This is a phrase referenced with love and hatred simultaneously. Being on the Hill sets Colby apart from the greater Waterville community. That does not mean as a college we do not try to connect with people who live only a mile or so away. Our new President David Greene, has taken initiates to develop relations with local businesses and spaces within Waterville. How is this going to affect the Colby Bubble? What does the Colby Bubble do to foster different environments on campus? How can we make the Colby Bubble safe and more inclusive?

Here is a list of some common misconceptions of the Colby Bubble:

1. It is a completely safe space and protective:

Being in the Colby bubble can feel like a safe place. This is not the case for every person at every time. I think a lot of people have a trust in the community that is false. People often leave their valuables all over campus in spaces open to not only their peers but the public. FUN FACT: THE LIBRARIES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Think twice when you leave your laptop that is not password-protected open on a table in the library. As safe as it probably is, there is a false sense of safety that it will be safe in every instance. Another thing to consider is during the weekends we have this thing called DORM DAMAGE. Not very respectful and safe if you ask me.

2. The Bubble is free of prejudice:

There is no part of campus that is completely free on the prejudices people feel on campus. Everyone experiences prejudice differently. Everyone is affected, directly or indirectly. Can we please just try to have more respect for each other and ourselves?

3. Everyone either has a deep seeded anger or passionate love for it:

Some people are die-hard about the Colby Bubble oblivion, others want to burst the damn bubble, and others know it exists and do not feel particularly strong about it.

4. All people in Colby are in the Bubble:

All people contribute to the maintenance of the Colby Bubble, but not everyone feels included in the Bubble. There are subsets within the over-arching Colby Bubble: Sports, Drama, Theatre, etc. are a part of this but not every member of the subset categories feels included.

5. Leaving campus = leaving the Bubble:

You carry your privilege with you no matter where you go, and attending Colby is a part of that privilege.

6. The real world is the same as the Colby Bubble:

LIES, LIES, LIES … though some may live in the real world that very much resembles their Colby life, there will inevitably be differences. You will have to learn how to navigate those areas of your life with grace and dignity.

So with all of this information on the Colby College Bubble, where do we go from here? I think we aim instead of making safe pockets of space on campus to make the entire community feel safe for each of its members. We need to remind ourselves of the Colby Affirmation and hold ourselves to those standards. We need to take action when we see social injustice and micro-aggression happening and we need to find others who will stand by us within the community.

We have this really beautiful opportunity for four years of our lives to be part of a small community in a big way. Let’s do that, starting right now. Not in 10 minutes, not in an hour, not next week. Let’s start right now. Share this article and educate our friends, roommates, dorm and faculty about how they can make a difference at Colby College. A difference that will inspire thought, action, and love.