The Anchor Logo

Dear Sharks,

 

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 items for you to consider as you prepare for your arrival at Simmons:

  1. Review your move-in checklist (residential students) and orientation schedule (first year and transfer)
  2. Obtain your Simmons Campus ID Card
  3. Identify dining and meal plan options
  4. Find your course textbooks and materials 
  5. Visit the REEF Support Center for Commuter Students
  6. Explore public transportation and parking options
 

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 (such as the copiers and printers) on the academic and residential campus; Sports Center and Library privileges; free admission to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the MFA; and prepaid spending accounts for meals in the cafes and dining halls at Simmons. 

 

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 offers four 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 residential and non-residential students. 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. 
  • New this year! Late Night at Smith Hall features 24/7 access to snacks, gourmet coffee beverages, salads, sandwiches and more! 

 

Residential Students: Meal plans are included in the cost of room and board for all residential students living on campus; there is no difference in pricing between any of the meal plans. Residential students must select their meal plan no later than August 15, 2023.

 

Non-Residential Students: Dining Services offers a variety of affordable, low-cost meal options for commuting students, including vegan and vegetarian options. 

 

Students requiring a dietary accommodation should register with the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) by completing the Residential and Dining Accommodation Request Form. This will open doors to additional menu options and connect you with our management team for assistance.

Simmons Direct Textbooks

Starting Fall 2023, the Simmons Bookstore will launch Simmons Direct Textbooks, a book rental program that enables undergraduates to save up to 50% on textbooks and courseware!

 

Through this program, physical books will be conveniently packaged and provided to you on a rental basis, and digital materials will be delivered directly within Moodle. The program does not include consumable supplies such as: goggles, lab notebooks, art supplies, and other kits. 

 

Upon registering for courses, you will be automatically enrolled into the program. Costs, at a rate of $22/per credit, will be included as a charge on your student billing statement. On average, you will see savings of between 35-50% on textbooks and courseware throughout your academic journey. Students may choose to opt out of the program anytime between August 7 to September 29.

 

The Simmons University Bookstore is located on the ground level of the Main College Building at 300 Fenway and is open from 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday. 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.

 

Pro Tip: For more resources to support you in planning your Fall, check out the REEF Support Center website on a laptop/computer to view all of our resources.

Public Transportation and Parking

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

 

 

Students can pre-order discounted MBTA semester passes 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.

 

Youth Pass Program: Students under 25 years of age can purchase a Youth Pass, which enables you to purchase roughly 50% reduced bus or train fares that can be added to your pass in the same way as a CharlieCard, or to purchase $30 Youth Link Monthly passes that can be used an unlimited number of times per month. For more information, visit the City of Boston website.

 

Parking at Simmons: 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].