Information to Anchor Your Simmons Experience

Welcome to the final spring edition of The Anchor, the bi-weekly communication for students from Student Affairs, providing relevant information to anchor your Simmons experience.

From the VP's Desk

Hey, Sharks!

A few weeks ago, I eagerly received my COVID-19 vaccine. Amidst all of the losses and challenges of the past year and a half, I am grateful to be one step closer to joining you on campus this fall.

As of this week, about 46% of Massachusetts residents have been vaccinated. At Simmons, we're aiming for 70% of our community to be vaccinated by July 1, and 80% by August 1. The more quickly we are able to reach these goals, the greater our sense of normalcy will be as we return to campus this fall.

As we prepare for the fall semester, we look forward to providing you with opportunities to engage with your peers. We want you to enjoy a cup of coffee with friends at Common Grounds, or drop by the School of Management building to visit the new Multicultural Center, veterans lounge, and student activities space. 

I'm eager to meet you all in person, and although we will continue to monitor the federal, state and local health and safety guidelines, we are confident that we will be able to achieve our vaccination goals so we can once again enjoy connecting with one another in our vibrant campus community.  

For more details on how to schedule a vaccine appointment, check out the President's recent message to the community. If you need assistance, contact the Health Center. 

Health & Wellness

Vaccine Community Information Session & Town Hall

The Colleges of the Fenway will host a Vaccine Community Information Session & Town Hall on Thursday, May 20 at 12pm. This event will feature a panel of medical and public health experts from the COF community and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

If you are interested in attending, please register and submit questions in advance.

How to Submit Your COVID-19 Vaccination Information

As a reminder, all Simmons students who are enrolled in classes on campus must be fully vaccinated before arriving for the fall semester. You will need to upload your COVID-19 vaccine documentation to the Health Center's patient portal by visiting myhealth.simmons.edu.

Wellness Resource: Coping with Exam Stress

As you head into final exams, the Health Center has put together a helpful guide for coping with exam stress by incorporating healthy habits into your routine.

Student Experience

Upcoming Dates & Events

Health and Wellness Book Club

The Health and Wellness Virtual Living Learning Community invites you to join its book club and reflect on how to build healthier habits! Register to receive a copy of May's book, Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones.

Thursday, May 27, 4pm | Register

Simmons Strong Spotlight

Laura Romano (they/them/theirs)

Class of 2021, Neuroscience and Behavior

Laura is an exceptional student and has been working tirelessly to raise awareness for their rare genetic disorder, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. They have contacted both the state and local government officials to request that the month of May is recognized as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month. Proclamations have been issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as Laura's hometown of Pepperell, MA. Laura hopes that their advocacy work will make Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome more commonly recognized by both health care workers and the general public so that others will not have to wait as long as they did for diagnosis and treatment.

Community Engagement Center Recognitions

Simmons Community Engagement is thrilled to recognize the following community members who have gone above and beyond this year:

Jennifer McKee Distinguished Student Award:

• Josephine Tran-Vong '21
• Allison Stacey '23

Judith Botelho Commitment Award:

• Laura Romano '21
• Genevieve Schortz '21

SCE Emerging Leader Award:

• Leila Pettibone '24

Leadership in Community-Based Learning Award:

• Kimmy Colbert '23

Simmons Dining Updates

Beginning in the 2021-2022 Academic Year, Simmons Dining will be introducing exciting new community building events, renovations to Bartol Hall, and a new unlimited meal plan. Check out the full updates below!

Sharing Your Video Message

If you have a few minutes, we'd love for you to record yourself sharing a favorite memory, thanking a best friend, talking about a club or organization on campus that really helped you grow, or bragging about an incredible accomplishment you're proud of achieving! You can share whatever comes to mind, and you can record multiple short messages. 

Below is an example student message submitted last year by Nicole McFarland for the Class of 2020:

Please contact Kate Smith with questions, or you can email her with your videos directly!

Academic Spotlight

COF Cross-Registration for Summer/Fall 2021

One of the great benefits of being a Simmons student is the ability to cross-register for courses at our neighboring institutions through the Colleges of the Fenway (COF). Cross-registration for Summer/Fall 2021 courses is now open.

Final Exam Week

You have worked so hard during this incredibly challenging year, and you are almost at the finish line! As you prepare for finals, don't forget to reference the Health Center's tips for coping with exam stress. You can also double-check your exam schedule at the link below.

Best of luck!

Career and Leadership Corner

Passionate Leaders Project Applications Available

Passionate Leaders Project applications for the fall 2021 semester are now open! Through this program, you can earn up to $4,000 in funding for a variety of activities including research, internships, service projects, and creative endeavors. The deadline is October 4.

Contact [email protected] with questions.

VPSA Communications Student Staff

Would you like to be a part of creating The Anchor and other regular communications from the VP for Student Affairs? We are looking for four students studying Communications, English, Graphic Design, Marketing, or other related fields to join the VPSA’s communications team for Fall 2021! 

If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].

Making a Difference

Helping MA Residents Book COVID Vaccine Appointments

In memory of Simmons' own Jahaira DeAlto, we want to spotlight the incredible and heroic activism for trans rights being done in Massachusetts. As we mourn Jahaira's loss, we will also continue to carry her mission and advocacy forward.

Last year, DeAlto co-founded Trans Resistance MA, an organization that advocates for and empowers BIPOC members of the trans community. On June 12 they are holding their second annual Trans Resistance March, Vigil, and Pride Fest at Franklin Park.

The event begins at 11am, and is free of charge. All members of the community are welcomed and encouraged to join. See all Trans Resistance events.

Stay safe, and be well.