Steven Canals to Headline 21st Annual Change the Status Quo Lecture Series on Feb. 23
Steven Canals, the Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning co-creator, executive producer, director and writer of the FX drama series “Pose,” will deliver a moderated discussion at the 21st annual Change the Status Quo Social Justice and Service Lecture Series at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, in the Performing Arts Center Miossi Hall. A groundbreaking queer, Afro Latinx creator, Canals recently signed his first deal with 20th Century TV and is developing projects that represent diverse and inclusive voices, and stories of historically marginalized communities. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session. The Center for Service in Action’s annual event aims to empower students to use the Learn by Doing spirit to challenge social norms, ask critical questions, demand solutions and make lasting social change. Admission is free to all students, staff and faculty.
Faculty and Staff Housing Listening Sessions Set for Feb. 15-16
Cal Poly Corporation invites the campus community to attend upcoming listening sessions on the faculty and staff housing project at Slack Street and Grand Avenue. The project is progressing — conceptual designs are complete, and construction is expected to start in 2023. The project will include 200 units, with 150 multi-family units available to rent and 50 single-family units for sale. Now, more faculty and staff input is needed. Five listening sessions will be held on Feb. 15 and 16 at the Cal Poly Corporation Building (No. 15). Those interested in participating in a listening session can register below:
- Feb. 15, 12:10 - 1 p.m.
- Feb. 15, 1:10 - 2 p.m.
- Feb. 15, 2:10 – 3 p.m.
- Feb. 16, 9:10 - 10 a.m.
- Feb. 16, 12:10 - 1 p.m.
CPC thanks the campus community for its time, energy and interest in sharing input about faculty and staff housing needs.
Learn more about faculty and staff housing projects
Save the Dates for Vice President for Research Open Forums
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore has accepted the recommendation of the Vice President for Research Consultative Search Committee, chaired by Vice President Al Liddicoat, to invite finalists for the position to visit campus over the next two weeks. Save the date for university open forums scheduled for each finalist. All members of the campus community are invited to attend the forums, which will all be held in Engineering IV (No. 192), Room 106, on the following dates:
- Friday, Feb. 17, 10:10-11 a.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2:10-3 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 24, 10:10-11 a.m.
Information about each finalist will be made available prior to their campus visit.
Spread Kindness with Campus Dining and Help Students Struggling with Food Insecurity
On Friday, Feb. 17, join Campus Dining for a Delight-Ful pop-up shop on GrubHub with all proceeds going to Feed Cal Poly, a program that helps students struggling with food insecurity. According to a recent study, nearly 40% of student respondents reported low or very low food security. Part of the university’s Basic Needs Initiative, Feed Cal Poly helps ensure that every student has access to nutritious meals so they can stay focused on their studies and success. Anyone can donate through Campus Express, Dining Membership or credit/debit cards. Those who do not have the Grubhub app downloaded, can donate to Feed Cal Poly through the Campus Dining website. Donations of any amount are accepted by credit/debit card.
RSVP by Feb. 24 for Annual Service Awards
State, Corporation and ASI employees with milestone service anniversaries in 2022 will be honored at the Annual Service Awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9, in the Performing Arts Center Miossi Hall, followed by a reception in the Performing Arts Center Main Lobby. Appetizers will be served. View the program for a complete listing of awardees. All attendees are required to RSVP by Friday, Feb. 24. There is no cost to attend the ceremony or reception. All award recipients will receive an email with a link to RSVP. Contact the committee chair for additional information at serviceawards@calpoly.edu.
Student-Run Hackathon Builds Interdisciplinary Solutions to Local Challenges
A team of interdisciplinary students recently won the top prize at Camp PolyHacks for their anonymous blog space, dubbed Lumi, designed to help marginalized groups build community. During the two-day hackathon on Jan. 22-23, 70 Cal Poly students worked in groups to develop a solution to an issue impacting San Luis Obispo. Each of the 13 teams was assigned one of four categories, including inclusive digital spaces, transportation innovation, small business success and groundwater sustainability. Teams could develop solutions in the form of a product, service, information or marketing campaign, policy proposal or a demonstration or prototype of a mobile application. The Stardust Team won $1,000 for Best Overall Solution. The team also won in the Most Impactful Solution for Inclusive Digital Spaces and Best Logo categories. Team members included computer science majors Sage Meadows, Hahns Pena and Bora Joo; liberal arts and engineering major Leticia Mezzetti; and computer engineering major Arjun Chopra.
Students to Lead Employee Wellness Session on Nutrition Feb. 23
Faculty and staff are invited to join a student-led employee wellness nutrition session, “Let’s Get Back to the Root of the Matter,” from 11:10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 23, in the Human Nutrition Lab in the Agricultural Sciences Building (No. 11), Room 102. This session is part of a new initiative to support employee health while providing students with a valuable Learn by Doing experience under the supervision of nutrition professors and registered dietitian nutritionists. Students will discuss whole foods, fiber, meal prepping and grocery shopping for a busy lifestyle. The session is first come, first serve, so RSVP to reserve a spot. Email Anna Cahn (acahn@calpoly.edu) with questions.
Submissions Welcome for Outstanding Student Employee Recognition
National Student Employment Week is April 4-10. The Outstanding Student Employee of the Year Committee invites faculty and staff to nominate an outstanding student employee to be recognized for their contributions. One outstanding Student Employee of the Year and two runners up will be selected from the nominations and invited to a special lunch in their honor. The committee has simplified the nominating process by requiring a one-page submission letter highlighting the student’s accomplishments. All student employees are eligible for consideration. Faculty and staff may nominate more than one student and may find the NACE core competencies fact sheet useful to assist with submissions. Recognition letters, preferably on department letterhead, are due to Financial Aid (financialaid@calpoly.edu or brollins@calpoly.edu) by Friday, Feb. 24. Questions? Contact Barbara Rollins at brollins@calpoly.edu.
Applications Open for Panetta Institute Congressional Internship Program
![2021 Cal Poly Panetta Intern Desiree Nunes with Secretary Leon Panetta and Mrs. Sylvia Panetta]](/sites/calpoly.edu/files/inline-images/CPR-Panetta-Intern-Desiree-Nunes-Panettas.jpeg)
Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 Panetta Institute Congressional Internship Program in Washington D.C. Matriculating third- or fourth-year students from any major that meet the program requirements are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is Monday, Feb. 27. This prestigious Learn by Doing experience provides an opportunity for students to enhance their education by providing encouragement in the exploration of Congress, civil leadership and community and public service. Once selected, students participate in a two-week training session in August at the Panetta Institute, followed by 11 weeks in Washington, D.C., working in a Capitol Hill office of a California congressional delegation member. The cost of the program is fully funded to allow participation by any qualified student, independent of family income.
Apply by March 10 for 2022-23 Learn by Doing Scholar Awards
Kennedy Library has announced the call for applications from faculty for the 2022-23 Learn by Doing Scholar Awards. These awards, which will be presented at the 2023 Fall Convocation, 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, each accompanied by a cash prize of $2,000, will be given this year. Faculty from all disciplines are welcome to apply, and team applications are welcome and may include staff and students. Faculty can self-nominate and directly submit applications online by 5 p.m. Friday, March 10. All applications are reviewed by a faculty committee with representatives from each college and the library.
Nominations Open for 2022-23 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award
The Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award recognizes a faculty member who has had a positive influence on students through academic advising. The award recipient will receive a $2,000 cash stipend and be recognized by President Armstrong during Fall Conference. One faculty member is recognized annually. Note that the nomination should describe the nominee’s academic advising services, activities and interactions as distinct from the nominee's teaching responsibilities, as well as include any special activities that relate to student development. Faculty, staff and current students are eligible to nominate faculty for this award. However, at least one submission must come from a current student, and no self-nominations will be recognized. Nominations are open and will close at 5 p.m. Monday, March 6. Questions? Contact Shelly Wolf at scwolf@calpoly.edu.
Find more information and a link to the nomination form
Nominations Sought for 2023-24 STEM-NET Faculty Fellow Position
Cal Poly is currently accepting nominations for the 2023-24 STEM-NET faculty fellow position. One faculty member will be put forward for consideration by the CSU STEM-NET Steering Committee. The program provides a summer 2023 stipend of $5,000 and three semester units of assigned time to be used in 2023-24. It is designed to support a faculty fellow to work collaboratively to develop and submit targeted STEM-based proposals; develop educational- and research-based grants with fellow faculty; and help promote a culture of scholarship on campus. Nominees must be a tenure-track or tenured faculty member with a disciplinary association with science, technology, engineering or math and who are active disciplinary and/or pedagogical scholars. The internal deadline for self-nominations is 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27. If nominating another individual, nominations are requested by 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, so that the person nominated has time to respond by the Feb. 27 deadline. Contact Jane Lehr at jlehr@calpoly.edu with any questions.
Learn more and find the nomination form
New CSU’s Got Talent Webcasts Announced for 2023
Employee and Organization Development is sharing the 2023 lineup of CSU’s Got Talent webcasts for all faculty, staff and student employees. CSU Learning and Development presents a series of live, online webcasts every month specially designed for the CSU community that feature innovative and essential training for professional and personal success. These free webcasts are led by influential industry leaders closely tied to the CSU campuses, including professional coaches, educators, CEOs, community organizers and psychologists. The 2023 offerings include:
- Stick With It: A Scientifically Proven Process for Changing Your Life — For Good
- Overcoming Impostor: Silence Your Inner Critic and Lead with Confidence
- Best Team Ever: The Surprising Science of High-Performing Team
- How to Achieve: Peak Productivity Through Strategic Self-care
- The Secret to Getting Along: Three Steps to Creating Better Teams
- Manage Conflict So It Doesn't Manage You: Effective Methods to Reach Positive Outcomes
- Know No Limits: Achieving Successful Change Inevitably Means Overcoming Obstacles
- Psychological Safety: The Key to a Collaborative and Healthy Hybrid Workplace
- Career Management: Being the CEO of Your Life
- Unstoppable Resilience: Avoiding Burnout and Discovering How to Flourish Instead
Miss a webcast? View previous CSU’s Got Talent recordings on the Learning Hub.
Safer to Host Action Planning Workshop for Staff and Faculty on Feb. 22
Safer wants to help faculty and staff members grow as leaders in gender- and power-based violence prevention through its two-hour Safer Action Planning Workshop. Participants will delve into the root causes of gender- and power-based violence and explore risk and protective factors for sexual violence perpetration. Participants will create individual plans of how to integrate violence prevention activities into their specific position on campus.
Redeem Expired One-Day Sponsored Guest Permits
With the transition to license plate recognition (LPR) technology, Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) is no longer issuing physical one-day sponsored guest permits. If a department still has inventory of one-day sponsored guest permits, TAPS will exchange physical permits for Sponsored Guest codes. Sponsored guest codes can be conveniently redeemed by a department’s guests at parking pay stations located throughout campus. In order to make this exchange, bring expired permits to the Public Safety Reception Center, located in Building 36. The hours of operations of the Reception Center are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments can also be made online. The deadline to make this exchange is June 30. For more information or to ask questions, email parking@calpoly.edu or call ext. 6-6455.
University Advising/Retention Team Launches Website
The University Advising/Retention team has launched its new website, retention.calpoly.edu. Developed out of Cal Poly’s Graduation Initiative 2025, the retention team focuses on eliminating equity gaps by identifying and removing barriers to student retention, re-enrollment and graduation. Retention specialists provide time-sensitive support to students who are taking time off through the Informal Time Off, Leave of Absence and Active Not Enrolled processes, mitigating potential hurdles to re-enrollment. As part of the Cal Poly advising community, the retention team facilitates use of data to prioritize proactive advising, identifies college-specific barriers to retention/graduation and reviews policies to advocate for change.
Proposals for Continuing Instructionally Related Activities Due March 3
The Instructionally Related Activities Advisory Committee has announced the call for proposals for the 2023-24 fiscal year for any activities seeking continued recognition and funding. Proposals for continuing IRAs are due March 3. An instructionally related activity (IRA) is an extracurricular "out-of-class experience" that provides enrichment to students and enhances their learning. Note that IRA funds cannot be used to fund specific projects or field trips as part of an academic course. Requests for funding typically exceed the available funds, so recognition as an IRA is no guarantee of funding. Forms, instructions, videos and other information can be found at https://academicprograms.calpoly.edu/content/IRA/index. Contact Jessica Carson at carson@calpoly.edu with questions or for assistance with proposals.
Cal Poly Preschool Learning Lab to Offer a Summer Program
The Cal Poly Preschool Learning Lab will offer a new summer program from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 19-Aug. 31. Faculty and staff will receive first priority and will be automatically enrolled into the regular fall 2023 academic year program if their children are continuing in preschool (i.e., not going to transitional kindergarten or kindergarten). To be eligible, children must be 3 years old by June 19 and fully potty-trained. Limited spaces are available. Add your child to the waiting list by submitting the application form to the Psychology and Child Development Department office. Application fees will be collected if a space is offered and accepted. Tuition rates will be available in late March. Questions can be directed via email to Director Patty Clarkson at preschoollabadmin@calpoly.edu.
2023 Aspire to Grow Conference to Focus on Resilience
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is hosting the fifth annual Aspire to Grow Conference, exploring innovation in food, agriculture and natural resources, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the JUSTIN and J. LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture. The symposium will focus on the theme of resilience and the role diversity of thought and experience plays in achieving this. Featured speakers include Kimberly Brown, vice president, company resources at Wonderful Orchards; Boris Coto Calvo, head of field solutions at Bayer Crop Science North America; Alexandra Roberts, food safety manager at Rice Fruit Company; and Roxanna Smith, senior relationship manager of Agribusiness, Food and Hospitality at Wells Fargo Bank. The Aspire to Grow Conference aims to inform and empower students from across campus about the many and varied career opportunities in these industries. It also creates a forum for students to learn from and network with companies for which diversity and inclusion are an essential part of their visions. Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend.
Learn more about the conference
’Creating the Future’ Shines Spotlight on Engineering
The campus community is invited to Engineers Week (E-Week), a national celebration that shines a spotlight on engineering. It is a time to celebrate how engineers make a difference in the world, increase public dialogue about the need for engineers and bring engineering to life for students, educators and parents. Cal Poly's Engineering Student Council has organized a week of engineering events on Tuesday, Feb. 21, and Saturday, Feb. 25, ranging from Cal Poly Racing cars and coffee to Morro Bay Wind Farm trivia.
Feedback Sought on Inclusive Restrooms
Cal Poly is committed to ensuring that everyone on campus feels safe and included. Based on a public listening session hosted Jan. 24 by the Office of the Dean of Students, College of Liberal Arts and Facilities, the participants agreed to move forward with removing gendered signage from multi-stall restrooms and replacing it with fully inclusive signage in the Dexter Building (No. 34), Rooms 136 and 139. A follow-up listening session will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, in Kennedy Library, Room 209. Faculty and staff are invited to share their experience using the restrooms in the Dexter Building (either Room 136 or 139) by taking a quick, anonymous survey. Survey results will be used to make informed decisions about future all-gender multi-stall bathroom conversions. Anyone with questions or concerns can reach out to Dean of Students Joy Pedersen at deanofstudents@calpoly.edu.
Get a Taste of the World on Feb. 15
The International Center will host Taste of the World 2023 from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the Agricultural Sciences Building (No. 11) courtyard (near Campus Market). This free event will feature international cuisine from all over the world and is open to all. The food will be prepared by students taking FSN 344: Foodservice Operations II from lecturer Lenea Pollet in the Food Science and Nutrition Department, with support provided by Erin Foote, instructional support technician for the department.
Watch the 2022 A Taste of the World video
Biology Department Hosts ‘Evolution Month’ Events in February
The Biology Department is holding its third annual Evolution Month featuring a series of speaker seminars and a culminating event. The series kicked off Feb. 3 and will continue through the month. Events include:
- On Feb. 10, distinguished marine biologist Rick Grosberg from UC Davis will present “Young Darwin and the Sea Fisher” about the making of an evolutionist.
- On Feb. 17, distinguished evolutionary biologist David Reznick from UC Riverside will host “Evolution and Genetics” about how Darwin got the right answer about evolution without understanding genetics.
- On Feb. 24, eminent California botanist Bruce Baldwin from UC Berkeley will present “California’s Flora” on the state’s diverse plant life.
Each speaker event will be held at 3:10 p.m. in Fisher Science Hall (No. 33), Room 286. The final event will be an exploration of plant evolution in the new Plant Conservatory (No. 72) at 10 a.m. Feb. 25.
CLA Presents Writers at Work Events Feb. 16 and 28
The campus community is invited to two free, upcoming Writers at Work events hosted by the College of Liberal Arts and the English Department. A virtual reading with poet Chen Chen, at left in photo, will be held 2:10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, on Zoom. Chen authored “Your Emergency Contact Has Experienced an Emergency” and “When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a List of Further Possibilities,” which was longlisted for the National Book Award and won the Thom Gunn Award, among other honors. He has received two Pushcart Prizes and fellowships from Kundiman, the National Endowment for the Arts, and United States Artists. Registration is required. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, in-person poetry readings will be held with English Professor Emeritus Kevin Clark and author Marsha de la O in the Science North Building (No. 53), Room 215. Clark is a recipient of the Pleiades Press Prize and authored “The Consecrations,” and two other books of poetry. de la O is the author of three books of poetry: “Every Ravening Thing,” “Antidote for Night,” and “Black Hope.” She has received fellowships and awards including the Isabella Gardner Award, the New Issues Press Poetry Prize, and the Morton Marcus Poetry Award.
Take a Linguistic Journey with Italian Writer, Translator Marino Magliani on Feb. 16
The World Languages and Cultures Department and the School of Education invite the campus community to a presentation by Italian writer and translator Marino Magliani from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in the Dexter Building (No. 34), Room 117. In “The Art of Translation: A Linguistic Journey from the Source to the Delta,” Magliani will weave together a transnational experience of literature, geography and ecology, exploring what happens when words are translated from one language into another. He will accompany us on a journey from Liguria — a region celebrated by artists for its beauty, though constantly torn by avalanches and landslides — to Zeewijk, on the Dutch coast, a land of sand perennially afflicted by wind erosion. For more information, contact Spanish Professor Karen Muñoz-Christian at kschrist@calpoly.edu.
Organist Felix Hell to Perform at the PAC on February 18
Cal Poly Arts presents organist Felix Hell at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, in Harold Miossi Hall. A native of Germany, Hell is one of the most sought-after concert organists in the world. He has been featured as a recitalist and concerto soloist in more than 1,000 concerts throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. He is known for his diverse and innovative programming, drawing upon a repertoire encompassing five centuries, as well as frequently collaborating with composers on new music for the organ. This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
Get Tickets to hear Felix Hell
Cal Poly Winter Jazz Concert on Feb. 24 to Feature Cuesta College’s Voce
The Winter Jazz Concert will feature guest ensemble Voce, Cuesta College’s vocal jazz group, and world premieres from the Cal Poly jazz program at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, in the Performing Arts Center. Cal Poly’s Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble (MOSAIC) and Voce will perform works by Thad Jones, Duke Ellington, John Beasley, KNOWER and others. Voce, led by John Knutson, has performed at the American Choral Directors Association National Convention, the Montreux Jazz Festival and the International Association for Jazz Education Convention. Three big band charts will have world premieres: “New Day” by music major Wyatt Willard is an adventurous, odd-metered composition; “Inundación” by mechanical engineering major Bryce Yuen is inspired by salsa music; and “Bishop Peak” by Director of Jazz Studies Arthur White. The groups will combine for the final number, White’s arrangement of the New York Voices’ “Do You Wanna Know What I Want.” Tickets 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.
Get tickets to the winter jazz concert
‘Best of the Fest’ Show Returns to the PAC Feb. 26
SLO Comedy Festival presents the best performers from its annual festival in the “Best of the Fest” show at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, in Harold Miossi Hall. The SLO Comedy Festival takes place over four days in nine venues with 20 shows. The premiere festival hosts 40 professional headlining comedians from all over the world, each with varying comedic styles, which guarantees that there will be something for everyone. The show is open to adults 18 and older.
Get tickets to "Best of the Fest"
March 5 Wind Bands Concert to Feature Cuesta College Wind Ensemble
The Cal Poly Wind Bands Winter Concert will feature the Cuesta College Wind Ensemble at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5, in the Performing Arts Center. Titled “Bandemonium,” the concert will be presented by Cal Poly’s Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. The program will include Gustav Holst’s “Moorside Suite,” John Williams’ “Evening at Pops” and James Barnes’ “Yama Midori.” Russell Peck’s “Cave” will include staging choreographed Cal Poly Wind Ensemble students. The program will close with all three bands performing Richard Strauss’ “Feierlicher Einzug,” arranged by Cal Poly Director of Bands Emeritus William V. Johnson. The Cal Poly groups are directed by Christopher J. Woodruff and Nicholas P. Waldron, and Jennifer Martin directs the Cuesta Wind Ensemble. Tickets 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.
Get tickets to the winter concert
University Art Gallery to Exhibit ‘Somewhere Else’ Through March 10
University Art Gallery will present the photography of lecturer Chen Tianqiutao in an exhibit, “Somewhere Else,” through March 10 in the University Art Gallery, located on the ground floor of the Dexter Building (No. 34). “Somewhere Else” comprises three bodies of work interrogating thematic concepts surrounding social and cultural issues and human feelings and relationships. Tianqiutao’s work has been internationally exhibited, and his photobook “The Last Post” won the Lucie Photo Book Prize for the Independent Publishing Category and was shortlisted for the Images Vevey Book Award. Entry to the University Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
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 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 includes 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.