{"id":6939,"date":"2016-01-20T12:45:57","date_gmt":"2016-01-20T17:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/admission\/?page_id=6939"},"modified":"2026-07-28T15:49:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T19:49:51","slug":"equity-inclusion","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/admission\/explore-bates\/equity-inclusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Equity & Inclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Admission and Student Financial Services Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Opening its doors in 1855, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ is New England\u2019s first co-educational college. Since our founding, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ has sought \u2014 and continues to seek \u2014 students inclusive of all racial, gender, religious, and class identities. The college\u2019s long-standing and profound commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is at the core of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ community and informs the access-oriented work of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Admission and Student Financial Services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recognize that your ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ experience begins with us. As such, we want you to know that ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½\u2019 mission statement, principles, and values<\/a>, which have been tested and have evolved over time, are central to our mission-critical work. They require us to constantly reflect upon and recommit to the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ mission to ensure that we can and will best serve prospective students, families, and high school counselors in the name of diversity, equity, and inclusion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Admission and Student Financial Services proudly and purposefully embraces\u00a0\u201cthe transformative power of our differences\u201d\u00a0<\/em>and strives to be \u201ca college for coming times,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0as articulated in the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College mission statement<\/a>. Our admission and financial aid policies are clearly tied to these elements of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ mission statement. Annually, we seek to enroll diverse and talented students on behalf of the college, and institutionally, we commit to meeting 100 percent of a student\u2019s financial need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Mohammad
Mohammad Zayd \u201927 and Ava Steinberger \u201927, BCSG co-presidents for 2026-2027. Courtesy of Mohammad Zayd.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our Mission Statement<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Since 1855, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College has been dedicated to the emancipating potential of the liberal arts. ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ educates the whole person through creative and rigorous scholarship in a collaborative residential community. With ardor and devotion \u2014 Amore ac Studio<\/em> \u2014 we engage the transformative power of our differences, cultivating intellectual discovery and informed civic action. Preparing leaders sustained by a love of learning and a commitment to responsible stewardship of the wider world, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ is a college for coming times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the President’s Desk: ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Responds to Supreme Court’s Ruling in LGBTQ+ Case<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

On June 30, 2023, President Clayton Spencer and President-elect Garry Jenkins wrote to the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ community to reiterate support to the LGBTQ+ community in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in 303 Creative, LLC v. Elenis<\/em>. We encourage you to read the college’s official statement<\/a> addressing this decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the President’s Desk: ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Responds to Supreme Court’s Ruling on Race-Conscious College Admissions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court released its decisions in cases regarding the constitutionality of race-conscious college admissions. We encourage you to read ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’ official statement<\/a> addressing these decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the President’s Desk: The Work of Antiracism at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

On June 15, 2020, President Clayton Spencer sent a message to the campus community affirming and detailing the college’s commitment to the work of antiracism. To learn more about ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’ commitment to racial equity and inclusion as a core institutional and mission-driven priority, please read President Spencer’s full statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prologue to ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

At ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, we value the diversity of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, and engage in the transformative power of our differences. Our commitment to equity and inclusion is the guiding principle behind Prologue to ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, a program geared towards students entering their senior year who express interest in being a part of our inclusive and pluralistic community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each year, we welcome applications from individuals intending to enter college as first-year students in the upcoming fall semester who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or undocumented\/DACA students residing in the United States. Prologue is designed to serve students who are first-generation-to-college students and low-income students. Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Beginnings <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Beginnings is a fun and informative on-campus event for all admitted students and their families that helps them gain an even stronger sense of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ community and academics. ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ includes in this event programming for students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including first-generation-to-college and low-income students. ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Beginnings happens in April, and Admission provides travel and overnight housing to select admitted students who may not be able to afford to visit, and have not visited previously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Office of Equity and Inclusion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Office of Equity and Inclusion<\/a> (OEI) advances the college\u2019s commitment to equity and inclusion by implementing and supporting campus-wide initiatives that strategically and proactively promote inclusive excellence and educational justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Center for Belonging and Community<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Student Center for Belonging and Community<\/a> supports the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College community by providing educational cultural programming to students. Learn more about Bobcat First!<\/a>, a program for first generation to college students; LGBTQIAP2+ and SPARQ!<\/a> programming and mentorship; and our Let’s Talk program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Affairs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Student Affairs Office intentionally manages all support for students centrally to create a more supportive and cohesive experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn about our support for International Students<\/a> and Accessible Education<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n