Dear Families,

Many of you may have heard the news that one of our NESCAC peer institutions has announced that the college will move to remote learning so that students can complete their learning off campus beginning March 23, after their spring break, which takes place next week. The timing of this decision is informed by the timing of the college’s spring break, which will involve large numbers of students and others traveling in the next ten days to many destinations where they may be exposed to the COVID-19 virus.  Other colleges with current or upcoming spring breaks may make similar decisions.

Because Bates has a different academic calendar, which does not include a spring break between now and the end of the semester on April 18, we do not have plans at this time to suspend our winter semester on campus. That said, we have been actively monitoring the evolving situation with COVID-19 for a number of weeks, undertaking contingency planning, and considering the implications, in particular, for travel and large group convenings on campus.

Please consult the college’s website for current guidance, which will be updated on an ongoing basis.

Thank you for your patience as we work through this challenging situation.

All my best,
Clayton