From the VP's Desk

Dr. Renique Kersh, VP for Student Affairs

Dear Families,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you into the Simmons Community.

Unfortunately, this communication was not received last week by most when it was originally sent due to a listserv issue which has since been resolved.

I am thrilled to have met you at move-in, and I am so excited to share some important information that will help guide you through these first weeks of the semester with your student.

This inaugural edition of The Anchor: Parents & Families will cover the schedule for Welcome Days, opportunities to participate in Health and Wellness activities, reminders and updates on COVID compliance and testing protocols, and updated information from the One Stop.

We have such an exciting year ahead of us together, and I look forward to getting to meet and greet you all!

Upcoming Events

New Student Parent Information Session

Tuesday, September 7 | 7pm

Get to know more about the Simmons student experience! Parents and families of new Simmons students - please join us for a virtual orientation session and conversation on Tuesday September 7 from 7pm to 8:30pm. 

Family and Friends Weekend

Friday, October 15 - Sunday, October 17

We invite you to join us for our Family and Friends Weekend of events*. Families and friends provide valuable support to students when times are difficult, and are among the first to congratulate them on their successes. We want to celebrate as a community by welcoming you to this year's fall festivities. Use the button below to express interest in participating. A full schedule will be available shortly. *Please note we will monitor COVID-19 cases when determining the feasibility of hosting this program.

COVID Dashboard & Handbook

COVID DashBoard

At the beginning of semester, we shared our community commitment to wellness. At Simmons, students, faculty, and staff share the responsibility to fulfill and uphold our community values by demonstrating a firm commitment to health and safety. We do this by:

• Working together to minimize the transmission of COVID-19
• Protecting those in our community and beyond who are especially vulnerable
• Respectfully holding each other accountable
• Recognizing individuals have varying degrees of comfort with returning to “normal” 

Check out the regularly updated COVID dashboard (beginning the first full week of classes) to see how we are doing as a community. Additionally, please see our comprehensive handbook on COVID protocols and safety. 

Supporting Your Student's Transition

Tips for Parents and Families

While this time in your student's life provides new excitement and endless opportunities, it can also be difficult and anxiety inducing. We have outlined some strategies below for supporting your student through some of the challenges they may face in the coming weeks, including:

• Transition
• Fitting In
• Academic Challenge
• Social Life Balance

• Roommate Conflict
• Adventurous Behavior
• Returning Home

Let your student take ownership. College is a place where students are encouraged to find their voice and their agency. Taking ownership and responsibility is an empowering part of the college experience.

Know the supports available, and direct your student to them. Simmons provides many supports for students during their transition to college and throughout the year. You can find a directory of these supports on the website, and you are welcome to reach out to the Office of Student Affairs if you would like guidance in locating the appropriate supports.

Help treat homesickness by staying connected. As your student takes on greater independence, we know that this can feel overwhelming for them. Some things that can help relieve homesickness include sending care packages or letters, or finding a regular time to connect by phone, Zoom, or Skype.

Keep things in perspective. The stresses of college life are very real, and can come from both academic and personal pressures. You can help your student manage stress by keeping things in perspective and reminding them to practice good self-care.

Call us if you are concerned. While most of the challenges your student may face will be things they can manage with help from the support systems in place, if you feel that your student has a serious concern, please feel free to reach out to the Office of Student Affairs.

Keep in mind that the University is legally bound to abide by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Please see Simmons’ practices on the Privacy of Student Records. FERPA is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education. The Department maintains a FERPA website (with links to FERPA regulations). 

Simmons Resources

Academic 2021-2022 Calendar

Please take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with important dates that both students and families should make note of. View the full academic calendar, which includes deadlines for adding and removing classes, days which finals are held, and any holiday breaks.

One Stop Center for Student Enrollment Services 

The One Stop Center for Student Enrollment Services is officially open! Located in A-200 of the Main College Building (second floor at the end of the hallway to the left of the staircase), this is where students will find the Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Student Employment/Work Study, Military and Veteran Services, the Cashier and the Campus Card Office. All offices located in the center offer in-person, virtual and self-service options.

At the One Stop, students can:

• Meet with a Financial Aid Counselor
• Pick up their MBTA Pass
• Retrieve their Student ID
• Make a Payment by Cash/Check
• Speak with a member of the team and get their questions answered

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30 or by appointment.

For more information, please visit the One Stop FAQ page, or email the Registrar or Financial Aid and Billing.

The HUB

Students can view information on upcoming events through a new resource called The HUB, which they can access through the Simmons University website. Students can find information about all the happenings from the Office of Student Leadership and Activities, Colleges of the Fenway, Athletics, Academic Advising, Center for Global Education, Community Engagement, and much more!

Simmons University

The Division of Student Affairs

300 The Fenway

Boston, MA 02115