Campus Life

We know that college isn’t just about developing your intellectual side.

It’s also a time to find the people you can lean on so that you can thoughtfully and authentically test your limits.

Bates is a place where students hold doors for each other. Our competitive streak is limited to games against our rivals in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). And our professors are more likely to ask, “How are you doing?” than “How are you doing in my class?”

Clubs & Organizations

With nearly 100 student-run clubs you’re sure to find something of interest. What you won’t find are fraternities or sororities. We’ve never had them. Never will.

You’ll see our community spirit at work in the library, which closes early on Fridays to make sure students get a study break and keeps a hot water kettle near the research desk to help us stay warm in the winter. You’ll find it between the lines of the Napkin Board in Commons, our one dining hall, where dining staff respond to each comment or suggestion with a personal note (or a meme).

Bobcat Ventures

The student-run Bobcat Ventures club holds an annual pitch competition with a $10,000 prize to the winning small business idea. Competitors attend development workshops and get feedback and support from alumni entrepreneurs.

Try Something New

Bates is special because our community gives you not just time, space, and resources to define your interests, but also the support to care for yourself along the way. That way, you’re prepared to take the risks that will define who you become.

Bates Women's Ultimate Frisbee team practices on the Bardwell Street field.

Known as Cold Front, the Bates women’s Ultimate team competes in the Division III College Championships.

From Josie Gillett:

Coldfront, the Bates Women’s Ultimate Frisbee team, is excited to have qualified for the Division III National Championship for the third time in team history! Coldfront is one of 16 women’s teams that qualified, and we will be headed to Rockford, Illinois, for the weekend of May 19–20 to play against the best of the best.

Coldfront is a young team with a lot of grit and heart, and we strive to embody a core value of Ultimate Frisbee: the spirit of the game. Coaches Mohdis Baker ’14 and Chase Baker each bring a decade of experience in the Maine Ultimate programs to assist us in reaching our fullest potential.

This year has been incredible for Coldfront. We have been pouring our hearts into this season: waking up for early morning track workouts, practicing until 11 p.m. out in the snowy Maine winters, and crafting new ways to bring positive energy to our team on and off the field. Our hard work has paid off! We have a record of 19-1 and are moving on to nationals as the number two seed. check out this sick highlight vid of us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=158O7IVK3uw