Cal Poly Corporation to Change Name to Cal Poly Partners
Beginning Feb. 12, Cal Poly Corporation will be known as Cal Poly Partners, a rebrand after more than 80 years of proud service as the most impactful Cal Poly partner, helping the campus to grow and evolve from college to university, enabling faculty research and supporting Learn by Doing. A virtual information Zoom session will be held Wednesday, Feb. 7, from noon to 1 p.m to discuss more about this change. The announcement follows years of extensive research with feedback from students, faculty, staff and the broader community. The name change will help increase awareness and advocacy for Cal Poly Partners and its purpose as the university’s preeminent nonprofit partner. It will also introduce the potential for expanded cross-campus and community partnerships and increase opportunities for positive student impact. As it has since the 1940s, Cal Poly Partners will continue its purpose to inspire, empower and push boundaries so that students, faculty and staff thrive and forge partnerships that shape the future and build a brighter tomorrow for Cal Poly and its community.
Join the virtual info session at noon on Feb. 7
16 HSI Mini-Grant Awardees Announced
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has announced that 16 projects were approved to receive $500 to $5,000 under the Hispanic-Serving Institution High-Impact Mini-Grant Program. The inaugural group of grants were awarded to individuals, organizations and departments from across the university for projects and programs that demonstrate a strong potential to holistically impact the campus’s Latinx/e community. The program was announced last October to support initiatives that advance goals of “servingness” in Cal Poly’s efforts toward becoming an HSI, with an Hispanic student population of 25 percent. The current campus demographics include 23 percent of students who identify as Hispanic. Faculty, staff and students were eligible to apply for grants in the categories of educational initiatives, cultural and community engagement, and research and innovation. The selection committee, comprising representatives from the HSI Implementation Task Force, reviewed 39 grant applications seeking $130,000 in funding requests.
Learn more about the impactful projects
Kennedy Library Transformation Team Shares Results from Fall Survey
The Kennedy Library Transformation team has revealed results of a fall campus survey seeking feedback and insights on temporary study locations and library service points during the library’s renovation. Over 1,100 campus community members provided input on what is important to library users. The results will be used by the library to provide improved services, hours and opportunities. Nearly two in three users live off campus, results said. Over 330 respondents said the top temporary study space was the second floor of the UU. The largest percentage — 43 percent — said they used the facilities for one to two hours, while just 4 percent spent five hours or more studying. One of every two students used the facilities between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Fresh Tracks Features First-Generation Students’ Experiences on Feb. 8
The third annual Fresh Tracks: First Generation Panel + Discussion will be held Thursday, Feb. 8, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Experience Innovation Lab in the Frost Center for Research and Innovation (No. 181) in Room 205. The event will feature several first-generation College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) students sharing personal stories of navigating the college experience, offering advice and answering questions about how to make the college experience more inclusive. All faculty and staff are welcome. The event was organized by the CAFES Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
CSU’s Got Talent Webcast: Al Tools, Ethics and Challenges; Watch Live on Feb 13
The CSU’s Got Talent webcast for Tuesday, Feb. 13, will feature Janette Ducut, UC Riverside’s director of Training and Education, presenting “Al Tools, Ethics and Challenges” live from 10 to 11 a.m. This session will introduce free tools to assist in work duties. Ducut will discuss how to help write, code, solve problems, translate into different languages and more using simple AI prompts. She will also discuss the ethical challenges posed by technology. Register and attend this and other free CSU webcasts. Can’t make it? View previous CSU’s Got Talent recordings on Cal Poly's Learning Hub. Employee and Organization Development is offering the live webcast.
Tune in to the Live Feb. 13 webcast at 10 a.m.
Presidential Inaugural Poet to Headline 22nd Annual Change the Status Quo Lecture Series
Award-winning poet Richard Blanco will read from his works and deliver a moderated discussion at the 22nd annual Change the Status Quo Social Justice and Service Lecture Series at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, in Chumash Auditorium. Selected by President Barack Obama in January 2013 as only the fifth presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history, Blanco’s personal negotiation of cultural identity and the universal themes of place and belonging characterize his many collections of poetry. His work asks such universal questions as: Where am I from? Where do I belong? Who am I in this world? Cal Poly’s 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 and open to the public. Additional details are available at serviceinaction.calpoly.edu/CSQ.
Save the Date for Strategic Enrollment Management Summit on March 13
Strategic Enrollment Management will host a Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Summit Wednesday, March 13, at the PAC Pavilion. Sessions will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. The summit will include a series of presentations and Institutional Research-led workshops. Block time on the calendar, and keep an eye out for the opportunity to register in the coming weeks. The in-person summit seeks to inform the campus community about timely happenings in the division as well provide a forum to answer questions.
Over 130 High School Students Attend United by Excellence: Celebrating Black History Relevance
Strategic Enrollment Management’s admissions and recruitment team hosted over 130 high school scholars at the United by Excellence: Celebrating Black History Relevance — Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow event held Feb. 2. Participating students are involved in clubs or programs that support and reaffirm Black excellence, education and culture. Students from several partnering high school districts participated in the college readiness conference dedicated to instilling and affirming college-going culture and increasing higher education student preparation experiences for historically underserved and underrepresented student populations. In addition to attending Learn by Doing workshops hosted by Cal Poly’s six colleges, participants toured campus, attended a Cal Poly student panel discussion, networked with the campus community and affinity groups, participated in faculty-facilitated discussions and attended Cal Poly’s Black History Month Resource Fair.
Cal Poly Corporation Recognized as a Family-Friendly Workplace
The Cal Poly Corporation was recently recognized as a SLO Family-Friendly Workplace for implementing strong and inclusive workplace policies. CPC was recognized as a Blue Diamond employer for offering family-friendly CPC policies, including 100% employer-sponsored health care coverage, a flexible work policy, workplace wellness programs, dependent care flexible spending, tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance Programs and many more. The San Luis Obispo County Family-Friendly Workplaces Award is courtesy of the Family-Friendly Workplaces Accelerator Program, hosted by the SLO Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by First 5 SLO County and San Luis Obispo County, in collaboration with the We Are the Care Initiative.
Read More about the award
Nominate a Campus Sustainability Hero by Feb. 23
Nominate members of the campus community for the fourth annual Sustainability Awards that celebrate those who have exhibited extraordinary commitment to sustainability initiatives and efforts on campus. The deadline is midnight Friday, Feb. 2. The awards, in a number of categories, recognize faculty, staff and students, as well as contributions from a recognized campus organization. Individual recipients receive a $500 award, and the honored group receives a $1,000 sponsorship. Nominators and candidates are invited to an April 19 awards luncheon with President Armstrong. Each nomination must be on a separate form. Questions? Email Sustainability Coordinator Kylee Singh (klsingh@calpoly.edu).
Learn more about nominations and the electronic form
Delight-Ful Event Returns to Campus Feb. 12-16
Campus Dining invites diners to participate in Delight-Ful, a week of events from Feb. 12-16 to encourage kindness and spread cheer throughout the campus community with the assistance of campus partners and outside vendors. The events, to be held in the 1901 Marketplace courtyard, will be open to faculty, staff and students. Delight-Ful attendees are urged to carry out random acts of kindness throughout the week, with the goal of creating 500,000 acts of kindness nationwide in conjunction with other participating universities and colleges. Students can participate in such activities as making Valentine’s Day cards and friendship bracelets, entering giveaways and enjoying delicious dessert samples. Campus Dining will collaborate with campus partners for a career development event, at which students can get tips and advice on résumé writing and headshot photography.
Interdisciplinary Team Takes Bronze at Global Packaging Awards Competition
A team of Cal Poly students took third place overall at the 2024 WorldStar Global Packaging Competition for its fun, recyclable package for a children’s sunscreen product. WorldStar’s competition is considered the most prestigious in the world. The students used carton-in-carton technology for an imaginary product called Sun Ease. The packaging avoided the hard-to-recycle plastic packaging that sunscreen normally entails while creating features that would engage kids through educational experiences. Made of paperboard and featuring a cartoon turtle, the packaging could be used for cream, ointment and gel products; is easy to open and close; and includes fun ultraviolet stickers that explain when to reapply sunscreen. In addition to the bronze award, the team won a bronze medal for Marketing Appeal and a gold medal for Health and Personal Care Packaging. The team included three students from the Industrial Technology and Packaging program – Joel Sajja Flores, Eva Lee and Katie Rash – and two from graphic design: Coby Chuang and Emma Wanon. Advisors included Javie de la Fuente and Irene Carbonell from Industrial Technology and Packaging in the Orfalea College of Business and Linh Toscani from the Art and Design Department in the College of Liberal Arts.
Watch a Pod of Humpbacks Surprise Student Research Team
In Cal Poly's latest Learn by Doing video, see marine science students Adelle Wilkin and Sophie Short take an unforgettable trip from Avila Beach with a few unexpected guests: a pod of hungry humpback whales. Wilkin and Short have been working with Professor Maddie Schroth-Glanz in the marine bioacoustics lab in the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics on a long-term research project to expand current marine mammal monitoring along the Central Coast. While scientists are doing similar work at marine sanctuaries at the Channel Islands and Monterey Bay, there's a need to fill the gap with local data. Learn about the research and spot a few whales in this new video, and read the students' essay in Cal Poly Magazine.
Learn About College-Specific Advising Centers on Feb. 12
Faculty and staff are invited to learn more about their respective college's student advising centers on Monday, Feb. 12, from 1:10 to 2 p.m. The meeting locations for each college are:
- College of Engineering: Engineering South Building (No. 40), Room 110.
- College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences: Modular Offices Building (No. 74M), Room A.
- College of Liberal Arts: Faculty Offices North Building (No. 47), Room 31. (Sign-ups are required as this room has limited space.)
- Bailey College of Science and Mathematics: Clyde P. Fisher Science Hall Building (No. 33), Room 285.
- College of Architecture and Environmental Design: Architecture and Environmental Design Building (No. 5), Room 212.
- Orfalea College of Business: Business Building (No. 3), Room 341.
This event is part of the Poly Connections program, which connects faculty and staff with people, places and resources across campus.
Peace Ambassador and Observer Virtual Training to be Offered Feb. 27
The Dean of Students office is offering Peace Ambassador and Observer training from 11:10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 27, conducted virtually via Zoom. Occasionally, campus organizations host controversial events that draw protestors and demonstrators, making it essential to ensure the safety and peaceful conduct of these gatherings. Peace ambassadors assist in safety matters during social action, protests and demonstrations, potentially engaging with participants to defuse situations when safe to do so, providing support, answering questions about logistics and safety, and facilitating communication with campus administration or law enforcement. Observers, on the other hand, play a neutral and impartial role, attending events where conflicts might arise, reporting objectively and inadvertently contributing to a calming effect through their presence. Questions? Contact the Dean of Students office (deanofstudents@calpoly.edu).
Register for Peace Ambassador and Observer Training
Spring Quarter Book and Learning Circles for Employees
Employee and Organization Development announces its spring quarter Book and Learning Circles. Register below or add your name to the waitlist for future sessions.
Book Circles
Read and discuss over three to four sessions:
- “The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor.
- “Blindspot” by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald.
- “Anatomy of a Breakthrough” by Adam Grant.
Learning Circles
Watch a video or other media and discuss during a single session:
- “ChatGPT's astonishing potential” by Greg Brockman.
- “When to take a stand — and when to let it go” by Ash Beckham.
- “The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor.
To read book descriptions and register, visit the Book and Learning Circles or Learn and Grow.
visit Book and Learning Circles
Faculty and Staff Invited to Tour Career Services and DRC on Feb. 21
Faculty and staff are invited to a Career Services and Disability Resource Center (DRC) tour and discussion on Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 12:10 to 1 p.m. Learn how Career Services and the DRC collaborate to help faculty and staff serve students effectively. The tour will begin in the Student Services Building (No. 124) Conference Room , Room 117, with a brief presentation by Career Services.The structure, across from Spanos Stadium on the western edge of campus, also contains the professional wardrobe closet, interview rooms, quiet study places, a testing center and more. The session will conclude in the Conference Room with a brief DRC presentation. This event is part of the Poly Connections program, which connects faculty and staff with people, places and resources across campus.
Deadline for Continuing Instructionally Related Activities Proposals is March 1
The deadline to submit proposals for continuing Instructionally Related Activities for the 2024-25 academic year is Friday, March 1. Proposals are due to Dean’s offices and the Vice President for Student Affairs office by that date. IRAs are extracurricular “out-of-class experiences” that provide enrichment and enhance student learning. IRA funds cannot be used to pay for specific projects or field trips as part of an academic course. Demand for funding typically exceeds available funds, so recognition as an IRA does not guarantee funding. Questions or assistance? Email Jessica Carson (carson@calpoly.edu).
Find forms, instructions, videos and other info
University Personnel Offers Wellbeing Workshops in February and March
University Personnel – Employee Wellbeing has worked with the university’s Employee Assistance Program, LifeMatters, to offer upcoming synchronous well-being workshops. They include:
- Assertive Communication, Thursday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m.
Improve effective communication styles. This session will discuss four styles of interpersonal behavior, assertive versus aggressive communication, self-esteem, how to address conflict, how to set boundaries and tips for effective workplace communication. - Creating a Healthy Mind: Addressing Burnout, Wednesday, March 6, at 2 p.m.
Burnout leaves workers exhausted, detached from work and inefficient in all areas of their lives. Foster burnout recovery by creating a healthy mindset, increasing flexibility and adapting to stress. Learn to cultivate mindful habits, build resilience through managing energy and increase emotional intelligence through self-awareness, self-management and empathy. - Problem Solving, Thursday, March 7, at 11 a.m.
Identify how people process thoughts and approach problem-solving, and become familiar with other approaches that can expedite problem-solving abilities. The workshop will show attendees how to become familiar with how they deal with problems, their thinking style, and the steps in problem-solving and solution-development.
Contact Lisa Gray for more information on well-being workshops
Equity-Minded Pedagogy Workshop Signups Open for Faculty; Workshop Opens March 4
The Equity-Minded Pedagogy Workshop, offered through the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology and sponsored by the Chancellor’s Office, gives faculty an opportunity to bring institutional data, human-centered design and equity-mindedness to teaching practices with the goal of eliminating equity gaps and improving completion rates. Participants in this virtual workshop experience will be supported by CTLT facilitators as they experience being part of a community of practice along with faculty from multiple other CSU campuses. The workshop opens Monday, March 4, with synchronous online sessions on Fridays from 2-4 p.m. All faculty —tenured, tenure-track and lecturers — are welcome to apply. Enrollment is limited to 30. Those who complete the workshop series will receive a $1,000 stipend. The deadline to register is 8 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23.
For more information and to register for the Pedagogy workshop
Lower Heart Disease Risk During American Heart Month
February is American Heart Month, and University Personnel encourages a focus on heart health. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and many Americans are at risk, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Fortunately, the disease is largely preventable. “Studies show self-care routines, such as taking a daily walk and keeping doctors’ appointments, help us keep our blood pressure in the healthy range and reduce our risk of heart disease and stroke,” said David Goff, NHLBI’s director of cardiovascular sciences and a physician. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers tips to prevent heart disease. The NHLBI also shares heart-healthy recipes. See this Self-Care Tips for Heart Health fact sheet. Consider doing something new to improve heart health awareness or routines in February. Contact Lisa Gray (lcgray@calpoly.edu) for more information.
Learn more about heart health
Join Professor Emeritus, Author Victor Valle for Feb. 22 Book Launch and Discussion of ‘The Poetics of Fire’
Join Cal Poly ethnic studies Professor Emeritus Victor M. Valle, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Chicano author, for an hourlong talk of his latest book, “The Poetics of Fire: Metaphors of Chile Eating in the Borderlands,” at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in the Baker Center for Science and Mathematics (No. 180), Room 101. Valle, in this work published in November, posits the chili pepper as a metaphor for understanding the shared cultural histories of ChicanX and LatinX peoples from preconquest Mesoamerica to 20th-century New Mexico. He uses the pepper as a decolonizing lens to analyze preconquest Mesoamerican cosmology, early European exploration and the forced conversion of Native peoples to Catholicism, as well as European and Mesoamerican perspectives on food and place. Arrive on time to enter a drawing for a free copy of the book. Questions? Email Jenell Navarro (jnavar18@calpoly.edu).
Filmmaker to Screen, Discuss Manzanar Water Controversy Feb. 22
The Ethnic Studies Department is hosting a screening of the 2021 documentary “Manzanar, Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust,” Thursday, Feb. 22, from 6-8 p.m. at the ATL (No. 7), Room 2. It will be followed by a panel discussion with filmmaker Ann Kaneko, Noah Williams, Big Pine Paiute Tribe water program coordinator, and historian Hana Maruyama of Japanese American incarceration and settler colonialism. Manzanar, at the foot of the majestic Sierra mountains, is the site of one of 10 American concentration camps, where more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. This national historic site becomes the confluence for memories of Payahuunadü, the now-parched “land of flowing water.” Intergenerational women from Native American, Japanese American and rancher communities form an unexpected alliance to defend their land and water from Los Angeles. The event is made possible with support from the College of Liberal Arts, the Office of University Diversity Initiatives and Ethnic Studies.
Read more about the film and speakers
Toastmasters Welcome New Members to Open House on Feb. 7
Ready to try something new in 2024? Cal Poly Toastmasters is welcoming staff, faculty and students to join its group of 20 members with an open house session Wednesday, Feb. 7, noon to 1 p.m. in the Facilities Building (No. 70), Room 110. No registration is required. Why Toastmasters? It helps improve communication skills — interpersonal and public — in a supportive community that boosts confidence in a safe and accepting environment. Practice presentations, speeches, impromptu speaking and more. In addition, new members who join in February will be entered into a prize drawing. Questions? Contact Emily Jenson, vice president of membership, (ejenson@calpoly.edu).
Learn more about Cal Poly Toastmasters
Intertidal Book Drive Seeks Literary Donations Through Feb. 9
The 2023-24 Intertidal Editorial Team is collecting books for its “Blind Date with a Book” fundraiser, set for Feb. 12-13. Donations of lightly used (non-textbook) literature books can be placed in the available box in the English Department copy room in Faculty Offices North (No. 47), Room 35H, through Friday, Feb. 9. Questions? Email intertidal@calpoly.edu. For updates follow @cp.intertidal on Instagram. Intertidal is a literary and art journal produced by CLA English students. The word “intertidal” describes areas between land and sea where biodiversity flourishes. In the same spirit, the publication includes a diverse range of written and printable art created by students, staff and faculty of various academic disciplines and identity groups.
Ethnic Studies Offers Inaugural Immersive Study Abroad Summer Program in Mexico City
The Cal Poly in Mexico City Ethnic Studies program is a new, five-week, eight-unit immersive academic experience in Mexico's capital. The inaugural program, set for June 23 through July 27, will be offered annually. Students will explore Mexico's history and arts, and its influence on Mexican American/Chicano history and arts from Indigenous roots to the present. The required courses include ES 323: Latinas/os in Popular Culture, and ES 340: Latinx Cultural Production. Through classroom learning and hands-on activities, students will get a grasp on El Águila Real’s (the Royal Eagle’s) intricate historical and cultural impacts on the U.S. and the significant contributions of its diverse communities to Mexican and American language, culture and identity. Other activities include engagements with local artists, visits to heritage sites, like the ancient Mesoamerican city of San Juan Teotihuacán, and locations featuring murals by such renowned artists as Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siquieros. Questions? Email José Navarro (jnavar17@calpoly.edu).
New at 1901: Pom & Honey — Fresh Food, Great Flavors!
Pom & Honey promises to take diners’ taste buds on a culinary tour of the Mediterranean, without leaving the area! Campus Dining, which just reopened the campus’s longest-operating food service facility after four years of renovations as 1901 Marketplace, is introducing some new and exciting culinary concepts on campus. Pom & Honey offers a flavorful and unique experience featuring customizable and craveable salads, grain bowls and wraps, accented with a choice of protein, fresh veggies, hummus and delicious spreads. This venue offers amazing flavors, wholesome ingredients and distinctive spices in every dish — a modern twist on traditional Mediterranean cuisine, in a convenient and accessible platform designed with students in mind. There’s something for every palate and plate!
Learn more about all the food platforms in 1901 Marketplace
Take Plunge for ASI Aquatics Courses
Dive into the new year with ASI Aquatics! Take part in Masters Swim, Intermediate Swim or Adult Private Water Safety classes to enjoy expert swim instruction in ASI’s state-of-the-art pool! Classes range for a variety of skill levels: improving stroke technique and endurance; interval training challenges; or basic water safety. Registration is open for winter quarter.
Recreation Center Offers Fitness Courses
Start the year off strong with the new winter fitness schedule at the Recreation Center! With fitness classes ranging from Hatha Yoga to Hip Hop and Heels, ASI Fitness has a plethora of choices to meet fitness needs. Check out the winter fitness schedule to find the right class.
Parking Services Wins State Award for License Plate Recognition System
Transportation and Parking Services recently won the “Focus on Efficiency” award at the 2023 California Higher Education Collaborative (CHEC) Conference for implementing License Plate Recognition (LPR), which eliminated the need for most parking permits on campus. Since its implementation, this virtual parking permit environment resulted in program and service efficiencies while reducing Cal Poly’s carbon footprint. Without physical permits, LPR eliminated customer wait times and staff processing times associated with those transactions. Thanks to the program, there is no longer a need for tens of thousands of plastic hangtags, stickers and paper permits, reducing the space needed to store and secure permits. There were also reductions in postage and processing costs, fuel and emissions. This program demonstrates how successful technology implementation is critical to program effectiveness and sustainability operations. The four-day CHEC event, held Nov. 28 through Dec. 1 at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center, brought together administrative leaders and professionals from CSU, UC and California Community College campuses to encourage exchanging ideas and practices to improve administrative performance, service and outcomes among the Golden State’s higher education system of 148 public institutions.
Read more on the campus License Plate Recognition program
Art Gallery Exhibit Continues til March 8
University Art Gallery winter show, “Reconstructing Ruins,” is a solo exhibition of sculptures by artist Alicia Piller through Friday, March 8. The University Art Gallery is on the ground floor of the Dexter Building (No. 34). Piller is a Los Angeles-based artist working in sculpture and installation whose practice contemplates the intersections of climate change, shifting political climates and historical traumas. Entry to the University Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Annual Social Justice Teach In Set for Feb. 15
The College of Liberal Arts and the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion will host the eighth annual Social Justice Teach In on Thursday, Feb. 15, from 8:10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. at a variety of in-person locations throughout campus. The daylong event features a series of informative and inspirational talks and workshops centered around equity and social justice. All are welcome at these virtual and in-person events featuring presentations from students, staff, faculty and community leaders. With over 50 sessions to choose from, attendees can learn more about a wide range of topics, including science and technology; reproductive and sexual justice; the power of storytelling and inclusive language; Palestine; and teaching, learning and research. The day will culminate with author and activist Raquel Willis giving a 4:30 p.m. keynote address on collective liberation in the ATL building (No. 7).
Visit CLA Website for schedule and registration
Perk Up! Something New is Brewing at 1901 Marketplace: Julian's
Among the dining options in the newly opened 1901 Marketplace is Julian’s, a familiar destination for the campus community. A favorite of faculty, staff and students in Kennedy Library for years, the shop offers coffee and a quick bite. Much like its predecessor, this new iteration of Julian’s has a menu created with the campus lifestyle in mind. It serves coffee, smoothies and a variety of delicious grab-and-go options perfect to enjoy between classes. Get creative with the Build-Your-Own-Breakfast Bowl option, and choose from a wide array of toppings, and cold and hot bases. The lunch menu offers a tasty assortment of wraps and pinwheels, with vegan and vegetarian options. Pair meals with a coffee creation, assorted teas and smoothies or a hot chocolate and enjoy!
University Advising Seeks Student Feedback
As part of the Graduation Initiative 2025, the Office of the Chancellor selected Cal Poly as one of nine campus participants in the Global Community for Academic Advising (NACADA) Excellence in Academic Advising (EAA) yearlong review. Part of that process includes an advising outcomes survey sent to students to provide feedback on their interactions with academic advisors, which will include perceptions of the effectiveness of those interactions. Faculty and staff are asked to encourage students to check their Cal Poly email and complete the survey, available Friday, Feb. 9. Students should look for a message with their unique link to the survey from University Advising at Cal Poly (noreply@qualtrics-survey.com) with a subject line “Academic Advising Self-Study – Invitation to Participate.” They may need to check the Outlook Clutter folder for the email.
Jazz Ensembles Take PAC Stage for Winter Concert Feb. 23
The Jazz Ensembles’ Winter Concert, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, in Performing Arts Center, will include the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Combos and the University Jazz Band. The Cal Poly Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by Inga Swearingen, will perform Stevie Wonder’s well-known “Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing” as arranged by Matt Falker with Montuno/Tumbao rhythms typical in Latin dance music; an arrangement of Dizzy Gillespie’s “Birk’s Works” by Bill McIntosh, which has close harmonies and improvisational scat solos; and other tunes. The three jazz combos, directed by Dylan Johnson, will present a variety of jazz classics, student arrangements and contemporary songs adapted for small ensembles. The University Jazz Band, directed by Dave Becker, will conclude the concert with classic big-band arrangements by Sammy Nestico, Don Menza, Lennie Niehaus and Gordon Goodwin, as well as new composers. More information is on the Music Department’s calendar website. Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849.
Get Tickets to Jazz Ensembles’ Winter Concert
Music Department to Present Electronic Music Concert Feb. 8
Guest artist Anne Hege, pictured left, and Music Department faculty member Julie Herndon will present an electronic music concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, in Room 218 of the Davidson Music Center. Hege, in her “Divining Wisdom Part II,” will weave together works for her analog live-looping recorder with compositions for live voice, electronics and video. Herndon will perform a selection from new works for extended keyboard instruments augmented with electronics. Hege’s tape machine, which she constructed in 2009, is a portable instrument with three hacked cassette players — one recording tape head and two playback points running a handmade tape loop. Herndon will perform a selection from her “Electronic Etudes,” a collection that seamlessly integrates acoustic keyboard instruments and live electronics, ranging from the intricate world of recording and audio effects to the realms of analog and digital synthesis. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Cal Poly’s United Movement Returns Feb. 17 with Illuminate Dance Showcase for Two Shows
The Cal Poly United Movement club will present the sixth annual Illuminate Dance Showcase on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 1 and 7 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall. Illuminate brings together the cultural dance clubs of Cal Poly on one stage for a display of artistic and creative expression. United Movement is a non-audition dance club at Cal Poly that fosters a safe and inclusive environment in which people of all backgrounds and abilities assemble to learn and grow as individuals and dancers. It upholds its motto: “Growth in Community; Community in Growth.
Get Tickets to the sixth annual Illuminate Dance Showcase
Trumpeter Marquis Hill to Perform in Spanos Theatre Feb. 7
Cal Poly Arts will present trumpeter Marquis Hill on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Spanos Theatre. Hill, a trailblazing trumpeter, breaks barriers between genres, embracing jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house and neo-soul. Experience his mastery as he seamlessly blends jazz interplay, hip-hop-infused rhythms and socially conscious spoken-word as he reinvents jazz standards in an electrifying performance. This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
Tickets to trumpeter Marquis Hill
'Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE' Comes to PAC Feb. 8
Cal Poly Arts will present “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE: King for a Day!” on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall. The musical for little tigers and grown-ups alike is based on the No. 1 PBS KIDS TV series, the hugely popular “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE!” The program has delighted live audiences on stages across the country. Daniel and all of his friends will take audience members on a brand-new adventure in the “neighborhood of make-believe,” where Daniel learns just what it takes to be King. It’s an event filled with “tiger-tastic” fun, teaching valuable lessons of kindness, helping others and being a friend. This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
Tickets to 'Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE'
Trinity Irish Dance Co. to Bring ‘JIG’ to PAC Feb. 9
Cal Poly Arts will present JIG: A Trinity Irish Dance Co. Production, on Friday, Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall. JIG, a Trinity Irish Dance Co. production, is a fresh take on TIDC’s internationally renowned, alternative approach to a traditional form. In its premiere season, JIG will redefine what is possible for Irish music and dance. Centered by a live band, JIG will immerse audiences in an authentic experience that celebrates the power of vibrations, rhythm and movement. Offering everything audiences expect and nothing they’d imagine, Trinity Irish Dance Co. brings a cutting-edge, integrity-filled vision to the stage. Founded in 1990 and called “sophisticated and commanding” by the Los Angeles Times and “impossibly complex” by The New York Times, TIDC has sold out tours in Asia and distinguished venues throughout North America, including Washington’s Kennedy Center, NYC’s Joyce Theater and Royce Hall at UCLA. This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
Tickets to JIG: A Trinity Irish Dance Co. Production
Shaolin Jazz’s ‘Can I Kick It?’ to Light Up PAC Pavilion Feb. 15
Cal Poly Arts will present Shaolin Jazz’s “Can I Kick It?” on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the PAC Pavilion. Experience the entertaining fusion of hip-hop, jazz and martial arts. Witness cult classic and contemporary martial arts/action films come to life as they’re scored scene by scene with a vibrant blend of hip hop, soul and funk by live DJs — uncovering the unique intersections of these dynamic cultures. This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
Get Tickets to Shaolin Jazz’s ‘Can I Kick It?'
Grammy-Winner Amy Grant to Play PAC Feb. 18
Martin Media will present award-winning singer-songwriter Amy Grant on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall. Conventional wisdom has it that Grant put contemporary Christian music on the map, becoming the first CCM artist to earn a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts and the first to perform at the Grammy Awards. She has received six Grammys and 26 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a star on the Music City Walk of Fame. Additionally, she was most recently inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. Grant, 63, continues strumming and humming her way through a 30-plus year adventure as a singer-songwriter, author, TV host and speaker.
Check Ticket Availability for Amy Grant
Australian Ensemble the TEN Tenors to Perform at Miossi Hall on Feb. 19
Rotary de Tolosa will present the TEN Tenors for their annual benefit concert on Monday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall. Hailing from Australia, the TEN Tenors are celebrating their greatest hits with a new show. The Greatest Hits tour will feature the most loved and requested songs the tenors have performed across their 28-year history and from across multiple genres of music — the best from the world of opera, pop and rock music and so much more! The TEN Tenors are renowned for their dynamic performances of some of the great songs of all time, accompanied by spectacular Broadway-style choreography. They are also known for fun musical medleys and include up to 24 songs mashed up together for a jaw-dropping romp through a spectacular hit catalog. Net proceeds for this event go to support local youth charities.
Blues Hall of Famer Taj Mahal to Play PAC Feb. 24
Cal Poly Arts will present Taj Mahal Quartet and Sona Jobarteh on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall. With a half-century performing career, three Grammy wins, 14 nominations, a Blues Hall of Fame membership and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association, Mahal’s impact on the blues is undeniable. For more than 40 years, internationally renowned bassist Bill Rich and revered percussionist Kester Smith have taken blues on a joyride through reggae, funk, jazz, Cajun and more, leaving a trail of swinging hips and raised palms in their wake. In 2019, guitarist and lap steel master Bobby Ingano joined the group, and the trio became the Taj Mahal Quartet. Joining the quartet is widely acclaimed Gambian musician Sona Jobarteh, one of the first female Kora virtuosos who is known for her skill as an instrumentalist, her distinctive voice, her infectious melodies and her grace onstage. This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
Get tickets to Taj Mahal Quartet and sona jobarteh
Lightwire Theater’s DINO-LIGHT to Perform Feb. 25 at PAC
Cal Poly Arts will present Lightwire Theater’s DINO-LIGHT on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall. Lightwire Theater features semifinalists from NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and winners of Tru TV’s “Fake Off” in an electrifying production of DINO-LIGHT. Recipient of a prestigious Jim Henson Foundation Grant, this glow-in-the-dark adventure weaves a heartwarming story with a cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology and dance that has dazzled worldwide audiences. In this original storyline, a famous scientist with magic powers brings a friendly dinosaur to life. When the dinosaur wanders away from home, he discovers a wonderful world full of creatures that light up the darkness and help him find the true meaning of love. This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
Get Tickets for Lightwire Theater’s DINO-LIGHT
SLO Comedy Festival’s ‘Best of the Best’ Returns to PAC Feb. 25
SLO Comedy Festival will return to the PAC with its “Best of the Fest” show on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall. This last show of the festival features the best performers from the entire four-day event, as chosen by audience members from Saturday’s show. The lineup will be announced at 4 p.m. on the day of the show. The SLO Comedy Festival runs Feb. 22-25 with 40 comedians — including a Cal Poly journalism alumnus and a current industrial engineering senior — from around the country performing at 10 venues in Arroyo Grande, Avila Beach, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. View the full list of comedians at www.slocomedyfestival.com/comedians. The show is recommended for ages 18 and up.
Get Tickets to SLO Comedy Festival's 'Best of the Fest'
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:
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