New College's on-campus accommodation is well appointed for students who wish to live near many of the central facilities of University of Toronto, such as Robarts Library, Sidney Smith Hall, the Athletic Centre, and the Lash-Miller chemical laboratories.

A highlight of the year, usually held in the winter term, is Mosaic, which is an evening of music, dance and performance featuring multiethnic themes.

The Student Council generally uses the William Doo Auditorium for Mosaic, and also for other events such as movie nights and musical concerts.

New College dons are graduate or upper year students who live with the undergraduates and provide them with advice and support.

In addition, the college's commitment to social justice and equity is now woven through many of its extracurricular programs, a development evidenced by the 2009 appointment of a service-learning coordinator.

Many of its early officers were from science backgrounds, including Stewart Wilson (Engineering), the first registrar and Donald Ivey (Medicine), the college's first principal.