January 8, 2010

Briar Cliff Students to Participate in Poverty Simulation

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Approximately 60 Briar Cliff University students will have a better idea of what it is like to live in poverty after participating in the Poverty Simulation from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11, in Heelan Auditorium in Heelan Hall on campus. 

In the simulation, students from several academic disciplines will have roles as family members in poverty, an employment officer, a welfare office staffer, police officer, teacher, landlord, utility worker, grocer, food pantry clerk and money lender. BCU faculty and community volunteers will help staff the activity.

“This exercise gives students insight to what our clients experience every day,” said Dr. Victoria Britson, associate professor of nursing at Briar Cliff. “Participants will go through the intense, chaotic experiences of living with very low resources.”

In its sixth year at BCU, the Poverty Simulation will be facilitated by Renee Sweers of Iowa State University’s Woodbury County Extension Service.   BCU’s Departments of Nursing and Social Work jointly plan this annual event.

Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students from 28 states. Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care and compassion. For more information, please visit briarcliff.edu.

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