Campus Community Invited to Engage in Inclusive Learning in May
To commemorate Inclusive Excellence Month this May, the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion (OUDI) is thrilled to be promoting an array of incredible programs and events hosted by campus and community partners that advance diversity, equity and inclusion. Cal Poly believes that an excellent institution is an inclusive institution, and that all students, staff and faculty should feel valued, empowered and seen. This month is all about showcasing what inclusive excellence looks like and providing educational opportunities for all. May is jam-packed with events, including guest speakers, workshops and performances that highlight the many ways in which diversity enriches our community. The events this month are designed to cultivate a sense of belonging and activate inclusive learning. Submit an event for the digital calendar.
Find the full calendar of events
Brad Pulcipher to Lead Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities
The Office of the Dean of Students has announced that Brad Pulcipher assumed the role of director for the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities on May 1. In his 10 years serving in higher education, Pulcipher has played a key role in developing and implementing policies and programs that promoted student success and well-being. As the new director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Pulcipher will continue to ensure that the campus community upholds the highest standards of behavior and ethics. David Groom, senior associate dean of students, will continue with the Office of the Dean of Students in an expanded role. Groom will work closely with the dean of students to advance initiatives related to student success and well-being, while also providing strategic leadership to the department.
Celebrate President’s Diversity Award Winners on May 4
The entire community is invited to honor campus champions for diversity, equity and inclusion at this year’s President’s Diversity Awards ceremony, hosted by the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion. This year’s event will take place from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 4, at the Performing Arts Center lobby and plaza. Winners were selected from an open call for nominations and will be recognized in the categories of faculty, staff, student organization, campus department and Excellence in Inclusive Design, as well as the Dolores Huerta “Si Se Puede” Award for Transformational Leadership. Enjoy catering from local Black, Indigenous and people of color- (BIPOC)owned businesses and help us honor this year’s winners. For more information about the event and the award categories, visit the OUDI website.
RSVP for the President’s Diversity Awards
Kennedy Library Transformation Team to Host Town Hall May 15
On Monday, May 15, the Kennedy Library Transformation Team will host a panel featuring the design and build firms, Miller Hull and Hensel Phelps. This is an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and supporters to learn more about the upcoming Kennedy Library Transformation project before construction begins in summer 2023. During a Q&A portion, panelists will answer questions submitted prior to the event, as well as answer questions from those who attend. Other topics will include the project scope, summer quarter plans and temporary service and study locations. The town hall will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Advanced Technologies Lab (No. 7). Pizza and drinks will be provided to those who attend.
How to Access to Physical Collections During Kennedy Library Transformation
Kennedy Library understands the need for easy and ongoing access to items in physical collections for scholarly, creative and curricular use. To obtain materials from the library collection or to place materials on course reserve during the next two academic years, check them out of the library before the end of spring quarter 2023. They will be automatically renewed through the duration of the renovation. Most of Kennedy Library’s physical collections will be packed and securely held in dark storage during the renovation. A small portion — approximately 12,000 items — of the physical collection that is frequently used will be relocated and accessible in Crandall Gym, where visitors may browse collections and check out books. All physical collections in dark storage will be eligible for request and delivery through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). For more information, visit Library Services and Operations Updates.
Register for the 2023 Mustang Mile 5K Fun Run
The 11th Annual Mustang Mile 5K of fun is back on campus. Hosted by ASI Events in collaboration with the WITH US Center for Bystander Intervention, the popular 5K fun run returns on May 17 at 6:30 p.m., and will feature a costume contest and prizes. Gather a team and start planning costumes. Tickets are $15 per person or $40 for a group of four. Registration is required. The first 250 people to register will receive a limited-edition swag bag with the 2023 Mustang Mile T-shirt and more. Mustang Mile is held in honor of Cal Poly student Carson Starkey, who passed away in 2008 from alcohol poisoning.
Learn more about Mustang Mile and register
Change the Status Quo Keynote Event Rescheduled to May 22
Steven Canals’ visit — which was postponed from its rescheduled March 15 date due to speaker illness — will now be held at 6 p.m. Monday, May 22, in Chumash Auditorium. 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. Hosted by the Center for Service in Action, this 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.
Cal Poly Students Explore Belonging in CSU Competition
Four Cal Poly students were announced as winners of the inaugural Cal State CREATE, a CSUwide student event and competition that invited students to explore what it means to belong through the use of creative tools to create a unique, personal artifact to submit to the competition for prizes. The competition, organized by Cal State Innovate from the Office of the Chancellor in collaboration with Adobe and Apple, received over 50 entries from individuals and groups from 11 different campuses. Art and design major Anusha Sowda took second place for “How I Found Belonging At Cal Poly As A Queer Woman Of Color.” Three art and design students — Samuel Louie, Katie Tam, and Lyndsey Park — received third place for their entry, “Asian-American Artists United.” They tied for third place with an entry from a California State University, Dominguez Hills student. Cal State Innovate hopes to host the event again next spring.
Final Transfer Inclusivity Training of the Year Set for May 8
The Transfer Center is hosting the final Staff and Faculty Transfer Inclusion Training of the 2022-23 academic year from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, May 8 on Zoom. This virtual training is focused on learning about the transfer population at Cal Poly, sharing research on practices for creating transfer-inclusive environments and discussing ways to create a transfer-friendly culture. Check out the Supporting Transfer Students website for additional resources on creating a transfer-friendly website and a transfer-inclusive classroom. Email Heather Domonoske with questions at [email protected].
Trauma Healing for Educators of Color Offered May 17
As part of the Building Toward Equity Faculty Development Program, faculty of color at Cal Poly are invited to join a workshop titled “Trauma Healing for Educators of Color,” from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 17. This workshop aims to provide faculty of color with a space to acknowledge, process and begin to heal from traumatic experiences, especially experiences with racism, discrimination and other negative experiences resulting from the oppression of marginalized and intersecting identities. Activities for this workshop include an opportunity to discuss and process negative racialized academic experiences with similarly marginalized peers; and the use of evidence-based practices, including letter writing, breathing exercises and affirmations developed to heal from those experiences and become more efficacious and self-assured in an environment that often denigrates and invalidates BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) faculty.
Learn more about the workshop and register
Toastmasters Club Coming to Campus
The Toastmasters Club is coming to campus and is the perfect opportunity for employees to gain experience in public speaking. This new club is part of Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. Members of the Cal Poly Toastmasters Club will be part of a supportive and positive community that empowers its members to develop skills through a structured and interactive program. With Toastmasters, members learn to speak confidently, listen effectively and lead with impact — skills that are invaluable in both personal and professional life. The club plans to meet every Wednesday from 12:10 to 1:10 p.m. on campus, creating a space for members to network, connect and grow together. To learn more about the Cal Poly Toastmasters Club and how to join, contact Eumi Sprague ([email protected]), IT director emeritus and Toastmasters International division director with District 33.
Sign Up to Volunteer at Spring Commencement June 17 and 18
The Cal Poly Commencement team is seeking employee support to help celebrate graduates at the 2023 Spring Commencement on June 17-18. Sign up for a volunteer shift today, and help create a memorable spring celebration for graduates and their supporters. 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 for each shift completed. For additional details on faculty and staff shifts at Spring Commencement, go to the Employee Engagement Program page.
Sign up for spring commencement shifts
Nominations Open for 37th Annual Community Service Awards
The Center for Service in Action is hosting the 37th annual Cal Poly Community Service Awards, and nominations for this esteemed recognition are due by midnight Sunday, May 7. Awards for the categories of individual faculty, staff and student contributions, along with student organizations and community partner of the year, will be awarded during a ceremony on May 18. President Armstrong bestows the awards and recognizes recipients for their efforts. Learn more about the history of the awards, details on each category and a link to the nomination form. Questions? Email the Center for Service in Action at [email protected].
Safer to Host Action Planning and Trigger/Content Warnings Workshops
Safer invites faculty and staff to attend two important workshops on May 11 and 16. Both sessions will be held via Zoom. They include:
- Action Planning Workshop: Thursday, May 11, 10 a.m. to noon. This workshop is designed to help employees grow as leaders in gender and power-based violence prevention. Learn about the root causes of gender and power-based violence and explore risk and protective factors for sexual violence perpetration. Attendees will create individual plans to integrate violence prevention activities into their position on campus. Join the workshop via Zoom.
- Trigger/Content Warnings Workshop: Tuesday, May 16, 1-2 p.m. This workshop will discuss trigger warnings and their effectiveness versus their potential to cause harm. Participants will have the chance to examine the impact of putting these warnings on their materials and consider multiple perspectives. Attendees will look at recent research and feedback from students involved with the Safer program. Join the workshop via Zoom.
Disability Tapas Series Offered Every Thursday
The Disability Resource Center’s Disability Tapas presentation series provides snack-size information and interactive discussions on a variety of disability-related topics, The discussions occur on Thursdays at 11:10 a.m. via Zoom, unless otherwise specified. In spring quarter, the DRC is offering a variety of topics related to DRC services with some presentations geared toward faculty and others toward students. To register for upcoming Disability Tapas presentations on Zoom or view the recordings of past presentations, visit Disability Tapas.
Register for Disability Tapas presentations
Teacher-Scholar Mini-Grant Program Proposals Due May 30
The 2023-24 Teacher-Scholar Mini-Grant Program is now open. This program has been developed to support Cal Poly's institutional commitment to advancing discovery, integration, application and engagement in the context of teaching and learning. With support from the Office of the Provost, the Teacher-Scholar Mini-Grant Program expands internal funding to support all areas of teacher-scholar activities. All faculty unit employees are eligible to compete for funding, including lecturers, tenure-track, and tenured faculty. Proposals are due by 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, via the Cal Poly InfoReady system. A Teacher-Scholar Mini-Grant Program Information session will be held on Zoom at 1:10 p.m., Friday, May 5. Participants must be logged in with their Cal Poly credentials to join. Direct questions to [email protected].
Find more information and submission instructions
Applications Open for Faculty Sustainability Fellow
The Center for Teaching and Learning and Technology is accepting applications for a two-year Sustainability Faculty Fellow for upcoming academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25. The faculty fellow will help focus Cal Poly’s efforts to prepare students to pursue social justice, promote environmental responsibility and improve economic conditions in their workplaces and communities. This two-year pilot fellowship is open to instructors of all ranks with at least two years of Cal Poly service. For best consideration, applications should be received by Friday, May 12, and no later than Friday, May 19.
Visit the Sustainability in the Curriculum webpage to learn more and apply
Learning Café Offers Expanded Hours for Employee Use
The Learning Café, open to all faculty and staff to pursue learning opportunities, has expanded its hours to 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday by appointment. Located in Room 125 of the Administration Building (No. 1), the Learning Café is a quiet place to take advantage of online learning opportunities through the Cal Poly Learning Hub and LinkedIn Learning. The Learning Café serves as a personal study room with six individual computers available for online training as well as space for in-person activities. Staff and faculty can also create their own personal learning plan with the help of the Employee and Organization Development team. Watch a video to learn more about the space.
Youth Swim Lessons to be Offered at the Recreation Center
Learning to swim starts with ASI Aquatics’ youth swim lessons. ASI Recreational Sports offers small, tailored group lessons to the children aged 4 to 16 of Recreation Center members. Members can sign their child up for youth swim lessons to give them the opportunity to learn with participants of similar skill levels and be paired with instructors that best fit their abilities. There are still spaces available for lessons on May 6, 13, 20, and June 3. Lessons will take place on Saturday mornings at the Recreation Center Leisure Pool from either 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. or 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Free Upcoming Music Department Events
The Music Department has numerous free student presentations through the rest of the academic year. In addition to the following events, there will be several senior recitals. For a complete list with times and locations, visit the department’s calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
- May 2: All That Brass
- May 5: Guitar Ensemble Recital
- May 16: Instrumental Student Recital
- May 19: Spring Jazz Combos Hang
- May 23: Piano Student Recital
- May 25: Vocal Student Recital
- June 10: Clarinet Festival
Aditya Prakash Ensemble to Perform in the PAC Pavilion May 3
Cal Poly Arts presents vocalist Aditya Prakash at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, in the PAC Pavilion. Prakash is one of the foremost young virtuosos of Carnatic music, the traditional classical style of South India. Growing up in Los Angeles, Prakash was rooted in South Indian arts and culture through his immigrant family, yet at school, he found himself in a distinct minority. He has studied Carnatic voice with great dedication since childhood, but he kept that passion apart from the public persona he had for his friends. In 2010, Prakash founded the Aditya Prakash Ensemble. The roots of the ensemble’s unique collaboration began during the members’ ethnomusicology studies at UCLA, where horizons to cross-cultural musical interaction expanded vastly. The young, imaginative group of musicians, who while bridging seemingly disparate styles of music, create a boldly innovative and powerful mix of the deep-rooted tradition of Indian classical ragas, chants and rhythms with the modern sounds of brass band arrangement, jazz harmony and hip hop-infused rhythms. A 20% staff and faculty discount is available for this event.
Get tickets to the Aditya Prakash Ensemble
Darryl Taylor to Present Vocal Master Class, Seminar with Bill Banfield on May 4
Countertenor Darryl Taylor, a soloist, recording artist, professor, arts administrator and founder of the African American Art Song Alliance, will present a vocal masterclass and seminar on Thursday, May 4, in Room 218 of the Davidson Music Center. The master class will be at 11:10 a.m. and will feature performances by three music majors studying voice. The seminar will begin at 5:10 p.m. Taylor will be joined by another guest artist, Bill Banfield, who will be at Cal Poly for a residency co-sponsored by the Music and Ethnic Studies departments and the San Luis Obispo Symphony. Taylor will speak and answer questions about his extensive career. Students interested in careers in the arts, education, arts administration or African American repertoire are encouraged to attend and ask questions or observe. The presentations are free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Author, Professor Bradley Onishi to Speak on Christian Nationalism in America
Cal Poly welcomes University of San Francisco Professor Bradley Onishi to explore the rise of Christian nationalism in contemporary America from 3:30-5 p.m. Friday, May 5, in Philips Hall (No. 6) Room 124. Author of "Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism--and What Comes Next" and co-host of the popular podcast "Straight White American Jesus," Onishi draws from both his personal experience as a former evangelical Christian and his scholarly work to trace the origins of Christian nationalism — the belief among some that America is and should be fundamentally for white Christians — and speculate about its future. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact religious studies Professor Stephen Lloyd-Moffett at [email protected].
SLO Symphony Presents Season Finale on May 6
SLO Symphony presents Tchaikovsky’s Fourth in Miossi Hall at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Composer William Banfield’s work, commissioned in 2022 by Andrew Sewell and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, will receive its West Coast premiere with SLO Symphony saxophonist Anthony Yi. “Testimony of Tone, Tune and Time,” written for two narrators, saxophone, piano and strings is based upon the speeches of Frederick Douglass. The symphony welcomes this message of courage, hope and endurance. Hindemith’s “Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber” is a masterpiece for orchestra and one all musicians love to play. The symphony will conclude with Tchaikovsky’s stunning Symphony No. 4, a tour de force for “brass and a triumphant end to the season.
Get tickets to the SLO Symphony
May 7 Sing Along with ‘The Greatest Showman’ to Benefit PAC Outreach Services
Join in a special sing-along screening of the hit film “The Greatest Showman” at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7, in Miossi Hall. Starring Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron, the film tells the story of American showman P.T. Barnum as he creates a showcase of talent that eventually becomes the traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. This fun family event will feature lyrics on screen for all the songs. Costumes are encouraged, so come as a ringmaster, clown, animal, strong man or acrobat. Families are also encouraged to come early to enjoy some activities in the lobby before the film. All proceeds will benefit the PAC Outreach Services program, serving to create an accessible center for students throughout the Central Coast. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students and children.
Get tickets to benefit PAC Outreach Services
Campus Invited to Explore ‘Our Dusty Universe’ on May 11
A forum, “Exploring our Dusty Universe with JWST,” will take place from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 11, in the Advanced Technology Laboratories (No. 7). UC San Diego Associate Astronomy Professor Karin Sandstrom will describe the fascinating lives of interstellar dust grains from their formation in fiery supernova explosions to their incorporation into planets like Earth. The background of Sandstrom’s presentation is that dust is an important player in many processes happening in our galaxy and it is still very mysterious — most of the heavy elements that make up the Earth and everything on it, including humans, once resided in tiny grains of dust in interstellar space. Sandstrom will explain how properties of interstellar dust in our galaxy and others are being examined using new observations from the recently launched JWST space telescope. The event is sponsored by the Ross and Sue Benitez Space Exploration Endowment.
Theatre and Dance Department Presents ‘Somewhere, a Primer for the End of Days’
The Theatre and Dance Department’s spring main stage production, “Somewhere, a Primer for the End of Days,” will run 8 p.m. May 11-14 and 18-20 in Spanos Theatre, with a 2 p.m. showing on May 14. Survivors of years-long natural and humanitarian disasters find each other in the forests of the West Coast. Blood relations and found families rely on each other as they face new crises: a blight targeting tree roots, and the disappearance of insects. But Cassandra, an entomologist, and her brother Alexander, an engineer, find hope in the migration of Monarch butterflies to new nesting grounds. Is this our end? Or are we, like a butterfly, transforming?
OperaSLO to Bring Comedic Operetta to the PAC May 13-14
Opera San Luis Obispo will present a new rendition of Johann Strauss II’s comedic masterpiece, “Die Fledermaus,” at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 13-14, in Miossi Hall. The original “Die Fledermaus” was set in Vienna on New Year’s Eve in 1899; however, OperaSLO’s new production takes place at a 1970s-themed masquerade disco party in New York City. As the evening unfolds, the main character is pranked by his best friend through a hilarious series of events. Set to some of the most famous melodies and Viennese waltzes of all time and performed by a live orchestra, the production features an acclaimed cast of singers and dancers from around the country.
Get tickets to “Die Fledermaus”
Social Linguistics and Literacy Scholar to Speak on Global Accessibility Awareness Day May 18
Drawing from disability studies, his own cancer diagnosis, and his research on the writing and communication practices of a group of international STEM scholars, Suresh Canagarajah will present "Crip Writing: Communication Through a Disability and Decolonial Lens," from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, in the Advanced Technology Laboratories (No. 7), with a reception to follow. In his talk, Canagarajah, the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Applied Linguistics, English and Asian Studies at Penn State University, will demonstrate the importance of centering vulnerability and relational ethics in all effective communication. This event is held in conjunction with Global Accessibility Awareness Day and is sponsored by the Office of Writing and Learning, the College of Liberal Arts, the English and Political Science departments, and the Disability Faculty-Staff Association. The event is accessibly designed, featuring an ASL interpreter and CART real-time captioning. Attendees may contact John Lee ([email protected]) with questions about event accessibility or requests for disability-related accommodations.
Learn more about the event and Global Accessibility Awareness Day
CLA to Present Writers at Work Event on May 18 with Mary Ann McFadden and Dian Sousa
The campus community is invited to a free Writers at Work event hosted by the College of Liberal Arts and the English Department. An in-person reading with authors Mary Ann McFadden and Dian Sousa will be held at 7:10 p.m. Thursday, May 18, in the Baker Center for Science and Mathematics (No. 180), Room 102. McFadden is a seasoned writer with almost 50 years of experience. She is the author of two books of poetry, including “Eye of the Blackbird,” which won the Four Way Books Intro Prize in Poetry. A selection of her poems have been set to music by composer Gerald Busby and performed at Carnegie Hall. Sousa, a poet and activist, is the author of three books of poetry, including “The Marvels Recorded in My Private Closet” and “Lullabies for the Spooked and Cool.” Her work has appeared in numerous journals, including “The Prairie Schooner,” “American Poetry Journal” and “The Banyan Review.”
Cal Poly Wind Bands to Close Season with ‘Pines’ Concert on May 20
The Wind Bands Spring Concert will feature the Wind Ensemble and Wind Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20, in the Performing Arts Center. The Wind Orchestra will open the concert with Viet Cuong’s “Heart on Fire,” inspired by the pastoral poetry of Mary Oliver, winner of the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize. The group will also perform Yo Goto’s “Dancing in Rain” and Dello Joio’s “Variants on a Mediaeval Tune.” The Wind Ensemble will also perform one of Joio’s compositions, a rousing piece based on a string quartet by Franz Joseph Haydn, “Fantasies on a Theme by Haydn.” The concert will conclude with “Pines of Rome,” the expansive tone poem by Ottorino Respighi. It paints four distinct scenes set among the Italian pines in and around the capital city, ending with the ground-shaking return of the Roman army. Director of Bands Christopher J. Woodruff and Associate Director of Bands Nicholas P. Waldron will conduct the concert. 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.
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.