![The Bates Community gathers on the Historic Quad for the college's Opening Convocation, featuring a procession with the Class of 2021, faculty and senior staff, a welcome and introduction by President Clayton Spencer, greetings from Walter Washington '19 of Fleetwood, N.Y., president of the Bates College Student Government, a Convocation Address "Summer Posts, Fall Possibilities," and a benediction by Brittany Longsdorf, multi faith Chaplain.](https://www.bates.edu/news/files/2017/09/170905_Convocation_0213-200x133.jpg)
Summer officially starts in two weeks, but it appeared in full swing last month — at the height of Short Term — when students moved around the Historic Quad on bikes and skates, others busting out dance moves.
While a celebration exploded at the steps of Coram Library with a toast and a hug to honor a thesis binding, students elsewhere lounged in the grass, against trees, in Adirondack chairs, one read in a hammock. Many worked away on laptops. Others were ready for some veg time.
As a small crowd enjoyed an impromptu dance rehearsal performed by two students it was clear: It’s Short Term at Bates.