Where can I buy or rent my textbooks?

You can rent or purchase books through Colby's online bookstore, accessible through this link. You can also check textbooks out from Colby libraries as long as you return them by their due date. Other ways of accessing textbooks is by purchasing them online from other external websites and sources.

When should I declare my major?

You should plan to declare a major before the end of your sophomore year.

Can I drop a course after the add/drop deadline?

You can withdraw from a course up until the withdrawal deadline and will receive a W on your transcript. After the drop deadline, in order to drop a course and remove it from your transcript, you will need to petition the Administrative Committee for an exception to college policy. Only students with a medical need or other serious extenuating circumstances should petition for this exception.

What should I do if I got an Academic Warning?

Go to office hours! The best thing to do if you get an academic warning is to talk to your professor one-on-one as soon as possible. They can tell you how to get back on track in their class. You can also schedule a meeting with your class dean for extra academic resources or holistic support resources if there are non-academic issues affecting your class performance.

What happens if my GPA is very low this semester?

If your GPA goes below a 2.0, you’ll be placed on academic probation for one semester. While on probation, you’ll meet with your class dean regularly to discuss your academic progress and access any resources you might need. If your GPA falls below a 1.7, you will be up for a one-year academic dismissal and should talk to your class dean ASAP about the process.

Can I switch my major?

Yes, you can switch majors throughout your time at Colby, but you should always talk to your advisor or class dean before doing so. Your Colby grant is designed for you to graduate in eight semesters, so you need to be able to complete your major requirements in that time frame.

Can I switch academic advisors?

Yes, if you are switching majors you will automatically be assigned a new academic advisor in your appropriate department. If you have a particular field of study you think is better suited to a specific professor, you can talk to your department chair about switching advisors. If you have a personal concern and would like to switch advisors, make an appointment with the department chair, your class dean or the Registrar’s Office.

if I want to study abroad, where do I start?

DavisConnects is where the Office of Off-Campus study resides. Your class dean can also help you understand the process and what programs are pre-approved by Colby for off-campus study, globally or domestically.

What happens if I've been accused of Academic Negligence?

In most cases, you will receive 0 for that piece of work and your professor will assign you an online plagiarism module that reviews concepts of academic integrity. This module takes approximately two hours to complete. Negligence is not a disciplinary finding, but a note of academic negligence will remain on file in case of a repeat offense, which could then treated as an academic dishonesty allegation.

What happens if I've been accused of Academic Dishonesty?

The first thing to do is meet with the Academic Integrity Coordinator, who can walk you through the steps of the Academic Review Board (ARB) process and your response options. You might also want to meet with your class dean to discuss the circumstances around the incident and make a plan for the potential consequences of the ARB’s findings.

How many credits do I need to graduate from Colby?

128 credits.

Do I need anything else besides 128 credits to graduate?

You must complete a major with a 2.0 GPA, be in residence your final semester, and fulfill all your major and distribution requirements, including 3 JanPlans, your 3-semester language requirement, and your wellness requirements.

What are the distribution requirements?

Every Colby student must complete 8 of the specific area and diversity requirements. For in-depth detail about the distribution requirements, visit The Registrar's official Rules and Graduation Requirements.

When should I fulfill my distribution requirements?

You should take as many of your distribution requirements as possible your first and sophomore years. During those two years, you have priority registration for most distribution requirement classes. It will be much harder your junior and senior years, and you will want to save space in your schedule for senior seminars and honors classes.

How do I transfer credits from another institution that is not a study abroad program?

You should fill out the Transfer Credit Form that’s posted on the Registrar’s website. Turn the form into the Registrar’s Office before you take your transfer course. Once your course is completed, have an official transcript sent from the institution to the Colby Registrar.

What do I need to fulfill my foreign language requirement?

Three semesters of language class with increasing language competency. For example: 125, 126, and 127.

Can I place out of my language requirement if I already have a language proficiency?

You can place out of the foreign language requirement either partially or completely by proving proficiency. This should be handled before you begin your first year at Colby or as soon as possible thereafter. Contact your class dean for more information.

What is the College's Leave of Absence and Withdrawal policy?

The College’s Student Leave and Withdrawal Policy can be found here.

Where do I find my address and mailbox number?

You can find your Colby College mailbox number and mailing address on Workday by clicking on Profile, then Contact, and looking under Institutional Contact Information.

Where do I find my Colby ID number?

You can find your Colby ID number printed directly on your physical ColbyCard or on your Workday by clicking Profile and viewing your personal information details.

Some of my belongings were left outside of my room and now they are gone. Who can I contact to find them?

Facilities staff will regularly clear hallways and common rooms of discarded possessions and will typically leave them in common areas and trunk rooms. You can email facilities@colby.edu with questions, but they do not store or confiscate personal items.

What do I do if I'm locked out of my room?

You can call Security’s main line at 207-859-5530.

What do I do if I'm having an interpersonal roommate conflict?

Contact your Community Advisor to discuss your situation. They may have suggestions for mediation, or they may suggest you escalate your concern to the Area Resident Director (ARD) above them. Your ARD will be able to either troubleshoot or take your concerns to the appropriate individual in the Housing Office.

I have an interest or concern regarding spiritual practices on campus, who can I talk to?

Kate Smanik is the Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life on campus and supports a wide range of faiths and observances. She is a confidential resource and offers one-on-one guidance as well as community resources.

What do I do if I experience a Title IX incident?

Safety and supportive measures can be put into place by the Confidential Title IX advocate or the Title IX Coordinator. Some safety and support measures require a report and some do not.

If an investigation is opened, parties have the right to have their advisor at all meetings and interviews with the investigator, Title IX coordinators and other officials involved in the Title IX process, as well as the live hearing. Until the hearing, parties are responsible to secure their own advisors. If a party does not have an advisor for the hearing, the College must appoint one for the party, at the College’s cost. An advisor can be, but does not have to be, an attorney.

If you have questions about resources or options please reach out to Emily Schusterbauer (207-859-4266), Title IX Coordinator.

I think I need to take a Leave of Absence. What do I do?

If you think you need a medical leave of absence, contact your class dean right away. Medical leaves can be taken at any point during the semester but do require some documentation on your part. If you’d like to take a personal leave of absence to pursue an internship or other exciting opportunity, you’ll need to submit that request to your class dean by either May 1st or December 1st of the semester preceding your leave.

I'm experiencing a mental health crisis, how do I get help?

Call 207-859-4490 and press “0” to bypass the recording and be connected directly to a counselor 24/7. During business hours, you can also walk to Garrison-Foster hall and make an appointment with the Counseling Center located on the second floor.

Where can I find counseling at Colby?

Colby provides free, confidential mental health support to all Colby students. In The Garrison-Foster Building, Counseling Services offers individual and group counseling, crisis support, psychiatric consultation, and referrals to additional resources. Students can make an appointment by calling 207-859-4490 or visiting the office in person. 24/7 crisis support is also available by calling the same number and pressing 0.

I'm worried about another student. Who should I contact?

If you are worried about a peer, you can start by reaching out to your class dean for assistance. They will help you understand the support available on campus and can reach out to the student you are concerned about to offer support. You can also submit a CARE report.

I'm sick and I can't sit my upcoming exam, what should I do?

Contact your professor! Neither the Dean of Studies Office nor the Health Center provide excused absences. However, proof of an appointment at Maine General College Health or a call to their nursing hotline, would suffice. You should review your professor’s course policies to see how medical absences are handled.

Can I get an excused absence from Health Services?

No, Health Services does not provide sick notes to students. Proof of an appointment at Maine General College Health would suffice.

As of fall 2026, faculty should only request a sick note if you have missed 2 consecutive classes, or an in-class assessment.

Who do I call if I'm having an emergency?

If this is an emergency, call the emergency line at 207-859-5911.

If you need to speak to the Counselor-on-Call, please call 207-859-4900 and press “0”. If you need to leave a voicemail, the Counselor-on-Call will reach out to you ASAP.

Where can I find information about campus resources?

The Colby College Resource Guide contains information about relevant Colby departments to help you navigate the campus and the various offices that are here to support you.

I've experienced or witnessed an incidence of bias, racism, or homophobia, what should I do?

While “hate speech” is considered a different threat level than a “bias incident,” it can sometimes be difficult to tell where the line is drawn. You can make reports of disturbing incidents via the reporting form here, and the Bias Incident and Response Team will respond to you.

What if I need financial support?

Colby College is committed to supporting all of our students and providing educational access and opportunity regardless of a student’s financial background. In pursuit of this goal, the Assistant Director of Student Wellness will work with students on a case-by-case basis to identify and connect them with available resources to help alleviate pressing situations that can interfere with academic success. Students can meet with the and work together to determine what support and resources will help them continue to thrive at Colby.

What if I need technical support?

You can reach technical help at Colby College through the Information Technology Services Support Center by emailing support@colby.edu or calling 207-859-4222 (extension x4222). You can also visit ITS on the ground floor of Lovejoy.

How do I make an appointment with Davis connects?

Students can book appointments with Davis Connects on Handshake or email Davis connects directly. For more information on drop-in hours and resources, visit The Davis Connects Website.