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The 2026-2027 Mid-Year
Housing Selection Process & GES Student Housing Assignment Process

The information found on this page is provided only for participation in the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process and GES Student Housing Assignment Process. The Mid-Year Housing Selection and GES Student Housing Assignment processes occur in November-December for sophomore, junior, and senior class year students and GES students returning to on-campus housing for Jan Plan and/or Spring semester.

Current on-campus residents (for the fall semester) may not participate in this process to secure a room change.

  • The College’s Open Room Change Process will occur in mid-February and is designed to support all room change requests for the spring semester.

Important Dates

Friday, October 23, 2026

  • Initial Outreach and Information Sharing

Thursday, November 5, 2026

  • Vacancy Pull-In Process Begins

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

  • Returning Student Housing Application Due

Monday, November 16, 2026

  • Housing Accommodations/Requests Housing Assignments Released

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

  • Vacancy Pull-In Process Ends

Friday, November 20, 2026

  • Vacancy Pull-In Confirmations Sent to Students
  • Returning To Campus Confirmation Form – Jan Plan & Spring 2027 due

Monday, November 30, 2026

  • Detailed Communication Provided About the Housing Selection Process

Monday, December 7 – Thursday, December 10, 2026

  • Mid-Year Housing Selection Process

Housing Application Completion

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 Mid-Year Housing Selection Process or Placement Process (for GES students) and secure a housing placement, all students must complete a housing application.

Please Note: The Office of Residential Experience is currently in the process of transitioning to a new housing software, StarRez. For returning students, the application format will be different, so please be sure to complete all relevant sections including the Housing Accommodations/Requests portion (if applicable). 

To access the housing application:

  • Log into the Colby Housing Portal
    • Click Login on the top right-hand side of the screen
    • Select Colby – Student SSO Login and follow login steps
    • Click on “Housing Application” 
    • Within Academic Year 2026-2027, select continue and complete the provided sections
    • When you have completed the application, you will land on the Application Status page, which should note that the status of your application is complete.

The Housing Application deadline is 12:00PM (EST) on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

  • Any student that completes a late housing application (after the application deadline and before the release of selection dates) will receive a selection date at the bottom of the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process (regardless of class year). 
  • Any student who completes a housing application after the release of selection dates will be assigned a placement by the Office of Residential Experience after the conclusion of the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process (and before December 22, 2026).

Housing Accommodations & Requests

All Housing Accommodations/Requests are due by 12:00PM (EST) on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

Colby College and the Office of Residential Experience are committed to supporting students with various living styles and needs. This includes the College’s housing accommodations processes. There are different types of requests and accommodations associated with the residential experience:

  • ADA Housing Accommodations
  • Gender Based Requests
  • Religious and Cultural Identity Accommodations
  • Title IX Accommodations 

The Office of Residential Experience collaborates with several key offices to review and support possible housing accommodations.

Below is a reference for the accommodation/request type and the office/contact information affiliated with it.

  • ADA (Access and Disability) Accommodations – The Office of Student Access and Disability Services
    • Office Contact: Dr. Kevin Murray, Director of Student Access and Disability Services & Miranda Hebert, Assistant Director of Student Access and Disability Services & Manager of the Colby Testing Center
    • Email: [email protected]
  • Gender Based Requests – Title IX Office
    • Office Contact: Emily Schusterbauer, Violence Prevention & Title IX Coordinator 
    • Email: [email protected]
  • Title IX Accommodations – Title IX Office
    • Office Contact: Emily Schusterbauer, Violence Prevention & Title IX Coordinator 
    • Email: [email protected]
  • Religious and Cultural Identity Accommodations – The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life
    • Office Contact: Kate Smanik, Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life
    • Email: [email protected]

APPLYING FOR HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS:

If you are interested in seeking a housing accommodation or request, please complete the appropriate section(s) within the housing application. 

  • Students interested in pursuing a housing accommodation or request should:

    • Select Housing Accommodations/Request on the Student Information Section

    • Once this option is selected, the sections related to Housing Accommodations/Requests will appear.

    • Complete the sections that apply to your request.

After completing the housing application, students will continue to work with the specific office that supports the selected type of accommodation request. If students are approved for an accommodation or request, they will receive more information about the placement process.

Please Note: Due to short timeline for the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process, please submit housing accommodations and requests as well as supporting documentation as early as possible after the application opens to ensure timely review.

ACCOMMODATIONS DEADLINE: While requests will be reviewed on a rolling basis, due to limited housing availability, returning and GES students must have all documentation and forms submitted by 12:00PM (EST) on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

Returning Students: Students who cannot meet the specified deadline for accommodations/requests will be required to participate in the Mid-Year Selection Process.

Returning & GES Students: Any submitted and approved requests after the provided deadline will be added to the Housing Accommodations/Requests Waitlist. Students on the Waitlist will receive outreach from the Office of Residential Experience if and when a housing placement that meets the approved need(s) becomes available. 

Theme-Based Housing Opportunities

Colby College offers several different and unique opportunities for student housing. These are considered Specialty Housing and Theme Based Housing. Several opportunities are available for student consideration based on student interests and/or the corresponding class year. When considering available options, it is important to understand what each of these communities entails fully.  We encourage you to explore the information below about each community:

Substance-Free Living

Substance-Free Housing was 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 this community 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(s) – Coburn – Upper Class Year Students; Drummond – First-Year Students

Colby Wellness Community

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 – Taylor, 2nd Floor
  • Eligibility – Open to first year students

Quiet Living

Quiet Living 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 quieter living does not guarantee silent living.

  • Location – Johnson
  • Eligibility – Open to upper class year students

Women’s Living & Men’s Living 

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 offers Women’s and Men’s Living Communities on campus.

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 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.

Women’s and men’s housing are defined in the following way:

    • Women: open to students who identify as women.
    • Men: open to students who identify as men.
  • General Locations
    • Women’s Living
      • Treworgy 3rd Floor – open to upper class year students
      • Sturtevant 2nd Floor – open to first year students
    • Men’s Living
      • Perkins-Wilson 3rd Floor – open to upper class year students
  • Substance Free Locations
    • Women’s
      • Coburn 3rd  Floor – open to upper class year students
      • Drummond 2nd Floor – open to first year students
    • Men’s
      • Coburn 2nd Floor – open to upper class year students
      • Drummond 3rd Floor – open to first year students
  • For Gender Based request and Title IX purposes, students may contact Emily Schusterbauer, Violence Prevention & Title IX Coordinator at [email protected].
  • For religious and cultural identity accommodation purposes, students may contact Kate Smanik, Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at [email protected].

Living and Learning & Senior/Independent Living Housing Opportunities

Colby College offers several different and unique opportunities for student housing. These are considered Living and Learning Communities, Senior/Independent Living, and Theme Based Housing. Several opportunities are available for student consideration based on student interests and/or the corresponding class year. When considering available options, it is important to understand what each of these communities entails fully.  We encourage you to explore the information below about each community:

Intercultural Living and Learning Community 

The Intercultural Living 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. 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 first year students.

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. 

  • Location – Bill & Joan Alfond Main St. Commons Downtown Apartments
  • Corresponding Program – Residents focus on civic engagement and connections with the Waterville and surrounding communities
  • Additional Requirements & Information –
  • Eligibility – For students in the class of 2027 and 2028. Community Values standing will be reviewed to help determine eligibility.
 

Senior Year/Independent Living

This collection of communities (located within the Alfond Senior Apartments, 36 Mt Merici, and Hill House) are dedicated to members of the senior class who are invested in creating respect, inclusivity, connections, and personal accountability within their hall. This community allows students the chance to live in independent style housing while still being afforded the resources and support of the College.

  • Locations – Harold and Bibby Alfond Senior Apartments, 36 Mt Merici, and Hill House
  • Eligibility – Senior class year students that have not previously lived in the Alfond Senior Apartments due to their academic status. The senior class is determined by the Registrar. Community Values standing will be reviewed to help determine eligibility.
  • Expected Year-Long Participation – Students living in these areas are expected to participate in regular building meetings (Hall Council), educational sessions (i.e. Sexual Violence Prevention training, Party Host Training, etc.) and actively commit to the ideals of the community.

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

Students considering the Civic Engagement Living Learning Community (Bill and Joan Alfond Main St. Commons) and Senior Year/Independent Living Community (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 Alfond Main St. Commons Apartments and the Senior Year Living communities 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.
  • You have failed to meet program expectations and requirements as outlined in previous specialty housing contracts/agreements.
  • You have previously lived within the Senior Year/Independent Living Community in the prior year (Senior Apartments only).
  • At the time of application reviews, you are on Probation which extends into the period you will be in application based housing (i.e. probation extending past November 11, 2026)
    • You are NOT disqualified if you are currently on probation, but the probation status must end 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 any of the following Code of Conduct violations through the Administrative Resolution Process within 1 year prior to the deadline for applications (between November 11, 2025 and November 11, 2026):
    • Fire Safety Violation
    • Sexual Misconduct/ TIX / Identity-based harassment 
    • Vandalism 
    • Alcohol Violations (only the violation types below are automatically disqualifying) 
      • 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
  • Drug Violations (only the violation types below are automatically disqualifying) 
    • 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
  • Additionally, 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 November 11, 2025 and November 11, 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]

Should a student group application be declined due to a member’s Community Values standing, all members of selection group will be randomly assigned housing based on vacant spaces across campus.

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.

The process for off-campus release closed with the May 1, 2026 deadline.

At the time of this process, all Colby students were informed that the process was only available to students who intended to live off campus and attend classes at Colby for the full 2026-2027 academic year.

The College is not accepting requests for off-campus housing for the spring 2027 semester only. Students returning to the College for the spring 2027 semester (e.g. leave of absence return, return from study abroad experiences, etc.)  will be expected to live on campus upon their return.

GES Student Housing Assignments Process

  • Using the responses provided in the housing application, GES students will be assigned housing in the College’s designated first-year buildings or another campus residence hall with a cluster of first-year students. Student’s preferences for themed housing will be taken into consideration.
    • Placement for JanPlan/Spring 2027 Semester will be dependent on available housing. 

  • The Office of Residential Experience is offering the opportunity for GES students to request roommates who are also participants in the GES program. To do so, students can create roommate groups in the housing application.

    • Roommate requests are not required, though, and students without a request will be matched to other students, either from GES or first-year students currently residing on campus.
    • The Office of Residential Experience tries to honor GES student requests for roommates whenever possible. However, this might not always be possible based on the College’s room inventory and availability, room types, etc.

Mid-Year Vacancy Pull In Process

The Office of Residential Experience works with on-campus students to confirm Jan Plan and Spring semester vacancies. Once vacancies are confirmed, the Office administers the Pull In Process and a request form will be sent to the residents with current and anticipated vacancies. Students may share if they prefer to fill their vacant space(s) and potentially identify students on campus or those set to return to be pulled into their room/suite/apartment.  

Any student returning to campus for Jan Plan and/or Spring who is interested in filling an anticipated vacancy (i.e., being pulled in) is encouraged to contact their peers directly regarding the vacancy. 

Important Note On Availability of Spaces: If a student returning to campus is pulled into a space/room that does not open until the spring semester but requires housing for participation in Jan Plan, then that student will be responsible for finding temporary housing until the room becomes available.  It is important that students fully understand this in their decision-making as the College does not have available housing to accommodate students who fail to follow this protocol when selecting/sharing preferences. 

Returning Students & The Mid-Year Housing Selection Process

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • The Mid-Year Housing Selection process will be different from the typical Housing Selection process you may have participated in (usually hosted in April/May).
  • The Mid-Year Housing Selection Process will take place between December 7 – 10.
  • All students who fit the criteria below are considered eligible to participate in the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process scheduled in December.  Students who are eligible include:
    • Students who are enrolled for courses for Jan Plan and Spring semester;
    • Students who will be on-campus for the Spring semester;
    • Students who do not have a financial hold for the Spring semester.
  • Students will only be able to select one room and in the case of a fully vacant multi-occupancy space, the student must be able to fill that room with a previously created roommate group (consisting of eligible and participating students).
  • 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 Residential Experience. Room changes may ONLY be made after submitting a written request and receiving written approval from the Office of Residential Experience after the second full week of classes.
  • 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 housing 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 gender-inclusive. There are no gender designations on rooms for returning students, and with the exception of the designated Women’s and 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 Residential Experience will match a student with the gender identity of the current occupant.

SELECTION ORDER:

  • Class year seniority is recognized, and selection is conducted in that manner. 
  • Students will be assigned a specific date to select their housing placement.
  • Assigned dates will begin first with seniors, then juniors, and then sophomores.
  • Available housing placements will be shared with students after the finalization of the Pull In Process.

SELECTION PROCESSES:

  • Each day, approximately 30 returning students will participate in the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process.
  • Students will have approximately 24 hours to select a housing placement. Once a housing placement is selected, it is FINAL. It cannot be changed or switched with another student.
  • In order to have an assigned bed space, students will have to choose a room during this process.
  • If a student does not participate in the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process, a room will be assigned for them.
  • Spaces will vary and different housing styles may be available – either completely or partially vacant.
  • Students can select a fully vacant space larger than a single room ONLY if they can completely fill it.
  • Students will be able to select into a partially vacant space either as part of a roommate group or as an individual.
  • The students filling the room must be eligible to participate in the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process. Students already housed on campus are NOT eligible.
    • While we recognize that this might not be favorable for some students, it does ensure the ability to house all students returning to campus.
  • Jan Plan vs. Spring Opening: If a student selects a space/room that is not available until the spring semester but requires housing for participation in Jan Plan, the student will be responsible for finding temporary housing until the room becomes available. It is important that students fully understand this in their decision-making as the College does not have available housing to accommodate students who fail to follow this protocol. 

AVAILABLE ROOMS:

  • A list of rooms for students to select from will be made available for student the week prior to the start of the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process.
  • Students will be able to view the buildings and rooms with vacancies, style of housing, total number of available beds, population of students available to select the option, thematic implications (Healthy Colby or Substance Free),  roommates/suitemates (if applicable), and when a room is available (Jan Plan & Spring Semester, or Spring Semester Only).
  • Rooms and spaces that are no longer available will become no longer be viewable throughout the Process.

ROOMMATE GROUPS:

  • Students will be able to form Roommate Groups in the Colby Housing Portal as part of the Housing Application.
  • Mid-Year Housing Selection Participants may only fill a room/space with eligible students, and roommates cannot be pulled from students already housed on campus.
  • Having a predetermined roommate is not required for participation in the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process.
  • Students without a roommate can select only from partially filled spaces on campus (with the exception of single rooms, if available).

Arrival To Campus - Jan Plan & Spring (Returning Students)

As the Office of Residential Experience works to implement our housing processes for Jan Plan and Spring Semester, we would like to find out more information about when you plan to arrive on campus. This helps us determine the possible housing options that may be available for your return to campus. 

We ask that you complete the “Returning To Campus Confirmation Form – Jan Plan & Spring 2027” by 5:00PM (EST) on Friday, November 20, 2026. This form will ask you to provide and confirm important details about the timing of your return to campus.

JAN PLAN ARRIVAL:
The College reopens for students participating in Jan Plan at 8:30AM on Monday, January 4, 2027.
  • To live on campus and be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics, campus organizations, or other co-curricular campus events during January, students must be enrolled in a Jan Plan course, local (non-remote) DavisConnects approved internship, or independent research that requires Colby’s physical Mayflower Hill resources and materials.
  • Any identified participation by the student for Jan Plan will be verified by the Registrar’s Office.
 
SPRING SEMESTER ARRIVAL:
The arrival/check-in process and residence halls open at 8:30AM on Monday, February 1, 2027 for students that were not on campus for an approved Jan Plan course.
 

NOTE ON EARLY ARRIVAL REQUESTS:

Unfortunately, due to the processes required to prepare the College for break closings and openings, the College does not accept requests and late departures/early arrivals are not permitted. Students, families, and support persons must determine what options and alternatives might exist outside of arriving early on campus. This includes altering travel arrangements, seeking hotel accommodations/AirBnB, etc.
 
Additional January and Spring semester housing dates/deadlines may be found on the Office of Residential Experience’s Housing Resources & Information Website.

 

Roommate Groups

The Mid-Year Housing Selection process will look and feel different from the typical Housing Selection process you may have previously participated in (usually hosted in April/May). This includes the use of Roommate Groups and Roommate Codes.

Unlike the General Housing Selection Process, students do not need to form Roommate Groups in the Colby Housing Portal. Instead, roommate preferences (groups) may be identified through the selection preference form provided to students on the day of their selection.

Mid-Year Housing Selection Participants may only fill a room/space with individuals on the Mid-Year Selection list, and roommates cannot be pulled from students already housed on campus. While we recognize that this might not be favorable for some students, it does ensure the ability to house all students returning to campus.

Having a predetermined roommate is not required for participation in the Mid-Year Housing Selection Process. Students without a roommate can select only from partially filled spaces on campus, which will be noted on the list of available rooms.

Students selecting a room larger than a single room must complete the provided form and email [email protected] on the day of their selection, outlining the spaces they selected and the students (from the participant list) they would like to live with. Please ensure that you cc all students you are including as a group and include their return term (they can be anywhere on the participant list). You must be able to fill the room to select it.

What to Know Before Selection Your Housing

  • Students choosing to live alone, or serving as a captain, 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 2024-2025 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.

FAQs

Students who would like to live in Colby-owned campus houses, the Alfond Senior Apartments, or the Alfond Main St. Commons Apartments, 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 Friday, November 20, 2026, you are welcome to submit an application and participate. If it is not completed by then, you will receive instructions for receiving a room assignment in December.

QUESTIONS?

Contact the Office of Residential Experience

207-859-4280 or [email protected]