Civic Engagement at Bates

 

Election Day  Marcus Delpeche '17 of Wilmington, Del., and the Bates Bobcat encourage members of the Bates community to vote today. Inside Commons, students distributed information about six statewide ballot initiatives and recorded the number of students who had voted in today's election.

Election Day
Marcus Delpeche ’17 of Wilmington, Del., and the Bates Bobcat encourage members of the Bates community to vote today. Inside Commons, students distributed information about six statewide ballot initiatives and recorded the number of students who had voted in today’s election.

The Harward Center encourages and equips all members of the Bates community to participate actively in the many communities to which they belong. Just as a healthy campus community depends on the energy and input of all members of that community, so too does a thriving democracy.

At Bates, we understand civic engagement to include the many ways citizens work to make a difference in their community. This certainly means voting in elections (Your vote is your voice!), but it also means being aware of yourself as a citizen with the capacity and responsibility to work with others to advance the greater good; being mindful of the impact of your choices on different individuals and communities, including the planet; collaborating with diverse others to define public problems and enact constructive approaches to address those problems; and advancing the full participation of all people in the decision-making processes that affect their lives and communities.

The Harward Center for Community Partnerships offers a multitude of civic engagement opportunities. From voter registration drives and public forums to a wealth of curricular, co-curricular, and volunteer programs, we invite members and friends of the Bates community to cultivate intellectual discovery, social justice, and informed civic action in pursuit of thriving communities and a sustainable planet.