Student Affairs and Activities

There are over 110 student-run clubs or organizations at Bates.

See a list of current Bates and regional activity calendars.

About 90% of Bates students live in campus housing in one of 12 residence halls or 25 residential houses.  (Click for a tour.)  Most of those who live off-campus reside in the neighborhoods around the College and take their meals in Commons.

The online Student Handbook provides an overview of student services, contacts, and policies.  A Parent's Handbook is also available. (Adobe Acrobat format)

Athletics

Thirty varsity sports are open to all students at Bates.

Twelve club sports, often initiated by students, provide an opportunity for students to participate in sports that are not currently varsity sports.

Athletic conferences for Bates include the New England Small College Athletics Conference (NESCAC), NCAA, and the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin Conference (CBB).

The Athletes for Healthy Choice program fosters an overall healthy lifestyle, lead by  student athletes.

Athletic facilities at Bates are numerous, and many have been recently updated.

The Bates mascot is the Bobcat.

Visit the Sports Information page for detailed information about Bates varsity sports, club sports, intramural sports, schedules, and outcomes. 

Did you know?

A new 152-bed residential village opened in fall of 2007, and a new dining commons opens in winter of 2008.

Half of all students engage in academic service learning during their time at Bates. In 2006-07, Bates students contributed over 32,000 hours to the local community through projects arranged in cooperation with the Harward Center for Community Partnerships, and more than 10,000 additional hours through volunteer service. 

About 60% of Bates students participate in a varsity sport or an intercollegiate club sport.

Kevin McHugh of The College of New Jersey has been named director of athletics and chair of the Department of Physical Education at Bates College, effective July 1, 2007.  McHugh succeeds Suzanne Coffey, who was director of athletics from 1991 to 2006.

Student Voices:  Watch Bates seniors reflect upon their undergraduate experiences at the annual Senior-Trustee luncheon.

Bates was the first co-ed college in New England, and it has never had fraternities or sororities.