Dear Students,

We're excited to announce after a successful spring start, we're able to return operations to many of our Fall 2021 policies and procedures. Please review the entire email to learn more about booster clinic opportunities, the reopening of dining locations, and the updated residential campus guest policy.

Submit Your Booster Vaccination Information

Thank you to those of you who have already submitted your COVID-19 vaccine booster information. Your commitment to following this requirement is vital to our ability to return to in-person instruction and to ensure a safe living and learning environment this semester.

During the past several weeks we have received questions about the booster, and we recognize that changing and updated public health guidance has caused some confusion about the timing for receiving a booster – particularly for those who have had COVID-19 recently. As a reminder, individuals become eligible for a booster five months after their second Pfizer dose, five months after their second Moderna dose, and two months after the single Johnson & Johnson vaccine dose. For those who have had COVID recently, the CDC recommends getting a booster following the 10-day isolation period and after any remaining symptoms resolve. For more information, please review our latest Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and visit the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine booster page.

If you have not already uploaded your COVID-19 booster information, we will continue to accept submissions over the next several weeks. For those who have had trouble scheduling an appointment, we encourage you to take advantage of the mass vaccination site at Fenway Park, which has hundreds of appointments available most days. You can also visit the Massachusetts VaxFinder site to search other locations throughout the state.

Simmons will also be hosting a small booster clinic onsite on February 3, 2022. Because we only have about 100 spots available, we recommend you utilize Fenway or another location for your booster if possible. The clinic at Simmons is hosted by Osco Pharmacy and is open to students, faculty, and staff. Osco can provide all three vaccines: Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson, and can incorporate first, second, and booster doses. Attendees should bring their physical vaccine record cards. If unable to provide that, then they should provide documentation of previous vaccines so Osco Pharmacy can issue a new card. A link will be provided by Osco Pharmacy to schedule appointments by the end of January.

More information about COVID-19 vaccine booster compliance will be sent in mid-February. Please note, you must submit your booster information or have an approved exemption on file by this time, or you will be asked to not return to campus until you have done so. Please continue to direct all COVID booster related questions to the Health Center at [email protected].

The health and safety of our community remains our top priority during this pandemic, and thank you for your continued commitment to following our COVID-19 protocols.

Post Virtual Week Updates

Attending Class in a Remote Format Policy

Simmons University is committed to teaching you, our on-the-ground undergraduate students in face-to-face classes this semester. At this point in time, faculty are not making arrangements for students to attend class in a remote format.

Students who have a medical condition that requires consideration for an accommodation should contact the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) for advice and assistance. OAS will work with students around reasonable Accommodations, as permitted by federal disability law.

As a reminder, if you should test positive for Covid-19, you must isolate for at least five days. Please view the infographic about exposure and a positive test result. Students are required to make up any work that is missed during an isolation period, as is the policy for any other short-term illness as described in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Campus Events: Attending and Hosting

In-person events and student organization meetings are allowed. Staff can host student meetings including one-on-one advising and counseling, though virtual options can be provided if possible. Food at events is only allowed if it's eaten while seated or taken grab-and-go.

Dining Services: The Fens, Commons Grounds & Bartol Hall

All campus dining locations will reopen on Monday, January . Students will be able to serve themselves in Bartol Hall and the Fens Cafe. There is still grab-and-go options in both the Fens Cafe and Common Grounds. Student can eat their meals in dining locations.

Vaccine Requirement at Event Venues

While attending events and programs on campus, you will see signage in place for all Simmons community members including guests. Signage will state: Visitors must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must be prepared to show proof of vaccination upon request.

Holmes Sports Center

The Homes Sports Center operations will resume on Monday. All previous policies including masking remain in place.

Gym Hours

• Monday -Thursday: 6:30am - 11:00pm
• Friday: 6:30am - 8:00pm
• Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
• Sunday: 10:00am - 8:00pm

Lap Swim Hours

• Monday - Friday: 12pm - 1:30pm (8 lanes)
• Monday - Thursday: 8:00pm - 9:00pm (4 lanes)
• Saturdays: 12pm - 1:30pm (8 lanes) * - watch for frequent closings
• Sundays: 2pm - 3pm

Facial Covering and Masks

• A facial covering must be worn by all staff, faculty and students while inside campus buildings. An appropriate facial covering is one that provides full coverage of your nose and mouth and fits closely with minimal or no air leakage from the sides. N95, KN95, and KF94 masks are preferred, but if necessary, you can wear a cloth mask over a medical or surgical mask to ensure close-fitting coverage. 
• Facial coverings are not required outdoors for people who are fully vaccinated, but are still recommended for anyone who is not fully vaccinated. Should you need a facial covering while on campus, you may obtain a disposable mask from Public Safety in the Palace Road Building. 
• Check out the PHYSICAL DISTANCING, FACIAL COVERINGS AND HYGIENE POLICY for the full policy.

EXCEPTIONS 

Staff, faculty and student are not required to utilize a face covering in the following limited circumstances: 

• While alone in a confined room, such as an office or a dorm room (Note: this does not include meeting rooms, break rooms, or shared environments, including vehicles). 
• Eating or drinking

Residential Campus Guest Policy

Any friend or family member of a resident, who is fully vaccinated and has received their booster, can be a guest in the residence halls as long as they are not currently exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. 

• Residents are allowed to have one guest per resident and are responsible for the conduct of their guests. 
• Residents must obtain the permission of their roommate(s) prior to the visit of any overnight guests. Overnight guests may stay for up to six days in a 30-day period and for up to three consecutive days at a time. 
• Please note that the University does not allow cohabitation. A cohabitant is defined as a visitor, who adopts daily activities analogous to those of an assigned resident with respect to unlimited use of the room, using the amenities of the hall (such as a bathroom or laundry room) on a frequent basis, and any combination of these or similar activities.

Who Can Help Site

Over break Simmons launched a new self service website that brings student supports and services into one place – giving students quick access to resources around campus. Search by category below to find contact information for a variety of questions, issues, or concerns.

Student Affairs Virtual Drop-in Hours

Dr. Kersh’s Drop-In Hours | Fourth Monday of each month, 5 - 6pm

Join Here

Dean Butera’s Drop-In Hours | Second Thursday of each month, 12pm

Join Here

Health Center

The Health Center is open for appointments only, Monday – Friday, 9am – 4:30pm (closed weekends and holidays). You can continue to make appoints by calling 617.521.1020, emailing at [email protected] or utilizing your Student Health Portal to view upcoming appoints, messages and follow-up appointments.

Counseling Center

If you are looking to get in contact with the Counseling Center, you can do so by:

1. Log into the Simmons Health Portal and select Forms. Under Counseling, please fill out the initial paperwork with as much information as possible. This includes Counseling Center Consent to Teletherapy, Counseling Center Consent to Treatment, and Counseling Center Demographic Information.
2. Email us at [email protected] or call 617.521.2455 to let us know that you have completed the paperwork and are ready to make an appointment. If you need to be seen urgently (1-2 days), please include URGENT in your email subject line.

Academic Advising

If you are seeking academic support, schedule a meeting with an Advisor on Starfish! First-year students are able to use Starfish to schedule a meeting with their PLAN Advisor. All students can use Starfish if they would like to meet with an advisor from the Office of Undergraduate Advising. Upper level students should consult with their major advisors on instructions on how to best schedule an appointment.

• Log in to Starfish: starfish.simmons.edu.
• Click "My Success Network" in the menu on the left.
• To meet with your PLAN advisor, select the name listed as your “Primary Advisor” to schedule an appointment
• To meet with an advisor from our office, scroll down to the yellow Undergraduate Advising box and click “schedule” to find an appointment

Office of Student Affairs

Simmons University

300 The Fenway

Boston, MA 02115