As a new Colby student, Orientation is designed to first be an impactful on campus experience. Orientation will be focused on helping you develop a deeper understanding of the amazing academic and personal journey you’re beginning.
It’s about connections—meeting people, making friends, and becoming familiar with your new surroundings, your new home, our values, and our community expectations. It’s about initiating and having challenging conversations on important issues—conversations that will continue in and out of classrooms and be lifelong.
“At Colby, we believe in fostering a vibrant and inclusive learning environment that encourages personal growth, intellectual curiosity, and academic excellence. Whether you’re joining us as a first-year or a transfer student, we are committed to providing you with a transformative educational experience that will lay the foundation for a successful and meaningful future.”
– Gustavo Burkett, Dean of the College
Your official Colby College Orientation is about to start! Colby’s orientation is divided into two programs: an online orientation and the in-person orientation that occurs in late August. Before you arrive on campus in August, you must complete the online orientation.
You will need to create an account to access the program. Please use your Colby email address when you create your account to ensure you receive credit for completing the orientation.
Note that you do not need to complete this orientation in one sitting, your progress will be saved and you can resume the orientation at any time. We also encourage you to take advantage of the features on the site. Feel free to ask questions using the FAQ feature, print documents from the site, and even check items of interest for more in-depth information.
The online orientation is not meant to be a burden nor is it to be confused with the value of the in-person orientation that you will be completing in late August. Nevertheless, we hope that you thoroughly engage with the material and pace yourself appropriately.
Arrival orientation is a six day experience that begins with new students moving into their residence hall, includes the COOT (Colby Outdoor Orientation Trip) experience, and ends when classes begin. Here is a link to the Colby Academic Calendar, and below you will find a few Orientation calendar highlights.
At 8 a.m. for residents of West, Averill, or Leonard will check-in at the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center (HAARC) Field House.
At 9 a.m. for residents of Taylor, Marriner, Paula Crane Lunder, or Piper will check-in at the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center (HAARC) Field House.
At 10 a.m. residents of Sturtevant, Williams, Jacqueline Núñez, or Johnson will check-in at the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center (HAARC) Field House.
Family Assembly begins at 2 p.m. under the Colby Green Tent
Families depart at 3 p.m.
A full Student Guide to Orientation will be provided to all students when they check in on August 29th in the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center Field House. Similarly, families will receive a Family Schedule for the day of August 29th when their student checks in.
During Orientation you will interact with your Orientation Leader (OL) and Orientation Group (O Group), your Community Advisor (CA) and roommates/hallmates, and your COOT Leader and fellow trip participants; all of these groups will be unique and diverse, aimed at helping you connect with new classmates and finding smaller communities with the larger Colby community. Prior to arrival a great way to connect with fellow classmates and current Colby students is through social media accounts and by joining The First Year Journey.
Our innovative “First Year Journey” (FYJ) will integrate Colby’s rich academic program with your social and residential experience here in Waterville. The FYJ will support your holistic growth and flourishing throughout your first year of living and learning at Colby, and will help you form a foundation grounded in our core values of discovery, difference, dialogue, care and community. This strong foundation will set you up for ongoing success as you continue along the “Colby Trail” throughout the years ahead. Your first steps on the Colby Trail begin by joining our FYJ online learning platform, brought to you via our partnership with Omprakash EdGE.
The EdGE is our exclusive incoming first year platform that operates like a virtual network. Over the weeks ahead, you will use the FYJ EdGE platform to access important information and complete key tasks as you prepare for your arrival at Colby. This includes submitting your housing preferences, completing academic placement tests, registering for COOT, requesting disability accommodations, and more! Later in the summer, we will open the FYJ EdGE Classroom, where you will connect with peers and reflect on important content designed to help you make the most of your Colby experience. On The EdGE you will be able to connect with fellow classmates and student leaders to develop community before you even step foot on campus! The EdGE is the go-to community over the summer to engage in discussions and to stay up to date on important dates and deadline reminders.
All enrolled students will receive an email in mid to late May from [email protected] outlining how to set up their Colby email account password. All information is communicated to students through Colby email and should be checked regularly, even daily. If you have any questions or concerns setting the password using the instructions below please contact the ITS Support Center (207-859-4222, support@colby.
Colby’s FLI@Colby Program and International Student Program host Pre-Orientation for first-year students who are first-generation-to-college, low/limited income, and/or international. Participating students move into campus early and attend informative sessions to prepare them for the college experience while building community with others.
Who is Pre-O for?
International students will receive email communication from the International Students Program regarding Pre-Orientation information and campus arrival. The campus move-in dates for international students are Saturday, August 24th and Sunday, August 25th.
Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
The FLI@Colby Program reaches out to eligible first-year students via email with an invite to register for the FLI@Colby Program and Pre-Orientation. The campus move-in dates for registered FLI Pre-Orientation participants are Saturday, August 24th and Sunday, August 25th.
At Colby, first-generation is defined as students who will be the first in their family to complete a four-year degree at a US institution. Low/limited income refers to students with a $0 Expected Family Contribution (EFC). To learn more about FLI@Colby and FLI Student Pre-Orientation, please see the FLI@Colby Program Registration.
Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
All students are required to watch the below video content prior to arriving on campus for Orientation on August 29th. Content from these videos will be discussed during Orientation group meetings and serve as an important foundation to your Colby experience. Questions related to these workshops can be directed to Campus Life at [email protected].
Many choices are inherent in the transition to college. But, perhaps the highest-stakes decisions involve drinking or the use of other drugs. In this presentation, learn common missteps of first-year students adjusting to party culture and resources for building your best social experience. Watch the video here.
The primary mission of the Office of Security is to keep students safe. This video will familiarize first-year students with the many functions of Security while also providing important personal safety tips and showcasing resources available to students. Watch the video here.
The Office of Community Values, Conflict Resolution, and Restorative Practice seeks to build, maintain and restore a campus environment where each student is safe, successful, and in healthy relationships with others. This video describes the various ways we support the campus, and what you can expect if you may have behaved contrary to the community’s values. Watch the video here.
A panel will discuss Colby’s history with fraternities and sororities and the College’s decision to disband them in 1984. Learn the implications of underground organizations and the importance of creating a positive, safe, and inclusive environment for all. Watch the video here.
Dear Class of 2028 and Incoming Transfer Students,
Welcome to Colby College!
We are thrilled to extend our warmest greetings and congratulations as you begin this exciting chapter in your life. As you embark on your journey at Colby, please know that our entire community is eager to welcome you and committed to supporting you every step of the way.
At Colby, we believe in fostering a vibrant and inclusive learning environment that encourages personal growth, intellectual curiosity, and academic excellence. Whether you’re joining us as a first-year or a transfer student, we are committed to providing you with a transformative educational experience that will lay the foundation for a successful and meaningful future.
We encourage you to explore the wide array of academic programs, co-curricular activities, and resources available to you. Our faculty members are experts in their fields and are dedicated to mentoring and guiding you in your academic pursuits. Likewise, our staff provides comprehensive support services, including counseling, career advice, wellness, and student development programs.
As you settle in, you will find a diverse and inclusive community where students from various backgrounds come together to exchange ideas, build lasting friendships, and broaden their perspectives. You will have the opportunity to engage in campus life through student organizations, events, and clubs that represent a wide range of interests. We encourage you to take an active role in shaping your Colby experience. Your voice matters to us, and we value your input in making our College an even better place for all students.
The orientation program focuses on helping you develop a deeper understanding of the academic and personal journey you are beginning. You will be able to learn about resources and create and build connections by meeting new people, making friends, becoming familiar with your new surroundings, and engaging in important conversations that will continue in and out of classrooms. We believe that through thoughtful conversations about topics related to diversity and inclusion, making responsible choices, preventing sexual violence, and building respectful residential communities, you will be better prepared to live in community and learn useful skills that you will apply at Colby and later in life.
Your transition to Colby begins now. In the coming weeks, you should expect further communications through a bi-weekly newsletter, the First Year Journey EdGE platform, and your MyColby portal.
Once again, congratulations on joining our vibrant community. We look forward to witnessing your intellectual and personal growth. Should you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us. All of us at Colby are here to help.
I look forward to connecting with you during your time on campus.
Sincerely,
Gustavo Burkett
Dean of the College