NEIGHBORHOOD

Attached here is a link to the house-masters's website (published nov' 2002- end of construction), giving various information to the residents of SIM (Simmons Hall). You can find pictures, detailed programm of each floor and also read about safety issues and the public-private relations in the building-
http://simmons.mit.edu/housemasters/Main.htm

Below I brought some paragraphs from the website, relating to the subject of Neighborhood-

Our Neighborhood: The back of Simmons is well lit. There is a small community of homeless people living just on the other side of the tracks. We do not know whether they present any threat to us, and have no information that they do. Nevertheless, you are now in the big city so be cautious -- wherever you are. Obviously we walk a fine line between safety and political correctness on this issue. It would be wonderful if some Simmons Folks could mount an outreach effort to this community. While we lived in New House, each year the students brought down old or no-longer stylish clothing to give to the homeless. The brothers of Chocolate City charged a "canned good" as admission to two of their annual events. Think about how you want to posture yourself as an individual, and Simmons as a community, to this community living just across the railroad tracks.

Strangers in Simmons: Our first president, Vikash Gilja, called for us to consider being an open community. For those of you who moved with us from New House, you know that we lived on the first floor and our door was open much of the time. In seven years, only once did local youths wander into our home. And they quietly left when they found that they walked into our living room. We plan to keep an open door but this is your choice. The architectural features of Simmons are attracting all kinds of folks and some of them may get by the Desk and get upstairs. Be polite but do not hesitate to ask someone their business. Escort them out -- but do not hesitate to call the night guard (3-1500 and tell the person who answers that you want the Simmons' guard paged for you) or Campus Police (3-1212 for regular business and 100 for emergencies of the "911" category.

Access to Briggs Field: This has been one of our most difficult issues to solve. Question to the Athletic Department: Why shouldn't Simmons Students have the same level of access to Briggs Field as the students who live on Amherst Alley? Answers we have received: The Athletics Department just spent $200K putting down new sod this summer; they are concerned that you will become injured by getting hit by a ball or a player; they are concerned that a path will be worn (especially by bikes) from two-way traffic across Briggs Field and that path could pose a safety hazard, as well as destroy the turf; and they are concerned that opening the gates on Vassar will allow too many people from the Cambridge and surrounding communities to flow in on the weekends to use the space (sometimes recklessly). We have made no progress on this issue despite the investment of a huge amount of time. The Athletic Department owns the space, and they have serious concerns with our access to the Field. They hold all the cards and we have been unable to move them on the issue.