Student Handbook

Prohibited Conduct

Simmons College prohibits the following: the illegal possession, use, or sale of drugs and/or alcohol; the use or possession of any type of weapon, including, but not limited to, firearms, knives and fireworks; harassment; trespassing; conduct that disrupts the functioning of the College as an open, educational community; unreasonable invasion of another person's privacy; tampering with or misuse of fire-fighting equipment and alarms; larceny; assault; battery; or other violations of local, state, and federal laws.

Persons suspected of such violations may be referred to the Residence Campus Judicial Board, one of the judicial boards that acts under the authority of the Honor Board, or may be subject to other appropriate action by the College. The actions of all Simmons College personnel and students are also subject to local, state, and federal law and any appropriate consequences therein.

In the enforcement of these standards of conduct, the College disclaims any intention to assume a duty to police the personal lives of our students or employees on or off campus, to protect them from their own abuse of drugs or alcohol, or to protect third persons from the conduct of students or employees.

Policy Regarding the Use of Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Drugs

Simmons College, through its programs and activities, is committed to creating an environment that promotes and reinforces healthy, responsible living; respect for community laws and campus standards and regulations; individual responsibility within the community; and the intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, ethical, and physical well-being of its community members. To that end, we have established and will enforce clear policies that promote an educational environment free from abuse of alcohol and other drugs. We also sponsor educational programs concerning alcohol and other drugs, provide counseling and referral services through our various student services offices for substance abuse, and promote and support responsible institutional programming.

In compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, students who are not of legal drinking age (21 years old) may not purchase, possess, consume, or transport alcoholic beverages at any time. Alcohol is defined as liquor, beer, and wine.

Students of legal drinking age are permitted to purchase, possess, and consume alcoholic beverages at College functions approved by the Office of Student Activities, and in their residence halls according to the policies listed below and in the College Policies and Procedures section of this handbook. Alcoholic beverages being transported on the Simmons campus must be covered appropriately. Kegs and beer balls are never permitted in residence halls, and delivery of alcohol to individuals is prohibited. Public intoxication is unacceptable by members of the College community, guests, and visitors. A Massachusetts driver's license, a passport, or a combination of a picture ID and proof of age are the only acceptable identification cards for the purpose of purchasing and consuming alcoholic beverages.

For more detailed guidelines about the alcohol policy, please refer to the publication "Hosting Events with Alcohol" published by the Office of Student Activities.

Drugs

The possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs, including illegal prescription medications and drug paraphernalia, is strictly prohibited. Any individual who violates this prohibition will be subject to disciplinary action. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to, expulsion from the College, mandatory participation in drug abuse rehabilitation programs, as well as referral to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

Public Activities and Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages may not be sold, served, or consumed at activities that involve Simmons students and that are open to the general public and/or have been advertised in the greater Boston community through newspapers, radio stations, etc.

Private Activities and Alcohol

Alcohol may be sold, served, and/or consumed at events sponsored by Simmons departments or organizations for Simmons students of legal drinking age and their invited guests (including other college students) only when the event is approved in advance by the Director of Student Leadership and Activities or her designee. Approval will be granted only when the following conditions are met:

  • If alcohol is to be sold at any event, a one-day license must be obtained by the organization from Boston City Hall.
  • The alcohol distribution procedure must be outlined, and agreed upon, by the Office of Student Leadership and Activities.
  • The amount of alcohol available for sale or service must be pre-determined.
  • Alcohol may not be brought into, or taken from, the event.
  • Food and an alternative non-alcoholic beverage must be provided at an equal or lower price than the alcohol for sale.
  • Appropriate procedures for checking proof of age must be established.

In addition to the above, the activity must be held in the appropriate location in order to receive approval.

  • Bartol Hall may be used only twice per semester for activities specified by the Director of Student Leadership and Activities or her designee.
  • Alumnae Hall or the Fens Cafe may be used for large scale activities within the capacity guidelines. Beer kegs may not be used in the Fens Cafe.
  • Alcohol service in the residence hall living rooms and student lounges is limited to formal receptions by invitation only. Residence hall open parties are not permitted. Beer kegs or beer balls are not permitted within the residence halls.
  • Activities in the Bartol Hall small dining room, Trustman Gallery, Special Functions Room, Faculty and Staff Dining Room, and academic department areas are also limited to semiformal or formal receptions, those sponsored by the Alumnae Association, and selected senior class activities. Beer kegs are not allowed in these facilities.
  • No alcohol may be served, sold, or consumed at events outdoors on the Residence Campus quad or the MCB parking lot, except by special arrangement with the College through the Director of Student Leadership and Activities.

Alcohol Policy Violations

Violations of the above stated policies and the procedures necessary to implement these policies will be considered a violation of the Honor Code of Responsibility. The Honor Board has endorsed the following procedures and the penalties for such violations and has authorized the Judicial Board and the Social Activities Review Board to review appropriate cases. If necessary, the Honor Board will determine the appropriate judicial body to review a particular case.

The College will make every effort to include members of a peer group in the hearing panel but recognizes that this may not always be possible while ensureing timely handling of cases. In the case of graduate student violations of College alcohol policies, the student may specifically request that at least one panel member is another graduate student.

Individual Violations

If an undergraduate student violates, or is suspected of violating, the alcohol policy at any place on the Simmons campus, she shall report herself or be reported (according to the Honor System) to the appropriate judicial board. A resident student will be referred to the Residence Campus Judicial Board upon first violation of the alcohol policy. Cases are considered and heard on an individual basis.

Organization Violations

If an organization violates, or is suspected of violating the alcohol policy, the officers of the organization and the person who petitioned for the activity in question will be asked to appear before the Social Activities Review Board. If the organization is found guilty, the Board will determine an appropriate sanction for the group, and/or the individuals involved. Sanctions will be in effect no less than one semester from the date of the infraction. Copies of the letter explaining the Board's decision will be forwarded to the Student Government Association, the Director of Student Leadership and Activities, the organization's advisor, and the secretary of the Honor Board.

For a second offense of this or any other College policy, the organization will be informed that it has lost official College recognition for one calendar year from the date of infraction. Any funds remaining in the organization's account will be returned to the pool of available student activities fees. (A loss of formal recognition means that the organization may not use College facilities or services for conducting meetings, business, or entertainment.) Copies of this letter will be forwarded to the Student Government Association, the Director of Student Leadership and Activities, the organization's advisor, and the secretary of the Honor Board.