An inside look at living, studying and working at Cal Poly.

Inside Cal Poly

The Kennedy Library transformation is in the homestretch with plans to reopen on Monday, Sept. 15. 



Students, faculty and staff can expect some great additions and renovations.&nbsp;



The newly transformed library will strengthen Learn by Doing with more study spaces and classroom seats, an expanded Hub24 and two new seminar spaces where the library and its in-house partners can actively engage students, faculty and the Cal Poly community.



It will also be the home to the Digital Scholarship Studio on the first floor. Designed to support work across disciplines, the Digital Scholarship Studio will support students through the entire research and creative process with the help of digital tools and informational resources.&nbsp;



There students can get help with their research at the Research Help Desk, collaborate with digital tools and data visualization at computer workstations and the Studio Space, and meet with librarians or specialists in fishbowl meeting rooms.&nbsp;



The library will also enrich connections with a new main stair and entry experience, streamlined service points, expanded Julian&#8217;s Cafe, and a reimagined courtyard.&nbsp;&nbsp;



A crucial part of the renovation has been optimizing building performance. To do so, the library is installing new heating and cooling systems, increasing energy efficiency, improving safety systems, glazing throughout, and creating new ADA-compliant, all-gender restrooms.&nbsp;



Lastly, the library will showcase and celebrate the Cal Poly community in a new exhibition area.&nbsp;More information on that to come.



To learn more about the highly anticipated project, visit the <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/kennedy-library/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kennedy Library Renovation web page</a>.&nbsp;

Construction workers wearing safety vests and hard hats walk through a newly renovated courtyard surrounded by multi-story concrete and glass buildings, with landscaping and young trees planted throughout the space.

Cal Poly’s Kennedy Library On Time to Reopen This Fall 

Cal Poly remains committed to growing its student body to meet the increasing demand for <a href="https://youtu.be/rcpU5biJnlY?feature=shared" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ready Day One</a> graduates who will help solve some of the world’s most complex problems.



To achieve this, the <a href="https://cpslo.sharepoint.com/sites/SOComms/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?ga=1&amp;id=%2Fsites%2FSOComms%2FShared%20Documents%2FGeneral%2FCommunication%20Kit%2FHow%20to%20use%20the%20communication%20kit%2Epdf&amp;parent=%2Fsites%2FSOComms%2FShared%20Documents%2FGeneral%2FCommunication%20Kit">Making Space for Student Success</a> initiative is strategically optimizing and relocating campus spaces for better learning, collaboration and growth opportunities. This multi-phased plan will ensure facility use is practical and efficient, enhancing academic excellence and supporting the success of every student.



The most recent phase includes the following departments that relocated this summer into the listed buildings:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Building 15<ul><li>Black Academic Excellence Center (BAEC)</li></ul><ul><li>Latinx/e Center for Academic Success and Achievement (La CASA)</li></ul><ul><li>Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)</li></ul><ul><li>Cal Poly Scholars</li></ul>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>TRIO Achievers</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>yakʔitʸutʸu residential community (No. 172)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The Dream Center will co-locate with the Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center (NAICC)</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Kennedy Library (No. 35)<ul><li>Office of Writing and Learning, including the new location for the Tutoring and Learning Center</li></ul><ul><li>Cal Poly International Center</li></ul><ul><li>University Honors Program</li></ul>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Cal Poly Print and Copy</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Science Building (No. 52)<ul><li>University Advising (Mustang Success Center, UA Retention) will expand into Room E25</li></ul><ul><li>The Transfer Center will expand into Room E29</li></ul>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Graduate Education will expand into the D27 conference room</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



Have questions or feedback? Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Space Optimization Team at spaceoptimization@calpoly.edu.

Making Space for Student Success Continues

The Kennedy Library transformation is in the homestretch with plans to reopen on Monday, Sept. 15. 



Students, faculty and staff can expect some great additions and renovations.&nbsp;



The newly transformed library will strengthen Learn by Doing with more study spaces and classroom seats, an expanded Hub24 and two new presentation spaces where the library and its in-house partners can actively engage students, faculty and the Cal Poly community.



It will also be the home to the Digital Scholarship Studio on the first floor. Designed to support work across disciplines, the Digital Scholarship Studio will support students through the entire research and creative process with the help of digital tools and informational resources.&nbsp;



There students can get help with their research at the Research Help Desk, collaborate with digital tools and data visualization at computer workstations and the Studio Space, and meet with librarians or specialists in fishbowl meeting rooms.&nbsp;



The library will also enrich connections with a new main stair and entry experience, streamlined service points, expanded Julian&#8217;s Cafe, and a reimagined courtyard.&nbsp;&nbsp;



A crucial part of the renovation has been optimizing building performance. To do so, the library is installing new heating and cooling systems, increasing energy efficiency, improving safety systems, glazing throughout, and creating new ADA-compliant, all-gender restrooms.&nbsp;



Lastly, the library will showcase and celebrate the Cal Poly community in a new exhibition area.&nbsp;More information on that to come.



To learn more about the highly anticipated project, visit the <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/kennedy-library/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kennedy Library Renovation web page</a>.&nbsp;

Modern indoor space with concrete walls, wooden benches, colorful wall art, and people walking and interacting.

Cal Poly’s Kennedy Library Scheduled to Reopen On Time This Fall

At the start of July, the Administration and Finance (A&amp;F) team will grow as the division welcomes new colleagues from University Housing.



This restructuring is part of a larger university-wide plan to meet the state&#8217;s enrollment growth requirements and to better align services across campus.



With new student, staff and faculty accommodations coming online and an increase in the operating budget to fund new construction and capital projects, moving most Housing departments within A&amp;F will help to streamline processes and make the teams more effective in fulfilling major operational roles for the university.



This change, while significant in its impact on campus efficiencies, is not planned to have a major effect on individual staff member roles. For housing staff, their reporting structures, as well as telecommuting and work locations will remain the same.



The biggest change will be for Juliette Duke. Duke, the executive director of University Housing, will report directly to Allison Baird-James, A&amp;F’s senior vice president.



Duke will oversee the University Housing units joining A&amp;F. Those units include:



– Administrative Services and Strategy: Outreach and Communication, Assignments, Assessment, and Special Events.



– Business and Finance: Procurement and Budget – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Employee Experience: Payroll and Recruitment.



– Facilities Operations: Custodial, Planning and Support Services, and the Depot.



The Residential Student Experience Unit of University Housing will stay within Student Affairs.



Please join us in welcoming and helping accommodate our new A&amp;F colleagues from Housing. Together, we will continue to move Cal Poly forward and work to enhance the student experience.

Sunlit aerial view of modern white buildings in a valley with surrounding hills and a sports field nearby.

A&F Grows with the Addition of Housing

As a second-year construction management major, Emma Strickland always has a plan. Whether it outlines her academic priorities or the progress of construction projects, Emma can always rely on a solid roadmap.



Since onboarding with Cal Poly’s Facilities Management &amp; Development team, she has worked on many projects, including the new lounge in the Materials Engineering building and the highly anticipated <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/kennedy-library/">Kennedy Library Renovation</a>.



Emma recently took a break from her busy schedule to discuss her standout project moments, goals before graduating and advice for her freshman self. 



Can you tell us about some projects you’ve worked on so far? Any standout moments? I’ve been lucky enough to work on a wide range of projects while working with Facilities on campus. One standout has been seeing the progression of the Kennedy Library — both inside and out. I’ve done site walks, learned new programs like Bluebeam and Procore, and had the opportunity to shadow several project managers. These experiences have helped me build strong communication skills and given me a clearer understanding of what my future career might look like. I’ve also contributed to projects for the College of Engineering, such as the new lounge in the MATE building and a canopy project by the Aerospace Engineering building. Day to day, I support project managers with tasks like fixing plans and creating spreadsheets to track progress, which has helped me gain exposure to the many moving parts of construction management. I have gotten to help and participate in organizing all the future move-ins for the library furniture for the past few months, working closely to coordinate the upcoming move. I have loved working with everyone in my department and have learned and am still learning new things every day.



What other projects or goals do you hope to accomplish before graduating? Before I graduate, I hope to make more connections in the industry and continue developing skills that will support my long-term career. I’m also aiming to take part in a senior project that I can be truly proud of &#8211; not just one that checks the boxes for graduation, but something that will have a lasting impact.



Is there a particular philosophy or mantra that guides your day-to-day? I like to start each day with a plan. It’s not about forcing myself to check off every item, but having a roadmap helps me stay focused and productive. This mindset guides both my academic work and my job; it helps me make the most out of each day without burning out.



Are there any books, movies or music you’ve been into lately? I love watching shows and movies, especially my comfort favorites. I’m a big fan of rom-coms and sitcoms; they help me unwind after a long day. I just finished watching How I Met Your Mother and recently rewatched 10 Things I Hate About You, which is one of my all-time favorite movies. Whether I’m studying or walking to class, I always have music playing. My taste is pretty broad, and I enjoy almost every genre.



What is your idea of a great weekend? For me, a great weekend means spending quality time with friends and family. I love going to the beach, playing volleyball and sharing good food afterward. Watching the sunset is the perfect way to unwind and mentally reset from a busy week; it helps me let go of stress and just enjoy the moment.



Lastly, if you could share any piece of advice with your freshman self, what would it be? I’d tell myself not to stress so much; it really does all work out. The transition from high school to college was tough, and I struggled with expecting myself to perform at the same level without recognizing how much harder the workload and responsibilities would be. That pressure affected my grades early on. But over time, I found a better balance between succeeding academically and enjoying the college experience.

Young woman with long brown hair smiling, wearing a white top, standing outdoors with sunlight behind her.

When in Doubt, Make a Plan: A Conversation with Emma Strickland

Named after Cal Poly alumnus and NFL Hall-of-Fame coach and broadcaster John Madden, the $45 million <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/football_operations/">John Madden Football Center</a> construction is pushing into the third quarter and planning for an opening in Winter 2026.



The 35,000-square-foot facility will become the new home of the Cal Poly football team, accommodating its training and regular-season needs and helping to recruit top-quality student-athletes to campus.



The center will feature a new team locker room, weight room, coach offices with support spaces, team meeting rooms, training and medical support spaces, a student-athlete lounge with nutrition and hydration stations, lobby and entrance spaces with access to the stadium&#8217;s south end and parking.



Designed with a heavy focus on creating a holistic student athlete experience, the center will feature a state-of-the-art medical center with therapy and hydrotherapy pools and a facility that can be used for everything from the treatment of a sprained ankle to addressing certain potential emergencies.



With the recovering student athlete’s mental wellbeing in mind, the north side of the building will open to Spanos Stadium with the help of large sliding doors on the ground floor to allow team members receiving treatment to continue to be part of team practices.



To help build comradery and a team atmosphere, the student athlete lounge will be equipped with large screen TVs and gaming consoles as well as nutrition and hydration stations.



And with a significant nod towards history, and the student athletes who came before, the entire building was designed to incorporate the Mustang Memorial Plaza as the centerpiece to the main entrance.



A remembrance of the victims of the 1960 plane crash which took the lives of 16 players and the team manager, the plaza was a special place for John Madden, as many of his friends were on the flight.



The Mustang statue at the center of the plaza faces the main entrance to the building.



As part of the Cal Poly Master Plan and in support of making room for student success, the facility will be equipped with a 130-seat team room, which will also be used as an academic lecture hall in the off season.



Additionally, the project is part of the <a href="https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2023110679" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South Campus Infrastructure Renewal</a> project, which includes repairing and replacing a sanitary sewer, storm drainage, gas and electrical service, as well as fiber communication relocation and broadcast streaming to Alex G. Spanos Stadium.



The estimated completion for the John Madden Football Center is January 2026.

Group of construction workers in yellow vests and hard hats standing inside a steel frame structure under construction.

John Madden Football Center Construction Update

The mission to beautify Cal Poly is in full display this spring.



For fifth-year computer engineering student Sofia Dias, “Beach Day in SLO,” is more than just a rendering of oceanside fun; it’s a showcase of public spaces bringing people together, reminding everyone to reengage with the nature around them.



Her painting — on the east side of the volleyball court behind Mott Athletics Center — was inspired by her appreciation for SLO’s natural environment and beach-day sightseeing.



“I am in a figure drawing class, and it has made me more observant of people and body language,” Dias said. “I want to showcase my observations on sunny beach days in SLO and the fact that everyone has a story.”



Elements of her artwork also include a volleyball game and a surf session. Having recently discovered her love for volleyball while taking a kinesiology class, she wanted to incorporate her appreciation for the sport. She’s also learning how to surf!



“I want people to feel appreciative of the place we live and enjoy every day,” Dias explained. “Often times things can be challenging and difficult, but I am grateful to have been able to face these hardships in a beautiful place that allows me to enjoy the scenery and reflect while also feeling connected to others.”



She hopes to inspire people to go outside and enjoy the SLO scenery, whether by themselves or with friends.



To see “Beach Day in SLO” and other campus artwork, <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1BZ-lRY37MeCXFVRCW2BhBLwr5W7GsyQ&amp;femb=1&amp;ll=35.30229386879014%2C-120.65957300000002&amp;z=16" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">check out this map of all utility box art locations</a>. Plus, find out how to join the beautification initiative and <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/about/news/utility-box-art/">paint a utility box yourself</a>!

Young woman wearing gray long-sleeve shirt and dark gray pants sitting on an outdoor utility box near sand volleyball courts.

Utility Box Art Spotlight: Beach Day in SLO

The Cal Poly Center for Innovation &amp; Entrepreneurship (CIE) and the Cal Poly Mustang Shop Downtown will soon have a new home. Improvements on a new downtown San Luis Obispo location are underway, with the goal of creating an enhanced spaces for the two key university programs, and a more visible presence for Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.&nbsp;



Located on the corner of Marsh and Chorro streets, in the former Copeland Sports building, this new project will help revitalize the long<s> </s>vacant corner location.&nbsp;The CIE currently operates a downtown location – The HotHouse on Higuera Street, focused on developing innovators and entrepreneurs and furthering regional economic development.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The renovated downtown location will offer expanded coworking capabilities, with options such as hot desks, dedicated desks, private offices and meeting rooms. A new event space will host networking events and meet-ups, and expanded space will be available for startups to pilot test new innovative products with local customers through retail popups, and other on-location customer development opportunities. With a more visible location, new programming will be offered with the goal of further connecting Cal Poly, students and the business community.



Also housed in the new location will be an expanded Cal Poly Mustang Shop Downtown. The Mustang Shop carries official Cal Poly<s>&#8211;</s>branded apparel, Cal Poly wines as well as Cal Poly specialty food items and assorted gifts for all ages.&nbsp;



Customers at the Mustang Shop will have visibility to the adjacent CIE space, providing an opportunity to fully connect the public to the mission and impact of the CIE.&nbsp;



Cal Poly Partners continues to support the university’s regional economic development work, by backing collaborative efforts among the City of San Luis Obispo, County of San Luis Obispo, REACH, and numerous companies committed to advancing economic prosperity.&nbsp;



This move marks a significant investment by Cal Poly Partners in the local community and a major effort to promote economic development in San Luis Obispo.&nbsp;



Following tenant improvements, the building is scheduled to open Winter 2026.&nbsp;



<a href="https://calpolypartners.org/real-estate-development/capital-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more about 1144 Chorro on the Cal Poly Partners website</a>&nbsp;

Improvements to 1144 Chorro St. are underway. Cal Poly Partners entered into a lease for the former Copeland Sports location, a large downtown San Luis Obispo space, in 2024.

Work on New Downtown Location Gets Underway 

The Kennedy Library Transformation is fully underway and Fall Quarter has brought in a lot of changes. Here’s a rundown of everything that’s new.
Lockers 
The Cal Poly community can now request books and other library materials to be placed in the Library Pickup Lockers, providing access to library resources during the transformation. This includes physical items from Kennedy Library’s circulating collections and items eligible for request in 
Requested materials will be placed in lockers located in the Dexter Plaza next to the main entrance to Dexter (Bldg. 34) for pick up. Users have seven days to pick items up from the lockers.
Waitz App 
While looking for a place to study this quarter, you can now track occupancy and study area hours with the Waitz App. The app allows users to check real-time occupancy of the C7 and H11 Study Structures alongside the Sierra Madre study spaces. It will soon expand other study locations throughout the quarter. Waitz is available for free from the 
Town Hall 
The Kennedy Library Transformation team is inviting students, faculty, staff and supporters to a town hall on Tuesday, Oct. 24. This panel discussion with project leaders will provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions learn more about the project, its progress and future plans. 
During the Q&#038;A panelists will answer questions submitted prior to the event as well as those asked in person. Other topics will include the project scope and student resources available throughout construction. The town hall will be held in UU 220 (Bldg. 65) from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. You can submit questions 
Mustang Shuttle Stops 
Mustang Shuttle services are still available during the transformation! Shuttle stops have been added to help serve students using the H11 and C7 Temporary Study Structures. The stops include the Erhart Agriculture (Bldg. 10) and O’Neill Green in front of the Business Building (Bldg. 3). To learn more about stops, click 
Printing Locations

Library book drop bin next to a modern parcel locker with multiple compartments and a touchscreen panel.

Category: Study