THIS HANDBOOK IS NOT A CONTRACT NOR IT IS INTENDED TO BE A CONTRACT.  SIMPSON COLLEGE ADHERES TO THE EMPLOYMENT AT WILL DOCTRINE.  THIS MEANS BOTH SIMPSON COLLEGE AND AN EMPLOYEE CAN TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE, FOR ANY REASON (NOT OTHERWISE UNLAWFUL) OR FOR NO REASON ABSENT A WRITTEN AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY.  Nothing in this Handbook, or in any other employment policies of Simpson College is intended to create any promise or representation of continued employment or other terms or conditions of employment.

Should there be a conflict between any of the terms of this Handbook and any state or federal law, the applicable state or federal law will supersede the applicable provision of this Handbook to the extent necessary to bring this Handbook into conformity or compliance with the applicable law.

Simpson College reserves the right to revise, supplement, or rescind any or all policies or portions of this Handbook, or to add any policies to this Handbook, from time-to-time, as it deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion.

This Handbook provides a recap of current benefits, rules and other important information regarding employment with Simpson College.  Please remember that all items contained in this Handbook are subject to change without prior notice.  Please consult your supervisor or the Human Resources Director if you have questions regarding the guidelines in this Handbook or things the Handbook may not address.

B.  THIS IS SIMPSON

In 1860 pioneer settlers of Indianola, Iowa and the first session of the Western Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church united to establish the Indianola Seminary under the patronage of the Conference.  A building was erected and classes were started in the fall of 1860.

The institution was renamed Simpson Centenary College (the “Centenary” was later dropped) in 1866 to honor Matthew Simpson, a bishop of the Methodist Church.  Bishop Simpson (1811-1884) was the best-known and most influential Methodist of his day.  President Lincoln conferred with him; and he was called on to deliver the eulogy at Lincoln’s burial in Springfield.

Simpson is a Methodist-related college of liberal arts, non-sectarian in spirit, accepting its students without regard for race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability.  This spirit made it possible for the great scientist, George Washington Carver, the only other American with Washington and Lincoln to be memorialized with a federal birthplace monument, to become one of Simpson’s most distinguished sons.  Scores of other Simpson alumni serve in positions of national and international importance.  Simpson stresses highly personalized education, believing that, in general, education is creative and effective in the proportion that it is personal.  In this process social goals also are kept in view.

For more than a century Simpson has played a vital role in the educational, cultural, intellectual, political and religious life of Iowa and the nation.  The College has grown from one building “worth not less than $3,000,” to an institution, which today has 32 major buildings on more than 73 acres of beautiful campus and approximately 2,000 students.

Simpson College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

C.  MISSION STATEMENT

(Approved by the Board of Trustees Feb. 7, 2020)

Our Mission: Through innovative learning opportunities, individual student attention, and an unwavering commitment to inclusive educational access, Simpson College cultivates a diverse community of learners to lead lives of meaning and purpose.

Our Vision Statement: To be nationally recognized as the quintessential liberal arts college of the Greater Des Moines area, transforming students through welcoming communities, exceptional programs, and distinctive opportunities.

Our Core Values: Grounded in the liberal arts tradition and drawing from our Methodist heritage, Simpson College affirms these values as guiding principles that create our cultural foundation.

• Discovery – We design learning opportunities in which curiosity and creativity flourish, where students venture outside their comfort zone to explore their identity and place in the world.
• Access – We extend higher education opportunities to all types of learners, empowering students to pursue intellectual, personal, and professional growth.
• Citizenship – We prepare students for global and local leadership through broad liberal arts education, experiential and service-learning, and civic engagement.
• Belonging – We engender communities of radical hospitality where all are welcome and unique identities are embraced.
• Justice – We defend the dignity and worth inherent in all human beings, creating an atmosphere where equity and inclusion are hallmarks of our community.
• Integrity – We recognize a moral responsibility to respond to ethical challenges through our religious, secular, and spiritual identities.

D. SIMPSON COLLEGE INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT

(Endorsed by Cabinet April 17, 2017)

We the members of the Simpson College community believe that as an essential component of its mission and history, Simpson College is committed to creating and maintaining a creative, diverse, just and inclusive community in which all develop their abilities to live and thrive in a complex and interconnected world.

Consistent with our educational mission, we recognize ourselves as a community that respects individual identities linked to varying sociocultural characteristics including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, first language, religious or spiritual tradition, age, functional ability, socioeconomic status, physical attributes or familial status.

Further, we recognize that diversity of identities exists in a context of differential power and privilege that we as a community must critically evaluate and engage.

At Simpson College we strive to create a socially just world that honors the dignity and worth of each individual, and we seek to build a community centered on equality, mutual respect and openness to ideas—one in which individuals value cultural and intellectual diversity and share the responsibility for creating an affirming, safe, and inclusive environment.

We recognize that our community is most inclusive when all participate to their full capacity in the spirited, and sometimes challenging, conversations that are at the center of the College’s educational mission to develop personal integrity, moral responsibility, social justice and global citizenship.

E. Hate Symbols Policy 

The following policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, vendors, and others who conduct business with the college:

Simpson, as a private college in the liberal arts tradition, supports creative, thoughtful, and respectful discourse where conflicting perspectives are vigorously debated and thoroughly discussed. Simpson is dedicated to affording all members of the campus community the protections of free speech, expression, assembly, religion, and press available under the U.S. and Iowa constitutions and all applicable federal and state laws, consistent with the College’s mission and functioning. It is not the proper role of the College to shield persons from ideas, expressions, and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive.

At the same time, the College will not tolerate discriminatory actions that are so severe, persistent, or pervasive as to limit or deny a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational activity or program, or any actions that create an intimidating, hostile, or abusive environment. Severe, persistent, or pervasive discriminatory actions may include (but are not limited to) publicly displaying symbols of hate, racism, antisemitism, or terrorism. Examples of hate symbols include neo-Nazi symbols and flags, racist hand signs, hate group logos, and Confederate flags. In defining symbols of hate, the College will consult expert resources like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Hate Symbols Database. Alleged violations will be addressed through the adjudication processes specified in the student, faculty, and employee handbooks.

Simpson College deeply values civil discourse, and all members of the college community share in the responsibility for maintaining a climate of mutual respect. In light of academic freedom, this policy does not restrict display or discussion of these symbols when their use is relevant to the subject matter of a course. In a classroom or other educational settings and activities, the history and impact of symbols of hate may still be taught, discussed, or displayed in texts, presentations, or historical simulations if relevant to the course.

G. ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

The organizational chart may be downloaded and viewed as a .pdf file. (281KB) 2016 Organizational Table

*Posted 10/27/16
*Updated 8/13/20