University Announcements
There will be a Cal Poly Report on Thursday, Nov. 12
Both Cal Poly campuses will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day, an academic holiday. As a result, that week’s Cal Poly Report will be sent on Thursday, Nov. 12. The submission deadline remains the same, so please submit content via the online form by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5. Questions? Please email cpreport@calpoly.edu.
News
Cal Poly Real Estate Day Event to Explore Controversial Data Centers
As thousands of data centers are set to be built in the United States amid growing opposition to them, the next Real Estate Day event will explore issues around the large tech buildings, including demand, infrastructure needs, controversies and financing. Data centers also create large private investment, construction work and local tax revenue. However, according to a recent Gallup Poll, 70% of Americans don’t want them in their community.
Read the Full Story About Real Estate Day
News
Cal Poly Partnership Program Offers Teaching Credential Students $33,000 Stipend to Launch Career in Education
Cal Poly has launched a new teaching credential program serving prospective student-teachers and schools in the Santa Maria area through a partnership. Applications are now open for the Pathways to Teaching Residency Program through Nov. 1. The Cal Poly/Northern Santa Barbara Residency program, funded through a $3.2 million California Commission on Teacher Credentialing grant, allows candidates to complete a multiple subject (elementary education) teaching credential and supplemental authorization in a year-long student teaching placement in the Santa Maria-Bonita, Orcutt Union or Guadalupe Union school districts.
Learn More About the Cal Poly Partnership Program
Student Success
Perfect Timing Leads to a Life Saved, Carnegie Medal
Amanda Williams dropped off her 5-year-old son and stopped at Starbucks for a drink. It was Aug. 11, 2025, and there was nothing about the morning that suggested it would become one of the most consequential days of her life. Moments later, a series of lightning-quick decisions by Williams (Mechanical Engineering, ’18) saved the life of a Vallejo resident and prevented Williams from being stabbed. For her heroism, the Cal Poly Maritime Academy alumna received the Carnegie Award, the highest civilian honor presented to individuals who enter extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.
Faculty and Staff
CSU’s GOT TALENT: It Takes an Ecosystem: Coordinating Student Success Efforts Across the Institution
Join CSU’s Got Talent on Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. to noon for a virtual session that explores how students, staff and faculty experience and influence the ecosystem shaping student success. Integrating student-led research with staff and faculty insights, participants will reflect on patterns of tension, disconnect, alignment and more connected student success efforts.
Register for the Webcast and Learn More
University Announcements
My Cal Poly Portal Apps Unavailable Nov. 6-8 for System Upgrade
Student Administration, HR Administration and Student Center applications accessed through the My Cal Poly Portal will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, until noon Sunday, Nov. 8, during a required PeopleSoft upgrade. Links in the “Employee Info” and “Personal Info” sections of the portal’s “Personal Info” tab will also be unavailable during this maintenance window. The upgrade includes bug fixes and security patches to help keep Cal Poly’s systems up to date and secure. Please plan accordingly if you need these services. If you have questions or need assistance, contact the ITS Service Desk at 805-756-7000 or servicedesk@calpoly.edu.
Need Help? Contact the ITS Service Desk
University Announcements
Help Encourage Student Participation in the Interpersonal Violence Survey
Campus Health and Wellbeing’s Safer program invites all students to complete the Interpersonal Violence Survey by Nov. 8. Developed with kinesiology and public health faculty, the survey will help inform prevention education, support services and campus resources related to physical abuse, sexual assault, psychological abuse, stalking and other forms of interpersonal violence. Faculty and staff are encouraged to share the survey with students and to reinforce the importance of their feedback. Student participants will be entered to win one of 10 $100 Cal Poly Mustang Shop or Cal Poly Maritime Shop gift cards.
Take the Interpersonal Violence Survey
University Announcements
Security Starts With Responsible Use
Protecting Cal Poly’s information and technology resources is a shared responsibility. Responsible use includes protecting your credentials, keeping devices secure, reporting suspicious activity and using university resources appropriately. Identify one security habit you can strengthen, whether it’s locking your screen, protecting your password or reporting suspicious activity. You can also explore CSU Cybersecurity Awareness Month webinars for more ways to stay informed.
Review the IT Responsible Use Policy
Events
Save the Date for Native American Heritage Month Event
Renowned poet, author and 2026 MacArthur Fellow Layli Long Soldier will visit the San Luis Obispo Campus as part of Native American Heritage Month. Join us Thursday, Nov. 12, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Chumash Auditorium for this special keynote address. An award-winning poet and citizen of Oglala Lakota Nation, Long Soldier’s work explores Native American histories, kinship, strength and creativity. Her writing has appeared in Poetry Magazine and the documentary Lakota Nation vs. United States (2022). Sponsored by Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center, Student Development and Belonging and Culture and Institutional Excellence.
Faculty and Staff
Tour Vista Meadows Homes on Nov. 4 and 18
Faculty and staff are invited to Vista Meadows open houses from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, and Wednesday, Nov. 18. Attendees can tour all three floor plans and learn more about the faculty and staff housing development at Grand Avenue and Slack Street, including available homes and the homeownership program. Vista Meadows includes 34 single-family homes, with prices starting at $749,500.
Learn more about Vista Meadows
Faculty and Staff
Mustang Shop Celebrates Faculty and Staff Appreciation Days Oct. 27-28
The Mustang Shop is thanking Cal Poly faculty and staff with 25% off apparel and gifts Oct. 27-28, up from the usual 10% discount. Some exclusions apply. Faculty can also stop by the course materials department on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a complimentary frozen treat and help with upcoming course material adoptions and Poly Access.
Learn More About The Mustang Shop
Faculty and Staff
Department Chairs and Heads Learning Community
Employee and Organization Development and Academic Personnel recently kicked off the AY 2026–27 Department Chairs and Heads Learning Community. This learning and networking community welcomes academic leaders at all experience levels and offers opportunities to access subject-matter expertise, strengthen skills, expand knowledge and connect with colleagues. The cohort meets in person one Friday each month at Cal Poly’s San Luis Obispo campus, with lunch provided. If you are interested in being considered for a future cohort, please complete the interest form.
Retirements
The Mustang Shop’s Tina Flores to Retire Oct. 30
After eight years at the Cal Poly Mustang Shop and 11 years with Follett, Tina Flores will retire Oct. 30. At the Mustang Shop, Flores has served as co-manager and market leader of general merchandise, bringing creativity, merchandising expertise and dedication to her work. The Mustang Shop team thanks Flores for her many contributions and wishes her all the best in retirement.
Events
Speak Up. Listen Better. Build Bridges.
Some of the most important conversations begin after hearing “no.” Discover how to navigate resistance, communicate with confidence and empathy, and turn challenging conversations into opportunities for connection. Fall into better conversations with us! Join our interactive Cal Poly Toastmasters Open House to practice, observe and strengthen your voice in a welcoming environment. Students, faculty and staff are welcome, and walk-ins are encouraged. Lunch will be provided, and participation is optional.
Cal Poly Toastmasters Open House
- Wednesday, Oct. 28
- 12:10–1 p.m. | mingle until 1:30 p.m.
- University Union (UU), Room 216
Questions? Contact Calvin Sholars at crsholar@calpoly.edu.
Learn More About Cal Poly Toastmasters
Events
Las Migas Performs Nov. 15 at Spanos Theatre
With over 20 years of experience and six studio albums, Las Migas is one of the most internationally acclaimed Spanish bands today. This all-female pop quartet combines the rhythms of flamenco with influences from Spain, Cuba and Mexico to create a unique cultural fusion heard ’round the world. Winners of the Latin Grammy for Best Flamenco Album in 2022 and 2025, they have attracted 1 million Instagram followers and thousands of listeners worldwide. This event offers student tickets and a 20% discount for Cal Poly staff and faculty.
Athletics Schedule
Thursday, Oct. 29
- Women’s basketball vs. Cal State Monterey Bay (exhibition), Mott Athletics Center, 11 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31
- Women’s soccer vs. Sacramento State, Mustang Memorial Field, 1 p.m.
- Men’s soccer vs. UC Riverside, Mustang Memorial Field, 7 p.m.
Student Success
Maritime Students Go Behind the Scenes Aboard R/V Sally Ride
Students from Cal Poly Maritime Academy got an up-close look at research vessel operations and maritime careers during a tour of the R/V Sally Ride at Bay Ship and Yacht in Alameda. Students in Professor Aldrich’s Transportation Security course toured the Scripps Institution of Oceanography research vessel while it underwent work in a floating dry dock. The visit gave students an opportunity to connect concepts from the classroom with real-world vessel operations, transportation security and the work of professional mariners.
Learn More About the R/V Sally Ride
Student Success
Tall Ship, Big Opportunity for Cal Poly Maritime Academy Students
A group of Cal Poly Maritime Academy students took full advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when the ARM Cuauhtémoc, a 300-foot-long, three-masted Mexican Navy training ship docked in San Francisco for a four-day goodwill visit. Free deck and rigging tours were offered at The Embarcadero (Piers 15 and 17), which drew large crowds that waited multiple hours for a tour. As with T/S Golden Bear, and as will happen with T/S Golden State starting in 2028, this vessel served as a floating training classroom for Mexican Navy midshipmen during its 92-day North Pacific training cruise.