September 9, 2021 | New Family Orientation Webinar
The following panelists participated in the “Life outside the Bates classroom” new family orientation webinar on Sept. 4, 2021:
- Kim Trauceniek, Senior Associate Dean of Students for Campus Life
- Darby Ray, Director of Harward Center for Community Partnerships and Harward Professor of Civic Engagement
- Molly Newton, Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life and Health Education
- Celine Cunningham, Senior Associate Director of Athletics
- James Reese, Associate Dean for International Student Programs
- Tonya Bailey-Curry, Director of Special Projects + Bobcat First Programs
- Dri Huber, Assistant Dean for LGBTQ+ Programs from the Office for Intercultural Education
- Hoi Ning Ngai, Associate Director for Employer Engagement and Business Advising at the Bates Center for Purposeful Work
A summary of written responses to questions submitted by participants is below.
Q&A
Do student clubs and club sports typically have any sort of fee or dues for participation? What kind of expenses might be associated with different clubs?
Great question! For club sports, it varies by club and is decided by the club leadership. Some clubs have dues to cover some equipment, league fees, or just for social events. Some do not require anything at all and rely on the allocated funds from the college.
Student clubs that Campus Life supports are typically free and accessible to all students. We provide clubs with ample resources to meet their goals. In the rare case that there may be an additional expense, Campus Life has funding to support students if this cost is a barrier.
For families who want to know more about all the club options, try this link: https://www.bates.edu/clubs/
What are the rules and/or checkpoint for the people who attend the Bates’ parties given the Covid situation. Can non-Bates students attend?
Students are required to present a Bates ID to get into any college event.
Will First Year Centers have more planned events together? I am not sure my first-year has gotten to know the other students in their First Year Centers very well yet.
Definitely! Junior Advisors will be leading lots of programs and events for their First Year Centers in the days and weeks ahead. Thanks for this great question.
Can students gather informally?
Yes, students are able to gather informally adhering, of course, to the Covid-19 guidelines they are fully aware of.
Are there any opportunities to “crash” local establishments to support them as many might be struggling with sales or having staff? For example, pick a night for a certain food, open up odering and then have Bates students pick up and deliver?
Love this idea! Yes, that kind of engagement with local businesses is right in line with our emphasis on participating fully in the off-campus community.
Does Purposeful Work help with students who receive work study?
Purposeful Work can definitely work with students on resumes and cover letters and prepping for interviews for work-study and other on-campus jobs! They can connect with our PW fellows or advisors for assistance. There are drop-ins throughout the week with our fellows and they can make appointments with our advisors on our Handshake platform.
Most work study students have the opportunity to do their work in off-campus settings with local nonprofit organizations (in addition to the many on-campus opportunities they have for work study). This can be a great way to get “real world” experience and expand one’s network while making one’s work study dollars.
Study Abroad
Is the study abroad program on hold?
The study abroad program is not on hold! There are students studying abroad this semester and other’s planning to go next semester. Students interested in these options should reach out for the Center for Global Education to get started.