The Bates Board of Trustees held its winter meeting virtually on Friday, February 4, 2022. Most standing committees of the Board also met virtually over the course of the preceding week to conduct their work.

The Board heard updates and held discussions on important campus events and initiatives, including the current unionization effort, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Bates, equity and inclusion work, and the search for a new Vice President for Equity and Inclusion.

Trustees also heard updates on the college’s finances, endowment, Bates Campaign, capital projects, and the Class of 2026 applicant pool. Faculty, staff, and student leaders and members of the Committee on Environmental Responsibility gave a presentation on sustainability accomplishments at Bates and plans for the future. 

Trustees took a number of important annual actions, including setting a range for the 2022–23 academic year single fee, which will be finalized this spring; setting the endowment distribution for the 2022–23 academic year; reappointing the college’s auditor, Mayer Hoffman McCann; accepting the conflict of interest report; and approving recommendations for faculty promotion and tenure from the Faculty Personnel Committee. 

Trustees were joined by faculty, staff, or student representatives at most of its committee meetings and plenary sessions. Unfortunately, pandemic conditions once more prevented Trustees from traveling to campus for in-person meetings and interactions with students, faculty, and staff. The Board remains hopeful for the resumption of on-campus gatherings during its spring meeting.

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for May 5–7, 2022.

Clayton Spencer
President

John Gillespie ’80, P’13, P’18
Chair of the Board of Trustees