Bates College

The New England Small College Athletic Conference joined a growing number of athletic conferences and institutions in cancelling fall athletic competition in the interest of
ensuring the health and safety of student-athletes and campus communities.
 
After considering all of the health and safety factors involved with competition, the Bates Department of Athletics has decided to cancel the fall 2020 season for our varsity and club programs. Please know that we did not make this decision lightly, but became convinced that it was necessary, and will serve to protect the health and safety of our student-athletes, their families, and our broader campus community.
 
NESCAC Presidents' Statement on Fall Sports
Bates Announcement on Fall Sports
 
This page of FAQs will be updated throughout the summer as necessary. (updated 9/14/2020)
 
 Facility & Recreation
 
Will athletic facilities be open for students to use in the Fall?

Following federal, state, institutional, and industry guidelines and recommendations, the Department of Athletics will make the following health-related modifications to facilities and programs:

• Planning for a staged opening of the facilities and programming.
• Implementing physical distancing to reduce capacity of activity areas and modifications to facilities and equipment.
• Enhanced cleaning practices. This will include shared responsibility by those using the spaces (wiping down areas and equipment before and after use), cleaning by staff members at increased regular intervals, and an increased number of sanitation stations throughout the facilities.
• Gray Cage will be offline and utilized as an additional dining facility.
• Underhill Arena and Davis Fitness Center will be offline and utilized as the campus testing site.

 When will athletic facilities be open?

• Fall semester schedule. 

All dates and times are subject to change.

Who will be allowed to use athletic facilities?

Our public health practices in athletic facilities include physical distancing, which will significantly limit the number of people within the facilities at any given time.

As a result, only students, and those staff that work within the facilities, will be allowed to use athletic facilities.

A Bates ID is required to access any athletic facility. Students will scan their own ID's at the Welcome Desk. Guests and visitors will not be permitted access at this time. 

What cleaning protocols will be in place?

Athletics' top priority is the well-being of all those in our community including students, faculty, and staff. We call upon all our members to come together to do their part to protect themselves and each other. This includes abiding by posted signs, wearing face coverings, washing hands, cleaning equipment, and practicing physical distancing.

Cleaning protocols include:

• Increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces. High contact surfaces in weight and fitness spaces will be cleaned with EPA approved disinfectant every hour. 

• Users will be provided with disinfectant wipes and/or a bottle of disinfectant and a rag to wipe down all equipment before and after use.

What actions can students take to keep themselves and others healthy?

In line with the campus guidelines and procedures, facility users should:

• Stay home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 

• Wear a face covering or mask at all times indoors or outdoors when others are nearby 

• Keep appropriate physical distance between you and others. In many athletic spaces, 14 feet of space is recommended due to the nature of increased respiration during exercise.

• Wash your hands regularly, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Bring a reusable water bottle.

• Limit the number of personal items you bring with you to the facility. 

• Arrive at the facility in your workout clothes, or swim suit if using the pool, so you do not need to change. Locker rooms will be closed except for use of the restrooms. Showers will not be available. 

What changes should I expect in the Athletic Facilities?

• Area or programs that will be open/available (*by reservation only):

  • Merrill Gymnasium: Cardio Room*, Fitness Center*, Indoor Track & Tennis Courts*, Tarbell Pool*, Sports Medicine, Dance Studios

  • Outdoor Facilities: Russell St. Track, Wallach Tennis Center, Outdoor Fields

  • Virtual Fitness classes

• Areas or programs that will be closed/unavailable:

  • Gray Cage and Underhill Arena

  • Alumni Gymnasium

  • Climbing Wall in Merrill Gym

  • Locker rooms 

• Per guidelines related to physical activity, in many athletic spaces you will be asked to keep 14 feet of distance between yourself and others.

• Floor markings and directional signage will be posted for navigating the building and while in certain spaces 

• Capacity limits will be identified per space and will meet or exceed standards established by public health officials.

• Layout changes, including equipment moved to new spaces such as the Davis Fitness Center relocation to the Merrill Gym indoor track. 

• Reservation check in stations throughout the building. Access to most spaces will be limited to those with a reservation.

• Users must have a reservation in order to access the facilities. Exceptions include those attending a class, sports medicine, and those that work in the athletic facilities. 

• Guests (those without a valid Bates ID) will not be permitted to use the athletic facilities except for the Russell St. Track.

• Locker rooms will be closed, except for the use of restrooms. 

Will outdoor facilities/spaces/fields be open for student-led workouts and optional practices?

All activities will observe state and institutional guidelines for gatherings, including physical distancing and limitations on group size and contact sports. The Department of Athletics will assist teams, clubs, and other campus groups with scheduling when possible. Limited facility availability should be expected and safety restrictions will be in place. Coach and/or staff supervision will be required for any such gatherings.
 
Will I have to wear a face covering during athletic and fitness activities?
 
In accordance with the college's Universal Face Covering Statement, face coverings are required in all shared spaces on campus, including congested outdoor pathways, residence hallways, residence bathrooms, and in private workspaces when others are present. Exceptions may include when community members are in a room alone or when one is outside and can maintain a six-foot physical distance.

The ONLY exception to this policy within athletics is a face covering may be removed for lap swimming. Please note, face coverings should be worn onto the pool deck and only removed just prior to entering the water and replaced immediately upon exiting the water. 

According to Maine CDC guidelines, "when engaging in strenuous activities that would make wearing a face covering difficult/impossible, physical distancing should be 14 feet. Group activities can only occur if 14 feet can be maintained." Therefore, teams may conduct outdoor group activities without wearing face coverings as long as physical distancing of 14 feet is maintained. Student-athletes should still have a mask with them and wear the mask during times when physical distancing cannot be maintained or when they are not engaging in strenuous activity.

Please consider the following recommendations prior to engaging in physical activity while wearing a face covering:

• Ensure your face covering is comfortable and secure prior to engaging in physical activity. Avoid touching your face and limit touching/adjusting your face covering during physical activity as much as possible. 

• Carry a second face covering with you and replace face coverings when they become damp/wet while engaging in physical activity.

• Try to utilize a face covering with two layers that is made from breathable, synthetic materials as they can help lessen moisture buildup compared to surgical, paper, or cotton fabric face coverings and those with more than two layers.

• STOP physical activity or take a break if breathing becomes difficult. Aim to perform higher intensity exercises outdoors or in areas with greater physical distancing opportunities. 

• If you have existing heart or lung conditions, decrease the intensity of your typical physical activity and stop immediately if breathing becomes difficult or you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or sick. 

• After physical activity, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Once in a safe and proper setting to do so, remove your face covering by only touching the back or straps and avoid touching your face. 

• Wash your face covering after each use if it is reusable cloth or discard single use face coverings.

What activities will be offered this fall?

Athletics recognizes the value of building social connections while staying active. During this time of physical distancing, it is more important than ever to identify low risk opportunities for connecting with others on campus. To achieve that goal, the athletic department plans to offer programming opportunities during the fall semester (on or about August 31) that comply with CDC and public health official's recommendations. Examples of this programming includes:

• Virtual Fitness classes and resources accessible to the Bates community for free. 

• Group Fitness classes offered outdoors and with reduced capacity. 

• Outdoor Fitness and Recreation equipment and programming including a new Fitness Park, structured walking/jogging routes through campus with exercise stations, and access to local resources

Can we reserve the facilities?

We will follow state and institutional guidelines for gatherings, physical distancing and limitations on group size and contact sports. For groups who want to recreate under these guidelines, the athletic department will assist in scheduling these spaces when possible. Supervision may be required for any such gathering.

Intercollegiate Athletics and Club Sports
 
Will fall student-athletes return to campus early to begin pre-season?

No. Student-athletes will arrive on campus with other students.
 
What will it be like to participate on a team this fall?

After considering all of the health and safety factors involved with competition, Bates College has cancelled the fall seasons for our varsity and club programs. Individual return-to-play protocols will be in place for varsity and club sports to offer an athletic experience without competition within the parameters of federal, state, NCAA, and institutional public health guidance. In the meantime, we plan for teams and clubs to be able to practice and gather this fall under the supervision of their coaches, as long as we observe physical distancing and comply with all safety standards in place across campus. There will be no team practices or approved gatherings without appropriate staff or coach supervision.
 
Will winter and spring teams be able to participate in non-traditional season practices in the fall?
 
In accordance with NESCAC's revised regulations, there may be opportunities for out-of-season teams to gather and practice with their coaches in attendance. Facility scheduling will give priority to in-season teams for their practices. We will work as best we can to provide opportunities for non-traditional season activity wherever possible.
 
Will the off-campus athletic facilities (i.e. rowing boathouse, squash center) be available?
 
We expect off-campus athletic facilities to remain closed at the beginning of the fall semester, for a minimum of two weeks. We will re-evaluate the possibility of opening these facilities as conditions allow and will work with our partners in Facilities Services to ensure that enhanced cleaning techniques are implemented when the facilities re-open.
 
When will decisions be made about winter and spring sports competition?

The recent NESCAC statement specifically applied to fall competition. Decisions about winter or spring sport competitions will be made at a later date and probably well into the fall semester. We will continue to monitor public health guidance and work with our counterparts in NESCAC as well as the state of Maine. 
 
Will there be an opportunity for fall sports to have a competitive season in the spring?

While, the NESCAC remains committed as a conference and as individual institutions to providing the best experience possible for our student-athletes, it is important to be guided by current realities as well, including but not limited to the following: 

1. Current NCAA legislation does not permit fall sports to compete in the spring. 
2. If current public health conditions continue or worsen throughout the upcoming months, the opportunities for competition will remain limited as they are for this fall. 
3. If public health conditions permit more robust competition in the spring the first priority will be the experience of the spring student-athletes. Various resources such as field space, lack of lighting, and staffing challenges will create significant obstacles to the pursuit of fall sport competition in the spring.
 
What impact will this have on my athletic eligibility?

The NCAA determines any changes regarding eligibility policies. The latest NCAA information on the 2020-21 season states that Division III student-athletes will not be charged a season of eligibility for the 2020-21 season if their team can complete only 50 percent or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read the full release from the NCAA here.
 
Have there been any changes to compliance or to protocols for medical clearance paperwork and screening/baseline requirements?

Student-athletes must still complete both their NCAA compliance and their medical clearance paperwork before being allowed to participate in any team athletic activity. Further questions regarding compliance may be directed to Celine Cunningham, Senior Associate Director of Athletics at ccunning@bates.edu. Further questions regarding medical clearance may be sent to sportsmedicine@bates.edu.

Sports Medicine

What are the expectations in the sports medicine clinic? 

• We will be scaling down the number of people in the sports medicine clinic to allow for physical distancing. 
• Active capacities have been identified for each sports medicine facility under the current public health guidance.
• You will need to show up on time for appointments and move with a purpose through your treatment for the day. 
• Sports medicine staff will be mindful of risk mitigations strategies when making clinical decisions on plan of care, including minimizing hands on contact time and modality usage where possible.   
• We ask that you are conscious of the people around you and maintain 6 feet between you and your fellow student-athletes at all times. 
• Be considerate of those around you and communicate with your athletic trainer should you feel uncomfortable for any reason.

What cleaning protocols are in place?

In addition to the general athletic facility cleaning protocols, regular cleaning of surfaces and equipment are done after use occurs, as well as regularly scheduled full clean breaks where the facility is closed for 30 minutes and a comprehensive cleaning of all high touch areas and surfaces is done.  

Are walk-in appointments allowed?

Walk-in appointments are for emergencies only. For non-emergent situations, you will need to reach out to the sports medicine email for an appointment.

How will I schedule an appointment with an athletic trainer? 

Appointments can be scheduled by emailing sportsmedicine@bates.edu. Please include your name, sport, reason for your appointment request, and your availability in the next 24 hours. Including this information will help expedite your ability to get an appointment.

How do I cancel or reschedule an appointment and what type of notice is required?

If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment please email sportsmedicine@bates.edu. Please be sure to reschedule no later than 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time. Please be cognizant that if you have scheduled an appointment that means another student-athlete was unable to receive treatment in the time.  If you consistently cancel appointments, we will prioritize other appointments and communicate with your coaches.

Where should I leave my belongings when I come to an appointment?

There will be cubbies provided for you as storage for your belongings during your appointment. Please use the available cleaning supplies to wipe out the cubbies after use. 

Will I need to wear a face covering? 

Yes, per Bates College policy you are required to wear an appropriate face covering at all times while on campus, including any of our Sports Medicine Facilities. 

What will the hours of availability be for treatment? 

Daily hours for appointments in Stage I and II will be between 10:00a.m. to 7:00p.m.  When we enter Stage III treatment times will run from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. to allow athletic trainers to provide onsite practice coverage.

Will there be practice coverage during team activity?

In Stage I and II of resocialization guidelines, practice coverage will be provided by an on-call athletic trainer in a central location on campus. The athletic trainer on-call will respond to a student-athlete who sustains an injury during practice. In Stage III, when contact is allowed, an athletic trainer will be present at practices similar to previous years.
 
Prospective Student-athletes
 
I'm a prospective student-athlete. How will this affect my recruitment?

Recruiting practices will continue in accordance with NCAA and NESCAC regulations. In-person recruiting events, both on and off-campus, have been suspended by the NESCAC until further notice. Our coaches will be engaging in a virtual format as needed. Please reach out to the coach of your chosen sport for more information. For more information regarding when campus tours may resume, you can visit the Bates Admissions website.
 
Intramurals and Recreation
 
Will intramural sports be offered this year?

Due to space and safety constraints, Bates will not offer intramural programming in the fall, but we will look to expand recreational offerings, both virtually and outdoors. We will be increasing outdoor fitness and recreational opportunities for the fall as well as offering more classes and interactions in a virtual format. Our B Well programs will continue, although we will look to relocate classes to outdoor spaces as well as create virtual options for attending B Well programs. Intramural programs may be offered later in the academic year if space allows for proper safety and distancing measures to be in place.

Who should I call/email about…?

Staff can be reached by email at athletics@bates.edu or by phone at 207-786-6341 during business hours.