University Announcements
There will be a Cal Poly Report on Thursday Next Week
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 Unveils NVIDIA-Powered AI Factory
Students entering the workforce will increasingly need to understand artificial intelligence well enough to question its output and recognize its limits. Cal Poly is expanding how it prepares them for that reality with an NVIDIA-powered AI Factory that gives students and faculty direct access to advanced AI computing on campus. Funded by the Noyce School of Applied Computing, the factory brings together four NVIDIA DGX B200 systems with the storage and networking needed to train large AI models using university-controlled resources. Cal Poly formally unveiled the AI Factory during AI Day on Oct. 22.
Learn More About the AI Factory
News
Cal Poly to Launch New Data Science Major in Fall 2027
Cal Poly will offer a new bachelor’s degree in data science beginning in fall 2027, bringing together faculty and coursework from the College of Engineering and the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics. Applications are open through Nov. 30. The 120-unit interdisciplinary major will combine computing with mathematical and statistical training. Students will develop skills in data management, visualization, statistical modeling and machine learning, all while learning to communicate findings and consider the ethical implications of how data is collected and used.
Read More About the Data Science Major
Faculty and Staff
LinkedIn Learning Workshop
Join us for a Zoom workshop with our LinkedIn Learning representative Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to noon to explore the learning and career-development resources available to Cal Poly employees. This interactive walkthrough highlights how to browse and save content, explore career paths, create a personalized career plan and make the most of tools such as AI coaching and more. Whether you’re new to LinkedIn Learning or looking to make fuller use of this employee benefit, you’ll leave with practical ways to identify relevant learning opportunities, build skills and support your professional growth.
In Memoriam
Harold “Hal” Cota
Harold “Hal” Cota, who helped establish Cal Poly’s environmental engineering program in 1968, died Oct. 6 at age 90. Joining Cal Poly in 1966, he developed courses and laboratories that gave students hands-on experience studying pollution. He also helped preserve the environmental engineering degree during a university reorganization and directed an Environmental Protection Agency training center. Remembered for his devotion to students, Cota continued supporting their careers long after graduation. A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the United Methodist Church of San Luis Obispo, 1515 Fredericks St.
Events
Join Us for International Education Week Nov. 16-20
Cal Poly International Center invites the campus community to celebrate International Education Week, featuring events that highlight global food, cultures and perspectives.
International Opportunities for Faculty and Staff Open House
- Thursday, Nov. 19
- Noon to 1:30 p.m.
- Bldg. 35, Room 104
Learn about teaching abroad, developing study abroad programs, fellowships, group trips and more. Refreshments provided. Faculty and staff are encouraged to help promote student panels and info sessions.
Catastrophic Leave
Samantha Valenzuela, Admin Support Coordinator, in AFD Public Safety, has qualified for catastrophic leave. To donate leave credits to help Valenzuela remain in full-pay status during an extended leave of absence, please contact catastrophic leave coordinator Takuto Doshiro at 805-756-6682 or tdoshiro@calpoly.edu.
Campus Announcements
Campus Invited to Contribute to Mustang Holiday Gift Drive by Dec. 11
The Center for Service in Action (CSA) invites students, staff, faculty and families to support the Mustang Holiday Gift Drive. Pick up a gift tag for a local child or family in need, purchase the requested item or donate $30-$40 through the CSA’s direct giving link. Gift tags are available at giving towers in the 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). Return new, unwrapped gifts to CSA in Sierra Madre Residence Hall (No. 113, Room L119) by Friday, Dec. 11.
Campus Announcements
Get Free Printing With a Cal Poly Print and Copy Account
Cal Poly Print and Copy is offering anyone with an online account up to 250 free black-and-white prints on 8.5-by-11-inch, 20-pound bond paper from Nov. 2 to 16. Don’t have an account? Sign up for free to take advantage of the offer. An account also makes it easy to upload files, submit print orders and track orders. Please share this offer with students who may benefit.
Events
From Puglia with Love: A Cinematic Exchange
Cal Poly, the Palm Theatre and the Noci Film Festival in Southern Italy present an evening dedicated to Italian cinema and cultural exchange. The event at the Palm Theatre will begin with an Italian aperitivo catered by Café Roma, followed by screenings of five short films by emerging Italian directors under 30. Exploring contemporary issues and personal experiences, the films offer perspectives on Italian society through the eyes of a new generation of filmmakers. A Q&A with the directors and festival representatives will follow.
Noci Film Festival
- Tuesday, Nov. 10
- 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Palm Theatre, San Luis Obispo
Events
Upcoming Noyce Distinguished Speaker Event
Please join the College of Engineering for a Noyce Distinguished Speaker Series event at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, featuring AI innovator and practitioner Noelle Russell, founder and chief AI officer of the AI Leadership Institute. Russell will show audiences how to seize AI opportunities while safeguarding against unintended risks. Sharing real-world lessons from her work with top enterprises and her experience shaping emerging AI ecosystems, she will help attendees identify immediate wins and build responsible strategies for navigating an AI-first future. The event will be held at Cal Poly's Advanced Technology Laboratories (Building 7).
Learn More About Noelle Russell
Events
Cal Poly Intergenerational Initiative Event Nov. 14
Students and older adults are welcome to join the Intergenerational Initiative Music Across Generations event from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. The event aims to build meaningful and reciprocal connections between Cal Poly and the San Luis Obispo older adult community through intergenerational exchange of ideas, talent, experience and mutual support. This event will bring older adults to Cal Poly for fun social interactions and joint activities, including Taiko drummers, student musicians, SLO Symphony’s “Musical Petting Zoo,” tours and conversations.
Events
Cal Poly to Present Annual Bandfest on Nov. 13
The Bandfest concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in the Performing Arts Center. Cal Poly’s Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band will start the program with works including Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” from “The Planets” and E.E. Bagley’s “National Emblem March.” Guest saxophonist Nick May will be featured with each of the groups. The Mustang Band will close the concert with arrangements of popular music from this season’s field shows.
Events
Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble Fall Concert on Nov. 14
The Arab Music Ensemble will present a wide range of classics at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in the Performing Arts Center for its fall concert, starting with an instrumental suite with genres rooted in the Ottoman Empire. Songs from Egypt, Greece, Lebanon and Morocco will follow, including “Yamurru `Ujban” (He Passes by Uncannily), an example of the “muwashshah” genre, which arose in 10th-century Andalusia. Instrumental improvisation will be interspersed throughout the show. Nationally acclaimed guest artists will join the ensemble, including Ishmael on qanun, Rafid Yalda on nay and Faisal Zedan on riqq, daff and darbuka.
Events
Join Us for SLO GIS Day 2026
On Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the SLO GIS Users group will host the annual SLO GIS Day event at the SLO Downtown Public Library community room, 995 Palm St. Stop by to chat about all things maps and GIS! The event will feature presentations from local GIS users, exhibitors, a map gallery and networking with local professionals. Connect with colleagues and see how GIS is applied in local government, businesses, academia, nonprofits and more. Submit your maps to the GIS Day gallery by Nov. 13!
Learn More About the Event and GIS
Athletics Schedule
Monday, Nov. 2
- Women’s basketball vs. UC Merced, Mott Athletics Center, 5 p.m.
- Men’s basketball vs. Cal State San Marcos, Mott Athletics Center, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 5
- Women’s basketball vs. Whittier, Mott Athletics Center, 6 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6
- Volleyball vs. Long Beach State, Mott Athletics Center, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7
- Football vs. Northern Arizona, Mustang Memorial Field, 2 p.m.
- Volleyball vs. Cal State Fullerton, Mott Athletics Center, 6 p.m.
News
Jobs First Investments Advance Maritime Workforce Development
Cal Poly Maritime Academy will receive $5.8 million through California Jobs First to expand maritime education, workforce development and industry partnerships in the Bay Area and the Delta region. A $4.3 million investment will support the development of a new academic and innovation center on Mare Island that connects education, applied research and industry. The Workforce Integration Network will focus on developing a maritime career pathway connecting students, education providers and employers with the remaining $1.5 million. Its initiative includes workforce training support, updates to community college curricula and youth programming designed to introduce more students to maritime careers.