For the First Time
25% of Cal Poly Students are Latinx
Cal Poly has reached a significant milestone in its quest for Hispanic Serving Institution designation, as Fall 2024 enrollment numbers show Hispanic/Latino student enrollment at the required 25% for the first time ever. This achievement brings Cal Poly one step closer to official HSI designation, which requires maintaining this 25% threshold for two consecutive years before applying. Achieving HSI status will unlock access to resources and grants that will help deepen support systems for Latinx/e students and further strengthen the university’s goal of fostering an inclusive campus culture. Latinx/e students make up approximately 29% of the incoming undergraduate class.
'Just Allow These Kids to be Kids’
Student Club Supports Local Children Impacted by Cancer
Every summer, a group of local children head to a lakeside camp in Santa Barbara County for a week of bonding and fun. Unlike most summer camps, this one is run by the Cal Poly chapter of Kesem, a college-based nationwide organization designed to support kids whose parents or guardians have been impacted by cancer. The no-cost summer camp gives these children an opportunity to build a supportive community around a shared experience while also having fun.
Ask an Expert: How has AI Changed Misinformation
And What Does That Mean for Consumers?
Since 2020, misinformation has become a dominant part of public online discourse: unequivocally false claims about the 2020 election, COVID-19, hurricanes and presidential candidates have swirled, driven further by the rise of AI. Cal Poly News sat down with Kim Bisheff, an assistant professor in Cal Poly’s Journalism Department who studies how misinformation spreads online, for a chat about what digital media consumers face, how misinformation has changed — and what we can do about it.
Campus and Community
Behind the Scenes of Beautification at the Leaning Pine Arboretum
From tending to lush gardens to building accessible seating, students and faculty have been hard at work in Cal Poly’s Leaning Pine Arboretum to prepare the five-acre living laboratory for visitors in the new academic year. “It’s really a space for everyone,” said Tiffany Faulstich, arboretum manager and Plant Sciences Department lecturer. She oversees a team of student employees who help the gardens thrive year round while guiding large-scale improvement projects. Over the last few months, she has worked with students to lay roughly 500 linear feet of accessible pathways throughout the gardens, creating a more accessible walking loop.
Vice President for Information Technology & Chief Information Officer
Meggan Levitt
Following a nationwide search, Meggan Levitt started as Cal Poly’s new vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer Oct. 28. Levitt will focus on guiding Cal Poly’s technology strategic planning efforts, directing technology initiatives and efficiently and responsibly leading the operations of IT services. Most recently serving as the assistant vice provost and associate chief information officer for Academic Applications at UC Davis, she has a long history of working collaboratively with diverse groups across campus and clearly and openly communicating pertinent changes and updates. Please join Administration and Finance leadership in welcoming Meggan to Cal Poly.
Student Administration, HR Administration, and Student Center Applications will be unavailable Nov. 15-17
Upcoming PeopleSoft Upgrade
The Student Administration, HR Administration, and Student Center applications, accessed through the MyCalPoly Portal, will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 to noon Sunday, Nov. 17, due to a required PeopleSoft system upgrade. The maintenance upgrade is critical, because it includes bug fixes and security updates to ensure Cal Poly's system is current. Please note that during this maintenance window, links in the “Employee Info” and “Personal Info” sections of the “Personal Info” tab on the portal will be unavailable. If you have questions or need help, contact the ITS Service Desk at (805) 756-7000 or [email protected].
Campus Visits Update
CAFES Dean Candidate
New dates have been confirmed for campus visits for finalists in the search for the Dean of CAFES. The campus community is invited to attend open forums with three finalists during their visits that will take place Nov. 7-8, Nov. 12-13, and Nov. 14-15. Additional details on the open forums, including information on each finalist and a Zoom link for virtual participation, will be shared in advance.
ASI Craft Center
Register for Fall Workshops
Did you miss out on registering for a six-week Craft Center course? No worries! Consider joining a workshop instead. These one- or two-day sessions offer a fantastic opportunity to try a new craft or improve a favorite skill. There are still a few spots available for select paint nights, stained glass workshops and weekend surfboard shaping sessions.
Learn more about ASI Craft Center Workshops
Trips for Campus Groups and Departments
ASI Poly Escapes
Looking for a great team bonding experience? Join Poly Escapes for an overnight camping trip at Lopez Lake Nov. 9–10 or Dec. 6–8 for up to 12 participants. All camping essentials, activities and transportation are included. Prefer a custom day trip instead? The Poly Escapes team can help with that, too. All trips are professionally facilitated and customized to fit your group’s needs! Contact Sarah Sindel, coordinator–– outdoor recreation, at [email protected] for details.
Register Today
Strategic Enrollment Management’s Fall Summit on Dec. 4
Registration is open for Strategic Enrollment Management’s (SEM) Fall SEM Summit, Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Performing Arts Center (PAC). The goal of the summit is to inform the campus community about relevant happenings in the division and higher education and to answer questions. The conference-style summit will offer a variety of presentations along with working sessions hosted by Institutional Research and the Office of Data Management. Please take a few minutes to review what will be presented, register for sessions you want to attend and select what you prefer to enjoy at lunch (registration deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 20).
Review sessions and register for the SEM Summit
Cal Poly Police
Discussion of Annual Report of Regulated Equipment Set for Nov. 13
The CSU systemwide Regulated Tools and Equipment Policy was adopted in response to Assembly Bill 481, which requires every law enforcement agency in California to publish certain information annually regarding specified equipment. CPPD will host a community engagement event to discuss information contained within its 2024 report at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Building 36, Room 105, the Public Safety Training Room. The community engagement event is open to all students, faculty and staff at Cal Poly.
Art and Design Department
Opening Reception for ‘Strange Birds’
The University Art Gallery is pleased to present “Strange Birds,” a multi-faceted show by interdisciplinary artist Heidi Neilson from Nov. 7 to Dec. 6. Satellites, nicknamed “birds” in aerospace and ham radio circles, are critical to our lives but are essentially invisible. Neilson’s exhibition uses video, electronics, prints, photographs and book works to investigate our relationship with satellites. An opening reception and talk are set to take place 5-7 p.m. Nov. 7 at the University Art Gallery (No. 34), with the talk commencing at 5:30 p.m.
2024 SLO
GIS Day Event
Explore modern mapping with the SLO GIS Users Group from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the SLO Public Library Community Room, 995 Palm St., San Luis Obispo. SLO GIS Day is a free event featuring exhibits, a map gallery, and lightning talk presentations. Exhibits showcase how geospatial tools are used to solve problems and inform decision-making. Meet with professionals in local government, business, non-profits, higher education, and more! This event is a great opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to share and learn more about how GIS tools are used to serve and connect the community.