The Anchor Logo

Dear Graduate Community,

 

We're excited to welcome you back to our vibrant and eclectic campus community in just a few short weeks! In this issue of The Anchor, we've put together a checklist of action items and resources to help prepare for your arrival at Simmons:

  • Upcoming Events
  • Obtaining your Campus Card ID
  • Dining at Simmons
  • Bookstore Location and Hours
  • REEF Support Center Resources
  • Public Transportation and Parking
 

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events at Simmons! These events are free to graduate students.

 

  • Tues 9/15 - Thurs 9/8 | 9 am - 3 pm and 3 - 6 pm: Welcome Booths in Common Grounds Café, Main College Building 
  • Wed 9/5 | 3 - 5 pm: President's Welcome and Celebration, Academic Quad 
  • Wed 9/13 | 3 - 5 pm: University Resource Fair, Academic Quad
  • Thurs 9/14 | 5 - 7 pm: Wine and Cheese with Graduate Admissions and the Division of Student Engagement, Success, and Diversity | C-501/502, Management Building (C)
  • Tues 10/3 | 5:00 - 6:00 pm: A Conversation with Award-Winning Journalist Catherine Price, Author of How to Break Up With Your Phone (Hybrid Event)

 

In addition, campus tours will be conducted at 12 pm and 4 pm on Tuesday 9/5, Wednesday 9/6, Thursday 9/7, and Friday 9/8. Meet us in the lobby of the Main College Building at 300 Fenway; no sign up is required!

 
 

Simmons Campus ID Card

The Simmons Campus Card will be your primary identification card during your matriculation at Simmons. Your Campus Card provides you with access to buildings, spaces, and services, Sports Center and Library privileges, meal swipe options, and free admission to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the MFA.

 

Visit the Campus Card Office (A-200A, Main College Building) between 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, to obtain your card. Be sure to bring one of the following forms of identification: a valid driver's license, a valid passport, state ID, or resident alien card. If you are an online student, visit the Campus Card website to apply for a card online.

 

Dining and Meal Plans

Simmons Dining Services offers a variety of affordable mean plans for graduate students, including vegan and vegetarian selections. Check out any one of our three convenient dining locations on campus:

 

  • Bartol Hall: Located on the residential campus at 54 Pilgrim Rd, Bartol is an all-you-care-to-eat dining venue that serves residents and non-residents. Bartol offers a variety of entrees, salads, sandwiches, soups, and even a make-your-own smoothie station. 
  • Common Grounds Café and Fens Café are located in the Main College Building at 300 Fenway and offer retail dining options, meal swipe options and mobile ordering. Use your Dining Points, Meal Swipes Cash or Credit/Debit for meals and snacks. 

 

In addition, a wide selection of dining options are available in the Fenway and Longwood neighborhoods. We've provided some options below, but feel free to explore the area on your own!

 

 

Simmons Bookstore

The Simmons University Bookstore is located on lower level off of the Fens Lobby in the Main College Building. In addition to all course related books and materials, we carry a wide variety of merchandise, including gifts, cards, candy and snacks. Visit the bookstore in person or online for:

 

  • Online Textbook Adoptions
  • Special Orders
  • Research Textbooks by Field and Ranking
  • Sample Textbook Chapters
  • Simmons Merchandise

 

You can order your course materials through the Bookstore website and avoid shipping charges by picking up your items on the first day of class. It is our goal to bring students the most cost-effective options by sourcing Used, rental books, and digital copies. 

 

Visit the Simmons University Bookstore between 9 AM - 4 PM on Monday through Thursday, or from 9 AM to 2 PM on Friday. Please email [email protected] with questions.

 

REEF Support Center

The REEF Support Center provides access to a variety of resources and support services for off-campus undergraduate and graduate students:

 

  • Rent a free commuter locker: Lockers are located in the ground level of the Main College Building across from the Bookstore and are available to enrolled commuter students! Visit the commuter website to learn more.
  • Wondering if you are SNAP eligible? Contact the REEF Support Center or call the Project Bread Food Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 to get a free SNAP Eligibility Screening.
  • Connect with other commuters: Visit the Commuter/Dix Scholar Lounge (A-075 of the Main College Building) or follow the Commuter Student Organization (@csosimmons) and the REEF Support Center (@simmonsreef) on Instagram!

 

In addition, be sure to explore food resources at Simmons:

 

  • Community Resource Room: Place an order for free food, hygiene products, school supplies, and more! The CRR will open on September 5, 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year. 
  • Free Food: New to Simmons? Sign Up for Free Food Notifications from the REEF by texting @REEFCRR2 to 81010.
 

Public Transportation and Parking

Simmons' academic campus, located at 300 Fenway, is within walking distance of a number of public transportation options, including:

 

 

Commuter students may also pre-order discounted MBTA Passes: Semester passes are offered at a discount of 11% from the standard MBTA monthly rate for the months of September through December 2023. Order your semester pass from Student Financial Services (SFS) by August 10, 2023.

 

Students may park in the Simmons Parking Garage (entrances at Avenue Louis Pasteur and Palace Road) at a discounted rate. Visit the Parking website to learn more about rates and options. Email [email protected] with questions.

The Anchor is a periodic newsletter connecting students to in-person and online activities, events, resources, and other Simmons updates. For more information, email [email protected].