Resources and Reporting of Concerns

Campus Life is responsible for administering these guidelines, and is available to answer questions and serve as a resource for students.

Steps to Take When Booking a Speaker or Performer
  • Take a step back and do some critical thinking.
  • Why are they being invited? How do they align (or not) with your club or organization’s values, and the values of the Bates community?
    • This will require doing some comprehensive research on the individual’s public work – books, articles, interviews, etc.
  • Could there potentially be discomfort, protests, or unrest regarding their appearance on campus?
    • As part of answering this question, research their past college engagements. See if there have been news articles published regarding their appearances, and reach out to the sponsoring organizations on other college campuses to see how they were to work with.
  • Be ready to answer questions from community members about why you invited this individual to campus.
    • Draft a blanket statement regarding all of the above, through the lens of your club or organization’s mission, vision, and values, in the event that people publicly or privately raise concerns. 
Resources for Speakers and Performers
  • Lodging: Campus Life can assist sponsoring organizations with finding lodging accommodations for non-college individuals or groups.
  • Logistical Support: Campus Life can offer support to individuals or sponsoring organizations that are planning to host a speaker or performer. For example, Campus Life may help​​ individuals post their marketing to digital signage or through other forms of advertising, review and sign contracts for speakers and performers that are invited to campus, and assist with brainstorming other aspects of the event planning process to ensure the event is successful.
  • Reserving Spaces: Campus Life can facilitate students reserving performance spaces on campus for their events by helping them navigate the Bates Events Management System. In addition, Campus Life can work with individuals and groups to coordinate the use of a space outside of the Bates campus in the local community or elsewhere for their performance.
  • Production, Security, and Additional Personnel: If you feel that you need help in any aspect of your event, the Office of Campus Life can support you by connecting you to the right people. The office works frequently with a local production company. Similarly, Campus Life can help individuals coordinate with Bates Security and private security companies, Dining, Conferences and Campus Events, or other groups from which your protest may require support.
Resources for Protests
  • Audio/Amplification Equipment: Individuals or groups may contact Campus Life to receive assistance with obtaining amplification equipment such as speakers and microphones.
  • Transportation: If an individual or group would like to protest in a destination that requires travel off-campus, Campus Life can assist with coordinating transportation. For example, buses may be arranged to help larger groups travel to destinations off-campus.
  • Logistical Support: Campus Life can offer support to individuals or sponsoring organizations that are navigating the resources available to them. For example, the office may assist with reserving a space for tabling, help​​ individuals post their messages to digital signage or through other forms of advertising, and assist with brainstorming with individuals organizing a protest to effectively be heard.
  • Production, Security, and Additional Personnel: If you feel that you need help in any aspect of your protest, Campus Life can support you by connecting you to the right people. The office works frequently with a local production company. Similarly, Campus Life can help individuals coordinate with Bates Security and private security companies, Dining, Conferences and Campus Events, or other groups from which your protest may require support.
Reporting of Concerns

Any concerns or questions regarding activities that may be in violation of these guidelines should be reported to Campus Life by emailing campuslife@bates.edu.