Dean Damon Fleming Talks Intentional Risk and the Future of the Orfalea College of Business
Dean Damon Fleming joined the Orfalea College of Business in August, after serving as dean at the University of Memphis’ Fogelman College of Business and Economics. Before that, he spent nearly 13 years on the faculty of the Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. "There’re two big things about Cal Poly that drew me in. The first is that I’m a product of the CSU system and my real purpose as an educator and as a dean is to make contributions back to the system that helped me get to where I am now. The second is Cal Poly’s amazing ethos — its commitment to Learn by Doing. It’s a philosophy that absolutely represents the future of business education." Read the Cal Poly News Q&A to learn about Dean Fleming's path to Cal Poly, his plans surrounding experiential learning, and why he thinks calculated risk is essential for the future of business.
Free Mustang Shuttle Available for Trips Around Campus
Transportation and Parking Services has partnered with SLO Safe Ride to launch Mustang Shuttle, a free convenience shuttle open to students and employees. Mustang Shuttle runs seven days a week beginning at 7 p.m. with the last pickup leaving Kennedy Library at 11:40 p.m. The loop across campus will be covered by two shuttles running 10 minutes apart, providing service roughly every 10 minutes. To encourage riders to wait for the shuttle in a more populated area, two of the stop locations will be drop-off only.
Mustang Shuttle Stops include:
- Kennedy Library (pickup and drop-off).
- Poly Canyon Village: two stops; one at Foxen (drop-off only), the second at Aliso (pickup and drop-off).
- Cerro Vista: two stops; the first at San Luis (pickup and drop-off), the second at Islay (drop-off only).
- University Union (pickup and drop-off).
- Performing Arts Center (pickup and drop-off).
To ensure that every Mustang can use the service, one of the shuttles is accessible to those with disabilities. Riders must show Cal Poly ID when boarding. For more information, visit https://afd.calpoly.edu/parking/safetyprograms/.
COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Available on Campus in November
Rite Aid returns to campus in November to offer the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, including booster shots, and the flu vaccine in the Cal Poly Recreation Center Main Gym lobby. The clinic will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 5, 8, 9 and 12; and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15 and 19. Walk-ins are accepted, though appointments are strongly encouraged. Make an appointment through the COVID-19 Vaccine page. If codes are not yet posted for the date you wish to receive a vaccine, then walk in and let staff know which vaccine you want. The codes will be posted as soon as they are available, so continue to check back. In addition, these clinics are open to family members of employees. With the approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 years old, Rite Aid would be able to offer doses to that age group, but availability is still pending throughout the state. Check the COVID-19 Vaccine webpage for updated information on vaccine and booster eligibility, what to bring to an appointment and more.
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 calpolyfoundation@calpoly.edu.
Cal Poly’s Mustang Media Group Earns 28 National Awards
Cal Poly’s Mustang Media Group took home 28 national awards at the 2021 virtual ceremonies of the Associated College Press (ACP) and the College Media Association (CMA). Despite the challenges of a virtual year, the Cal Poly Journalism Department’s student-run integrated media organization continues to produce innovative and creative stories, powerful campaigns and compelling journalism. Of the 28 total awards, 16 were individual, including advertising, video, digital, print and broadcast journalism. The organization received three first-place awards, four second-place, two third-place, five fourth-place, a sixth-place, one 10th-place, and three honorable mentions from ACP. Among these awards, eight of the 16 were in the Best of Show Category. Mustang Media Group also received one of the most prestigious awards of the ACP competition: the Online Pacemaker Award. Learn more about the awards.
Faculty and Staff Volunteers Needed for Fall Commencement Weekend Dec. 11-12
The Commencement Office is seeking faculty and staff volunteers for the following Fall Commencement events at Spanos Stadium:
- Fall Commencement 2021 ceremony (Dec. 11).
- Class of 2020 Celebration (Dec. 12).
Volunteer tasks may include greeting graduates and guests; ensuring guests have access to shuttles, wheelchairs and first aid; helping with stadium logistics and more. Volunteers will receive a $50 gift card to the University Store or campus dining venues for each shift. Volunteers must follow public health guidelines and participate in a training. Sign up today. Note: Non-exempt employee participation is voluntary but should be compensated for time through compensatory time off (CTO). CTO will not incur an unbudgeted expense to an employee's department. Exempt employees may use a flexible work schedule during commencement week to shift work hours from week to weekend. All participating employees must obtain approval from supervisors to participate. Anyone with questions should contact Human Resources.
First Year Success Program Coaches Needed for Winter Quarter
The First Year Success Program (FSP) is looking for graduate students, faculty and staff from across campus to serve as academic coaches for first-time freshmen who are on academic probation for the first time. FSP coaches will support a small group of first-time freshmen by facilitating growth-centered conversations, engaging in goal setting and skill development, and exploring resources that students can use to help them move toward success in future quarters. FSP staff will provide a training on Friday, Dec. 10, to discuss the details of the program and provide materials. FSP is looking for diverse members from the campus community, so all levels of experience and background are welcome. Sign up or express interest before Wednesday, Dec. 8. Questions? Contact Kara Hitchcock at khitch01@calpoly.edu.
Join Volleyball for Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night on Nov. 12
In appreciation for what faculty and staff members do for the university, Cal Poly Athletics is offering four free general admission tickets to the Cal Poly volleyball match on Friday, Nov. 12. The Mustangs will host UC Davis, and the match is set for 7 p.m. in Mott Athletics Center. Faculty and staff can claim their free tickets by showing their Cal Poly ID at the Cal Poly Ticket Office or at the Mott Athletics Center box office on game day. For more information or to purchase tickets to other Cal Poly volleyball matches, visit www.gopoly.com.
Share Input on Cal Poly Branded Styles
Cal Poly’s trademark licensing team is seeking feedback about university-branded sweatshirts, water bottles and more! The team wants to better understand campus shopping habits and preferences to help inform future design, style and product decisions. As a thank you for completing this survey, participants will be entered into a drawing for one of eight $25 Cal Poly university store gift cards. Participants’ identities will only be used for entry into the drawing. The team urges faculty and staff to participate and spread the word to their peers. Thanks to survey respondents for helping to shape future Cal Poly merchandise. The survey will be open through Tuesday, Nov. 30.
Provide Stories and Photos to Highlight CSU Employees by Nov. 5
Systemwide Human Resources publishes the Employee Profile annually to provide a snapshot of the CSU’s workforce. The report highlights employees' stories and photos of employees in the workplace. The theme for the 2021 Employee Profile is “Coming Together.” Employees from all areas of campus are encouraged to participate. Submissions are due Friday, Nov. 5. Learn more here about submitting a story or photograph. More information on the photography contest is also available here. Contact Anthony Rivera with questions.
CSU’s Got Talent November Webcast to Focus on ‘Digital Nutrition’
CSU Learning and Development presents a series of live monthly, online webcasts featuring innovative and essential training for professional and personal success. November’s webcast is "Digital Nutrition: Deguilt Your Tech-Use and Optimize Your Digital Wellbeing.” It will be presented by Jocelyn Brewer, a psychologist with a special interest in the psychology of technology and staying human in a digital age. It will take place from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16. All faculty, staff and student employees are invited to attend this free webcast.
Sign Up for Holiday Family Portraits
The Agricultural Education and Communication Department’s Brock Center will again offer holiday family portraits at Cuesta Park during two weekends in November. Sessions will be held Nov. 6-7 and Nov. 13-14. The cost is $100 for a 45-minute session, and clients will receive 20-25 edited digital photos on a thumb drive taken by the student Brock Associates team. Cash or check payment is due at the beginning of the session. Questions? Email Olivia Jarrett at ojarrett@calpoly.edu.
Register for Creating Accessible Course Materials Workshop
The Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology says accessibility is key to ensuring equitable learning experiences for students with disabilities. Join peers from Jan. 31 to Feb. 27 in this online CTLT faculty workshop to create accessible course materials. The workshop covers Canvas accessibility features, accessible documents and video creation with captioning. Participants will explore the Ally tool in Canvas to identify and fix inaccessible course content. The course is seven-10 hours per week, 28-40 hours total, depending on skill level and experience. A $500 stipend is available for eligible participants. Questions? Contact Pam Dougherty at padoughe@calpoly.edu.
Inclusive Course Design to be Held in January
Universal Design for Learning is an approach to teaching that increases access, reduces barriers and improves learning experiences for all students. The Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology is offering an online faculty workshop from Jan. 18 to Feb. 16 to apply the principles of Universal Design for Learning to course materials, activities and assessments. The course is seven to 10 hours per week, 28-40 hours total, depending on skill level and experience. A $500 stipend is available for eligible participants. Questions? Contact Pam Dougherty at padoughe@calpoly.edu.
Learn more and register
Holiday Cheese Boxes Available
Students at the Cal Poly Creamery are ready for the 2021 holiday season. Find something special for everyone on your list. Gift box sales kick off in November with tempting, new options, including traditional favorites and delicious new cheeses. Three shipping options, as well as local pick-up dates, will be available. Shipping is offered within the U.S. and gift certificates are available online for direct email delivery. Order by Nov. 9 for Thanksgiving delivery and by Dec. 7 to receive an order by Dec. 25. Stay tuned on Facebook and Instagram at @calpolycreameryslo for updates and visit Cal Poly Creamery online.
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.
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 music@calpoly.edu 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 kcarpe04@calpoly.edu.
Russian and German Conversation Tables Are Open to All
Practice your language skills, learn more about German and Russian cultures and meet new friends. The German Conversation table, open every Tuesday through fall and winter quarters, meets from 11:15 a.m. to noon on the steps in front of Kennedy Library (with an alternate venue in the Faculty Fishbowls 220, second floor, Kennedy Library.) The Russian Conversation table meets at the same time and location every other Friday. Anyone interested in speaking German and Russian or just listening is welcome. For more information, contact Angelica Browne at anbrowne@calpoly.edu or Olga Dekhtyar at odekhtya@calpoly.edu.
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 christymcneil@gmail.com or 206-817-2963 for more information.
Woodring and Astaire Concert to be Held Nov. 4
Join Music Department faculty members Paul Woodring and John Astaire for a one-of-a-kind eclectic musical experience at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4. The evening will combine Woodring’s artistry on the Forbes pipe organ with Astaire’s expressive talent on a wide array of percussion instruments. Featured pieces will include both performers on Petr Eben’s “Landscapes of Patmos” and Mutsuhito Ogino’s “Concerto for Percussion.” The evening will also feature works for solo organ and solo percussion, as well as a duo arrangement for “Jane Seymour” from Rick Wakeman’s “Six Wives of Henry VIII.” Tickets are on sale at calpolyarts.org or at ext. 6-4849. A 20% faculty and staff discount is available.
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.
Hip Hop Nutcracker Returns Nov. 7
Cal Poly Arts welcomes the return of “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, in the Performing Arts Center. Directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” is a contemporary dance spectacle set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music. A unique event, this afternoon production is performed by a supercharged cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist and special guest MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers. Tickets are on sale at calpolyarts.org or at ext. 6-4849. A 20% discount will be offered to faculty and staff at checkout.
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 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.
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.