(Radio Iowa) – Simpson College in Indianola is making a series of budget cuts that include the end of some sports and elimination of six staff positions. An email from Simpson’s president says the seven million dollars worth of reductions are necessary to address a structural deficit and there’s more work to be done to balance the budget.
Simpson’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving program and its shooting sports team have been eliminated. Simpson’s shooting sports team recently won two national championships. An assistant coach for Simpson’s speech and debate team was laid off. Other staff layoffs have not been disclosed. There will be changes in Simpson’s study abroad and intramural sports programs as well.
Simpson’s roots date back to 1860, when a seminary was founded in Indianola. It has been known as Simpson College since 1885. A report by Forbes indicates many private colleges in the United States are struggling to balance budgets and keep operating. Forbes included Loras College in Dubuque among the 20 institutions in its recent “Colleges on the Brink” report.
Last fall, Forbes also listed Loras as one of the top 100 schools in the Midwest due to its academics, affordability and student success. Loras was established in 1839 and is the oldest college in Iowa.
