The governance of Bates College is set out in the charter and bylaws for the college. According to the charter, the president and the board of trustees hold fiduciary responsibility for the institution. The composition and duties of the faculty are described in Article IX. The teaching faculty’s work on ad hoc, appointed, and elected committees, along with some policies specific to the role of teaching faculty, are described in the faculty handbook. The faculty also adhere to the policies and guidance provided in the employee handbook.

Faculty Governance Information

• Committees: Information regarding the composition and charge of the elected, appointed, and ad hoc committees of the college.
• The Faculty Handbook: Information and resources to inform faculty of their work as teachers, scholars, advisors, and members of the faculty body. It also outlines information on faculty rights, responsibilities, and protections and defines the various roles pertaining to shared governance. A link to previous handbooks may also be found on the Faculty Handbook page.
• Faculty Meeting Schedule 2026-2027
• Guiding Principles for Faculty Governance
• Faculty Legislation Template. In order to provide the CFG and the faculty the information needed to understand all aspects of a legislation proposal, the CFG has developed a legislation template. Proposals may utilize different formats, but all the elements in the template must be included.
• Legislation Template – pdf
• Legislation Template – Word
• Faculty Meeting Records Repository
• Communication. Policy for Moderated Content, including Bates Now, and Faculty/Staff listservs.
• Curricular Timeline of Bates College. This Academic Timeline reviews the major changes to the academics of the College from 1855 to the present.