Celebrate Opening of Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center on Oct. 14
Student Diversity and Belonging is excited to invite the campus community to the opening of Cal Poly’s new Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center from 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 14. Join SDAB in welcoming this critical new space to our campus community to center on the needs and experiences of our Indigenous community. The kick-off event will be held in the center, located in yakʔitʸutʸu, Room 144. Learn more.
Harvesting Grapes — and Valuable Data — in Cal Poly’s Trestle Vineyard
In the early morning hours on the first day of fall quarter, a team of wine and viticulture students and faculty were wide awake and hard at work. It was the ideal time for the wine grape harvest in Cal Poly’s Trestle Vineyard, approximately 12.5 acres of vines located northwest of the campus core. As pinot noir and chardonnay was being harvested, undergraduate students gathered data on the number and weight of grape clusters for a research project on intrinsic variations in berry size as a function of pinot noir clones. The project is funded by the Oregon Wine Board under the supervision of faculty members Jean Dodson Peterson and L. Federico Casassa. The team then loaded the grapes into the backs of pickup trucks, headed to the Pilot Winery on campus for the next steps in the wine production process. “There’s a consensus that during harvest, the grapes pretty much dictate your schedule,” said Laura Kelemen, who is working on her senior project in wine and viticulture. For the full story and more photos, visit the Cal Poly News website.
COVID-19 Vaccine, Pfizer Boosters and Flu Vaccine Offered on Campus This Month
Rite Aid is returning to campus to administer COVID-19 and flu vaccines in the Main Gym Lobby of the Cal Poly Recreation Center (No. 43, Room 101). The clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19, Friday, Oct. 22, Monday, Oct. 25, and Friday, Oct. 29. Flu shots are open to the entire campus community, including students, staff and faculty. The COVID-19 vaccine is only available to Cal Poly employees. (Students needing a COVID-19 vaccine should make an appointment at Campus Health and Wellbeing.) The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available. Rite Aid will also offer Pfizer booster shots to individuals who have received the original two-dose series of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine and completed their primary series at least six months ago. That includes individuals 65 and older, those 18 through 64 with underlying medical conditions, and those over 18 who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to their occupational or institutional setting. Rite Aid plans to offer additional vaccine clinics in November. For more information about what to bring and to make an appointment, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine webpage. Walk-ins will also be accepted.
National Transfer Student Week to be Held Oct. 18-22
Join the Transfer Center and offices across campus in celebrating National Transfer Student Week, with a week full of events focused on building community, connecting transfers with campus resources, and sharing transfer pride with campus. Check out all the events and share widely with any transfer students. Save the time and date for the kickoff from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, in the UU Plaza, and for Transfer Stories from 2-3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, in the Erhart Agriculture Building (No. 10), Room 206.
Students Can Apply for Change the World Challenge by Oct. 22
Students from all majors are invited to apply for the Change the World Challenge, a transformative, multidisciplinary student design competition that addresses the world’s most pressing contemporary problems. This year’s theme focuses on Solutions for Living in a Post-COVID World, and the top prize is $20,000. The Change the World Challenge is open to upper- class students of any major. Students will be formed into multidisciplinary teams of five, to be mentored by faculty, to develop solutions using a systems approach that balances technical concerns with social, cultural, economic, historical, political, ethical and environmental implications. The competition will span all three quarters with a time commitment of approximately four hours per week. Apply by Oct. 22.
Student Art Advisory Committee Call for Participation
Campus Health and Wellbeing is redesigning its space to better foster a welcoming, supportive and inclusive community environment. As part of this effort, CHW seeks to install artwork that is representative of the state of California; that is primarily from artists of color or queer or disabled artists; and that is collaboratively curated with students and explores diverse perspectives, identities and experiences. To this end, students are invited to join CHW’s Student Art Advisory Committee to help research artists; identify prints and artwork for potential selection based on the themes of mental health, holistic well-being and physical health; and to advise in the placement and installation within the Campus Health and Wellbeing footprint. CHW seeks four to six students who can meet four times during fall quarter. The first meeting will take place the week of Oct. 18. Participating students will receive a $100 Visa gift card. Interested students should email Kimberli D. Andridge, kandridg@calpoly.edu and Catherine Trujillo, ctrujill@calpoly.edu, by Thursday, Oct. 14.
Funding Available for Student Research Projects Through Baker/Koob Endowments
Proposals are being accepted for the Baker/Koob Endowments, which support hands-on, project-based learning opportunities for individual students and groups at Cal Poly. This year, approximately $126,000 is available with anticipated funding for 36-48 projects. All students are invited to apply for funding, which may be used for student support, student and faculty travel, student and faculty expenses associated with participation in student research, group projects, conferences, competitions, and equipment and materials related to student research. Completed proposals, including a letter of support from a faculty advisor, are due electronically to baker-koob@calpoly.edu by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12. Email baker-koob@calpoly.edu with any questions. For more information and full instructions on how to apply, visit https://provost.calpoly.edu/endowments.
Distinguished Teaching Award Nominations Now Open
The Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching at Cal Poly. Only students can submit nominations, so faculty are encouraged to let their students know about the award. Any student or alumnus may submit one or more nominations, to include the professor’s name, department and a supporting statement containing evidence of merit based upon the criteria for this year. The nomination form and more information about the award can be found on the Distinguished Teaching Award web page. The deadline to submit nominations is before midnight on Monday, Nov. 29. For more information, contact the Academic Senate Office at ext. 6-1258 or academic-senate@calpoly.edu.
Nominations Open for the Distinguished Scholarship Award
The Distinguished Scholarship Award is intended to recognize the scholarship, research and creative activity of junior and senior faculty across all disciplines represented at Cal Poly. Faculty are encouraged to nominate their fellow faculty members for this award as well as notify their students that they can also submit nominations for this award. Nominations are due by Friday, Oct. 29. See the Distinguished Scholarship Award website for more information, and contact the Academic Senate office at ext. 6-1258 or academic-senate@calpoly.edu with any questions.
Safer to Offer Workshops on Supporting Survivors of Gender- and Power-Based Violence
Safer will offering three individual workshops on how to best support students and colleagues who have experienced sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, stalking, harassment or exploitation. This training is designed for faculty and staff and will cover how to respond to disclosures, how to apply trauma-informed techniques in your classroom and workspace, and information about campus and community resources. Use the links below to register:
Open Enrollment ends Oct. 15
The Benefits Open Enrollment period is state employees' annual opportunity 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 which must be complete by Oct. 15.
Service-Learning Faculty Fellows Program Accepting Applications
Center for Service in Action (CSA) and the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT) invite faculty to apply individually or in teams to be Service-Learning (SL) Faculty Fellows for the 2021-22 academic year. Service learning combines learning goals and community service in ways that can enhance both student growth and the common good. The purpose of the program is to support faculty expanding the number of service-learning courses offered across campus. Stipends are available. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25. The details of the program can be found here, and the online application can be submitted here. Any questions about the program should be directed to Anurag Pande (apande@calpoly.edu), faculty liaison for Service Learning.
Registration Open for 23rd Annual Mark S. Reuling Volleyball Tournament on Oct. 15
Registration is open, and faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for the 23rd annual Mark S. Reuling Volleyball Tournament on Friday, Oct. 15. The annual tournament, a part of Buck the Stigma's week of wellness, raises funds for the Reuling Memorial Endowment and promotes mental health education on campus. This year's tournament will be held at Cal Poly Recreation Center's outdoor sand volleyball courts and will feature teams of four. Tournament play begins Friday, Oct. 15. The cost is $75 for faculty/staff teams. Register here. Participants will receive a free tournament shirt (voucher needed to redeem) and a one-day pass to the Recreation Center. (No Recreation Center membership is needed for tournament participants.)
International Center Seeking Hosts for Local Activities with International Students
The International Center is seeking faculty and staff for the International Poly Hosts Program. Volunteers will host international students for short, cross-cultural day visits that include activities such as hiking, going to the beach, attending a sporting event, or celebrating holidays/family occasions. This program is intended to help international students experience the community outside of the traditional academic setting. Poly Hosts will also have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of other cultures while sharing their own. Refer to the Poly Hosts Application to learn more about the program and to apply. Interested faculty and staff can contact Bianca Silva, International Student Advisor, with any questions at bsilva14@calpoly.edu.
New Data Security Compliance Training Requirement
Beginning this month, all faculty and staff will be required to complete Data Security and FERPA Compliance training in the Cal Poly Learning Hub every two years. This requirement is dictated by the CSU Information Security Awareness Training Policy (ICSUAM 8035). The data security and FERPA training course covers the importance of keeping private data secure and provides steps employees can take to maintain the confidentiality of Cal Poly data. Faculty and staff will be assigned the new training in the Learning Hub soon.
Technical Service Request Link Removed from My Cal Poly Portal
On Oct. 7, the "Technical Service Request" quick link that points to the Service Request System (SRS) was removed from My Cal Poly Portal. It has been replaced by a "Tech Support" quick link that points to the ITS Support Center. Only a few types of transactions are still available in SRS, including software downloads and some CMS security permissions requests, which is why the link was removed. Links to download software and request security permissions for the CMS Human Resources and Common Financial System (CFS) environments in SRS will remain available through the ITS Service Catalog and Knowledge Base. Information Technology Services (ITS) began transitioning away from SRS more than a year ago when the Support Center was launched. In parallel with that transition, IT centralization efforts are well underway, and ITS is working to set up a support model that will serve the entire campus community. Shifting away from the outdated SRS system in favor of the more modern, user-friendly Support Center is a critical component of these efforts.
Join Cal Poly Soccer for Faculty/Staff Appreciation on Oct. 13
In appreciation of everything faculty and staff members do for the university, Cal Poly Athletics is offering four free general admission tickets to the Cal Poly men’s soccer match against Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, at Spanos Stadium. All faculty and staff can claim their four free tickets by showing their Cal Poly ID at the Cal Poly Ticket Office or at the Spanos Stadium box office on the day of the game. For more information or to purchase tickets to other Cal Poly soccer games, visit www.gopoly.com.
CSU’s Got Talent October Webcast Features Presentation on Better Business Writing
CSU Learning and Development presents a series of live online webcasts every month that feature innovative and essential training for employees’ professional and personal success. October’s webcast, "Better Business Writing: Lessons in Power and Persuasion,” will be presented by writing skills trainer, business writer and author Nancy Flynn from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, All faculty, staff and student employees are invited to attend this free webcast. View the Learn and Grow website for more information and registration.
Safer Hosts Dating Violence Action Month in October
Join Safer for Dating Violence Action Month 2021: “Our Vibrance Breaks the Silence.” Throughout the month, topics will be centered on raising marginalized voices, identifying paths to healing, and developing strategies for collective action. In collaboration with campus and community partners, Safer will host a candlelight vigil to honor lives lost to domestic violence; a dating and social media workshop, Purple Thursday; weekly outreach booths and Instagram lives; and a collaboration with the Swim and Dive team. The month will culminate in a keynote address on Oct. 28 by Shawn Ginwright, Ph.D., who coined the practice “healing-centered engagement,” a framework that promotes healing from trauma through a holistic and culturally responsive lens. Learn more about Dating Violence Action Month, download a Zoom background and email signature, and register for our community events at safer.calpoly.edu/dvam.
Thanks to Employees for a Successful Blood Drive
The Sept. 30 blood drive hosted by University Personnel, the Orfalea College of Business and Campus Health and Wellbeing was at capacity a full week prior to the drive. The organizers’ goal was exceeded with 29 donations, meaning this drive can save up to 87 lives. Thanks to all who participated. Those who were not able to donate and would like to do so have several more opportunities. Vitalant will be back on campus on Oct. 18-20 and Nov. 9-10, and 16. Contact Lisa Gray at lcgray@calpoly.edu for more information.
Celebrate Food Day 2021 on Oct. 13
A panel discussion of the social, economic and environmental factors related to sustainable eating will be held from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, to celebrate Food Day 2021. The panel will include speakers from SLO Food Systems Coalition, Campus Dining, Real Food Collaborative, Glean SLO and Cal Poly Organic Farms. The discussion will be held via Zoom. Use meeting ID 936-090-1535.
International Center to Hold Study Abroad Fair Oct. 14
The International Center will host the annual Study Abroad Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, on Dexter Lawn. This year's fair will be a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. Students can stop by to talk with International Center representatives and learn about opportunities to go abroad. After the in-person fair on Oct. 14, the International Center will host a series of virtual sessions where students can learn about all the study abroad programs offered and meet representatives from partner programs. Cal Poly has over 500 programs in 75 countries. Programs can help fulfill GE courses, major-related courses, and even offer internships. Study abroad experiences can range from a week to a year. Studying abroad is a wonderful opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a new country and make amazing lifelong memories during their college career. This experience also gives students the opportunity to gain skills that are crucial in the global market and extremely valuable to employers. Learn more about the Study Abroad Fair.
Center for Service in Action to Host Fall Volunteer and Service Fair Oct. 19
The Center for Service in Action will host a volunteer and service fair for the Cal Poly community from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, on Dexter Lawn. This event is for anyone who has wanted to serve on a board of directors or an advisory committee, or engage in meaningful service at a local nonprofit or governmental agency. Come by the volunteer and service fair to speak to representatives from organizations doing amazing work in San Luis Obispo County. Several community partner agencies will be present to share how service can take shape for faculty, staff and students.
CSU Graduation Initiative 2025 Convening Set for Oct. 22
All members of the campus community are invited to the CSU Graduation Initiative 2025 Convening to be held virtually from 11 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 22. The convening’s theme is “Advancing Equity Together” and will feature students, faculty and staff sharing inspirational stories of how their daily work promotes equity on their campuses. The Chancellor’s Office will also share the most recent data tracking progress toward meeting our ambitious Graduation Initiative 2025 goals. Attendees will also hear from speakers, including:
- Isaac Alferos, president, Cal State Student Association.
- Ji Y. Son, professor, Psychology, Cal State Los Angeles.
- Joseph I. Castro, chancellor, California State University.
- Sylvia A. Alva, executive vice chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, California State University
Cal Poly’s ‘Bandfest Returns!’; In-Person Concert Set for Oct. 30
The “Bandfest Returns!” concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, in the Performing Arts Center will celebrate the return of sharing the beauty and power of music at Cal Poly. The Wind Orchestra will open the concert with Brian Balmages’ “That Which Binds Us” and Robert Sheldon’s “Beyond the Higher Skies.” Omar Thomas’ moving adaption of “Shenandoah” for the wind band will be featured on the Wind Orchestra’s set. The Wind Ensemble will continue with Leonard Bernstein’s “Overture to Candide” and Gustav Holst’s “Suite in E-flat for Military Band.” The combined Wind Band will finish the first half of the program with Karl King’s circus march “The Melody Shop.” Mustang Band will conclude the concert with arrangements the group is performing at this fall’s football games in Spanos Stadium. Along with traditional school songs, the band will perform music by The Beatles, Panic! at the Disco, and several popular artists featured on its “boy bands” show. 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 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.