Student Handbook

Student Leadership and Activities

The Office of Student Leadership and Activities provides opportunities for leadership development while at Simmons and beyond, helps create community, and offers programs to support students' transition to college. The office is committed to helping students make the most of their college experiences and all of the opportunities available at Simmons. The staff supports students in leading their organizations, planning events, maintaining financial records, starting new organizations, and offering feedback to strengthen programs.

The Office of Student Leadership and Activities helps students transition to Simmons through Orientations for all new undergraduates and through the First-Year Experience Seminar (FYE) for all traditional first-year students. Co-facilitated by professional staff in student services and by student leaders, FYE provides first-year students with a significant connection to a student leader and a professional resource on campus.

Student Leadership and Activities provides training and development for student organizations through scheduled workshops and tailored programs designed for and/or requested by student leaders, such as The Emerging Leaders Program. Student Leadership and Activities oversees the annual Student Leadership Selection Process, which places student leaders in the following positions: First-Year Experience Seminar Facilitators, Orientation Leaders, Student Advisors on Multiculturalism, and Student Health Educators.

Students may begin taking advantage of leadership opportunities upon arrival at Simmons and may participate in leadership trainings at Simmons, within the Colleges of the Fenway consortium, and through other various community avenues in an around the metropolitan area.

In addition, the Office of Student Leadership and Activities provides oversight to the commuter student lockers in the Main College Building, commuter student mailboxes in the Main College Building, and the Student Box Office, which sells postage stamps, discounted tickets to local attractions and movie theatres, and special event tickets. The Student Box Office staff also helps coordinate ticket sales and registration for student organization-sponsored and COF (Colleges of the Fenway) trips and events.

Involvement Opportunities

An integral component of the Simmons experience is student involvement in a wide variety of clubs, organizations, and service projects. Each fall and spring, students have opportunities to explore all of their options at the Annual Student Activities Fair and Barbeque. The staff in the Office of Student Leadership and Activities is also available to work with students individually to help them find appropriate matches for their interests.

The following list is a sampling of the possibilities awaiting Simmons students:

Below is an index of all student groups, including recognized student organizations and clubs. If you are interested in an organization that is not present, the opportunity is always available for individuals to develop new organizations.

There is a place for you at Simmons. More than 50 student organizations, councils, and associations offer a plethora of opportunities for leadership, involvement, and the exploration of new interests. Student organizations host academic, social, and cultural programs, including leadership seminars, guest speakers, and cross-cultural dialogues.

"There's a place for everyone at Simmons. We have a lot of diverse student organizations, but it feels like a sisterhood — not a sorority. At Simmons, anyone can join any group." — Zhenia Tomé '04

For a list of each of our organizations, councils, and associations, visit Student Organizations.

Student Government Association

This organization is the voice of the student body. They establish policy and solicit student input for a host of different College and student issues. Executive board positions are elected yearly and all students are welcome to attend SGA meetings, which meet every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in the Special Functions Room in the fall and the Faculty/Staff Dining Room in the spring.

Student Government Association Executive Board, 2007 - 2008

President Alice Liao
Vice President Katherine Swanson
Treasurer Cristina Flores
Secretary Danielle Pepin
Student Affairs Officer Aliaa Ghonim
Academic Affairs Officer Emma Willmann


In addition to the executive board, the legislature branch of the SGA involves representatives from each class committee and student organization.

Class Committee Officers


Class of 2008

President Laura Nelson
Vice President Jessica Rudis
Treasurer Daniella Plourde
Secretary Kelly Rafferty


Class of 2009

President Jessica Kowalski
Vice President Katie Murphy
Treasurer Karina Rocchio
Secretary Danielle Zuber


Class of 2010

President Alison Cavicchio
Vice President Lauren Kritzer
Treasurer Shelaigh Hyde
Secretary Joanna Senville


Class of 2011, TBD Fall, 2007

President TBD
Vice President TBD
Treasurer TBD
Secretary TBD


Residence Hall Councils

Hall councils are elected members who help govern each residence hall. Hall councils assist in formulating policy for their individual halls, bring matters of concern to the staff's attention, and provide social and recreational programs for the residents of their hall. All hall members are welcome to attend the regular meetings of hall council. Hall council elections will happen at the beginning of the fall semester.

Academic Liaisons

Academic departments at Simmons have organizations known as liaisons, which comprise students interested in a particular discipline or field of study. Liaison members plan educational and social functions to bring students and faculty together.

Publications

Organizations in this category are responsible for creating the student run publications. These organizations generally meet weekly and have continuous production deadlines. All literary organizations are open to the entire Simmons community.

  • Microcosm, the Simmons College yearbook
  • Sidelines, the College's literary magazine
  • The Simmons Voice, Simmons's newspaper
  • Under the Same Sky, Published Annually by the Asian Student Association

Religious Organizations

Students have opportunities to share, express, and celebrate their faith and spirituality through involvement in religious organizations available on campus. In addition, connections with area places of worship can be coordinated through Spiritual Life.

  • Baha'I Campus Association
  • Simmons Christian Fellowship
  • Catholic Student Association (CSA)
  • Hillel
  • Muslim Student Association

Women's Center

The Women's Center is a comfortable, supportive place for all Simmons women to assemble and access information. The materials in the center's small library, magazine collection, and research paper file focus on timely women's issues. The center offers social and educational programs as well. It is located in the Main College Building, Room W-007.

Colleges of the Fenway Orchestra and Chorus

Students, faculty, and staff who play a musical instrument or sing and have an interest in participating in an orchestra or chorus are encouraged to visit the Colleges of the Fenway Web site at http://www.colleges-fenway.org/ for more information.

Traditions and Annual Events

In addition to recognizing and celebrating certain special events, including Asian Awareness Week, Black History Month, Latino Heritage Month, Women's History Month, and many others, Simmons regularly schedules additional College activities for undergraduates, which are listed below.

  • Family Weekend is a time for families to visit their students and embrace Simmons and Boston. This year, Family Weekend will be held Friday, October 19, through Sunday, October 21, 2007. More information will be available as the date approaches.
  • Global Day of Community Service gives members of the Simmons community an opportunity to welcome area school children to campus for daylong events and activities planned by clubs and organizations on campus.
  • Male Tribute Weekend is for the male role models of Simmons women. The weekend enables guests to meet with faculty members, to attend informal lectures, and to celebrate at social events on campus and in the city of Boston. It is held once every four years for Simmons students and the influential men in their lives. It alternates with Women's Legacy Weekend. The next Male Tribute Weekend is currently scheduled for February, 2009.
  • May Day, beginning in 1912, is Simmons's oldest on-going tradition. While practices have changed over the years, the current celebration involves the sophomore and senior classes. Waking up the senior class at the break of dawn on May 1, a tree planting, the maypole dance, and "strawberry breakfast" are all part of this traditional event.
  • Senior-Faculty Toast occurs in the fall of each year. This is an opportunity for the faculty to toast best wishes to the seniors in their upcoming final year at the College.
  • Senior-Faculty Banquet occurs in the spring of each year. This banquet provides the seniors an opportunity to dine with the professors in their major. The banquet also celebrates outstanding seniors with the College's wide variety of both academic and leadership awards.
  • Senior Week is the week preceding Commencement and offers seniors several days' worth of special events, which usually include a formal dance, a day or overnight trip, a class picnic, and a special brunch.
  • Simmons Cup is the culmination of an annual competition among residence halls. Teams participate in athletic and intellectual challenges throughout the year, each having point values assigned to each event. Simons Cup is the culmination of this rivalry and is an outdoor, daylong competition with a series of spirited events.
  • Spring Weekend is the last Colleges of the Fenway activity of the year. Held in April, this event celebrates the coming of warm weather and often features an outdoor carnival on the Quad and a concert at night.
  • Student Leadership Recognition Ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of our Simmons students, advisers, and programs each spring.
  • Tea is a long-standing tradition at Simmons. Resident students gather in their living rooms to snack, socialize, listen to guest speakers, meet with faculty on an informal basis, and, of course, drink tea. The hall councils, the Commuter Student Organization, and the Dix Scholars Association also sponsor teas. The Spring Tea is a new tradition that takes place in March during Women's College Week.
  • Winter Wonderland and Festival of Lights include a college-wide dinner, residence hall decorating parties, the lighting of the outdoor menorah, and gatherings for the students of each residence hall. The Festival of Lights and Winter Wonderland are favorite all-College winter festivities.
  • Women's Legacy Weekend celebrates female role models. The weekend allows guests to meet with faculty members, attend informal lectures, and enjoy social events on campus and throughout the city of Boston. Women's Legacy Weekend is held once every four years (alternating with Male Tribute Weekend) for Simmons students and the influential women in their lives. The next Women's Legacy Weekend is scheduled for February, 2011.

For more information on these events or others, please visit our online calendar at:

http://www.simmons.edu/cgi/webevent.cgi and click on Simmons College Community Calendar.

Student Organization Guidelines and Policies

College Facility Use

Any recognized student organization that wants to hold a meeting or other group activity must reserve function space according to the following guidelines:

  • Only Simmons's recognized student organizations may use College facilities. (For information on how to obtain recognition, inquire at the Office of Student Leadership and Activities or contact the Student Government Association.) Room reservations and arrangements for services should be made at least two weeks prior to an event and three days prior to a meeting.
  • On-campus activities must follow College policies regarding security, alcohol service, etc. These policies are written, regulated, and revised by the Student Activities and Advocacy Review Board (SAARB) in conjunction with the Office of Student Leadership and Activities.
  • Prior to scheduling any event, an officer should check the desired date against other College events in the Office of Student Leadership and Activities.

Student Organization Officers

Student organizations elect their own officers according to guidelines as outlined in their constitutions and in accordance with College policy. As officially recognized student leaders, all officers must also meet the following College criteria in order to be eligible to hold office:

  • Officers must be matriculating undergraduate students and be in good academic and social standing with the College.
  • In order to run for office in any college-wide organizations (SGA, Class Councils, Commuter Student Association, etc.), a student must have a minimum 2.4 cumulative GPA. All other student organization officers must maintain a 2.2 or above.
  • While in office, the student must maintain a cumulative 2.2 GPA. If an individual falls below a 2.2, she will have a one-semester probation to raise the cumulative GPA above 2.2. If an individual falls below a 2.2 for two consecutive semesters, she will have to relinquish her officer position. She will not be eligible to run for office again until she has maintained the minimum 2.2 GPA for two consecutive semesters.
  • Any student officer not fully meeting the eligibility requirements at the end of the semester will have to relinquish her office immediately upon notification from the Office of Student Leadership and Activities. Elections for replacement officers will be conducted according to the organization's constitution under the supervision of the Student Government Association Nominations and Elections Committee. Appeals may be directed to the Office of the Dean for Student Life.
  • Students may not simultaneously serve as President of two organizations.
  • Students may serve on the executive board of no more than two organizations at a time.

The Office of Student Leadership and Activities works closely with these additional programs that offer ways for students to become involved at Simmons.

Health Education @ Simmons

The Health Education Department specializes in health education programs, and many other activities offered to the entire college community. For More information, please go to the Health Education website. Students can become involved as peer educators in the following programs:

The Scott/Ross Center for Community Service

Many students are involved in Community Service and Service Learning in their classes and lives at Simmons. The Scott/Ross Center for Community Service is comprised of two major programs: the Office of Service Learning and Simmons Community Outreach (SCO) which provide a variety of civic engagement opportunities to students and expand and support community partners. In addition to the Simmons Community Outreach, students can get involved in the following programs.

  • Alternative Spring Break
  • America Counts
  • America Reads
  • Best Buddies
  • Education Sparks
  • JumpStart
  • Strong Women, Strong Girls

Location

(2) Main College Building
Room:W-002
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115

Contact

Erin O'Connor
Director of Student Leadership and Activities
Phone: 617-521-2423
Email: erin.oconnor3@simmons.edu
Fax: 617.521.3148

Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm

Student Leadership and Activities
Main College Building, Room W-002
617-521-2423
leadership@simmons.edu
student.activities@simmons.edu

Erin O'Connor, Director
617-521-2420

Susan Chudd, Assistant Director
617-521-2421

L. Michelle Vital, Assistant Director
617-521-2447

Gilian Gitchell, Administrative Assistant
617-521-2423