Information to Anchor Your Simmons Experience

Welcome to The Anchor. This bi-weekly communication will provide you with relevant information to anchor your Simmons experience.

From the VP's Desk

Dr. Renique Kersh, VP for Student Affairs

Hey, Sharks!

As you settle into your routine for the fall semester, I hope you are finding your courses engaging, and that you are taking advantage of the many co-curricular opportunities Simmons has to offer. There is such an exciting atmosphere on campus this semester, and it is so wonderful to be able to meet you all in person and talk about your experience so far.

This Anchor edition will focus on ways that you can get involved, both around campus and in the larger COF community. I also want to remind you of the policies surrounding COVID compliance and access to campus. As we navigate this new landscape, I want us all to stay focused on the strong and resilient community we build together!

Latest Updates

Updated Weekly COVID-19 Testing Location

The University has moved the testing site to a larger and more convenient location. Starting Monday, September 13, all testing will take place in the Linda K. Paresky (LKP) Conference Center*, located on the third floor in the Main College Building on the Academic Campus.

*Do NOT go to the LKP testing site if you are experiencing symptoms

Testing Hours

• Monday - Thursday: 9:00am-6:00pm
• Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm

Community Standards

Simmons has updated the Undergraduate Community Standards to reflect COVID-19 policies and protocols. This document is a central resource for students to reference expectations around testing, events, visitors, and travel.

COVID-19 Dashboard

Visit Simmons' COVID-19 Dashboard for daily updates on testing and vaccination rates in our community. 

Simmons Digital Campus

Students with classes delivered via the 2U online platform should familiarize themselves with the resources and interface provided by 2U.

Please note the following important information and resources:

• For any Digital Campus technical issues, contact the technical support team through the online campus chat tool.
• Wait 24 business hours from the time you register in Workday to see your enrollments in the Digital Campus.
• Connect with faculty if you have any questions about course content, the syllabus, live session links, etc.

Commuter Meal Plans

Commuters may select from one of six Commuter Plans, available year-round. View the Commuter Meal Plan Guide. Try a 10-Pack of meals to see if the Simmons Dining experience is for you! If you want to participate in a meal plan you can now add it to your bill.

To enroll in a payment plan or adjust your existing plan to cover the meal plan charge, please log in to your Workday account and go to My Finances > Welcome to the Online Student Account Center > Payment Plans tab. If you are interested in utilizing parent or student loans to help cover the cost of the commuter meal plan, please reach out to Student Financial Services at 617-521-2001 or [email protected].

MBTA Semester Passes

If you ordered a Semester Pass through the Center for Leadership and Engagement, you received an email informing you the pass is available. The pickup location for passes in the new One-Stop cashiers window, located on the second floor of the Main College Building. Their hours of operation is Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm. 

Please note, the deadline to order a fall semester pass was August 15th.

Campus ID Card Access

As a reminder, all campus buildings (including Academic Campus) will be tap-access in the near future. If you never received or lost your ID, please either go to the Card Office located in the One Stop or submit your ID information online (to pickup at a future date). Students who are not in compliance with University COVID-19 policies will have their ID access restricted until they are back in compliance. 

Transportation Survey

Please take 5-10 minutes to complete this travel survey.

We’d like to understand your travel preferences, awareness of current transportation services and programs, and support for potential improvements and new programs. The information will help us advocate to improve travel in the area.

The deadline to complete the survey is September 24. As a thank you for your participation, MASCO will be raffling off three $50 gift cards.  

Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Get Involved

Upcoming Events

Commuter Student Social

September 10 | 12:00-2:00pm | Commuter Lounge, MCB

Come have a bite with your fellow commuter students, interact with staff members, and learn about different resources Simmons can offer you!

Yoga with Nyell Mindfulness Services

Friday, September 10 | 3:00-4:30pm | Simmons Residence Quad

Join guest Nyell Jeudy for Yoga, Breath, and Sound Healing! Space is limited so you must register to attend. Capacity is 75.

COF Block Party

September 10 | 5:00-7:00pm | Emmanuel College Quad

Join the Colleges of the Fenway for live performances, lawn games, free food, and giveaways on the Emmanuel College Quad at 400 The Fenway!

Community Read: A Conversation with Yaa Gyasi

September 22 | 5:00-6:00pm | Zoom Link

Join author Yaa Gyasi for a virtual conversation about her latest book, Transcendent Kingdom! 

Selected as the Fall Community Read at Simmons, Transcendent Kingdom is a powerful coming-of-age story about a young woman on a quest for approval and forgiveness in the wake of the devastating loss of her brother to drug overdose - and for a sense of belonging in a world of unknowns.

Visit The HUB for more upcoming events!

Simmons University

The Division of Student Affairs

300 The Fenway

Boston, MA 02115