Cal Poly Named California’s Best Public-Master’s University in 2021 Forbes Rankings
Cal Poly was again named the best public-master’s university in California and has cracked the list of Top 20 public and private universities in the West in the Forbes’ 2021 list of America’s Top Colleges. Cal Poly, ranked No. 24 in the rankings among public and private universities in the West in 2019, moved up to No. 17 on the 14th annual America’s Top Colleges list released this month. “These rankings shine a welcome light on our university’s main mission of student success,” President Armstrong said. “Our students take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in our labs and in individual and group projects — solving real-world problems in the process. The results speak for themselves: future leaders who are ready Day One to succeed in their careers and in their communities.” Read the news release.
Distinguished Teaching Award Winners Share Hopes for New Academic Year
On the starting line of a school year unlike any other, the 2020-21 winners of Cal Poly's Distinguished Teaching Awards are sharing advice and messages of hope as campus reunites. "Give yourself a clean slate — mentally and emotionally," says Professor Jenn Yost of the Biological Sciences Department, encouraging students to let go of social media to fully embrace the new year. Professor Francisco Fernflores is excited to publish research with his student co-author and launch a new course on Mexican and Chicanx philosophy. "I'm looking forward to many thoughtful philosophical discussions with the insightful young adults we call our students," he says. English Professor Brad Campbell looks forward to reengaging with Mustangs after extraordinarily trying times, saying,"They have demonstrated remarkable patience, and in the face of daunting disruptions and frustrations, they have afforded us unwavering goodwill." Read the full article on the Cal Poly News website.
Cal Poly Project Leverages Artificial Intelligence Deep Learning to Aid Wildfire Recovery
A pair of professors and a team of students have used artificial intelligence to train a computer to quickly assess wildfire damage — potentially improving response time for efforts to recover from major wildfires. Accurate and timely damage assessment has become critical for response and recovery as the threat of wildfires increases. Damage assessment reports inform first responders’ strategies, affect residents’ ability to file insurance claims, and guide state and federal authorities’ plans for future disaster relief and financial aid. Social sciences Assistant Professor Andrew Fricker, computer science Assistant Professor Jonathan Ventura, visiting Cal Poly undergraduate student Gustave Rousselet, and a team of Stanford doctoral students sought to streamline this process with artificial intelligence (AI) deep learning. Their project, DamageMap, involved training a computer to identify wildfire damage from aerial photos. When tested on images from California’s Camp Fire and Carr Fire, DamageMap produced results that were over 90% accurate as compared to official damage reports. Read the news release.
COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines Available on Campus Sept. 24
A Rite Aid clinic will bring COVID-19 and flu vaccines to the Cal Poly Recreation Center Main Gym lobby from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24. The COVID-19 vaccine is only available to Cal Poly employees. Flu shots are open to the entire campus community, including students, staff and faculty, and community members (4 years or older). You can make an appointment to expedite the process; walk-ins will also be accepted. Find the Rite Aid appointment link on the COVID-19 vaccine webpage and enter the unique code for the type of vaccine you’d like to receive (appointments are available until 1 p.m., walk-ins welcome between 1-3 p.m). You can get a flu vaccine at the same time as your COVID-19 vaccine. Just make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine and let staff know upon arrival that you’d also like the flu vaccine. To speed the process, fill out the vaccine consent form ahead of time and bring it with you. Copies will also be provided at the clinic. Students needing a COVID-19 vaccine should make an appointment at Campus Health and Wellbeing.
News Roundup Brings Learn by Doing Stories to Your Inbox
Cal Poly News is launching a newsletter to share our most exciting stories with the campus community and supporters. The monthly email will highlight recent news posts, the best photos of Learn by Doing projects and the way Mustangs are making an impact on California and beyond. To receive the Cal Poly News Roundup each month, subscribe via this form. Find the latest stories on the Cal Poly News website.
Cal Poly Universities’ Rose Float Entry Will Go Over the Moon in 2022
Hey, diddle, diddle, the Cal Poly universities’ 2022 Tournament of Roses® Parade float features a cat and a fiddle — but the cow jumping over the moon will be wearing a jet pack. When the parade returns on New Year’s Day after a one-year pandemic-related hiatus, the only student-built parade float will once again roll down Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard. Called Stargrazers, the float brings to life a scene from the classic Mother Goose nursery rhyme “Hey Diddle, Diddle,” except with an engineering twist that only two polytechnic schools with a seven-decade connection to the Rose Parade could create. The float aims to exemplify the 2022 theme of “Dream. Believe. Achieve.” The theme of the 133rd Rose Parade celebrates education’s ability to open doors, open minds and change lives. Read more on Cal Poly News.
Return to Campus Toolkits Provide Crucial Resources to Support Employees
The Employee and Organization Development department has announced a Return to Campus Toolkit for Employees and a second Return to Campus Toolkit for Managers to support a safe and smooth campus repopulation effort. These are part of a collection of 23 toolkits custom curated for faculty, staff and student employees to provide on-demand resources to meet the personal and professional development needs of employees and managers. Whether transitioning back onto campus in a full-time or hybrid scenario, employees and managers will have the skills and support needed to succeed in navigating this transition. Check out these toolkits with practical information on resources available to address health and safety, productivity and meetings, planning and re-boarding, and employee well-being. For additional information on Cal Poly resources and policies to support a safe return to campus, also see the Learn & Grow September Newsletter: Hybrid Campus.
Open Enrollment Continues Through Oct. 15
The Benefits Open Enrollment period is an annual opportunity for state employees to review, enroll, cancel or make changes to their health, dental, vision, flexcash, dependent care reimbursement account, healthcare reimbursement account or voluntary benefits plans, to be effective January 2022. Open enrollment details are available on the Open Enrollment webpage, including information on how to make changes. The Benefits Events page also highlights information sessions from select providers. Attend the Virtual Benefits Fair where various health plan and voluntary plan providers will be present to share important information about rates, changes and key features. This is also an opportunity to ask questions about important decisions regarding your coverage. Register to attend the Virtual Benefits Fair on one of the following dates:
- Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon.
- Sept. 30 from 1-3 p.m.
- Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon.
New Fall Book and Learning Circles for Faculty and Staff
Employee and Organization Development invites employees to participate in the Fall 2021 Book and Learning Circles. Book Circles involve reading a book over the course of three to five sessions. The books are:
- “The Gift of Imperfection” by Brené Brown: Shares how to embrace your imperfect self and the rewards that come from self-compassion.
- “Thinking Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman: The author reveals when we can and cannot trust our intuitions and how we can tap into the benefits of slow thinking.
- “How To Be An Inclusive Leader” by Jennifer Brown: Learn how to create a workplace of greater mutual understanding where everyone's talents can shine.
Learning Circles involve watching a video, listening to a podcast or reading an article and participating in a discussion during a single session. Learning Circles include:
- “Leading Productive Meetings”: Join this roundtable-style learning circle as participants draw on their collective knowledge as well as industry best practices to share ideas and tips for facilitating productive, meaningful and engaging meetings, whether that is in person, online or hybrid.
- “How Diversity and Inclusion Will Drive Workplaces” by Jennifer Brown: Learn how to build inclusive workplace environments where everyone feels welcome.
To view full descriptions and register to attend, visit the Book and Learning Circles webpage at learnandgrow.calpoly.edu.
Safer to Host Four-Part Book Circle Series for Faculty and Staff
Safer is hosting a book circle in October for faculty and staff on “Sexual Citizens: A Landmark Study of Sex, Power and Assault on Campus.” To truly prevent violence at Cal Poly, the entire campus community needs to be engaged. Through this four-part book circle series, faculty and staff can learn how they can help transform Cal Poly’s physical and social environments to be violence-free. To register, visit Safer's website. Registration is limited to 12 participants.
Creating Accessible Course Materials Workshop Available in October
Since accessibility is key to creating inclusive learning spaces for students with disabilities, a four-week fully online workshop will be offered from Oct. 4-31 to provide faculty with hands-on experience creating accessible course content in Canvas. Participants will create an accessible Canvas page, an accessible Word document, and an instructional video with captions. They will also explore the Ally tool in Canvas to identify and fix inaccessible course content. Expect to spend seven to 10 hours per week. A $500 stipend is available for eligible participants. Questions? Email Pam Dougherty at padoughe@calpoly.edu. Learn more and register.
Campus Invited to Homecoming 2021 from Sept. 30-Oct. 2
Cal Poly community members are invited to attend one of more than 25 free events celebrating Cal Poly and Learn by Doing during Homecoming Weekend, Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Bring the entire family to open lab hours, tours and the Showcase Rodeo. Don't forget the traditional Homecoming football game and tailgate! New this year, a speaker panel with our esteemed 2021 Honored Alumni recipients will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 1, in the Advanced Technology Laboratories (No. 7). Hear more about how Learn by Doing helped them succeed in their lives and careers. Current students are encouraged to attend, ask questions and be inspired. For a full schedule of events, visit alumni.calpoly.edu/homecoming-2021.
Campus Community Welcome to Participate in Mindfulness Meditation
The Mindfulness Meditation Group will meet this fall in Room 124 of the Erhart Agriculture Building (No. 10) from noon to 1 p.m. every Monday that classes are scheduled. There will also be a Zoom option for those interested in attending virtually. Mindfulness meditation is a non-religious exercise of paying attention to your present-moment experience. Everyone is welcome — faculty, staff and students. No experience is necessary. Two minutes of instruction will precede 30 minutes of silent meditation (with headphones permitted). For more information, contact Matthew J. Moore at mmoore02@calpoly.edu or ext. 6-2895.
Campus Blood Drive Set for Sept. 30
A blood drive will be hosted from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30, by the Orfalea College of Business, Human Resources and Campus Health and Wellbeing. A Vitalant bus will be parked on the concrete walkway on Dexter Lawn, near the Dexter Building (No. 34). Scheduled donations are prioritized over walk-ups; please sign up for an appointment. Donors are encouraged to hydrate well and eat a hearty meal before donating. Sign up here or contact Lisa Gray at lcgray@calpoly.edu for more information.
Statistical Consulting Service Available During Fall
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 Dec. 3 by appointment only. Ulric Lund will serve as the consultant. He is available to advise on data collection, experimental design and analysis of research projects. In addition, he is 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 statconsulting@calpoly.edu.
Climate Solutions Now Virtual Conference to be Held Oct. 2-3
Climate Solutions Now, an all-virtual conference focused on solutions to the climate crisis and organized by the Initiative for Climate Leadership and Resilience (ICLR), will be held online Oct 2-3. Conference attendees will:
- Explore current climate efforts and avenues for getting engaged.
- Discover current and forthcoming Learn By Doing opportunities.
- Strategize faster, more efficient emissions-reduction efforts and more equitable, efficient and effective responses to climate change.
- Energize communication between scientists, engineers, government employees, practitioners and entrepreneurs working on climate challenges.
Expert speakers from governments, industry, business and academia, will present on:
- Agriculture and Food Systems
- Alternative Energy
- The Built Environment
- Climate Action Planning
- Community Wastewater
- Environmental Justice and Public Policy
- Natural Resources
- Regional Climate Action
- The Sciences
- Transportation
The conference will also feature short introductory courses on Climate Action Planning and Life-Cycle Analysis, a method for carbon accounting. This conference is a fundraiser for ICLR. Further information can be found at the ICLR web site.
Cal Poly Music Department Announces 2021-22 Events
The Music Department is delighted to be planning in-person events again. On Oct. 30, the Cal Poly Bands — the Wind Bands and Mustang Marching Band — will celebrate the strength of Cal Poly’s musical community with Bandfest Returns! At the Nov. 4 Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble Fall Concert, instrumentalists, vocalists and dancers will perform a variety of seminal Arab art music and selections from the historically related cultures. The Nov. 12 Fall Jazz Concert will be a celebration of the release of the double album “another time, another place,” produced at the onset of the pandemic. On Dec. 3, the Cal Poly Symphony will present "Gabrielian Plays Shostakovich.” Guest artist Tanya Gabrielian will perform Shostakovich’s Piano Concert No. 2 with the symphony, which will perform other works by composers with mental illness. Fall quarter will conclude with the Cal Poly Choirs' Holiday Kaleidoscope on Dec. 4. The entire 2021-22 season is on the department's calendar website. For more information, email the department, 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 event-submission@calpoly.edu.
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.