From the VP's Desk

Dr. Renique Kersh, VP for Student Affairs

Dear Families,

It is exciting to see our Simmons Sharks, those in their first semester and others in their last year, complete a successful Fall 2022 Semester. What an accomplishment! I have been excited to see our students organize events, give their all to their sports, and dedicate time to academics.

I am so proud of all our students have accomplished this semester. The Simmons community has started to feel more lively as everyone adjusts to life on campus again. I cannot wait to see what our sharks are doing next semester.

This edition of The Anchor will cover how to support your child while they are home on break, Simmons Safety, Fall 2022 highlights, and a glimpse at parent programming for the next semester.

I hope everyone has a well-deserved break, and I cannot wait to welcome everyone back for the Spring 2023 semester.

Best,

Renique Kersh, Ph.D.

Supporting Students Home on Break

Having your student home for the holidays can be exciting! The first break back after having a kid away at college might feel a little different as dynamics have changed a little. Check out some resources on what to expect from your college student and how to support them with this dynamic transition.

Resource List:

• Home for the Holidays? Here are 8 things to Expect from College Kids

• Adjusting to Having a College Student Home for Break

• How to survive your college student’s first extended break at home

Simmons Safety Message

In light of recent events in Boston, including the incident at Northeastern University, Paul Lombardo Simmons Public Safety has a message for the end of semester. This letter contains information on how your student can sign up for emergency notifications. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email [email protected].

Fall 2022 Semester Highlights 

This semester has been busy. See what students have been up to the past couple of months:

• Opening of Community Resource Room
• Creation of Clothing Rack at Student Community Resource Room
• Simmons Wellness Ambassador Programming throughout the semester and weekly Drop-in Hours
• Mindfulness Mondays with Elise Brenner, PhD

• Successful Homecoming Weekend
• Reboot of First to FINish, Simmons' first generation college student program
• Semester packed with athletics & Fan buses
• REEF Support Center Coffee Shop and Resource Events
• And many more events

Spring Semester 2023 Parent Events

Virtual Drop In Hours

Join Dr. Renique Kersh, Vice President of Student Affairs, and Dean of Student Experience, Rae-Anne Butera each month for drop-in hours to ask questions, discuss any concerns or a recent experience, learn about campus updates and resources.

Dr. Kersh’s Drop-In Hours:

• Fourth Friday of Each Month, 12 PM | Register

Dean Butera’s Drop-In Hours Registration

• Second Tuesday of Each Month, 5 PM | Register

Coming soon! Keep an eye out for more information on more programming. 

Returning Student Health and Wellness

Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Testing 

We strongly recommend that all students, both residential and commuter, take a COVID test within 24 hours of returning to campus. If students feel ill on the day when they're scheduled to return, please stay home until they are feeling well.  

• If your student is a residential student, we strongly recommend that you take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of your arrival on campus and bring a picture of your negative test dated from that day to check-in.
• Students who test positive on their pre-arrival test cannot return to campus until they have completed at least 5 days of isolation at home.
• If students are not able to get a test before arriving on campus, a limited number will be available at check-in. We strongly encourage students to find a test to take before coming to campus.

Stay safe, and be well.