(scroll to the end to see demands)

Ever since its creation, Colby College has been known for the stunning gregorian-style architecture, of both its old and new campus. Colby has been featured in lists of best campus architecture from websites such as architectural Digest and BestCollegeReviews.

However, Colby has been experiencing a dramatic change in both the interior quality and architectural style of its newer buildings. Building such as the new pond houses and the hillside complex make a jarring and dramatic shift from the college's historical and classic architecture, and serve to destroy the campus' historical style. Furthermore, the upkeep and interior of these buildings has proven to be disastrous, with untreated black mold repeatedly ignored by the administration in hillside and the two-year-old Johnson pond houses already having dysfunctional and flooding showers.

The two factors listed are detrimental to both the college's appeal and future. If one combs through the reviews of Colby College on niche.com, a large emphasis will be placed on the college's architecture; quotes such as "beautiful location/architecture" and "The campus is so pretty. Like (at least for all the old buildings) there isn’t a photo you can take that isn’t amazing" And what's even worse than destruction of the campus' architectural ethos is the poor quality of the newer dorms. I have received multiple personal reports of college administrators harassing and ridiculing students over attempting to contact their higher-ups regarding the black mold in hillside. Furthermore, I know of at least 2 student who have had to take a leave because of mold, also in hillside.

The recent announcement of residence halls to open in 2026 pushes this decent forward, as they are again straying from the architectural beauty of the old campus, instead opting for cheap and ugly wooden structures. And the administration has repeatedly declined to comment on the quality and longevity of these new dorms, which indicates a continuation of the downward trend.

DEMANDS:

1) ADRESS the issue of moldy and overcrowded dorms on campus, and IMMIDIATLY create a plan to alleviate and ultimately end black mold and forced triples in existing dorms. COLBY'S SILENCE AND REFUSAL TO PUBLICLLY ADRESS THIS TOPIC NEEDS TO BE BROKEN. A relevant article from a Colby student

2) SAVE the gregorian architecture style of the campus. Initiate a plan to address this issue by vowing to use traditional architecture in most projects, both regarding new buildings and renovations or replacements of old ones. Contrary to what the administration may think, classical architecture can coexist with ultra-modern connivences; a list of classical architecture firms can be found here.

3) ESTABLISH more transparency with the student body and alumni communities. END silence on issues directly affecting the quality of life of such a large segment of the college community.