Principles and Policies

Simmons has committed itself to the following principles and policies:

Student Principles

Individual responsibility is the foundation of the Simmons community. The student’s enrollment at Simmons University carries with it the expectation that one will abide by the Student Code of Conduct, the Academic Integrity Policy, and the Honor Code of Responsibility:

Each member of the Simmons community is responsible for maintaining a high level of integrity, honesty, and trust within the community.
Each student is responsible for work of the student’s own creation and for not representing as their own work that which is not theirs.
Conduct in keeping with the policies outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and all other official publications is expected of each member of the Simmons community.

The Honor Code of Responsibility is shared by the entire Simmons community. It implies that each segment has obligations based upon its specific function within the University.
Simmons University reserves the right to require the withdrawal of any student who does not maintain acceptable academic standing or modes of behavior as outlined in these Catalogs, the Student Code of Conduct, and other official publications.

Enrollment in a course implies an agreement between instructor and student. The instructor is obliged to teach, to evaluate student work, and to be available for conferences during designated office hours; the student is obliged to complete all work by the assigned deadlines, to attend all classes, and to devote sufficient out-of-class time to course material. Three hours spent out of class in preparation for every hour in class is a reasonable expectation. Attendance and punctuality are expected at all classes. While there are no established University-wide penalties for absences, the instructor may take attendance into account when evaluating the student’s performance in the course. In accordance with Massachusetts state law, no student will be penalized for absence due to religious observances.

Educational Record Privacy Policy

Introduction

The University's practice in regard to student record-keeping is based on the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 and is intended to be a safeguard against the unauthorized release of information. This act applies to all enrolled students, former students, and alumni. It does not apply to applicants seeking admission into an institution.
Under the provisions of the act, it is the right of the student to view their official educational records. Educational records are defined as records directly related to a student that are maintained by an educational institution. Such records are kept in the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, the Office of the Registrar, faculty advisors' offices, and the Center for Student Success. Not included in this category of records are the following:

Records containing confidential information written before January 1, 1975.
Financial Records submitted to the University by the parents of a student.
Records that are kept in the sole possession of the maker, are used only as a personal memory aid, and are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute for the maker of the record.
Information regarding other students.
Records created or received by the University after the person is no longer in attendance at the University and that are not directly related to the person’s attendance.
Treatment records, which are records that are (1) made or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized professional or paraprofessional acting in his or her professional capacity or assisting in a paraprofessional capacity; (2) made, maintained, or used only in connection with treatment of the student; and (3) disclosed only to individuals providing the treatment. For purposes of this definition, “treatment” does not include remedial educational activities or activities that are part of the program of instruction.
Records maintained by the Simmons University Police Department or other law enforcement unit of the University that are created and maintained only by that law enforcement unit for a law enforcement purpose.
Records relating to an individual who is employed by the University that (1) are made and maintained in the normal course of business; (2) relate exclusively to the individual in that individual’s capacity as an employee; and (3) are not available for use for any other purpose. Records relating to an individual in attendance at the University who is employed as a result of his or her status as a student are education records and are not excepted.

Student Access to Records

In order to view their record, a student must make a request in writing to the appropriate office. The office has 45 days in which to fulfill the request. If requested, copies of a student’s record are available to the student for a slight charge to cover the cost of duplicating. If the keeper of the education record determines that a portion of the material sought is of a nature that should not be disclosed to the student, he or she shall notify the student that such information has been excluded from the record.

Any information in a student's record found to be "inaccurate, misleading, or [that] violates the privacy or other rights of the student" may be challenged by the student. Only the accuracy of the information may be challenged. For example, a grade received may not be questioned, only the accuracy of its recording. In order to contest the information in their record, the student must submit a written statement to the person responsible for the content of the record and request that they receive a written response. If no written response is forthcoming or if an unsatisfactory response is received by a student, they may appeal to the chairperson or appropriate supervisory person. In the event that no resolution is made, it is the student's right to request a hearing, to be presided over by the VP for Student Affairs or a designee.

Directory Information

The University has the right to publish a directory listing all enrolled students and containing the following information:

Student’s name
Address
Telephone number
Place and date or birth
Concentration
Digital photo
Year of graduation and dates of attendance
Awards and degrees received
Membership in organizations
Educational institution most recently attended

A student who wishes for some or all of the information listed above to be omitted from the directory must so indicate by writing to the Office of the Registrar.

Disclosure of Records to Third Parties

FERPA permits, but does not require, the University to disclose personally identifiable information from education records to certain third parties without the student’s consent, provided that any requirements of FERPA and this Policy are met. Before making any disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records to any party, the University (and any individual acting on behalf of the University) must use reasonable methods to identify and authenticate the identity of that party. Disclosures of personally identifiable information may be made to the following persons:

Officials at an institution where the student is enrolled or applying for admission;
Persons or organizations providing financial aid to a student (not including parents) or making decisions with respect to the student’s financial aid;
The parents of a student who is a dependent for income tax purposes;
Accrediting and educational testing organizations carrying out their accrediting functions;
Authorized representatives of the Comptroller General of the United States, Secretary of Education, U.S. Attorney General (for law enforcement purposes only), and state and local educational authorities, if the disclosure is in connection with an audit or evaluation of federal or state supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with federal legal requirements that relate to those programs; provided in most cases that the information must be protected in a manner that does not permit the personal identification of individuals by anyone other than the applicable agency and must be destroyed when no longer needed for the purpose they were disclosed;
Persons in compliance with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena, provided that the University makes a reasonable effort to notify a student at least seven days prior to disclosure of the education record (absent a court order or other applicable law prohibiting such notification);
A court in connection with a legal action brought by a student against the University or brought by the University against a parent or student;
Appropriate persons in a health or safety emergency if the University determines, in light of the circumstances and information available at the time, that knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals;
The alleged victim of a crime of violence may receive results of any disciplinary proceedings conducted by the University against the alleged perpetrator of that crime in reference to that crime.

Student records are available to the above with the stipulation that this information is only for the use of the above unless written consent is secured from the student. Student records may not be distributed to other parties. It is the responsibility of each office maintaining records to keep a log that verifies the name and date of each person who has viewed the record and for what reason. Students have the right to see this log.

Disclosure of Records with Consent

With the exception of the permitted disclosures described above, the University may make disclosures of personally identifiable information from an education record only if the student consents in writing.

Complaints of Violations

A student who believes that his or her rights under FERPA have been violated may file a written complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.

Questions

Further questions about FERPA should be directed to the Offices of the Vice President for Student Affairs or the Office of the Registrar.

Contacts:

Registrar’s Office:
Shirley Alexander-Hunt, Registrar
Email: registrar@simmons.edu

Office of the VP for Student Affairs:
Renique Kersh, VP for Student Affairs
Email: renique.kersh@simmons.edu

Equal Access Policy

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Simmons University is committed to holding true to our founding principle of inclusion — embracing students from all backgrounds and all forms of human uniqueness to create an environment of true diversity. We invite you to learn more about our vision, initiatives, and accomplishments relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at Simmons by visiting Simmons’ Office of Organizational Culture, Equity, and Inclusion and our President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Student Legal Name and Name Changes

A student's name of record is defined as the legal name under which the student was admitted to Simmons University. Legal name is that name, verified by a birth certificate, marriage certificate, social security card, passport, or court order.

Students’ legal names appear on all Simmons records, including transcripts, verifications, and diplomas. Current Simmons students who have legally changed their names since the time of admission may request that this change be made on their official records.

Students who wish to change their name from the name of record at the time of admission must provide the Office of the Registrar with legal documentation reflecting their new legal name, such as a marriage license or government-issued ID, as well as a Name Change Form. Forms may be faxed along with a scanned copy of legal documentation to the Registrar's Office at 617-521-2111 or brought to the Office with legal documentation in person, Room C-115 in the Main College Building.

Consult the Registrar’s page on the University web site for additional information about updating your first name for class rosters or your diploma and for indicating preferred pronouns.

Simmons University Notice of Non-Discrimination and Grievance Procedure

Chartered in 1899 and opened in 1902, Simmons is first and foremost an academic community whose goals include preparing students and other members of the Simmons community to be well informed, open-minded, and respectful of the values and diversity of others.

Simmons is, therefore, committed to the following principles:

We support equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons, based on each individual's qualifications and fitness, and we seek to administer our university policies without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, socio- economic status, ancestry, disability, veterans' status or genetic predisposition.
We strive to administer our educational programs and activities, as well as the employment opportunities we provide, in accordance with all relevant state and federal requirements and implementing regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Titles I and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the Massachusetts Equal Rights Law (M.G.L. 93, Section 102 et seq.), Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act, and Chapter 151B of the General Laws of Massachusetts, as amended.
We are committed to making our programs and activities accessible to individuals with disabilities, including our online/digital services and offerings. We recognize that in the virtual/online learning environment, technology-dependent teaching and learning processes may create unique and unanticipated access barriers. We encourage individuals to contact us if an obstacle to access is found to exist. (See below for how to do so.)
We seek to build and maintain a Simmons where the diversity of our community members is met with understanding, respect, and encouragement, and where unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation by any member of the administration, faculty, staff, or student body against any other individual will be investigated, evaluated and redressed. The University does not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment of its employees or students or retaliation against those who report incidents of unlawful behavior or those who cooperate in the investigation of such complaints.

Reporting Sexual Harassment:

If you believe you have been subjected to sexual harassment, as defined in Simmons’ Sexual Harassment Policy, please contact our Title IX Coordinator, Gretchen Groggel Ralston, at (617) 521-2768 or gretchen.groggelralston@simmons.edu.

Students Reporting Discrimination or Retaliation:

If you are a student and you believe you have been subjected to unlawful discrimination or retaliation, please contact the Dean of your College, the Director of your Program, or our Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Renique Kersh, at renique.kersh@simmons.edu.

Employees Reporting Discrimination or Retaliation:

If you are an employee and you believe you have been subjected to unlawful discrimination or retaliation, please contact Human Resources -- either our Vice President and Chief People Officer, Suzie Murphy, at (617) 521-2071 or suzanne.murphy2@simmons.edu, or our Senior Employee Relations Manager, David Hollinden, at (617) 521- 3812 or jdavid.hollinden@simmons.edu.

Reporting a web/online accessibility barrier

Please use this form: http://www.simmons.edu/report-barrier

We are committed to making our programs and activities accessible to all individuals.

For Advice on Whom to Contact about a Concern or Incident:

If you are unsure of where to bring complaints or concerns about unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation, please contact the Office of the General Counsel at 617-521-2276 or kathleen.rogers@simmons.edu.

Office of Accessibility Services

At Simmons University, we are committed to the full participation of all students in our programs and activities. Simmons University is mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to provide equal access to facilities, educational and co-curricular programs, campus activities and employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities.

The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS), located in the Center for Student Success, is a strategy-based service that supports students both on the ground and online. All students with a documented diagnosis that substantially limits a major life activity, such as learning, hearing, seeing, reading, walking, and speaking are eligible to register with the OAS and request academic, field and clinical accommodations.

The information located on the OAS website will help you to learn how to register with the OAS; and request accommodations; as well as access to other important information such as referral support offices the OAS partners with. Students must be fully registered and receive confirmation of eligibility before requests for academic, field or clinical accommodations can be made.

Students who are exploring a diagnosis or who are considering use of services are also welcome to visit the OAS to review the offerings and services available as well as registration requirements.
Students registered with OAS are expected to adhere to the same academic and behavioral standards as the rest of the University.
A student’s initial connection and ongoing interaction with OAS is self- propelled.
Accommodations are applied on a prospective basis - students are not entitled to have accommodations applied on a retroactive basis.
Documentation of a diagnosis/disability is not required when applying to the University and is submitted to OAS after the student accepts their place at the University.
Accommodations are not intended to guarantee success; they are intended to provide equal access to the educational experience (classroom, field, clinical, field trips) to ensure that students may display their level of learning.
Following a student’s first meeting with an OAS staff member, the student may make their own appointments, which are recommended, but never required.
Outreach by OAS staff to faculty and parents is generated ONLY by a student’s written request.Diagnosis/disability-related information is confidential and is not shared without a student’s permission.
OAS is not a comprehensive special education program. Students’ coursework is not shared with or linked to the OAS.
OAS does not offer special education tutors or life coaches for social skills and acclimation.

Students are welcome to make an appointment to visit us in the Center for Student Success, on the Ground Floor of Lefavour Hall or arrange for a Zoom meeting if reaching us remotely. Please contact the Office of Accessibility Services at access@simmons.edu to schedule an appointment or to review any questions or concerns.

Campus Security

Simmons University subscribes, without exception, to the Campus Security Act of 1990. It is University policy to provide members of the Simmons community with information, reports, and statistics as required by P.L. 101- 502, to maintain working relationships with other law enforcement agencies to ensure co-operation between different law enforcement jurisdictions, and to provide educational programs designed to increase crime and safety aware-ness among students, faculty, and staff. For information regarding the Campus Security Act, contact the Director of Public Safety at 617-521-2289.

Academic Policies

Simmons University subscribes, without exception, to the Campus Security Act of 1990. It is University policy to provide members of the Simmons community with information, reports, and statistics as required by P.L. 101- 502, to maintain working relationships with other law enforcement agencies to ensure co- operation between different law enforcement jurisdictions, and to provide educational programs designed to increase crime and safety aware-ness among students, faculty, and staff. For information regarding the Campus Security Act, contact the Director of Public Safety at 617-521-2289.

In addition, data regarding retention at Simmons is available from the Registrar, in compliance with P.L. 94-482. For information regarding graduation statistics, contact the Office of the Registrar at 617-521-2111.

Religious Observance

Students who are unable, because of their religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in an examination, class, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from the class, study, or work requirement and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up the examination, study, or work they may have missed consistent with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 151C, Section 2B. That law states:

Any student in an educational or vocation- al training institution, other than a religious or a denominational educational or vocation- al training institution, who is unable, because of his/her religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work missed because of such absence on any particular day, provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon such school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effect shall result to any student because of his/her availing himself of the provisions of the sections.

Questions about absences for religious observance should be directed to the Office of Student Affairs or the Office of the Registrar.

Jury Duty

During the course of the academic year, students may receive notification that they have been summoned for jury duty. Students who attend college in Massachusetts are required by law to fulfill their civic duty if summoned, even though their permanent or "official" residence may be in another state. If the date for which students have been summoned is inconvenient, they may request a postponement for up to one year.

Students who are required to miss classes because of jury duty may notify the Office of Student Affairs by calling 617-521-2124. Staff members in the Office of Student Affairs will notify the appropriate faculty members, who will work with the students to make up any missed assignments or exams. Upon completion of jury duty, students are expected to bring a copy of the documentation of their service to the Office of Student Affairs.

Human Subjects

The University has established policies on the use of human subjects in all Simmons-initiated research and training projects. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is charged with overseeing all research involving human subjects at Simmons University. Students undertaking research projects that propose to use humans must do the following prior to beginning their projects: 1) prepare and submit an application to the IRB for review and approval and 2) complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program, a web-based human subjects research investigator education program. A copy of the Simmons University human subjects research policy, IRB forms, and link to the CITI training program may be found on the Office of Sponsored Programs site. The contact for the IRB is the Office of Sponsored Programs, 617-521-2415. It is expected that all members of the Simmons community will fulfill their legal and ethical responsibilities to ensure that the rights and safety of human subjects are protected.