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Simpson College

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
701 North C Street
Indianola, Iowa 50125
Phone
(515) 961-1624
Email address
admiss@simpson.edu
School Information
"Simpson College is a private, liberal arts college in Iowa with campuses in Indianola, West Des Moines and online. Founded in 1860, the picturesque main campus sits on 85 tree-shaded acres in Indianola, 12 miles south of the state capital of Des Moines. Consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country according to US News & World Report, Simpson transforms students through welcoming communities, exceptional programs and distinctive opportunities" (Source: https://simpson.edu/simpson-at-a-glance).
General Information
Simpson College has began to encourage all students, faculty, and staff to engage in DEI topics. Simpson recently appointed a vice president of DEI in 2021. Simpson will soon require DEI training for students, faculty, and staff. Students are encouraged to participate in events such as the "21 Day Equity Challenge" and the "Diversity and Inclusion Social Media campaign." Simpson is seeking ways to incorporate DEI core concepts in its infrastructure, resources, and planning. As part of the "Engaged Citizenship Curriculum," all students are required to take a course on "Diversity and Power in the U.S." See developments below:

Actions Taken

Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • On September 4, 2020, the Assistant Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Access encouraged the Simpson community to "participate in the 21 Day Equity Challenge."
  • Simpson's All Campus Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has worked "to develop and institute comprehensive, ongoing DEI training for faculty and staff."
  • Simpson's Committee for Academic Diversity & Inclusion "[consults] with Faculty Development to assist with faculty diversity training."
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • The Simpson core curriculum requires all students to take a "Diversity and Power in the U.S." course as part of the "Engaged Citizenship Curriculum.
  • Simpson's All Campus Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has worked to "have DEI permeate the general education curriculum, including the interim curriculum and the proposed curriculum."
Disciplinary Measures
  • Simpson will be adopting a "Symbols of Hate Policy" as of May 6, 2021.
  • The college provides a bias reporting form which includes "microaggression" as a choice when indicating the "primary concern."
Political Actions and Support for Anti-Racism
  • On March 31, 2023, college news reported that Simpson staff, faculty and students took part "in the March to End the 'Isms'" which "brought awareness to societal issues surrounding various ‘isms’ such as racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, classism and size-ism." The March was hosted by Simpson College.
Program and Research Funding
  • Simpson's Committee for Academic Diversity & Inclusion "[approves] Faculty Development diversity grants to enhance diversity awareness and engagement in particular courses."
Resources
  • Simpson College appointed a vice president of DEI on May 4, 2021. The new vice president "will also be responsible for creating new practices or polices to help Simpson grow in its resources, such as new DEI training for students, faculty, and staff."
  • Simpson offers a major in Social Justice Studies which include the following programs: Ethnic & Cultural Studies, Women & Gender Studies, Environmental Studies, Economic Studies and Religious Studies.
Symbolic Actions
  • On June 2, 2020, the SU president released a statement saying, "So many of our hearts are heavy with the killing of George Floyd, as well as the other acts of blatant discrimination we see around us. And we are further saddened and frightened by the ways in which peaceful and righteous protests have erupted in violence, around the state and the nation."
  • The NCAA Minority and Opportunities and Interests Committee as well as the national Student-Athlete Advisory Committee were announced as the hosts of the "Diversity and Inclusion Social Media campaign" on October 21, 2019. The themes of this campaign include inclusive excellence, diversity, and inclusion.
  • As part of its "Inclusivity Statement," the college states that it "recognize[s] that diversity of identities exists in a context of differential power and privilege that we as a community must critically evaluate and engage."
Last updated January 8th, 2024
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