Campus Traditions

Life at Bates is defined by the vibrancy of our community – check out exciting campus traditions that you’ll take part in as a Batesie!

Fall Traditions

The South Asian Student Association hosts a Diwali celebration every fall!

Before November break, DCCE puts together a community meal called the “Harvest Dinner”.

During Harvest Dinner, a horse drawn carriage makes it way around campus!

The annual Trashion Show sees faculty and student designs turn what would be waste into fashion!

The Bates Musicians Union and WRBC (our own radio station) puts on a Halloween Bash featuring cover bands!

Bates goes all out for the annual Halloween Dance!

Snow Ball is our fall semester semi-formal!

Winter and Spring Traditions

Each year the International Club hosts the International Dinner, where students cook global meals!

Each Winter Carnival, Bates students jump into Lake Andrews for the annual Puddle Jump!

To warm up after Puddle Jump students gather around a bonfire!

Each Ramdan, the Muslim Student Assocation holds a banquet to break Iftar as a community.

The Caribbean Student Association and Raices Unidas partner up for a cultural showcase!

The Africana Fashion Show is one of the longest running club events at Bates!

Gala is our yearly formal dance! We bring a live band, with the last five years being East Coast Soul!

Campus Safety hosts Bobcat BBQ each short term!

Weekly and Semester Traditions

Pause is a Multifaith Chaplaincy program where we take some time in the middle of the week to “pause” and reflect.

Chase Hall After Dark (CHAD) happens every Friday! One event that is a Bates favorite is Den Trivia!

Chase Hall After Dark (CHAD) happens every Friday! One event that is a Bates favorite is bingo!

Village Club Series is a concert series that brings outside artists to campus!

Village Club Series is a concert series that brings outside artists to campus or as pictured here, host student showcases!

Our five a cappella groups on campus perform multiple times each semester!