UC San Diego Executive Named New Vice President of University Development and Alumni Engagement
Cal Poly announced Zachary Smith, executive director of development for the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California San Diego, as its new vice president of University Development and Alumni Engagement and CEO of the Cal Poly Foundation. Smith, who will start at Cal Poly on Dec. 20, brings extensive higher education, nonprofit management, and fundraising experience to this role. In addition to his time at UC San Diego, he also has previous fundraising and leadership experience at California Western School of Law, Portland State University, as well as the Palomar Health Foundation. At Cal Poly, Smith will oversee ongoing efforts to achieve the university’s philanthropic goals in support of Cal Poly’s unrivaled Learn by Doing experience. He will also serve as CEO of the Cal Poly Foundation, an all-volunteer auxiliary whose mission is to help raise private funds in support of the university’s programs. Read the news release.
Cal Poly Partners with PPI to Offer Industrialized Construction Certificate Program
Cal Poly’s Construction Management Department and California Center for Construction Education have teamed up with the Project Production Institute, a San Francisco-based policy group, to offer a certification program in modern construction management production concepts. Cal Poly will host the first class, "Offsite Fabrication Done Right,” Dec. 2-3 at its Construction Innovation Center. The first course is part of the Industrialized Construction Certificate Program, which is geared toward specialty contractors, general contractors, owners, construction managers, architects, engineers and materials suppliers. The Project Production Institute, a consortium of industry professionals and academics working to substantially improve capital project outcomes, seeks to modernize the building process to cut costs and more effectively control schedules without compromising quality and safety. Learn more.
Dream Center Hosts Undocu-Week through Oct. 29
This week the Dream Center is hosting Undocu-week through Friday, Oct. 29. The week is full of events and dialogues centered around undocu-issues, uplifting undocumented student voices, and engaging allies and members from the campus community. The focus for the week is centered around belonging in spaces as an undocumented person, while each day is centered around a unique theme that embodies the diversity of the undocumented identity and realities of navigating the world while being undocumented. Join the center this Thursday as it participates in the national I Stand With Immigrants Day of Action.
Cal Poly Corporation Board of Directors to Meet Oct. 29
The board of directors of the Cal Poly Corporation will hold a regular meeting virtually using Zoom at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 29. This is a public meeting. To join the meeting, use the following Zoom webinar link and call-in information: https://calpoly.zoom.us/j/83680940301. Public comments for this meeting must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, via email to [email protected]. To obtain a copy of the agenda with all pertinent information for the Zoom webinar meeting, email [email protected] or visit the Cal Poly Corporation website.
Cal Poly Foundation Board Meeting to be Held Nov. 6
The Cal Poly Foundation board of directors meeting will be held virtually beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. For more information contact the Cal Poly Foundation office at ext. 6-7147 or [email protected].
Cal Poly Transfer Students Help Fellow Students Adjust
Student Jorge Coronel loves helping his fellow students — so much that he worked as a peer coach when he attended Allan Hancock College in his hometown of Santa Maria. When he transferred to Cal Poly, he saw an opportunity to continue serving others as part of Transfer Academic Coaches, a group of transfer students who provide peer mentoring. “I’ve always been passionate about education and student success,” said Coronel, a fifth-year agricultural business student. “The transfer coaching role was a perfect fit for me as an opportunity to help.” The coaches meet with students for one-on-one support, host events, and work with Transfer Center staff to build out academic support resources for transfer students. The program grew out of a partnership between the Transfer Center and the Office of Writing and Learning Initiatives. Heather Domonoske, coordinator for the Transfer Center, and Dawn Janke, executive director of Writing and Learning Initiatives, secured a grant from the CSU focused on supporting new students in order to develop the program. “Our coaches recognize that they can’t always provide an answer right on the spot, but they’re all committed to working with a student to find what they need or where they need to go,” Domonoske said. “Sometimes just saying ‘we’ll help you’ or walking a student to the right resource is exactly what that student needs.” Read more on Cal Poly News.
Flower Power and Smiles: Rose Float ‘Petals’ it Forward
Cal Poly Rose Float team members handed out over 200 bouquets from Dexter lawn as a part of the national Petal it Forward floral celebration on Oct. 20. "All the reactions today were super positive,” said Quinn Akemon, an agricultural and environmental plant sciences major and part of the Rose Float’s floral decoration committee who also oversees the campus Rose Float flower field. “My favorite recipients were the people who looked really surprised and got a huge smile when we offered them flowers, and then got even more excited when they realized they got a second bouquet to give another person. People weren’t just happy to receive the flowers, they were also really excited at the idea of passing it on, which is exactly what we were hoping for.” Holland America Flowers in Arroyo Grande again sponsored “Petal it Forward” by supplying all bouquets. Florists in more than 450 cities in 44 states and three other nations (Canada, Colombia and Ecuador) randomly surprised people on the street with flowers in the annual floral giveaway. Cal Poly Rose Float members assembled the bouquets on Tuesday.
Commute with Confidence, Enter for a Chance to Go Ziplining
Rideshare Week may be postponed until 2022, but that doesn’t mean that celebrations and prizes are delayed. Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) and SLO Regional Rideshare invite everyone to celebrate commuter options and opportunities and be entered to win a zipline tour for four at Santa Margarita Adventures. Take this Commute with Confidence Quiz to get tips on improving commutes, and be sure to log carpool, vanpool, bike, walk, bus or telework trips at iRideshare.org to be entered! Keep an eye out for some pop-up recognition throughout the month, including on- and off-campus giveaways and rewards for making smart commuting choices. RTA rides are free. TAPS covers the cost of the 31-day RTA pass. Sign up today. Staff carpool registration is also open. Let TAPS help make commuting sustainable and stress-free! Give it a try and “commute with confidence” this October.
Transfer Inclusion Training for Staff and Faculty to be Held Nov. 3
In an effort to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for transfer students, the Transfer Center is offering a Transfer Inclusivity training session to all staff, faculty and graduate students from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, on Zoom. This training will run 90 minutes and includes a short break. Register today. The Transfer Center also offer 30- and 50-minute transfer inclusion trainings for student employees and student groups. Anyone interested in these options should email [email protected].
November Brings New Professional Development Courses
Employee and Organization Development is pleased to share the release of the November professional development offerings as part of the Cross Campus Collaboration series. Many of Cal Poly’s and the CSU campuses’ workshops are offered online, providing the unique opportunity to extend learning beyond campus borders and offer a new way to share professional development.
New courses and additional dates have been added in November. View and register using the links below. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t delay.
- Understanding and Leveraging Your Strengths
- Entrenched Conflict to Calm Collaboration – Using “De-escalation Listening”
- Re-Discover and Re-Imagine: Resilience
- Positive Psychology
- Network 2 Get Work
- Exposing Hidden Bias
- Onboarding New and Reassigned Employees
- Respect in the Workplace
- Snapping the “Picture Perfect” Image at Home
More classes will be offered in December. Check the Upcoming Opportunities page of the learnandgrow.calpoly.edu website for updates.
Distinguished Teaching Award Nominations Now Open
The Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching at Cal Poly. Only students are allowed to submit nominations so faculty are encouraged to notify their students of the award. Any student or alumnus may submit one or more nominations including 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 Nov. 29. For more information, contact the Academic Senate Office at ext. 6-1258 or [email protected].
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 [email protected] with any questions.
My Cal Poly Portal to be Upgraded on Oct. 31
My Cal Poly Portal will be upgraded and moved to the cloud at 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. The portal will remain accessible to the Cal Poly community while this work is taking place. Users who are logged in to the portal during this time may be asked to log in again once the work is complete. Any current customization of tabs and portlets will not carry over to the new version of the Portal. Anyone with questions can contact the Service Desk online via Support Center or by calling ext. 6-7000.
Multi-factor Authentication to be Required for Emeriti Faculty, Staff Starting Dec. 6
On Dec. 6, Cal Poly will begin requiring emeriti to verify their identities using Duo multi-factor authentication (MFA) when logging into web-based university resources that require a Cal Poly username and password. Using MFA is now standard practice at most universities, including all 23 CSU campuses. Cal Poly has been using Duo since 2019, and it has been required for students, faculty and staff since December 2020. Emeriti are encouraged to learn more about Duo MFA and get set up before the Dec. 6 deadline by visiting tech.calpoly.edu/services/mfa-duo. For those who are new to MFA, the FAQ page at bit.ly/mfafaq is a good place to start. Anyone with questions or who need assistance can contact the Service Desk online via the Support Center or by calling ext. 6-7000.
The Music Department will celebrate three of its retirees starting at 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 12, in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center. Professor Antonio “Greg” Barata, staff member Druci Reese and Professor W. Terrence “Terry” Spiller will be honored for their more than 90 years of combined service. An RSVP is welcome, but not required. Make an evening of it by staying for the Cal Poly Fall Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m. in the PAC Pavilion. For more information about either event, email [email protected] or call ext. 6-2406.
Starting on Nov. 15, Debbie Tuson will learn the truth of the statement that “The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off” (Abe Lemons). Tuson started her career as a payroll clerk 21 years ago and will throw in the towel after working her way up to serving as the Orfalea College of Business finance/personnel analyst and executive assistant to the dean. She has truly exemplified the spirit of Cal Poly’s Learn By Doing ethos. Tuson will be honored with a reception from 1-3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, in Orfalea College of Business Dean’s Office Conference Room (No. 03), Room 455. All are welcome to join in wishing her joy and happiness in retirement. For more information about the reception, contact Kathy Carpenter at [email protected].
Participants Needed for Sedentary Screen Time Study
Sedentary screen time consumes more than half of discretionary time and is the single most prevalent use of time for adults in the U.S. outside of work and sleep. Participants are needed for a study on the best ways to reduce the use of screen time and increase health outcomes. The study is led by Professor Sarah Keadle in the Center for Health Research and is conducted in partnership with Arizona State University. Eligible participants must be between the ages of 23 and 64, own a smartphone or tablet and have internet access with no limit on the amount of data. Due to COVID-19, this study will be conducted virtually. Those interested in participating or learning more about the study, called StandUPTV, can call ext. 6-5506 or fill out an interest form.
Spacious Bella Montana Home For Sale
A beautifully designed 1,614-square-foot home is now available in Bella Montana. Learn more about the home at 611-A Paseo Bella Montaña (La Valle), which has three bedrooms, two remodeled bathrooms and a spacious two-car garage. An open-concept living and dining room, convenient indoor laundry and a thoughtfully designed kitchen make this the perfect family home. The Bella Montana community, specifically designed for Cal Poly faculty, staff and their families, is conveniently located under lush foothills on the corner of Highway 1 and the Highland Avenue entrance to campus. Bella Montaña offers proximity to campus, beautiful views, affordability and quality homes. Close to shops, restaurants and wonderful local hikes, this 69-home community is a perfect place for faculty and staff. Contact Christy Chand at [email protected] or 206-817-2963 for more information.
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.
Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble to Perform with Guest Artists on Nov. 6
The Arab Music Ensemble and guest artists will perform a program of music and dance from the Eastern Mediterranean and larger region at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, in the Performing Arts Center. The ensemble is a combined orchestra and choir with vocal and instrumental soloists. Its members are from a wide range of majors on campus and professions off campus. Critically acclaimed guest artists from the metropolitan San Francisco and Sacramento areas will be featured in the program, including Ishmael on qanun (trapezoidal zither), Fathi Aljarrah on kamanja (violin) and Faisal Zedan on riqq (tambourine), daff (frame drum) and darabukka (goblet drum). Continuing a longstanding collaboration, San Luis Obispo dance director Jenna Mitchell will lead a dance troupe in original choreography to complement the ensemble of instrumentalists and singers. Cal Poly music Professor Ken Habib, a composer, performer, conductor and ethnomusicologist, will direct the event. 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.
Cal Poly Fall Jazz Concert Celebrating CD Release Set for Nov. 12
Cal Poly’s jazz groups will return to in-person concertizing at 7:30 Friday, Nov. 12, in the Pavilion of the Performing Arts Center. The Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Contemporary Jazz Ensemble will be joined by the new Commercial Music Ensemble, which performs rock, Motown, funk, modern pop, video game music and other styles of popular music from a jazz perspective. Arthur White directs the groups. The concert will celebrate both the return of live concerts and the release of the double album “another time, another place.” The CD features the Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz Ensemble performing original compositions and new arrangements by White and Davis Zamboanga (Music, ’20). The CD will be available for purchase at the concert, as well as “Unify,” White’s latest CD with members of the San Luis Obispo jazz community. Sales of both albums will directly benefit the Cal Poly jazz studies program. 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 [email protected].
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.
Visit Cal Poly Now for Student Affairs events, learning opportunities and more
Find the latest student-focused campus events from your favorite Student Affairs programs and services by visiting the new Cal Poly Now.