Faculty Director of Program Improvement
Jean Lee
Jean Lee, associate professor of Materials Engineering, has been appointed as the new faculty director of program improvement in the Office of Academic Programs and Planning. In this role, Lee will provide leadership and direction for academic assessment at the program and institutional levels; provide assessment workshops with CTLT; and coordinate the administration of external campuswide assessments. Lee has taught at Cal Poly since 2014 and has served as assessment coordinator for Materials Engineering since 2018. She was also director of the General Engineering program from 2017–19 and currently serves as chair of the Academic Senate Diversity Committee.
Save the Dates
Campus Visits for CLA Dean Finalists
The Consultative Search Committee for the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts will host up to four finalists for the role. Visits are scheduled for Feb. 3-4, Feb. 6-7, Feb. 10-11, and Feb. 13-14, 2025.
Open forums will be held on the second day of each visit, from 11:10 a.m. to noon, in the PAC Pavilion (06-128) and via Zoom. Information about each finalist, Zoom links, and a feedback survey will be shared in advance.
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Vellum Furniture Competition and Exhibition
Over 200 students displayed their one-of-a-kind furniture pieces at the 21st Vellum/CAED Furniture Competition and Exhibition. Hosted by Cal Poly's Architecture Department and San Luis Obispo firm Vellum Design Build, the event allows students to showcase their creativity and technical skills to a broad audience during a juried competition.
True to Cal Poly’s curriculum, Vellum is all about Learn by Doing. As students overcome challenges to actualize their vision, they learn what makes an ingenious design-build.
“Rather than just having an idea of how [design] works, you get real life experience,” fifth-year architecture major Giovanna Trujillo said.
Cal Poly Foundation Quarterly Meeting – Feb 8
Board of Directors
The Cal Poly Foundation Board of Directors will hold its quarterly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. In compliance with Cal Poly Foundation Policy 122, public comments must be emailed to [email protected] by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31. The agenda will be available after Feb. 3 upon request via email. Virtual participation is encouraged; register for Zoom login details via email at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Login details will be provided to each registrant to join as an attendee. For more information, contact the Cal Poly Foundation office at ext. 6-7147 or via email.
Dive Into
Cal Poly Magazine’s New Issue
The winter edition takes the plunge, following a team of students learning scientific diving techniques as they confront the challenging conditions of the Pacific Ocean. Don’t miss the feature video on the course that takes viewers underwater with the dive team. Read more stories about food science research into the potential of the humble carrot, an animal science student’s work with elephants in Thailand, engineers who go behind the scenes at the campus power plant and an alumni startup accelerating home charging for electric vehicles.
Explore Articles, Photo Essays and More
Enhanced Dashboard Visuals and Interactivity
Redesigned Institutional Research Data
Institutional Research (IR) has redesigned Data Dashboards to deliver a more engaging experience. The updated dashboards highlight key performance indicators, including enhanced visuals, and promoted interactivity – with the ability to use features like filters to uncover trends and insights. The dashboards cover admissions, enrollment, degrees, retention and graduation rates, financial aid, and employee data. Data dashboards are accessible on the IR website by clicking on "Data Dashboards." Institutional Research encourages you to explore, experiment, and provide feedback/ask questions by emailing [email protected].
Explore The Redesigned IR Data Dashboards
Division of Research
New Electronic Research Administration System
Cal Poly’s Division of Research is launching the first module of “My Cal Poly Research,” an electronic Research Administration (eRA) platform in mid-February 2025. This web-based system will centralize numerous, separate research administration activities for greater efficiency, flexibility, and transparency. Starting in February, My Cal Poly Research (My CPR) will replace current sponsored project proposal preparation, approval, and submission processes. Learn how to use this system to submit your next sponsored project proposal by attending one of our training sessions.
Access Information and Training Opportunities
Register Your
Youth Protection Program
Each year, Cal Poly hosts thousands of youths attending programs and camps. The Youth Protection Program, run through Risk Management, works to ensure a safe environment for all youth participants. The program defines the bandwidth of acceptable behavior when interacting with minors and establishes minimum requirements for youth programs held on campus. One such requirement for program and camp directors is to register their youth programs on an annual basis. Youth program directors should register as early as possible. An updated webpage sharing information, policy, procedures and best practices is available for program directors, coordinators, staff, volunteers and parents.
Learn About the Youth Protection Program
Dexter Lawn – Feb 5
Campus Blood Drive
Be a hero and save up to three lives in just an hour. Join a campus blood drive hosted by University Personnel on Wednesday, Feb. 5. A Vitalant bus will be parked at Dexter Lawn University Drive Extension. Appointments are available between 10 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Scheduled donations are prioritized over walk-ups. Donors are encouraged to hydrate well and eat a hearty meal before donating. Contact Human Resources at [email protected] for more information.
Safer Learning Community
Quarterly Book Circles
Safer is committed to engaging every discipline on campus in the work of violence prevention and trauma-informed response. To do this, it has developed the Safer Learning Community, with quarterly book circles specifically geared to empower faculty and staff. The winter quarter book is "#ChurchToo" by Emily Joy Allison. The group will be facilitated by Gillian Cutshaw [email protected], campus advocate, and Danielle Dilger [email protected], library administrative services assistant. The group will meet virtually for 4 weeks starting Thursday, Feb. 6 from 12:10 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Register for the Winter Quarter Book Circle
You’re Invited - Jan 24
Safer for Stalking Solidarity Day
Come together and raise awareness about stalking and learn what Safer is doing to address this issue. Please join us for a reception for faculty and staff from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, in the Wellbeing Conference Room located downstairs of the Health Center (No. 27). Please wear yellow and join Safer for pastries, coffee and time to be in community.
ASI-Managed Facilities
Discover The Forum
Looking for a space that’s as dynamic as your ideas? The Forum is the perfect place to bring your event to life! With cutting-edge technology, sleek amphitheater seating, and indoor-outdoor flexibility, it’s designed to inspire collaboration and elevate any occasion. Whether you're hosting a workshop, lecture, or networking event, this ASI-managed facility has everything you need for a memorable experience. Ready to make your next event unforgettable? Reserve The Forum today!
Volunteer and Service Fair - Jan 30
Center for Service in Action
The Center for Service in Action will host a volunteer and service fair for the campus community from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, on Dexter Lawn. This event is for anyone who has wanted to serve on a board of directors or advisory committee or engage in meaningful service at a local nonprofit or government agency. Come by the fair to speak to representatives from organizations doing amazing work in San Luis Obispo County. Several community partner agencies will share how service can take shape for faculty, staff and students.
University Catering
New Software Debut
CaterTrax, University Catering’s new ordering software, is now live. This new program is designed to streamline the booking process to ensure that faculty and staff can schedule catered events more efficiently. The catering team will host multiple training sessions both in-person and virtually throughout the Winter Quarter to help onboard our campus clients. Sign up to receive emails with dates for these training sessions, as well as details on the new, innovative catering menu.
Cal Poly Arts - Jan 26
The Pack Drumline
Started as an afterschool program in Chicago for at-risk youth, this dynamic performance group brings electric rhythms and high-energy beats in a show with intricate choreography and stunning visuals. The official drumline of the Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Sky (WNBA), and Indianapolis Colts (NFL), their semi-finals finish in Season 17 of America’s Got Talent skyrocketed them to a Las Vegas Residency at the Luxor, a guest drumline appearance with the Los Angeles Lakers, and a performance at the NFL Super Bowl LVIII. This show features expert drumming, intricate choreography, and stunning visuals! 20% staff and faculty discount available.