Astronomy Fellowship’s Second Year to Examine High-Energy Particle Jets Near Supermassive Black Holes
A Cal Poly research team will study extremely high-energy photons emitted by the intense environment found near mega-sized black holes, in the second year of the Astronomy Faculty Research Fellowship in the university’s Bailey College of Science and Mathematics. The fellowship allows faculty to focus more closely with students on scientific research, offering them cutting-edge experiences as researchers. It launched in 2023 through a generous donation from the Marrujo Foundation (established by Cal Poly alumnus Daniel Marrujo and his wife, Rosamaria) covering three years of the program. Physics Professor Jodi Christiansen, the 2024 faculty fellow, is working with the VERITAS International Collaboration, part of the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard and Smithsonian, to study very-high-energy photons, or gamma rays, emitted by particles shooting down an astrophysical jet associated with supermassive black holes. Gamma rays are produced by the hottest and most energetic objects in the universe, such as neutron stars and pulsars, supernova explosions and regions around black holes.
READ MORE ABOUT PROJECT
Find Forms Easily on Cal Poly Partners’ New Intranet Site
Alongside Cal Poly Partners’ name change came an updated website and a new Intranet site that houses all the internal forms, policies and how-tos that many in the campus community need to do their jobs. These forms are as easy to find as one, two, three.
- Visit cpslo.sharepoint.com/sites/cal-poly-partners and login with your Cal Poly name and password.
- Go to the search bar at the top of the page and type the name of your form.
- Click the small magnifying glass to the right.
Bonus : If you forget to bookmark the Intranet link, find it on the Cal Poly Partners’ website by clicking the Employee Portal tab. Questions? Email cppartnersmarcom@calpoly.edu.
Campus Water Reclamation Facility Project Moves Forward
Cal Poly’s Water Reclamation Facility project has transitioned from the definition stage to the design phase. The CSU board of trustees certified the environmental impact report on Jan. 31. The project aims to address the primary constraint to campus growth: water availability. The WRF will be able to process a portion of campus wastewater, producing Title 22 water suitable for agricultural and sports field irrigation. Title 22 refers to state guidelines for how treated and recycled water is discharged and used. This dual usage of water, once potable for irrigation, underscores Cal Poly's commitment to resource efficiency and environmental stewardship. By generating irrigation water, the university will ensure a sustainable water supply and reduce costs associated with purchasing additional water and treating wastewater. The campus will continue to have a wastewater connection to the San Luis Obispo City sewer plant. Questions? Email the Facilities Help Center at facilities-cbs@calpoly.edu.
Learn more about Cal Poly’s WRF
Print and Copy Moves to Bldg. 52; Will Launch Notary and Passport Services
Cal Poly Print and Copy has temporarily moved its retail location from Crandall Gymnasium (No. 60) to to the Science Building (No. 52), Room D-24. Print and Copy was moved from its original home in Kennedy Library after the building closed for renovation. Cal Poly Print and Copy has printed over 8.5 million pages since 2020. It provides a variety of professional print and copy services, with large- and small-format printing available. Additionally, it will offer notary and passport photo services in spring quarter. Cal Poly Print and Copy is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours are subject to change.
Learn more about Cal Poly Print and Copy
Apply by March 8 for the 2023-24 Learn by Doing Scholar Awards
Kennedy Library is accepting applications from faculty for the 2023-24 Learn by Doing Scholar Awards. These honors, which will be presented at the 2024 Fall Convocation, recognize faculty contributions that demonstrate the impact of Cal Poly’s educational approach, translate conventional learning into practice and make a difference locally, nationally and internationally. Two awards, each accompanied by a$2,000 cash prize, will be given this year. Faculty from all disciplines are welcome to apply, and team applications are welcome and may include Cal Poly staff and students. Faculty self-nominate and directly submit applications online by Friday, March 8, at 5 p.m. All applications are reviewed by a faculty committee with representatives from each college and the library. Pictured are 2023 Learn by Doing Scholar Award recipients Jasmine Nation, left, and Alejandra Yep.
For more information and to apply
New Program Launches for Donating and Sharing Lab Consumables
In collaboration with environmentally conscious staff and the Green Campus Team, Distribution Services has launched Lab Supply Exchange, a new program for sharing lab consumables such as pipette tips (for dispensing liquids), snap-top tubes (for preparing and storing samples) and more. The program also accepts donations of excess consumables to help employees across campus free up facility space while avoiding throwing away usable products and adding to the Cal Poly waste stream. All donated items must be unused. To donate or request items, fill out the form on the Distribution Services website, and the items will be picked up or delivered to your mailroom. Questions? Email to warehouse@calpoly.edu.
Tour the College of Architecture and Environmental Design March 4
The College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) invites faculty and staff on a walking tour of its facilities on Monday, March 4, from 12:10 to 1:30 p.m. The tour will highlight the college’s unique studio-based Learn by Doing spaces, which include studio spaces in five professional degree programs and making and display spaces: CAED Support Shop, High Bay Lab, dFab Lab, Concrete Lab, gallery spaces, etc.). Sign-ups are encouraged with the tour starting at the Dean’s Office Gallery in the Architecture Building (No. 5), Room 212. This event is part of the Poly Connections program, which connects faculty and staff with people, places and resources across campus.
Strategic Enrollment Management’s Spring Summit is March 13
Registration is open for Strategic Enrollment Management’s (SEM) Spring SEM Summit, Wednesday, March 13, at the Pavilion and Founders Room in the Performing Arts Center. The goal of SEM’s in-person summit is to inform the campus community about relevant happenings in the division (and higher education in general) while creating space for answering questions. In addition to a variety of presentations, Institutional Research and the Office of Data Management will host working sessions to help answer specific, data-related questions. Review what will be presented and register for sessions by selecting from the à la carte menu — and to ensure conversations continue, lunch will be provided to the first 200 who register for sessions. The registration deadline is Friday, March 8.
REVIEW SESSIONS AND REGISTER FOR THE SEM SUMMIT
Get to Know Genesis Glover, MLK Legacy Award Winner
At this year’s MLK Legacy event on Jan. 18, the Cal Poly community honored biology student Genesis Glover as one of this year’s MLK Legacy Award winners. Glover, vice president of the Black Student Union (BSU), received the award in recognition of her growth as a leader on campus. She sat down with Cal Poly News to discuss her proudest moments in BSU, her ambition to be a surgeon and the inspiration she gets from her father, alumnus and NASA astronaut Victor Glover. "I feel like Cal Poly has provided me so many opportunities to fully embrace who I am and discover the voice that I have — to learn to be a better leader," she said. "I have gigantic shoes to fill, and I tell my dad all the time, 'I want to be bigger and better than you.'"
Read the full Q&A on the Cal Poly News site
Marketing Class Acts as a Full-Service Creative Agency for College Athletes Seeking Endorsement Deals
An Orfalea College of Business class is acting as a mini-marketing agency, helping numerous athletes with promotional opportunities. Professor Randy Rovegno launched the Athlete Lab last fall. In 2021, the NCAA overturned its rule forbidding the athletes from making name, image and likeness (NIL) money. “The new NIL rules have definitely changed the landscape of college athletics, favoring those schools that have wealthy donors and alumni,” said Kate Slack, a member of the Mustangs volleyball team, who also took Rovegno’s class as a marketing student. “For Cal Poly, specifically, there are a lot of local opportunities, but we don’t have as many large-scale opportunities as nationally known (sports) schools might have.” The class connected Aidan McCarthy, a record-breaking Mustangs track star in the 800 meters, with Quickie, a food delivery business that launched at Cal Poly, for promo spots, emphasizing the speed of deliveries. Rovegno hopes to expand the class and garner Cal Poly a reputation for its NIL work beyond San Luis Obispo.
CSU’s Got Talent Webcast: Teamwork Across Generations; Watch it Live March 13
In the webcast “Teamwork Across Generations,” Nicole Rankine, certified professional growth coach and founder of the Cole Academy, delves into the dynamics of intergenerational communication to better understand the distinct preferences and values of the different generations represented on the 23 CSU campuses. “Teamwork Across Generations“ is crucial because it enables different age groups, each with unique experiences, to collaborate effectively, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic campus working community. Register and attend this and other free webcasts. Can’t make it? View previous CSU’s Got Talent recordings on Cal Poly's Learning Hub. Employee and Organization Development offers the live webcast as part of the CSU’s Got Talent series.
Tune in to the Live Mar. 13 webcast
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.
Professional Development Courses to be Offered in March; Virtual Sessions are Live
Employee and Organization Development is offering March professional development courses through the Cross Campus Collaboration series. These live, virtual workshops are offered by Cal Poly and other CSU campuses. Each provides a unique opportunity for learning beyond campus borders in a convenient way for participants. Registration for the partial list of opportunities is on a first-come basis.
- How to be an Effective Virtual Team Member, Tuesday, March 5, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Negotiation by Any Other Name, Tuesday, March 5, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Facilitating Challenging Conversations: Preparing Others, Friday, March 8, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
- Self-Coaching 101, Friday, March 8, 1:30-3 p.m.
- How To Get Your Child to College, Tuesday, March 12, 11 a.m. to noon.
- Exposing Hidden Bias, Tuesday, March 12, 1:30-3 p.m.
- Avoiding Bias in Hiring, Wednesday, March 13, 1-3 p.m.
- Using Inclusive Language, Thursday, March 14, 1-2:30 p.m.
See all Cross Campus Collaboration Sessions
New Spring Learning Circles Announced for Employees
Engage in enriching conversations and connect with peers in a Learning Circle. Learning Circles involve a single session with no prework. View full descriptions and register below:
- “ChatGPT's astonishing potential,” by Greg Brockman: OpenAI co-founder Brockman explores the underlying design principles of ChatGPT and demonstrates some exciting features of the chatbot.
- “When to take a stand — and when to let it go,” by Ash Beckham (pictured): Beckham, speaker and author of “Step Up: How to Live with Courage and Become an Everyday Leader,” offers bold suggestions on how to stand up for your moral integrity when it isn't convenient.
- “The Happiness Advantage,” by Shawn Achor: In this fast-paced and humorous talk, psychologist Achor argues that being happy now is what inspires our peak performance. Learn to leverage the happiness advantage for greater resilience and overall well-being.
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 to Serve form. Feel free to use additional pages if needed. Find a description of member’s responsibilities here. The completed form must be received by the Academic Senate Office by Friday, March 22. Questions? Email Sarah Best (sbest@calpoly.edu).
April Baker-Bell to Discuss Teaching Antiracist Black Language in Feb. 28 Talk
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 Feb. 28 talk
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
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, (pictured) 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
Safer Offers Series of Trauma-Informed Workshops in February and March
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
A&F Launched Focus Forward Survey; Respondents Entered Into Prize Drawing
Administration and Finance has launched its annual Focus Forward survey, seeking feedback on division performance since 2023. Faculty, staff and students can share insight into their experiences with Facilities Management and Development, Public Safety, the Performing Arts Center, Strategic Business Services and University Financial Services, as well as every department within those areas. This information will help all departments strengthen service delivery and better understand customer needs. For each survey completed, respondents are entered into a prize drawing. Nearly 40 winners will be selected for prizes that include an Apple Watch Series 9, a MOMILLA Sunrise alarm clock with wireless charging and sound machine, a Fujifilm Instax Mini Smartphone Printer Bundle, a Bluetooth karaoke microphone, Cal Poly tumblers or one of 30 Amazon or Grubhub gift cards. The survey is open through March 22.
Learn more about the survey, prizes and a link to participate
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 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.
Learn more by reviewing the CSU press release
Campus Invited to Free Virtual Conference on Well-Being Through March 1
Campus Health and Wellbeing is hosting "Well-being in Higher Education: Raising Literacy and Advancing the Conversation,” a free, virtual, weeklong conference that concludes 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 conference sessions and keynotes
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.
For more about U-Rise of Cal Poly and to apply
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? Email Denise Lazar (dlazar@calpoly.edu). Pictured is Assistant Professor of communication studies Aubrie Adams, who received the 2022-23 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award.
Learn more about the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award
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.
To learn more about International Women’s Day
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. For more information about study spaces, visit the Facilities Management and Development website. 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).
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.
See Cal Poly’s STARS report
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, air fryer, digital camera and more! Faculty members are urged to share this survey with their students.
Learn More about the ASI survey
Cal Poly Crowdfunding Applications Due by 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. Pictured is student Chet Crummett with his artwork.
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. to 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. Questions? Email csubuy@calpoly.edu or call 6-2232.
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 will be held 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.
Stay tuned for more info on the 8th annual Teach-in
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
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 website or call ext. 6-2406.
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 website. Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849.
Get tickets to Cantabile’s March 1 send-off concert
SLO Symphony to Present ‘Bartok and Beethoven’ March 2 at the PAC
SLO Symphony will present “Bartok and Beethoven” on Saturday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall in the Performing Arts Center. Violin virtuoso and Arroyo Grande resident Gilles Apap returns to perform Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and Bartok’s Violin Rhapsody No. 1. The Hungarian spirit continues with Leo Weiner’s Hungarian Folk Dance Suite, a symphony in four movements based on Hungarian folk melodies and in a late romantic style.
Get Tickets to SLO Symphony’s 'Bartok and Beethoven'
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 website or call ext. 6-2406.
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 Music Department’s calendar website.Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849.
Buy Tickets to March 9 Symphony Winter Concert: Student Soloist Showcase
Cal Poly Band and Orchestra Festival Finale Concert Set for March 15
The Cal Poly Band and Orchestra Festival Finale Concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, in Harold Miossi Hall in the Performing Arts Center. The festival and concert are being produced in collaboration with the San Luis Obispo County Band Directors Association. The capstone for the festival’s events is a concert presented by Cal Poly’s Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble that will include performances of “Lincolnshire Posy” by Percy Grainger, a bouquet of six tunes from British folk singers he collected in the early 20th century; “Sunflower Studies,” a new work by Nicole Piunno, inspired by the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh; and “Bugs” by Roger Cichy, which depicts the unique personalities of five insects and arachnids. The concert will be conducted by Christopher J. Woodruff, Nicholas P. Waldron and student conductor Ari Maman. Questions? Visit the Music Department’s calendar website.
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Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble to Perform Winter Concert March 16
The Arab Music Ensemble will give its winter concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16, in Spanos Theatre. A highlight of the program is a suite of instrumental and vocal pieces celebrated across Arab society. A Romanian folk song and an Ottoman Turkish dance piece will also be performed, plus a song made famous by the Lebanese singer Fairuz, an arrangement of the second movement of Joaquín Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez.” Ensemble member Samuel Shalhoub will conduct the ensemble in his arrangement of the work. Acclaimed guest artists who will join the ensemble include Ishmael, on the qanun; Fathi Aljarrah, kamanja; and Faisal Zedan, percussion. Jenna Mitchell is the group’s dance director, and music Professor Ken Habib will direct the event that includes an original composition and arrangement. Questions? Visit the Music Department’s calendar website.
Purchase Tickets to March 16 Arab Music Ensemble Concert
Cal Poly Choirs to Present ‘Traditions’ Concert March 17
The choirs’ “Traditions” concert, at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17, in the Performing Arts Center, will feature 100 alumni — graduates from the last 40 years — of Cal Poly’s choral program. The group will be co-directed by Professor Emeritus Thomas Davies and Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Studies Scott Glysson. Mark Fugate (Business Administration, ’85; MBA, ’99), was so impacted by his choral program experience that he and his wife, Stephanie, established the Thomas H. and Susan A. Davies Choir Endowment last year in honor of Davies and his wife, Susan, also an emeritus of faculty member and pianist who accompanied the choirs. The University Singers will open the concert. John Knutson is guest conductor of the group this quarter. The Chamber Choir and PolyPhonics will also perform, conducted by Glysson. Paul Woodring will accompany the choirs on piano. Questions? Visit the Music Department’s calendar website.
Purchase MARCH 17 ‘TRADITIONS’ CHORAL Concert Tickets
STOMP Returns to the PAC on March 3
“STOMP,” a unique performance using rhythms, acrobatics and pantomime, will return to the Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 3, at 7 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall. “STOMP” is an explosive, inventive and unique percussion sensation for all ages. This award-winning eight-member troupe captivates audiences with unconventional instruments, from matchboxes to garbage cans, creating magnificent rhythms. With rave reviews and repeat performances worldwide, “STOMP” delivers a pulse-pounding, electrifying experience. As the Boston Globe suggests, “If you haven’t seen ‘STOMP,’ go!” See what all the noise is about! “STOMP” is being presented by Cal Poly Arts. Tickets are currently sold out.
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The Queen’s Cartoonists: A Fusion of Classic Cartoons and Jazz Fusion Comes to the PAC March 8
The Queen’s Cartoonists, a blend of music and animation, will delight audiences of all ages on Friday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall. The Queen’s Cartoonists bring cartoons to life with perfectly synchronized music from over 100 years of animation. Experience virtuosic musicianship, multi-instrumental mayhem and comedy as the group performs original soundtracks and fresh compositions alongside projections of classic and modern animated films. Delight in the fusion of jazz, classical music and animation, featuring composers like Raymond Scott, Carl Stalling and Duke Ellington. Cal Poly Arts is presenting this immersive, fun concert. This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
Purchase Tickets to The Queen’s Cartoonists
Chabad of SLO and Cal Poly to Host Holocaust Survivor Goldie Jacoby to the PAC March 10
Holocaust survivor Goldie Jacoby will present “What Holocaust?” on Sunday, Mary 10, at 7 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall in the Performing Arts Center. Jacoby was born May 14, 1937. When Hitler’s invasion spread like a firestorm across Poland, Jacoby, age 5, and her family — 10 individuals total — hid in a tiny pigsty in a barn — about 25 square feet, built to hold two pigs, with no room to lie down or stand up. The family was constantly hungry and thirsty, dirty and lice-infested. At times, when Nazi soldiers were nearby, they hid in an emergency dugout hole in the barn, under the pigs. They lived like that for nearly three years, never able to change clothes. Hear Jacoby’s moving story of hope and courage during one of the darkest times in history. Her talk is presented by Chabad of SLO and Cal Poly. This event is free for Cal Poly students, but a ticket is required for all.
Get Tickets to ‘What Holocaust?’
Ladysmith Black Mambazo Returns to PAC March 19
Grammy Award-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform on Tuesday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall. No group is more closely identified with African song than this vibrant nine-member South African vocal ensemble. Since 1987, when they were introduced to mainstream America with the release of Paul Simon’s groundbreaking “Graceland” album, these African troubadours have entertained the world with uplifting, polyrhythmic harmonies of their homeland. Winners of five Grammy Awards, the ensemble has had more Grammy nominations than any world music group in the history of recorded music. “Theirs is among the most distinctive and uplifting choral sounds around,” says NPR. This event, presented by Cal Poly Arts, has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
Buy Tickets to Ladysmith Black Mambazo
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