year’s fresh man experience has to offer, but you can do your part in keeping our campus safe by maintaining all aspects of your mental and physical health.
Elizabeth LaCroix
’23 Managing News Editor Emeritus
Kathy Morin, the Office Manager and a RN at Bates Health Services, explains that it is the freedom to make choices for themselves that causes poor im munity among the freshmen class each year. “No one is on campus telling them when and what to eat, when to study and when to go to bed! While this is all a part of growing into an adult, some have a harder time with the transition than others,” she said.
During my freshman fall, I remember feeling like groups of friends had established them selves so quickly, and it seemed as though everyone was able to find their place at Bates almost immediately. However, I now know that social dynamics change constantly, not just during freshman year but throughout all four years of your Bates experience. My advice to everyone, not just first-years, is to continue leaning out of your comfort zone, getting involved in activities that you may not have experienced before, and learning new things for as long as you can. Take the risk of being spontaneous, because you never know who might meet or what you might —discover.Sophie
For me, sophomore year was a completely different story. I realized it was okay to not have an overly close “girl squad” like high school, and that having friends in different groups is way more compatible with college. I realized that most people weren’t as over-the-moon as they seemed freshman year, and that there were other people in my situation. You might luck out and find a gaggle of soul-friends within your first week on campus. But more likely, you’ll find a couple gems and then find some time roaming – and that’s more than okay.
An Upperclassmen
Advice Column
Everyone arrives at college with their own set of expectations. Your impression of college may be informed by friends, siblings, TV shows, or social media; regardless, your reality will likely stray from the picture you have in your head right now. I say this not to put a damper on your excitement but instead to remind you to have an open mind and be willing to adjust your ex pectations. Freshman year is chaotic and overwhelming, especially during the first few months, so it may take a little while for you to feel settled. You will meet so many new people — some that may quickly become your closest friends and others that you may struggle to make an initial connection with. Be open to spending time with everyone, and don’t rush to form friend groups. The beauty of the small size of Bates is that it allows you to develop close friendships with a lot of different people, so don’t limit yourself.
— Georgina Scoville ’22 My Advice: Have an Open Mind
DEAR FIRST-YEARS,
It’s Okay to Feel Stuck
I felt really stuck socially my first year, especially second semester. It felt like everyone around me had found their best friends for life and was partying three times a week. Meanwhile, I wasn’t content with my social situation, but I had no idea where to meet people and what to do on a Saturday night. My older brothers told me that this is normal for first years and that I was being super dramatic – but as a naturally dramatic person, I obviously didn’t listen. Reading this back, I sound like a total sadboi. But I’m here to tell you, as a bona fide anxious over-think er, that feeling stuck socially really is normal.
Mackin ’22 No matter what you do, freshman year will likely be a bit cringey – and that’s OK. Our staff has some Bobkitten advice you won’t want to miss.
2) Take a class in a department you’ve never had experience in. I know this sounds weird, but I’m glad I did it. It was good to use my brain in a new way, and it really helped me meet new 3)people!
4) Take a class in something you may want to Major or Minor in. This sounds obvious, but it’s good to get your foot in the door early! Make connections with your professor, ask more about majoring or minoring in that subject, and decide if it’s right for you.
When it comes to college, but Bates especially, there will be so many things you’ll want to keep up with. Classes you’ll have to study for, figuring out when to hang out with your new found friends, how often to do laundry, etc. but probably the most important will be watching and keeping up with your mental health. If your mental health is suffering, other aspects of your college life could suffer too. That’s why, like anything else, make sure you recognize your emo tional habits early. By that I mean look at how you react to a bad grade, a fight with a friend, or just an off day and compare that to any normal day. Please read Elizabeth LaCroix’s “Immunity
5) It’s okay if you don’t get your first choices! A class you put on your list quickly could end up being the best one you take at Bates. It’s important to go into each class with an open mind!
Choosing Classes
Although it can be stressful, picking out courses should be kind of fun. Here’s my guide to your first-semester schedule:
’22
During Your Freshman Year” article on how mental health can affect your nutrition, sleep, and exercise and vice versa. Becoming more aware of who you are as a person is difficult, but at Bates you won’t be alone. Learning who you are as a person is part of becoming an adult and taking care of your mental health should become more of a priority.
— Ellie Wolfe ’23
When You Need A Break CAPS Is There
Everything works itself out.
1) Take a class that you loved in high school. If there was a subject in high school that you absolutely loved, I would recommend signing up to take a class within that department. You’ll probably enjoy the class and feel more comfortable at Bates.
During my freshman year, I struggled a lot with my mental health and although I knew how I reacted to certain situations and felt like I had decent stress reducing behaviors, I still felt like I was missing something. That’s when I went to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPs) for my first appointment and I felt like I had finally found a place where I could express all my emotions and get guidance on what to do with them. I still go to CAPs even if I don’t have an issue to discuss. I go because it’s a place to have a break. If there is one place that I believe every freshman should go to at least once it’s CAPs because, just like physical health, everybody needs a —checkup.EllieBoyle
Take a class you think sounds super cool but may be slightly random. Even if it has noth ing to do with what you may want to major in, I recommend you take a class that you think just sounds cool. I met one of my best friends and learned some pretty cool things.
Student-Athletes: Branch Out
Around the first week of school, a friend and I were taking a stroll around campus and aim lessly wandered into the Olin Arts Center. We saw another friend coming out of a classroom and asked her what she was up to, and she told us she had just finished up a free figure drawing class that was offered there every week. My friend and I were simultaneously intimidated and intrigued; for one, neither of us were very experienced with drawing, and two, these weren’t just still life drawing classes— they brought in actual nude models. We both looked at each other with equal expressions of curiosity and walked toward the classroom to get a better look. A flyer posted on the door stated that the classes would be held weekly, and we swore to each other that next week we would have to go to the class. After all, this is college, what better activity would there be to ~refine~ ourselves with and become sophisticated adults than a nude figure drawing
— Jackson Elkins ’22 Try Out a New Non-Academic Activity!
— Jessie Gross ’23
Aclass?week passed. After eating a very sophisticated and refined dinner of commons chicken nug gets, we made our way back to Olin. We paced in front of the door for some time and repeat edly questioned if we were even qualified to go in there. Eventually we did, and for the entire session, my focus fell solely on drawing. All of my stresses from the beginning of school floated to the periphery. And not only that, I was actually proud of what I created despite whether it looked amateur or not. Figure drawing became a weekly tradition for us. It was amazing to have access to a consistent space where I could put aside the stress from school and feel free to be creative, whether it was during finals week or just another average week at Bates. As we started going more, we encouraged friends to come with us, and by the end of the semester a pretty big group of first years amassed at the sessions, which was so much fun. I also discovered a love for drawing and explored it more outside of the class. All in all, try something that seems intimidating and outside of your skill set! But, you never know where it will take you.
It is a privilege to be a part of Bates athletics and represent our school on a conference, regional, and national stage. Your teammates will likely end up being some of your best friends, and plan to arrive at Bates with the intention of becoming a part of the family that is your team.
Bates students are admitted because they are well-rounded, multi-faceted community members, and athletes are no exception. You probably have more in common with the person sitting next to you in your biology lab or living across the hall from you than you think. While the thought of putting yourself out there to meet new people can be anxiety-riddling for many, the worst that happens from introducing yourself to someone new is that you never talk to that person again. Best case scenario, you can make yourself a new friend and begin to grow a support system outside of your sport.
One thing to remember, however, is that the college is so much bigger than just your team. In short: don’t be afraid to branch out! Try new things and be sure to meet new people. It sounds painfully cliche, but speaking from my own experience and that of older student-athletes and alumni, it really is a valuable aspect of the Bates experience.
Advice from a NARP
Befriend Athletes too!
Make NARP friends! The sad reality of having lots of athlete friends is that they will definitely have practices and obligations on the daily (especially when they’re in season), so they will have far less free time than your newly minted college freshman-self. However, on the flip side, this means you can branch out and make even more friends. My first-year roommate plays La crosse, so most of my friends at first, also played Lacrosse; however, when Lax practices began, my sole NARP friend and I were alone. We like to joke that for the first few days of school we ate every single meal together until we decided we needed some non-athlete friends too. We saw other first-years walking into Commons who we’d previously met during orientation and sat with them, and we’ve all been friends since. Yes, that may sound absolutely nerve-racking, but remember — everyone is yearning for friends, interaction and a sense of community, so don’t be scared, say hi to anyone and everyone.
’23 SAVE THE DATE: CLUB FAIR SEPT 7 8:00pm-10:00pm2022
— Christina Leonard
Athletes are just like you, NARPS, but with a little less free time on their hands and a lot more physical activity on the daily. Lots of my closest friends play sports at Bates, and there really is not a divide between Athletes and NARPS at all so don’t be intimidat ed. Not to be glib, but athletes are your access to lots of the social life at Bates. Instead of frats or sororities, we have sports houses where most parties are held every weekend. My friends who are athletes have more natural interactions with upperclassmen on a daily basis than I would (since they’re on the same team), so it only makes sense they hear more about what’s going on that weekend.
The acronym NARP stands for Non-Athletic Regular Person and, according to the very trustworthy Urban Dictionary, a NARP is any college student “who is not an intercollegiate athlete” (like me). Don’t get me wrong, I love sports. I played Soccer, Field Hockey and Tennis competitively throughout middle school and high school, but I never wanted to play in college. However, I knew going to a smaller school, the ratio of student-athletes to NARPS would be close to even, which, at least for me, was definitely intimidating.
So, from my three years at Bates, I’ve compiled some NARP-friendly advice for you first-years: Find your niche! Even when your athlete friends are off at practice, there are so many other things you can do! I’d recommend signing up for anything and everything that interests you at the club fair (I honestly wish I’d signed up for more). I joined the student newspaper (clearly… plz write for us!!!!), participated in the Harward Centre’s Book Buddies Program and am a member of Bates Dems & Sunshine Society.
OPENINGSCHEDULEDAY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31st – OPENING DAY 8:00am-12:30pm: New student check-in/Move-in (Commons) 10:30am-2:30pm: Arrival Day BBQ (Commons Green) 3:15pm: President’s Welcome Address & Reception (Historic Quad) 4:00pm-4:30pm: Families depart 5:00pm-6:00pm: First-Year Center Dinner with Junior Advisor (JA) 6:30pm-8:00pm: Shared Identities (Bardwell Field Tent or Library Quad 8:15pm-9:00pm:Tent) JA Meetings 9:00pm-10:00pm: Meet Campus Safety and Residence Life Coordi nators (Bardwell Field Tent or Library Quad Tent) 10:00pm-12:00am: OWL events! @FORBATES_2026FOLLOWMOREORIENTATIONWEEKEVENTS!
Join The Bates Student! On Instagram, we asked students to send us their best tips for first-years. Here are some responses: The voice of Bates College since 1873.
