Equal Access Policy
Simmons comprises an undergraduate women's college and several coed graduate schools. Since its founding, Simmons' mission has been to empower women and to challenge traditional gender norms; we have also endeavored to build a rich history of inclusion. In light of those commitments, Simmons considers as eligible to apply for admission to the undergraduate program individuals who were assigned female at birth, applicants who consistently live and identify as women, and/or applicants who do not fit into the gender binary but who feel they belong in our undergraduate community of women. Simmons does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, 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, with respect to programs and activities generally made available to students, including scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, and other University-administered social, educational, and recreational programs, and student services. All students are given equal access to the University’s programs and resources. Simmons University’s graduate schools and programs are open to all admitted individuals.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
The Simmons Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was developed with input from the President's Advisory Council on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity, supported by the University leadership, and unanimously affirmed by our Board of Trustees.
Simmons is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual’s community experience. Our values, vision and mission mandate that we strive to create an environment that is free from bias, prejudice, discrimination, and hurtful/hateful acts that can prevent each member from thriving in the Simmons community.
Our Diversity & Inclusion Mission
We seek to extend to the entire Simmons University community opportunities for learning, growth, success, and meaningful participation and to build a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive culture for our community. To that end, we will engage in ongoing work to combat racism, bias, and all forms of individual and institutional oppression.
We believe diversity is necessary in all aspects of an educational and residential environment to ensure inclusive excellence. As an academic community, rich with varied life experiences, perspectives, and values, we are uniquely positioned to facilitate the ongoing engagement and intellectual dialogue that honors the inherent and unique characteristics of each member of our community. This includes, but is not limited to, interrogating socially constructed concepts and addressing issues of power, phobia, isms, or any other detractors to building and sustaining an equitable community.
Simmons will affirm diversity and inclusion by moving beyond tolerance and civility to a respect and appreciation that recognizes the social positioning of underrepresented and marginalized segments of the population.
Simmons values academic excellence, intellectual freedom, critical thinking, leadership, innovation, respect for the dignity of all individuals, and continuous improvement. We adhere to policies and practices that promote and support diversity and inclusion.
We prepare students to be well informed, open- minded, and sensitive to the values and diversity of others. We strive to foster an atmosphere where students can become actively engaged leader in a changing, diverse society. We promote this goal through proactive and continual exchange of ideas among students, faculty and the general university community.
To ensure that these goals are attained, Simmons University commits to the following principles.
We recognize, respect and honor the inherent individuality of all. We strive to ensure that all decisions concerning the educational progress of students are based on considerations appropriate to an academic institution and not on factors such as race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, 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.
All students are given equal access to the University’s programs and resources. Simmons considers as eligible to apply for admission to the undergraduate program individuals who were assigned female at birth, applicants who consistently live and identify as women, and/or applicants who do not fit into the gender binary but who feel they belong in our undergraduate community of women. Simmons does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, 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 with respect to programs and activities made generally available to students at the University, including scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, and other University-administered student services, and social, educational and recreational programs.
We subscribe to the policies set forth in Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which mandates equal opportunity for qualified persons with disabilities in educational programs and activities.
We are committed to creating an atmosphere where diversity is supported with understanding, respect, and encouragement. The University does not tolerate unlawful or other harassment of employees or students. Any discrimination, sexual or other forms of harassment, bias, hurtful/hateful acts, microagressions or retaliation by any member of the faculty, staff, or student body against any other member of the community will be handled according to the applicable processes articulated in the Sexual Harassment Policy, Non-Retaliation Policy, Faculty Policy Manual, Employee Handbook, Student Handbook, Inclusion & Belonging Restoration Protocol and/or other relevant Simmons policies.