Pack Your Bagpipes
Design for Rose Float’s 76th Entry Features Loch Ness Monster
Cal Poly students will bring the mythic Loch Ness monster out of the depths to join land-dwelling friends in “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs,” the Cal Poly universities Rose Float team’s 2025 entry for the 136th Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1. Measuring 55 by 17 feet, and rising 21 feet, this 76th Rose Parade entry will depict an animated lakeside party featuring puffins sliding down Nessie’s fin, beavers crafting with found driftwood, a Scottish terrier riding a paddleboat on the loch (lake or sea inlet in Scottish and Irish Gaelic), and a smiling Highland cow spinning in an innertube.
Virtual Benefits
Open Enrollment Fair - Oct. 2
Attend the Virtual Benefits Open Enrollment Fair on Oct. 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where various health plan and voluntary plan providers will be present to share important information about rates, changes and key features. This is your opportunity to ask questions as you make important decisions regarding your coverage. Register to attend the Virtual Benefits Open Enrollment Fair.
Visit the Open Enrollment webpage for more information
Now Open for Fall: Faculty and Staff Lunch Club
Cal Poly Partners Pavilion
Cal Poly faculty and staff can once again enjoy their favorite, private lunch spot in the heart of campus. Conveniently located in the UU, the Cal Poly Partners Pavilion (19A) is open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and provides guests with a quiet space to eat and relax with colleagues and peers. Purchase a meal from any of the Campus Dining venues next door at 1901 Marketplace or bring your own. Avoid standing in line with the Grubhub app. Enjoy the comfort and quiet of the Lunch Club as you wait for your order to be ready for pickup.
Networking Mixer
Transfer Career Day
Calling all transfer faculty/staff allies! We are excited to invite you to the Transfer Networking Mixer on Friday, Sept. 27, 3 to 4 p.m. in the ATL. This Networking Mixer is the last event of the Transfer Career Day hosted by Career Services, the Transfer Center and all six academic colleges. The Networking Mixer gives transfer students the opportunity to interact with Cal Poly’s greater transfer community and build connections with a wide array of transfer allies. We would love to have you stop by - food will be provided! Contact Amy Saldaña, [email protected] with any questions.
Mustang Shuttle App
Makes Catching a Ride Easier
The Mustang Shuttle App makes getting around campus even easier! Download the app to track the location of the shuttles and see estimated arrival times. Mustang Shuttle runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., seven days a week. The shuttle runs every 30-45 minutes and offers pick-up and drop-off at seven stops, including poultry, dairy, wine and viticulture and Poly Canyon Village. Faculty and staff just need to show their Poly Card to ride. Riders can download the free Mustang Shuttle mobile app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
Learn More About The Mustang Shuttle App
Register For
Peace Ambassador Training
The Dean of Students office is offering Peace Ambassador Training for faculty and staff from 11:10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 3, via Zoom. Occasionally, campus organizations host events that draw protestors and demonstrators, making it essential to ensure the safety and peaceful conduct of these gatherings. Peace Ambassadors are tasked with assisting in safety matters during social action, protests and demonstrations, potentially engaging with participants to defuse situations when safe to do so. Questions? Contact the Dean of Students office at [email protected].
Register for Peace Ambassador Training
Upcoming October
Wellbeing Workshops
Human Resources and Cal Poly’s employee assistance program, Empathia LifeMatters, offer the following wellbeing workshops in October: Oct. 16 at 3 p.m.: Stress or Success: Thriving in a Chaotic World. Join this session to learn practical ideas on how to reduce stress right away as an overall lifestyle change. Oct. 23 at 10 a.m.: Living to Work or Working to Live: Finding Balance. In this workshop learn to identify your values, review barriers to life balance, review goals setting, and learn tips for life balance. Contact Human Resources at [email protected] for more information.
School is Back in Session
Kennedy Library is here to support you!
Explore our Faculty Resources page for information on library services, temporary locations, and free course reserves for your students. You can also request instruction sessions for information literacy, research, or Special Collections & Archives support. Take advantage of consultations with librarians, online resources like research guides and databases, and 24/7 live chat for real-time assistance. Visit us to enhance your teaching, learning, and research experiences! For course reserves, email [email protected].
Explore our Faculty Resources page to learn more
BEACoN Research
Faculty Mentor Applications Due Friday, Oct. 4
The BEACoN Research Mentoring Program, run by the Office of University Diversity & Inclusion, educates, empowers and advocates for underrepresented students and provides them with funded undergraduate research opportunities. OUDI is soliciting applications for faculty mentors for two project types: faculty-generated projects and OUDI-generated projects (DEI-related topics to better understand our campus community), running in winter and spring. Selected faculty will receive $1,000 per quarter ($2,000 total; taxed), and students will receive $2,000 per quarter ($4,000 total) via financial aid. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Oct. 4. Please email [email protected] with questions.
Coming Soon
Jewish Identifying Faculty and Staff Association (JIFSA)
The Jewish Identifying Faculty and Staff Association (JIFSA) is a new FSA looking for interested members to begin hosting meetings in the fall quarter. The JIFSA aims to foster connections and build community among Jewish Identifying members of campus and to celebrate the multitude of backgrounds and experiences that exist within our community. Membership is open to any employee, faculty or staff, and no verification of heritage is required — only a commitment to diversity and the support of fellow faculty, staff and students.
Stay up to date with JIFSA meetings
Kennedy Library
Temporary Locations for Fall Quarter
The Kennedy Library remains under construction for the 2024-25 academic year and is on track to open fall 2025. While the building is closed, the library services and programs are still available. These services include (but are not limited to): Interlibrary Loan pick-up, Course Reserves, the Digital Projects Lab, the Research Help Desk and Cal Poly Print and Copy.
Architectural Engineering Department
Al Estes
Al Estes has served as department head for the Architectural Engineering Department since 2007. With almost 18 years in this position, he is the longest standing department head at Cal Poly and the longest ever in the ARCE department. Al came to Cal Poly following a 28-year career in the Army Corps of Engineers. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Colorado and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia. Al will participate in the Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP). He will spend his time traveling with his wife Peggy, exercising, drinking beer, and watching cartoons. Al says, 'thank you, Cal Poly!'
Grand Opening
Cal Poly Partners Plaza
Join the campus community at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, for a grand opening celebration for Cal Poly Partners Plaza. Located just off the north endzone in Spanos Stadium, Cal Poly Partners Plaza consists of a three-level terrace offering an amazing vantage point to the action on the field as well as two food and beverage concessions and a third stand-alone beverage cart. Join the celebration with the Cal Poly Marching Band, cheerleaders and a ribbon cutting before the Homecoming game against Idaho State. The first 200 visitors will receive a gift.
Learn More About Cal Poly Partners Plaza
Division of Research
Research Week 2024
Join the Division of Research in celebrating and creating connections in research, scholarship and creative activities at Cal Poly during Research Week, Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, 2024. Learn about: internal funding opportunities, intellectual property and patents, engaging students in research, workshop your proposals and obtain feedback. In addition, we will honor distinguished scholarship awardees and enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres to celebrate research on campus at the Research Reception. Questions? Email [email protected].
Bringing the world to Cal Poly
Study Abroad Fair
Explore the world at the Study Abroad Fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, on Dexter Lawn! Faculty, staff and students are invited to meet with program leaders and recent returnees to learn about Cal Poly’s diverse study abroad and study away program offerings. Discover opportunities to study, research, or intern in over 75 countries, including multi-country and domestic destinations, with programs available for every major, need, and budget. By the time of graduation, we anticipate that over 20% of Cal Poly students will have studied abroad earning credit for GE, major, and minor courses while immersing in other cultures.
Learn More About the Study Abroad Fair
Date Changed to Oct. 10
Inaugural Dean of Students Summit
Faculty and staff are invited to the inaugural Dean of Students (DOS) Summit on Thursday, Oct. 10. The event will provide comprehensive training and information on aspects of the Office of the Dean of Students, equipping participants with knowledge and skills to collaboratively support our diverse student population. The summit will offer training and information on academic integrity and managing disruptive students, an overview of CARE services, support for Guardian Scholars (foster youth) and students with dependents, and resources for off-campus housing programs. The dynamics of the 2024 presidential election and details on Cal Poly Cares Grants will be covered.
Learn more, RSVP and submit questions for the Q&A sessions
Oct 10 on Dexter Lawn East
Campus Blood Drive
Be a hero and save up to three lives in just an hour. Join a campus blood drive hosted by University Personnel, Orfalea College of Business, and Campus Health and Wellbeing on Wednesday, Oct. 10. A Vitalant bus will be parked at Dexter Lawn East. Appointments are available 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Scheduled donations are prioritized over walk-ups. Donors are encouraged to hydrate well and eat a hearty meal before donating. Contact Human Resources at [email protected] for more information.
Cal Poly Faculty
Lead Fulbright Alumni Panel
The International Center invites the campus community to attend the Fulbright Alumni Panel Discussion from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at Cuesta College. The free event will showcase opportunities to research and teach in over 135 countries through the Fulbright Program. Cal Poly faculty panelists include Nishi Rajakaruna, Greg Domber, Ken Habib, and Mira Rosenthal, who will share their experiences as Fulbright Scholars and explore the benefits of participating in one of the world’s most prestigious academic exchange programs. To register or for the Zoom link, contact [email protected].