Cal Poly Awards Over $60,000 in Grants for Student Research Projects
Seventeen student research projects will be supported through the university’s Baker/Koob endowments, which help fund hands-on, project-based learning opportunities for individual students and groups. Student projects are focused on issues including STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education, agricultural sciences, climate change and its effects on local environments. Nikki Arm, a master’s student in mechanical engineering from Carlsbad, California, received funding from the endowments over the past two years to support her thesis project designing, building and testing a deep ocean vehicle lander. She began her work on the lander during a summer internship with Global Ocean Design. At the end of the internship, Arm was able to bring the lander to Cal Poly to continue her work on the project. Working with faculty members Andrew Davol of the Mechanical Engineering Department and Crow White of the Center for Coastal Marine Sciences, Arm set project goals in both fields.
Read the rest of the news release
Give Feedback in A&F Survey by March 24 and Enter to Win Prizes
Administration and Finance launched its annual customer satisfaction survey in February. The survey asks the campus community 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. Open to all faculty, staff and students, the Focus Forward survey will be open through March 24. 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 a 36-inch Blackstone Griddle, a Ninja DualBrew Pro coffee system, Beats Studio Wireless Buds, a Spike Ball Set or one of 30 local business gift cards. Get more information on the survey, prizes and a link to participate.
Change the Status Quo Keynote Event to be Postponed
Steven Canals’ visit, rescheduled to March 15, has been postponed due to speaker illness, and will be rescheduled to a date in May. Canals, an Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning co-creator, executive producer, director and writer of the FX drama series “Pose,” is the keynote speaker of the 21st annual Change the Status Quo Social Justice and Service Lecture Series. 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 Center for Service in Action hosts the annual event, which 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.
Learn more about change the status quo
Nominations for 2023 Sustainability Awards Open Through March 17
The Cal Poly Sustainability Awards is an opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations within the campus community who have shown a strong commitment to sustainability. Faculty, staff, students and campus organizations are eligible to receive the award. Individual recipients will receive $500, and the recognized campus organization will receive a $1,000 sponsorship. Nominators and candidates will be invited to an awards ceremony luncheon on April 21, attended by President Armstrong. The 2022 Award and honorable mention recipients are, from left to right, Fiona Reyes, Professor Jonathan Reich, Morgan Bing, Yiwen Chui, Hope Springer, Professor Erin Pearse and Lauren Londono.
Team Gets Global Recognition for Innovative Packaging Design
After setting out to design a sustainable package for produce, an interdisciplinary team of students looked to other packages for inspiration — including beer carriers. “Once we decided on a product, we started the process of creating prototypes and built about 10 to 15 completely different ideas before we found the right structure,” said Heather Lopez, an industrial technology and packaging (ITP) student on the team. “We drew inspiration from beverage carriers and lunch boxes for the structure, citrus slices and fruit bowls for the shape, and natural and geometric designs for the aesthetics.” The final design impressed both national and global judges as the team’s Froot carrier won second place in two different prestigious competitions. The project was especially timely in California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law in June 2022 requiring all packaging in the state to be recyclable or compostable by 2032.
Read more about the competitions
Finance Students Advance in Research Challenge
A team of Cal Poly finance students, after spending months on an intensive research project, won the first place in a Northern California competition, advancing to sub-regional competitions. The multistage, CFA Investment Research Challenge includes over 6,400 students from 1,000 universities in 90 countries. While performing an in-depth analysis of a single company, students are tested on their analytical skills, valuation modeling, report writing and presentation skills. If the Cal Poly team of five students — Jivitesh Kamboj, Brenden Rogers, Samantha Gottlieb, Athénaïs Mortier and Benjamin Roe — continues to succeed, they will advance to the regional and global competitions. Best of all, the project has provided experiential learning that mirrors real-world work and has offered a detailed glimpse into their future.
Get a glimpse of the team’s work leading up to their deadline
First-Year Success Program Coaches Needed for Spring Quarter
The First-Year Success Program (FSP) is looking for faculty, staff and graduate students from across campus who want to serve as academic coaches for first-time first-year students who are on academic probation. FSP coaches will support a small group of students 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 session on March 24 to discuss the details of the program and provide materials. FSP is looking for diverse members from our community who represent all areas of Cal Poly. All levels of experience and background are welcome. Questions? Email FSP.
Sign up or express interest by March 22
Submit Nominations by April 10 for Provost’s Leadership Award for Partnership in Philanthropy
Nominations are being accepted for the Provost’s Leadership Award for Partnership in Philanthropy. This award celebrates visionary leaders who have forged critical partnerships to advance the mission of Cal Poly. Nominees may be current or former faculty member who have been instrumental in comprehensive development and fundraising efforts. The award recipient will be recognized at Fall Convocation. Faculty and staff are encouraged to submit nominations, which are due by Monday, April 10. The nomination form is available on the Office of the Provost website. Direct any questions to [email protected].
Sign Up by March 22 to Volunteer for CP Thrift
Volunteers are needed June 12-22 to collect, sort and clean donations for two pop-up CP Thrift stores open to the campus community during Mustang Move-in in September. Items will be collected from residents of University Housing as they move out of campus residence halls and apartments at the end of spring quarter in June. To volunteer, sign up by Wednesday, March 22. CP Thrift is a popular place for students, faculty and staff to shop for gently used household items and décor, in exchange for a donation. Located near campus housing, the shops are stocked with clean and ready-to-use items — dishes, cookware, utensils, mirrors, fans, shoe racks, picture frames, plants and more. By preventing the disposal of items used for just nine months, Cal Poly keeps more than 6,000 pounds of waste out of our local landfill every year. Proceeds support campus sustainability efforts. For more information, contact Suzanne Aguirre at [email protected] or ext. 6-9323.
Sign up to volunteer for CP Thrift
Spring Quarter Parking Permits On Sale March 27
Spring quarter staff/faculty parking permits go on sale Monday, March 27. Find a parking permit option that best fits your commute by using your parking account. Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual parking permits are available online for purchase at your union rate. Permits sold in parking lots at pay stations, parking meters or by ParkMobile do not offer staff rates. Spring quarter permits are valid April 3 to June 16. Winter quarter parking permits will expire April 2. Purchase permits online and update your vehicle information using your parking account.
Learn more about staff parking
Campus Network Outage Set for March 29
During spring break, ITS will perform maintenance on the data center firewall to improve security and network reliability. All services requiring login (portal, Canvas, wired and wireless network, etc.) will be unavailable from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, while this work is being performed. Anyone with questions before or after the maintenance period can contact the Help Desk at [email protected] or ext. 6-7000.
CET Seed Grant Program Accepting Applications
The Center for Expressive Technologies (CET) Seed Grant Program is open to faculty and staff from all departments until Friday, April 28. 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 the 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. Have questions or need help finding a collaborator? Email CET Interim Director Martine Lappé.
Find more information on the grant program
Faculty Advisor Training Series Offered in Spring
University Advising is offering a Faculty Advisor Training Series that introduces undergraduate faculty advisors to academic advising core competencies. Register using the links below:
- FA 101: Nuts and Bolts of Faculty Advising: April 14.
- FA 102: Assemble Your Faculty Advising Toolkit: to be offered in fall quarter.
- FA 103: Building Student Success through Faculty Advising: to be offered in fall quarter.
Questions? Contact Advisor Training Coordinator Christina Wolfe-Chandler at [email protected].
Learn more about the Faculty Advisor Training series
New Spring Book and Learning Circles for Employees
Employee and Organization Development has announced the spring Book and Learning Circles, in which participants can engage in enriching conversations and connect with peers across campus. Book Circles involve reading a book over the course of three to four sessions. The books are:
- “Mastering Community: The Surprising Ways Coming Together Moves Us From Surviving to Thriving” by Christine Porath.
- “The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown” by Nathan Furr and Susannah Harmon Furr.
- “Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do” by Claude M. Steele.
- “The Art of Frugal Hedonism: A Guide to Spending Less While Enjoying Everything More” by Annie Raser-Rowland and Adam Grubb.
Learning Circles involve watching a video, listening to a podcast or reading an article and participating in a discussion during a single session. They include:
- “Implicit Bias, Stereotype Threat, and Higher Education” by Russell McClain.
- “How to Write Less but Say More” by Jim VandeHei.
- “Three Rules for Better Work-Life Balance” by Ashley Whillans.
View descriptions and register
University Personnel Offers Well-Being Workshops in March and April
University Personnel has worked with Cal Poly’s employee assistance program, LifeMatters, to offer upcoming synchronous well-being workshops. They include:
- Assertive Communication: Improve your understanding of effective communication styles.
March 28 at 11 a.m. Join Jessica Coats to learn about four styles of interpersonal behavior, assertive versus aggressive communication, self-esteem, addressing conflict, setting boundaries and tips for effective workplace communication. Register for the Assertive Communication workshop. - Personal Resilience: Learn how engagement and energy management relate to personal resilience.
April 20 at 10 a.m. Concepts covered will challenge long-held beliefs and habits about maintaining work/life balance. Principles of energy management, understanding engagement and developing energy rituals will be discussed in this session. Register for the Personal Resilience workshop.
Contact Lisa Gray at [email protected] for more information on well-being workshops.
Learn About Nutrition and Food Security During National Nutrition Month
In honor of National Nutrition Month, University Personnel — Employee Wellbeing is sharing information about nutrition on a budget with employees. The average price of food in the United States has increased 10.1% over the last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, buying food on a budget can go hand in hand with eating nutritious meals. To eat well on a budget, the Academy of Food Science and Nutrition suggests that people plan meals according to sales and include fresh produce, lean proteins and low-fat dairy. Whole grains and dried beans are inexpensive and provide nutritious sustenance. Additionally, Cal Poly employees have access to fresh, nutritious foods through the Cal Poly Food Pantry on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo, one in five county residents experience food insecurity. If you or someone you know is food insecure, there are resources available, including SLO Food Bank and Cal Fresh. For additional budget-friendly tips, review Shop Healthy on a Budget. Contact Lisa Gray for more information.
Learn more about the Cal Poly Food Pantry
Explore the Surprising Science of High-Performing Teams in March 28 Webcast
All employees are invited to participate in another edition of the CSU’s Got Talent series from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 28. Award-winning thought-leader, speaker and best-selling author David Burkus will present a webcast titled “Best Team Ever: The Surprising Science of High-Performing Teams.” In this webinar, Burkus argues that talent doesn’t make the team — the team makes the talent. Drawing on decades of research and diverse case studies, Burkus reveals what some of the most effective teams in the world do differently, and how you can start doing the same on your team.
Cal Poly Symphony to Feature Student Soloists at March 17 Concert
The Symphony’s Winter Concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, in the Performing Arts Center. Student winners of the symphony’s Solo Competition will be featured, including bassoonist Davis Lerner performing the third movement of W.A. Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto in B-flat major, K. 191; violinist Reenu Kutty playing the first movement of Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26; and saxophonist Ari Maman performing the first three movements of Paul Maurice’s “Tableaux de Provence.” Sarah Jane Scott, soprano, will sing “Laudate Dominum” from Mozart’s “Vesperae solennes de confessore,” K. 339. The orchestra will perform “Chronicles” by student composer Yumin Park, and assistant conductor Jayden Perez will conduct John Williams’ “Theme from Jurassic Park.” In addition, the symphony will perform music by Joe Hisaishi from four Studio Ghibli films: “Howl’s Moving Castle,” “Spirited Away,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service” and “My Neighbor Totoro.” 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 Symphony's winter concert
Arab Music Ensemble Concert to Feature Greek, Syrian and Egyptian Music on March 18
The Arab Music Ensemble will hold its Winter Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, in Spanos Theatre. Fathi Aljarrah, a critically acclaimed composer, singer and violinist who hails from Syria will be a guest artist; as will Ishmael, an Assyrian American qanun (trapezoidal zither) virtuoso. The program will feature several selections of classic Greek songs by composers, including Markos Vamvakaris, Thanasis Papakonstantinou and Yiannis Stamoulis. Original compositions by Aljarrah and a famous instrumental piece by the iconic Egyptian composer Mohamed Abdel Wahab will also be on the program. The Arab Music Ensemble is an orchestra and choir with vocal and instrumental soloists. San Luis Obispo dance director Jenna Mitchell will lead a dance troupe in the performance of original choreography that dialogues with the music. Music Professor Ken Habib will direct the event. 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 Arab Music Ensemble concert
Catapult Shadow Dance Co. Comes to the PAC on March 19
An “America’s Got Talent” finalist from Season 8, Catapult features incredible dancers who work behind a screen to create shadow silhouettes of shapes from the world around us. The production will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 19, in Harold Miossi Hall. With the arc of an arm, the point of a toe or the twist of a torso, Catapult’s dancers stretch their bodies, telling stories with humor and pathos by transforming magically from one shape to another. Animated by the dancers’ shadows, every cinematic scene is a kaleidoscope of colorful storytelling. Catapult is a great show for the whole family — full of laughs, emotions and miraculous transformations. A 20% staff and faculty discount is available.
Two Cal Poly Choirs to Present Concert on March 19
Cantabile and the University Singers will present a concert titled “Contemporary” at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 19, in the San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church. It will be a preview of Cantabile’s upcoming performance in New York City’s Lincoln Center. Cantabile will give the premiere performance of “While I Breathe, I Hope” by Jocelyn Hagen who will present a pre-concert Q&A. “I Pastured My Wolves” by music Professor Meredith Brammeier will also be premiered by Cantabile. Brammeier will accompany the group on piano and will join Cantabile on stage at Lincoln Center. The University Singers will perform modern compositions with texts by female poets Sara Teasdale, Christina Rossetti and Maya Angelou. The group will also perform works by California composer Ruth Morris Gray, Domanick Diorio and Rollo Dilworth. The pre-concert Q&A with Hagen will be at 2 p.m. and is included in the ticket price. 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.
Shen Yun returns to the PAC March 25-26
Shen Yun will take attendees on a journey through China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, and 1 p.m. Sunday, March 26, in Harold Miossi Hall. Exquisite beauty from the heavens, profound wisdom from dynasties past, timeless legends and ethnic traditions all spring to life through classical Chinese dance, enchanting live orchestral music, authentic costumes, and patented interactive backdrops. Revisit a time when scholars and artists sought harmony with the Tao, or the “Way” of the universe, and when divine beings walked upon the Earth to inspire humanity.
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 [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.
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.