Cal Poly Extends Intent-to-Register Deadline for Fall 2024 to May 15
The CSU is extending the fall 2024 intent to register deadline for new first-time, first-year admitted students to May 15. The extension is in response to further delays in processing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Following the CSU announcement, Cal Poly officially extended the state of intent to register to that same date.
Student Affairs Honors Three Employees with Chandler Awards
Three staff members received 2023 Chandler Awards for contributions made toward the success of students and Student Affairs. The awards were presented Feb. 13 at Winter Recharge, the division’s annual winter gathering, to:
- Mark Haley, a physician’s assistant with Campus Health and Wellbeing since 2008. Haley has experience in primary care, pediatrics, geriatrics, emergency medicine, internal medicine and OB-GYN
- Cynthia Diaz, a six-year student services professional with the Educational Opportunity Program. Diaz assists dozens of students each week with issues ranging from academic and housing needs to food insecurity and financial aid
- Roberto Espinoza, interim coordinator of facility operations with ASI. Espinoza heads maintenance of the Rec Center, UU and other campus facilities.
Named to honor emeritus staff members Everett and Arlene Chandler, the Chandler Awards recognize Student Affairs employees committed to maintaining positive relationships with their co-workers, employees and students. Everett Chandler served as dean of students from 1951-78 and launched the Educational Opportunity Program in 1968. Arlene Chandler began her Cal Poly career in 1960 as student activities advisor, later creating Week of Welcome (WOW), a program emulated at universities nationwide. She was appointed dean of women in 1962. Chandler Award recipients' names are added to a plaque in the vice president's office.
Learn more about the Chandler Awards
Campus Invited to Free Virtual Conference on Well-Being, Feb. 26–March 1
Campus Health and Wellbeing is hosting "Well-being in Higher Education: Raising Literacy and Advancing the Conversation,” a free, virtual, weeklong conference Monday, Feb. 26, through Friday, March 1. Over 20 higher education associations have collaborated with a goal to raise the literacy for well-being and to advance meaningful conversation among colleagues. Come together with fellow higher-education professionals to collectively engage with well-being content, brainstorm ideas, deepen cross-campus relationships and further holistic understanding of well-being and its connection to student success. Attendees do not need to be affiliated with any organization. Register for the conference online.
Learn more about the conference
Nominate a Faculty Advisor for the 2023-24 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award
Nominations for the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award are underway. The honor recognizes a faculty member who has had a positive influence on students through academic advising. The recipient will receive a $2,000 stipend and be recognized by President Armstrong at Fall Conference. Faculty, staff and current students are eligible to nominate faculty for this award; however, at least one submission must be from a current student. Self-nominations will not be recognized. The nomination should describe the nominee’s academic advising services, activities and interactions as distinct from the nominee's teaching responsibilities, as well as include any special activities that relate to student development. Nominations will close Friday, March 1, at 5 p.m. Questions? Contact Denise Lazar (dlazar@calpoly.edu).
Learn more about the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award
Lot C7 Temporary Study Structures to be Decommissioned March 8
Temporary study structures in lot C7 will be decommissioned Friday, March 8. The C7 structures were erected at the beginning of fall quarter as a temporary space for students to study while Kennedy Library is closed for construction. Feedback from a campuswide survey and real-time foot traffic data provided by Occuspace, an app that measures occupancy, reveals there has been minimal demand for the two C7 structures. The data continues to show the daily average use of this space is approximately eight people, with peak occupancy only reaching 9% full since opening. The Kennedy Library Transformation Team will continue to use tools like Occuspace and surveys to gather feedback and monitor study space usage to optimize the library experience while the library building is closed. The temporary study structure in lot H11 will remain open, as well as additional study spaces, like Hub24 in the UU.
The transformation team plans to host another free furniture event, giving away items currently in the C7 structure. Additionally, parking spaces in lot C7 will open after the structures are taken down and removed. For questions or concerns, email the Facilities Management and Development Help Center (facilities-cbs@calpoly.edu).
April Baker-Bell to Discuss Teaching Antiracist Black Language Feb. 28
April Baker-Bell, an associate professor of language, culture and justice in education in the joint program in English and education and educational studies at the University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education, will speak Wednesday, Feb. 28, 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Chumash Auditorium. Baker-Bell will introduce antiracist Black language pedagogy as a solution to white linguistic supremacy in education, prioritizing Black language to challenge white linguistic hegemony. This event is sponsored by the Office of the Writing and Learning, the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion and the Black Academic Excellence Center.
Read more about Baker-Bell’s talk
Applications for Student Research Program Due March 8
Do you know a student interested in a career as a research scientist? U-RISE at Cal Poly is recruiting students for the 2024-25 academic year. U-RISE is a program funded by the National Institutes of Health, one of the world’s foremost medical research centers, that provides research opportunities to students from underrepresented groups and develops their identities as scientists. Students will leave inspired and prepared for success in graduate school in the biomedical field. U-Rise participants receive tuition assistance of up to $7,500 per year for two years, an annual stipend of about $14,000 for completing 10-15 hours per week on research and a paid 10-week summer research experience. Applications are due March 8.
Learn more about U-Rise of Cal Poly and to apply
International Center to Celebrate International Women’s Day March 8
Join the Cal Poly International Center in celebrating International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to noon in the UU Plaza. There will be trivia, prizes, a photo booth and more. Visit the center’s International Women’s Day Linktree for a list of women-run podcasts, local businesses, authors, a special Spotify playlist and more! To join the movement, the campus community is invited to use the hashtags #InspireInclusion or #IWD2024 on social media posts and answer the question: How will you forge a more inclusive world? Cal Poly honors International Women’s Day through March by celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women with various events. International Women’s Day has been observed for over a century, with the first gathering in 1911 attracting over 1 million people campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, hold public office and for an end to gender-based discrimination. Today, International Women’s Day sees several missions to help forge a gender-equitable world, celebrate women’s achievements and increase their visibility while calling attention to inequality and inequity.
Learn more about International Women’s Day
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 next week. The in-person summit seeks to inform the campus community about timely happenings in the division as well provide a forum to answer questions.
Presidential Inaugural Poet Headlines Change the Status Quo
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.
Mustang Marching Band in San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade
The Mustang Band will appear for the ninth time in the Alaska Airlines Chinese New Year Parade — named by the International Festivals and Events Association’ as one of the top 10 parades in the world — on Saturday, Feb. 24, in San Francisco. The Mustang Band first performed along the 1.3-mile-length of the parade in 2014 and was among 15 marching bands that participated. It has been awarded first place in the adult marching bands category multiple times, most recently in 2023. This year’s parade in celebration of the Wood Dragon will begin at 6 p.m. The band’s more than 220 members are from academic disciplines across the campus. At 3 p.m., the band will continue the tradition of performing with the UC Davis Marching Band in front of the landmark Ferry Building.
Take a New Professional Photo on Campus March 6 and 7
Faculty and staff are invited to have a professional portrait taken March 6 and 7 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Graphic Communication Building (No. 26). Sign up for a spot using Calendly. Appointments are required. Campus photographers from University Communications and Marketing will take these free head shots of current faculty and staff to update professional platforms.
Professional Development Courses offered Feb. 22-March 1; Virtual Sessions are Live
Employee and Organization Development, is offering February professional development courses through the Cross Campus Collaboration series. These live, virtual workshops are offered by Cal Poly and other CSU campuses. Each provides participants a convenient, unique opportunity for learning beyond campus borders. Registration for the partial list of opportunities is on a first-served basis.
- Gender Identity and Pronoun Use: Thursday, Feb. 22
- Breath and Health: Tuesday, Feb. 27
- Atomic Habits: Wednesday, Feb. 28
- Weekly Dose of Mindfulness: Friday, March 1
See the full Cross Campus Collaboration Sessions
Cal Poly Partners Board Seeking Faculty Member to Serve
The Academic Senate is seeking nominations from tenured faculty to serve on the Cal Poly Partners board of directors for the 2024-27 term. Interested faculty should complete an Expression of Intent and Willingness (PDF) (feel free to use additional pages if needed) or get a description of member’s responsibilities. The completed form must be received by the Academic Senate Office by Friday, March 22. Questions? Email Sarah Best (sbest@calpoly.edu).
Spring Book Circles for Employees
Read a book and engage with peers over three to four sessions. Register below or add your name to the waitlist for future sessions:
- The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor. The author explores the profound impact of cultivating happiness on personal and professional achievement, revealing strategies that empower you to harness the happiness advantage, unlock your full potential and reshape your approach to challenges.
- “Blindspot” by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald. This book guides readers in understanding how their unconscious mind influences their thoughts and actions, enabling a better alignment between behavior and intention.
- “Anatomy of a Breakthrough” by Adam Alter. Getting stuck is a feature rather than a glitch on the road to thriving. This book provides readers with the tweaks and corrections that can allow them to escape their inertia and flourish in the face of friction.
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.
Get more information and register for the Pedagogy workshop
University Personnel 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
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.
Register for Peace Ambassador and Observer Training
Safer Offers Series of Trauma-Informed Workshops
Safer invites faculty and staff to attend a series of virtual trauma-informed workshops in February and March:
- Supporting Survivors of Gender- and Power-Based Violence: Wednesday, Feb. 28, 11:10 a.m. to noon
An hourlong workshop on how to best support students and colleagues who have experienced sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, stalking, harassment or exploitation. - The Value of an Advocate: Friday, March 15, 10:10-11 a.m.
This workshop explores the ways that our state-certified advocates can serve our campus partners and positively impact the survivor experience at Cal Poly
Learn more and sign up for a workshop
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 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 more
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. Consider doing something new to improve heart health awareness or routines in February. Contact Lisa Gray (lcgray@calpoly.edu) for more information.
Cal Poly Partners Recognized as a Family-Friendly Workplace
The Cal Poly Partners, formerly known as 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.
Architectural Historian to Speak on Preservation in San Simeon
Architectural historian and Cal Poly alumna Amber Long will give a talk titled “Beyond Hearst Castle: The History of the San Simeon Townsite” on Thursday, Feb. 22, from 11:10 a.m. to noon in Room 102 of the Baker Center for Science and Math (No. 180). Long (Political Science, ’03; M.A., History, ’15) will share her experiences working locally in historic preservation, as well as recent work done in San Simeon to restore Sebastian’s General Store, California State Historic Landmark 726, the oldest store building along the north coast of San Luis Obispo County. It was built in the 1850s and moved a half-mile west to 442 San Simeon Road in 1878. It was operated by the Sebastian family for over half a century. Long is a principal architectural historian and founder of Long Historic Preservation Services LLC. She has spent the past 11 years working in cultural resources management, primarily with historic buildings. This free public event is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and the History Department.
Read more about the San Simeon talk
Join Professor Emeritus Victor Valle for Book Launch and Discussion Feb. 22
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
Womxn in Facilities Faculty and Staff Association Launches
Staff, faculty and students are invited to join the new Womxn in Facilities Faculty and Staff Association. FSAs are social and community-building groups that host a variety of events, programs and initiatives, including socials, social justice efforts, mentoring opportunities with students, educational opportunities and more. Womxn in Facilities seeks to bring together womxn to become a greater force within the facilities management industry and beyond. “We are focused on supporting womxn to maximize their networks, develop career growth and increase their opportunities,” organizers said. “You’re invited to join us in building community, sharing project successes, growing your professional network, or simply mentoring and supporting other womxn across the industry.” Questions? Email wif@calpoly.edu.
A Taste of the World to Serve Up Delicious Cuisine Feb 28
The flavors of the world will come to campus Wednesday, Feb. 28, as the International Center hosts the 9th annual Taste of the World, from 10 a.m. to noon, on the green outside the Baker Center for Science and Mathematics (No. 180). The campus community is invited to this free event, which features cuisines from South Korea, Jordan, South Africa, Chile, New Zealand and Germany, along with cultural dance performances and the chance to win prizes. Embark on a tasty culinary and educational journey while learning about programs offered through the International Center. Recipes are curated and prepared by students enrolled in FSN 344: Quantity Food Production in the Food Science and Nutrition Department and country-specific brochures will be presented by RPTA 412: Agritourism students in the Experience Industry Management Department.
Learn more about the Ninth annual Taste of the World
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
Cal Poly Receives STARS Gold Rating for Sustainability
Cal Poly has earned a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education in recognition of sustainability achievements. Earning a score of 75.14%, Cal Poly is now the third highest-ranked campus in the 23-campus CSU, behind California State Polytechnical University, Humboldt and Chico State University. Notably, the 2023 report marks a significant improvement over the university’s 70.16% score from 2019. The university was recognized for its progress on a number of fronts, including:
- Integrating sustainability strategies throughout the 2035 Campus Master Plan.
- Completing a comprehensive Utility Master Plan (with a strong focus on carbon reduction and electrification strategies).
- Updating the campus Climate Action Plan to accelerate the path to carbon neutrality.
- Updating greenhouse gas inventory showing campus has reduced total Scope I, II and III emissions by over 14% since 1990 (despite campus more than doubling its building square footage and on-campus residency over that time).
- Completing a 430-kilowatt solar power system at the yakʔitʸutʸu student housing complex.
- Creating a High-Performance Buildings policy to guide design and construction of low-carbon, life-cycle optimized facilities using the LEED certification framework.
The list doesn’t end there. STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. The ranking is valid through November 2026.
ASI Seeks Student Input on How Student Fees are Used
ASI is calling all students to participate in a campuswide survey on how ASI fees are used. The survey will run through Monday, March 4. Feedback is crucial for the organization to understand students' opinions on how their fees are utilized for future planning of ASI programs, services and managed facilities. Students who complete the survey can enter for a chance to win a Cal Poly parking pass, Shabang tickets, AirPod Pros and more! Faculty members are urged to share this survey with their students.
Learn More about the ASI survey
Catch an Overview of Clubs and IRA Funding on Feb. 26
A presentation about Instructionally Related Activities, or IRAs, and ASI Clubs will be held Monday, Feb. 26, from 1:10-2 p.m. in the ATL Building (No. 7), Room 2. Faculty, staff and students are invited to learn the difference between the more than 400 campus clubs and IRAs, such as Rose Float and the Concrete Canoe Team, how each is funded and how faculty and staff can get involved. This event is part of the Poly Connections program, which connects faculty and staff with people, places and resources across campus.
The 2024 Aspire to Grow Conference Returns Feb. 28
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is hosting the sixth annual Aspire to Grow Conference, exploring innovation in food, agriculture and natural resources, on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 3:30 p.m. at the JUSTIN and J. LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture (No.156). Featured speakers include:
- Monica Chacòn-Baucke, senior strategic inclusion manager at Nutrien.
- Gina Bella Colfer, sustainable solutions manager at Wilbur-Ellis.
- Jonnalee Dunn, growth and development manager at Henderson Farms Inc.
- Rob Goff, vice president, West Valley Farming, and research and development at Wonderful Orchards.
- Joelle Mosso, vice president, science programs at Western Growers Association.
- Katie Tougeron, Asia regional business manager, global launch manager at Valent BioSciences.
- Blong Xiong, state executive director at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency.
The Aspire to Grow Conference aims to inform and empower students from across campus about the many and varied career opportunities in these industries. Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend.
Learn More about the Aspire to Grow Conference.
ReusePass Debuts at 1901 Marketplace
Campus Dining has partnered with ReusePass, a sustainability program offering diners the choice of ordering food in a reusable to-go container. This greatly reduces resource consumption on campus while diverting single-use containers from landfills. Students, faculty and staff now can order on the Grubhub App and select through the modifiers to have their meal served in a reusable container at 1901 Marketplace’s Pom & Honey and Picos. Used containers must be returned for cleaning within 10 days to the marked ReusePass receptacles at 1901. Last year, students across the nation participating in the Reuse Program helped divert more than 13,500 pounds of waste from landfills, conserved more than 85,000 gallons of water and saved nearly 90,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Campus Dining is proud to be a part of this effort.
Learn more about the ReusePass
Nutrition and Heart Health Research Volunteers Needed
Interested in helping find out if strawberries improve heart health? Student and faculty researchers from the Food Science and Nutrition Department are looking for postmenopausal women to participate in ReCHARGE with Strawberries, a research project looking at the impact of strawberries on heart health. Women who participate will be eligible to receive $350, free heart health assessments and a free diet consultation driven by participant goals. Anyone interested in participating should call 805-756-1175 or email recharge@calpoly.edu.
Learn more about ReCHARGE with Strawberries
Cal Poly Crowdfunding Applications Due March 1
Cal Poly-affiliated organizations, programs and departments are invited to submit Crowdfunding applications for a chance to be selected for this year’s Poly Gives! fundraising outreach. Space is limited, so submit an application today! Cal Poly Crowdfunding is a place where the campus community can harness the power of crowdfunding to turn many smaller gifts into big opportunities, such as money for events, expenses and other financial burdens. Cal Poly Crowdfunding campaigns typically last 30 days. To qualify, projects must be sponsored by a department and/or organization and approved and sponsored by a faculty member or advisor. Projects will launch April 11 during Poly Gives weekend and run through May 15.
Apply Today for Cal Poly Crowdfunding
Campus Beautification Initiative: Utility Box Art Application Deadline Extended to March 1
Applications are being accepted for the Utility Box Art Project, a campus beautification initiative transforming utility boxes into works of public art to enhance the vibrancy of the campus and showcase local talent. All students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to email an application by Friday, March 1, to af@calpoly.edu. Selected artists will be notified in March and will receive a $250 VISA gift card to cover necessary materials.
Find Utility Box Art Project guidelines and application
March Fourth with Cal Poly Partners
To celebrate Cal Poly Partners’ new name, the campus community is invited to March Fourth with Cal Poly Partners. On March 4, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Cal Poly Partners will host the campus community at 1901 Marketplace to celebrate with the Cal Poly Marching Band, a ribbon cutting for the new dining facility and a partner fair where students, faculty and staff can learn more about the impact that the organization has had on the campus over the past 80 years, and the work that is currently being done to create a better Cal Poly experience for everyone. Formerly known as the Cal Poly Corporation, the organization recently changed its name to Cal Poly Partners to help better reflect its work, vision and mission to be the most impactful Cal Poly partner.
CSUBUY Will Go Live on March 26
CSUBUY is scheduled to launch at Cal Poly on Tuesday, March 26. The new process will bring automated workflow, approvals, requisitioning, purchase orders, and AP (accounts payable) functionality with integration into the Common Financial System. An open forum about the CSUBUY launch will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 9:30–11 a.m. in UU220. The forum will also include a Cal Poly procure to pay team panel and question and answer session. Virtual and in-person trainings for CSUBUY will be available in March. In-person training will take place March 13 and 15 in UU220 for campus requestors and approvers. Sign-ups for in-person training will begin during the open forum on Feb. 28. Virtual training, via Zoom, will be held March 19 in the morning and March 21 in the afternoon for campus requestors and approvers. Exact times will be communicated soon. If you have questions, reach out to csubuy@calpoly.edu or call 805-756-2232.
Faculty and Staff Mortgage Assistance Program Now Available
Cal Poly Corporation (CPC) recently launched a mortgage assistance program to help faculty and staff members purchase a home on campus. At the Oct. 26 CPC board of directors meeting, the board approved an agreement with SESLOC to create the framework of a lending program that provides mortgage assistance for faculty and staff who are looking to purchase resale units in the Bella Montana community on Paseo Bella Montana off of Highland Drive or the new Vista Meadows development at Slack Street and Grand Avenue. The program goal is to help employees purchase on-campus homes with no down payment or need for private mortgage insurance (PMI), needed if a borrower takes out a conventional loan with a down payment of less than 20 percent of the purchase price. The program involves home buyers obtaining a first mortgage for 80% of the purchase price and a second mortgage for the remainder of the purchase price. Under the terms of the program, standard SESLOC market interest rates would be available for first mortgages, with no pricing premium related to the program. In addition, second mortgage interest rates would be the same as the first mortgage rates, which is a significant benefit to Cal Poly employees. Interested faculty and staff should email Cherise Long (clong@sesloc.org) at SESLOC.
Teach-In Moved to May 9
The eighth Social Justice Teach-In has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 9. The annual event is a daylong series of talks and workshops by and for the Cal Poly community, centered around equity and social justice. It is hosted by the College of Liberal Arts and Office of University Diversity and Inclusion. More than 50 workshops led by faculty, staff and students from across campus were selected from the proposals this year. The event will still include in-person and virtual presentations and will also encourage local residents and Cal Poly alumni to join the conversations.
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. Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, 805-756-4849.
Get Tickets to Jazz Ensembles’ Winter Concert
Cal Poly Jazz Combos Showcase Set for Feb. 29
The jazz combos will present a showcase recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, in Room 218 in the Davidson Music Center (No. 45), following the Cal Poly Winter Jazz Concert on Feb. 23. Three groups will be featured at the showcase which will include classic jazz tunes as well as compositions and arrangements by the students. “This is an exciting opportunity for the students to interact and communicate in a fashion unique to the small jazz ensemble,” said Dylan Johnson, who directs the combos. “An all-combos format gives the groups room to stretch out and play a greater variety of repertoire.” The recital is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar or call 805-756-2406.
Cal Poly Cantabile to Perform Concert on March 1
Cantabile will present a send-off concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, in the First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo. The concert will be a preview of Cantabile’s performance at the ACDA Western Region Conference in Pasadena on March 8, one of the largest choral conferences in the U.S. Cantabile has commissioned two pieces that will be performed at both concerts: “She Weeps” by celebrated choral composer David N. Childs of Dallas and “Charity Begins Today” by Cal Poly Professor Meredith Brammeier. The concert will also include a modern setting by Michael Engelhardt of Hildegard von Bingen’s “O Antiqui Sancti,” and a portion will be dedicated to the theme of imagination that will include a setting of “Pure Imagination” from the soundtrack of the 1971 musical fantasy “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” as well as the impressionistic composer Lily Boulanger’s setting of “Les Sirènes.” More information is on the Music Department’s calendar. Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, 805-756-4849.
Get tickets to Cantabile’s March 1 send-off concert
Cal Poly to Present ‘Bach, Brubeck and Beyond’ Piano Duet Recital on March 7
John Salmon, a music professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Cal Poly Music Department faculty member Janet Joichi will give a free piano recital at 11:10 a.m. Thursday, March 7, in Room 218 in the Davidson Music Center (No. 45) on campus.
Titled “Bach, Brubeck and Beyond,” the program will feature piano duet versions of works by J.S. Bach and Dave Brubeck, plus some of Salmon’s own compositions. The program will open with Bach’s Prelude in C Major from “The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I,” plus three of Bach’s “Inventions,” once with a Baroque arrangement, then again with a jazz arrangement, all by Salmon. The program also features “Take Five” and Brubeck’s “Blue Rondo a La Turk” along with other well-known tunes by Brubeck and three original compositions for duo pianos by Salmon. The recital is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar or call 805-756-2406.
Cal Poly Symphony to Showcase Student Winners and Music from Prokofiev’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ March 9 Concert
The symphony will showcase the talents of four student soloists and a composer at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9, in the Performing Arts Center. The instrumentalists are violist Jayden Perez, who will perform the first movement of William Walton’s Viola Concerto, and pianist Simone Gabriel who will play the first movement of Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16. Soprano Melissa Scarpelli will sing Antonín Dvořák’s “Song to the Moon,” and soprano Helena Fuller will perform Lerner and Loewe’s “I Could Have Danced all Night” from “My Fair Lady.” The orchestra will also perform “Falling from Sky” by student composer Wyatt Willard. In addition, the symphony will perform four movements from Sergei Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” that trace the story: “Montagues and Capulets,” “Juliet as a Young Girl,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Romeo at the Tomb of Juliet.” The symphony is directed by music Professor David Arrivée. More information is on the . Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, 805-756-4849.
Buy Tickets to March 9 Symphony Winter Concert: Student Soloist Showcase
Blues Hall of Famer Taj Mahal to Play the 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.
Lightwire Theater’s DINO-LIGHT to Perform Feb. 25
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.
SLO Comedy Festival’s ‘Best of the Best’ to Return 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.
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