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

Inside Cal Poly

Aiming to increase awareness and advocacy for Cal Poly Corporation (CPC) and its purpose as a nonprofit partner to the university, CPC will now be known as Cal Poly Partners.



It’s a rebrand after more than 80 years of proud service as the most impactful Cal Poly partner.



This change follows years of extensive research with feedback from students, faculty, staff and the broader community. The name change will help increase awareness and advocacy for Cal Poly Partners and its purpose as the university’s leading nonprofit partner.



It will also introduce the potential for expanded cross-campus and community partnerships and increase opportunities for positive student impact.



As it has since the 1940s, Cal Poly Partners will continue its purpose to inspire, empower and push boundaries so students, faculty and staff can thrive and forge collaboration that builds a brighter tomorrow for Cal Poly.



Currently, Cal Poly Partners is working with university leadership to expand attainable housing options for faculty and staff and create pathways to alleviate food insecurity on campus by providing 50,000 meals to students in need.



These, of course, are just two examples of the many vital resources provided by Cal Poly Partners.



“We partner with the university on health research, marine sciences, gender equity, cyber security, entrepreneurship, strawberry research, airplane prototypes and so many more ways than most people realize,” Cal Poly Partners Chief Executive Officer Cody VanDorn said. “The Cal Poly Partners name more clearly represents this and the fact that we are a not-for-profit organization whose sole role is to support the university.”



To learn more, visit the <a href="https://calpolypartners.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cal Poly Partners’ newly launched website</a>.

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Cal Poly Corporation Renamed Cal Poly Partners

In the ever-evolving landscape of academia, safety remains a top priority. At Cal Poly, the commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment is unwavering. To achieve this goal, Cal Poly has implemented the Risk and Safety Solutions (RSS) system as an integral part of its safety management approach.



Risk and Safety Solutions is the cornerstone of the safety management system employed by Cal Poly. This cutting-edge software is utilized in laboratories and workshops across the campus to conduct hazard assessments, annual inspections, chemical inventory management, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) management, and the responsible management of hazardous waste. With RSS, laboratory personnel, including principal investigators, instruction support technicians, lab managers, workshop personnel, delegates, and other designated individuals, can effortlessly identify and manage hazards and risks while ensuring compliance with safety regulations.



The utility of RSS extends to almost all areas across campus. If your work area has not yet been incorporated into RSS, it is crucial to take proactive steps.



Principal investigators, lab managers, or shop area owners bear the responsibility of ensuring that their respective areas are accounted for within RSS. For new users or those requiring assistance, EHS is readily available to provide guidance and resources.



Within RSS, information is centralized and disseminated. This centralized approach ensures consistent data integration across the entire RSS product suite, enhancing user experience and safety management efficiency. Group information created in Profile becomes accessible in various RSS applications, such as Assessment, Inspect, and Chemicals.



Risk and Safety Solutions is a game-changer in the realm of safety management. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive capabilities, RSS empowers individuals across the campus to proactively identify and mitigate risks while fostering a culture of safety compliance. By utilizing the Profile module effectively, the university ensures that shared safety information remains consistent and readily accessible for the well-being of the Cal Poly community.



For recoded training, resources, and guidance, included how to get started, visit the RSS page on the EHS website <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/ehs/rss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://afd.calpoly.edu/ehs/rss/</a>



For more information or questions on RSS reach out <a href="mailto:facilities-cbs@calpoly.edu">facilities-cbs@calpoly.edu</a>.

Woman wearing safety goggles writing in a notebook inside a workshop with tools and machinery.

Enhancing Safety at Cal Poly With Risk & Safety Solutions

Cal Poly Corporation recently closed on the purchase of a new off-campus building and has partnered with Gensler, a global architecture, design, and planning firm, to research the best use of the space.
The facility will enable the campus community to expand over the next decade in alignment with the 2035 Master Plan and will create the opportunity to increase classroom spaces in the university core.
Cal Poly Mustang Business Park at 4800 Morabito Place, offers 46,000 square feet of workspace over two stories as well as a 3,800 square foot video production studio that features a two-story tall green screen.
Originally built in 2013 as the home of Rosetta Marketing Group, the facility will offer staff several upgrades and benefits, including: free parking, technology upgrades, more flexibility with hoteling space and the ability to come and go, easy access to San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, a full kitchen alongside large meeting and collaboration spaces.
Planning and programing work for the facility has been underway since last spring. A project working group has been formed and is tasked with creating a plan and pathway forward for the building to ensure that a thoughtful approach is taken, and every available avenue is researched.
Results of the 14-week study will be announced soon. The project completion date is estimated for early 2024.

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State of the Art Off-Campus Workspace Coming

In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, universities like Cal Poly must manage a multitude of assets.
Risk Management protects assets such as physical infrastructure, people and our institution&#8217;s reputation. They also play a pivotal role in identifying, assessing and mitigating the risks that threaten these assets. They examine various aspects of university operations, identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities.
Whether assessing risks related to campus activities, safety protocols, or financial matters, their aim is to create a safer and more secure environment for everyone associated with Cal Poly. 
One of the key responsibilities of Risk Management is securing insurance coverage to protect the university and its community members.
Risk Management plays an active role in various events and programs such as the design village and logging competition, ensuring safety. They manage a wide range of insurance policies, including specialized ones such as aviation and rodeo policies, which are tailored to the unique risks faced by Cal Poly. Certain events or programs can require evidence of insurance from Cal Poly or the California State University (CSU) when organizing events or services. Risk Management ensures that these requirements are met.
Risk Management also oversees driver safety, an essential aspect of campus operations. They identify individuals driving for university business and in university vehicles, and provide training and additional safety measures.
Accident and incident reporting is another crucial function, not to be confused with workers&#8217; compensation, which falls under the purview of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). Risk Management and EHS have a close partnership to collectively strategize and ensure the safety of all individuals on campus. Transparency and collaboration between these two entities are crucial for managing risks effectively.
A strategic initiative within Cal Poly&#8217;s Risk Management is to create the Youth Protection Program.
The CSU is in collaboration with the organization Praesidium, this program specializes in the protection of vulnerable populations with a focus on individuals under the age of 18 who come to the campus. The Risk Management team is taking proactive steps by building a Youth Protection Committee, comprising members from across the campus community. This committee will bring diverse perspectives to create solutions applicable to the entire university, especially in the context of youth-serving programs.
Risk Management at Cal Poly is more than just ensuring financial stability; it&#8217;s about protecting the university&#8217;s future, its reputation and the safety of all those connected to this vibrant academic community. Their proactive approach to risk assessment, insurance management and innovative programs like the Youth Protection Initiative demonstrates their commitment to creating a safer, more secure Cal Poly for all.

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Safeguarding Excellence: The Role of Risk Management at Cal Poly

Transformation can unlock untapped potential, drive innovation and lead to improvements, efficiencies and successes. It often requires vision, determination and a willingness to embrace change, ultimately reshaping the way we think, act and interact with the world around us.



Cal Poly has witnessed several transformations throughout the years as the university has built a better and brighter future through development and expansion of campus initiatives that have opened doors for the broadest number of prospective students and employees.



This transformative work led to Cal Poly being recognized by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education for our dedicated efforts to teach about climate change, being named one of the top 10 campuses in the CSU for Financial Statements, and earning a 16th Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award.&nbsp;Not to mention our Distribution Services team being named Mail Center of the Year, and Mark Reyes being honored with the Outstanding Staff Member Award by the National Association of College and University Mail Services.



Transformation is all around us, but we might not always know it.&nbsp;In a series of testimonials from each unit, we hope to capture the transformative work happening throughout the division. First, we will hear from David Valadez on some impactful changes in Financial Services.



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With a seemingly small change, such as making a financial analyst meeting more accessible, David and his team structurally transformed how people on campus get connected to financial information, how this information is disseminated and as a result has increased our financial transparency.



This transformation is what will keep Cal Poly at the forefront and ahead of changes and disruptions such as market shifts, technological advances and changing student expectations. The university will need to continue to adopt new strategies, concepts and pedagogies to meet the changing needs of society to create environments that are cohesive and adaptable.



To increase access to the arts, the Performing Arts Center became a certified Sensory Inclusive venue with KultureCity.&nbsp;With this certification, the PAC is now better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities, often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions, in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible.



This certification recognizes our commitment to being a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy the arts.



Last year, Public Safety launched several new programs to help increase transparency and trust through the Public Safety Advisory Committee, convenience with Mustang Shuttle daytime routes, and general safety with the Rave Guardian app.



Improving the student experience is the primary focus behind everything that we do, and Financial Services made huge strides this past year in doing just that. By integrating student payments for 529 accounts and international payments, the team was able to improve the students’ ability to make payments quickly and easily to their student account.



While these changes created more efficient processes for students and their supporters, we are also focused on improving work processes for staff and faculty.&nbsp;Cal Poly will transition to CSUBUY in early 2024. This CSU-systemwide program will simplify the procure to pay system with a straightforward way to purchase goods and services and covers every step from requisition to payment.



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This is very exciting, and the procurement team has been working very hard on the implementation.



The list of these transformative changes goes on.



To enhance the student and employee experience, Campus Dining expanded its partnership with Chartwells Higher Education, gaining resources, expertise, and financial support in line with the Cal Poly Master Plan.



We&#8217;ve made diversity, equity, and inclusion a top priority, with division-wide diversity action plans.



We&#8217;ve also expanded Feed Cal Poly to address on-campus basic needs, inviting donations to the Cal Poly Basic Needs Initiative.



These efforts have structurally, programmatically, and philosophically transformed our campus, fostering a better student experience. We&#8217;re committed to ongoing transformations into the 2023-24 academic year.

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Power of Transformation

The National Association of College and University Mail Services (NACUMS) recently recognized Cal Poly’s Distribution Services with the Mail Center of the Year Award. Team member Mark Reyes was also honored with the Outstanding Staff Member Award.
The Mail Center of Year Award acknowledges mail centers for outstanding contributions to their campus as well as the profession as a whole. It considers mail centers’ accomplishments throughout the year and recognition from peers who deem them worthy of being honored.
Over the past few years, Scott Coffman and his team have implemented a number of programs including the LuxerOne package lockers, iPhone hand scanners and an on-site mail meter that have created more efficient processes and enhanced the customer experience.
“We were truly honored and humbled by this award from NACUMS,” Coffman said. “It’s a testament to a lot of fortunate things we encounter here at Cal Poly: Great support from our administrators and university partners, especially University Housing. Our campus community; staff, faculty and students alike. And, most importantly, the buy-in and hard work by the folks who comprise Distribution Services to make all of our new programs and advances a reality. I couldn’t be more proud of our team.”
The team’s commitment to the campus community was brought to the spotlight with the launch of the Summer Storage program and the Fall ship-to-room program that allowed students to have items shipped to their rooms before their move-in day.
A heavy focus was also paid to Distribution Services staff which exercised employee engagement through attending regular NACUMS and University Logistics and Supply Chain Association (ULSCA) conferences, welcoming opportunities or new ideas to create campus impact and consistently updating and implementing new technology in business practices. Distribution Services will be hosting the ULSCA conference in October. The team is cross-trained in multiple areas and connects through employee morale events.
The team did all this while receiving just under 200,000 student resident packages, not including letter mail, and ensuring that every item was delivered to the correct student and moving roughly 50,000 packages to specific departments throughout campus.
Outstanding Staff Member
Reyes helped develop a partnership and personally maintained a program with and in support of the Cal Poly Food Pantry. Four days a week, he volunteers to pick up weekly food donations from local grocery stores for the pantry. Within the first three months of this effort, Reyes was able to move more than 8,000 pounds of food to the food pantry. It was this work and dedication that earned him the NACUMS Outstanding Staff Member Award.
Reyes has been a vital part of the department since 2008, primarily working with campus package delivery and purchase order processing. He also participates in daily mail runs, customer service and the university’s storage program which he helped establish. Reyes also helps maintain a clean environment by consistently keeping the workplace tidy.
Additionally, Reyes is well-regarded by his co-workers and Cal Poly faculty and staff. He radiates kindness, positivity and a can-do attitude.
“Mark is as selfless as they come and a great person to work with,” Coffman said. “He is truly deserving of being recognized on a national level and I’m so glad he won this award. The oohs and ahhs he got at the awards ceremony when they listed his contributions were a testament to his achievement.”
To learn more about Distribution Services, visit https://afd.calpoly.edu/distribution/ (https://afd.calpoly.edu/distribution/).

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Distribution Services win big

Some delicious changes have come to Campus Dining. From flexible meal plans offering budget-friendly dining options to new restaurants with more convenient and flavorful options, there is so much for those working and studying to savor at Cal Poly.



Community Dining Memberships



Six low-cost&nbsp;<a href="https://calpolydining.com/dining-programs/community/">Community Dining Memberships</a>&nbsp;offer faculty, staff and students easy access to healthy and delicious food on campus. Community Dining Memberships can be used at all 34 on-campus restaurants, markets and food trucks, and most plans offer bonus dining dollars. For example, the Poly 250 membership costs $250 and includes $25 complimentary dining dollars for a total of $275 to spend at any Campus Dining location.



Plans range from $250 to $2,250 and are tied to the user’s Poly Card and work similarly to a debit card with a dollar-for-dollar declining balance system. Any unused balances automatically roll over from quarter to quarter during the academic year. There is no limit to how often or how many Community Dining Memberships can be purchased.



Avoid the Hubbub with Grubhub



With thousands of hungry college students and meals made fresh to order, some venues get very busy during peak times. But diners can order ahead on&nbsp;<a href="https://calpolydining.com/resources/grubhub/">Grubhub</a>&nbsp;to skip the long in-person lines.



“Grubhub shows approximate wait times so you can plan ahead if you’re pressed for time before teaching or a meeting,” Campus Dining Director Jess Dozier said. “Being able to order food ahead and pick it up on the go makes Grubhub an ideal option for busy faculty and staff.”



Grubhub takes credit cards, is simple to set-up, and Campus Dining picks up the service fee on campus.



Dining That’s Easy on the Wallet and the Earth



For those looking for a high-value dining option that’s easy on the earth and wallet, there is the new&nbsp;<a href="https://calpolydining.com/restaurants/vista-grande-express/">Vista Grande Express</a>. Diners can choose a $6.95 small or $8.95 large reusable container and pick up a wide selection of items sure to satisfy any craving. Menus at Vista Grande Express rotate weekly, so there is always something new to try while keeping single-use to-go containers out of landfills.



The Vista Grande Express reusable container program will spare more than 500,000 single-use containers from the waste stream each year.



“Cal Poly community members have been asking for a reusable container program, and we are excited to abide and offer this new sustainable and cost-conscious dining option,” Executive Chef Chris Dunham said.



The container needs to be reused as little as three times to beat the environmental impact of a single-use container.



Vista Grande Express accepts payment by Poly Card only. Faculty and staff can either purchase a Community Dining Membership or add funds through&nbsp;<a href="https://calpolydining.com/dining-programs/campus-express/">Campus Express</a>. A $5 deposit is added to all purchases, which is refunded when the reusable container is returned.



Many Ways to Savor Cal Poly



With 34 dining venues and over 800 menu options, there is something for everyone at Campus Dining. To learn more about Community Dining Memberships, check venue hours and view menus, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://calpolydining.com/">calpolydining.com/</a>. For the latest dining updates, subscribe to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.calpolydining.com/thedish/">The Dish</a>, Campus Dining’s weekly email newsletter.

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Convenient and Budget-Friendly Campus Dining Options for Faculty and Staff

After substantial remodeling, the University Store, now dubbed the Mustang Shop, will celebrate the updates with a Grand Reopening for the campus community on Thursday, Sept. 29. A staple on campus, the renamed store is brighter and ready for the academic year.



In collaboration with the Cal Poly Corporation and the university, Follet Higher Education entirely reimagined the Mustang Shop and plans for more exciting additions in the future. The Grand Reopening Celebration will take place from 2-3 p.m., Thursday Sept. 29, welcoming community members to the newly enhanced shop. The event will also feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong, Cal Poly Corporation CEO Cody VanDorn and Follet Higher Education President Ryan Peterson.



With a newly relocated entrance in the University Union Plaza, a redesigned interior layout and an updated lighting system, the renovations create a refreshing and convenient shopping experience. Students and other customers can shop for books, materials and an expanded assortment of merchandise with ease and flexibility.



Alongside these changes, the Mustang Shop also incorporated an efficient check-out counter near the new entrance and moved the textbook selection to a more accessible location. The in-house Apple Store also relocated to the west side of the shop, increasing customers&#8217; options and mobility. These changes open up the shop, diminishing crowded spaces and allowing customers to move comfortably throughout.



In addition, the store received aesthetic changes, including new flooring and an interior paint job. Exterior changes also feature new metal marquee awnings with lattice work details. These embellishments provide a charming atmosphere and an inviting introduction to supporters and new students.



The new Mustang Shop name originates from an inclusive process consisting of input from different areas of campus. The name reflects the goal of creating a more college-community-focused center established in the remodeling.

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Mustang Shop opens doors with Grand Reopening

“Generosity,” Cal Poly’s first commissioned outdoor mural, will be debuted with an on-campus artist’s talk and ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Sept. 30. All community members are welcome to both events.



The mural, located in the newly renovated Via Carta Plaza adjacent to Campus Market, was painted by Central Coast-based artist Oscar Pearson. He will host a talk at 11:30 a.m. in Room No. 0001 in the Advanced Technology Laboratories Building (No. 7). Following the talk, the ribbon-cutting will take place at 12:10 p.m. near the Campus Market on Via Carta.



The Cal Poly Corporation commissioned the mural after a detailed proposal process that included a selection committee comprised of students, faculty, staff and a community member. The mural is a part of an effort to beautify, inspire and grow a campus art collection.



Initially a divided triptych wall, the vibrant mural encourages community interaction through colorful artwork. The mural is located at the Food Processing Building (No. 24) on the intersection of Highland Dr. and Via Carta.



Focusing on several themes, “Generosity” recognizes the valuable contributions of farm laborers on the Central Coast along with Cal Poly students’ work in agriculture in a triptych fashion. The central panel celebrates the bountiful Central Coast agriculture. The left panel showcases the life of farm laborers figuratively, showing an unnoticed side of their essential work that helps Central Coast agriculture flourish.



The panel depicts the workers’ car and lunch cooler, which indicates the communal experiences of daily work and serves as a visual tribute to generosity while the workers are not present. The invisible workers form a visual metaphor, reflecting how their contributions to agriculture often go unrecognized, even though they play a vital role in maintaining food systems.



The right panel highlights Cal Poly’s hands-on curriculum, with Pearson emphasizing his interpretation of the Learn by Doing ethos. The artwork illustrates livestock, animal husbandry and rodeo, referencing the university’s history with the activity since 1939. The inspiration behind this panel was historic photographs found in Kennedy Library’s University Archives.



As a part of the university’s permanent collection, the mural will operate as a resource to support teaching and scholarly activities and enhance the cultural life and beauty of the university. Through acquisition, display and preservation, the collection benefits the Cal Poly community as well as the community of the Central Coast.



Parking is available for the events in lot H2, located at Highland and University drives. Visitors should park in metered spaces and use the ParkMobile App for hourly parking. General parking permits are available to purchase at<a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/parking/parkingoncampus/permits/docs/Parking_Pay_Stations.pdf">&nbsp;parking pay stations</a>&nbsp;for lot H12. For more parking information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/parking/parkingoncampus/permits">the Transportation and Parking Services website</a>.

Man with long hair painting a colorful mural on an outdoor wall under clear blue sky.

Tag: Cal Poly Corporation