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Resources for Families

The Thomas College Community

The decision about which college or university your student should attend is an important and momentous one. Quality education, ample opportunity, safety and serenity, and campus culture and atmosphere all matter a great deal.

Students and families herald Thomas College as a close, connected community that makes college feel like a home away from home. We strive to make attending Thomas College as stress-free as possible. So, we’ve compiled the information most often sought by families as they make their decision on which school to attend.

We hope you find our resources for families below helpful. If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to call us at 207-859-1101.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please visit our Payments page.

Your student can forward a copy of their bill and/or grades to you from their myThomas account.

Safety and Security is available and on duty 24/7. There are 17 blue light call systems on campus for emergencies. If you have any question you can contact campus Safety and Security at 207-859-1399.

You should also download the Terrier Safe App from the App Store or from Google Play.

There are five residence halls on campus available to students.

Students should talk with their Community Assistant (CA) about any roommate conflict. If the conflict is not resolved, the CA will take the issue to the resident director. If not resolved, then Assistant VP of Student Engagement & Residential Life, Jim Delorie, will be available to help. And if necessary, there will be a roommate switch.

Meal plans range from 10 meals per week to 19 meals per week and offer variety – from eating in the dining center, to Jeanie’s Café and the Dog Pound. Students who are commuters have the option to purchase a plan with fewer meals per week.

Yes! We offer shuttles during Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Breaks to and from Portland International Jetport and the Portland Transportation Center, as well as to the Waterville Greyhound or Concord Coach Lines stations.

Transitioning to college can be a tough time for students—and for families.  And this can be even more difficult if you’re sending your loved ones off to college for the first time. Thomas College is here to help you along this journey as a committed partner, too.

Information for Families

Introducing Our New Associate Director of Disability Services and Student Support

Hello Thomas Families,

It is a pleasure to (virtually) meet you! My name is Kimberly Walton-Trajkovski and I am so excited to join the Thomas community as the Associate Director of Disabilty Services and Student Support. The primary goal of the Office of Disability Services is to remove barriers that may prevent students with disabilities from being able to access academic programs, services, and opportunities.

While I am new to Thomas (this is my third week), I am certainly not new to higher education. I have worked in both public and private colleges and universities for over 30 years in various capacities. Most of the positions I’ve held have been in student facing roles. I truly enjoy work centered around ensuring access and equity for students. I am often asked what I like most about working in higher education and my answer, unequivocally, is the students.

As you know, fall at Thomas brings with it cooler temperatures and beautiful leaves bursting with vibrant colors; it is also midterms season. This is a great time to remind your student to stop in the office to review and sign off on their accommodation letters if they haven’t already done so. Additionally, if your student receives testing accommodations, please remind them to speak with their professors to coordinate midterm exams. Whether your student prefers to have their exam administered in class or in the Disability Services office, I want to ensure that the process for scheduling is seamless. Your help with a gentle reminder would be greatly appreciated.

If your student has any questions regarding the accommodation process or concerns with the accommodation they are receiving, please send them my way. I am located in AD-125.

I am thrilled to have an opportunity to get to know and support your student as they navigate their academic journey!

Take care,

Kim

Thanksgiving & Semester Breaks

The end of the semester is right around the corner, and it’s time when students start making travel plans! As your student gets ready for some well-deserved time off, here are the important dates to keep in mind for Thanksgiving and Semester Break.

Thanksgiving Break

  • Halls Close: Tuesday, November 24 at 6:00 PM
  • Halls Reopen: Sunday, November 29 at 12:00 PM (noon)

Semester Break

  • Halls Close: Friday, December 18 at 6:00 PM
  • Halls Reopen: Monday, January 18 at 12:00 PM (noon)

Need to stay on campus? Students who need housing at any point during either break must submit the appropriate Break Housing Request form. Break Housing is available for students with a documented need, such as an academic or athletic commitment or international/long-distance travel. All requests are subject to approval, and fees may apply.

Students should check their Thomas College email for the Request forms and additional details. They can also visit the Housing During Breaks page for more information.

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the midpoint of the fall semester. Campus life at Thomas is in full swing, and while I’m not always sure where the days and weeks go, I am grateful for the opportunity to share this journey with your student.

College is a time of tremendous growth, discovery, and new experiences. It is also a time when students learn to navigate challenges, build resilience, and develop independence. Throughout this process, families play an important role in providing encouragement, support, and perspective.

The middle of the semester is often one of the busiest times of the academic year. Many students are finding their rhythm, building friendships, and thriving academically and socially. Others may be experiencing some stress, fatigue, or uncertainty as coursework, commitments, and responsibilities begin to intensify. Whether your student is a first-year student adjusting to college life or a senior preparing for life after graduation, these experiences are a normal and valuable part of their growth.

One of the most meaningful ways families can support students is by staying connected. Consider asking open-ended questions such as:

  • What has been the highlight of your semester so far?
  • How are you getting involved on campus and connecting with other students?
  • What challenges are you currently working through?
  • What resources or support have been most helpful to you?
  • What are you most looking forward to during the remainder of the semester?

These conversations can create opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences and recognize how much they are learning both inside and outside the classroom.

I also encourage you to remind your student that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Seeking support demonstrates self-awareness, maturity, and a commitment to success. Whether through faculty, staff, peers, or campus resources, students do not have to navigate challenges alone.

As we move into the second half of the semester, our campus remains committed to creating a community where students feel supported, challenged, and connected. Every day, we are inspired by the growth, perseverance, and accomplishments of our students, and we are grateful for the partnership we share with families.

Thank you for entrusting us with the opportunity to support your student’s educational journey. We appreciate all that you do to encourage their success, and we look forward to a strong finish to the semester.

Warm regards,

Lisa Desautels-Poliquin
Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs

This fall weather has been wonderful, and students have been out on campus enjoying it. From lounging in the quad, trips off campus and home athletic games students are settling into life on campus. This fall our students have had the opportunity to join clubs at our annual Terrier Club and Group Fair, white water raft, watch our athletic teams compete, and of course attend classes.

We have more great opportunities for students this fall with our annual Student Leadership Conference on November 21st, our Deep Freeze Week planning committee has begun work, and our campus tradition of Thanksgiving Convocation is scheduled for November 19th. Thanksgiving Convocation is a day when we bring the Thomas community of faculty, staff, and students together for a Thanksgiving meal at lunch. As our mission states “Thomas College prepares students for success in their personal and professional lives, and for leadership and service in their communities”, so we also host a service project as part of convocation. Each year we hold a thanksgiving basket food drive for the Salvation Army to help families in the Waterville Area during the holiday. This is a great tradition on campus and one, I believe, students have come to enjoy and appreciate participating.

This is also the time of a semester when course work might increase or larger projects come due. We always encourage our students to use the resources on campus like Peer Tudors, faculty office hours, coaches, community assistants, and use of the library as quiet study space. It is also always helpful for families to remind students of the various resources on campus, and we always appreciate that support.

It has been a great start to the year, and we are looking forward to finishing the semester strong and being here to help and support all our students.

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