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
How Can I View My Student's Grades or Their Bill?
Your student can share their myThomas account with you, which has all of this information.
How Safe is Campus?
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.
What Type of On-Campus Housing is Available to My Student?
There are five residence halls on campus available to students.
What Happens if My Student Has a Conflict with Their Roommate?
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.
What Type of Meal Plan Should My Student Purchase?
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.
Is There Any Transportation for Students if They Do Not Have Their Own Car?
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
Residential Life Update
As your student prepares for an exciting new chapter at Thomas College, we’re thrilled to introduce you to our dedicated Residential Life staff who will be supporting your student throughout their journey:
- Jim Delorie – Assistant Vice President of Residence Life and Student Engagement. Jim has been serving students at Thomas for 16 years. His role is to listen and support your student as they transition to college life at Thomas. The residence life and engagement staff do this through intentional programming and outreach to students, celebrating their success and supporting them during difficult times and transitions. Jim leads the Res-Life team with the goal of positive growth for your student during their time at Thomas and preparing them for their future.
- Derek Dalrymple – Resident Director of GPH and Hinman Halls. Derek is a Thomas grad (Class of ‘14) who returned to us after working for many years in the mental health field. Derek is responsible for all things community, support, and programming in these halls and supervises the community assistants who work there. Overseeing halls that are primarily occupied by first-year residents, Derek works to ensure that the halls are safe, welcoming, and conducive to building new communities here at Thomas. Derek is also responsible for the room key process and is the go-to person if your student has lost their room key and needs it replaced.
- Shan Scott – Resident Director of Bartlett Hall, the Village, and the Townhouses. Shan has worked as a Resident Director in New England since 2018 and, outside of Thomas, also works professionally as an Illustrator and Comic Artist. Shan supervises the Community Assistants in Bartlett, Village, and the Townhouses, supports residents in navigating college life, and helps foster a safe, welcoming environment in the residence halls. Whether managing roommate conflicts, planning events, or responding to student needs, Shan is here to support your student throughout their journey on campus!
Move-In Timeline & What to Expect
The campus will begin buzzing with activity starting August 14, 2026, when our amazing Community Assistants (CAs) return for two weeks of extensive training. These student leaders are here to help your student transition smoothly and build a strong community in our residence halls.
Move-in will happen in waves starting in August, so be sure to have your student keep an eye on their email for specific move-in dates, instructions, and updates.
Move-In Tips and Tricks
Move-in day is a big milestone for students and parents/guardians! Here are some helpful tips to make the transition smoother so you can focus on your student and not worry about the move.
Before You Arrive
- Label Everything: Clearly mark boxes and bins with your student’s name, hall, and room number. It makes unloading and organizing much easier.
- Pack Smart: Use stackable bins or soft-sided bags for easier transport and storage. Avoid overpacking, especially if your student will be making trips home!
- Coordinate with Roommates: Encourage your student to connect with their roommate ahead of time to avoid duplicate items like Keurig’s or microwaves.
On Move-In Day
- Arrive During Your Assigned Time: This helps reduce congestion and ensures a smoother process for everyone.
- Bring a Hand Truck or Cart: Some may be available on-site but bringing your own guarantees you access to one.
- Dress Comfortably: It’s a busy day with lots of walking, lifting, and organizing, so comfy shoes are a must!
After the Move
- Give Space: It’s tempting to linger, but giving your student time to settle in and meet others helps them start building independence.
- Stay Connected: A quick text or call later in the day can be a great way to check in without hovering.
Moving into college is a big step, and your support means the world. We’re here to help make it a positive and memorable experience for your whole family! For more info and some tips on WHAT to pack.
We can’t wait to welcome you and your student to campus. Get ready for an unforgettable year!
Health Center Message
Health Services
[email protected]
How exciting that your student is attending Thomas College this fall! There is so much to know about being part of this community. Here are details on some important health related items that need to be completed to help make your students’ transition to Thomas smoother.
Medical Records:
Please submit the following information as soon as possible:
- Proof of immunizations that are required by the State of Maine (2 doses of MMR and Tetanus/Diphtheria within 10 years)
- Proof that a full physical examination has been done within the last year
- A completed medical questionnaire form
• Information pertaining to special dietary needs, medication allergies, and any other types of allergies.
The necessary health forms can be found on the onboarding checklist that students have access to and must be received by August before arriving on campus. You may fax the completed forms to 207-859-1126 or mail them directly to the attention of Health Services at the Thomas College address.
Counseling
Counseling Services is excited to welcome you to the Thomas College family! We are look forward to meeting you and your student during Orientation weekend. As you are preparing to send your student to Thomas in the fall I want to give you a few things to consider:
Anxiety is a common struggle among college students. I believe that this is even more true for those students who are the first in their families to go to college. Help your student to remember that there are a variety of supports available to them at Thomas and encourage them to reach out sooner than later. Personal counseling is available on campus for all full-time day students. The wait time between the request for an appointment and the actual meeting is minimal.
Help your student to remember the basics of self-care – most importantly to establish a pretty regular sleep schedule. Sleep deprivation seems to run rampant among college students and can have a significant impact on your student’s health and wellness. Going to bed at about the same time each night and prioritizing adequate sleep as a necessity are good habits to start early in their college career. If your student struggles with sleep, Counseling Services can help. In just a few sessions we can help your student to learn some breathing and mindfulness techniques that will assist them to fall asleep more readily and sleep more restfully.
Technology will certainly help you and your student to stay connected across the miles while they are at Thomas. With that said, please consider not messaging your student during class time. If your student has their phone out during class the urge to check the message can be too tempting. Maybe go one more step and encourage your student to put their phones down and make face to face connections with others on campus.
While maintaining contact with friends and family at home is a gift, we hope that your student will balance that with making new connections with others on campus, and actively settling into a connected life at Thomas. Loneliness is an often unanticipated struggle for first year students as they adjust to life on campus – ironically the best way to overcome this is to spend less time on social media and connecting with those back at home and instead work actively to get to know people in their residence hall, class, in the dining center, and out and about on campus.
Lastly, it might be helpful for you and your student to have an idea of what to expect should your student choose to access counseling on campus. Counseling is a confidential service, and as such clinicians are legally required to maintain the privacy of the student’s relationship with counseling. This means that we are unable to share information discussed in session with any others, without the student’s permission. The privacy of our conversations is often a draw for students to seek help. So, while a clinician can not speak with you about your student, you are always welcome to contact us to share concerns, etc. We are able to listen, just not share information about your student. Should you have general questions about counseling, supports available on campus and the greater Waterville community, etc. we are a ready resource for you.
During a first appointment, once the formalities are attended to, some students become anxious saying that they do not know what to say or where to begin. This is where the clinician begins their role as co-pilot and guides the conversation by asking questions, seeking background information, and helping students to identify what they want to accomplish by coming to counseling.
You can be helpful to your student by reminding them of the availability of Counseling at Thomas College. Should your student be nervous about seeking this support you can remind them that attending a first appointment does not obligate them to anything. At any point in the process they can choose to end the service. To schedule an appointment all that is required is to email me at [email protected] and say they would like to schedule an appointment. We strive to offer a first appointment within 3 to 5 days of their request.
The staff of Counseling Services looks forward to collaborating with you as needed to ensure that your student has access to supports to help them to be successful at Thomas. Should you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the counseling staff by calling (207) 859-1245 or emailing [email protected]. Confidentiality of email communication cannot be guaranteed, so please refrain from emailing specific health information regarding your student.
Counseling Services welcomes you and your student to the Thomas College family!
Disability Services
Requesting Accommodations at Thomas College
Thomas College is committed to providing qualified students with equitable and barrier-free access to all curricular and co-curricular aspects of the college, in accordance with federal and state laws. We collaborate with students, faculty, and staff to offer personalized and reasonable accommodations and support that recognizes the unique experiences of individuals with disabilities. Together, we strive to create inclusive environments that support, celebrate and promote equal opportunity for access to all students with disabilities.
For parents and families, this is especially important if your student received support through Special Education Services in their High Schools (Individualized Educational Plans and 504 Plans). While those plans do not directly transfer to college, they can serve as important documentation that helps our team determine the right accommodations for your student here at Thomas. Services may include classroom or housing accommodations, assistive technology, and access to a dedicated testing site on campus designed to provide a reduced-distraction environment, extended time, or other approved testing supports.
We encourage your student to connect with our team as soon as possible to begin the process of requesting accommodations via this link. To ensure there is ample time to process accommodation requests prior to the start of the semester, it is recommended that students initiate the process prior to August 1st.
For more information, please reach out to [email protected] or visit our website.
Student Life: Your Partner in Enriching College Experiences
We often hear that your college experiences are “the best years of your life” and as one of the major players in many of the programs and activities that happen on campus, I’d have to agree! In my role, I create fun opportunities for students to engage with their peers, as well as support many other campus clubs, groups, and departments in promoting their programs as well.
We know how busy our students are—some are balancing a full course load, work, clubs, athletics, family obligations, and much more, while also trying to find time to socialize, sleep, and recharge with the activities that help them regulate their mental well-being. As first year students we typically see new students fall into one of these two mindsets. The first is cautious with their new college experience. College is new, classes may require more homework, maybe they are an athlete, and they’ve met a few students on their residence hall floor. To get started, they want to make sure that they can handle the demands of what they already have on their plate. The second is the enthusiastic student—they want to join 7 clubs and go to every student activity because they all sound so fun. Their network of who they know will grow exponentially in a short time.
So which one is better? Evey student is different, but in my experience the sweet spot is somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. Taking on a manageable amount of extracurriculars will help your student meet other students and become a stronger part of our Thomas community. Whether it’s a bingo night, a craft event, an off-campus trip, getting involved in a club, or attending a free movie night, these opportunities begin to shape their college experience, creating memories with peers that may turn out to be lifelong friends.
As a supporter of your student, if you see the cautious or the enthusiastic characteristics above, you can help to guide them to find that sweet spot. You can help them use the resources on campus to find out about what is happening for events, or what clubs they might have an interest in. Honestly, as a student you do have to try really hard to not know what is happening on campus—we use about 7 different methods to share that information! Even though it may be counter-intuitive, spending some time engaging in campus programs (and away from their studies for a bit) has a large impact on student success in the classroom. It starts with feeling connected to Thomas, being seen, understood, and comfortable at their home away from home and it blossoms into so much more.
Michael Sales
Senior Coordinator of Student Activities
Phone Numbers
- Admissions (Undergrad): 207-859-1101
- Admissions (Grad): 207-859-1255
- Advancement: 207-859-1118
- Counseling: 207-859-1245
- Financial Aid: 207-859-1110
- Health Services: 207-859-1401
- Health Svcs. Fax: 207-859-1126
- Main Fax Number: 207-859-1114
- Registrar: 207-859-1202
- Safety & Security: 207-859-1399