Information to Anchor Your Simmons Experience

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

From the VP's Desk

Introducing Dr. Renique Kersh, VP for Student Affairs

Hey, Sharks!

The semester is off to a great start, with many new and familiar faces walking through the halls and across the quad. It has been wonderful connecting with everyone who I was initially only able to meet through Zoom, and I look forward to cultivating strong relationships with you all as we readjust to in-person learning.

I hope each of you has taken the opportunity to join a club, meet someone new, or otherwise shake up your normal routine since your return to campus. Just last week, I decided to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and work from the Residence Quad, where I was afforded the opportunity to connect with many of you.

Please take the time to review this week's edition of The Anchor, which includes important COVID updates, dining changes, and other happenings across campus.

Best,

Renique Kersh, Ph.D.

Vice President for Student Affairs

Health & Wellness

COVID Exposure Chart

The Health Center and has created two easy to read charts that clearly explain the protocols you need to follow if you have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19.

Updated COVID FAQs

The COVID Task Force and Steering Committee continuously review policies that impact our community. Please see below for the latest Simmons policy updates.

Counseling Center Support Groups

The Counseling Center is hosting a drop-in support group for students to gain support around difficult and stressful transitions, homesickness, and anxiety. Tuesdays at noon and Thursdays at 5pm via Zoom.

Fit at Simmons Fall Classes

Fit at Simmons offers a wide range of programming, including spin, yoga, pilates, Zumba, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), strength training, and weightlifting. All courses are offered at the Holmes Sports Center on the Residential campus. Classes follow a drop-in format, so come any time that is convenient for you!    

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

Student Experience

Upcoming Events

Fall Fest

Tuesday October 19 - Thursday October 21

Join The Multicultural Center (MCC), the Office of Spiritual Life (OSL), and the Center for Leadership and Engagement (CLE) for a three day drop-by event. Each office will each be hosting a grab-and-go food stop with a wellness activity in their respective offices.

• Tuesday, October 19: Visit the MCC in C-101 to write self-compassion letters, and enjoy turnovers, apple cider, and kettle corn.
• Wednesday, October 20: Visit the OSL in the SOM second-floor lobby for free journals with suggested prompts, and hummus and veggie cups.
• Thursday, October 21: Visit the CLE in C-131 to participate in a "How Full is Your (Shark) Tank?" activity, and to enjoy apple cider and donuts.

Health & Wellness Book Club

Wednesday, October 27 | 4:00pm

Simmons' Health & Wellness Book Club invites you to join it for a discussion on its October selection: Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone, by Brené Brown. Register to receive a copy of the book.

Community Discussion with Ann Fudge

Wednesday, October 13 | 2:30pm

The Multicultural Center invites Simmons BIPOC Students for a community discussion with Simmons Alumna, Ann Fudge. Register

Family and Friends Weekend

Friday, October 15 - Sunday, October 17

The CLE is excited to welcome families and friends back to campus and welcome them to the city of Boston. In an effort to ensure safety for our campus community and guests, we will be offering a combination of both on- and off-campus activities.

Please note: all students can participate in Family and Friends Weekend! If you’re planning to join us for our ticketed events (see below), please make sure only one form is submitted for each guest to avoid duplicate registration.

Events we will be offering this year include campus tours, a State of the University address delivered by President Lynn Wooten, self-guided food tours of the Fenway/Kenmore area, and more. 

Ticketed events with accompanying online registration include:

• Campus Tours - 10/15 from 1pm-3pm; Register
• Boston Duck Boat Tour - 10/16 at 3pm; Register
• Bagel Brunch - 10/17 at 10am; Register 

Campus Update

Our Academic Campus has a variety of different spaces for you to sit back and relax, study or meet your friends and classmates. Please find the Guide to Open Study Spaces. There is no reservation required to access these spaces. 

Academic Spotlight

Updates from the Simmons Community Engagement

The America Learns program is currently recruiting for another year! America Learns is an academic mentoring program that provides foundational literacy and mathematics skill building to Boston-area neighborhoods.

Program features include reading pairs, engaging play, and other exciting activities. This year, we look forward to supporting the Orchard Gardens K-8 School in Roxbury and the Florida Ruffin Ridley K-8 School in Brookline. This position is eligible for work-study.

If you have questions, contact the Simmons Community Engagement team at [email protected], or visit our office in the Management & Academic Building, C230A.

Dining Services Updates

Self Service is Returning

After careful consideration and consultation with the health and safety team, all dining locations on the Residential and Academic Campus will return to self-service starting Monday, October 11.

Aramark will continue to keep safety in mind and take the appropriate sanitation measures to ensure COVID compliance. This includes switching utensils at self-service stations every 45 minutes, in addition to other safety measures.

If you have questions, please email Manny Lezama at [email protected].

Dining Accommodation Requests

Step 1: Register with the Office of Accessibility Services

To be considered for Dining and/or Dietary Accommodations, please register with the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) by submitting a student request form and providing supporting documentation from a medical provider.

Once the documentation and requests are received, the student's case will be reviewed for eligibility. Students will be notified of the status of their eligibility via email within 5 - 7 days.

Step 2: Connecting With Dining Services

Once a student is deemed eligible by the OAS, Dining Services will reach the student by email. The student will be prompted to download the Transact Mobile Ordering App to pre-order from the Accommodations Menu, and schedule a meeting with the Bartol Dining Director to tour the facility and review procedures for special ordering on the app or in person.

Celebrating John Simmons

Founder's Day

Often celebrated on John Simmons’ birthday, October 30, this year Simmons will celebrate Founder’s Day on the afternoon of October 27. Festivities will include remarks from President Wooten, a reading from the student essay contest winner, and storytelling of Simmons history by Simmons Archivist Jason Wood.

Stay safe, and be well.

Simmons University

Division of Student Affairs

300 The Fenway

Boston, MA 02115