WSCUC Accreditation Team to Visit Campus April 27-29
The university has been in the process of reaffirming its accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since late 2018. As the next step in this process, a five-member team representing WSCUC institutions will visit the campus April 27-29. Earlier this year, Cal Poly submitted its institutional report, documenting the university’s self-study, to WSCUC. This report may be read through the WSCUC website. During the visit, open meetings with students, staff and faculty will provide an opportunity for campus community members to provide input on their experiences at Cal Poly with the visiting team. When these meeting times are finalized, they will be shared with the campus community and posted online. In addition, WSCUC has created an email account, calpolyslo@wscuc.org, for community members to share their thoughts confidentially. For more information about the accreditation process, visit Cal Poly’s WSCUC Accreditation page and Frequently Asked Questions page.
Cal Poly Awarded Grant to Evaluate Future of Agriculture and Food Systems
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences has received a research award from California 100, an ambitious statewide initiative to envision and shape the long-term success of the state in collaboration with 18 research centers and institutes across California. The California 100 research award, which includes a $90,000 grant along with technical assistance from the Institute For The Future, will enable the college to evaluate current facts, origins and future trends in which food systems will play a part in California’s next century. “We cannot talk about the future of California without understanding the critical role agriculture will play in our economy and our position as a global leader,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, California 100 executive director. Cal Poly’s research is led by Anastasia Telesetsky, professor in the Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences Department, and Catherine Kleier, associate dean in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.
COVID-19 Memorial Service Slated for April 19 at O'Neill Green
The Cal Poly Psychology Club, Hospice SLO County and Cal Poly Counseling Services will host a COVID-19 Memorial Service at 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, April 19. Hosted at O’Neill Green, the memorial will commemorate the past two-plus years of the COVID-19 pandemic and will allow students and faculty to grieve the time, important life events and people lost to the virus. Join fellow campus members in honoring the grief and resilience experienced the past two years with inspirational speakers, flower planting/self-care activities, memorializing and more. Counselors will be on-site for anyone in need of additional support. For more information, contact cpslo.psychclub@gmail.com or spbartle@calpoly.edu.
Campus Community Invited to Earth Week Events April 14-23
Green Campus and the sustainability community invites faculty, staff and students to events from April 14-23, including a festival, career panel, film fest, garden work day and so much more. The events are open to the entire campus community. RSVP to secure free Earth Week swag and get updates on all the events!
Register for Earth Week events
Faculty and Staff Can Give Feedback Through April 22
Administration and Finance (A&F) launched the next iteration of its annual customer satisfaction survey. Available to all faculty, staff and students, the Focus Forward survey has been extended through April 22. The survey asks A&F constituents for feedback on the division’s performance over the past year. This information will help A&F leadership learn from customers’ knowledge, values and experiences pertaining to each unit and department. While the survey covers every unit and department within A&F, campus community members are only being asked to complete the sections relevant to them. For every section that participants complete they will be entered into a drawing for an iPad Mini Pro or more than 60 other prizes. The information gathered from the survey will be used to assess offerings and deliverables. Find more information on the survey, prizes and a link to participate.
Cal Poly Awarded Bicycle Friendly University
Cal Poly has been awarded the designation of Bicycle Friendly University by The League of American Bicyclists. The Bicycle Friendly University program recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a more bikeable campus for students, staff and visitors. It provides the roadmap and technical assistance to create great campuses for cycling. Commuter Services is seeking input to help it promote and grow sustainable commutes on bikes. Take and share this five-minute survey about your bike commute and what keeps you pedaling. And join ASI the first Thursday of each month to ride from Cal Poly to downtown for Bike Night. The next ride is Thursday, May 5. Meet at the UU plaza between 8:30-9 p.m. Find more information about Commuter Services bike programs at commute.calpoly.edu.
Cal Poly Corporation Board of Directors to Meet April 26
The board of directors of the Cal Poly Corporation will hold a regular meeting virtually on Zoom at noon Tuesday, April 26. This is a public meeting. Join the meeting using this Zoom webinar link and call-in information. Public comments for this meeting must be submitted by 5 p.m. Monday, April 25, via email to cpcadmin@calpoly.edu. Obtain a copy of the agenda with all pertinent information for the Zoom webinar meeting beginning April 21 by emailing cpcadmin@calpoly.edu or on the Cal Poly Corporation website.
2022 Outstanding Student Employee of the Year Announced
The Outstanding Student Employee of the Year (OSEY) award recognizes the contributions of student employees to the university community and honors their efforts. In 2021-22, 28 students were recognized by their supervisors for their outstanding contributions to Cal Poly. The winner and runners up will be invited to a special lunch with their nominators, President Armstrong and Mrs. Armstrong at their campus residence, where they will be presented with letters of recognition and certificates. The winner’s name is also etched in the plaque hanging in the University Union, listing every winner since 1986. The 2022 Outstanding Student of the Year and the first and second runners up are:
- Outstanding Student Employee of the Year: Luis Plascencia, California Cybersecurity Institute.
- First runner up: Helen Zhang, Information Technology Services.
- Second runner up: Adrianna Arias — College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Education and Communication.
View the full list of nominated students
Transfer Inclusion Training for Staff and Faculty to be Held April 14
In an effort to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for transfer students at Cal Poly, the Transfer Center is offering a Transfer Inclusivity Training to staff, faculty and grad students on campus. This training will run 90 minutes and includes a short break. The spring quarter training will be offered from 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, on Zoom. Register for the training. To learn more about ways to support a transfer inclusive Cal Poly, check out the supporting transfers website. Questions about the training? Reach out to transfer@calpoly.edu.
Bid Farewell to Elizabeth Lowham on April 22
Join Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education for a farewell reception for Elizabeth Lowham from 3-5 p.m. Friday, April 22, on Dexter Lawn. Light appetizers and refreshments will be served. Lowham joined the Political Science Department faculty in 2007 and was department chair from 2015-19. She has also overseen the creation of the Interdisciplinary Studies in Liberal Arts department; the Science, Technology and Society Minors program; the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program. She served as the founding director of the Center for Expressive Technologies, has led Graduate Education as interim dean since 2019, and has served as the administrator in charge for R-EDGE since April 2021. Lowham’s leadership, collaboration, mentorship and care will be very much missed at Cal Poly. Help say goodbye as she imparts on this exciting new career opportunity as dean of the College of Social Sciences at Fresno State, and join us in thanking her for all she has done for Cal Poly students, faculty and staff. Anyone with questions about the event can contact Kim Infante at kinfante@calpoly.edu.
Learn by Doing Scholar Awards Return: Celebrating the Impact of Cal Poly’s Signature Pedagogy
Kennedy Library has announced the return of the Learn by Doing Awards in 2022 with updated criteria that focus on the impact of Cal Poly's signature pedagogy. The Learn by Doing Awards recognize faculty contributions that demonstrate the impact of Cal Poly’s educational approach, translate conventional learning into practice, and make a difference locally, nationally and internationally. Two awards will be presented, each accompanied by a cash prize of $2,000. Faculty from all disciplines are welcome to apply. Faculty self-nominate and directly submit applications. Team applications are welcome and may include students. Applications are reviewed by a faculty committee with representatives from each college and the library. Applications must be submitted online by 5 p.m. April 15. Award winners will be notified by April 29, and the awards will be presented at the 2022 Fall Convocation.
Faculty Invited to Complete Faculty Survey of Student Engagement
The Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (FSSE) is available until May 15 for all faculty members to share their feedback related to teaching, learning and the quality of students’ educational experience. In concert with the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), this survey is an important method in understanding students' college experiences both in and out of the classroom. Faculty members received an email invitation to complete the FSSE on April 5 and a reminder on April 11. These emails include a personalized link to complete the survey. Completing the FSSE is voluntary, but participation is encouraged.
Retired Faculty and Staff Spring Quarter Tour Set for April 21
The Retired Faculty and Staff Club’s spring quarter program will be held April 21 at the JUSTIN and J.LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture, the largest completely donor-funded capital project in CSU history that will enhance Cal Poly’s wine and viticulture program for years to come. The complex includes a state-of-the-art 5,000-case bonded winery with a fermentation hall, bottling room, barrel rooms and research labs. The adjacent E. & J. Gallo Winery and Family Building includes viticulture, enology and sensory labs, shared offices for faculty and students, and an expansive conference hall. The program will begin at 11 a.m. with a tour led by College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Dean Andy Thulin. Following the tour, participants will drive to the Cal Poly Dairy Unit to enjoy a barbecue lunch provided by the Agriculture Engineering Society student group. The event will end with complimentary wine tasting of student-made wines.
CSU’s Got Talent April Webcast to Focus on ‘Thriving in the Future of Work’
All employees are invited to participate in another edition of the CSU’s Got Talent series. Esteemed author and Vice President of Workplace Insight at Steelcase Tracy Bower, Ph.D., will present a webcast, “Thriving in the Future: Hybrid Working and Team Management.” Participants can discover habits to maximum efficiency for themselves and their team as they navigate the changes faced from transitioning to a hybrid work environment. The webcast will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 20.
University Personnel Offers Well-Being Workshops in April and May
University Personnel has worked with employee assistance program LifeMatters to offer synchronous well-being workshops in April and May. They include:
- The CARE Model: Difficult, sensitive conversations are required from time to time. Has an employee told you they are ill or have lost someone? Learn tools to support your team and yourself during difficult times including self-care, how to approach difficult conversations and more. April 14 at 10 a.m.
- Co-worker Communication: Effective communication skills are central to addressing disagreements and resolving conflicts with co-workers. This workshop includes understanding conflict and resolution, eliminating defensive behavior, and active listening. April 28 at 11 a.m.
- Mind-Body Wellness: The practice of mindfulness, breathing and guided relaxation promotes mind-body wellness. Learn to develop a centering mindset to improve focus. May 17 at 2 p.m.
- Expanding Your Sphere of Influence: The ability to influence others is central to effective leadership. Learn to cultivate influence regardless of your title. Understand the qualities of effective leaders and learn key traits for expanding influence and strategies for building leadership skills. May 24 at 10 a.m.
CET Seed Grant Applications Open Through April 22
Center for Expressive Technologies (CET) seed grant applications are open to all faculty and staff until Friday, April 22. Any project studying or using technology in creative ways to improve the human experience is eligible for up to $4,000 in funding for student assistants, travel or additional compensation to support research or creative activity. This year, CET is also looking for projects that could utilize its new studio space in the center of campus, where users can experiment with the latest projection, sound and lighting technologies; exhibit art, video, audio or mixed reality experiences; or conduct live performances and community engagement. Learn more here. Have questions or need help finding a collaborator? Email CET Director Matthew Harsh at mharsh@calpoly.edu.
New Professional Development Courses Available in April
Employee and Organization Development announces the release of the April professional development offerings as part of the Cross Campus Collaboration series. Many workshops are offered online, providing an opportunity to extend learning beyond campus borders and offer a new way to share professional development. New courses and dates have been added in April. View and register using the links below. Registration opened March 28 on a first-come basis. The classes are:
- Positive Psychology – The Happiness Advantage, April 14, 10 a.m.-noon
- SMART Goals, April 14, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Personal Accountability, April 14, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
- Decisions, Decisions! Creative Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Techniques, April 14, 2-4 p.m.
- Digital Badges in Canvas, April 19, 1-2 p.m.
- How to Electrify Your Drive – The Switch to an Electric Car, April 21, 11 a.m.-noon
- Exposing Hidden Bias, April 22, 10:30 a.m.-noon
- Nurturing Emotional Well-Being, April 26, 1:30-3 p.m.
More classes are coming in May.
Ann Wilenius, administrative specialist in the Office of the Provost, has announced her retirement after 20 years at Cal Poly. Several areas across campus have benefited from her institutional knowledge, assistance and kindness. Wilenius started her career in the College of Engineering, Computer Engineering Program office, then joined the newly formed Center for Teaching and Learning and worked there through its reorganization to Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology. She then transferred to Information Technology Services, working her way to executive assistant to the vice president/CIO, and finally to her current role as administrative specialist in the Office of the Provost. Wilenius leaves with a grateful heart and many fond memories and states it has truly been a privilege to work with Cal Poly’s amazing campus leaders, faculty and staff members. Wilenius is looking forward to playing golf, volunteering, spending more time with family and friends, and traveling to visit relatives in Dubai and in her native Canada. Her last day working on campus will be April 15. In lieu of a party, celebrate Wilenius with well wishes through this Kudoboard.
Join the College of Science and Mathematics for a retirement celebration for Sharon Arnold from 3-5 p.m. Friday, April 15, at the Leaning Pine Arboretum, located at the Environmental Horticultural Science Unit at the end of Via Carta. Light appetizers and refreshments will be served. Arnold retired from Cal Poly after 33 years of dedicated service to the university. She came to Cal Poly in 1988 as a clerical assistant II in the English Department. After a series of promotions, she joined the College of Science and Mathematics Dean’s Office in 1999 and worked there for 19 years. Arnold was an indispensable part of the college family and an essential member of the leadership team. She always provided excellent advice with kindness and sensitivity and was instrumental in building and supporting a talented and efficient staff. The College of Science and Mathematics and Cal Poly have benefited tremendously by having her as a member of the university community.
Building 19 Dining Complex Renamed 1901 Marketplace; Renovation Underway
The new 1901 Marketplace is the next phase in the renovation and update of the Cal Poly dining experience. Following months of campus feedback, the re-imagined Building 19 will be named 1901 Marketplace, a nod to the university’s founding. The reconstruction of the campus’ primary food service and production facility, the former home of The Avenue and 805 Kitchen, will create a gathering place at the center of Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing culture. 1901 Marketplace will be home to nine separate food venues ranging from Campus Dining originals to national favorites like The Habit Burger Grill, Chick-fil-A and Panda Express. A variety of new in-house concepts will include Mediterranean, Mexican and sandwiches. The marketplace will also be home to a large community space featuring pop-ups with local shops, vendors and Cal Poly groups. Built to LEED Gold certification standards, the new facility is expected to open in fall 2023.
Campus Blood Drive to Take Place April 19
Be a hero and save up to three lives in just an hour. Join a campus blood drive hosted by the Orfalea College of Business, University Personnel and Campus Health and Wellbeing on Tuesday, April 19. A Vitalant bus will be parked on the concrete walkway on Dexter Lawn, near the Dexter Building (No. 34). Appointments are available between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Scheduled donations are prioritized over walk-ups. Donors are encouraged to hydrate well and eat a hearty meal before donating. Contact Lisa Gray at lcgray@calpoly.edu for more information.
Statistical Consulting Service Available During Spring Quarter
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 June 10 by appointment only. Jeff Sklar 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.
Panel Discussion April 28 to Focus on ‘Addressing Racism and Diversity in Music Institutions’
The Music Department will present a panel discussion webinar, “Addressing Racism and Diversity in Music Institutions,” at 11:10 a.m. Thursday, April 28. This is the third in a series of presentations with guest panelists Stephanie Shonekan, associate dean of the College of Arts and Science and professor of music at the University of Missouri, and Keith Jackson, dean of the College of Creative Arts at West Virginia University. Cal Poly Director of Jazz Studies Arthur White will moderate the discussion. “This discussion continues because racism in the music academy continues,” White said. “Open, frank and honest dialogue about this topic is necessary.” The panel discussion is free and open to the public. Registration for the webinar is available on the Music Department calendar website. For more information, email music@calpoly.edu 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.
Note that a minimum three-day lead time is required to process a request for use of space through the Office of the Registrar.
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.