Plan an Event
Our Services
At Colby, we focus on the details so that you can focus on the program. The Special Programs staff is available to assist in planning and coordination of your event. As a one-stop shop, we coordinate registrations, food service and catering orders, housing reservations, facility reservations, audio-visual requests, recreational activities, and other services. We can also help with budget planning and financial management. Once you’re on campus, our staff will ensure your meeting runs smoothly. We can help you with:
- Pre-conference planning
- Onsite management
- Program follow-up
Book Your Event
To schedule a program, please complete a Program Inquiry Form or contact us at:
[email protected]
207-859-4730
Colby College admits registrants to any program without regard to race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, age, sex, or handicapped status. Persons needing special assistance should contact the Special Programs office.
More Information
On-Campus Housing
On campus, there are 26 dorms conveniently located across campus. These dorms are in historic buildings and offer affordable housing options for a variety of groups. There are a number of singles, doubles, triples, and suites with both private and communal bathrooms.
Bill & Joan Alfond Commons
Colby offers off-campus housing in the beautiful new apartments in the Bill & Joan Main Street Commons in downtown Waterville. The modern apartments, which feature living areas, full kitchens, and air conditioning, are conveniently located near restaurants and shops in the heart of downtown. Complimentary shuttle service is available to transport guests to campus.
Dining
Selection and quality are the cornerstones of our dining services. All dining services are managed through Bon Appetit, which has been a pioneer in sustainable food practices. Bon Appetit manages an organic farm on campus and most menu items are harvested from the garden or created from locally sourced foods. All meals are prepared from scratch in our kitchens.
During the summer months, we operate two dining halls for summer guests. Dana and Roberts offer a wide selection of menu items at various food stations and feature all-you-can-eat meal plans. Both dining halls offer diverse and delicious menu items, including vegetarian and vegan options. The menus are creative and diverse. Recognizing that guests may have unique dietary requests or restrictions, Bon Appetit is able to customize menus upon request.
Colby hosts a limited number of weddings and special events in the summer between June 11 and August 11. Special events are not permitted during the academic year. Facilities are booked on a first-come, first-available basis. All catering must be ordered from Bon Appétit catering through the Special Programs staff.
Guidelines
You must be one of the following:
- Colby graduate
- Son/daughter of a Colby graduate
- Colby employee or retiree
- Son/daughter of a Colby employee or retiree
Special events allowed:
- Wedding ceremonies
- Receptions, rehearsal dinners, and brunches
- Religious events such as Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
- 25th, 35th, 40th, 50th wedding anniversaries
Special events NOT allowed:
- Birthday parties
- Bridal or baby showers
- Graduation parties
- Non-Colby reunions
- Other parties
Due to uncertainty in the College’s summer construction schedule, Special Programs is unable to reserve facilities more than one year in advance. Each year a waiting list will be assembled with a first and second choice of dates. Once the construction schedule is set (typically in the fall), Special Programs will contact those on the waiting list to solidify a date for the coming summer. Lorimer Chapel is available on a limited basis due to scheduled concerts in July.
More information about weddings at Colby
To ensure the safety of our guests and staff, Colby College has instituted the following policies. Guests are responsible for reading all relevant policies and adhering to them during their stay on campus.
Alcohol and Drugs
- Colby College dining must provide all liquor served and consumed on the Colby campus.
- Guests may not bring their own alcohol into a function or public space.
- Guests may not remove or transport liquor from any space.
- The legal drinking age in Maine is 21 years of age. Per the Colby College responsible beverage policy, all guests will be requested to provide proof of age. The Maine state liquor commission requires proof of age upon request by our staff. Proof of age requires a picture ID that is valid and meets the requirements of the Maine State Liquor Authority.
- Under no circumstances may adults provide alcohol for underage patrons.
- We will not serve anyone who is intoxicated or serve anyone to that point.
- No guest may purchase any alcohol for anyone who has been determined to be without proper identification, intoxicated, or at risk in any way. The decision of our staff and management pertaining to the above will be final.
- We do not allow shots of any type at any event.
- We will limit the number of multiple liquor drinks served per guests.
- With the exception of dinner wine (by the bottle), no more than one drink shall be in front of a guest at any time.
- Violation of any of the above policies may result in the discontinuation of alcohol service to any individual, group, or the entire event.
- Our staff is professionally trained and certified in all situations of alcohol service. Please allow them to provide safe and prudent beverage services to you and your guests.
- The possession, use, manufacture, cultivation, sale, or distribution of controlled substances, including, but not limited to, marijuana, synthetic cannabis (e.g. Spice, K2, etc.), narcotics, GHB, LSD, psychedelic mushrooms, drug paraphernalia, or prescription drugs such as anabolic steroids, Rohypnol, amphetamines, “study drugs,” or psychostimulants (such as, but not limited to, Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Modafinil, Nootropil), tranquilizers for which a student does not have a legitimate prescription is strictly prohibited by both College policy and state and federal law.
Smoking
Colby College has established a tobacco-free policy that includes the entire campus. Smoking is NOT permitted on campus.
For the purposes of this policy, tobacco use will be defined as the possession of any lighted tobacco products or the use of any type of smokeless tobacco, including electronic cigarettes and chewing tobacco. The use of any such products will not be permitted on any College-owned property, including, but not limited to buildings, grounds, parking areas, walkways, recreational and sporting facilities, and College-owned or leased vehicles.
This policy applies to faculty, staff, students, clients, contractors, vendors, and visitors and will be in effect during and after normal campus hours as well as during all College sponsored events.
Weapons/Firearms
All weapons are prohibited from campus. For purposes of this policy, the term weapon shall include any object that can reasonably be considered as a weapon or a facsimile of a weapon. Many objects are designed as and are commonly understood to be weapons. Examples include firearms and ammunition; spring or CO2-powered projectile guns; starter pistols; martial arts weapons; knives; swords; metal knuckles; bludgeons or clubs or various types; slingshots; archery equipment; tear gas; and grenades or other explosive/incendiary devices. Any state-issued permit to carry a concealed deadly weapon is not valid on the Colby campus.
Insurance
As required by our contracts, all groups that plan summer programs on campus are required to provide a Certificate of Insurance to the Special Programs office 30 days prior to the start of the program. Colby College should be listed as an additional insured on a primary and non-contributory basis and the certificate holder and groups must provide a minimum of $1 million in liability coverage. Any groups that will host children on campus must include child abuse and sexual molestation protection.
More information about these and other Colby policies
Guest Policies
Pool Rules
Open Fires Policy