Speakers and Performers

Recognized student organizations may invite speakers or performers of their choosing to campus, subject to the guidelines outlined below. A recognized student organization is a Bates College Student Government-recognized club or a student organization supported or advised by an academic or administrative department.

Any guest speaker presenting at Bates should be prepared to listen and respond to questions from the audience. An invitation extended to a guest speaker or performer does not constitute approval or endorsement of the speaker’s or performer’s viewpoint(s) by the college. Ordinarily, recognized student organizations may not accept funding from external persons or entities to bring speakers or performers to campus. The college reserves the right to deny permission to invite speakers or performers whose history or purposes have demonstrated that they would likely constitute a material threat to campus safety or security.

Sponsoring Organization Responsibilities

When inviting a non-college individual or group to speak or perform on campus, sponsoring organizations shall:

  • Notify Campus Life of plans to have a speaker, performer, or event at the college.
  • Make clear to invited speakers and performers that any event or performance must adhere to college policies.
  • Be clearly identified as sponsors in all publicity materials for the event, and at the beginning of the event itself.
  • Be responsible for the cost of additional security measures if the college determines that such measures are necessary should the speaker, performer, or event have the potential to cause violence or damage or pose a threat to the safety or security of individuals on campus. In exceptional cases, the sponsoring organization may request funding from the college to cover necessary security-related expenses.