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The Simmons Voice •

David Kane’s STAT 118 course canceled during student-led protest

Student protestors filled two rows of seats in David Kane’s Intro to Statistics course on Friday afternoon. Within minutes, every seat was taken and students were searching for places to sit on the ground.

As students entered the classroom, Kane said, “we’re having a protest today, I hope you don’t mind.”

Just over halfway through Kane’s class period, Simmons administrators informed students it would be his last.

The protest was organized by junior communications major Naleigha Evans and call
ECHO •

Sold-Out Royale Welcomes Tennis Back To Boston

There is nothing quite like seeing indie band Tennis play live, and for singer Alaina Moore there is nothing like performing.

From the first song of the set, the energy and excitement from Moore, her husband multi-instrumentalist Patrick Riley, and band members was contagious.

The last time Tennis was in Boston was on their ‘Solo In Stereo’ tour in 2019. Seeing the husband-wife duo play together for an intimate broken-down performance at the Sinclair was a special moment no doubt. However, see
The Simmons Voice •

In Plain Sight: A Controversial Faith Group Finds a Home at Simmons

For over 30 years, The Boston Church of Christ and its campus ministry have caused national controversy for what academics, theologians, mental health professionals and higher-education administrators describe as predatory practices, psychological manipulation and destructive behaviors.

Despite guidelines and policies barring the Church from campuses in Boston, and national news coverage of the Church in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, the Church’s campus ministry has been actively recruiting on Simmons’ academic and residential campuses, holding unauthorized meetings in residential halls, and baptizing students into membership.

In this four-part investigative series, we will explore how the group, well known by higher-education administrators to be “predatory,” has been operating on Simmons’ campuses, and how it continues to recruit Simmons students despite courses being held remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Simmons Voice •

Remembering Nikolay Kurmakov

“He taught us to care for each other. He created an environment for a team. We were taught to look out for each other and he called us a family.”

On October 1, former Ukrainian and Soviet Union National Rowing champion and head coach of the Simmons University Crew Team Nikolay Kurmakov passed away while rowing on the Charles River. He was 68.

Kurmakov coached the Simmons Crew team for nearly 30 years, and was an active member in the Boston rowing community; coaching the Women’s Sweeps teams at
The Simmons Voice •

Declan McKenna carries intellectual depth and expressive sense of self into sophomore album ‘Zeros’

Industrialism, climate change, data mining, dystopia, and conspiracy theories are all thought-provoking and often heavy themes at the forefront of people’s minds in 2020 amid political and social unrest and a global pandemic.

But for 21-year-old English singer, songwriter, and musician Declan McKenna, ruminating on such topics is nothing new.

At 15, the singer’s debut single “Brazil” was beyond its years with a political critique and of the corruption within
The Simmons Voice •

For New Hampshire teacher, Halloween traditions are reframed amidst COVID-19 and loss

This story was featured on The Simmons Voice and Simmons Radio: The Shark’s podcast “Welcome Home.” Click here to listen.

When it comes to trick-or-treating in the exurbs of New England, there is always that neighborhood… The one which brings families from neighboring towns and handfuls of out-of-staters year after year. The one with houses that are conveniently spaced from one another and are connected by mazes of streets which allow for ghouls, goblins, princesses, and superheroes to get the

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The Simmons Voice

The Simmons Voice •

Simmons creates alternate section of STAT 118 as professor is accused of racist blog

Simmons University is offering a new section of STAT 118 – Introductory Statistics for students who wish to switch out of Professor David Kane’s class.

The course alternative comes in response to allegations of Kane’s blog posts that were missed by Simmons in the hiring process as reported by the Voice Wednesday evening.

The new section of STAT 118 is scheduled for the same time and days as Kane’s according to Associate Professor and Director of Mathematics, Computing, and Statistics, Amber St
The Simmons Voice •

Office of the President responds to petition for in-person commencement

On March 29 an online petition calling for an in-person graduation ceremony for the Simmons class of 2021 was created. Two days later, seniors received an email from the Office of the President announcing that there will be some on-campus celebrations but that the commencement ceremony remains virtual.

“The Simmons University Class of 2020 was forced to cut their senior years short and go home with no ceremony in sight; they were promised that the university would plan for them to have some sor
The Simmons Voice •

BREAKING: Simmons President officially announces fall reopening plans

BREAKING: Simmons President Lynn Wooten announced that the university is officially planning to reopen for in-person classes, at-capacity residence life, and on-campus events for the fall 2021 semester.

“As we look forward to a lively fall experience, we are mindful that COVID-19 has not yet been eradicated,” wrote Wooten in a March 25 email sent to the Simmons community. “The health and safety of our community members and all those who interact with us remains our top priority, and Simmons wil
The Simmons Voice •

Coping with COVID-19 anniversary trauma

“I think one way to look at what has happened this past year is that we have been fragmented. And as a fragmented people, whether emotionally, mentally, physically, that fragmentation needs to be brought back together,” said Kamya. We need to, “find ways to really do that authentically so that we can find our center selves.”

Responses from Simmons students about how they are feeling reaching the one-year anniversary of the pandemic.

Emptiness, irritability, anxiety, and an overall sense of uns
The Simmons Voice •

Simmons Welcomes Dr. Roberto Ifill to Board of Trustees

With over 25 years of experience within higher education as a professor, administrator, and dean at multiple institutions, Dr. Roberto Ifill is bringing his experience to the Simmons Board of Trustees. His appointment was announced February 9.

Serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council of the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities since 2019, Dr. Ifill plans to continue his commitment of upholding the legacy of his late sister, distinguished alumna Gwen Ifill, throughout the University.
The Simmons Voice •

Commencement 2021 will be virtual according to an email from administration

BREAKING- May 2021 Commencement to be held remotely

Commencement ceremonies for 2021 graduates will be held remotely, according to emails sent to the Simmons community Friday evening. The announcement comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise nationwide, with new variants of the virus and delays in vaccine rollout.

Associate Provost for Planning, Assessment, and Accreditation Richard Voos sent an email to Simmons employees just after 4:00 pm explaining that the University will use a “large univ
The Simmons Voice •

Five tips on how to talk about hooking up during a pandemic

It’s time we have the talk about hooking up and COVID-19

It’s time we have the talk.

In the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, it makes sense that people may be missing the good old days of physical human connection. Some may even be considering venturing back out into the already messy and confusing hookup scene.

According to epidemiologist Julia Marcus’ Atlantic article, an abstinence-only based approach to social distancing is not helpful. The shame associated with the approach can even be co
The Simmons Voice •

Glass Animals Dazzle with single ‘It’s All So Incredibly Loud’

The Oxford four-piece have dropped a single and accompanying music video ahead of the release of their third studio album ‘Dreamland.’

‘It’s All So Incredibly Loud’ is “about only three seconds of life” according to an Instagram post from front man Dave Bayley.

“I think most people have been in a position where they have to say something to someone that they know is going to devastate them and change their life forever. It’s about the silence between those words leaving your mouth and their re
The Simmons Voice •

Go or No Go? Simmons students still waiting for fall plans to be announced

In early April, then President Helen Drinan said on the Bloomberg Businessweek Podcast that universities should have a plan for the fall semester by July 1. Now, nearly two weeks into July, a plan has yet to be announced, causing frustration for some students.

“There will never be a good time to make a decision so waiting until the last second is really going to make everything worse,” said Colette Simpson, a rising junior nursing student.

Before the pandemic Simpson planned to live on campus
The Simmons Voice •

2020/2021 pomp and circumstance

With 2020 Commencement in the rearview mirror, some students have remaining questions regarding the Class of 2020 joining the Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony.

In an email sent to parents and students on April 14, President Helen Drinan stated that members of the Class of 2020 are invited to participate in the Class of 2021 commencement. Drinan added that the invitation was based off of results from a survey sent to 2020 seniors by the 2020 Class Council.

Secretary for the 2020 Class Counci
The Simmons Voice •

Virtual commencement continues amidst senior pushback

The main request made by the 2020 Class Council was for seniors to have an in-person commencement even if postponed to a much later date, according to an email statement from Senior Class Secretary Caroline Smith.

But with less than 12 hours until Virtual Commencement, some seniors are still feeling like the administration did not hear their pleas against an online ceremony.

Requests were based on results from a survey that was sent out to seniors by the Class Council in order to determine the
The Simmons Voice •

Art persists part III: growth as artists

Despite art students having varying experiences with their workspace, materials, and connections with professors, there is one thing that the art students featured in the Voice’s series “Art persists” have in common. In some way or another, they say they have grown as artists.

Allison “Cherry” Isaksen said that their content has changed because they have to learn to work with what they have available to them. They are focusing on drawing, something that they don’t normally do, because the suppl
The Simmons Voice •

Art persists part II: relationships and equity

With classes now remote due to the pandemic, art students are navigating their relationships with professors, while professors grapple to make studio/lab classes as accessible as possible.

Senior arts administration and art History double major, Frances Cava Humphrey said that she’s grateful for the relationships that she has with professors in the art department, and was grateful for them, “even before the pandemic hit.”

“I think the art department in general tries to create close relationshi
The Simmons Voice •

Art persists part I: getting creative

“Art persists” is a three-part series highlighting the challenges and successes of Simmons art students since going remote.

Since classes have moved online, students in art classes have been creative about their content, but also have had to become creative about execution, and work to let go of their expectations.

For her final project in her Documentary Photography class, Frances Cava Humphry, a senior arts administration and art History double major, said she started planning her final proj
The Simmons Voice •

BREAKING: Leadership Recognition Ceremony to be pre-recorded amidst ongoing student protests

The Student Government Association (SGA) announced tonight night via email that tomorrow’s (Wed, April 23) Leadership Recognition Ceremony will no longer be live, and will be pre-recorded.

“It has been brought to our attention that students were interested in voicing their concerns surrounding dining hall staff during the initially planned live LRC,” the email read. “To adequately recognize student accomplishments, we have decided that this year’s Leadership Recognition Ceremony will be sent ou
The Simmons Voice •

Simmons announces emergency pass/fail policy due to COVID-19

Simmons students in all undergraduate and graduate programs now have the option to take a pass or fail grade for each of their classes, according to the new Emergency Pass/Fail Policy for the Spring 2020 semester.

This new policy replaces all previous policies, according to an April 7 email sent out by Provost Katie Conboy. After students receive a letter grade for each of their courses, they may change “any or all of their grades” to pass/fail.

Originally, a week after classes were moved onli
The Simmons Voice •

Office of Student Leadership & Activities faces student backlash regarding Tyga concert

Concerns are being raised by Simmons students after The Office of Student Leadership and Activities (OSLA) posted fliers around campus announcing that they are sponsoring a Tyga concert.

The 30-year-old rapper faces allegations of statutory rape, contacting a 14-year-old girl when he was 26, and of sexual assault and harassment. He has faced lawsuits for sexual battery, fraud, invasion of privacy, and infliction of emotional distress from multiple women, according to The Washington Post.

In an
The Simmons Voice •

Yayoi Kusama’s LOVE IS CALLING is more than an Instagrammable experience

Yayoi Kusama pictured with her work LOVE IS CALLING, 2013 during her solo exhibition I Who Have Arrived In Heaven at David Zwirner, New York, 2013. © YAYOI KUSAMA. Courtesy David Zwirner, New York; Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/Singapore /Shanghai; Victoria Miro, London/Venice

A month since the opening of Yayoi Kusama’s LOVE IS CALLING at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, over 440 public Instagram posts with the ICA location tag have been made.

This immersive exhibition is one of over 20 Inf
The Simmons Voice •

Simmons ends basketball program without warning

Kirra Courchesne had just sat down at her dorm room desk to begin her homework when she got an email that not only changed her day, but how she would spend the rest of her time at Simmons University.

“I read it three times — there is no way you just suddenly send out an email like this,” Courchesne said. Courchesne, a junior forward and prospective team captain for the 2019-2020 season, thought it was a joke.

The email from Athletic Director Ali Kantor informed her and the other returning memb

ECHO

ECHO •

Sold-Out Royale Welcomes Tennis Back To Boston

There is nothing quite like seeing indie band Tennis play live, and for singer Alaina Moore there is nothing like performing.

From the first song of the set, the energy and excitement from Moore, her husband multi-instrumentalist Patrick Riley, and band members was contagious.

The last time Tennis was in Boston was on their ‘Solo In Stereo’ tour in 2019. Seeing the husband-wife duo play together for an intimate broken-down performance at the Sinclair was a special moment no doubt. However, see
ECHO •

Thundercat Parties with Boston

GRAMMY Award-winning bassist and singer Stephen Bruner, better known as Thundercat played a sold-out show on November 7 for night one of two shows in Boston.

“When the show got canceled that’s when it all started to feel real” and “He was the last artist I had tickets to see before COVID” were common rumblings heard in the sprawling line to enter the House of Blues. An hour after doors the line still stretched the length of Lansdowne, wrapping around Brookline Avenue, clearly indicating the dem
ECHO •

Japanese Breakfast Plays to Sold-Out Crowd at Boston's Royale

Michelle Zauner of the band Japanese Breakfast is on fire. Her memoir is on the New York Times bestsellers list, and her band’s latest album ‘Jubilee‘ is garnering widespread critical acclaim.

The message of the third studio album is simple. Joy. An emotion that was evident during her second night in Boston with the sold-out Royale bubbling over with excitement, love, lust, and the thrill from the long-awaited return of live music.
ECHO •

Awfultune Shares Second Installment in her 'color story,' "SICK OF YOU"

22-year-old Layla Eden, aka awfultune, is back with her latest single “SICK OF YOU,” the second release of her six-part ‘color story.’

Corresponding with the color orange, ‘SICK OF YOU’ expresses an apathetic and decisive end to a relationship.

“I’m a firm believer that you have the right to cut off anyone that’s unhealthy for you,” said Eden in a statement. “You don’t need to carry the resentment you feel towards those toxic people in life that keep you around just to toy with your heart.”
ECHO •

Jessie Ware Releases Emotional and Hopeful Video for "Remember Where You Are"

Jessie Ware has released a short-film music video for her song “Remember Where You Are,” starring lookalike Gemma Arterton.

“Remember Where You Are,” the last track on the English singer-songwriters critically acclaimed album is a stark contrast to the rest of the disco/dance album, wrought with sex, desire, temptation, and dancing with strangers.

The slower, bittersweet track takes an even deeper meaning with the video, filmed during the evening and dawn of Valentine’s Day in the desolate str
ECHO •

Dava Shares First Release, "New Ceilings" Off of Forthcoming EP

Adding to her already versatile repertoire, Los Angeles-based newcomer Dava continues to explore the realms of pop, R&B, and the best aspects of synthy SoundCloud production with her latest single “New Ceilings.”

The first release of her forthcoming EP, the track explores Dava’s arrival in LA, “survival and staying true to yourself” while dipping into some of the sounds of her earlier releases including “ASOS” and “Right Time.”
ECHO •

“Hangovers & Heartbreak,” A Country Love Song That Everyone Can Get Behind

With a genre-crossing sound, and lyrics that clearly convey the feelings likely experienced by anyone who has gone through a breakup, Emily Hackett has created a single that we can all get behind.

As stated on Hackett’s YouTube page, she “is the rare songwriter who doesn’t just pour her heart into her lyrics- she inspires every listener to reach a deeper honesty in their own lives.” Her talents have gained her recognition from Billboard and Refinery29, among others, and made her part of CMT’s “
ECHO •

Devon Gilfillian Opens at House of Blues and Makes It His Own

Devon Gilfillian is currently the support act for Grace Potter on her 2020 North American Tour. However, with his high-energy and engaging performance, Gilfillian’s set would better be described as a foundation for the sold-out night at House of Blues Boston.

The genre-bending singer-songwriter’s charisma and natural stage presence carried through his set, from singing “Unchained,” an anthem about resilience and growth despite setbacks, to “Get Out and Get It,” full of imagery and a catchy beat
ECHO •

SIX60’s “Never Enough” Is Incredible, But The Music Video Fails To Impress

New Zealand based genre-crossing band, SIX60 just released their music video for “Never Enough.”

“Never Enough” is the first song off of the five-piece group’s third album, SIX60, which was released in November 2019 and has climbed New Zealand charts.

Lead singer, Matiu Walter’s falsetto, along with the heavy bass influence, use of horns, and steady beat are reminiscent of the sound of American band, Portugal. The Man, without being too similar.

According to the New Zealand online news magazi
ECHO •

Surfaces Releases New Single "Bloom"

Surface’s latest single “Bloom,” brings together some of the duo’s best components to create a song that evokes the feeling of a carefree summer.

“Bloom” is the Texas-based singer/songwriter/producers third single to be released off of their forthcoming album, due out in early 2020. They are currently on their sold-out “Warm Winter” tour, performing their repertoire full of songs that “celebrate summer feelings and a ‘don’t worry, be happy’ attitude.”

The group is made up by Colin Padalecki an
ECHO •

MisterWives Makes Boston "Home" For A Night

The indie-pop band from New York City made Boston their home during their sold-out show at the Paradise Rock Club.

MisterWives, the 6-piece group best known for their songs “Reflections,” and “Our Own House,” played for an energetic and attentive full-house on December 4th. The Boston show of their “No Place Like Home” tour was rescheduled from November, but the new date didn’t seem to affect the turn out.

The crowd was made up of people of all ages, truly evoking a feeling of “home,” whatever