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2026-2027 Returning Student Housing Selection Process

The Housing Selection Process is the mechanism through which returning students select their housing assignments for the upcoming academic year, either individually or as part of a group. This page provides returning students with comprehensive information about the process, including key dates and deadlines.

Students who will be studying abroad during Fall 2026 should consult the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process website for details regarding their return.

The information provided on this page is not meant for incoming first-year (Class of 2030) and transfer students. New students will receive information about housing in June. 

Important Dates & Deadlines

Please review the timeline below to ensure you are aware of all important dates and deadlines associated with the Housing Selection Process

 
  • Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Housing Applications for the 2026 – 2027 Academic Year open
  • Monday, March 2, 2026: Deadline for Housing Applications by 12:00PM Noon (EST)
  • Thursday, March 05, 2026: Eligibility notifications sent to applicants for Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community and/or Senior/Independent Living
  • Tuesday, March 31, 2026: Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community decisions released
  • Thursday, April 2, 2026: Accommodation/Request placements released
  • Monday, April 20, 2026: Deadline for late Housing Applications by 12:00PM Noon (EST)
  • Tuesday, April 21, 2026: Housing Accommodation/Request placement decisions due

Please review the timeline below to ensure you are aware of all important dates and deadlines associated with the Housing Selection Process

 
  • Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Housing Applications for the 2026 – 2027 Academic Year open
  • Sunday, March 8, 2026: Deadline for Housing Applications by 11:55PM (EST)
  • Wednesday, April 1, 2026: Eligibility notifications sent to applicants for Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community and/or Senior/Independent Living
  • Monday, April 13, 2026: Accommodation/Request placements released
  • Thursday, April 23, 2026: Deadline for late Housing Applications by 12:00PM Noon (EST)
  • Thursday, April 23, 2026: Housing Accommodation/Request placement decisions due by 12:00PM Noon (EST)

Housing Selection Dates

Students will receive their housing selection times by 7:00PM (EST) on the designated release date. Housing selection will take place starting at 5:00PM (EST) on each selection night. 
 
  • Thursday, April 16, 2026: Selection times released for Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community & Senior/Independent Living
  • Monday, April 20, 2026:  Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community & Senior/Independent Living Housing Selection 
  • Tuesday, April 21, 2026: Selection times released for new residence on Mayflower Hill Drive
  • Wednesday, April 22, 2026: new residence on Mayflower Hill Drive Housing Selection
  • Thursday, April 23, 2026:  Selection times released for General Housing 
  • Monday, April 27 – Wednesday, April 29, 2026: General Housing Selection

Please explore each of the topics below for more detailed information, including frequently asked questions. If you still have questions after reviewing the information provided, please contact our office at [email protected] or by phone at 207-859-4280.

Housing Applications

All full-time students attending classes on Mayflower Hill are required to live in College-owned residential facilities for the entirety of their enrollment at Colby College. To participate in the Housing Selection process and secure a space, all students must complete a housing application. 

  • Log into the Colby College Housing Portal
    • Choose “Resident”
    • Your username is your Colby login (there is NO @colby.edu here)
    • Your password is your Colby password

Students are encouraged to explore all residential opportunities for which they meet the specific eligibility criteria.

Students may apply to multiple housing processes—such as the Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community (Alfond Main St. Commons), Senior/Independent Living, or Mayflower Hill Residence Hall—provided you meet the individual eligibility requirements for each specific community.

Please be aware that while you may apply to multiple processes, you may only select one housing assignment. Once you have successfully selected a housing placement during any phase of the process, you immediately become ineligible to participate in any subsequent housing selection rounds.

  • Application Requirements: To be considered for specialized communities, you must complete both the general Returning Student Housing Application and the specific application for that community by the designated deadline.

  • Roommate Groups: If you are part of a roommate group, all members must have completed their applications and must not have already secured housing through a prior selection process. 

  • Any student that completes a late housing application (after the application deadline and before the release of selection times) will receive a selection time at the bottom of General Housing Selection (regardless of class year). 
  • Any student that completes a housing application after the release of selection times will be assigned a placement by the Office of the Residential Experience during the summer.
  • Students that do not complete an application for the Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community, Mayflower Hill Residence Hall, or Senior/Independent Living by the March 8 deadline cannot be pulled into the Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community, Mayflower Hill Residence Hall, or Senior/Independent Living by a potential roommate or roommate group after the application deadline has passed.

Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community

The Civic Engagement Living Learning Community located at the Bill & Joan Alfond Main St. Commons, focuses on building relationships and engaging with Waterville area nonprofit organizations and community members. Junior and Senior class year students interested in strengthening or developing one’s civic identity and purpose are encouraged to apply. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to active participation in community engagement, thoughtful dialogue, and civic reflection. More information about this community are available on the  For Applicants tab on the Alfond Main St. Commons Student Resource Site.

Students must complete both the 2026 – 2027 Returning Student Housing Application – ALL STUDENTS REQUIRED as well as the 2026 – 2027 Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community (Alfond Main St. Commons) Application. Both applications may be found on the Colby College Housing Portal and must be INDIVIDUALLY completed and submitted by EACH resident of the proposed apartment group.

As a member of the Alfond Main St. Commons Civic Engagement Living & Learning Community, students are required to complete two orientation sessions, 20 hours of community engagement activity, and participation in two forms of civic reflection as outlined below: 

  • Incoming Resident Orientation & Planning Session:
    • All incoming residents (regardless of whether you have lived in the Alfond Main St. Commons in the past) must attend one civic engagement planning and information session in the spring or summer before moving into Alfond Commons. This information session will offer all the information students need to successfully make a civic engagement plan for the upcoming year, including where to begin identifying a partner, learning what opportunities are available, and how to finalize a plan before the semester. 
  • Omprakash Orientation:  
    • All incoming residents must attend a virtual Omprakash orientation session to preview the classroom content and expectations and provide logistics information on using the platform. Students can log one hour toward their 20-hour semester requirement for attending the orientation session.
  • Register for CE 200-A: Engaged Citizenship: 
    • This non-graded one-credit course awards credit for completing all of the following CE requirements for the semester. Students must complete 100% of the requirements by the last day of the semester to receive the credit.  
  • Civic and Community Engagement: 20 Hours/Semester 
    • Completing 20 hours of community engagement activity with a local nonprofit or external community partner (averaging about 2 hours/week).
      • This work may include, but is not limited to: direct service and volunteering, internships with nonprofit organizations, fundraising and philanthropy roles, civic engagement courses, civic learning and training opportunities, community organizing and activism, community-engaged research, and policy and governance work with an external community partner. Hours must be completed between the first and last days of classes each semester (Fall and Spring). Students are not expected to complete service during Jan Plan and cannot count hours completed during that time toward the semester hour requirements.
    • Residents are responsible for consistently logging their 20 community engagement activity hours and submitting this information via Omprakash. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor their own progress toward meeting the hours requirement and seek support from the Office of Civic Engagement staff if any obstacles arise that impact their ability to complete their hours. Hours must be completed in full by the last day of classes each semester. 
  • Formal Civic Reflection:
    • Fall & Spring: Students will participate in two forms of civic reflection: 
      • In-Person Civic Reflection and Dialogue Sessions: These sessions will be led by Faculty in Residence and Alfond Commons Peers Leaders. Students will gather monthly to reflect on their civic engagement experiences in Waterville and the essential questions from the EdGE Classroom. Students are required to participate in a minimum of two sessions per semester. 
      • Omprakash Edge Online Learning Platform: Students engage in two learning units per semester, exploring essential questions in civic and community engagement through various multimedia content. Students will asynchronously engage with their peers in this online learning community and complete blog posts/reflections on their learning and civic engagement experiences in the Greater Waterville community. Both units must be completed in full by the last day of classes each semester. 

As a resident of the Alfond Main Street Commons Apartments, you are expected to participate in the initiatives outlined below: 

  • Hall Council:
    • The Hall Council meets regularly and is led by the Alfond Main Street Commons ACLs. At least one representative from each apartment needs to attend the meeting (does not have to be the same student each time). More information will be provided to students prior to housing selection.
  • Party Registration:
    • Students who intend to host a party that will include more than 20 students will need to complete a Party Registration Form by the Wednesday prior to the event. Please note these events can only take place on a Friday or Saturday night. 
  • Party Host Training:
    • In order for an apartment to host a party, at least ¾ of the apartment needs to participate in Party Host Training. The training will be held within the first three weeks of the fall semester. Students will be provided more information about date and location at a later time.

Students interested in applying and living in the Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community MUST attend a virtual information session about the community. The information session details are provided below. Please click on the webinar you are able to attend to register. Students who cannot attend either of these sessions MUST inform the Civic Engagement team at [email protected]. 

  • Monday, February 16, 2026, 5:30PM-6:30PM (EST), Webinar
  • Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 5:30PM-6:30PM (EST), Webinar

Only Students in the class of 2027 and 2028 can participate in the Housing Selection Process for the Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community. On Tuesday, March 31st student applicants will be informed if they have been selected to reside in this community. Accepted students will be provided their selection times on Friday, April 3, 2026 and students will select their housing placements on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Students who have been accepted into the Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community are ineligible to participate in other Housing Selection Processes. 

Senior/Independent Living

Senior/Independent Living consists of the Alfond Senior Apartments, 36 Mt Merici, and Hill House. These communities are dedicated to members of the senior class who are invested in creating respect, inclusivity, connections, and personal accountability within their living spaces. Students will have the chance to live in independent style housing while still being afforded the resources and support of the College.

A brick building with large windows and a central entrance labeled ALFOND, surrounded by trees.
Alfond Apartments
Alfond Apartments

Students must complete both the 2026 – 2027 Returning Student Housing Application – ALL STUDENTS REQUIRED as well as the 2026 – 2027 Senior/Independent Living Application. Both applications may be found on the Colby College Housing Portal and must be INDIVIDUALLY completed.

As a resident of the Alfond Senior Apartments, you are expected to participate in the initiatives outlined below: 

  • Hall Council:
    • The Hall Council meets bi-weekly and is led by the Senior Apartment ACLs. At least one representative from each apartment needs to attend the meeting (does not have to be the same student each time)
  • Party Registration:
    • Students who intend to host a party that will include more than 20 students will need to complete a Party Registration Form by the Wednesday prior to the event. Please note these events can only take place on a Friday or Saturday night.
  • Party Host Training:
    • In order for an apartment to host a party, at least ¾ of the apartment needs to participate in Party Host Training. The training will be held within the first three weeks of the fall semester. Students will be provided more information about date and location at a later time.

Only 2026J, 2027 and 2027J graduates can participate in the Housing Selection Process for the Senior/Independent Living. On Tuesday, March 5th student applicants will be informed if they are eligible to reside in this community. Accepted students will be provided their selection times on Friday, April 3, 2026 and students will select their housing placements on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Once students select a housing placement, they are ineligible to participate in other Housing Selection Processes. 

Intercultural Living and Learning Community

The Intercultural Living and Learning Community (ILLC) is a community that will engage residents in facilitated learning experiences to improve their ability to communicate across lines of difference, deepen their understanding of social identities, and develop the tools for cross-cultural collaboration. Supported by Diversity Peer Leaders, this community will include specific opportunities for participants including regular training and reflections, as well as active involvement in community-building activities and programming.

  • Location – Goddard-Hodgkins.
  • Eligibility – Open to all upper class year students with preference provided to second-year students.
  • Community Expectations – Living within the ILLC students will have the following opportunities:
    • Formal Intercultural Skills-Building & Reflection (Fall & Spring)
        • Participation in monthly training and dialogue sessions focused on the skills of intergroup dialogue and intercultural understanding. Facilitated by Diversity Peer Leaders and/or members from the Colby College community.
        • Participation in monthly sessions to collectively reflect and openly process through intercultural learning, and campus-wide/current events.
    • Community-Building Activities (Fall & Spring)
      • Host one (1) community-building activity [with other residents and with the support of the Faculty and/or Staff In Residence (FIR/SIR) and Peer Educators] in either the fall or spring semester that connect to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This includes events for community-building within the ILLC and events for community-building with the entire campus community. 
      • Attend one (1) community-building activities led by peers and Diversity Peer Leaders each semester (1 per semester).
  • Learn More – Students with any questions may contact Kimberly Walton-Trajkovski, Associate Dean and Director of the Pugh Center ([email protected]).

Eligibility Requirements: Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community & Senior/Independent Living

Students considering the Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community (Bill and Joan Alfond Main St. Commons) and Senior Year/Independent Living (Alfond Senior Apartments) must meet specific eligibility requirements for living in these communities. For explanations of terms or processes, or for full descriptions of the Code of Conduct, please refer to the Student Handbook. 

Students are automatically ineligible for the Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community and Senior/Independent Living if any of the following are true:

 

You are not part of the class year required by the community. Class year is determined by the Registrar’s Office.

Residents of the Alfond Main Street Commons Apartments MUST be in the class of 2027 or 2028 for the 2026-2027 academic year. Residents of the Senior/Independent Living MUST be 2026J, 2027 and 2027J graduates for the 2026-2027 academic year.

You have failed to meet program expectations and requirements as outlined in previous specialty housing contracts/agreements.

You have previously lived within the Senior/Independent Living  in the prior year (Senior Apartments only).

At the time of application review, you are on probation which extends into the period you will be in application-based housing (i.e. probation extending past September 7, 2026)

  • You are NOT disqualified if you are currently on probation, but the probation ends before you are due to move into application-based housing.

You have previously had a disciplinary suspension from Colby (Community Values, Academic Integrity, or Title IX Suspension)

You have been found “responsible” for a Fire Safety Violation through the Administrative Resolution Process within 1 year prior to the deadline for applications (between March 02, 2025 and March 02, 2026)

You have been found “responsible” for a Sexual Misconduct/Title IX/Identity-Based Harassment through the Administrative Resolution Process within 1 year prior to the deadline for applications (between March 02, 2025 and March 02, 2026)

You have been found “responsible” for Vandalism through the Administrative Resolution Process within 1 year prior to the deadline for applications (between March 02, 2025 and March 02, 2026)

You have been found “responsible” for the following Alcohol Violations through the Administrative Resolution Process within 1 year prior to the deadline for applications (between March 02, 2025 and March 02, 2026)

  • Students over 21 years of age furnishing beer and wine, or a place to consume beer and wine, to students under 21 years of age
  • Encouraging students under the age of 21 to use alcohol
  • Contributing to the intoxication of other students resulting in hospitalization for intoxication, alcohol related injuries, sexual misconduct, or other serious violations
  • Facilitating, planning or taking part in irresponsible activities that involve drinking, such as unregistered parties, drinking games, themed parties. Drinking games include activities such as, but not limited to, beer pong, flip, and king’s cup. Themed parties include, but are not limited to, handcuff parties.
  • Keg possession outside of registered parties
  • Arrest for an OUI during the academic year, or while working at Colby during the summer months, regardless of the location of the arrest.

You have been found “responsible” for the following Drug Violations through the Administrative Resolution Process within 1 year prior to the deadline for applications (between March 02, 2025 and March 02, 2026)

  • Possessing, using, manufacturing, furnishing, or selling scheduled drugs, including, but not limited to, cocaine, LSD, heroin, amphetamines, barbiturates, and steroids, regardless of location
  • Furnishing or selling prescription medications
  • Possessing drug paraphernalia, including but not limited to “bongs” or water pipes, and the like
  • Encouraging other students to use drugs
  • Irresponsible use of drugs that leads to disruptive, abusive, or destructive behavior
  • Contributing to the intoxication of other students resulting in hospitalization for intoxication, or drug related injuries, sexual misconduct, or other violations
  • Arrest for an OUI during the academic year, or while working at Colby during the summer months, regardless of the location of the arrest.

You are automatically disqualified if you engaged in “Prohibited Behaviors” relating to alcohol or drugs on 2 or more occasions within 1 year prior to the deadline for applications (between March 02, 2025 and March 02, 2026) – including cases resolved through Informal Resolutions or for which Medical Amnesty was applied.

Students with specific questions related to their individual Community Values standing at the College are encouraged to contact [email protected].

Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community Applicants: Should a student group application be declined due to a member’s Community Values standing, all members of the application will be randomly within their individual class within General Housing Selection Process.

Healthy Colby Wellness

The Healthy Colby Wellness community offers students an environment that supports student wellness by providing programming and opportunities focused on the eight domains of health and wellness (Intellectual Inquiry, Physical Wellness & Wellbeing, Emotional Wellness & Wellbeing, Relationships and Community Citizenship). Students are provided with opportunities to explore resources, programs, and options that encourage overall wellness on and off campus.

  • Location – Drummond
  • Eligibility – Open to all class year students.

Theme-Based Housing Opportunities

Colby College offers different and unique opportunities for student housing such as Theme-Based Housing. Based on student interests, several opportunities are available for student consideration. We encourage you to explore the information below about each themed housing option offered to students. Additionally, as students explore the various options available to them, they should remain cognizant of the following:

  • Students must complete the 2026-2027 Returning Student Housing Application – ALL STUDENTS REQUIRED found on the Colby College Housing Portal.
  • Students will not have to apply to themed housing and may select into one during their assigned General Housing Selection time. To ensure students have equitable access to selecting into these communities, an equal number of beds will be held and released for each community during each day of selection.

The Substance-Free communities were created to provide a safe and comfortable living environment that supports all students in their decision to commit to a substance-free lifestyle. Students in these communities agree to not store any such substances or to be in the community if under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances. Students who select substance-free living may do so for a variety of reasons, including health, personal values, religious or cultural beliefs, and/or impact by addiction and recovery in family or friends’ lives and/or in one’s own life.

Location for 2026-2027:

  • Coburn

There will also be floors dedicated to Substance Free All Men’s Living and Substance Free All Women’s Living. 

  • Substance Free, All Men’s – Coburn 2nd floor
  • Substance Free, All Women’s – Coburn 3rd floor

The Quiet Living Community is a community that supports students who wish to reside in a quieter environment. Residents are mindful of those around them in their community and proactively maintain the lower noise levels both in and outside of their room. Please note that quiet living does not guarantee silent living.

Location for 2026-2027:

  • Johnson 

Colby College and its residence halls are a gender-inclusive housing program. As an inclusive housing program, students may live wherever and with whomever they feel comfortable regardless of sex or gender identity. In supporting a range of identified needs, the Office of the Residential Experience is offering both men’s and women’s living communities on campus. Men’s and Women’s living are defined in the following way:

    • Men: Open to students who identify as men.
    • Women: Open to students who identify as women.

Location for 2026-2027:

  • All-Women’s – Perkins-Wilson 2nd floor
  • All-Men’s – Perkins-Wilson 3rd floor

Learn More – For Gender & LGBTQIA+ request purposes, students may contact Emily Schusterbauer, Violence Prevention & Title IX Coordinator at [email protected]. For religious and cultural identity request purposes, students may contact Kate Smanik, Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at [email protected].

Important Considerations About Residence Hall Environments – It is important to note that there may be individuals entering the building who identify differently than the assigned community. This is because of the College’s card access clearance, as well as the nature of support staff such as Community Advisors on-duty or custodial and facilities maintenance workers. The Office of the Residential Experience cannot guarantee that only those who identify in a specific way will be the only ones in that community at any given time.

Single Submission Application Expectations
(Specialty Housing)

Students may only apply to either the Civic Engagement Living Learning Community or Senior Year/Independent Living Community.

Students considering Specialty Housing options may only select one community choice. As each of the Specialty Housing options vary significantly in theme, expectations, and degree of learning, emphasis is placed on a student’s (or collective student group’s) desire to pursue and be part of one specific community and the living environment found within. This way each community thrives and is in its strongest iteration possible by members committed to the theme, values, and expectations of the community.

Additionally, the following key considerations provide additional rationale and need for a single application process.

  • A single application process provides greater equity among different size groups applying for housing.
    • Multiple applications may include different groups of people and different size groups.

      • Example – An individual is involved in a 4-person Senior Apartments group but also a 6-person Main St. Commons group (with the inclusion of two juniors). Which group is approved for housing and how does this impact the one that is not?

    • If groups maintain the same group size but for multiple spaces (i.e. Senior Apartments, Main St. Commons), there is greater opportunity for 4-person groups, and 6-person groups. 5-person groups face the smallest available options.

      • Because of the tight inventory of housing, all residential spaces must be filled and no open beds can occur.

  • Additionally, at this time, when the College’s housing inventory remains tight and there is no excess housing available, applying to one housing community supports the overall residential and building-specific communities.

    • As we continue to plan and build future residence halls on campus, the total housing inventory will shift which could allow for greater flexibility for students and student choice.
    • While this doesn’t assist current students, the focus is on providing greater opportunities for suite/apartment style housing with new construction.

Housing Accommodations & Requests

All housing accommodation requests are due by 11:55PM (EST) on Sunday, March 08, 2026.

Students seeking housing accommodation needs are encouraged to utilize the College resources and offices that may guide and assist them through a housing accommodation/request process. Additionally, students interested in accommodations and requests will need to complete the Housing Accommodations & Request Form found available on the Colby Housing Portal.

If approved, reasonable accommodations are provided to students, when available, in advance of the Housing Selection Process.

Accommodations and requests are available for students through the following offices:

For more information about specific types of accommodations, please visit the Student Access and Disability Services website. Students with questions or concerns may reach out directly to Kevin Murray, Director of Student Access and Disability Services or Ben Crocker, Assistant Director of Community Values and Student Access, at [email protected]. 

Students with questions or concerns about requesting Title IX/Gender-based support may reach out directly to Emily Schusterbauer, Violence Prevention & Title IX Coordinator at [email protected].

Students with questions or concerns about requesting Religious and Cultural Identity-based support Kate Smanik, Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at [email protected].

Note on Late Submissions/Requests:

  • Students that are unable to meet the March 8 deadline for accommodations/requests will be required to participate in the  General Housing Selection Process (unless they have completed application(s) for application-based housing).
  • Any submitted and approved requests after the deadline will be added to the Waitlist and met prior to or after the start of the fall semester and when/where space is available.

Off Campus Housing

View of a lively street featuring Greene Block Under Institute and Lockwood Hotel, with clear skies and parked cars.

All full-time students attending classes on Mayflower Hill are required to live in College-owned residential facilities for the entirety of their enrollment at Colby College, except when granted permission, in writing, through official off-campus housing processes administered by the Office of Residential Experience.

Colby College is pleased to once again offer rising seniors and juniors the option to live in off-campus housing (student-leased, not-College-owned) for the 2026-2027 academic year.

For complete information about the process, eligibility, deadlines, and expectations, please visit the Off-Campus Housing Information website.

The deadline for submitting the Off-Campus Housing Intent Form is 11:55PM (EST) on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Off-Campus Housing Requests

All full-time students are required to live in College-owned residential facilities (either on the Mayflower Hill campus or elsewhere in the City of Waterville) for the entirety of their enrollment at Colby College, except when granted permission, in writing, by the Dean of Students or their designee, or through official off-campus housing processes administered by the Colby Office of the Residential Experience.

Colby College is pleased to offer, as one of our housing options for 2025-2026 academic year, the opportunity for seniors and juniors to select to live in off-campus housing ​​(student-leased, not College-owned). Students interested in off-campus housing should submit an Intent to Live Off Campus Form as soon as possible, and plan to sign a lease agreement by May 1, 2025.

The Intent to Live Off Campus Form can be submitted at any point up until the May 1 deadline. Off-campus housing will be limited to 130 students, and confirmation will take place regularly as Intent forms are received. 

Please note, process is available only to students who intend to live off-campus and attend classes at Colby for the full 2025-2026 year. Requests will not be accepted or approved for students seeking off-campus housing for the Spring 2026 semester only. Students returning to the College for the Spring 2026 semester (i.e. fall study abroad experiences, leave of absence, etc.) will be expected to live in on-campus housing upon their return.

The Intent to Live Off Campus Form is available in the list of applications located on the Colby Housing Portal. To access it, please:

  • Visit https://colby-residence.symplicity.com/index.php to log into the Colby College Housing Portal
  • Choose “Resident” (not “Staff”)
  • Your username is your Colby login (there is NO @colby.edu this time)
  • Your password is the Colby password that you created

Students will:

  • FIRST complete the 2025-2026 Returning Student Housing- All Students Required Application (this will enable auto completion of information for the Off Campus Intent
  • THEN complete 2025-2026 Off Campus Intent Form

The Intent to Live Off Campus Form can be submitted at any point up until the May 1 deadline. As students submit their forms, the Office of the Residential Experience will periodically provide written confirmation and follow-up requirements via email.

Information Sessions & Drop-In Hours

Need More Information & Resources? Join An Information Session

The Office of the Residential Experience will be hosting several information sessions for students to learn more and better understand all housing selection processes. Information Sessions will be offered at the following dates/times/locations:

  • Monday, February 17 2025, 12PM-1PM, Page Commons (Cotter Union) – General Housing Selection Information Session 
  • Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 12PM-1PM, Page Commons (Cotter Union) – Housing Accommodations/Requests Information Session
  • Thursday, February 20, 2025, 12PM-1PM, Page Commons (Cotter Union) – Intercultural Living Learning and Community Information Session
  • Friday, February 21, 2025, 12PM-1PM, Page Commons (Cotter Union) – Senior/Independent Living Information Session
  • Monday, February 24, 2025, 6PM-7PM, Webinar – Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community Information Session
  • Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 6PM-7PM, Webinar – General Housing Selection Information Session 
  • Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 6PM-7PM, Ostrove (Diamond) – Off-Campus Housing Information Session 
  • Thursday, February 27, 2025, 6PM-7PM, Webinar – Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community Information Session 
  • Monday, March 3, 2025, 6PM-7PM, Webinar – Intercultural Living and Learning Community Information Session
  • Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 6PM-7PM, Webinar – Housing Accommodations/Requests Information Session 
  • Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 6PM-7PM, Ostrove (Diamond) – Themed Housing Communities Information Session 
  • Thursday, March 6th, 2025, 6PM-7PM, Lovejoy 100 – Senior/Independent Living Information Session

Have A Question? Stop By & Ask At Our Table or Drop-In Q&A Sessions!

The following Housing Selection Information Sharing/Drop-in time have been scheduled to answer all of your housing questions:

Tabling Sessions: 

  • Monday, February 24, 2025, 11AM-1PM, Cotter Union – The Spa 
  • Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 11AM-1PM, Foss Dining Hall 
  • Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 11AM-1PM, Dana Dining Hall
  • Thursday, February 27, 2025, 11AM-1PM, Roberts Dining Hall
  • Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 11AM-1PM, Cotter Union – The Spa

Drop-In Hours

  • Please select a timeslot to stop by the office.

Students Going Abroad For The Fall Semester

Students going abroad for the Fall 2026 semester or the entirety of the 2025-2026 academic year, DO NOT need to complete a Returning Student Housing Application at this time.

Students going abroad but returning for Jan Plan/Spring Semester 2026 will receive information in November 2025 regarding their participation in the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process. 

Due to the nature of the College’s housing system, students returning from fall semester study abroad are currently ineligible for any off-campus housing release. Students returning from fall semester study abroad must live in College-owned housing upon their return to Colby.

If, for some reason, a student’s abroad status changes after the housing application process is complete but before the General Housing Selection times are released, they will be included in the General Housing Selection Process. Should the change of status take place after the release of General Housing Selection times, then that student will be be assigned a room by the Office of the Residential Experience.

Students & Housing Selection

  • Students will only be able to select one room and must be able to fill that room with a previously created roommate group (consisting of eligible and participating students).
  • Important Note for Senior/Independent Living, Mayflower Hill Residence Hall, and Suite Housing Selection: More students than there are spaces will be participating in these selection processes. Students who are unable to select a housing placement during one of these selection processes will be placed into the General Housing Selection Process. 
  • A student’s housing selection opportunity is non-transferable meaning that it cannot be given or provided to another student. Students found responsible for selling or buying a selection time will be referred to the office of Community Values, Conflict Resolution and Restorative Practice, and have their selection opportunity impacted.
  • Students are required to live in the room assigned to them by the Office of the Residential Experience. Room changes may ONLY be made after submitting a written request and receiving written approval from the Office of the Residential Experience after the second full week of class. Unauthorized room or residence hall changes, or failure to move out of a room at the designated time, may result in immediate referral to the Office of Community Values and the following sanctions: 
    • A fine of $500;
    • Following year housing selection time will be moved to the bottom of the class year selection; 
    • Not being eligible for suite/apartment/single style housing for the next academic year (either through initial selection or requesting room change) and will not be able to request a room change into that style housing; and
    • Relocation to the original room assignment on record with the Office of the Residential Experience.
  • Colby College and its residence halls are a gender-inclusive. There are no gender designations on rooms for returning students and with exception of the new All-Women’s and All-Men’s Living Communities, students may live wherever and with whomever they feel comfortable regardless of sex or gender identity.
    • When making administrative assignments and filling spaces within a room, the Office of the Residential Experience will match a student with gender of the current occupant.
  • There are separate Housing Selection processes/dates for all Application-Based communities.
    • Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community, Mayflower Hill Residence Hall, and Senior Year/Independent Living
  • For the Housing Selection Process, class year seniority is recognized and selection is conducted in that manner. Rising seniors are first to select, followed by rising juniors, and then rising sophomores.
    • Within each class, selection times are assigned randomly through the Colby housing software.

Creating Roommate Groups & Group Leaders

About Roommate Groups:

  • The formation of a roommate group is not a required component of the housing application process. However, it is required for students that plan to select into any space larger than a single room.
  • Roommate groups can be formed at any time during the Housing Selection Process, up until a housing selection is made. 
  • Only one person should send a roommate group invite. To do so, that student must have the individual roommate codes as provided by the interested students.
  • Students can only be in one roommate group at a time and must remove themselves from a previous roommate group prior to accepting the request of another roommate group.
  • Everyone in a roommate group must have a completed housing application and must not be assigned housing through a previous process.
  • Once housing selection times have been released, the individual with the best time does not have to be the group leader so long as the individual remains in the group. The system will set the group’s selection time to be that of the best individual time.
  • The group leader is the one responsible for selecting a housing placement for the group. The group leader can go into the Colby Housing Portal and select another student to be a group leader if needed. 

*Important Note On Roommate Groups: Please note, being able to form a roommate group through the Colby Housing Portal does not constitute a student’s eligibility to participate in the Housing Selection Process. Roommate Groups can be formed at any time of the year regardless of whether the College is conducting a housing selection process. Only an on-time Housing Application (by the communicated deadlines) will determine a student’s eligibility to participate in the Housing Selection Process.

Finding Your Roommate Code:

  • A student’s roommate code can be found in the top right corner of their Colby Housing Portal, under their name.
  • The roommate code can be used if a student is choosing to room with another person or other people.

Creating a Roommate Group:

  • To create a roommate group, one person in the group (“group leader”) should:
    • Login to the Colby Housing Portal 
    • Select the “Roommates” tab
    • Select the corresponding term (i.e. Fall 2026)
    • Select the “Find Someone You Know” tab.
    • Enter the codes of the other roommate(s) and invite them to be a part of a roommate group.
  • Before the roommate group becomes official, the invited roommate(s) must first accept the roommate invitation through their own Colby Housing Portal.
  • Once a student joins a group, they will be able to view the group members and group leader under “My Group” on the right side of their Colby Housing Portal. Students can also elect to leave a roommate group by clicking on “Leave Group.”

Looking to Change the Group Leader? 

The current Group Leader must:

  • Login to your Colby Housing Portal
  • Select the “Roommates” tab
  • Select the corresponding term (i.e. Fall 2026)
  • Go to the “My Group” box on the right of the screen
  • Hover your cursor over the specific group member that you would like to transition the Group Leader responsibilities to.
  • You will see an up arrow appear labeled “Promote to Leader” – Click on this arrow.
  • Confirm that the Group Leader now is the correct person

Roommate groups can be changed throughout the process and up until the time of actually selecting a space on campus. 

What to Know Before Selection Your Housing

  • Students choosing to live alone, or serving as a Group Leader, are responsible for picking a room. Use the Colby College floor plans to make a list of rooms that yourself and/or the group would prefer to live.
  • Students can “favorite” these rooms directly in Symplicity so that they are easily accessible when the assigned room draw time arrives.
  • Students looking for a roommate you can use the Looking for a Roommate Google form to submit their name so that others doing the same can see who is also looking for roommates.
    • Once students have submitted their information, they can use the link HERE to see others who are also looking for a roommate.
    • This form and process is:
      • NOT an official part of the room draw or housing selection process;
      • Is meant to be a resource for students to self-identify and seek out other students for housing opportunities
      • NOT monitored, used, or in any way coordinated by the Office of Campus Life
      • NOT a supplement for any other process that students are required to complete;
      • NOT used by the Office of Campus Life to formally match or place students with apartments, suites, or roommates. 

Preparing for Housing Selection - Process Overview

Preparing For Selection:

  • Participation in the housing selection process is not a legitimate reason to miss class or athletic practice, nor should it be considered an excused absence. 
  • Students with class or extracurricular commitments during their room selection time should arrange for a proxy (designated individual) to make the room selection on their behalf. The proxy can be the Office of the Residential Experience, or a friend. Alternatively, if part of a roommate group, a student can designate a different “Group Leader.” Students must make this arrangement in advance and provide necessary housing preferences for the selection.

About The Process & Selection Times:

  • Colby’s Housing Selection Process assigns selection times by class year (as determined and provided by the Registrar’s Office).
    • Selection times are randomly generated and assigned through the Colby Housing Portal. 
  • Selection times between students are spaced at 1 minute intervals. This is to keep the process moving efficiently and to be able to have all participants select into housing on their assigned evening.
    • Because of the high volume of communication and the importance of preparing for the selection, the Office of the Residential Experience is unable to provide students with information such as where you fall in the selection date/time (how many people are before you or after your selection time).
    • We encourage students to refer to the information above (Start Senior/Independent Living Selection Process, Your Selection Time, the 1-minute selection intervals) and consider this information to self-determine the total number of students selecting before you.
  • All student room selections are final. Students may not opt out of or switch rooms once a room has been selected.

Favoriting Rooms:

To help you better prepare for you selection time you are able to bookmark/favorite any preferred rooms, based on your group size. This can be done ahead of time.

To favorite a room: 

  • Use the filters below to search by building, floor, room occupancy size, or room attribute (room attribute allows you to search through themed communities).
  • If the room is available it will say “Open Room.” Only rooms that match your current group size will show up in blue. 
  • You may click the star to favorite any room. These rooms will show up on your “Favorites” to the right of your housing portal. 
  • Favorite rooms allows participants to easily and quickly select a room at their designated time of selection.

“Favorites” may be adjusted continually throughout the selection process.

Selecting a Room:

When selecting a space it is important to remember the following:

  • With exception of the College’s designated single rooms, all other residential spaces require a roommate group with the same number of students as the occupancy of that room/suite/apartment.
    • For example: If you are looking to select a 4-person suite, you must create a roommate group with a total of four people in it so that when you select the suite, you are able to completely fill the space.
    • Students cannot select into a space and opt for a randomly assigned roommate.
    • Any student who does not select will receive a placement by the Office of the Residential Experience at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 Housing Selection Process.
  • Each selection happens in real time. As soon as rooms are selected, they are removed from availability in the housing system. Only rooms that say “Open Room” are available rooms.
  • There will be a timer in each students’ Colby Housing Portal showing the time left until selection. At the selection time, the timer will read “0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds”
  • At the time of selection, students may select a room from their favorite list or browse through available rooms using the search feature.
    • For ease of selection, It is recommended that students favorite rooms prior to their selection time. 
    • A favorite available room will not automatically become your room selection.
  • The Roommate Group Leader (the person who set up the roommate group) will be the person responsible in the system for selecting a room. This can be done at the best the best assigned time as noted above (if applicable).
  • Students should check for a confirmation email after making their selection.
    • Once this email is received, students have officially completed the process.
  • Office of the Residential Experience staff will be available each day of the Housing Selection Process in the Campus Life office (2nd floor of Cotter Union). Students experiencing issues or needing support are welcome to stop by. 
  • Rooms that are available and meet your group size will have the “Open Room” button in blue.
  • Once you select your room all selections are final. 

The Waitlist

  • Students that did not participate in the Room Draw as well as a portion of the rising sophomore class will be placed on the waitlist because:
    • Students do not yet know their confirmed and approved abroad status;
    • At the time of the Room Draw Process, the size of the incoming first year class is still unconfirmed; and
    • Students do not know if they are returning to Colby due to a variety of reasons
  • Students are placed on the waitlist according to their original room draw number
  • The waitlist will be pruned over the summer and students will have the opportunity to select from the remaining rooms
  • Students cannot go on the waitlist if they have already selected and now would prefer a different room. 

After The Room Draw Has Concluded

  • Colby stays true to the room draw system through the summer
  • If a student requests a room change over the summer and their selection time was used to pick a room/suite/apartment, all other students in the room will be placed on the waitlist.
  • There is a room freeze the first two weeks of each semester and JanPlan where no room moves can be made.
  • Student groups that select an apartment or suite are welcome to email [email protected] before July 15, 2023 to ensure that all students are in the correct rooms within the suite/apartment

Information Sessions FAQ

Please have your roommate group sign you in and make sure to mention to one of the College resources running the information session that you are abroad. Additionally, send an email to the Office of Civic Engagement ([email protected]) or housing at [email protected] so they can send you any materials. Your roommates can share all of the information they receive with you!

Symplicity FAQ

No problem! Email [email protected] what you would like to change your preference to, and we will send you a confirmation email when we have made the necessary changes.

All students participating in the Room Draw Process are required to fill out their applications on the Simplicity Housing Portal. For students who choose to apply for a Senior Year Living, Alfond Main St. Commons (civic engagement), Healthy Colby, Substance Free, or Co-Op, there is an additional Application & Theme-Based Housing Form that must be completed. Failure to complete both applications  individually will result in being placed randomly in the traditional class year room draw.

For those students seeking a Colby-owned campus house, Alfond Senior Apartment, or Alfond Main St. Commons apartment, but that do not complete both applications, this will result  in your entire group being ineligible for that selection and you will all be placed randomly in the traditional class year room draw.

All eligible student groups may participate in the specific Senior Year Living and Healthy Colby Room Draw Processes. More groups/students may be allowed to participate than the total number of apartments/houses/rooms available. Those groups unable to successfully select housing during this time will then be entered into their Class Year Room Draw.

Housing Preferences FAQ

Students choosing to select a single space on campus with another single attached with access between the two rooms may pull in another student. The student with the highest number will need to email [email protected] with all of the details of their request, room #s of both spaces with information of who goes into which room, student name of who they want to pull in, student ID# of who they want to pull in. Then, once you have selected the space during room draw, please email [email protected] again with the same information to inform staff that you have selected and that you would like for the student to be pulled in next to you.

Unfortunately, there is no direct way for you to apply to live in a single. You can only indicate your desired housing (Traditional, Healthy Colby, Substance-Free, Senior Year Living, Alfond Main St. Commons, and Co-Op).

Students requiring the need for a single room accommodation will need to follow the outlined process for accommodations by Friday, March 10, 2023.

Students choosing to participate in Themed-Based Housing (Healthy Colby, Sub-Free, Co-Op) are choosing the overall theme and their connection to it. While some theme-based housing communities have designated locations, others will not until all applications are received.

When Room Draw occurs, students will see which buildings are available and will be able to make their selection. 

Please note, students that apply for application-based and theme-based housing are not able to opt out after the building placement and room draw numbers are announced.

Students are unable to apply for more than one form of Application-Based or Theme-Based housing. This means that a student cannot apply for both apartment areas or apply for multiple forms of Application-Based or Theme-Based housing. Application-Based or Theme-Based housing includes Substance-Free, Healthy Colby, Co-Op, Senior Year Living, and the Alfond Main St. Commons (civic engagement).  Students are only able to select one of these options in their Symplicity housing application.

Housing Selection FAQ

  • Students who are enrolled for courses for the Fall semester
  • Students who will NOT be studying away for the Fall semester
  • Students who do NOT have a financial hold for the Fall semester.

Students applying to live in the Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community or Senior/Independent Living must be in good academic and Community Values at the time they are completing the application. 

Students who are away from campus on an academic or Community Values related leave are not considered in good standing and therefore are not eligible to apply for these housing options.

Once students have been approved to return to campus and their leave has been officially cleared they should reach out directly to [email protected] for more information about the appropriate process to gain on campus housing.

Since you went through your Class Dean for this leave of absence, you will have to work with your class dean to have that removed. If it is removed before the housing application deadline on Monday, March 2, you are welcome to submit an application.

If it is not completed by then, you can submit a late housing application and if it is prior to the release of housing selection times, you can participate in the General Housing Selection Process. 

If the application is completed after the release of housing selection times, you will receive instructions for receiving a room assignment in August.

Students going abroad for the Fall 2026 semester or the entirety of the 2026-2027 academic year, DO NOT need to complete a Returning Student Housing Application at this time.

Students going abroad but returning for Jan Plan/Spring Semester 2027 will receive information in the Fall regarding their participation in the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process. 

Due to the nature of the College’s housing system, students returning from fall semester study abroad are currently ineligible for any off-campus housing release. Students returning from fall semester study abroad must live in College-owned housing upon their return to Colby.

Students can complete a late application starting on Monday, March 9th.

After the application deadline and before the release of selection times, students will receive a selection time at the bottom of the General Housing Selection (regardless of class year). 

After the release of selection times, students will be assigned a placement by the Office of Residential Experience during the summer.

All other previously available applications (Senior Year/Independent Living, Civic Engagement Living and Learning Community, Mayflower Hill Residence Hall etc.) WILL NOT be available for late submissions. Students who did not complete these applications by the March 2, 2026 deadline CANNOT be pulled into a Living and Learning Community or Senior/Independent Living by a potential roommate or roommate group and will be ineligible to participate in these communities.

Students who completed the Returning Student Housing Application by the March 2nd deadline will receive a housing selection timeslot for the General Housing Selection Process.

Students will be able to complete a late application starting on Monday, March 9th.

If approved for an accommodation(s), students will be placed on a housing accommodations waitlist.

Approved students will remain on the waitlist until which time a space meeting their accommodative need(s) can be identified. At the time a space meeting the accommodative need(s) is identified, students will be emailed with an offer and will then have the ability to accept or decline the offered assignment.

The Office of Residential Experience cannot guarantee when a placement that meets the approved accommodative needs will be provided, and generally speaking may be able to provide this during the summer, fall semester or start of spring semester.

Students are unable to hold spots for peers returning for JanPlan or the Spring Semester.

  • These students will have their own separate Housing Selection Process.

QUESTIONS?

Contact the Office of Residential Experience

207-859-4280 or [email protected]