Sylvia J. Simmons, associate dean of admissions and financial aid, will leave Harvard this fall to become assistant vice president for academic affairs at the University of Massachusetts.

Ernest Lynton, UMass vice president for academic affairs, said yesterday Simmons will handle student-related services for the 30,000-student university, administering admissions and financial aid and tuition and fee policies.

Simmons, who came to Harvard in 1970 and served as dean of Radcliffe financial aid until the admissions offices merged last year, declined to comment on her departure yesterday.

She will assume the post November 1.

L. Fred Jewett '57, dean of admissions and financial aid, said yesterday Simmons is "very strong in a general sense, with real expertise in the financial aid area. There's no way we could replace her this year." Jewett said members of the admissions staff will share Simmons' former duties until next spring.

The University of Massachusetts "went after Simmons," Lynton said, to fill a newly created position. "We have not had anyone there and felt a need for someone," he said. "And we are delighted that she is willing to come."