• When should I make travel arrangements for my student to come home for the holidays? 
• What is my student's mailing address and can I send packages there? 
• Can students stay in the residence halls during vacations? 
• What services are offered to parents of Simpson students? 
• What events are available for parents and families around Commencement? 
• How often should I visit my student? How often should they come home during the semester? 
• What churches are near the campus? 
• How can my student get around town if they do not have a car? 
• Who should I contact in case of crisis situation, like an earthquake, fire or flood? 
• Where should I stay when I visit my student? 
• What are Simpson's Tuition Costs? 
• How can parents get involved at Simpson? 
• Will I receive a copy of my student's grades? 
• Are there health services available on campus? 
• When are Simpson's vacations? 
• What changes can I expect from my student while at Simpson? 

1. When should I make travel arrangements for my student to come home for the holidays?

Please refer to the Academic Calendar for specific holiday dates. Check with your student regarding when tests, finals, papers and important lectures are scheduled prior to making arrangements. We do encourage you to make your travel arrangements early, especially during the holidays, so your student leaves and arrives to campus at the appropriate times.
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2.  What is my student's mailing address and can I send packages there?
Each student is assigned a mail box number during registration. The box number stays the same during their entire time at Simpson even if they change residence halls or move off-campus. All residential and commuter students are assigned a box that they are expected to check regularly. If mail is sent to a student without the box number, it will be delivered to the student's box, but may be delayed. Mail Services encourages the use of the student's box number to expedite delivery.  Packages can also be sent the same address.

Student Name
2211 College View Drive
CPO # ________
Redding, CA 96003

Note: Campus Post Office (CPO) box numbers are distributed through the mailroom/copy center when mailbox key is issued.  Please note that parents need to get the CPO box # from their student.  Simpson Staff are NOT permitted to give out this information.
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3. Can students stay in the residence halls during vacations?
Residence Students are not permitted to stay in their rooms during the Christmas/Winter Break nor may they stay during Spring Break.  They are permitted to stay during Thanksgiving and other "days off."  All Student Breaks are listed in the Student Handbook.
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4. What services are offered to parents of Simpson students?
The Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at Simpson is available to address concerns that parents may have and to provide services while their student is at Simpson. Parent Relations may be reached at (530) 226-4774 or at parents@simpsonuniversity.edu

Special events are planned for parents during Opening Weekend Orientation. Visit the Parent Relations website for more information on these important events.

A variety of services are provided through the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations including our Hugs from Home program, which is proposed to launch this summer. You will be able to send your love to your student through practical and affordable gifts that will make your student's day!
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5. What events are available for parents and families around Commencement?
Parents are strongly encouraged to take part in the celebrations around Commencement.  At Simpson, traditional commencement takes place three times a year: Winter (January), Spring (April) and Summer (September).  Parents of graduates should check with their students regarding all events for parents and graduates.
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6. How often should I visit my student? How often should they come home during the semester?
There are a variety of factors that must be considered when determining how frequently parents visit their students and how often students visit their parents.   This is of course an individual decision between students and their parents, however we do have a few suggestions.

Visit your student, but please--no surprises. Homework, jobs and social activities tend to fill up a student's schedule. Allow your student time to plan ahead.
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7. What churches are near the campus?
Simpson does not have a Sunday service on campus because we desire for students to get involved in a local church in the community. There are a variety of churches in the Redding area that Simpson students attend. For a listing of churches near Simpson, refer to the Conference Services web site.
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8. How can my student get around town if they do not have a car?
Many students will bike to locations close to the campus.  The campus is within miles of Walmart, Target, WINCO grocery store, Office Depot, and numerous restaurants.  It is also often easy to find a ride with another student who is making a run to the store.

In addition, the Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA) offers a fixed route service to all the urbanized areas of Shasta County.   Two RABA bus stops are conveniently located on either side of the Simpson University campus.  The RABA system provides service numerous locations in Redding and Anderson including the Mt. Shasta Mall, Anderson Factory Outlets, Shasta College, Walmart, Raley's, and Target.  Hours of operation vary slightly, but are typically 6 a.m.-8 p.m.  Most fares run between $1-2 one way and punch cards or unlimited monthly passes are also available.  RABA can be contacted at (530)241-2877 or you can look up more information including route maps on the RABA website.
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9. Who should I contact in case of crisis situation, i.e. earthquake, fire, flood?
Simpson University's Campus Safety Department has a complete emergency plan in place.  They also provide many prevention programs to increase overall campus safety which includes regular fire drills, the safe walk program, safety whistle program, and regular safety equipment checks.  Check out the Campus Safety Website for more information.  In case of an emergency, you can contact Campus Safety directly at (530)226-4967, campussafety@simpsonuniversity.edu, or on the Campus Safety cell phone (24 hours a day) at (530)941-7592.
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10. Where should I stay when I visit my student?
There are several hotels in the local area that offer discounts to parents and family members of Simpson students. For a complete listing, visit our local hotels by clicking here.

Students may have same-sex guests stay in their dorm rooms per permission of their Resident Director.  Rooms are available through Conference Services; Donna Ritchie would be the contact person.  We do ask the students not to invite guests during Genesis and Celebration weekends, unless they are REGISTERED for those particular events.
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11. What are Simpson's Tuition & Costs?
For the most up to date and accurate figures check our tuition and costs page.
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12. How can parents get involved at Simpson?
We want parents to be involved in supporting their students at Simpson! There are a variety of ways that parents can serve students and other Simpson parents. We are currently developing a Parent Council and various parent committees that parents are welcome to join at any time. Click on the links for more information on either our Parent Council or our Parent Committees.

To stay connected with the University, parents can sign up to be part of our monthly parent e-mail news update, read the Gateway Magazine  online, or receive a weekly edition of The Slate, the student newspaper.

To stay connected to your student we encourage you to send letters and care packages to your student and that service is available through our Hugs from Home program.

Parents are also encouraged to attend Parent Weekend in October each year and sporting events or music performances on campus or in your local area.

Parents also have the opportunity to give to Simpson out of their financial resources through fundraising projects. Visit our Development website for more information.
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13. Will I receive a copy of my student's grades?
No. Grade reports will be available at the end of each academic term to the students on the My Simpson Intranet page. Student may access their grades online or they may request a printed paper report at the end of the term from the Registrar’s Office.
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14. Are there health services available on campus?
The Student Health Center, located in the Heritage Life Center, provides confidential health services for all registered students.   Most services, such as consultation, non-prescription drugs, and equipment loan (crutches, heating pads, etc...) are free.  The health center also offers shots and immunizations at cost, referrals to outside clinics/doctors as needed, and medical insurance information and claims assistance.  For more information and hours check out the Health Center online.
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15. When are Simpson's vacations?
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for specific holiday dates for each academic year. The University is closed on the following holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, and Easter, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.
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16. What changes can I expect from my student while at Simpson?
Over the next four years, your student will be asking questions about who they are and who they will become.  For parents, these questions can be scary because their answers don't always match up to yours.  That is a possibility, but the process of asking those questions is the beginning of a life journey.  Try to be patient as he or she works through the process.  On commencement day, your student will no doubt be different than the person you sent to Simpson, but you will be proud of who he or she becomes at Simpson.
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