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

Inside Cal Poly

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.

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.

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.

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>!

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

What’s New With The Kennedy Library Transformation

As summer approaches, so does the work on the Kennedy Library Transformation and the opening of temporary library service locations throughout campus.



The Kennedy Library building will be closing at the end of business on Friday, June 16, with <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/kennedy-library/temporary-locations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">all library services continuing at centralized campus locations</a>. Construction will begin at the end of summer 2023 and is expected to wrap up summer of 2025. The reopening date is anticipated for the fall quarter of 2025.



The transformation aims to further connect the campus with library services, enrich the Cal Poly experience by showcasing and celebrating galleries and strengthen our Learn by Doing philosophy with enhanced classrooms and labs. Ultimately, the transformation will optimize building performance with thermal comfort, efficient energy and accessible restrooms.



Some of the major updates include:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>air conditioning</li>



<li>a new, larger café located on the first floor</li>



<li>expanded Hub24 spaces on the first and second floors</li>



<li>all-gender bathrooms on all floors</li>



<li>new fire sprinklers and fire alarm systems</li>



<li>seismic upgrades and structural strengthening</li>



<li>a new roof</li>



<li>LED lighting throughout.</li>
</ul>



After the renovation, the estimated number of student study seats will increase by 300 and classroom seats will increase from 107 to 190.



To stay updated on any library transformation news, check out the <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/kennedy-library/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facilities Management and Development</a> page.

The Kennedy Library Transformation Moves Forward

Kennedy Library, a mainstay on campus since 1980, is receiving a makeover. The scheduled transformation includes updating major systems for a more comfortable, accessible and energy-efficient space to meet, study and work. When the project is complete, library users will return to a refreshed and welcoming space with new flooring, painting, acoustical ceilings, signage, an expanded café on the first level, and a courtyard with more convenient access to flexible classroom spaces.



The main priority throughout construction is to minimize disruption of services and continue to provide programs to the campus community.



While the renovation is underway, students, faculty and staff will still have access to the essential resources they need. Facilities Management and Development (FMD) in conjunction with campus leadership, colleges, and auxiliaries are working to identify additional study spaces which will include classrooms and collaborative spaces.



One such location, a temporary structure for studying, will be built in the <a href="https://maps.calpoly.edu/@35.3011427,-120.6658989,16.9z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">C7 parking lot</a> located near the library. A second temporary student study structure is in progress, with the location to be announced soon. The Chandler and San Luis lounges in the University Union will also operate as an available student study space.



Services including Interlibrary Loan pick-up, course reserves, the digital projects lab, the research help desk and Cal Poly Print and Copy will be available during the project in building 60, the recently renovated <a href="https://maps.calpoly.edu/place/bldg-060-0/@35.2996124,-120.6639661,16.9z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crandall Gym</a>.



All library administration as well as the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology and faculty and staff offices will be housed in <a href="https://maps.calpoly.edu/place/bldg-115-0/@35.2985012,-120.6630176,16.9z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building 115,</a> Chase Hall.



The Writing and Learning Initiatives Office and Special Collections and Archives services will be located in <a href="https://maps.calpoly.edu/place/bldg-026-0/@35.3000721,-120.6631264,16.6z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building 26</a>, the Graphic Arts building. In addition, General Collections operational support will be housed in Cal Poly Corporation Warehouse, <a href="https://maps.calpoly.edu/place/bldg-082-0/@35.3050798,-120.6703816,15.8z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building 82</a>. Special Collections storage will be located in <a href="https://maps.calpoly.edu/place/bldg-034-0/@35.3010560,-120.6645800,16.5z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building 34</a>, Dexter.



Tools will be made available to the campus community to make it easy to find all these resources. These tools are currently being developed and will be announced soon.



For more information on the upcoming renovation, visit the Facilities Management and Development <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/kennedy-library/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">project page.</a>



Library Services and Academic Innovations and Programs are partnering with Facilities Management and Development on the renovations. Miller Hull Partnership and Hensel Phelps have been hired as the architecture firm and project contractor for the state-funded $77 million project.



The project is currently in its design phase and the renovation is expected to begin this summer and will be completed in the fall of 2025. Throughout the renovation the university is required to close the building to comply with safety protocols.



Questions regarding the project can be directed to Jill Baxter, the FMD customer service manager at jibaxter@calpoly.edu.

Alternative Study and Collaboration Spaces During Library Renovation Shared

Campus Dining always sees change as an opportunity to try something new. While renovations to Building 19, the former home of The Avenue, 805 Kitchen and Poly Deli are underway to create another state-of-the-art dining facility, two new Food Truck Villages have been opened to provide the campus with some fresh gastronomic experiences, alongside tried and true favorites.



Each village will be home to several food trucks including local favorites G. Brothers Smokehouse, G. Brothers Taqueria, SLO Dog, Jewel of India and Yogurt Creation, as well as Campus Dining’s Central Coaster and What’s Cookin’ Mobile.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.calpolydining.com/whats-cookin-mobile/">What’s Cookin’</a>&nbsp;is one of Campus Dining’s new food trucks, which will offer a variety of hearty and delicious tacos, nachos and tortas like the chicken mole burrito, the Baja shrimp tacos and the loaded nachos. The best part is that the menu remains consistent when it comes to your go-to favorites but changes frequently enough to keep eating on campus exciting.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vm929t16/production/3ce42b67219e7a29cb42c399020bbbba022536fe-6016x4016.jpg?w=675&amp;h=451&amp;fit=crop" alt="guest checking out SLO Dog food truck"/></figure>



The food trucks will rotate locations as well as menus, specials and limited time offers to keep options fresh.



Each village will be located near the UU to fill in for Building 19 and will have dedicated seating areas complete with Adirondack chairs and umbrellas.



One of the villages will be located on Mott Lawn, in front of Mott Athletics Center, across Mustang Way from Building 19. The second village will be located on the north end of Mustang Way near Grand Ave and North Perimeter Road.



The common areas in each village will be frequently cleaned and maintained in order to provide campus community members with the best possible experience while enjoying some of the best food in town.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vm929t16/production/db7082f8e77452392413a2b5b6917e26dd580f93-1200x763.jpg?w=675&amp;h=429&amp;fit=crop" alt="wide food truck village in front of Mott Gym."/></figure>



Each truck will be on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.calpolydining.com/grubhub/">Grubhub</a>&nbsp;to provide the highest level of convenience for busy students, faculty and staff.

Category: Study