Cal Poly’s yakʔitʸutʸu Residential Community Earns LEED Gold Certification
Cal Poly’s newest residential community has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for being inclusive, healthy and efficient, and home to cost-saving green building features. Located off Grand Avenue and opened to students in September of 2018, the $198 million yakʔitʸutʸu residential community includes seven three- to five-story residential buildings containing 1,475 beds and an adjacent four-level parking structure — all of which were designed and built with social and environmental sustainability as a primary objective. The complex also celebrates the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini language, land, people, history and future. “yakʔitʸutʸu — which means ‘our community’ in the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini, Northern Chumash language — was named in honor of and in partnership with the Indigenous peoples of San Luis Obispo County,” said Jo Campbell, associate vice president for Student Affairs and executive director of University Housing. “It was designed from the ground up to be inclusive, engaging and student-centered.” Read the news release.
Student-Made Products Available for the Holidays
Gather around the table with your family and enjoy delicious Cal Poly ham, wine and cheese! Cal Poly Meats is now taking orders for this year's holiday season. The bone-in hams are $4.50 a pound and are available to purchase as whole or half hams. For more information, visit calpolymeats.com or place an order by emailing calpolymeats@calpoly.edu. This holiday season the Cal Poly Creamery has new award-winning cheeses and traditional favorites, available in a variety of gift box arrangements. Order your cheese selections in time for holiday delivery. In addition, the Wine and Viticulture Department has also created holiday wine, cheese and chocolate gift packs. Purchase here. Thank you for supporting students and Cal Poly's Learn by Doing tradition!
Exploring the Future of Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch
Advanced landscape architecture students partnered with Swanton Pacific Ranch this quarter to create potential designs to be considered during the redevelopment of the ranch following the CZU Lightening Complex fire that destroyed much it in August 2020. Four student groups will present their projects from 1:10 to 4:10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, in the Advanced Technology Lab (Building 07). Swanton Pacific Ranch staff will also share a few updates and take questions and comments on the strategic intent for the ranch moving forward. The students, enrolled in LA 403: Natural Systems Design Studio, were asked to provide a comprehensive master plan reflecting the ranch’s future vision and integrating programs that embrace the characteristics of the region and place, accommodate a variety of educational opportunities, and support its resilience and sustainability. Anyone with a connection or interest in Swanton Pacific Ranch is encouraged to attend.
Faculty and Staff Volunteers Needed for Fall Commencement Weekend Dec. 11-12
The Commencement Office is seeking faculty and staff volunteers for the following Fall Commencement events at Spanos Stadium:
- Fall Commencement 2021 ceremony (Dec. 11).
- Class of 2020 Celebration (Dec. 12).
Volunteer tasks may include greeting graduates and guests; ensuring guests have access to shuttles, wheelchairs and first aid; helping with stadium logistics and more. Volunteers will receive a $50 gift card to the University Store or campus dining venues for each shift. Volunteers must follow public health guidelines and participate in a training. Sign up today. Note: Non-exempt employee participation is voluntary but should be compensated for time through compensatory time off (CTO). CTO will not incur an unbudgeted expense to an employee's department. Exempt employees may use a flexible work schedule during commencement week to shift work hours from week to weekend. All participating employees must obtain approval from supervisors to participate. Anyone with questions should contact Human Resources.
First Year Success Program Coaches Needed for Winter Quarter
The First Year Success Program (FSP) is looking for graduate students, faculty and staff from across campus to serve as academic coaches for first-time freshmen who are on academic probation for the first time. FSP coaches will support a small group of first-time freshmen by facilitating growth-centered conversations, engaging in goal setting and skill development, and exploring resources that students can use to help them move toward success in future quarters. FSP staff will provide a training on Friday, Dec. 10, to discuss the details of the program and provide materials. FSP is looking for diverse members from the campus community, so all levels of experience and background are welcome. Sign up or express interest before Wednesday, Dec. 8. Questions? Contact Kara Hitchcock at khitch01@calpoly.edu.
Workshops to Focus on Supporting Survivors of Gender- and Power-Based Violence
Safer will offer two individual workshops focused on supporting students and colleagues who have experienced sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, stalking, harassment or exploitation. This training is designed for faculty and staff and will cover campus and community resources, as well as how to respond to disclosures and how to apply trauma-informed techniques in the classroom and workspace. Workshops are scheduled on:
Mental Health and Well-Being Resources Available for Faculty, Staff and Students
Cal Poly offers a slate of mental health and well-being resources, as well as practical advice for telecomuting to work or classes that are just a click, text or phone call away. Human Resources and Campus Health and Wellbeing offer these services for faculty, staff and students to assist in times of stress and COVID 19.
- Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling services to employees and their families at A&F Work Life Programs or 800-367-7474
- Resources for Emotional Support and Wellbeing
- Central Coast Hotline, a confidential mental health guidance, crisis and suicide prevention telephone line, call 1-805-783-0607.
- Working Remotely Toolkit
- Mindfulness Resources
- Ergonomics tips for working from home
- Text START to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-TALK (8253) for a confidential conversation anytime (Jed Foundation)
- Text STEVE to 741-741 to access a culturally trained crisis text line counselor (The Steve Fund).
- Read these tips from the Jed Foundation for taking care of ourselves and others during difficult times.
- Faculty and staff can remind students of key resources, including Counseling Services, Safer (also available to faculty and staff), Student Diversity and Belonging, and the Dean of Students office. Students can call Counseling Services at 805-756-2511 for 24/7 psychological support.
In addition, employees should try to get sufficient sleep, exercise and proper nutrition. Remember to take breaks from work and develop separation or boundaries from your workspace or transition to and from work. Human Resources notes that a decline in productivity may occur during a challenging time and encourages all campus community members to practice compassion with themselves and each other.
Cal Poly Corporation Marketing and Communication Wins 9 International Awards
Cal Poly Corporation’s Marketing and Communication department was recently recognized with nine international MarCom awards for campaigns promoting employee excellence and new programs within Campus Dining, Administration and Finance and the corporation. Administered by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals, the MarCom awards is one of the largest creative competitions in the world. The platinum award, given to only 15% of entrants, honored a campaign created to market the Quarter Plus and Summer academic programs.
Gold awards were in recognition of:
- Transportation and Parking Services’ Commute with Confidence marketing campaign.
- A&F’s “Welcome Back” video.
- Campus Dining’s reusable tumblers marketing campaign.
- Campus Dining’s new Health Shack venue.
- Campus Dining’s “What’s Cookin’ Mustangs” video series.
Honorable Mentions were given for:
- Campus Dining’s “What’s Cookin’” brand campaign.
- Campus Dining’s “Choose Well” video series.
- Vista Grande Dining Complex opening media relations.
View all the 2021 MarCom winners.
December Brings New Professional Development Courses
Employee and Organization Development is pleased to share the release of the December professional development offerings as part of the Cross Campus Collaboration series. Many of Cal Poly’s and the CSU campuses’ workshops are offered online, providing a unique opportunity to extend learning beyond campus borders and offer a new way to share professional development.
New courses and additional dates for December have recently been added. View and register using the links below. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t delay.
- True Colors Personal Success Workshop
- Retaining Continuity when Employees Leave
- Positive Psychology
- Re-Discover and Re-Imagine: Agility (Series 3 of 4)
- Decisions, Decisions! Creative Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Techniques
- The Value of Making Values Valuable for You and Your Team
- Re-Discover and Re-Imagine: Vulnerability (Series 4 of 4)
More classes are coming for 2022. Check the Upcoming Opportunities page of the learnandgrow.calpoly.edu website for updates.
Share Input on Cal Poly Branded Styles
Cal Poly’s trademark licensing team is seeking feedback about university-branded sweatshirts, water bottles and more! The team wants to better understand campus shopping habits and preferences to help inform future design, style and product decisions. As a thank you for completing this survey, participants will be entered into a drawing for one of eight $25 Cal Poly university store gift cards. Participants’ identities will only be used for entry into the drawing. The team urges faculty and staff to participate and spread the word to their peers. Thanks to survey respondents for helping to shape future Cal Poly merchandise. The survey will be open through Tuesday, Nov. 30.
Help Campus Dining Build a Better Dining Experience and Win Great Prizes
Campus Dining is looking to build a Better Dining Experience and wants feedback from the campus community. Creating an eclectic, on-trend dining experience is a job that takes near-constant tweaking and research. The annual fall survey is a big part of that process. Completion of the survey, which takes roughly eight minutes, enters each respondent into a sweepstakes to win one of three prizes: a set of AirPods Pro with a Cal Poly case, The North Face backpack with a hydro flask and $100 Starbucks gift card, or a Polaroid Now Instant Camera with film bundle. Your responses will help Campus Dining improve customer experience for staff, faculty and students, and help it develop more innovative ways to deliver products and serve the campus. The survey is open from Nov. 8-19.
Register for Creating Accessible Course Materials Workshop
The Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology says accessibility is key to ensuring equitable learning experiences for students with disabilities. Join peers from Jan. 31 to Feb. 27 in this online CTLT faculty workshop to create accessible course materials. The workshop covers Canvas accessibility features, accessible documents and video creation with captioning. Participants will explore the Ally tool in Canvas to identify and fix inaccessible course content. The course is 28-40 hours total over a four-week period, depending on skill level and experience. A $500 stipend is available for eligible participants. Questions? Contact Pam Dougherty at padoughe@calpoly.edu. Learn more and register for Creating Accessible Course Materials Winter 2022.
Inclusive Course Design to be Held in January
Universal Design for Learning is an approach to teaching that increases access, reduces barriers and improves learning experiences for all students. The Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology is offering an online faculty workshop from Jan. 18 to Feb. 16 to apply the principles of Universal Design for Learning to course materials, activities and assessments. The course is 28-40 hours total over a four-week period, depending on skill level and experience. A $500 stipend is available for eligible participants. Questions? Contact Pam Dougherty at padoughe@calpoly.edu. Learn more and register for the Inclusive Course Design Winter 2022.
Donate to Mustang Holiday Gift Drive by Dec. 3
The Center for Service in Action (CSA) invites all students, staff, faculty and their families to contribute to the Mustang Holiday Gift Drive. Contribute by picking up a gift tag and purchasing a gift for a child in need or by donating money via the Mustang Holiday Gift Drive's Spur Change crowdfunding website. Each tag represents a specific request supporting local children and families in need. To pick up a gift tag, visit one of the Gift Tag Pick-up locations on campus: second floor stairway landing in Kennedy Library (No. 35), the second floor of the UU (No. 65), and the CSA in the Science Building (No. 52, Room E22). Bring newly purchased, unwrapped gift items to the CSA by Friday, Dec. 3, to help make a child smile this holiday season. For more information, visit the CSA website.
Recreation Center Alters Hours for Winter
The Cal Poly Recreation Center has shifted to more seasonally appropriate hours for the remainder of fall quarter and into the December holiday break. The change took effect Nov. 15. For complete hours of operation and additional information, visit the ASI facility hours resource page.
Virtual Presentation on Opportunities to Study in France Set for Nov. 18
Join the World Languages and Cultures Department from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 18, for a virtual information session about the many opportunities to study in France (including for non-French speakers) and how French can benefit your career. The event is open to all students, faculty and staff who are interested in learning more. It will be held in English with French Consulate representatives Lucille Delbecchi and Benoît Labat presenting. Pre-register for the event.
International Education Week to be Held Nov. 15-19
The International Center will host a series of events from Nov. 15-19 to celebrate International Education Week. An initiative of the U.S. departments of State and Education, International Education Week celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This week’s events provide opportunities for the campus community to participate in cultural and educational programming at Cal Poly by sharing their international experiences. Events include:
- International meals throughout the week from Campus Dining.
- International Education Week raffle for students, faculty and staff. Attend events to be entered to win!
- A student-led panel on “Living Through COVID-19: A Global Perspective,” on Nov. 15.
- A panel of international students sharing insights on life at Cal Poly on Nov. 16. Specialty coffee and tea from around the world will be provided.
- U.S. Diplomat Maureen Smith will talk with students about careers in the Foreign Service and about the U.S. Department of State’s internship and fellowship programs on Nov. 18.
Learn more about these and other events on the International Center website.
Cal Poly Symphony to Host Pianist Tanya Gabrielian for Residency and Concert Dec. 1-3
The Cal Poly Symphony will host pianist Tanya Gabrielian for a three-day residency that will include discussions and performances. Passionate about community engagement, education and activism through art, Gabrielian has collaborated with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in programs highlighting the stigma around mental health issues and has worked with other artists in multidisciplinary projects that have earned her international recognition. She will lead a panel discussion titled “Art, Creativity and Mental Wellness” with local NAMI representatives and music therapy professionals at 8:10 p.m. n Wednesday, Dec. 1. At 11:10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, Gabrielian will present “Music and Activism” to discuss the ways in which she has combined a career as a solo pianist with her advocacy for mental health awareness, social justice and wellness. The events are free and will be in Room 218 of the Davidson Music Center. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, the symphony will perform a concert titled “Gabrielian Plays Shostakovich,” in the Performing Arts Center. Composers with mental illness will be featured: Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Robert Schumann, and Dmitri Shostakovich. The performance will culminate with Gabrielian's performance of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Tickets for the concert are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Get an Insider’s Look at New Learn by Doing Spaces on Campus
Go behind the scenes of the new JUSTIN and J.LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture in the next episode of Insights and Impact: An Alumni Speaker Series, happening virtually at noon Thursday, Dec. 2. This academic year, Insights and Impact will focus on the ways alumni are transforming campus through new facilities that will make an impact on the lives of students for years to come. Get the latest look at new facilities on campus, and hear directly from the alumni, staff and students behind the projects. RSVP for the event.
Cal Poly Choirs to Present Fifth Annual ‘Holiday Kaleidoscope’ on Dec. 4
The Cal Poly Choirs will be back live and in person with the fifth annual “Holiday Kaleidoscope” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in the Performing Arts Center. The four choirs will be joined by the Cabrillo High School Madrigal Singers, directed by Cal Poly alumna Jennifer Peterson (Music, ‘95), and the San Luis Obispo High School Chamber Choir directed by Rick Robbins. The groups will each perform a short selection of repertoire, then unite for some larger works. Among the concert highlights will be the Cal Poly Chamber Choir’s world premiere of faculty member Meredith Brammeier’s setting of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and the Cal Poly Women’s Chorus will present a portion of the program it plans to perform for the California All-State Music Education Conference in February. The group is one of only two college choirs invited to perform. Tickets for the concert are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Event Postings
Events.calpoly.edu is a new platform that shines a spotlight on high-profile special events at
Cal Poly and throughout our community, focusing on the wide and diverse range of activities on and around our campus. This site is designed to help our colleges, programs, departments and facilities promote exciting events that can be seen by a selected audience. It will update regularly and include events happening in the next 30-45 days. It is not a calendar of all events, and it does not include student club events. Here are some links to help you navigate:
Submitting an Event to Events.calpoly.edu
To submit your event for consideration, please send the event title, date, time, duration, ticket information, intended audience(s) and image (1600 bpi wide) to event-submission@calpoly.edu.
University Events Calendar
To find a listing of all events — such as performances, lectures, workshops and more — visit our Master Calendar.
Scheduling/Booking Venues
25Live: Space and Event Scheduling can help you schedule or book a venue for an upcoming on-campus event.
Visit Cal Poly Now for Student Affairs events, learning opportunities and more
Find the latest student-focused campus events from your favorite Student Affairs programs and services by visiting the new Cal Poly Now.