FAQ

Due to the construction of Colby’s newest residence hall between Mary Low Hall and Cotter Drive, Mayflower Hill Drive south-bound is currently open to one way traffic only and north-bound traffic will be redirected via the Lunder connector. Please see the updated construction map here.

The health and safety of our community and all commencement attendees is a top priority. All attendees must follow CDC, state, and College policies and guidance regarding Covid-19. We encourage all commencement attendees (with the exception of those who are unable to do so) to be fully vaccinated and boosted. We are not testing attendees onsite or requiring proof of a negative Covid-19 test. Thus, each attendee should consider their personal health situation in deciding to attend commencement, including attendance at particular commencement events and activities. Colby will continue to monitor the Covid-19 landscape, and we will provide updated information if there are any changes to the policy or event plans.

While we are not testing attendees onsite or requiring proof of a negative Covid-19 test, if you begin to feel unwell, we encourage you to take a Covid-19 test. Northern Light Health, CVS, and Walgreens are among several local providers who can administer a free Covid-19 test. If you test positive for Covid-19 during commencement, please remove yourself from campus as soon as possible and notify all close contacts.

Commencement is open to the public with general admission seating. Standing room will also be available on Miller Lawn. In the case of extreme weather, the ceremony will be moved inside and students will have the opportunity to invite three guests. Should the forecast indicate that waiting to begin the ceremony would allow for it to be outside, it is possible the College could move the time to later in the day.

Mayflower Hill Drive will be closed on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to noon between Alumni Drive and the Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts to allow pedestrians to cross between the Colby Green and the academic quadrangle. Vehicles will have access to parking areas while Mayflower Hill Drive is closed, and accommodations will be made for emergency vehicles.

At 9 p.m. Saturday, May 24, Washington Street in the area of the Hillside lot, Rice Rips Road at the rotary, and Campus Drive at Pond Drive will close for about 15 minutes for the fireworks display.

Beginning at 7 a.m. Sunday, Colby security officers will direct parking. Drivers will be directed to Lunder, Roberts, Athletics, South, and Facilities lots, and lots will be closed once they are full. Parking on Mayflower Hill Drive is restricted, and spaces in the Eustis Lot are reserved for those with special permits. 

Restrooms will be available in Cotter Union, the Lovejoy Building, and restroom trailers around campus.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and usually lasts until noon. We suggest arriving around 9 a.m. if you would like a seat on Miller Lawn.

The ceremony will only be moved inside in the event of extreme weather. In that scenario, graduates will receive three tickets to distribute to guests and a live-stream option will be available. Should the forecast indicate that waiting to begin the ceremony would allow for it to be outside, it is possible the College could move the time to later in the day. The decision to move the time of the ceremony or to move indoors would be made very early Sunday and posted at colby.edu and the College’s social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Graduates would receive an email from the College.

Baccalaureate is at 10 a.m. Saturday and is open to students, faculty, family, and friends of graduates. A live stream will also be available at the link on the Commencement home page.

The College contracts with GradImages to take photographs of seniors as they cross the stage. Please visit gradimages.com and enter your information to be contacted when photos are ready.

Private drones are not allowed on the Colby campus.

All graduating seniors are expected to vacate the residence halls no later than 5 p.m., Sunday, May 25. Students will receive detailed instructions.

A live stream of the event will be accessible from the Commencement home page.

Yes, the live stream will have closed captions, and there will be an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter on screen as well.

Yes. More information to come on the specific classroom and building locations.

Graduates will receive their diplomas on commencement day.

There will be golf carts available to pick up guests at the parking lots and escort them to their on-campus destination on Saturday for Baccalaureate and Sunday for Commencement. Golf carts can be dispatched by calling Security at 207-859-5530.

Guests of graduating seniors will be invited to a seated luncheon with a grab-and-go option immediately following commencement Sunday. Registration for this event is available on Colby’s commencement website.

Please contact Lissa King, director of campus events, at 207-859-4735 or [email protected].