In the beginning, the Orient was laid out in a smaller magazine format and included literary material such as poems and fiction alongside its news.

[8] The Orient currently has an on-campus print distribution of approximately 1,000, and mails the paper to several hundred paid subscribers, including alumni, parents and other friends of the College.

It is distributed to the dining halls, the library, the student union and various other College buildings, as well as in a number of businesses and restaurants in downtown Brunswick.

[9] The current mission statement, published in every edition, reads: "The Bowdoin Orient is a student-run weekly publication dedicated to providing news and information relevant to the College community.

Editorially independent of the College and its administrators, the Orient pursues such content freely and thoroughly, following professional journalistic standards in writing and reporting.

The Orient is committed to serving as an open forum for thoughtful and diverse discussion and debate on issues of interest to the College community.