You're Invited
Fall Convocation
Faculty and staff are invited to Fall Convocation at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at the Performing Arts Center. The event will be recorded and available on the Fall Conference website starting Sept. 18. Terrance Harris, vice president for Strategic Enrollment Management, will emcee. The program features representatives from student government, California Faculty Association, CSU Employee Union, and Academic Senate. President Armstrong will present the State of the University address, and Provost Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore will recognize this year’s award recipients. A reception will follow at 4 p.m. in the Rossi Grand Lobby. Spouses and partners are welcome. RSVP here.
Learn More About Fall Conference
Parking and Road
Construction Update
As part of the Cal Poly Master Plan, several construction projects began this summer that will enhance the campus experience. While these projects will have a lasting positive impact on campus, they will result in significant short-term traffic impacts and permanent changes to parking. All project construction will keep clear of primary roadways during Mustang Move-In, Sept. 15 – 21. There are more than 2,450 commuter parking spaces are available for faculty and staff. Visit the webpage below to plan your parking and route. Thank you for your patience as we create a better Cal Poly.
Your guide to parking on campus
Cal Poly Ranked
One of Nation’s Top 25 Public Schools by Forbes
Cal Poly is one of Forbes’ Top 25 Public Colleges, as part of the magazine’s 2024-25 list of America’s Top Colleges. As well, Cal Poly was named the best public-master’s university in California and is 14th on the list of top public and private universities in the West in the business magazine’s latest annual rankings, released Aug. 27. Overall, Cal Poly was 57th — up from No. 83 in 2023 — among the 500 public and private not-for-profit universities in the U.S. that were ranked.
Read about Cal Poly's Forbes ranking
Interim Dean for the College of Liberal Arts
Dr. Kate S. Murphy Appointed
Dr. Kate S. Murphy has been appointed interim dean for the College of Liberal Arts, effective Aug. 19. A Cal Poly faculty member since 2007, Murphy has served as professor, History Department chair, and associate dean for student success. Her acclaimed research on the history of science and the slave trade has garnered significant recognition and has received funding by the NSF and ACLS. Murphy holds degrees from Johns Hopkins and UVA. A national search for a permanent dean will begin soon.
Faculty Research
California Farms Adapt to Climate Change
California is America’s breadbasket; with 26 million acres of farmland in the state, crops wind up in grocery stores all over the nation. But climate change is making it harder — and more costly — for farmers to produce quality food consistently. The Sustainable Land Initiative (SLI), a Cal Poly research project that takes an integrated approach to land and resource management, aims to dramatically accelerate California’s transition to climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. The project is part of Cal Poly’s recently launched Initiative for Climate Leadership and Resilience (ICLR), a hub for climate-focused service-learning projects, applied research, new curriculum and professional development.
Cal Poly CIE to Host
Annual Demo Day Entrepreneur Showcase
The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) will showcase eight startups at its annual Demo Day in-person at Rod & Hammer Rock and online via YouTube Live from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6. The event culminates the CIE’s 2024 Summer Accelerator program, an intensive 12-week program that helps Cal Poly students and recent graduates develop their startup ideas into scalable businesses. Representatives from each startup will pitch their business ideas and present what they’ve accomplished over the summer with the help of dedicated CIE mentors and staff.
Coming Soon
Benefits Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment, which begins Sept. 16 through Oct. 11, is your annual opportunity to review, enroll, make changes, or cancel your health and voluntary plans effective January 2025. This includes medical, dental, vision, flexcash, dependent care reimbursement account, health care reimbursement account, and voluntary offerings. Open Enrollment information, including on demand vendor presentations and details about the Virtual Benefits Open Enrollment Fair on Oct. 2, is available on the Open Enrollment webpage. Please monitor your email starting the week of Sept. 16 for information from Human Resources about Open Enrollment and registration details for the Virtual Benefits Open Enrollment Fair.
Learn More About Open Enrollment
Join the CSU’s
Cross-Campus Collaboration Workshops
Enhance your professional and personal growth by participating in the CSU’s Cross-Campus Collaboration series. These sessions provide valuable tools for thriving in today’s fast-paced world including guided mindfulness sessions designed to reduce stress and build resilience, and practical workshops on managing multiple priorities and leveraging AI in your resume. Whether you're looking to quiet your mind, boost productivity, or navigate the modern job market, there's a session tailored to your needs. Employee and Organization Development invites you to register for these free sessions, designed to support your well-being and professional success.
Register For These Free Sessions
On-campus Parking
Get Ready for Mustang Move-in
New Mustangs arrive on campus Tuesday-Wednesday, Sept. 17-18. There will be substantial parking and traffic modifications around campus to ensure a safe and efficient move-in. The campus community is encouraged to avoid Grand Avenue and enter campus on the North Perimeter service road off California Avenue. The Grand Avenue parking structure, structure 131, and lot H4F will be utilized for move-in. Other impacted lots are A-1, H12, H14, and H16 off Via Carta.
More information on daily traffic and parking impacts
Fall Quarter
Staff/Faculty Parking Permits
Employee parking permits went on sale Sept. 9. Finding a parking permit option that best fits your commute is easy using your parking account. Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual parking permits are available online for purchase at your bargained rate. Permits sold in parking lots at pay stations, parking meters or by ParkMobile/PayByPhone do not offer staff rates. Fall quarter permits are valid Sept. 16 through Jan. 5. You can purchase permits online and update your vehicle information using your parking account. Visit Transportation and Parking Services staff page for more information.
Log In to Your Parking Account
Coming Soon
ASI Fall Programming
Seeking opportunities to get creative, elevate your fitness, or to take on the outdoors this fall? Look no further! Programming for fall quarter at ASI is viewable now with registration live Monday, Sept. 16. Register for Craft Center courses, try out new fitness classes, rent Poly Escapes gear, and more!
View All Fall Quarter Offerings
2024 Election Working Group
Engage Campus Community
In preparation for the Nov. 5 election, the 2024 Election Working Group will organize a series of events, including voter registration drives, educational workshops and dialogue spaces, aimed at informing and empowering students and staff as they prepare to vote. The group also will share resources and information to support structuring discussions about the election, self-care for managing election stress, and fostering civil dialogue. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to reach out to the Election Working Group with any questions or feedback by emailing [email protected].
Visit the Cal Poly Election Guide Webpage
Grant Opportunity Extended
Free Video Captioning
Echo Labs has extended its grant to Sept. 20 to offer free captioning for up to 250 hours of Cal Poly’s videos. Enhance accessibility and engagement by having your content professionally captioned at no cost. Turnaround time is usually one to two days but can be expedited upon request. Interested? Simply email John Lee at [email protected] to get access for uploading or linking your videos to be captioned by Echo Labs. Don’t miss out on this fantastic resource — act now to improve your video content!
Available This Fall
Statistics Consulting Services
The Statistics Department provides a statistical consulting service to the university community to facilitate research design and data analysis in a wide variety of disciplines. Consulting will be available through Dec. 6 by appointment only. Soma Roy and Jeff Sklar will serve as the consultants. They are available to advise on data collection, experimental design and analysis of research projects. In addition, they are available to lead seminars or tutorials on requested topics and offer advice on various computer packages available at Cal Poly. To schedule a consultation, email [email protected].
Applications Open
2024-25 Middle Leadership Academy
The application for the 2024-25 Middle Leadership Academy is open through Sept. 20. The MLA is grounded in a problem-based learning model that motivates participants to "lead from the middle" as they explore and apply strategies to support equitable student learning, engagement, progression, and success on their campuses. We invite cross-functional teams of staff, students, administrators, and faculty from each campus to apply.
Food-Delivery
Robots Heading to Campus
Faculty and staff can now get their food delivered via food-delivery robots starting this fall. The Cal Poly community can save time not waiting in line and get meals delivered directly to their building from participating campus venues. Download the Grubhub App and select delivery when checking out. Faculty and staff can pay with their Dining Membership or a credit/debit card. A map will track the robot’s journey to a set delivery location. Users will be alerted and can unlock the robot through the app. Campus Dining is partnering with Grubhub and Starship Technologies to bring the service to Cal Poly.