Support Mustang Move-in During September
University Housing wants you! Volunteers are needed to welcome more than 8,800 Mustangs to their campus homes in September. Sign up for a shift today! Volunteers greet student residents and their supporters with a smile as well as direct traffic, support check-in functions, collect green moving bins and more. New first-year and transfer students will move in Thursday-Friday, Sept. 14-15. Continuing students move in Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 18-19. Volunteers receive a $50 gift card to the University Store for each shift worked. Volunteers find that welcoming new students as they begin their journey at Cal Poly to be a welcoming experience. For more information, email [email protected].
Sign up to Volunteer for Move-in
Universitywide Staff Appreciation Barbecue and Football Game Planned for Sept. 16
In appreciation of Cal Poly employees’ contributions, staff is invited to the fun-filled annual universitywide Staff Appreciation Barbecue and Football Game on Saturday, Sept. 16 — the Mustangs’ final nonconference contest before Big Sky competition starts. Enjoy a barbecue and ice cream from 2:30-5 p.m. on O’Neill Green followed by the 5:05 p.m. kickoff of the Mustangs-Lincoln University gridiron game at Mustang Memorial Field! Each staff member will receive an email invitation with a link for up to four complimentary tickets; additional tickets may be purchased. Free tickets are available through Friday, Sept. 1.
ITS Campus Network Maintenance — and Outages — Set for Aug. 21 to Sept. 1
ITS will perform campus network upgrades from Aug. 21 to Sept. 1 to improve speed, security and network reliability as part of the CSU Common Network Initiative. The CNI program will upgrade all core networking on campus, which is how campus buildings connect to each other, the data center and the internet. The work will temporarily interrupt services. From 4-8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21, and Tuesday, Aug. 22, all campus Wi-Fi, internet access and telephone services will be down intermittently, as well as campus services requiring the network. The residential network and internet provided though University Housing will not be affected. ITS doesn't anticipate additional outages during these two weeks. Anyone with questions prior to this maintenance period, or those who experience network issues outside of the published outage windows, should contact the ITS Help Desk at [email protected] or ext. 6-7000.
Vote for Cal Poly for CSU Photo of the Year!
Voting is open for the CSU’s annual Photo of the Year competition, and Cal Poly has an eye-popping entry. University Photographer Joe Johnston’s shot of third-year biology student and field botany teaching assistant Caitlin Robertson amid a sea of yellow during the spring super bloom at the Carrizo Plain National Monument illustrates Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing education in a unique local setting. Votes are due by Friday, Aug. 18.
See all 23 campus entries and vote for Cal Poly’s photo online
Distribution Services Really Delivers and Earns National Award
Distribution Services was honored in July with the Mail Center of the Year Award, and team member Mark Reyes received the Outstanding Staff Member Award from the National Association of College and University Mail Services, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving the interests of college and university mailers. The honor acknowledges outstanding contributions to campus and the industry. The team implemented several programs to increase efficiency and enhance customer experiences with the Summer Storage and Fall ship-to-room programs. Moreover, the department was recognized for employee engagement and technology improvements: Luxer One package lockers for automated package acceptance; fleet enhancements; and iPhone package scanners. Reyes, who has been a Cal Poly employee since 2008, was singled out for supporting the Cal Poly Food Pantry. Four days a week, he volunteers to pick up donations from local grocery stores for the pantry. In his first three months, Reyes delivered more than 4 tons to the food pantry that serves as a resource for students experiencing food insecurity or instability.
Honorary Degree Nominations Open for 2024
Nominations are open for honorary degrees to be awarded by the CSU and Cal Poly in 2024. These degrees recognize achievements in all parts of the world. The process is confidential, including informing an individual that they have been nominated. Nominees must demonstrate high moral character and be distinguished in their respected fields, and the expertise and gravitas of the individual must be widely recognized. They must have demonstrated intellectual and humane values consistent with the ideals of the CSU and the aims of higher education and with the highest ideals of their chosen fields. Service or benefaction to the university do not alone justify the awarding of an honorary degree. Cal Poly’s honorary degree process is available online. Send nominations, including name and a brief biography highlighting the reasons for consideration, to Vice President for Student Affairs Keith Humphrey at [email protected] by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29.
Read the CSU policy for honorary degrees
Host an Event During Mustang Family Weekend Oct. 20-22
Parent and Family Programs will host Mustang Family Weekend Oct. 20-22 and invites colleges, departments and programs to participate. During the weekend, about 2,000 parents, supporters, families and friends will attend college and department events, interactive tours, athletic events, cultural programming and live performances. Hosting an event is a great opportunity for families to meet college leadership, tour a special facility, listen to a compelling lecture, attend a reception, witness a unique demonstration and deepen their connection to Cal Poly. To sign up, complete the Mustang Family Weekend Intent to Participate form by Friday, Sept. 8. All event details will be published on the Mustang Family Weekend schedule. For more information, contact Parent and Family Programs at ext. 6-6799 or [email protected].
Sign Up Today to Host an Event
Cal Poly Hosts CSU Emergency Management Meeting
Cal Poly’s Department of Emergency Management (DEM) welcomed colleagues from across the CSU in July for the 2023 CSU Emergency Management Meeting. The annual meeting included presentations and timely discussions on cybersecurity, recovery planning, systemwide emergency management, satellite technologies and Rave Mobile Safety — the technology behind PolyAlert and the campus safety app. Cal Poly was one of three campuses chosen to host the California Emergency Response Corps program. DEM was allocated four full-time externship positions that come with monthly stipends, a $10,000 Education Award upon completion of 1,700-hour contracts and student loan forbearance. This program will start in September, and interested parties should reach out to Dave Lee at [email protected]. DEM continues its mission to inspire emergency management programs, build response capabilities and capacities, and encourage all community members to prepare for disasters.
Learn More About the Threats and Hazards to Prepare for
Local Connections Helps Support Out-of-State Students
Faculty and staff are invited to become local guides to out-of-state students this year through the Cal Poly Local Connections program. Local Connections aims to support out-of-state students and foster a sense of community in their new home away from home. It offers Mustangs the chance to find and form lasting support systems throughout their Cal Poly journey, providing opportunities to meet, connect and build long-lasting friendships with faculty, staff, local community members and fellow out-of-state students. Join today as a local guide to connect with a current out-of-state student and offer support, guidance, friendship and recommendations. It can be as easy as meeting on campus once a quarter over a cup of coffee.
LEARN MORE AND APPLY TODAY
Study Analyzes Nearshore California Marine Heat Waves and Cold Spells Amid Changing Climate Conditions
Student and faculty researchers, in conjunction with a team on the East Coast, are exploring how climate change is impacting extreme ocean temperatures off California’s Central Coast. Together with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point, the graduate school in marine science for the College of William & Mary, the first-ever study looks at drivers of both marine heat waves and cold spells in the shallow waters along the California coast. The study is drawing national media interest since its release. The work is investigating conditions that lead to extreme water temperatures. Spikes in warm waters, known as marine heat waves, can be exacerbated by rising global temperatures. On the opposite extreme are prolonged periods of cold waters, known as marine cold spells. In California, varying upwelling patterns significantly influence these coastal water temperature extremes.The findings were published July 31, in a Nature Scientific Reports article titled “Effects of basin-scale climate modes and upwelling on nearshore marine heatwaves and cold spells in the California Current."
Read More About the First-of-its-Kind Study
Student-Athletes Also Shine in the Classroom
Mustang NCAA team members are some of the best all-around student-athletes in the annual academic summary report. For the spring quarter, 49 student-athletes had a grade point average of 4.0, and 66 percent of all Mustang student-athletes had GPAs above 3.0. The average spring quarter GPA was 3.2, with 152 athletes (30 percent) making the Dean's List that recognizes undergraduates who have completed 12 or more letter-graded units with at least a 3.5 GPA. Of Cal Poly's 512 student-athletes, 330 had spring quarter GPAs of at least 3.0. Women's golf, which won its third straight Big West title in 2023, had the highest team GPA for the spring quarter with a 3.66. Men's cross country, Big West champions in 2022, with a team average 3.47, sported the highest men's team GPA for the spring quarter. Moreover, the men's cross country team had 14 athletes with a GPA of at least 3.5 while the women's golf team had three players with a GPA of over 3.5. Overall, 16 teams had combined average GPA's of above a 3.0. All of those student-athletes combine to represent 53 academic programs of study, including 11 graduate programs.
Computer Science Professor Honored with Engineering Division Mentor Award
Computer Science faculty member Theresa Migler received an Engineering Division Mentor Award for fostering enriching research-based relationships with undergraduate students. The Council of Undergraduate Research twice a year honors outstanding engineering faculty members whose work as mentors has impacted undergraduate research. Migler advises groups of undergraduates on their research goals, with topics ranging from health trends in social networks to interpersonal trends during the COVID-19 pandemic. The assistant professor has roots at Cal Poly, graduating with a bachelor’s in mathematics and a minor in philosophy in 2004 followed by her master’s in mathematics in 2006.
Aerospace engineering Professor Faysal Kolkailah passed away July 4. He was a passionate educator and engaging storyteller who inspired children, students and community members through his captivating teaching style and as a mentor. After arriving at Cal Poly in 1984, he created and taught nine graduate and undergraduate aerospace laboratories: composite analysis and design; structure analysis; structural dynamics; fatigue and fracture mechanics; aerospace engineering; numerical analysis; experimental analysis; and aeroelasticity. These served all aircraft and spacecraft structure courses. He founded and developed a joint postdoctoral and doctoral research program with four Egyptian universities. Kolkailah was an advisor on over 100 master’s degree theses. He cofounded the local Muslim community in the mid-1980s and spearheaded numerous faith-based and interfaith initiatives. He delivered memorable Friday sermons at the local mosque and served as an advisor to the Cal Poly Muslim Student Association for many years.
Read More About Dr. Faysal Kolkailah's Impact
Library Parking Lot Event to Feature Free Furniture and Computer Giveaway on Aug. 30
Faculty and staff can join the Kennedy Library Transformation team from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30 for the first of a series of pop-up free furniture events in parking lot C-7, near the library. The surplus library items include office furniture, printers and computer equipment. These giveaways are being held in partnership with Cal Poly Green Campus and JackRabbit, an eCommerce startup founded by Cal Poly alumni, to reduce landfill waste in support of campus sustainability and conservation. Three more dates, open to students, faculty and staff, will be held in September and October. The dates will be announced closer to the events.
Campus Joins CSU Program to Mentor Future Faculty
Cal Poly will participate in the CSU’s Pre-Professor Program next year. PREPP will introduce Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program Fellows to faculty careers at the CSU. PREPP Fellows pair with a faculty mentor on a CSU campus, where they will focus on teaching, curriculum and mentoring students to understand faculty roles at a master’s-level institution. Mentors connect with up to three fellows annually and receive eight weighted teaching units (WTUs) of assigned time. Each participating campus has a program liaison and a faculty mentor. Cal Poly’s inaugural liaison is Julie Garcia, professor of psychology and child development and faculty director of program improvement. Faculty can learn more by contacting Garcia at [email protected].
National Wellness Month Offers Nutritional Opportunity
University Personnel and CAFES' Food Science and Nutrition Department remind the campus that August is National Wellness Month, an opportunity to focus on self-care, manage stress and promote daily health routines. Nutrition is key to supporting wellness. Proper nutrition builds stronger immune systems and lowers the risk of cognitive decline, diabetes and other diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a typical American consumes 22 teaspoons (nearly a half-cup) of sugar each day, much of it in added sugars. The CDC recommends adding fruit to water instead of consuming sugary drinks and offers tips on healthy eating. Local farmers' markets provide access to fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. Additionally, Cal Poly employees have access to the Cal Poly Food Pantry from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Friday. Consider a new routine to improve your nutrition this month!
Take Advantage of Professional Development Courses in September
Employee and Organization Development announced a robust selection of September professional development offerings to kick off the fall quarter of the Cross Campus Collaboration series — virtual workshops offered by Cal Poly and other CSU campuses. These unique professional development opportunities extend learning beyond campus borders in a convenient way for participants. New courses and dates have been added for September. View and register using the links below. Registration is open on a first-come basis, so don’t delay.
Week of September 4th
- Sept. 6, 9 a.m.-noon: Managing Conflict and Confrontation at Work
- Sept. 7, 1:30-3 p.m.: Fueling for Success
Week of September 11th
- Sept. 12, 11 a.m.-noon: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity 101
- Sept. 12, noon-1 p.m.: Ableism 101
- Sept. 13, 10-11 a.m.: Excel Tips and Tricks
- Sept. 14, 2-3 p.m.: Onboarding and Offboarding Employees — Keys to Continuity
- Sept. 15, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Facilitating Challenging Conversations: Preparing Yourself
Week of September 18
- Sept. 19, 10-11 a.m.: Gender Identity and Pronoun Use
- Sept. 20, 10-11:30 a.m.: How Every CSU Employee Can Become a Customer Advocate
Week of September 25th
This is a partial list of classes on the learnandgrow.calpoly.edu website.
See the full list upcoming Cross Campus Collaboration Sessions in September
University Personnel to Offer August-September Well-being Workshops
University Personnel and Employee Wellbeing has worked with Cal Poly’s Employee Assistance Program, LifeMatters, to offer synchronous well-being workshops through September. Register through the CSU website. Workshops include:
- Creating a Healthy Mind: Addressing Burnout. Burnout leaves people exhausted, detached from their work and inefficient in all areas of their lives. Individuals can foster burnout recovery by creating a healthy mindset, increasing flexibility and adapting to stress. Learn to create mindful habits, build resilience through managing energy and increase emotional intelligence through self-awareness, self-management and empathy. Thursday, Aug. 17 at 2 p.m.
- Co-Worker Communication. Effective communication is essential to building and maintaining relationships and central to skillfully addressing and resolving disagreements and conflict in the workplace. Join this session to understand and learn about conflict and resolution, tips for eliminating defensive behavior, active listening and problem-solving skills. Thursday, Sept. 21, at 10 a.m.
Contact Lisa Gray, [email protected], for more information on the workshops.
The Student Center Upgrade is Live
The PeopleSoft Student Center is upgraded and features a mobile-friendly interface, intuitive navigation and convenient access to enrollment, financial and academic progress resources. The Office of the Registrar website has been updated with tutorials and instructions to familiarize students with the new look. Faculty and staff can view the upgraded platform via their Faculty and Advisor Centers. Those with access to Advisor Center can also consult the Advisor Center User Guide for more information.
Fall Quarter Book and Learning Circles for Employees
Employee and Organization Development announces its fall quarter Book and Learning Circles.
Book Circles
Read and discuss over three to four sessions
- “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
- “Inclusion on Purpose” by Ruchika Tulshyan
- “Atomic Habits” by James Clear
Learning Circles
Watch a video or other media and discuss during a single session
- “Original Thinkers” by Adam Grant
- “Belonging, A Critical Piece of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” by Carin Taylor
- “Intersectionality at Work” by Michelle Gadsden-Williams
To view book descriptions and register, visit the Book and Learning Circles webpage at the learnandgrow.calpoly.edu website.
CSU’s Got Talent Sept. 26 Webcast: Psychological Safety is Key to a Collaborative and Healthy Hybrid Workplace
The CSU’s Got Talent series begins the school year with a discussion of the importance of psychological safety for ethical decision-making — and how the lack of it in an organization can lead to disaster. The Sept. 26 Zoom workshop will feature Garth Sheriff, founder of Sheriff Consulting, which specializes in professional and leadership skill courses for CPAs and finance professionals. The hourlong webcast will start at 10 a.m. PDT. Register and attend this free webcast using this link: https://calstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtfu-rqjIqHNXw_33DUX03BtJBkrt-aXZd. Research shows that organizations and teams with higher psychological safety are more productive, creative and happier. Moreover, they make better and more ethical decisions. The webcast will examine current research to better understand psychological safety for organizations and teams and introduce ways to assess and improve psychological safety for participants. Those who attend can watch a replay on the Learning Hub.
Register and Attend the Webcast at 10 a.m. on Sept. 26
Summer Statistical Consulting Available to Campus by Appointment
Emily Robinson, an assistant professor in statistics, will provide statistical consulting to the campus — facilitating research design and data analysis in a wide variety of disciplines — by appointment through Sept. 1. Robinson can advise on data collection, experimental design and analysis of research projects. In addition, she can lead seminars or tutorials on requested topics and offer advice on various computer packages available at Cal Poly. Faculty, staff and students interested in these services are invited to visit the Statistics Department website for additional information. To schedule a consultation, email [email protected].
Music Department Sounds a Triumphant 2023-24 Events Season
The Music Department’s upcoming season will feature numerous student and faculty performers as well as guest artists. This first event is Oct. 20, a Faculty Showcase Recital, followed Nov. 9 by Cal Poly Bandfest that will include guest ensemble Boston Brass, a one-of-a-kind musical experience. Additional fall events include:
- Nov. 14: Instrumental Student Recital
- Nov. 16: Vocal Student Recital
- Nov. 17: Fall Jazz Concert
- Nov. 30: Piano Student Recital
- Dec. 1: Choirs' Holiday Kaleidoscope
- Dec. 2: Arab Music Ensemble Fall Concert
- Dec. 3: Symphony Fall Concert
See the entire 2023-24 season on the Music Department’s calendar website. For more information, email the department at [email protected] or call ext. 6-2406. Tickets are on sale at the Cal Poly Ticket Office. To order by phone, call ext. 6-4849. Cal Poly faculty and staff receive a 20% discount on individual tickets.
Learn more about the fall student performances
Cal Poly Arts 2023-24 Season Packed With Artists Around the Globe
The upcoming Cal Poly Arts season promises to be one of most dynamic yet, featuring four award-winning Broadway shows and performances by such artists as David Sedaris, Herb Alpert, Taj Mahal and Bruce Hornsby. And in keeping with tradition, there’s an exclusive 20% discount on tickets to all Cal Poly faculty and staff. To use the 20% discount, contact the Cal Poly Ticket Office or use this direct link.
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.