Cal Poly Earns a Fifth ‘Most Promising Place to Work in Student Affairs’ Honor
For the fifth time since 2017, Cal Poly has been named one of the “Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs” by ACPA-College Student Educators International and Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. The university is one of 15 higher education institutions nationwide to receive the honor, which recognizes ongoing commitments to workplace diversity and staffing practices through key factors like family friendliness, salary and benefits, and professional development opportunities, among others. All told, Cal Poly is one of three California campuses — and the lone CSU — to receive recognition. The universities will be honored during the American College Personnel Association’s (ACPA) 98th annual meeting set for March 6-9 in St. Louis, Missouri. The full list of recognized universities will appear in the March 3 magazine edition of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Read the news release.
Final Day for Feedback on College Based Fee Proposal
Wednesday, February 9, is the final day for campus community members to provide feedback on the Cal Poly College Based Fee Student Aid and Learn by Doing Plan, which would create a new campus-based source of financial aid and more fully fund our academic mission. Current students may submit their comments on the fee through the feedback form on the College Based Fee website. A Cal Poly student email address is required to submit feedback, and an individual student may only submit one comment. Faculty and staff may send feedback on the proposal to [email protected]. For more information about the proposal, visit the CBF website, which includes the objective statement, frequently asked questions, open forum recordings and a schedule of campus presentations.
New Drone Program Gets Seal of Approval
The beaches around San Simeon make up the largest mainland northern elephant seal breeding area in the world: the Piedras Blancas rookery. Biological sciences Professor Heather Liwanag and her student researchers study the elephant seals, undertaking behavioral studies and population surveys, among other objectives. The team recently implemented a groundbreaking aerial drone survey program, which will help them get accurate population counts for the first time ever. Read the full article on the Cal Poly News website.
Mustang Shuttle Gets Extended Hours to Improve Service and Access Around Campus
Cal Poly community members now have more access to Mustang Shuttle with two additional hours of service and shuttles running past midnight. Mustang Shuttle, a free convenient shuttle service that gives students and employees a ride across campus every evening, is now available from 5:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. The change in schedule took place on Feb. 1 and will run through the end of winter quarter. With the switch to Daylight Savings Time, the shuttle will run from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. during spring quarter, effective March 28. Transportation and Parking Services partners with SLO Safe Ride to provide Mustang Shuttle, which runs seven days a week with the last pickup leaving Kennedy Library at 12:10 a.m. The loop across campus will be covered by two shuttles running 10 minutes apart. To ensure that every Mustang can use the service, one of the shuttles is accessible to those with disabilities. Riders must show Cal Poly ID when boarding. For more information, visit https://afd.calpoly.edu/parking/safetyprograms/.
More Dining Venues and Plant-Based Choices Available
To better serve the Cal Poly community, Campus Dining introduced five more dining venues and added more vegan and vegetarian options across campus. Venues new to Cal Poly include Health Shack outside the Dexter building, which features acai bowls, pressed juices and other healthy selections; local vegetarian food truck Plant Ivy, which offers a variety of plant-based burgers with meat lovers in mind; and Market UU, a convenient grab-and-go spot on the first floor of the UU across from the Multicultural Center. In addition to these three newcomers, Campus Dining welcomed back campus favorites Julian’s Café Bistro on the second floor of Kennedy Library and a special Chick-fil-A pop-up in PCV featuring a limited menu of classic items. The expanded plant-based options can be found with vegan and vegetarian icons on menus across campus. Visit calpolydining.com for current hours and menus for Cal Poly’s nearly 30 restaurants.
Boosters Available on Campus
Need a booster? COVID-19 vaccine and boosters are available Wednesdays and Fridays through Feb. 18 in the Recreation Center Main Gym Lobby (No. 43, Room 101). Vaccines will be administered by Rite Aid to employees and their families. The clinics are walk-in only at this time. Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine webpage to see updated dates and times, which vaccines will be offered, vaccine and booster eligibility, what to bring and more.
Cal Poly Foundation Board of Directors to Meet Feb. 12
The board of directors of the Cal Poly Foundation will hold a regular public meeting via Zoom webinar at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Obtain a copy of the agenda after Feb. 1 by emailing [email protected]. Registration as a non-speaking guest for electronic or telephonic meetings is required prior to the meeting. Once registered, login details will be provided to each registrant to join as an attendee. Registration requests should be emailed to [email protected] a minimum of 72 hours prior to the meeting. For more information, contact the Cal Poly Foundation office at ext. 6-7147 or [email protected].
A Mustang Provides Peer Counseling Through Black Academic Excellence Center
Child development student and athlete Kianah Corey is leading a new mental health resource through the Black Academic Excellence Center (BAEC). “Kiki's Corner” offers Black peer group sessions and one-on-one counseling in a confidential, nonclinical space. Corey hopes she can provide the kind of care and solidarity she needed when she was a first-year student, when an incident of overt racism changed the course of her college experience. When Corey couldn't gain access to a Black therapist in the community to process the trauma, she decided to switch majors from liberal studies to child development to pursue a career as a professional therapist. Since then, working as a student assistant in BAEC has given her a home on campus where she can find balance between her academics, athletics and the pressure she feels to represent Black students at Cal Poly. “I didn't know about these programs until my third year at Cal Poly,” she says of BAEC. “I want people to know that it's not too late — so many people who come in here in their third, fourth or fifth year or grad school, and they're just looking for an outlet. For me it was truly life-changing — I have been waiting to meet these types of people quite literally for my entire life.” Read the full story on the Cal Poly News website.
Applications for Panetta Congressional Internship due Feb. 11
Applications for the 2022 Panetta Institute Congressional Internship are being accepted through Friday, Feb. 11. Matriculating junior or senior students from any major who meet the program requirements are encouraged to apply. This prestigious Learn by Doing experience provides an opportunity for students to enhance their education by providing encouragement in the exploration of Congress, civil leadership, and community and public service. Once selected, students participate in a two-week training session in August at the Panetta Institute, followed by eleven weeks in Washington, D.C. working in a Capitol Hill office of a California congressional delegation member. The cost of the program is fully funded in order to allow participation by any qualified student, regardless of family income. Complete program requirements and details are available at http://provost.calpoly.edu/content/internship.
Campus Health and Wellbeing Administering Survey to Students
The American College Health Association recently sent a random sample of 7,000 students an email inviting them to complete the National College Health Assessment (NCHA). The NCHA is a voluntary and confidential online survey about health behaviors, attitudes and experiences that takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Campus Health and Wellbeing relies on the information gathered to create and prioritize student programming on campus. Faculty and staff can help by encouraging students to take the survey if they were selected, or ask the Health Education team to stop by your department or classroom to briefly discuss this survey. All participants of the survey will be entered into a random drawing to win one of 25 $100 Amazon gift cards. Questions? Contact the Health Education office at [email protected] or ext. 6-6181.
Cal Poly Women’s Chorus Invited to Perform at California All-State Music Education Conference on Feb. 18
The Cal Poly Women’s Chorus was honored to be one of only two college choirs invited to perform for the California All-State Music Education Conference (CASMEC). Its performance on Feb. 18 at Fresno City College for CASMEC attendees will include music by Hildegard von Bingen, Carlos Cordero, Dale Trumbore and a traditional Eastern European carol. Other activities will take place in the Fresno Convention Center. The choir is directed by Scott, Glysson, Cal Poly director of choral activities and vocal studies.
Join Cal Poly Basketball for Faculty/Staff Appreciation on Feb. 22
As a sign of appreciation for everything faculty and staff members do for the university, Cal Poly Athletics is pleased to offer four free general admission tickets to the Cal Poly Men’s Basketball game on Tuesday, Feb. 22. The Mustangs are playing CSU Bakersfield and tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in Mott Athletics Center. All faculty and staff can claim their four free tickets to the game by showing their Cal Poly ID at the Cal Poly Ticket Office or at the Mott Athletics Center Box Office on the day of the game. For more information or to purchase tickets to other Cal Poly Basketball games, visit www.gopoly.com.
CSU Steps Challenge Starts Feb. 14
Join the CSU Systemwide Virtual Journey. Employees begin at San Diego State, where they will head north, virtually visiting each of the 23 CSU campuses. Employees will earn five virtual steps for every step they take, and be inspired by fun facts about each campus along the way. The challenge is self-paced, so participants can visit as many campuses as they’d like on their own schedule. Employees can join as a team or participate on their own. Those who virtually visit 50% of the campuses and complete the survey by May 20 will be entered to win one of 24 prizes. Employees can visit the website to sign up and log steps.
Call for Proposals for Continuing Instructionally Related Activities
The Instructionally Related Activities Advisory Committee is accepting proposals for the 2022-23 fiscal year for any activities seeking continued recognition and funding. An Instructionally Related Activity (IRA) is an extracurricular "out-of-class" experience that provides enrichment to students and enhances their learning at Cal Poly. Note that IRA funds cannot be used to fund specific projects or field trips as part of an academic course. Requests for funding typically exceed the available funds, so recognition as an IRA is no guarantee of funding. Videos and workshops to help prepare the forms are available. Find forms, instructions, videos, and dates and times for preparation workshops. Proposals for continuing IRAs are due to the college deans and vice president for Student Affairs by Friday, March 4.
International Student Inclusivity Workshop for Faculty and Staff
The International Center invites faculty and staff to join the International Student Inclusivity Workshop hosted in collaboration with the International Advisory Council from 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, on Zoom. This virtual workshop is for faculty and staff who are interested in enhancing inclusive and equitable practices to help international students achieve success. During the session, participants will learn about international student experiences within the classroom and campus community and engage in discussion about ways to increase academic support and build students' sense of belonging. The workshop will cover topics ranging from cultural adjustment to academic success and discuss strategies for empowering this community of students to succeed. Those unable to attend the workshop are encouraged to visit the International Center’s Considerations for Teaching International Students webpage for information on promoting an inclusive campus environment for international students.
Love Your Commute and Win a Prize
This February, employees are urged to log their trips whether they carpool, vanpool, bike, bus, walk or work from home. Join the challenge at iRideshare.org (find the challenge on the iRideshare dashboard once you're logged in). Log at least 10 trips using alternative transportation to be eligible to win a date night package from Rideshare. Need a new commute to love? Vanpools are running now and seeking new riders. Join a Santa Maria/Arroyo Grande vanpool supporting a 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. schedule. Email [email protected] to get connected or check out all your options at commute.calpoly.edu.
University Personnel Offers Well-Being Workshops in February and March
University Personnel invites faculty and staff to participate in virtual well-being workshops in February and March. They include:
- Personal Resilience: Resilience and energy management are connected. This workshop challenges long-held beliefs about maintaining balance. Principles of energy management, understanding engagement and developing energy rituals will be discussed in this session. Feb. 17 at 10 a.m.
- Being a Champion: Strategies for Getting Ahead: Career advancement begins before the opportunity for promotion comes along. Learn strategies for getting ahead, including building trust and relationships, managing emotions, demonstrating professionalism and qualities of a champion. Feb. 18 at 2 p.m.
- Eat Right, Live Well: Learn how exercise and nutrition support a healthy lifestyle. Learn the components of a healthy diet, meal planning strategies and practical strategies for including exercise in your day. Feb. 24 at 11 a.m.
- Managing Multiple Priorities: How do you prioritize the many tasks demanding your attention? In this session you will learn practical strategies for planning your time, prioritizing tasks, organizing and managing workload. March 10 at 10 a.m.
- Coping with Grief and Loss: Knowing and recognizing the symptoms of grief are the first steps toward feeling good again. Join us to learn the stages of grief, symptoms and reactions to grief, coping with loss and moving forward. March 24 at 11 a.m.
Participants Needed for Sedentary Screen Time Study
Sedentary screen time consumes more than half of discretionary time and is the single most prevalent use of time for adults in the U.S. outside of work and sleep. Participants are needed for a study on the best ways to reduce the use of screen time and increase health outcomes. The study is led by Professor Sarah Keadle in Cal Poly’s Center for Health Research and is conducted in partnership with Arizona State University. Eligible participants must be between the ages of 23 and 64, own a smartphone or tablet and have internet access with no limit on the amount of data. Due to COVID-19, this study will be conducted virtually. Anyone interested in participating or learning more about the study, which is called StandUPTV, can call ext. 6-5506 or fill out an interest form.
University Union Fire Sprinkler System Installation Underway
A new fire sprinkler system is being installed at the UU, with work estimated to take four-and-a half years. Guests can expect to see closures and facility impacts throughout winter quarter, including:
- Beginning Thursday, Feb. 10, the first-floor elevators and next-door stairwell will be closed. Alternate accessible entrance and way-finding signage will be available at all entrances and exits. A construction wall will block access to much of the hallway adjacent to Starbucks and will result in the closure of the gender-neutral restrooms. The hallway between Starbucks and the MultiCultural Center will be accessible via a construction tunnel. All businesses will remain open during construction but may have alternate entrances.
- On the second floor, Chandler Lounge (UU 208) is not accessible and operates as the entrance of the ASI Business Office. One of the two entrances to UU 217 is also closed. Elevators will be periodically closed throughout the project. The restrooms on the second floor currently have an alternate entrance via a construction tunnel. Alternate accessible entrance way-finding signage will be available at all entrances and exits.
Thanks to Campus Community for a Successful Blood Drive
The Feb. 1 blood drive hosted by University Personnel, the Orfalea College of Business, and Campus Health and Wellbeing was at capacity prior to the blood drive. The organizers exceeded their goal with 31 units of blood, meaning this drive can save up to 93 lives. Thank you, Cal Poly community, for answering the call to address the national blood shortage. Anyone who was not able to donate and are interested, Vitalant will also be on campus: Feb. 22, March 2, March 3 and April 19. Contact Lisa Gray at [email protected] for more information.
Statistical Consulting Service Available During Winter
The Statistics Department provides a statistical consulting service to the university community to facilitate research design and data analysis in a wide variety of disciplines. Consulting will be available through March 18 by appointment only. Heather Smith and Dennis Sun will serve as the consultants. They are available to advise on data collection, experimental design and analysis of research projects. In addition, they are available to lead seminars or tutorials on requested topics and offer advice on various computer packages available at Cal Poly. Faculty, staff and students interested in utilizing the consulting service are encouraged to access the Statistics Department website for additional information, including what to bring to a consulting session. To schedule a consultation, email [email protected].
Sixth Annual Social Justice Teach in to be Held Feb. 17
Join the College of Liberal Arts on Thursday, Feb. 17, for the sixth annual Social Justice Teach In — a daylong series of talks and workshops centered around equity and social justice, designed to inform and inspire. These virtual and in-person events are open to all and will feature presentations from students, staff, faculty and community leaders. With over 40 sessions to choose from, four tracks are focused on specific topics to help attendees find sessions to match their interests: Equity-Minded Education, Self-Care and Community Well-Being, Art and Creative Efforts, and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and STEM. The day will culminate with visual artist and social practitioner Christine Wong Yap presenting her keynote address titled "How I Keep Looking Up: Art and the Social Practice of Belonging and Resilience." Visit the CLA website for the full schedule and registration. Register here.
Cal Poly Winter Jazz Concert on Feb. 18 to Feature Guitarist Pat Kelley and Cuesta Jazz Ensemble
Renowned guitarist Pat Kelley will perform with the Cal Poly Jazz Ensembles and Cuesta Jazz Ensemble for the Cal Poly Winter Jazz Concert at 7:30 Friday, Feb. 18, in the Performing Arts Center. Kelley has enjoyed a successful career in Los Angeles as a musician, composer, producer, arranger, vocalist, recording engineer and educator. He taught guitar at the Thornton School of Music at USC for 24 years. He recorded and toured with George Benson, Natalie Cole, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Burt Bacharach, Jose Feliciano and many others, including numerous symphony orchestras. Three big band charts will have their world premiere by the Cal Poly ensembles: “The Way Home” by Cal Poly Director of Jazz Studies Arthur White, “The Bright Side” by music major Wyatt Willard, and “Cite’ Soleli” by materials engineering major Bryce Yuen. Works composed by Thad Jones, Charles Mingus and Esperanza Spalding will also be performed. The Cuesta Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ron McCarley, will also perform a set of music. Tickets for the concert are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble and Chookasian Armenian Folk Ensemble to Perform Concert on Feb. 19
The Arab Music Ensemble and the internationally acclaimed Chookasian Armenian Folk Ensemble will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, in the Performing Arts Center. The group consists of artistic director John Chookasian on clarinet, Barbara Chookasian on vocals and hand drum, Frank Giordano on guitar, John Martin on hand drum, Ishmael on qanun, and Paul Ohanesian on oud. The first half of the show will include some of the most celebrated repertoire of Arab art and popular music. The second half will include a presentation of Armenian folk music in ensemble and solo formats and in a variety of vocal and instrumental genres. Distinguished composers and artists to be represented include Edward Bogosian, Khachatur Avetissyan, Kousan Ashod and Tatoul Altounian. San Luis Obispo dance director Jenna Mitchell will lead a dance troupe in original choreography. Music Professor Ken Habib will direct the event. Tickets for the concert are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Cal Poly Mustang Marching Band to Perform in Chinese New Year Parade Feb. 19 in San Francisco
The Mustang Band has been invited for the seventh time to participate in the Alaska Airlines Chinese New Year Parade on Saturday, Feb. 19, in San Francisco. The band has been awarded first place in the adult marching bands category at each appearance. Prior to the 6 p.m. start of the parade, the band will continue the tradition of performing some of its favorite pep and postgame tunes with the UC Davis Marching Band in front of the landmark Ferry Building on the San Francisco Embarcadero. The parade will celebrate the Year of the Tiger with floats, dragon dancers and other festive entries. The event will be streamed live from the parade’s Facebook page. It will also be broadcast on San Francisco Bay Area TV stations: KTSF Channel 26 from 6-8 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20; and on KTVU Fox 2 from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, and 9-11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27.
Activist Hoda Katebi to Headline 20th Annual Change the Status Quo Conference
Award-winning activist Hoda Katebi, an abolitionist, organizer and creative educator, will deliver the keynote address for the 20th annual Change the Status Quo (CSQ) Social Justice Leadership Conference to be held on Saturday, Feb. 26. The annual event aims to empower students to use the Learn by Doing spirit to challenge social norms, ask critical questions, demand solutions, and make lasting social change. Further details and preregistration for the all-day conference is now live at serviceinaction.calpoly.edu/CSQ. Early-bird conference fees are $10 for Cal Poly students (and AmeriCorps fellows) and $30 for faculty, staff and community members. Fees include admission to keynote address, lunch and a full array of workshops. Those interested in underwriting the cost of their students to attend should email the Center for Service in Action at [email protected].
Percussionist John Astaire to Perform at Feb. 26 Cal Poly Wind Bands Concert
The Wind Ensemble and Wind Orchestra will present a concert titled “Afterimage” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in the Performing Arts Center. John Astaire, who teaches percussion at Cal Poly, will perform Mutsuhito Ogino’s “Concerto for Percussion and Wind Ensemble.” Astaire is an active orchestral performer and session artist. The Wind Ensemble will also perform music Professor Antonio G. Barata’s “Winds of Change” and Joan Tower’s “Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, No. 5.” The group will conclude its set with Julie Giroux’s “La Mezquita de Córdoba.” The Wind Ensemble will perform these and other works for the 2022 College Band Directors National Association Western/Northwestern Division Conference to be hosted March 16-20 at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. The ensemble is one of only eight selected to participate. At the Feb. 26 concert, Cal Poly’s Wind Orchestra and Chamber Winds and Percussion will also perform. The groups are directed by Christopher J. Woodruff and Nicholas P. Waldron. Tickets for the concert are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Event Postings
Events.calpoly.edu is a new platform that shines a spotlight on high-profile special events at
Cal Poly and throughout our community, focusing on the wide and diverse range of activities on and around our campus. This site is designed to help our colleges, programs, departments and facilities promote exciting events that can be seen by a selected audience. It will update regularly and include events happening in the next 30-45 days. It is not a calendar of all events, and it does not include student club events. Here are some links to help you navigate:
Submitting an Event to Events.calpoly.edu
To submit your event for consideration, please send the event title, date, time, duration, ticket information, intended audience(s) and image (1600 bpi wide) to [email protected].
University Events Calendar
To find a listing of all events — such as performances, lectures, workshops and more — visit our Master Calendar.
Scheduling/Booking Venues
25Live: Space and Event Scheduling can help you schedule or book a venue for an upcoming on-campus event.
Note that a minimum three-day lead time is required to process a request for use of space through the Office of the Registrar.
Visit Cal Poly Now for Student Affairs events, learning opportunities and more
Find the latest student-focused campus events from your favorite Student Affairs programs and services by visiting the new Cal Poly Now.