Campus and Community

Learn by Doing Goes on Display at 29th Annual Open House

Students and faculty in the Chemistry Department performed experiments during the Chemistry Magic Show

Written By Robyn Kontra Tanner // Photos by Joe Johnston April 13, 2022

For the first time since 2019, prospective students, parents, alumni and community members flooded campus for Open House. The annual event gives everyone – especially admitted students considering Cal Poly – a glimpse into life as a Mustang. The fanfare kicked off at Farmers’ Market in Downtown San Luis Obispo April 7 and continued with information fairs, club showcases, lab demonstrations, live music, and the Poly Royal Rodeo throughout the weekend.

The university offered both in-person and virtual events to share the Cal Poly experience with more students near and far — a first for the event in its 29-year history. Student leaders estimate that roughly 4,500 parents and prospective students visited campus in Open House this year, with more attending virtual sessions this week.

The student-run event was planned by a committee of Mustangs, many of whom hadn’t seen an in-person Open House before.

“This actually became a strength for us because we were able to find new perspectives and ideas for how to execute the weekend,” said event co-chair Emily Taketa. “It was a privilege to see such excitement from the newly admitted students — hopefully we'll get to see them for SLO Days and Week of Welcome!”