March 16, 5:00 pm (Central Time)
Dear Simpson College Community,
In our constant effort to keep you updated and informed, we wanted to address three key items that relate to students. Today, Simpson College students living in college-owned housing will receive an email from Luke Behaunek, Dean of Students, outlining updates related to campus housing and dining.
Again, I want to reiterate the COVID-19 pandemic is quickly progressing and we are responding to this shifting situation and taking the needed actions as quickly as possible. We are ONESimpson and are committed to each and every member of our campus community.
Housing and Dining
- Simpson College has made the decision as of March 16 to keep all college-owned housing open. We are committed to providing a safe environment for our students who may prefer to stay on campus. For spring break housing, students will need to sign up for housing in order to have access. This will be required even of students who are still on campus. ID access returns to all residential students on Sunday, March 29 at 9 a.m.
- Dining services will be operational in Pfeiffer and Tyler’s Grille starting on Monday, March 23. Please note, these options will be available in a ‘grab and go’ format.
- We know that some students will want to move out of campus housing, and students are welcome to do that at any point. We are not going to require an in-person check-out process, but students must communicate with a CA when they are completely done moving out.
Please continue to monitor your emails and check the Simpson College COVID19 webpage for updates. Please email, COVIDResponse@simpson.edu with any COVID-19 related questions.
I want to especially thank our crisis management team who is working around the clock to address questions and plan for the future.
Thank you,
Bob Lane ‘81
Interim President
March 16, 12:00 pm (Central Time)
Dear Simpson College Community,
This past week has moved very quickly, and we appreciate everything that you have done to be both flexible and adaptable. Our Crisis Management Team and college leadership, in collaboration with state and national health department leaders, are closely monitoring developments to guide the direction we are taking today and plan what steps we may need to take in the future. Throughout these conversations, please know that you, our faculty and staff, parents, and especially our students are of primary importance to me.
Academic Update – Transition to Online Classes
- Simpson College has made the decision to transition to online classes for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. Please note at this time, this does NOT include May Term and a decision will be forthcoming. I commend our faculty and staff members who have led this effort and know each of them is dedicated to ensuring the quality of a Simpson College education. Faculty members will be reaching out to individual classes and all coursework will resume online on Monday, March 30, 2020.
Staff Update
- We recognize the need to “flatten the curve” and as such are working on contingency plans for our internal staff.
Command Center & Email Address Established
- We have initiated our crisis management team command center on campus, which will be staffed by members of our crisis management team.
- In order to more effectively address your questions, we have established a dedicated email address. Please email, COVIDResponse@simpson.edu with any COVID-19 related questions.
Please continue to monitor your emails and check the Simpson College COVID19 webpage for updates.
I know completely changing how we operate as an institution feels overwhelming, but it has been amazing to watch our faculty and staff band together to see how we can move our operations into a virtual environment and do whatever we can to ensure the success and safety of our students.
Thank you,
Bob Lane ‘81
Interim President