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

Hey, Sharks! 

On February 15, I celebrated the anniversary of my first year at Simmons. As I know is the case for all of you, this last year has been full of ups and downs, but I am grateful that we are weathering this storm together.

Seeing the sun shining outside of my window this beautiful morning, I am inspired by Amanda Gorman's poem, “A New Day’s Lyric.”

She ends the poem by saying: "For when you honor yesterday, tomorrow ye will find. Know what we’ve fought, need not be forgot nor for none. It defines us, binds us as one, come over, join this day just begun. For wherever we come together, We will forever overcome."

As we prepare to head into this brief time of rest, we stand in solidarity with the people in Ukraine who continue in the fight for independence and democracy and with our transgender and nonbinary friends and family who are faced with public policy decisions aimed at removing important protections. As a community, even as we depart ways for the next week, we maintain our commitment to social justice, equity, and the dismantling of systems that seek to marginalize.

Stay well, and have a wonderful spring break.

Renique Kersh, Ph.D.

Vice President for Student Affairs

In This Edition

• International Women's Day

• Intro Sports Center Sessions 
• Guest Meal Swipe Bank

University Updates

Upcoming Simmons Holidays 

Please note Monday, March 7, and Friday, March 11 are Simmons holidays, and faculty and staff have the day off. If you are trying to reach any offices and departments during this time, they will not be available. Many offices will maintain remote work Tuesday - Thursday during this time; please reach out directly to the departments before trying to meet on campus. The Student Affairs administrative office (A-160) will be remote this week.

Study Spaces Across Campus

View the Simmons University Library's Study Spaces Guide to find study spaces that do and don’t require reservations. These include group seating areas, lounges, private study rooms, and cubicles. Use Express Scheduling on your mobile device to make same-day reservations. Make multi-day reservations using the Event Form. Step-by-step guides are available to help you navigate the reservations system.

Navigating Simmons Guide

A guide of resources to support students during their Simmons journey. Learn the essentials for managing college. Know who to contact, where to ask questions, and how to prepare for each semester.

ICYMI Course Attendance Policy

In order to provide more clarity to students and faculty, some updates have been made to the Course Attendance Policy. 

The updates generally clarify the following:

• Whenever possible, students should be directly in touch with their instructor regarding absence from class. Notes or excuses from Student Affairs are not needed or provided. This direct communication will facilitate a more efficient and effective line of communication around class absences. Student Affairs is always happy to consult with an instructor when more complicated situations arise.

• Students should not be asked to provide faculty with medical documentation regarding class absences. If an instructor has questions regarding a student's absence, Student Affairs is happy to consult with them. Please email [email protected].

Health & Wellness

Intro the the Sports Center Sessions

Welcome to the gym! This free hour-long session will be an introduction to the equipment in the cardio room and weight room, including how to safely and effectively use ellipticals, spin bikes, treadmills, machine weights, and free weights. Bring any and all questions about the gym, equipment, or creating a workout routine. Every 2nd Sunday at 6pm (3/20, 4/3, 4/17, 5/1). Meet in the Sports Center lobby.

REEF Support Center March Coffee Shop

Join the REEF Support Team Coffee Shop Hour on March 15 from 11:30am-1pm outside of the Fens Cafe and Commuter Student/Dix Scholar Lounge (A-075)! Grab a coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and some snacks. This event will highlight food access resources on and off campus.

This is a "grab and go" event, but we welcome you to schedule a meeting with us to discuss on and off-campus resources for support at [email protected]. 

Student Experience

2022 Multicultural End of the Year Celebration

On Tuesday, May 10 from 9am - 11:30am, The Multicultural Center, Center for Global Education, and First to FINish invite students, faculty, staff, and Alumnae/i to celebrate the huge milestone of our BIPOC/QTBIPOC students' lives, recognizing their self-determination, commitment, and evolution of self.

This ceremony will be a hybrid/webinar style and feature a special message from our University President, special guests, and digital slides honoring our graduates. Please register by 11:59pm on Thursday, March 24.

Academic Spotlight

Center for Global Education Opportunities

It is never too early to plan your study abroad experience - The Center for Global Education (CGE) would love to connect with you and start your planning. The CGE hosts weekly information sessions on Wednesdays at 3:30pm. You can also schedule your study abroad advising session.

You may also connect with the CGE by schedule an appointment with Ela Kijowska, the Director or subscribe for bi-weekly study abroad newsletter.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program 

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs abroad. A total of seven Simmons students applied for the 2022-2023 application cycle.

Four undergraduates and two graduate students applied for research or study awards in Jamaica, Taiwan, the UK, Italy, and Spain. Out of the seven Simmons applicants, three were selected by the U.S. National Screening Committee as semi-finalists, and they will go on to have their applications reviewed by the selection committee in their host country.

We in the office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships are proud of all of our applicants for their hard work, and we would like to publicly acknowledge undergraduate semi-finalist Shania Ambros ‘22. Ambros, a Web Design and Development major, has been selected as a semi-finalist for the National Cheng Kung University Master's Degree Program Award in Creative Industries Design. Her Taiwan-based project is called “Designing Preservation: Learning from Indigenous Formosan and Cordilleran Cultural sites.”

Please contact [email protected] with questions about the Fulbright application process at Simmons.

Career and Leadership Corner

International Women's Day Virtual Brunch hosted by Simmons

Join friends from around the greater Boston area on March 8 at 11:30am to celebrate International Women's Day with a rich panel discussion with community leaders.

Over the past two years, women have left the workforce at an unprecedented rate. Women - women of color in particular – often occupy jobs that are labeled “essential” that require them to physically show up to work. Many are also parents with young children at home who need oversight and attention, are the caretakers of aging parents, or shoulder other non-paid, vital non-workplace labor. As a result, in the last quarter of 2021, as many as 1 in 3 women reported considering leaving their job, reducing work hours, or changing jobs.

The Shecession has intensified and shed light on longstanding problems- the lack of policies that allow people to balance caregiving responsibilities and work responsibilities, pay inequality, and the outdated, but persistent, view of the expendability of women in the workforce. Now is the moment to reimagine an equitable workforce – What might that look like?

International Institute of New England International Women's Day Celebration

Join the International Institute of New England (IINE) on March 8 at 12pm as they gather to honor immigrant and refugee women who have made an immeasurable impact on our communities and our local economy on March 8, International Women’s Day. We’re excited to announce that this year’s celebration will feature a keynote speech by Mayor Michelle Wu.

The online-only program will begin with an introduction from IINE CEO Jeff Thielman, and then a video presentation introducing Brenda, a young mother from El Salvador who is working towards her dream of becoming a nurse with the help of the IINE Certified Nursing Assistant program.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who is the first woman, the first person of color, and the first Asian American to serve as mayor of Boston, and is known for using her platform as a local politician to fight for gender and racial equity and environmental justice.

Making a Difference

Guest Meal Swipe Bank - Opening March 2022

In the continued effort to provide more sustainable and accessible solutions, The REEF Support Center under the Office of Student Affairs and Aramark Dining Services will now offer a Guest Meal Swipe Bank. Learn how to donate and access meal swipes. Please direct questions about the Guest Meal Swipe Program to [email protected].

Get Involved - Complete the Survey!  

As we move towards building our vision, we need the feedback of our community members, especially our students. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and feedback for what you would like a Community Resource Room to look like on our campus and what would feel most accessible and supportive to you.  

Our survey form will be open to all Simmons community members until March 7, 2022. The survey will take approximately 12 minutes to complete. Students will be eligible to enter a weekly $15-$50 gift card raffle.  

Share Your Vision! Community Resource Room Survey Find out more about how you can get involved through our Food and Feedback Sessions and Student Committee by visiting the Community Resource Room webpage or by emailing [email protected].

Stay safe, and be well.

Simmons University

Division of Student Affairs

300 The Fenway

Boston, MA 02115