Chartered by the General Court of Massachusetts in 1813, seven years before Maine became a state, Colby is the 12th-oldest independent liberal arts college in the nation. In 1871 it became the first previously all-male college in New England to admit women. Before World War II, trustees voted to move the College from its crowded original site in downtown Waterville to the handsome Mayflower Hill campus of more than 700 acres, where 62 buildings have been constructed since 1937.

Today, Colby's 1,800 students--evenly divided between men and women--come from virtually every state and about 60 foreign countries. Alumni, numbering more than 22,500, are represented in all 50 states and 75 foreign countries. Students may choose from some 500 courses in 54 major fields and have wide flexibility in designing independent study programs, electing special majors, and participating in internships and exchange programs. More than two thirds of all Colby students will study abroad at some time during their undergraduate experience.

Historically, Colby has valued understanding of and concern for others, diversity of thought and culture, open access to campus groups and organizations, and personal and academic honesty. In order to embrace and support these values, members of the College community bear a special responsibility, in all of their words and actions, to honor and protect the rights and feelings of others.

The Commons Plan was designed to reinforce and amplify these values. The Commons Plan, which followed the 1984 decision to withdraw recognition from Colby's fraternities, offers a number of advantages to students. There are three small communities or "commons," each with its own dining facilities and governing units. Housing of all kinds throughout the campus is available on an equal basis to all students, and students play a greater role in the control and governance of the public spaces within the Commons, including the dining halls. Out-of-class faculty-student interaction is enhanced, and opportunities for the development and expression of individual student leadership come from involvement with the governing bodies and from organizing intellectual and social activities within the Commons.

The Cotter Union serves as a focus for the Commons Plan and as a forum for campus-wide social and cultural activities.

Lovejoy Commons is named for Elijah Parish Lovejoy, a graduate of the Class of 1826, who became America's first martyr for the free press when he was killed by a pro-slavery mob in Alton, Illinois, in 1837. Lovejoy Commons includes Anthony-Mitchell-Schupf residence halls, Averill Hall, and the residence halls of the Hillside Complex and The Heights.

Johnson-Chaplin Commons is named for Franklin Winslow Johnson and for Jeremiah Chaplin. Johnson was Colby's 15th president (1929-42), who inspired the College's move to the Mayflower Hill campus. Chaplin was Colby's founder and first president, who served from 1818 to 1833. This Commons includes Johnson Hall, East Quad, and the residence halls of Piper, Drummond, and Goddard-Hodgkins as well as West Quad, and Grossman, Treworgy, Pierce, and Perkins-Wilson residence halls.

Mary Low Commons is named in honor of Colby's first woman graduate, Class of 1875. Included in this Commons are the residence halls of Dana, Foss, Woodman, Coburn, and Mary Low.

The Harold and Bibby Alfond Residence Complex offers independent living for more than 100 seniors each year. Each of the 22 apartment-style units has a full kitchen, bath, and single rooms.

Accreditation and Memberships
Accredited by New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Maine Department of Education, American Chemical Society, and Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Member of The College Board, College Scholarship Service, American Council on Education, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, New England Board of Higher Education, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, American Library Association, New England Library Network, Center for African and Afro-American Studies, New England Regional Conference of the National Council for Black Studies, American Institute of Indian Studies, and American Studies Association. College member of American Association of University Women; chapter of American Association of University Professors; New England Small College Athletic Conference. Colby chapter of Phi Beta Kappa founded in 1895. Colby College Museum of Art accredited by the American Association of Museums.