Why is the Universe So Big?
Research Teams Tackle Astronomical Questions
Wrestling with the mysteries of the universe that intrigued Albert Einstein and have perplexed other prominent theoretical physicists for generations is the mission of a student team working with physics professor Ben Shlaer. Shlaer is the recipient of the 2024-25 Astronomy Faculty Research Fellowship, supported by the Marrujo Foundation, established by Cal Poly alumnus Dan Marrujo (Electrical Engineering `08) and his wife, Rosamaria Marrujo. Shlaer is working with multiple teams of students and former students on investigations into the unknowns of space and time — and abstract questions around early universe cosmology relating to the big bang, black holes and universe expansion.
Resources Temporarily Unavailable
PeopleSoft Upgrade
A required upgrade to the PeopleSoft system is happening 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, through noon Sunday, Nov. 17. During this time, the Student Administration, HR Administration, and Student Center applications accessed through the MyCalPoly Portal will be unavailable. During the maintenance window, links in the “Employee Info” and “Personal Info” sections of the “Personal Info” tab on the portal will also be unavailable. Your patience is appreciated. Please note the maintenance upgrade includes bug fixes and security updates to ensure Cal Poly's system is up to date. If you have questions or need help, contact the ITS Service Desk at (805) 756-7000 or [email protected].
Faculty and Staff Housing
Harvest Loft Lease Specials
Two lease specials are now available for the new Harvest Lofts, faculty and staff housing community. One special includes the first month rent free for faculty and staff who sign a lease to move in by Dec. 1. The other special offers half off the first month rent for those looking to move in by Jan. 8. Harvest Lofts, the new faculty and staff housing community located in San Luis Ranch, offers four distinct floor plans, from studios to one-bedroom apartments. For more information contact Patty Martin at 805-752-1082 or email [email protected].
On Sale Nov 18 to 22
Apple Mac & iPad Products
Cal Poly Mustang Shop is hosting a staff and faculty appreciation sale offering discounts on Apple Mac and iPads from Monday-Friday, Nov. 18-22. This sale offers an additional 10% off the already low educational pricing of these models. This is the most popular sale of the year, and supplies are limited. Shop in store and online at the Mustang Shop website. Sales exclude departmental purchases. Questions? Call the Mustang Shop at 805-457-9652, option 5, or email [email protected].
Payroll Services Department
Lisa (West) Kasper
Lisa (West) Kasper will retire Friday, Dec. 20, after almost 19 years at Cal Poly. In 2006, Lisa joined the Payroll Services department as a payroll technician, later becoming an analyst and finally the payroll lead. She became the go-to expert for everything payroll-related and an invaluable resource for the team and campus partners. Lisa says, “I will be traveling much of 2025, before putting down roots in a new home. I am looking forward to seeing more of the American West/Southwest and plan to take up painting and photography once we settle on a destination. I will truly miss Cal Poly and the Central Coast but most of all will miss the friends I’ve made here.” Colleagues and friends are invited to join her for light refreshments at a farewell celebration 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, on Vista Grande’s third-floor patio.
Call for Applications
HSI Mini Grant Funding
Following the success of last year, the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion is offering another round of Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Mini Grant funding available to all faculty, staff, and students to support initiatives that advance Cal Poly’s goals of "servingness" in our efforts to become an HSI. At least six mini-grants will be awarded ranging from $500 to $5,000 for projects and programs that demonstrate a strong potential to holistically impact the Latinx/e community at Cal Poly. The deadline to apply is Dec. 6, 2024.
Alternative Space
Updates for Building 124
Services and events located within Building 124 have been temporarily relocated due to building repairs. The Student Services programs will resume work in the following Administration Building (No. 1) locations through the end of the quarter: Disability Resource Center – second floor, large suite off the main lobby (additional testing space will be available in Chumash Auditorium during finals week); Career Services – first floor, Room 131; TRIO Achievers – first floor, Room 128/129 Suite; External Relations – first floor, Room 128/129 suite.
Go Global – Nov 18-22
International Education Week
Embark on a global journey right here at Cal Poly! Join the International Center for International Education Week (IEW), happening Nov. 18-22. An initiative of the U.S. Departments of State and Education, IEW celebrates the power of international education and cultural exchange. Come learn, share, and experience global perspectives at this year's highlight events, including the Faculty & Staff Opportunities Abroad Virtual Open House and student panels on life abroad — all while enjoying internationally-themed meals provided by Campus Dining venues throughout the week!
Last Week for Students to Register
Change the World Challenge
Students can apply for the Change the World Challenge until Nov. 15. The Change the World Challenge is a transformative, multidisciplinary student design competition open to juniors and seniors of any major. Students will be grouped into teams of five and have a faculty mentor to guide them as they develop solutions to a real-world problem using a holistic, systems-thinking approach. This year's first-place team will win $15,000 to put toward their project.
Enjoy Lunch Outdoors
At Spanos Stadium
The new Cal Poly Partners Plaza at Spanos Stadium is now open for lunch. The campus community can enjoy lunch al fresco while taking in the sights of the stadium and the beautiful fall weather 11 am. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Guests can enter through the main gate at the north end of the stadium and order in person or via Grubhub. Credit/debit cards and faculty and staff dining membership are accepted. The rotating menu will include items such as burgers, chicken tenders, chicken salad, fries and vegan chicken tenders.
Beginning Nov 18
Coat Donation Drive
Help support the Cal Poly community by donating clean, new or gently used winter coats and jackets! Donations will support Cal Poly students in need. Donation bins are available Nov.18 through Dec. 6 at the following campus locations and times Monday through Friday: Academic Senate Office, Building 38-143 (9 a.m to 5 p.m.), Cotchett Education, Building 2-120 (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Food Pantry, Building 27-10 (8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Mustang Success Center, Building 52-D37 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center, Building 172 H1-46 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Meeting and event gathering spaces
Plan Ahead, Reserve Space and Stay in the Know
Ready to secure a spot for your next big meeting, event or gathering? ASI-managed spaces like The Forum, Chumash Auditorium, University Union Room 220 and more are now open for winter and spring reservations! Remember to submit your request at least three weeks before your event to reserve your ideal space. ASI has also updated its policies to provide clarity for space users and to better align with Campus Administrative Policies (CAP). Check out the latest guidelines, explore available spaces, and get your reservation set today!
Learn about asi managed spaces
EPaCE Partners with SHRM
Offering Certification Exam Preparation Course
Extended, Professional and Continuing Education is offering a SHRM Certification Exam Preparation Program, designed to help HR professionals prepare for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams. The course focuses on enhancing both behavioral and technical HR competencies to make an immediate impact in the workplace and advance careers. Earning your SHRM credential can help enhance your HR expertise, empower positive change in your workplace, and increase your earning potential. Instructor Faith Myers brings over 12 years of HR experience, with expertise in employee benefits, recruitment, and payroll. The course is offered on Saturdays from Feb. 22 to May 10.
Campus Invitation
Mustang Holiday Gift Drive by Dec. 6
The Center for Service in Action (CSA) invites students, staff, faculty and their families to participate in the Mustang Holiday Gift Drive. Pick up a gift tag at designated campus locations or donate online to support local children and families in need. Tags list specific gift requests. Drop off unwrapped gifts at the CSA office in Sierra Madre Residence Hall (No. 113, Room 119L) by Friday, Dec. 6. Giving Tower locations include: Recreation Center Lobby, second floor of the UU, and outside the Mustang Success Center in the Science Building. Your generosity makes a difference this holiday season!
SLO Master Chorale – Nov 24
'Encore’ Celebrating 40 Years
SLO Master Chorale celebrates its 40th anniversary with ‘Encore!’ at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Performing Arts Center’s Harold Miossi Hall. Relive exciting musical moments of past SLO Master Chorale concerts by experiencing a presentation of a potpourri of individual movements from the greatest masterworks by Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Orff, and many more! Plus, hear the world premiere of a new work by local composer Meredith Brammeier titled ‘That Music Always Round Me.
Grand Kyiv Ballet - Nov 26
'The Snow Queen’
Grand Kyiv Ballet presents its new Christmas ballet, ‘The Snow Queen,’ at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Performing Arts Center’s Harold Miossi Hall. Based on the world-famous fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen that inspired Disney’s ‘Frozen,' the heartwarming romantic story, set to the music of Edvard Grieg, Jules Massenet, Mozart and Vivaldi, will be an evening for all ages. Kai is taken by the Snow Queen who lives in a world of ice and snow, but faithful Gerda is determined to find him and restore her friend to the boy she knows and loves.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Nov 27
Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party show comes to the Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, presented by Numbskull & Good Medicine. For over 30 years, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s unique take on American swing and jazz music has thrilled audiences around the world, while their unique and spirited “Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party” has become an eagerly anticipated annual family event. Drawing on a rich catalogue of holiday classics and Christmas originals from the band’s two full-length holiday albums, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy brings its world-renowned live show!
In Concert - Nov. 29
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Experience ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert’ at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at the Performing Arts Center’s Harold Miossi Hall. The event pairs a live orchestral rendition of the series’ iconic soundtrack with a nearly two-hour special recap of the animated series' three seasons displayed on a full-size cinema screen. The projection will feature the original dialogue and sound effects without any pre-recorded music, allowing the live orchestra to perform the legendary score live and in perfect sync with the show scenes. This will be a truly immersive and grandiose concert experience!
Cal Poly Jazz Combos - Nov 15
Fall Showcase
The Jazz Combos will present a fall showcase at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, in Room 218 of the Davidson Music Center. Four jazz combos will perform; each will play a set of well-known jazz standards, contemporary works, pop songs and student original compositions. Dylan Johnson will direct the groups, which will also perform for the Fall Jazz Concert on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Theatre and Dance Department - Nov 7-16
'The Lion in Winter’
What's a little civil war among family? “The Lion in Winter” by James Goldman is a modern-day classic — comedic in tone and dramatic in action. Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, once the most powerful woman in the world, is allowed out of prison to spend Christmas with her husband, King Henry II of England, and their three sons. When the question of royal succession is raised, the plotting begins, alliances are formed, betrayals start, and knives are drawn. Tickets are $19 for students, faculty and staff, and $30 for general admission.
See the student cast and purchase tickets
Cal Poly Symphony - Nov 16
'Butterfly Lovers’ Concert with Chen Zhao
The Cal Poly Symphony will host guest violinist Chen Zhao for a series of events Nov. 14 and 16: “The Butterfly Lovers: A Talk About Chinese Music and Culture” with Political Science Professor Helene Shanruo Ning Zhang; a Chamber Music Recital; the “Butterfly Lovers Concert” featuring a side-by-side performance of Jean Sibelius’ “Finlandia” with the San Luis Obispo Youth Symphony, the world premiere of “DIRT” by music faculty member Julie Herndon, and a performance with Chen of “The Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto” by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang; and more. Contact the Music Department with questions, 6-2406.