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.

In This Edition

• COVID Booster & Flu Shot Clinics
• Upcoming College Showcases

• Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
• RA Applications Due 12/22

Maintaining Civility in Our Online Communities

At the top of my mind is the dialogue and exchanges I have seen in recent weeks on online platforms. Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and others allow us to give a glimpse of what is happening in our days, stories we want others to read, and communicate with one another our opinions on topics and situations far and wide.

The notion of online civility is not new, but I want us to think about our role in this virtual environment. Civility starts with all of us. Communication and behaving in a civil way is a choice we make every day. Let us all think about ways to continue promoting a kind, supportive, and welcoming community through our screens and in our face-to-face encounters.

When we look at the collective results of the strengthsfinder for the class of 2024 and 2025, we learned that the majority of the top five strengths fall within relationship-building themes. This suggests that our undergraduates are restorative, have empathy for others, and are deeply connected to peers. What this tells me is that there is a spirit of care and concern that is foundational to our undergraduate student community and I hope that each of you will take seriously the importance of caring for yourselves and others even when faced with different opinions, ideas, backgrounds, and experiences. Below find strategies each of us can use to promote the values of Simmons Sharks.

• Know your triggers—the words, actions, and gestures that make you angry. Knowing your triggers helps you monitor and manage your reactions. You can't control what others do or say, but you can control your response.
• Assess your behavior. What do you do to contribute to civility or incivility? Ask a trusted friend for feedback here.
• Don't jump to conclusions or assume you know another person's intent or motive.
• When rumors or gossip come your way, let them go in one ear and out the other.
• Resist looking for someone to blame. Remember that in many cases, a problem reflects a systemic shortcoming, not an individual's.
• Before you post, try viewing your potential comments through the lens of a current or future supervisor, student, legislator, or client
• And most importantly, treat others the way that you would like to be treated.

Each of us has an important responsibility as members of the Simmons community both on the ground and online; it is well outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. In fact, our Student Code of Conduct states that "Simmons students should conduct themselves with personal integrity and respect the rights, differences, and dignity of others (including, but not limited to, in-person and online) (section 5)”.

These policies direct us in any action, discussions, or community meetings we may host to educate and support community members. We encourage you all to take personal responsibility and to report any actions that you believe are contrary to the values of our community. Most importantly, please recognize that this has been a challenging time for all of us and it is important to give grace and show compassion to one another and to engage in direct, yet productive conversations when we disagree or need more clarity.

Stay well,

Renique Kersh, Ph.D.

Vice President for Student Affairs

Health & Wellness

Upcoming Flu Shot Clinic

The Simmons University Health Center and SNHS students and faculty will be offering a free flu vaccine clinic to students of the Simmons’ community on Thursday, December 9, 2021 in the Simmons Hall Living Room on the Residence Campus from 10am - 2pm.

End of Semester Testing Schedule Update

As we near the end of the semester, we want to remind you of the LKP testing center hours. The last date you can test on the Academic Campus, in the LKP is Friday, December 17 at 5pm.

If you're on campus after the 17 and want to get tested before returning home, you can visit the Health Center on Residence campus on December 20 and 21 between 9am and 4:30pm. Contact the Health Center at 617-521-1020 or [email protected] with any questions.

COF COVID Booster Clinic at Wentworth

The CDC is strengthening its recommendation of booster doses for individuals who are 18 years and older. We are strongly encouraging the Simmons community to consider receiving their booster 6 months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series, or 2 months after their initial J&J vaccine

While Simmons anticipates hosting a clinic in the near future, Wentworth has opened a second vaccine clinic to the wider Colleges of the Fenway community on Wednesday, December 8 from 10am to 2pm. Appointments are going fast so please schedule ASAP.

Many thanks to Wentworth for opening their clinic operations to COF!

Campus Resources for Self-Care

During finals, please remember that the most important thing we can do is care for ourselves and each other.

Counseling Center | Connect with a counselor 

REEF Support Center | Find 1-on-1 support and resources specific to food, transportation general commuter experience, and survivor support. Contact

Health Center | Contact 

Residence Life | On-campus housing. Contact

Multicultural Center | Community and programming. Contact

Spiritual Life | Community and programming. Contact

Recreation and Wellness | Classes and programming. Contact

Student Experience

Upcoming Weeks Events

Hanukkah Menorah Lighting

Simmons Hillel, our center for Jewish life on campus, invites you to our Hanukkah Menorah Lighting and reception! Join us in spending time together as a community and spreading light and joy during this Hanukkah.

Friday, December 3, 4pm | Residential Quad

Emotional Freedom Therapy

Day Seven was created through inspiration by Naturopathic Doctor, Author, Spiritual and Emotional Wellness Expert, Dr. Portia Dianne Lee, NSM, CHHP.

Thursday, December 6, 5:30pm - 7pm | Register

Undergraduate Student Community Conversations

We want to hear from you! Come to share feedback from your fall and ideas you have for the spring.

• Explore Course Community Conversations | Monday, December 6, 6pm - 7pm | Main College Building, Room 152
• Undergraduate Commuter Community Conversations | Monday, December 6, 5pm - 6pm | Main College Building, Room 151
• Mesick, North and South Community Conversations | Monday, December 6, 7:30pm - 8:30pm | Alumnae Hall

Office of Spiritual Life Game Night

Join the OSL for a variety of games!

Tuesday, December 7, 5:30pm - 7pm | SOM, 2nd Floor Landing

Succulent Potting Party With The Transfer Student Organization

Wednesday, December 8, 10am - 12pm | MCB, Special Functions

Open Mic & Self Care Night

Wednesday, December 8, 5pm | SOM, C-101

Therapy Dogs

Wednesday, December 8, 7pm - 8pm | Residence Campus, Quadside

Red Cross Blood Drive with SGA

Thursday, December 9, 8am - 2:30pm | Residence Campus, Alumnae Hall

Cookies and Crafting with Simmons Hillel

Thursday, December 9, 3pm - 4:30pm | Main College Building, A-120

Academic Spotlight

The College Showcase Series

In the coming week, each of the four Colleges at Simmons University will host a showcase in the Fens Hallway to give students the opportunity to connect with faculty and staff and explore major and minor options. 

The Fens Hallway | Ground Floor Main College Building

Each Showcase will take place from 11:30am - 1:30pm with the exception of CNBHS, which will take place between 11:30am-12:30pm.

• December 2 - College of Natural, Behavioral, and Health Sciences (CNBHS)
• December 3 - College of Organizational, Computational, and Information Sciences - Mathematics, Computing, and Statistics (COCIS) 
• December 6 - College of Social Sciences, Policy, and Practice (CSSPP)
• December 7 - Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities (Ifill)
• December 8 - College of Organizational, Computational, and Information Sciences - School of Library and Information Science and School of Business (COCIS)

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

New, Expanded Study Space and Quiet Study Options

As the end of the semester and finals approach, Simmons has added new after hours study locations and a refresher on how to find a group or quiet study area.

• Starting today, Thursday, December 2, and continuing through Tuesday, December 21 at 6am, two classroom locations in Palace Road, B-113 and B-114, will be open as a quiet/silent after hours study location from 11pm to 6am, 7 days a week
• The Fens is available from 7pm to 11pm for quiet study
• If students are looking for group study spaces, and to find other spaces or bookable rooms, they should go to simmons.edu/study-spaces

Career and Leadership Corner

Apply for the Vice President for Student Affairs (VSPA) and Dean of Student Experience (DOSE) Student Advisory Board

The goal of the VPSA and DOSE Advisory Board is to provide an avenue for student leaders to give feedback and provide guidance on how we can continue to enhance the Simmons student experience. The Board meets once or twice per month and discusses topics such as engagement, wellness and much more.

Students interested in applying must be committed to providing constructive feedback to enhance the experience of both graduate and undergraduate students at Simmons. They must be available to meet at least twice per month, and be willing to participate in Board of Trustee Meetings, focus groups and events with senior leadership and campus administration.

Applications are due by January 5. Zoom interviews will be held during the first two weeks of the spring semester. Please contact Renique Kersh, Vice President for Student Affairs, with questions.

Application 2022-2023 RA Position

The Office of ResLife would like to invite you to apply to be an RA for the 2022-2023 academic year! The RA position is a rewarding on campus experience that would have you working with a team of passionate and excited individuals to build a thriving community.

To apply, you will need to complete the form in its entirety, including the short answer and essay, by December 22 at 11:59pm. For more information about the RA role, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

Making a Difference

Annual Winter Clothing Drive

This year, the Center for Community Engagement will be contributing to the Emerald Necklace Conservancy's winter clothing drive. Items will be donated to Action for Boston Community Development.

Drop your new or lightly used winter gear and items for children and adults of all ages in the Center for Leadership and Engagement (C130) between December 1 and 15. Welcome items include: coats, gloves, socks, boots, hats, blankets, sweaters, snow pants, and scarves.

Email [email protected] with any questions.

Stay safe, and be well.

Simmons University

Division of Student Affairs

300 The Fenway

Boston, MA 02115