Hannah Choi '01, one of five undergraduates who served on the student search committee, said the new director will hold the post in the long term, unlike Simpson, who was asked to be a "transitional director."
Choi added that Simpson, who assumed his post in January 1998, then decided to stay on for two years, but has now decided to hand over the reins of the organization.
"He's decided that it's time for him to move on," Choi said.
Search committee students, who began their work on finding a new director for the IOP in December, said that they do not know who the new director is going to be.
"The appointment hasn't been made yet," said Trevor D. Dryer '00. "We frankly don't know right now."
The twice-yearly meeting of the Student Advisory Committee and the Senior Advisory Committee of the IOP will be held today.