There are many ways for you to make an impact in Residence Life.

Every year, about 40 students are hired for key leadership positions on campus. These include:

Community Advisors
Community Advisors (CAs) are current students who help create a successful experience for you as a residential student. There are 15 traditional hall CAs — five in Kresge, five in Barker, three in Buxton, and two in Picken. Five CAs are also hired for the college-owned Greek houses. These are paid positions.

Area Councils
Area Councils are the student government for your residence hall. These student-run organizations are active in planning new programs and carrying on traditions. Area Council members are selected shortly after you arrive during the fall semester. However, you can join at any point during the year. There are generally two area councils on campus — one representing Barker and Kresge, and one representing Buxton and Picken.

Residence Hall Association
Residence Hall Association (RHA) is open to all students. This group coordinates large-scale events for campus including a safe trick-or-treating experience for local children and the Lil’ Sibs program, which brings students’ younger siblings to campus for an overnight experience.

The group represents all residential students and provides input to the Residence Life staff on their behalf. RHA members have the opportunity to attend regional and national conferences to network and exchange ideas with students from other colleges and universities.

Simpson College is committed to providing comfortable, welcoming, and safe housing options for all students. Gender- Inclusive housing (GIH) is a policy that allows two or more students to share a multiple-occupancy room, suite, or apartment regardless of the students’ sex, gender, or gender identity/expression.

GIH furthers the College’s non-discrimination policy and provides housing options for students who may identify as transgender, are more comfortable living with another sex or gender, or do not wish to prescribe to gender classifications.

Although the College respects the privacy of individuals and will not require students to reveal their reasons for opting into GIH, this option is not meant for couples in romantic relationships. Further guidelines to the policy are outlined below.

Link to the Student Handbook

What to bring:

• TV / electronics
• Linens and towels; almost all mattresses are 80″ long and will work with XL Twin sheets
• Computer
• Microwaves (have to be less than 1500 watts)
• Mini fridges (have to be less than 4.6 cubic ft)
• A small set of utensils and microwave-safe dishware
• Waste basket (we provide a recycling bin for each room)
• Power strips/surge protectors
• Your bike and lock (if desired) – bike racks are outside of each building
• Area rugs
• Posters, pictures, flags
• Plants
• A caddy for your toiletries
• Regular telephone (if desired)
• Futon (under 80″ in width recommended so it fits under a lofted bed
• Bulletin board/dry erase board
• Closed coil appliances
• High-efficiency laundry detergent
• Fan (rooms have A/C, but this comes in handy)
• COVID-related supplies: thermometer, extra face coverings, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes

What not to bring:

• Microwaves larger than 1500 watts/2.0 cubic feet
• Refrigerators larger than 4.6 cubic feet
• Space heaters
• Window air conditioners
• Halogen lamps
• Alcohol/drugs
• Open-coil electrical appliances (such as toasters, toaster ovens, hot plates)
• Live Christmas trees
• Charcoal or gas grills
• Candles (candle warmers are ok, but spilled wax must be avoided)
• Incense
• Weapons (knives, rifles, shotguns, handguns, air guns, bb guns, ammunition, firecrackers, etc.)
• Pets (except for fish in a 10 gallon or less tank)
• Extension cords

Move-In Day — Welcome to Simpson!

First-Year Students

Friday, Aug. 22, 2025- 8 a.m. to Noon

Check-in locations are as follows:

• Barker Hall
• Kresge Hall
• Kent Campus Center west entrance – Students assigned to halls other than Barker/Kresge will check-in at this location before moving into their assigned halls.

Early Arrivals

Approved early arrivals for fall athletics or the Campus Connect bridge program should check with their coach or group leader for information about their team or group’s check-in date, time, and location.

Early arrivals are not allowed unless associated with a college program and approved by Residence Life.

Check-In and Unloading

If multiple people will be coming to assist you with move-in, please have at least one person remain with the vehicle while you visit the check-in tent to get your ID and room combo.

Students living in Kresge

• Go to the intersection of Girard Avenue and North C Street and turn south.  Drive down the paved roundabout area directly between Kresge and Kent Campus Center.
• For the main move-in day (Aug. 22), the Kresge check-in tent is located just off the roundabout near the west entrance of the building.
• Once your vehicle has been unloaded, please drive it fully through C street and exit campus through the Hillman parking lot.

Students living in Barker

• Go to the intersection of Buxton Street and Girard Avenue, then drive south along Buxton until you reach the Barker parking lot. Follow directions provided by staff or signs regarding the traffic flow through the lot.
• For the main move-in day, the Barker check-in tent is located near the east entrance of the building off of Buxton Street. Students moving in early will check-in at the location provided by their coach or group leader.

Check-in packets

Upon campus arrival, you will receive your ID, room combination, and mailbox information. Information about parking decals will be in your mailbox, if you have registered a vehicle for campus parking. Residence Life staff will be available to help with directions and answer any questions.

Reminders

• Please have all belongings clearly marked with your name and room number.
• Please have at least one person stay with your vehicle(s) while they are being unloaded. Vehicles should exit the unloading areas as soon as they are unloaded.
• Complete your Room Condition Report upon arrival in your room.
• Sign up for a time to check-in using this link.

Parking

• Student vehicles– after unloading, please park in the following areas:
  • Parking lot near the baseball field
  • Far north lot on the north side of the fraternities
  • Far east row of the lot to the east of Colonial and Washington apartments
  • Campus Services lot.

• Guest vehicles- after unloading, please park in the following areas:
  • On street parking around campus (where available)
  • Parking lot north of Buxton and Picken (west of Kent)
  • Parking lot near the baseball field.

Staff will be able to point you in the right direction for parking.

First Years assigned to live in halls other than Barker/Kresge

• A check-in tent will be set up at the west entrance of Kent Campus Center, facing Buxton and Picken Halls. All incoming first year students who are not assigned to Barker or Kresge, should check-in at this location.
• The parking lot north of Buxton and Picken can be used for parking, while the slanted parking spots to the north of Buxton and Picken can be used as an unloading zone.

New Transfer Students

Move-in Day

Friday, Aug. 22, 2025- 8 a.m. to Noon

There is not a sign up needed for your check-in, which will be located at the tent on the west entrance of Kent Campus Center.

Early Arrivals

Early arrivals for fall athletics or other programs should check with their coach or group leader for information about their team or group’s check-in date, time, and location. Early arrivals are not allowed unless associated with a college program and approved by Residence Life.

Check-In and Unloading
Transfer students should check in at the tent located at the west entrance doors Kent Campus Center. Upon check-in, students will receive their ID, room combination, mailbox information, information about parking decals if they’ve registered a vehicle to park on campus, and will be directed to their building for unloading and moving in. Residence Life staff will be available to answer any questions.

Parking

• Students– After unloading, please park in the student parking lot closest to your assigned building.
• Guests– After unloading, please park in street parking around campus (where available), or the parking lot north of Buxton and Picken (west of Kent), or the lot near the baseball field.

Returning Students

Move-In Day

Friday, Aug. 22, 2025- 8 a.m. to Noon

If you are assigned to Buxton, Picken, or themed housing, you will check-in at the tents located outside of Buxton and Picken.  If you are assigned to apartments, please check-in at your assigned apartment with your CA.

Early Arrivals

Early arrivals for fall athletics or other programs should check with their coach or group leader for information about their team or group’s check in date, time, and location. Early arrivals are not allowed unless associated with a college program and approved by Residence Life.

Linens

We are pleased to announce that Simpson has partnered with a campus-specific linen program that can be delivered direct to campus. This means you can have quality linens waiting for you when you arrive on campus. The linens are guaranteed to fit and last until graduation.

Please use this link to connect directly with the Simpson-specific page: www.dormco.com/Simpson. The site also provides towels, decor and other items for residential living.

Fridges

Simpson now offers microwave/fridge combos delivered right to your dorm for use during the academic year.  Visit www.collegeproducts.com/simpson to learn more and reserve yours today.