Bates to Announce Plans for the Fall by June 30

Vanessa Paolella and Eleanor Boyle

May 10, 2020

In a letter sent to students on Friday, President Clayton Spencer wrote that Bates intends to announce its plans for the 2020-21 academic year by the end of June. This is in line with other NESCAC institutions which have promised to disclose their plans between mid to late June.   She indicated...

Economic Uncertainty of Bates Amidst COVID-19

Georgina Scoville and Eleanor Boyle

April 22, 2020

Stay-at-home orders across the country are attempting to help flatten the curve of COVID-19; however, these continuous stay at home orders have led to drastic economic repercussions. Various economists have charted different examples of this fallout, such as a rapid increase in unemployment rates, highly u...

Lewiston Farmers & Emergency Food Providers React to COVID-19

Amelia Keleher, Contributing Writer

April 21, 2020

Nationwide, farmers have been forced to let their crops go to waste because of the sharp reduction in demand following restaurant closures, while others have chosen to give their crops away for free rather than watch them rot. Meanwhile, 95% of food banks across the country are struggling to meet the increase in demand as food insecurity grows alongside risin...

Commencement and Reunion Weekend Cancelled amid COVID-19 Concerns

Vanessa Paolella, Managing Editor

April 6, 2020

Bates officially announced the cancellation of both Commencement and Reunion Weekend today as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen in the U.S. While this move is not unexpected, it is a disappointment for the seniors, parents and alumni who were still holding out hope.   Graduation was planned to be held May 31 and Reunion, June 12-14. Instead, President Clayto...

What does COVID-19 mean for our incarcerated population?

Sophie Mackin, Staff Writer

April 3, 2020

Today, we are all grappling with the effects of COVID-19 as well as the fear and anxiety that come with it. However, many of us are able to take steps to protect ourselves and can retreat to our homes with our families. What about those who do not have the privilege of social distancing? What about t...

Bates Virologist Lori Banks Addresses Common COVID-19 Misconceptions

Elizabeth LaCroix, Staff Writer

April 2, 2020

With the outbreak of COVID-19 and our new favorite activity—social distancing—most of our social lives are now confined to social media and the internet. These same platforms, however, make it a lot harder to find reliable resources that are not riddled with fake news about coronavirus. Fortunately,...

How to Survive Quarantine: A Parody

Sam Poulos

March 27, 2020

We all know the preventative measures we need to take in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus—wash your hands, social distancing, etc. But what about quarantine? Many of us are back at home with our families, intruding into the empty nests of our parents. How will we survive being cooped...

Coronavirus? Like the beer?

Roy Mathews

March 27, 2020

I was recently reminded to look for the comedically-dark silver lining in this pandemic after watching an episode of “Spongebob Squarepants” (judge me, please). Sandy Cheeks, everyone's favorite undersea squirrel, remarked that, “stupidity isn’t a virus, but it sure is spreading like one!” ...

Student, Faculty Concerns Prompt Pass/Fail Option

Madeline Polkinghorn, Managing News Editor

March 27, 2020

As of Wednesday, March 25th, Bates has moved to implement an optional pass/fail policy for the remainder of the winter semester as a means of adjusting academic expectations in response to the emergence of COVID-19 and remote learning. The policy, which was communicated by Dean of the Faculty Malcolm ...

Fulbright Program Suspended as Bates Alums Scramble to Return Home

Vanessa Paolella, Managing Editor

March 27, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic escalated two weeks ago, daily life in America and in many countries around the world abruptly changed. In a matter of days, sporting events were cancelled, colleges and universities closed, and stringent travel bans put into place. As challenging as these changes may have ...

Jack Allard ‘16 in Critical Condition during Battle with COVID-19

Vanessa Paolella, Managing Editor

March 23, 2020

Last Updated: March 26, 1:25 p.m. UPDATE [3-26-20]: Jack has been flown to the hospital at UPenn. His oxygen levels continue to rise, and when his liver function is within a normal range, he will be able to begin treatment. 2016 Bates alum and two-time All-American lacrosse athlete Jac...

Coronavirus Concerns Explode across the NESCAC : A Timeline

March 11, 2020

As of now, Bates is the last NESCAC college planning to remain in session as the Coronavirus pandemic progresses. Although the college indicated that it plans to complete the winter semester as scheduled, uncertainty and confusion about the future of athletics, finances, performances, events and sho...