Before You Leave Home...

At Colby, we want all new students and their families to have the smoothest move-in possible. That is why we have an organized move-in experience where our community helps you move your belongings into your new home. We have outlined the following steps to help you and our volunteers!

1. Pack only what you need

   1. Are you curious about what you might need or want to bring with you? Want to know what should be left at home? Our packing list will definitely help with both! Check out the Packing & Prohibited List for more information. 

2. Label your items 

   1. Write your first name, last initial, and room number on tape or directly on your box/item.

   2. When you arrive, a group of student leaders will help you unload your car and place your items into your new room. All you’ll need to do is unpack.

3. Pack all items in ONE Vehicle

   1. Each residence hall has designated vehicle drop-off spots. Each spot is limited to ONE vehicle at a time. When directed to these locations, our student leaders will help unload and bring your labeled items to your room.

When Your Arrive...

MAP KEY

RED - Check-In

PURPLE - Pond Drive Access

ORANGE - Cotter Drive Access  

BLUE - Handicap Parking & Package Pickup Only

September 3rd: Let's Get Moved In!

Step 1 - Arrive on Campus

Time:  7:30am - 12:00pm
When you arrive on campus, park in the Roberts parking lot highlighted in Red on the Map. Please do not park in front of the Harold Alfond Athletic & Recreation Center (HAARC) or in the athletics parking lot. 
Parking Location:  Roberts Parking lot
Map Key: RED
 

Step 2 - Check-In

Time:  7:30am - 12:00pm (with designated arrival/move-in windows outlined below)
Location:  Main Entrance, Harold Alfond Athletic & Recreation Center (HAARC)
Parking:  Roberts Parking lot
Map Key: RED

When checking in at the HAARC, take your time to visit the Resource Fair, Check-in, and pick up any packages you may have received.
Your designated check-in time is...

• 7:30AM - 9:00AM - Designated arrival for residents of East, Taylor, and Williams.
• 8:30AM - 10:00AM - Designated arrival for residents of Drummond, Jacqueline Núñez, and Leonard
• 9:30AM - 11:00AM - Designated arrival for residents of West, Jane Powers, Piper, and Marriner
• 10:30AM - 12:00PM - Designated arrival for residents of Goddard-Hodgkins, Paula Crane Lunder, and Sturtevant

* Arrival and check-in will only be permitted for the designated residence halls during the specified time window. Students and families are not allowed to check in earlier than their assigned window.

Step 3 - Visit Resource Fair & Pick-up Packages

Time:  7:30am - 12:00pm
Location:  Fieldhouse, Harold Alfond Athletic & Recreation Center (HAARC)
Parking:  Roberts Parking lot

*Note: Those with significant packages can get a pass from the Mailroom to pull your vehicle up to the HAARC and load your Packages. 

Step 4 - Move-In

Move-In Process:
After checking in and getting their room keys, students will use the assigned access road to drive directly to their hall and unload. There will be designated loading areas with a team of student leaders who will assist in unloading each vehicle and moving all personal belongings directly to the assigned student rooms.

1. Line-up at designated road access (expect a queue)

   1. Expect a wait when you queue to unload at your residence hall. Our Community of Student Leaders and staff are working diligently to move everyone in as quickly and smoothly as possible. 

   2. Our Student Leaders will be moving your items into your room so you and your family do not have to do it alone. 

2. Pull-up to designated unloading area

   1. Each residence hall has designated vehicle drop-off spots. Each spot is limited to ONE vehicle at a time. 

3. Unload Vehicle

   1. One family member must remain with your vehicle at all times

   2. Ensure all items are labeled with your name and room number

4. Pull vehicle to assigned move-in day parking lot

5. Return to help unpack the room

With the volume of vehicles unloading, we anticipate that there will be some wait for students and families. Volunteers will be helping you unload as quickly as possible to help families move-in safely. Please be patient and ask the student leaders to help you move-in swiftly!

Designated Move-In Times:

Time:  7:30am - 9:00am
By Location: Designated arrival for residents of Taylor and Williams. 
Road Access:  Cotter Drive
Move-In Day Parking:  Hillside Lot
Map Key:  Orange

Time: 7:30am - 9:00am
By Location: Designated arrival for residents of East
Road Access:  Pond Drive
Move-In Day Parking:  Roberts Lot
Map Key:  Purple

Time: 8:30am - 10:00am
By Location: Designated arrival for residents of Leonard
Road Access: Cotter Drive
Move-In Day Parking: Hillside Lot
Map Key: Orange
 

Time: 8:30am - 10:00am
By Location: Designated arrival for residents of Drummond and Jacqueline Núñez
Road Access: Pond Drive
Move-In Day Parking: Roberts Lot
Map Key: Purple
 

Time: 9:30am - 11:00am
By Location: Designated arrival for residents of Marriner
Road Access: Cotter Drive
Move-In Day Parking: Hillside Lot
Map Key: Orange
 

Time: 9:30am - 11:00am
By Location: Designated arrival for residents of West, Jane Powers, and Piper
Road Access: Pond Drive
Move-In Day Parking: Roberts Lot
Map Key: Purple
 

Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
By Location: Designated arrival for residents of Sturtevant
Road Access: Cotter Drive
Move-In Day Parking: Hillside Lot
Map Key: Orange
 

Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
By Location: Designated arrival for residents of Goddard-Hodgkins and Paula Crane Lunder
Road Access: Pond Drive
Move-In Day Parking: Roberts Lot
Map Key: Purple

Step 5 - Unpack

Our Community Advisors will be roaming around the halls to check in with new students and will be there to help answer questions. Your COOT Leaders can help you with any needs for your COOT Experience. Once the car has been parked, parents are welcome to help!

Step 6 - Refuel & Begin Your Orientation Experience

Lunch
Time: 11am - 2:00pm
Location: Colby Dining Halls

Student & Family Farewell 
Time:  2:00pm

This is the time where families will continue with their own afternoon schedule and first-year students will begin Orientation. 
No designated location is needed for your “See You Soon” hug!

Post-Farewell Families Afternoon Schedule:

President’s Welcome
Time: 2:00pm

Families Depart
Time:  3:00pm

Post-Farewell Student Afternoon Schedule:

Meet your Residence Hall Community
Time:  3:00pm
Location:  Your Designated Residence Hall Location

Colby Welcome
Time:  4:30pm - 5:15pm

Orientation Begins With Your Designated O-Group
Time:  5:15pm

REMINDERS & MUST-Dos!

Sign Up For A Shuttle If You Need Transportation

Colby is pleased to offer transportation for incoming First-Year students from the Portland Jetport to campus on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM. If you have any questions, please reach out to housing@colby.edu or call 207-859-4280.

Please note, this transportation is for students only and is provided one-way.

Finish Your Health Forms BEFORE You Arrive

Thank you to everyone who has already completed the required health forms for your arrival to Colby College. For anyone who has not yet completed these forms, please note that full completion of the following three forms is required before arrival for all students: Health History Form, Immunization Form, & Tuberculosis Screening Form. When completing these forms, please make sure you are meeting ALL of the stated requirements. We must have all of this documentation on file before you can join our campus community to maintain the health and safety of our population. Thank you for taking the time to submit this information.

Please reach out to Colby Health Services at MaineGeneral College Health (207-861-6860) or the Director of Student Wellness (cbaeder@colby.edu) with any questions. 

Pack for COOT 🌲

We’re so excited that COOT is only a few weeks away! Gear is ready, trips are planned, and our leaders arrive for training very soon. The COOT team has had a blast planning every detail to make sure there’s something special in store for everyone.

Just a reminder: 

1. Waivers: Please complete the COOT Waiver & Third-Party Waivers Form by Friday, August 28th at 5:00 PM.

2. Gear List & Packing: Bringing appropriate gear is essential for a safe, fun trip. Please review your Trip Packing List. Note: Read the first page of the document entirely to locate your exact list.

3. Need to Borrow Gear? We have a limited selection of gear available to borrow. If needed, please fill out this Gear Request Form, no later than Friday, August 28th at 5:00 PM.

4. Please arrive at Colby with your COOT gear packed separately, as you will have limited time on campus to prepare before departure.

Questions about your COOT placement? To build safe, well-rounded COOT groups, our placement system balances essential logistical details, like housing assignments, athletic teams, medical needs, and safety comfort levels, alongside your trip preferences. These preferences are a guidepost for these decisions, not a guarantee. Because all of these moving parts are carefully balanced, we are unable to make changes to COOT assignments. We deeply appreciate your understanding! Still have questions? Email us at coot@colby.edu!

Request a Parking Spot On Campus

Online parking registration for the 2026/27 academic year will open on August 13th at 10am for all First-Year Students. The parking management program preserves emergency access routes, protects pedestrian pathways, and allocates limited spaces equitability while providing safe access to campus spaces for our community.  If you plan to have a car on campus at any point this academic year, you must apply for, purchase, and display a valid parking permit.  All community members who park on campus are responsible for reviewing and complying with the parking regulations found on  Colby's parking webpage..  You’ll find all the permit details and the link below. Please read this email carefully.

To register:

1. Go to this link on the date and time you are assigned.

2. You will need your vehicle license plate number and state, and the make and model of your vehicle.

3. Have a credit card ready for payment. Student parking passes cost $100.

4. Sign in at the top right corner of the screen, authenticate through Okta, and follow the steps to complete the process.

5. Choose your address

   1. Alfond Apartments-ONLY students assigned to Alfond Apartments OR

   2. On-campus – For students living in any of the residential halls on Mayflower Hill, other than Alfond Apartments OR

   3. Off campus – This includes students living downtown at the Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons or in other off-campus housing (including Hill House and Mt Merici)  and/or who are commuting.

6.  Parking permits will be available for pickup at Campus Security beginning August 24th.  Please watch your email and ColbyNOW for updates. 

7. Place your parking permit sticker on the OUTSIDE of the rear window, driver’s side.  You must display your valid sticker properly on your vehicle to avoid a ticket.  Be sure to remove any expired stickers.

Please contact IParq Customer Support at 805-562-8200 with any technical or website issues. If you have questions about the parking management and the  permitting plan, please email Campus Security: security@colby.edu.