College Archives - Campus Day History

THE HISTORY OF CAMPUS DAY

From The Simpsonian

1889
- June 1889 p.43: “The student bee on the college campus prior to the opening exercises was highly beneficial. The rubbish so conspicuous at previous commencements was not a menace to the many visitors of ’89.”

1911
- v.41: no.31 May 6, 1911 “A unique precedent was established Tuesday of this week when the entire student body voted to suspend classes an put in the day cleaning up the campus and buildings.” Students decided at class meetings Monday night to cancel classes. Faculty had no idea until they arrived on campus Tuesday. Professors pitched in. Seniors task was laying out and digging and planting flowerbeds. Juniors raked the campus and burned trash and leaves. Sophomores worked on the tennis courts, and Freshmen were responsible for cleaning up the athletic field. Commercials filled two old wells and helped the other classes. Preps cleaned Mary Berry Hall and the surrounding vicinity. Chapel was held at 10am, and then the students went back to work until noon. “It is hoped that ‘clean-up’ day will become an annual event in the future.”

1912
- v.43: no.31 May 4, 1912 “Yet several students have been asking whether or not ‘clean-up’ day with all its good features will not soon cause it’s own destruction, if the tendency of some people to make the day a holiday is not speedily curbed.”

1913
- v.43: no.32 May 5, 1913 Seniors spaded a path on the SE part of campus, sowed it with grass and seed. The girls repaired the flowerbeds and replanted, and the boys moved the fence that was in front of the chapel. Juniors raked the SW part of campus. Other classes did work where it was needed. The “S” Club was busy getting the athletic field ready for a meet. As in the past two years, picnicking followed when the work was completed - students were done by noon. There was a chapel service held at 10am.

1914
- v.44: no.39 April 27, 1914 Faculty vetoed Campus Day. Students decided on Flunk Day instead and anyone going to classes was to be punished. “Mr. Paul McDade who attended astronomy class was one of the victims of the ‘kangarooing’ process.” Professor Jenner sent for the town marshal, who came and went without taking any action. Students picnicked in the afternoon.

1915
- No record.

1916
- v.46: no.27 April 17, 1916 Occurred on April 12, 1916. The article reports it is an annual event, thought there was no mention of it from 1915. Professors had a meeting and decided to allow the day. All students went out to the movies the night before (was Prohibition era). Seniors cleaned the SE side of campus, Juniors the North side of the library and the administration buildings, Sophomores the SW side of campus, and Freshmen were responsible for the area North of the Science Hall. Academy students worked around the conservatory and on the athletic field. All students raked and burned leaves and filled in and sowed grass seed. The purpose of the day was to prepare the campus for Commencement. “It is one of the few days when we can really do something worthwhile for Simpson.” The students also sold pictures of the day at the college bookstore for 5 cents each.

1917
- No record.

1918
- v.48: no.28 May 6, 1918 “Simpson celebrates 7th Clean-Up Day” Students planted trees with Professor Jenner. Girls working in “ruins of Ad building” found “a sealed bottle hidden between the bricks of the wall. …they discovered papers containing the records of the deeds of prowess together with the names of the members of the class of 1901.” Other clean-up day tasks were trimming trees, spading flowerbeds, and raking.

1919
- No record.

1920
- v.50: no.30 May 24, 1920 Students cleaned up the campus. Did not picnic this year due to bad weather; the day was postponed from the week before due to bad weather.

1921
- v.51: no.29 April 25, 1921 First year that clean-up day was called Campus Day. Announced in The Simpsonian ahead of time for the first time (before had been chosen by students in class meetings the night before). Was to occur on Wednesday, April 27. This was the first year the event was planned by the Student Council and not all students (the council had just been implemented that year or the year before). The campus was divided in sections and assigned to the various classes. Will take class role/attendance. This will be the first year all students eat on the campus instead of splitting off to go on picnics.
- v.51: no.30 May 2, 1921 Bad weather caused delay of Campus Day. Was held on two days instead. The following day, Thursday, was clean-up part, and the “flunk” part was delayed to some afternoon the next week. Started on Thursday at 1pm and were done by 3pm. Students went to the movies that night instead of the night before.
- v.51: no.31 May 9, 1921 Tells of annual faculty roast by students.
- From the 1921-22 Student Handbook: Campus day (formerly called “Flunk Day”) is a holiday that comes along in the spring, about the time a young man’s fancy turns. The day must be bright and inviting; and when such a day is found the Student Council declares it “Campus Day.” The morning is used in raking the campus and cleaning up the surroundings in general. “Time off” is taken, however, for a mock chapel, when well known students sit in the faculty’s chairs on the platform and make their customary remarks, slightly exaggerating their idiosyncrasies and adding touches of flashing wit, gentle sarcasm and human sympathy. The remainder of the day may be used for picnics or fishing, as the case may be.

1922
- v.52: no.23 March 27, 1922 Took place on Friday, March 24. Objective this year was to clean up the campus for Pi Kappa Delta convention being held at Simpson. Students who did not attend clean up were given unexcused absences. This was the first year they didn’t hold chapel, but a mock chapel and picnics will be held later in the spring when the weather will be better. Students picked up debris and filled in the dumping ground at the heating plant. Faculty renovated space on campus between domestic science building and Mary Berry Hall. Sophomores worked on the library section, Freshmen were responsible for the area East of the administration building. “Refreshments were served by the W.A.A at ten o’clock and sandwiches, hot coffee, cocoa, doughnuts, and candy were sold.”

1923
- v.53: no.28 April 23, 1923 Campus Day will take place next Wednesday. Attempting “to designate this occasion under the more dignified title of Campus Day.” Students still called it ‘Flunk Day’.

1924
- No record.

1925
- v.55: no.26 April 6, 1925 “Duty before pleasure” will be the motto for the day.

1926
- v.27: no.27 April 12, 1926 Same as year before

1927
- v.27: no.31 April 25, 1927 It snowed in the afternoon. Otherwise, same as before. Cleaned campus, had mock chapel.

1928
- v.29: no.28 April 16, 1928 Campus Day will be sometime next month.
- v.29: no.29 April 23, 1928 First year Campus day was not announced beforehand.
1929
- v.30: no.24 March 18, 1929 In report of Student Council meeting, discussed cutting Campus Day. Voted to have it.
- v.30: no.25 March 25, 1929 Campus Day went the same as always. Sophomores dropped a pile of leaves on the Freshmen territory and the classes got in a leaf fight.
1930
- v.31: no.23 March 14, 1930

1931
- v.32: no.23 March 23, 1931 Student Council considered charging admission to Mock Chapel.
- v.32: no.26 April 20, 1931 Charged 10-cent student government fee to cover costs of Campus Day. No admission was charged for Mock Chapel.

1932
- v.33: no.23 April 18, 1932 Leaf fight between the classes has become an annual event. Headline of article reads “Fight Features Last Campus Day”, but no mention in the article of this being the end of Campus Days.

1933
- No record.

1934
- No record.

1935
- v.36: no.21 April 8, 1935 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian. Mentions Campus Days of the few years previous, though there was no mention of the day in those year’s Simpsonians. Afternoon was left open, but had an all college dance in Hopper in the evening.

1936-1937
- From the Student Directory: Campus day is a holiday that comes along in the spring, about the time a young man’s fancy turns. The day must be bright and inviting; and when such a day is found the Student Council declares it “Campus Day.” The morning is used in raking the campus and cleaning up the surroundings in general. “Time off” is taken, however, for a mock chapel, when well known students sit on the platform and pose as faculty members, and make their customary remarks, slightly exaggerating their idiosyncrasies and adding touches of flashing wit, gentle sarcasm and human sympathy. The remainder of the day may be used as fancy dictates.

1938
- v.39: no.19 March 28, 1938 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian.

1939
- v.40: no.20 April 10, 1939 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Campusionan.
1940
- V.41: no.21 April 1940 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Snoopsonian.
1941
- v.42: no.20 April 1941 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Bullonian.

1942
- v.43: no.20 April 1942 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simpletonian.

1943
- v.44: no.21 April 1943 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Sapsonian.

1944
- v.45: no.12 April 1944 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian.

1945
- v.46: no.10 April 1945 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Campusionan.

1946
- v.47: no.22 April 1946 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Stinksonian.

1947
- v.48: no.23 April 1947 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Scandalonian.

1948
- v.49: no.26 March 22, 1948 Voted in Student Congress to keep Campus Day. Alternative was to cancel it for an additional day for Spring Vacation. Voted down by decisive majority. Still having Mock Chapels on Campus Day.
- v.49: no.29 April 1948 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled SimpBULLonian.
1949
- v.50: no.27 April 1949 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Snafusonian.

1950
- May 1950 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled ScunCHoneAn.

1951
- v.51: no.27 May 1951 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Slipsonian.

1952
- v.81 April 1952 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Sim-phoney-an.

1953
- v.82 May 1953 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Sim-phoney-an.

1954
- v.83 May 1954 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian.

1955
- v.84: no.18 April 1955 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Sapsonian.

1956
- May 1956 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Stinkersonian.

1957
- April 19, 1957 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simpletonian

1958
- v.87 May 1958 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Student-phoney-an.

1959
- v.89: no.20 May 1959 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simple-phoney-an.

1960
- v.90: no.21 May 1960 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian (upside-down).

1961
- v.91 May 1961 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simpson Times- Examiner.

1962
- v.92: no.0 May 1962 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Samponian.

1963
- v.93: no.25 May 8, 1963 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simpfonian.

1964
- v.94: no.25 May 6, 1964 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simpfonian.

1965
- v.95: no.24 May 1965 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simpfonian.

1966
- No record.

1967
- No record.

1968
- No record.

1969
- No record.

1970
- No record.

1971
- v.101: no.18 April 30, 1971 Had Campus Day. Somewhere between 1965-1971 Campus Day became unannounced. In the Senate minutes, there is mention of Campus Days in past few years, but no record of it occurring in the Simpsonian.

1972
- No record.

1973
- No record.

1974
- v.104: n.17 May 10, 1974 Campus Day announced ahead of time. Turned Campus Day into a weekend long event called V-D Weekend (named for Gary Valen, history instructor, and Don Dittmer, mathematics instructor). Was Woodstock-like in the country with bands, camping and beer.

1975
- v.105: no.17 April 25, 1975 Announced ahead of time. Campus Day will occur Saturday, May 10. Sponsored by CAB.
- v.105: no.18 May 2, 1975 Schedule for V-D II May 8-12.
- v.105: no.20 May 16, 1975 Student cleaned and planted trees on campus on Saturday, partied all weekend and had Monday off from classes.

1976
- v.107: no.8 April 30, 1976 Had a dance on Wednesday night. Campus Day was on Thursday. Each housing unit cleaned the area surrounding it. Had Olympics in the afternoon. Had two bands perform on campus that night. Had classes on Friday, with another band performing that night. Campus Day was announced in the Simpsonian ahead of time.

1977
- v.109: no.7 April 29, 1977 Campus Day will be Thursday, May 5. Bands will perform on campus Wednesday night and Thursday night.

1978
- v.111: no.9 April 21, 1978 Campus Day was not announced ahead of time this year. Students cleaned their rooms, residence halls, and the campus. Judges looked at rooms with their door open in the residence halls for the room contest. Students were judged on room décor, cleanliness, and the “white glove test”. Students received cash and certificates for their efforts. Had Olympics in the afternoon, followed by a Frisbee clinic sponsored by a professional Frisbee team. Had two bands perform on campus that night.

1979
- No record.

1980
- v.115: no.9 May 9, 1980 Campus Day was not announced in advance. Students cleaned campus and afternoon activities took place on the Quad. Activities consisted of a tent pitching and unique shelter contest, carnival booths, student showcase, ice cream social, a movie was shown, and students had a campout.

1981
- No record.

1982
- v.119: no.10 May 7, 1982 Letter to the editor from two students complaining about the date of Campus Day not being announced ahead of time.

1983
- v.121: no.8 April 29, 1983 Campus Day was the previous Wednesday. Students laid sod, painted the stadium, washed windows, swept sidewalks, and raked leaves on campus.
- v.121: no.9 May 6, 1983 Still having threat of doing away with Campus Day because of participation. This threat seems to occur every couple of years.
1984
- v.123: no.7 April 20, 1984 Work assignments will be made according to housing units. Work planned includes painting transformers, benches, and poles; tearing out reflective pool by the library; repairing the fountain at BSC or turning it into a planter box; washing windows; redoing rock display by the football field; raking, etc. A picnic, volleyball game, Frisbee tournament, and other activities are planned for the afternoon. May have a band perform on campus that night.

1985
- v.124: no.19 April 5, 1985 Reminder that Campus Day will be coming.

1986
- v.125: no.19 April 11, 1986 Had Campus Day. Two photos in Simpsonian.

1987
- v.126: no.20 April 10, 1987 Had Campus Day. One photo in Simpsonian.

1988
- v.127: no.23 April 17, 1988 Had Campus Day on April 4. One photo in Simpsonian.
- v.127: no.24 April 14, 1988 Letters to the editor regarding Campus Day. Appears to be the first year they worked in the community and not on campus. Students picked up trash and sticks in city parks.
1989
- v.128: no.25 April 13, 1989 There were a few years when Campus Day was discontinued (most likely during several years when there was no record of the day occurring). Commuter students were notified on WHO radio at 6am on the morning of Campus Day. Projects included putting the finishing touches on the sand volleyball pit, installing a back stop on the SE corner of the intramural field, transplanting plants from the courtyard between Amy Robertson Music Center and Smith Chapel, cleaning up campus parking lots and theme houses, straightening the rock garden near the football field, raking leaves at President Jennings’s house, and “other tasks”. Some teams also helped out at local churches. Marriott served lunch. Had a faculty chili-making contest. In the afternoon they had a sand volleyball tournament on the new pit, as well as other games and events. Some of the games were inner tube and gunnysack races, Simon “sez”, tug-o-war, a pie-eating contest, and a water balloon toss.

1990
- v.120: no.20 March 1, 1990 In previous years, the Student Body President had asked select individuals to be Campus Day co-captains. This year the Student Body President asked for volunteers. In past have had 10-15 teams.
- v.120: no.26 April 19, 1990 Campus Day was on April 12. Students cleaned up lawns, churchyards, and parks in the community. There was a large turnout of both students and faculty. The afternoon picnic was on the square and was open to students, faculty, and members of the community. In the afternoon, they played volleyball and relay games. Music was broadcast from the front of BSC all afternoon, courtesy of Rich Ramos.

1991
- No record.

1992
- v.123: no.23 April 2, 1992 Campus Day occurred on Tuesday, March 24. They had 50 teams! Approximately 430 students and faculty participated. They raked 57 yards and did other yard work in the community. Some teams also painted the senior citizen’s center. Marriott provided the afternoon picnic on the courthouse lawn and games played included volleyball and BINGO. This article makes reference to last year’s campus day, though there was no record of it in that year’s Simpsonian. Prizes for the top 3 teams were jackets, sweatshirts, and t-shirts. The college covered expenses, with a little money coming from Senate.

1993
- v.124: no.18 March 11, 1993 Campus Day will occur again this year. Will rake leaves in the community, followed by the afternoon picnic and games. Activities this year will include tug-o-war, sand volleyball, bingo, Frisbee, golf, and karaoke.

1994
- v.124: no.23 March 31, 1994 Campus Day was community clean up as we do it today. The Student Body President solicited captains. Campus Day will occur sometime after Spring Break.

1995
- v.125: no.25 April 13, 1995 “Approximately 300 students, faculty, and staff raked 53 yard in the community and 9 college yards.” Teams also washed windows, pruned hedges, trimmed branches, cleaned window wells and birdhouses, washed dishes, cleaned out someone’s refrigerator, fixed a roof, built a deck, added on a garage, and spayed and neutered dogs. The wind chill that day was ten below zero. Prizes for the morning were sweatshirts. Prize for the entire day’s activities was a limo ride and dinner in Des Moines.

1996
- v.126: no.25 April 18, 1996 Campus Day was Wednesday, April 10. “Morning yard work in teams, a picnic in Buxton Park”. Went back to doing a Mock Chapel. In afternoon had a sand volleyball tournament, pie-eating contest, egg toss, tug-of-war, and played Simon Says. Prizes for the first place team were Simpson sweatshirts, for the second place team Simpson boxers, and for the third place team Simpson t-shirts. 47 teams participated in the morning cleanup, and 5 or 6 participated in the afternoon activities. The prize for winning the afternoon activities was for the team to attend a murder mystery dinner at Summerset Inn. Second place prize for the afternoon was a pizza party. The two winners of Mock Chapel received an hour-long massage and Simpson sweatshirts.

1997
- v.127: no.24 April 3, 1997 Campus Day was Thursday, March 27. Teams did yard work in the community. 52 teams signed up; 49 actually participated. First place prize was a barbeque at the president’s house and a t-shirt, second place received long-sleeve Simpson t-shirts, and third place winners were awarded Simpson caps. The prize for the entire day’s activities was a limo ride to Farley’s Family Fun. Approximately 400 students were involved in Campus Day.

1998
- v.128: no.15 February 12, 1998 Teams will do yard work in the community. There are 65 teams signed up. They will have a picnic in Buxton Park and games in the afternoon. This year they added a slam-dunk competition and having Mock Chapel again. Ideas they are tossing around for grand prize are a limo ride with pizza and then either being treated to paintball or laser tag. Other prizes include meal with the college president, t-shirts, hats, Simpson sweatshirts, and many others. There is no further mention after the actual day.

1999
- v.129: no.20 March 4, 1999 Article promoting involvement.
- v.129: no.24 April 8, 1999 Students cleaned up 92 yards, and also did work at the Aquatic Center and Moats Park. Prizes for first place were sweatshirts and dinner with Interim President Bruce Haddox. Second prize were t-shirts. Third place received hats. The winners overall received a $300 gift certificate to Best Buy for the team. Second place overall got a free trip to a paintball farm. All who participated got a Frisbee. It was a very cold day on Wednesday, April 1.

2000
- v.130: no.22 Added a new game this year - “Diving for Coins” - to the afternoon activities. Also had a pie-eating contest, egg toss, slam dunk contest, dodge ball, and big wheel races. Prizes for first place were Simpson t-shirts and dinner at President LaGree’s home. Second place prize were t-shirts. Third place received $10 gift certificates per person to the bookstore. All captains and co-captains get mugs and pens. The overall winner will received a $300 gift certificate to Target. Second place overall won a free paintball competition. The picnic was at Buxton Park, not on the square as usual.
- v.130: no.24 April 6, 2000 Took place in early April.
- v.131: no.3 September 21, 2000 Campus Day may be in the fall semester instead of the spring. This was the decision of the administration and Student Senate because it improves scheduling possibilities. In a poll conducted by the Simpsonian on-line, 69% of students want Campus Day left in the spring, while 31% were in favor of having it in the fall.

2001
- v.131: no.17 February 15, 2001 Will have Campus Day in the spring.
- v.131: no.24 April 12, 2001 Campus Day took place the previous Wednesday.
- v.131: no.25 April 20, 2001 Only 30 teams participated this year; 45-50 teams normally participate. Only about 20% of the student body participated.
- v.133: no.8 November 8, 2001 Campus Day in the fall this year. Took place the previous Tuesday. Had near-record participation and warm temperatures. Structure of the day was the same as that of the past few years - raking lawns in the community and having the afternoon campus picnic and Olympics games.

2002
- v.133: no.7 October 17, 2002 Date to be October 30. Announced by letter and e-mail. Survivor theme with raking in morning, picnic, and games with prizes in afternoon. T-shirts for all morning participants. Editorial on Campus Day date being announced in advance.
- v.133; no. 9 November 07, 2002 Editorial about participation in Campus Day.
- v.133; no. 10 November 14, 2002 Photo. Campus Day finally occurred November 13 after two postponements due to weather. Editorial against raking.
- Web exclusive November 20, 2002 Eighty+ yards were raked this year and approximately 570 people participated on 50 teams, an increase from last year's numbers. There were a variety of themed teams this year, including teams made up by the members of the basketball team, different LAS's and other professors who set up their own teams.

2003
- v.133; no. 20 March 6, 2003 “Campus Day's future up in air” A president-appointed task force to make the annual Campus Day more cohesive with Simpson's evolving structure. According to Simpson College President R. Kevin LaGree, the task force is challenged to "design Campus Day to become less disruptive, particularly for the academic, aesthetic and intellectual life of the college." Town Hall meetings are taking place at student senate, faculty and staff meetings this month. Also, an e-mail survey this past week brought back more than 100 suggestions from around campus. The committee, composed of faculty Sal Meyers and Warnet, staff Mimi Bartley and Stephanie Krauth and students Smith and junior Cory George and senior Jake Abel, will convene after spring break to put together a plan based on the suggestions they've heard. The plan is to be presented to LaGree April 24, the last day of spring classes.

2004
- v.134: no. 21 March 25, 2004 'The Last Great Rake” Senior Cory George, student body president, and senior Abby Smith, the student body vice president, are in charge of coordinating the event this year. Last year the two served on a committee that evaluated Campus Day to see what students, faculty and staff wanted the day to be, and how it could be changed to better meet their wishes. Several of the committee's other suggestions are being implemented this year, but raking will remain the focus of Campus Day for one more year. One of the most noticeable changes is setting a definite date for Campus Day. It will be on Wednesday April 7 regardless of the weather. Two additions to this year's Campus Day are a party at BSC the night before and a later start on Wednesday. They said the party would be similar to a Stand Around with music, games and food. Breakfast will be held at Pfieffer this year instead of in BSC, and it will be later than in the past. Another difference this year will be the absence of competitions. George said the day wasn't meant to be competitive, it was meant to be about helping others. After raking, lunch will be held in Cowles from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. This meal takes the place of Pfieffer's regular meal, so it is open to everyone. All of these changes are leading up to major change in Campus Day next year: no more raking. "Next year there will be a choice of two or three options," said Smith. Campus Day falls in the middle of Greek Week. Points given to those having teams and participating in Campus Day
- v.134: no.24 (labeled 12) April 15, 2004 “Campus Day surpasses all expectations” 250 students at pre-rake party night before. Food, inflatable games, music. 49 teams raked yards. During Greek Week; Greeks got points for participating. No competition or judging.

2005
- v.135: no.23 April 14, 2005 “Groups pick fun activities for Simpson’s Campus Day”. Volunteering was visible around the community of Indianola with approximately 350 students signed up to participate in Campus Day 2005. The number of students signed up was significantly more than last year. Those teams comprised of ten people gathered to work on a projects at various locations around Indianola and on campus, including Wesley Woods, The Village, Irving Elementary School and humane society. The kick-off event was also changed. They had Storm Celler pizza and bingo at 9:30 in BSC and a midnight breakfast on Tuesday night at Pfeiffer. Finally, it seems like the Campus Day theme, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it,” encouraged students to be proud of the tradition.
- v.135:no.24 April 21, 2005 “Students, staff flaunt ‘it’ on Campus Day” More than 400 students, staff and administrative members participated last week in Campus Day, themed “If you’ve got it, flaunt it.” This year more than 40 teams participated, made up of 5 to 30 members with the same goal: serving the Indianola Community. Campus Day started big when around 300 students attended the kick-off event, bingo, to try to win prizes such as 20-inch TV-DVD set, an iPod Shuffle and a PlayStation Portable. The Campus Day committee found plenty of jobs for the teams to do such as they recruited more people to Wesley Woods when they called the day before and asked 40 more people. The activities weren’t limited to raking as they have been in past. This year students were given choices to what activity they wanted to do, from volunteering at Kiya Koda Humane Society to yardwork for Indianola residents. In fact there were a couple of teams that created their own Campus Day activity. One such activity was the cleaning and general maintenance done on the Carver House. Instead of telling everyone that Campus Day is all about raking, this time the committee let students tell them what they wanted to do. Another change this year was that students didn’t need an advisor to form a team. They could form an all-student group and perform the tasks they wanted to.

2006
- March 30, 2006 Editorial: Great tradition, bad timing
  Most Simpson students know Campus Day has been a tradition for over 100 years, an event intended to give back, to connect to the community through volunteering.
  They also know it has become an excuse for students to hit the bars and throw parties. Just because students opt to party Tuesday night and sleep all day Wednesday doesn't mean they don't care about volunteering. In fact, many students spend all year volunteering all around Indianola and the Des Moines metro area. Campus Day comes late in the year, when projects and papers are piling up, finals and graduation quickly approaching and stress levels are up. It seems most students see it as an opportunity to catch up on homework, sleep or socializing. Instead of giving back, they opt to simply give it a rest.
  Though the college has taken steps to increase involvement - taking on new projects and moving back the start time - the solution seems to be moving Campus Day back to its original date in the fall.
  An earlier date would mean students are under significantly less stress than at the end of the year. This could get more people involved, including more first-year students.
  An early Campus Day would also mean getting students - especially new students - involved with community and volunteering, providing the opportunity to continue the work they begin in the fall throughout the year. Campus Day could even replace one of the many service projects, which are mandatory for freshmen during their first few days. This would mean not only increased involvement, but an opportunity for freshmen to meet and interact with more people than those in their residence halls and LAS class - and isn't building a stronger Simpson Community what Campus Day is about?
  No matter when Campus Day is held, there will be many students who choose to celebrate the break from classes and not participate. By placing the day back in the fall semester, where it began, the college would see increased involvement, more long-term volunteering and a stronger connection with new and returning students in the Simpson Community.
- March 30, 2006
  It's that time of year again. Campus Day is quickly approaching and while some students see it as a great opportunity to do community service, others view it as a mid-week break and a time to party. Wednesday, April 5 is Campus Day and the theme this year comes from Tom Brokaw, "It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference." According to sophomore Heather Gaffey, co-chair for the event, 20 teams have turned in applications, which is about half the number of teams who participated last year. Gaffey said they are starting later in the day and have been sending out e-mails and putting up signs to get more students involved. Students participating will be served breakfast from 9 to 9:45 a.m., where they will pick up their free T-shirts and packets of information about the community service they will be doing from 10 a.m. to noon. At 1:30 p.m., there will be an intramural kickball tournament."All next week is going to be a party," junior Krista Guillaume said. "People don't seem excited. You get an e-mail and a T-shirt, that's it. Also, who doesn't like a day off in the middle of the week?"

2007
- March 29, 2007
  Simpson's annual service day, Campus Day, will take place Wednesday, April 4. The day will kick-off with breakfast at Pfeiffer at 9 a.m., and service projects will begin at 10 a.m. This year marks the 118th Campus Day, the first having taken place in the spring of 1889.
  Senior Evan Schaefer, undergraduate assistant for Campus Day, is thrilled about the day of service and says that more than 40 campus teams and will participate this year. Some organizations volunteering this year are the Simpson Track and Field team, the Multicultural Student Alliance, and all Greek sororities and fraternities. There are also many other teams that have formed including a group of first-year students calling themselves the "Kresge Kittens." Schaefer also mentioned members from the alumni board were invited to participate as well.
  Besides picking up sticks, mulching, raking and picking up garbage and litter around campus, junior Heather Gaffey, co-chair of Campus Day, said students will also be working with housing and maintenance. Some teams will also be doing service projects around the Indianola community, working with businesses such as Kiya Kota, The Indianola Humane Society, The Village, Good Samaritan, Somerset Park and a host of others.
  As for the itinerary, lunch will begin at 11 a.m. and in the afternoon Intramurals will be sponsoring a kickball tournament for teams to compete for prizes. ... Director of Security Chris Frerichs said the night of April 3, the eve of Campus Day, will be treated as a weekend night, and all security staffing and operations will act accordingly. Frerichs feels in some ways that some students have lost sight to the meaning of Campus Day and feels the night before is a night of unnecessary partying and alcohol consumption. Overall, Schaefer feels the perception of Campus Day has a positive light.
- April 12, 2007
  Is that a snowflake? Students brave frigid weather.
  Students pick up cedar chips to spread around trees as part of Campus Day on April 4. Students and other members of the Simpson community faced below-freezing temperatures and snow to help with the community service. Despite the weather, all but one team showed up for the event. This was one of the largest turnouts, with more than 600 people participating.

Originally compiled by Lindsey Jahnke, Archives Undergraduate Assistant
Cyd Dyer, College Librarian/Archivist March 2003

Updated March 2008


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College Archives - Campus Day History THE HISTORY OF CAMPUS DAY From The Simpsonian 1889 June 1889 p.43: “The student bee on the college campus prior to the opening exercises was highly beneficial. The rubbish so conspicuous at previous commencements was not a menace to the many visitors of ’89.” 1911 v.41: no.31 May 6, 1911 “A unique precedent was established Tuesday of this week when the entire student body voted to suspend classes an put in the day cleaning up the campus and buildings.” Students decided at class meetings Monday night to cancel classes. Faculty had no idea until they arrived on campus Tuesday. Professors pitched in. Seniors task was laying out and digging and planting flowerbeds. Juniors raked the campus and burned trash and leaves. Sophomores worked on the tennis courts, and Freshmen were responsible for cleaning up the athletic field. Commercials filled two old wells and helped the other classes. Preps cleaned Mary Berry Hall and the surrounding vicinity. Chapel was held at 10am, and then the students went back to work until noon. “It is hoped that ‘clean-up’ day will become an annual event in the future.” 1912 v.43: no.31 May 4, 1912 “Yet several students have been asking whether or not ‘clean-up’ day with all its good features will not soon cause it’s own destruction, if the tendency of some people to make the day a holiday is not speedily curbed.” 1913 v.43: no.32 May 5, 1913 Seniors spaded a path on the SE part of campus, sowed it with grass and seed. The girls repaired the flowerbeds and replanted, and the boys moved the fence that was in front of the chapel. Juniors raked the SW part of campus. Other classes did work where it was needed. The “S” Club was busy getting the athletic field ready for a meet. As in the past two years, picnicking followed when the work was completed - students were done by noon. There was a chapel service held at 10am. 1914 v.44: no.39 April 27, 1914 Faculty vetoed Campus Day. Students decided on Flunk Day instead and anyone going to classes was to be punished. “Mr. Paul McDade who attended astronomy class was one of the victims of the ‘kangarooing’ process.” Professor Jenner sent for the town marshal, who came and went without taking any action. Students picnicked in the afternoon. 1915 No record. 1916 v.46: no.27 April 17, 1916 Occurred on April 12, 1916. The article reports it is an annual event, thought there was no mention of it from 1915. Professors had a meeting and decided to allow the day. All students went out to the movies the night before (was Prohibition era). Seniors cleaned the SE side of campus, Juniors the North side of the library and the administration buildings, Sophomores the SW side of campus, and Freshmen were responsible for the area North of the Science Hall. Academy students worked around the conservatory and on the athletic field. All students raked and burned leaves and filled in and sowed grass seed. The purpose of the day was to prepare the campus for Commencement. “It is one of the few days when we can really do something worthwhile for Simpson.” The students also sold pictures of the day at the college bookstore for 5 cents each. 1917 No record. 1918 v.48: no.28 May 6, 1918 “Simpson celebrates 7th Clean-Up Day” Students planted trees with Professor Jenner. Girls working in “ruins of Ad building” found “a sealed bottle hidden between the bricks of the wall. …they discovered papers containing the records of the deeds of prowess together with the names of the members of the class of 1901.” Other clean-up day tasks were trimming trees, spading flowerbeds, and raking. 1919 No record. 1920 v.50: no.30 May 24, 1920 Students cleaned up the campus. Did not picnic this year due to bad weather; the day was postponed from the week before due to bad weather. 1921 v.51: no.29 April 25, 1921 First year that clean-up day was called Campus Day. Announced in The Simpsonian ahead of time for the first time (before had been chosen by students in class meetings the night before). Was to occur on Wednesday, April 27. This was the first year the event was planned by the Student Council and not all students (the council had just been implemented that year or the year before). The campus was divided in sections and assigned to the various classes. Will take class role/attendance. This will be the first year all students eat on the campus instead of splitting off to go on picnics. v.51: no.30 May 2, 1921 Bad weather caused delay of Campus Day. Was held on two days instead. The following day, Thursday, was clean-up part, and the “flunk” part was delayed to some afternoon the next week. Started on Thursday at 1pm and were done by 3pm. Students went to the movies that night instead of the night before. v.51: no.31 May 9, 1921 Tells of annual faculty roast by students. From the 1921-22 Student Handbook: Campus day (formerly called “Flunk Day”) is a holiday that comes along in the spring, about the time a young man’s fancy turns. The day must be bright and inviting; and when such a day is found the Student Council declares it “Campus Day.” The morning is used in raking the campus and cleaning up the surroundings in general. “Time off” is taken, however, for a mock chapel, when well known students sit in the faculty’s chairs on the platform and make their customary remarks, slightly exaggerating their idiosyncrasies and adding touches of flashing wit, gentle sarcasm and human sympathy. The remainder of the day may be used for picnics or fishing, as the case may be. 1922 v.52: no.23 March 27, 1922 Took place on Friday, March 24. Objective this year was to clean up the campus for Pi Kappa Delta convention being held at Simpson. Students who did not attend clean up were given unexcused absences. This was the first year they didn’t hold chapel, but a mock chapel and picnics will be held later in the spring when the weather will be better. Students picked up debris and filled in the dumping ground at the heating plant. Faculty renovated space on campus between domestic science building and Mary Berry Hall. Sophomores worked on the library section, Freshmen were responsible for the area East of the administration building. “Refreshments were served by the W.A.A at ten o’clock and sandwiches, hot coffee, cocoa, doughnuts, and candy were sold.” 1923 v.53: no.28 April 23, 1923 Campus Day will take place next Wednesday. Attempting “to designate this occasion under the more dignified title of Campus Day.” Students still called it ‘Flunk Day’. 1924 No record. 1925 v.55: no.26 April 6, 1925 “Duty before pleasure” will be the motto for the day. 1926 v.27: no.27 April 12, 1926 Same as year before 1927 v.27: no.31 April 25, 1927 It snowed in the afternoon. Otherwise, same as before. Cleaned campus, had mock chapel. 1928 v.29: no.28 April 16, 1928 Campus Day will be sometime next month. v.29: no.29 April 23, 1928 First year Campus day was not announced beforehand. 1929 v.30: no.24 March 18, 1929 In report of Student Council meeting, discussed cutting Campus Day. Voted to have it. v.30: no.25 March 25, 1929 Campus Day went the same as always. Sophomores dropped a pile of leaves on the Freshmen territory and the classes got in a leaf fight. 1930 v.31: no.23 March 14, 1930 1931 v.32: no.23 March 23, 1931 Student Council considered charging admission to Mock Chapel. v.32: no.26 April 20, 1931 Charged 10-cent student government fee to cover costs of Campus Day. No admission was charged for Mock Chapel. 1932 v.33: no.23 April 18, 1932 Leaf fight between the classes has become an annual event. Headline of article reads “Fight Features Last Campus Day”, but no mention in the article of this being the end of Campus Days. 1933 No record. 1934 No record. 1935 v.36: no.21 April 8, 1935 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian. Mentions Campus Days of the few years previous, though there was no mention of the day in those year’s Simpsonians. Afternoon was left open, but had an all college dance in Hopper in the evening. 1936-1937 From the Student Directory: Campus day is a holiday that comes along in the spring, about the time a young man’s fancy turns. The day must be bright and inviting; and when such a day is found the Student Council declares it “Campus Day.” The morning is used in raking the campus and cleaning up the surroundings in general. “Time off” is taken, however, for a mock chapel, when well known students sit on the platform and pose as faculty members, and make their customary remarks, slightly exaggerating their idiosyncrasies and adding touches of flashing wit, gentle sarcasm and human sympathy. The remainder of the day may be used as fancy dictates. 1938 v.39: no.19 March 28, 1938 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian. 1939 v.40: no.20 April 10, 1939 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Campusionan. 1940 V.41: no.21 April 1940 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Snoopsonian. 1941 v.42: no.20 April 1941 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Bullonian. 1942 v.43: no.20 April 1942 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simpletonian. 1943 v.44: no.21 April 1943 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Sapsonian. 1944 v.45: no.12 April 1944 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian. 1945 v.46: no.10 April 1945 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Campusionan. 1946 v.47: no.22 April 1946 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Stinksonian. 1947 v.48: no.23 April 1947 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Scandalonian. 1948 v.49: no.26 March 22, 1948 Voted in Student Congress to keep Campus Day. Alternative was to cancel it for an additional day for Spring Vacation. Voted down by decisive majority. Still having Mock Chapels on Campus Day. v.49: no.29 April 1948 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled SimpBULLonian. 1949 v.50: no.27 April 1949 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Snafusonian. 1950 May 1950 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled ScunCHoneAn. 1951 v.51: no.27 May 1951 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Slipsonian. 1952 v.81 April 1952 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Sim-phoney-an. 1953 v.82 May 1953 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Sim-phoney-an. 1954 v.83 May 1954 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian. 1955 v.84: no.18 April 1955 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Sapsonian. 1956 May 1956 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Stinkersonian. 1957 April 19, 1957 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simpletonian 1958 v.87 May 1958 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Student-phoney-an. 1959 v.89: no.20 May 1959 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simple-phoney-an. 1960 v.90: no.21 May 1960 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian (upside-down). 1961 v.91 May 1961 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simpson Times- Examiner. 1962 v.92: no.0 May 1962 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Samponian. 1963 v.93: no.25 May 8, 1963 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simpfonian. 1964 v.94: no.25 May 6, 1964 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simpfonian. 1965 v.95: no.24 May 1965 Special Campus Day edition of the Simpsonian titled Simpfonian. 1966 No record. 1967 No record. 1968 No record. 1969 No record. 1970 No record. 1971 v.101: no.18 April 30, 1971 Had Campus Day. Somewhere between 1965-1971 Campus Day became unannounced. In the Senate minutes, there is mention of Campus Days in past few years, but no record of it occurring in the Simpsonian. 1972 No record. 1973 No record. 1974 v.104: n.17 May 10, 1974 Campus Day announced ahead of time. Turned Campus Day into a weekend long event called V-D Weekend (named for Gary Valen, history instructor, and Don Dittmer, mathematics instructor). Was Woodstock-like in the country with bands, camping and beer. 1975 v.105: no.17 April 25, 1975 Announced ahead of time. Campus Day will occur Saturday, May 10. Sponsored by CAB. v.105: no.18 May 2, 1975 Schedule for V-D II May 8-12. v.105: no.20 May 16, 1975 Student cleaned and planted trees on campus on Saturday, partied all weekend and had Monday off from classes. 1976 v.107: no.8 April 30, 1976 Had a dance on Wednesday night. Campus Day was on Thursday. Each housing unit cleaned the area surrounding it. Had Olympics in the afternoon. Had two bands perform on campus that night. Had classes on Friday, with another band performing that night. Campus Day was announced in the Simpsonian ahead of time. 1977 v.109: no.7 April 29, 1977 Campus Day will be Thursday, May 5. Bands will perform on campus Wednesday night and Thursday night. 1978 v.111: no.9 April 21, 1978 Campus Day was not announced ahead of time this year. Students cleaned their rooms, residence halls, and the campus. Judges looked at rooms with their door open in the residence halls for the room contest. Students were judged on room décor, cleanliness, and the “white glove test”. Students received cash and certificates for their efforts. Had Olympics in the afternoon, followed by a Frisbee clinic sponsored by a professional Frisbee team. Had two bands perform on campus that night. 1979 No record. 1980 v.115: no.9 May 9, 1980 Campus Day was not announced in advance. Students cleaned campus and afternoon activities took place on the Quad. Activities consisted of a tent pitching and unique shelter contest, carnival booths, student showcase, ice cream social, a movie was shown, and students had a campout. 1981 No record. 1982 v.119: no.10 May 7, 1982 Letter to the editor from two students complaining about the date of Campus Day not being announced ahead of time. 1983 v.121: no.8 April 29, 1983 Campus Day was the previous Wednesday. Students laid sod, painted the stadium, washed windows, swept sidewalks, and raked leaves on campus. v.121: no.9 May 6, 1983 Still having threat of doing away with Campus Day because of participation. This threat seems to occur every couple of years. 1984 v.123: no.7 April 20, 1984 Work assignments will be made according to housing units. Work planned includes painting transformers, benches, and poles; tearing out reflective pool by the library; repairing the fountain at BSC or turning it into a planter box; washing windows; redoing rock display by the football field; raking, etc. A picnic, volleyball game, Frisbee tournament, and other activities are planned for the afternoon. May have a band perform on campus that night. 1985 v.124: no.19 April 5, 1985 Reminder that Campus Day will be coming. 1986 v.125: no.19 April 11, 1986 Had Campus Day. Two photos in Simpsonian. 1987 v.126: no.20 April 10, 1987 Had Campus Day. One photo in Simpsonian. 1988 v.127: no.23 April 17, 1988 Had Campus Day on April 4. One photo in Simpsonian. v.127: no.24 April 14, 1988 Letters to the editor regarding Campus Day. Appears to be the first year they worked in the community and not on campus. Students picked up trash and sticks in city parks. 1989 v.128: no.25 April 13, 1989 There were a few years when Campus Day was discontinued (most likely during several years when there was no record of the day occurring). Commuter students were notified on WHO radio at 6am on the morning of Campus Day. Projects included putting the finishing touches on the sand volleyball pit, installing a back stop on the SE corner of the intramural field, transplanting plants from the courtyard between Amy Robertson Music Center and Smith Chapel, cleaning up campus parking lots and theme houses, straightening the rock garden near the football field, raking leaves at President Jennings’s house, and “other tasks”. Some teams also helped out at local churches. Marriott served lunch. Had a faculty chili-making contest. In the afternoon they had a sand volleyball tournament on the new pit, as well as other games and events. Some of the games were inner tube and gunnysack races, Simon “sez”, tug-o-war, a pie-eating contest, and a water balloon toss. 1990 v.120: no.20 March 1, 1990 In previous years, the Student Body President had asked select individuals to be Campus Day co-captains. This year the Student Body President asked for volunteers. In past have had 10-15 teams. v.120: no.26 April 19, 1990 Campus Day was on April 12. Students cleaned up lawns, churchyards, and parks in the community. There was a large turnout of both students and faculty. The afternoon picnic was on the square and was open to students, faculty, and members of the community. In the afternoon, they played volleyball and relay games. Music was broadcast from the front of BSC all afternoon, courtesy of Rich Ramos. 1991 No record. 1992 v.123: no.23 April 2, 1992 Campus Day occurred on Tuesday, March 24. They had 50 teams! Approximately 430 students and faculty participated. They raked 57 yards and did other yard work in the community. Some teams also painted the senior citizen’s center. Marriott provided the afternoon picnic on the courthouse lawn and games played included volleyball and BINGO. This article makes reference to last year’s campus day, though there was no record of it in that year’s Simpsonian. Prizes for the top 3 teams were jackets, sweatshirts, and t-shirts. The college covered expenses, with a little money coming from Senate. 1993 v.124: no.18 March 11, 1993 Campus Day will occur again this year. Will rake leaves in the community, followed by the afternoon picnic and games. Activities this year will include tug-o-war, sand volleyball, bingo, Frisbee, golf, and karaoke. 1994 v.124: no.23 March 31, 1994 Campus Day was community clean up as we do it today. The Student Body President solicited captains. Campus Day will occur sometime after Spring Break. 1995 v.125: no.25 April 13, 1995 “Approximately 300 students, faculty, and staff raked 53 yard in the community and 9 college yards.” Teams also washed windows, pruned hedges, trimmed branches, cleaned window wells and birdhouses, washed dishes, cleaned out someone’s refrigerator, fixed a roof, built a deck, added on a garage, and spayed and neutered dogs. The wind chill that day was ten below zero. Prizes for the morning were sweatshirts. Prize for the entire day’s activities was a limo ride and dinner in Des Moines. 1996 v.126: no.25 April 18, 1996 Campus Day was Wednesday, April 10. “Morning yard work in teams, a picnic in Buxton Park”. Went back to doing a Mock Chapel. In afternoon had a sand volleyball tournament, pie-eating contest, egg toss, tug-of-war, and played Simon Says. Prizes for the first place team were Simpson sweatshirts, for the second place team Simpson boxers, and for the third place team Simpson t-shirts. 47 teams participated in the morning cleanup, and 5 or 6 participated in the afternoon activities. The prize for winning the afternoon activities was for the team to attend a murder mystery dinner at Summerset Inn. Second place prize for the afternoon was a pizza party. The two winners of Mock Chapel received an hour-long massage and Simpson sweatshirts. 1997 v.127: no.24 April 3, 1997 Campus Day was Thursday, March 27. Teams did yard work in the community. 52 teams signed up; 49 actually participated. First place prize was a barbeque at the president’s house and a t-shirt, second place received long-sleeve Simpson t-shirts, and third place winners were awarded Simpson caps. The prize for the entire day’s activities was a limo ride to Farley’s Family Fun. Approximately 400 students were involved in Campus Day. 1998 v.128: no.15 February 12, 1998 Teams will do yard work in the community. There are 65 teams signed up. They will have a picnic in Buxton Park and games in the afternoon. This year they added a slam-dunk competition and having Mock Chapel again. Ideas they are tossing around for grand prize are a limo ride with pizza and then either being treated to paintball or laser tag. Other prizes include meal with the college president, t-shirts, hats, Simpson sweatshirts, and many others. There is no further mention after the actual day. 1999 v.129: no.20 March 4, 1999 Article promoting involvement. v.129: no.24 April 8, 1999 Students cleaned up 92 yards, and also did work at the Aquatic Center and Moats Park. Prizes for first place were sweatshirts and dinner with Interim President Bruce Haddox. Second prize were t-shirts. Third place received hats. The winners overall received a $300 gift certificate to Best Buy for the team. Second place overall got a free trip to a paintball farm. All who participated got a Frisbee. It was a very cold day on Wednesday, April 1. 2000 v.130: no.22 Added a new game this year - “Diving for Coins” - to the afternoon activities. Also had a pie-eating contest, egg toss, slam dunk contest, dodge ball, and big wheel races. Prizes for first place were Simpson t-shirts and dinner at President LaGree’s home. Second place prize were t-shirts. Third place received $10 gift certificates per person to the bookstore. All captains and co-captains get mugs and pens. The overall winner will received a $300 gift certificate to Target. Second place overall won a free paintball competition. The picnic was at Buxton Park, not on the square as usual. v.130: no.24 April 6, 2000 Took place in early April. v.131: no.3 September 21, 2000 Campus Day may be in the fall semester instead of the spring. This was the decision of the administration and Student Senate because it improves scheduling possibilities. In a poll conducted by the Simpsonian on-line, 69% of students want Campus Day left in the spring, while 31% were in favor of having it in the fall. 2001 v.131: no.17 February 15, 2001 Will have Campus Day in the spring. v.131: no.24 April 12, 2001 Campus Day took place the previous Wednesday. v.131: no.25 April 20, 2001 Only 30 teams participated this year; 45-50 teams normally participate. Only about 20% of the student body participated. v.133: no.8 November 8, 2001 Campus Day in the fall this year. Took place the previous Tuesday. Had near-record participation and warm temperatures. Structure of the day was the same as that of the past few years - raking lawns in the community and having the afternoon campus picnic and Olympics games. 2002 v.133: no.7 October 17, 2002 Date to be October 30. Announced by letter and e-mail. Survivor theme with raking in morning, picnic, and games with prizes in afternoon. T-shirts for all morning participants. Editorial on Campus Day date being announced in advance. v.133; no. 9 November 07, 2002 Editorial about participation in Campus Day. v.133; no. 10 November 14, 2002 Photo. Campus Day finally occurred November 13 after two postponements due to weather. Editorial against raking. Web exclusive November 20, 2002 Eighty+ yards were raked this year and approximately 570 people participated on 50 teams, an increase from last year's numbers. There were a variety of themed teams this year, including teams made up by the members of the basketball team, different LAS's and other professors who set up their own teams. 2003 v.133; no. 20 March 6, 2003 “Campus Day's future up in air” A president-appointed task force to make the annual Campus Day more cohesive with Simpson's evolving structure. According to Simpson College President R. Kevin LaGree, the task force is challenged to "design Campus Day to become less disruptive, particularly for the academic, aesthetic and intellectual life of the college." Town Hall meetings are taking place at student senate, faculty and staff meetings this month. Also, an e-mail survey this past week brought back more than 100 suggestions from around campus. The committee, composed of faculty Sal Meyers and Warnet, staff Mimi Bartley and Stephanie Krauth and students Smith and junior Cory George and senior Jake Abel, will convene after spring break to put together a plan based on the suggestions they've heard. The plan is to be presented to LaGree April 24, the last day of spring classes. 2004 v.134: no. 21 March 25, 2004 'The Last Great Rake” Senior Cory George, student body president, and senior Abby Smith, the student body vice president, are in charge of coordinating the event this year. Last year the two served on a committee that evaluated Campus Day to see what students, faculty and staff wanted the day to be, and how it could be changed to better meet their wishes. Several of the committee's other suggestions are being implemented this year, but raking will remain the focus of Campus Day for one more year. One of the most noticeable changes is setting a definite date for Campus Day. It will be on Wednesday April 7 regardless of the weather. Two additions to this year's Campus Day are a party at BSC the night before and a later start on Wednesday. They said the party would be similar to a Stand Around with music, games and food. Breakfast will be held at Pfieffer this year instead of in BSC, and it will be later than in the past. Another difference this year will be the absence of competitions. George said the day wasn't meant to be competitive, it was meant to be about helping others. After raking, lunch will be held in Cowles from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. This meal takes the place of Pfieffer's regular meal, so it is open to everyone. All of these changes are leading up to major change in Campus Day next year: no more raking. "Next year there will be a choice of two or three options," said Smith. Campus Day falls in the middle of Greek Week. Points given to those having teams and participating in Campus Day v.134: no.24 (labeled 12) April 15, 2004 “Campus Day surpasses all expectations” 250 students at pre-rake party night before. Food, inflatable games, music. 49 teams raked yards. During Greek Week; Greeks got points for participating. No competition or judging. 2005 v.135: no.23 April 14, 2005 “Groups pick fun activities for Simpson’s Campus Day”. Volunteering was visible around the community of Indianola with approximately 350 students signed up to participate in Campus Day 2005. The number of students signed up was significantly more than last year. Those teams comprised of ten people gathered to work on a projects at various locations around Indianola and on campus, including Wesley Woods, The Village, Irving Elementary School and humane society. The kick-off event was also changed. They had Storm Celler pizza and bingo at 9:30 in BSC and a midnight breakfast on Tuesday night at Pfeiffer. Finally, it seems like the Campus Day theme, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it,” encouraged students to be proud of the tradition. v.135:no.24 April 21, 2005 “Students, staff flaunt ‘it’ on Campus Day” More than 400 students, staff and administrative members participated last week in Campus Day, themed “If you’ve got it, flaunt it.” This year more than 40 teams participated, made up of 5 to 30 members with the same goal: serving the Indianola Community. Campus Day started big when around 300 students attended the kick-off event, bingo, to try to win prizes such as 20-inch TV-DVD set, an iPod Shuffle and a PlayStation Portable. The Campus Day committee found plenty of jobs for the teams to do such as they recruited more people to Wesley Woods when they called the day before and asked 40 more people. The activities weren’t limited to raking as they have been in past. This year students were given choices to what activity they wanted to do, from volunteering at Kiya Koda Humane Society to yardwork for Indianola residents. In fact there were a couple of teams that created their own Campus Day activity. One such activity was the cleaning and general maintenance done on the Carver House. Instead of telling everyone that Campus Day is all about raking, this time the committee let students tell them what they wanted to do. Another change this year was that students didn’t need an advisor to form a team. They could form an all-student group and perform the tasks they wanted to. 2006 March 30, 2006 Editorial: Great tradition, bad timing Most Simpson students know Campus Day has been a tradition for over 100 years, an event intended to give back, to connect to the community through volunteering. They also know it has become an excuse for students to hit the bars and throw parties. Just because students opt to party Tuesday night and sleep all day Wednesday doesn't mean they don't care about volunteering. In fact, many students spend all year volunteering all around Indianola and the Des Moines metro area. Campus Day comes late in the year, when projects and papers are piling up, finals and graduation quickly approaching and stress levels are up. It seems most students see it as an opportunity to catch up on homework, sleep or socializing. Instead of giving back, they opt to simply give it a rest. Though the college has taken steps to increase involvement - taking on new projects and moving back the start time - the solution seems to be moving Campus Day back to its original date in the fall. An earlier date would mean students are under significantly less stress than at the end of the year. This could get more people involved, including more first-year students. An early Campus Day would also mean getting students - especially new students - involved with community and volunteering, providing the opportunity to continue the work they begin in the fall throughout the year. Campus Day could even replace one of the many service projects, which are mandatory for freshmen during their first few days. This would mean not only increased involvement, but an opportunity for freshmen to meet and interact with more people than those in their residence halls and LAS class - and isn't building a stronger Simpson Community what Campus Day is about? No matter when Campus Day is held, there will be many students who choose to celebrate the break from classes and not participate. By placing the day back in the fall semester, where it began, the college would see increased involvement, more long-term volunteering and a stronger connection with new and returning students in the Simpson Community. March 30, 2006 It's that time of year again. Campus Day is quickly approaching and while some students see it as a great opportunity to do community service, others view it as a mid-week break and a time to party. Wednesday, April 5 is Campus Day and the theme this year comes from Tom Brokaw, "It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference." According to sophomore Heather Gaffey, co-chair for the event, 20 teams have turned in applications, which is about half the number of teams who participated last year. Gaffey said they are starting later in the day and have been sending out e-mails and putting up signs to get more students involved. Students participating will be served breakfast from 9 to 9:45 a.m., where they will pick up their free T-shirts and packets of information about the community service they will be doing from 10 a.m. to noon. At 1:30 p.m., there will be an intramural kickball tournament."All next week is going to be a party," junior Krista Guillaume said. "People don't seem excited. You get an e-mail and a T-shirt, that's it. Also, who doesn't like a day off in the middle of the week?" 2007 March 29, 2007 Simpson's annual service day, Campus Day, will take place Wednesday, April 4. The day will kick-off with breakfast at Pfeiffer at 9 a.m., and service projects will begin at 10 a.m. This year marks the 118th Campus Day, the first having taken place in the spring of 1889. Senior Evan Schaefer, undergraduate assistant for Campus Day, is thrilled about the day of service and says that more than 40 campus teams and will participate this year. Some organizations volunteering this year are the Simpson Track and Field team, the Multicultural Student Alliance, and all Greek sororities and fraternities. There are also many other teams that have formed including a group of first-year students calling themselves the "Kresge Kittens." Schaefer also mentioned members from the alumni board were invited to participate as well. Besides picking up sticks, mulching, raking and picking up garbage and litter around campus, junior Heather Gaffey, co-chair of Campus Day, said students will also be working with housing and maintenance. Some teams will also be doing service projects around the Indianola community, working with businesses such as Kiya Kota, The Indianola Humane Society, The Village, Good Samaritan, Somerset Park and a host of others. As for the itinerary, lunch will begin at 11 a.m. and in the afternoon Intramurals will be sponsoring a kickball tournament for teams to compete for prizes. ... Director of Security Chris Frerichs said the night of April 3, the eve of Campus Day, will be treated as a weekend night, and all security staffing and operations will act accordingly. Frerichs feels in some ways that some students have lost sight to the meaning of Campus Day and feels the night before is a night of unnecessary partying and alcohol consumption. Overall, Schaefer feels the perception of Campus Day has a positive light. April 12, 2007 Is that a snowflake? Students brave frigid weather. Students pick up cedar chips to spread around trees as part of Campus Day on April 4. Students and other members of the Simpson community faced below-freezing temperatures and snow to help with the community service. Despite the weather, all but one team showed up for the event. This was one of the largest turnouts, with more than 600 people participating. Originally compiled by Lindsey Jahnke, Archives Undergraduate Assistant Cyd Dyer, College Librarian/Archivist March 2003 Updated March 2008
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