Science and Technology
‘Built to Fly’: Aerospace Students Transform Sheet Metal into Working Airplane
Aerospace Engineering Professor Eric Paton and his students spent over a year turning boxes of sheet metal into a real, flying airplane named Velma. Over the summer, on a bright afternoon at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, their creation roared down the runway and soared into the air, cheered on by classmates, family and mentors. What began as a flat-pack kit became a living example of Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing spirit. It was a project that tested every skill and proved that with teamwork and determination, dreams can truly take flight.
Environment and Sustainability
'As Hands-On As You Could Get': Students Document Largest Juniper Tree on Record
In early July, a caravan of Cal Poly professors, students and renowned botanists made their way up Sonora Pass in Stanislaus National Forest in search of the largest Sierra juniper tree on Earth. The Bennett Juniper, which is between 3,000 and 4,000 years old, has been known since the 1920s, when a group of Basque sheepherders first came across the impressive specimen. In 1983, it was nominated for the California Big Tree Registry — a branch of the National Big Tree Registry that is now maintained by the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute, which is headquartered at Cal Poly.
Students with Dependents
Cal Poly Recognized for Dedication to Serving Student Parents
Cal Poly has been honored with the 2025 FamilyU Seal, a national certification honoring higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations making significant strides in serving student parents. The Students with Dependents (SWD) Program applied for the designation from Generation Hope, a nonprofit providing direct support and national advocacy and research for student parents in college. “The designation speaks to Cal Poly’s dedication to creating an environment where student parents can thrive academically, personally and professionally,” SWD Program Coordinator Courtney Moore said. The FamilyU Seal is awarded for a three-year term.
Office of the Provost
Cal Poly Team Joins AAC&U’s 2025 – 26 AI Institute
Cal Poly has been chosen to participate in the Association of American Colleges and Universities’ 2025 – 26 Institute on AI, Pedagogy and the Curriculum, an eight-month national program that helps universities incorporate artificial intelligence into teaching, learning and operations. Co-chaired by Associate Provosts Susan Cheng and Teshia Roby, Cal Poly’s team — Paul Anderson, Joe Borzellino, Leida Chen, Amie Hammond, Brian Spolarich and Ava Wright — will create an action plan that includes developing guidance for responsible AI use, exploring AI tools that support student success, establishing an AI innovation resource hub and hosting a spring AI symposium.
California State University
Cal Poly’s Name Updated in CSU Login Portal
The Chancellor’s Office has approved changing Cal Poly’s name in the CSU Login portal from “San Luis Obispo” to “Cal Poly.” The Solano Integration Steering Committee and Chancellor's Office representatives unanimously supported the update to better reflect Cal Poly's branded identity and eliminate confusion for Solano campus students, faculty and staff who would have had to select “San Luis Obispo.” This change aligns with University Communications and Marketing’s naming guidelines and will take place this month. The portal is used to authenticate access to Chancellor’s Office-provided applications such as Financial Administration (CFS), CSUBuy, Concur and Cal Poly Learning Hub (SumTotal).
Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
United by Excellence Latine Heritage Celebración Attended by 174 High-Achieving High School Students
Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs’ admissions and recruitment team hosted 174 high school scholars from Wonderful Education, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, Lompoc Unified School District, Salinas Union High School District and Lucia Mar Unified District at the United by Excellence Latine Heritage Celebración event Oct. 17. The all-day college readiness conference is dedicated to affirming college-going culture and increasing higher education student preparation experiences for historically underserved and underrepresented student populations. They attended presentations, a campus tour, Learn by Doing workshops and a resource fair. They also enjoyed guest speakers, performances and line dancing.
Maritime Integration
Supervisor Integration Workshop
Employee and Organization Development (EOD) is hosting a workshop to equip Cal Poly supervisors with the knowledge, mindset and practical tools to effectively lead their hybrid teams through the Cal Poly – Cal Poly Maritime Academy integration. This session emphasizes empathy, clear communication, fostering connection, inclusion and equity, supporting supervisors in navigating operational and cultural change while building team trust and cohesion. Managers are welcome to register for this workshop on the Cal Poly Learning Hub and select one of the three workshop dates. Please note whether the workshop is in-person or virtual when making your selection.
Cal Poly Police
Discussion of Annual Report of Regulated Equipment Set for Nov. 14
The CSU systemwide Regulated Tools and Equipment Policy was adopted in response to Assembly Bill 481, which requires every law enforcement agency in California to publish certain information annually regarding specified equipment. The Cal Poly Police Department will host a community engagement event to discuss information contained within its 2025 report at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, in Building 36, Room 105, the Public Safety Training Room. The community engagement event is open to all students, faculty and staff at Cal Poly.
Mustang Holiday Gift Drive
Contribute to the Gift Drive by Dec. 5
The Center for Service in Action (CSA) invites students, staff, faculty and their families to participate in the Mustang Holiday Gift Drive. Pick up a gift tag at designated campus locations or donate online to support local children and families in need. Tags list specific gift requests. Drop off new, unwrapped gifts at the CSA office in Sierra Madre Residence Hall (No. 113, Room 119L) by Friday, Dec. 5. Giving Tower locations include: Recreation Center Lobby (No. 43), second floor of the UU (No. 65), and outside the Mustang Success Center in the Science Building (No. 52, Room D37).
University Art Gallery
See Conlon’s ‘Permission Structures’ Exhibit Nov. 5 to Dec. 5
The University Art Gallery is excited to announce the opening of Kerri Conlon’s “Permission Structures." On Wednesday, Nov. 5, there will be an opening in the Gallery, from 5 to 7 p.m. The artist will give a walkthrough of their work at 5:15 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Working with craft and architectural materials, Conlon creates large-scale sculptural installations that fuse the ornamental with the structural. Her work uses tactile processes to examine how we inhabit, uphold and challenge the frameworks that shape our lives — whether built, inherited or imagined.
Employee and Organization Development
Find Focus and Well-Being with CSU’s Cross Campus Collaboration Workshops
Recharge and refocus this November with CSU’s Cross Campus Collaboration workshops! On Nov. 6, join Breath and Health (9:30 to 10 a.m.) to explore how mindful breathing supports calm and clarity. On Nov. 7, experience Weekly Dose of Mindfulness (8 to 8:30 a.m.) to quiet the mind and build resilience, then attend Managing Multiple Priorities (11 a.m. to noon) to strengthen organization and reduce stress. Each free, virtual session offers practical tools to enhance well-being and productivity.
College of Liberal Arts
‘Plantation Pedagogy’ Book Presentation with Bayley Marquez on Nov. 12
Join us for an in-depth talk from Bayley Marquez about her new book, “Plantation Pedagogy: The Violence of Schooling Across Black and Indigenous Space” on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 6:30 – 8 p.m. in Baker Science (No. 180) Room 114. At the intersection of Black and Native Studies, “Plantation Pedagogy” invites readers to confront our intertwined histories of land, labor and education — and to envision new possibilities for shared liberation.
CSU’s GOT TALENT
Conflict Transformation Through Restorative Principles for Meaningful Progress
Join “CSU’s Got Talent: Conflict Transformation Through Restorative Principles for Meaningful Progress” on Nov. 12 (10 –11 a.m.) with presenter Seya Lumeya. This engaging session explores how restorative practices can turn conflict into a powerful opportunity for understanding, collaboration, and growth. Learn to define and reframe conflict, apply restorative principles, and use practical tools to foster trust and strengthen relationships in your workplace and beyond.
Benefits and Employee Services Team
Join Us for a Wellbeing Webinar: ‘Psychology of Spending’
Explore your “money personality” and its impact on your attitudes about money, relationships with money and spending habits. Join presenter Norm Arslan in a judgment-free space on Nov. 12, 2025, from 11 a.m. to noon as they cover topics including the role of advertising, impulse buying, the function of credit and more! Please contact benefits@calpoly.edu or (805) 756-2236, opt 2, with any questions.
Performing Arts Center
Cal Poly ‘Sounds of Rhythm’ Jazz Concert Set for Nov. 14
The “Sounds of Rhythm” Jazz Concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, in the Performing Arts Center. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble will perform “Look for the Silver Lining” by Jerome Kern, “Sugar” by Stanley Turrentine, and Kirby Shaw’s arrangement of Erroll Garner’s “Misty.” The Jazz Combos will perform a mix of standards and original student arrangements, plus Latin works including Alberto Domínguez’ “Frenesí,” and an arrangement by Poncho Sanchez and Mongo Santamaría of Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man.” The University Jazz Band will play Frank Foster’s “Shiny Stockings,” and selections by Rob McConnell, Melba Liston and others.
Cal Poly Pier
Open House is Set for Nov. 15
Cal Poly’s Center for Coastal Marine Sciences cordially invites the community to a 1.2-mile-long, round-trip walking tour of the Cal Poly Pier from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. Come learn about local ocean environments and marine life. The pier is located on Avila Beach Drive, just west of the San Luis Creek Bridge, in Avila Beach.