Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to Bowdoin College! The following information is designed to provide incoming first-year, transfer, and exchange students with a quick reference source to answer the big questions about arriving on the Bowdoin College campus. Below are links to four different categories of questions that can help in your planning:

Getting Here
Living on Campus
Academics
Campus Resources

If you have questions before your arrival, don't hesitate to contact the Orientation Intern in the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs at (207) 798-7024.

Getting Here

Below are some frequently asked questions about getting to campus. Click on these links for answers to your questions about Living on Campus, Academics, and Campus Resources.

When do I need to be on campus?
if I am going on a Pre-Orientation trip?
You should plan to arrive on campus by 4:00 p.m. (but no ealier than 9:30 a.m.) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008. Trip leaders will be present to help you put your belongings in your residence hall. Dorms will remain locked and closed while you are on your trips. The College asks that you wait to unpack your belongings until the following Saturday when all first-years and roommates will be on campus.

if I am arriving in time for Orientation?
The College residence halls open for new students at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2008. It is best to plan to arrive between 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., but if you must be later, don't worry. Upon arrival, please go to your dorm where a member of the Residential Life staff will provide you with your Arrival packet, which includes your Student ID that will let you into your dorm room. Orientation begins at 5:15 p.m.

When does Orientation start?
Orientation begins Saturday, August 30th. Don't worry about the details, as Orientation schedules will be provided to you upon arrival. Please keep in mind that the first Orientation event begins at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday.

What day should my parents come if I am going on a Pre-Orientation trip?
The events on Tuesday (August 26th) and Saturday (August 30th) are the same. We suggest that parents choose one of these two arrival days.

Where should my parents stay?
There are multiple hotels, motels, and bed & breakfasts in Brunswick and the mid-coast region.

What if I have more questions?
Don't panic. Your Proctor will be on hand as soon as you arrive on campus to answer all of your questions. If you have questions before your arrival, don't hesitate to contact the Orientation Intern in the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs at (207) 798-7024.

Living on Campus

Below are some frequently asked questions about living on campus. Click on these links for answers to your questions about Getting Here, Academics, and Campus Resources.

How many roommates will I have?
All first-years will be randomly assigned to have either one or three roommates. In doubles, students will share a bedroom and common room. Quads will have two bedrooms and one common room. Some of the most significant relationships you will develop during your first year at Bowdoin will be with your roommates. You will share a space in which you will study, sleep, and socialize. The success of this living experience will depend largely on each person's ability to compromise and share, to be honest, open, and understanding. It is something at which we must all work.

You will find your roommates' addresses, phone numbers and e-mail on the Residence Hall Assignment Sheet included in your July mailing. We encourage you to write or call one another, introduce yourselves, and make plans for bringing items that might be shared (i.e., microwave, rug, refrigerator, TV, etc.).

Are there co-ed bathrooms?
There are no co-ed bathrooms, although all dorms are co-ed.

May I have guests in my room?
Guests are welcome in student residences for a period of up to three consecutive days. Any actions that infringe on the rights of other Bowdoin students, as those rights related to the expected and normal use of a residence, are unacceptable under any circumstances. Roommates or other residents shall not be deprived of accommodations. Guests and their student hosts will be subject to disciplinary action for failure to abide by this or any other college regulation. You are responsible for the behavior of your guests while they are on campus.

What should I pack?
It is better to pack a number of small boxes and suitcases rather than a few large ones. You may want to bring the following items or coordinate with your roommates to see what they are bringing:

  • Informational mailings received from Bowdoin (brochures, paperwork, etc.)
  • Bedding: Comforters, extra blankets, linens, mattress cover, pillow
  • Seasonal clothing (heavy coat, hat, boots, gloves, and rain gear)
  • Hangers
  • Towels
  • Laundry bag/basket and detergent
  • Toiletries
  • Pictures, posters and other decorative items
  • Stereo equipment
  • Iron
  • Computer
  • Broom
  • Sports equipment
  • Possibly a refrigerator (no larger than four cubic feet) and microwave oven
  • 1-3 alarm clocks depending on how soundly you sleep!

Do not bring the following:

  • Hot plate or other appliances with an open coil or burner
  • Pets (yes, fish are pets)
  • Firearms/weapons
  • Candles or incense
  • Anything else that could be harmful to you or others

May I have a car on campus?
Yes. First-Year students are currently allowed to bring automobiles, but this policy is subject to change. Parking is extremely tight and Security is very rigid about parking violations. Under the 2008-2009 policy, First-Years are allowed to bring an automobile to campus. Cars must be registered with Security (for a $40 fee) when you arrive on campus. Students are only allowed to park in designated areas, and First-Years park in a remote lot. You might want to wait until your sophomore year to bring your car.

Bowdoin has partnered with Zipcar, North America's largest car-sharing service, to offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to the challenges of having a car on campus. A special Web site will go live later this summer, which will allow members of the Bowdoin community and residents of the Town of Brunswick to join the Zipcar program at www.zipcar.com.

What is the food like at Bowdoin?
The Dining Service at Bowdoin is quite good. Students may eat in the Moulton Union and Thorne Dining Halls. First-Year students are required to have a Full Board plan.  Students also may use points at Jack Magee's grill, which provides short-order food. In downtown Brunswick there are a variety of reasonably-priced, quality dining establishments, including Chinese, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Thai, seafood, pizza, and fast food.

What kind of entertainment is available?
Movies, bowling, pool halls, arcades, video stores, and bars are all available in Brunswick. Though Brunswick is not a cultural center, Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, has dance, theater, music, and movies, in addition to restaurants, the Portland Seadogs (baseball), and the Portland Pirates (hockey).

Where can I do laundry?
All First-Year Halls have laundry facilities. The cost is $3.00 to wash and dry one load of laundry. You will use your Bowdoin ID card to pay for laundry and there are several machines on campus where you can add money to your card for this purpose. Make sure you get a crash course before leaving home! Laundry Service is also provided by Auburndale Cleaning Center, for more information click here

What size sheets should I buy?
All the beds at Bowdoin are "dorm size, extra long" (36" x 80"), although twin sheets do fit on the beds.

Where do I get my mail?
In the July mailer from the Dean's Office you will receive a letter from the Mail Center on campus with information about your mailing address. You will share your box, located in David Saul Smith Union, with one other Bowdoin student. Bowdoin Mail Center will be open for extended hours on both arrival days to allow you to receive any packages. Mail coming to you should be addressed as follows:
Student Name
Bowdoin College
### Smith Union
Brunswick, ME 04011

How should I ship my belongings?
Three services--United Parcel Service, Federal Express, and the United States Postal Service--are available for shipping belongings to campus. The address you must use is listed above. The College Mail Center will hold it and notify you when it has arrived. The Mail Center will accept packages any time after August 20, 2009. You can claim your package at the Mail Center window in the Smith Union when you arrive. Your exact Smith Union address will be included in the July mailing.

How can I get a job?
Many Bowdoin students take part-time jobs on campus, and most find that it enriches their College experience, helps them to manage their time, and provides an important source of income for incidental expenses. The Student Employment Office (SEO) runs the First-Year Job Placement Program and can provide you with a job upon your arrival at Bowdoin (eliminating the hassle of having to conduct a job search). Visit the Student Employment website, or contact seo@bowdoin.edu or 207-725-3386 for more information. Be sure to bring with you to campus appropriate documentation to complete your mandatory Federal and State employment paperwork. Information about the documents to bring can be found at: www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-9.pdf (see page 4). You will not be allowed to work without completing your employment forms through the SEO. If you would rather wait until you arrive on campus, you can search for available jobs and apply online via the SEO website.

Does the College provide health services?
Yes. The Dudley Coe Health Center is open throughout the week and their hours can be found on their website. In addition, the Midcoast and Parkview Hospitals are both minutes from campus. In case of emergencies, College Security will drive students to an emergency room. Students are not expected to transport themselves in emergency situations.

What about telephone calls?
Each student has their own individual, private telephone number that they will keep during their time at the College. Each residence room has a telephone. The College provides local phone service. Direct-dial long distance service (through STC) and voice-mail services are available through the College. Information will be provided by the Telecommunications Office, (207)725-3966, during Orientation and is also available on the IT Telecom website.

Does the College provide network services and e-mail?
Yes, the college provides a high speed network that is accessible in dorms, public areas and libraries. Wireless access points are also available across most locations on campus. Each student is assigned an email account. Computer labs are located in Searles Hall, Coles Tower, Hawthorne-Longfellow Library and Kanbar. If you have information technology questions before Orientation, you can view Bowdoin's IT website.

Where can I bank?
You can find a listing of all local banks by searching for "banks" at http://midcoastmaine.com/. The ATMs on campus are through Peoples Heritage Bank, a subsidiary of BankNorth.

What about insurance?
Questions about student Health insurance can be directed to Leslie Hill, the Student Health Insurance Coordinator, at (207) 798-4284. Bowdoin requires all students to be enrolled in a health insurance plan while attending the College. You may either choose to purchase Bowdoin's Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan or rely on your own coverage, if comparable. All students will be automatically enrolled in Bowdoin's plan and charged the plan's premium unless you go online to waive coverage. Details of the plan and instructions for waiving were mailed to all students at the end of May. The deadline for waiving coverage in Bowdoin's Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan is August 3.

What is the weather like in Maine?
Weather in Brunswick varies greatly. It can be very warm at the beginning of the academic year, but temperatures may drop below zero by the end of the first semester. Expect some rain in the fall and spring and heavy snow in the winter. You will also find very sunny and warm days. The best advice is to pack for any and all situations.

What if I have more questions?
Don't panic. Your Proctor will be on hand as soon as you arrive on campus to answer all of your questions. If you have questions before your arrival, don't hesitate to contact the Orientation Intern in the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs at (207) 798-7024.

Academics

Below are some frequently asked questions about academics. Click on these links for answers to your questions about Getting Here, Living on Campus and Campus Resources.

What about class registration and placement exams?
You will register for classes during Orientation. You will have the opportunity to meet with your academic advisor in a small group and in one-on-one sessions. There will also be an academic open house. Again, this information will be provided to you by your Proctor and Orientation Schedule on Saturday. If you want to place out of intro-level classes in some sciences and foreign languages, or music theory, you will have to take placement examinations during Orientation. Exams are an hour long. Dates and times will be listed in the Orientation schedule.

When do classes start?
Classes begin on Thursday, September 4th, at 8:00 a.m. You will have a number of opportunities throughout Orientation to talk with students, faculty, staff and your advisor about course selection.

Who is my advisor and how is she/he assigned?
The Office of the Dean of Student Affairs will match first-years to pre-major academic advisors according to students' academic interests conveyed in the Academic Advising Questionnaire. During orientation first-years will be told which advisors they were assigned to and will meet with their advisor with a small group of other first-years as well as one-on-one.

Campus Resources

Below are some frequently asked questions about campus resources. Click on these links for answers to your questions about Getting Here, Living on Campus and Academics.

What do Proctors do?
One of the first people you will meet when you arrive at Bowdoin will be your Proctor, who will be with you throughout Orientation and your first year of college. Proctors are upper-class students carefully chosen to serve as advisors and administrators to the First-Year Residence Halls. There is one Proctor who lives on each floor in the First-Year Residence Halls to help first-years throughout the year. Think of them as your guide to Bowdoin College. They can answer many of your questions about academic, residential, and extracurricular concerns. They will assist you in every way possible in adjusting to Bowdoin life.

What do Deans do?
Deans are resources for you if you have any questions about your academics or extracurriculars at Bowdoin. If you are ever unsure of who to go to with a specific concern, the Dean's Office is a great place to stop by to ask. You can make an appointment with your dean by calling 207-725-3149 or by dropping by the second floor of Moulton Union. In addition to serving as the primary advocates for individual students, the dean staff also orchestrates a number of specific programs, systems and services, including the following:

  • Pre-major Academic advising
  • Accommodations for students with disabilities
  • Community standards and the Judicial Board process
  • Crisis intervention and response
  • Emergency student loans
  • International student advising
  • Multicultural student support
  • Orientation
  • Transfer and exchange student advising

What about insurance?
The College is not responsible for the loss of, theft of, or damage to personal property by fire or other causes.