College of Science and Mathematics to be Renamed in Honor of Baileys
On Friday, May 5, President Armstrong announced that, pending CSU board of trustees approval, the college will become the Philip and Christina Bailey College of Science and Mathematics. Phil and Tina Bailey served at 鶹 for multiple decades, fostering student success and establishing a culture of academic excellence, mentorship and inclusiveness. Phil Bailey joined 鶹 as a chemistry faculty member in 1969 and served as the college’s associate dean from 1973 to 1983 before his tenure as dean for 34 years from 1983 to 2017. Tina Bailey, who passed away in July 2020, began teaching at 鶹 in the 1970s. She was a longtime chemistry professor and department chair, and an inspiration for women in STEM. The renaming marks only the second time in 鶹 history that such an honor has been bestowed among 鶹’s six academic colleges. The College of Business became the Orfalea College of Business after a generous donation by Kinko’s founder Paul Orfalea in 2001.
New Frost Center Dedicated
On May 5, 鶹 dedicated the William and Linda Frost Center for Research and Innovation, celebrating the impact of philanthropy on students’ success. The Frost Center is named after William and Linda Frost for their 2017 CSU-record gift to the College of Science and Mathematics. The Frost gift funded a portion of the building and its research equipment and enhancements, such as the rooftop garden and atrium wood. In addition, the Frosts’ donation will annually support student scholarships and research stipends, cutting-edge equipment and instrumentation, and expanded hiring of instructors, giving faculty members more time to mentor undergraduate students in research. The new 102,000-square-foot interdisciplinary research center features state-of-the-art interdisciplinary laboratory and teaching spaces that will enhance research and learning experiences for students and faculty in the College of Science and Mathematics; the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences; and the College of Liberal Arts.
President’s Diversity Awards Honor Campus Community Members
Students, faculty and staff were celebrated May 4 at the President’s Diversity Awards, an annual event honoring 鶹 community members who have exhibited a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion on campus. “This day always feels like an opportunity to celebrate all of you and recognize the love-driven work we’ve done,” Denise Isom, interim vice president for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer in the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion. She noted several efforts underway to create a more welcome, inclusive campus, adding: “That our institution will be marked by care and belonging and equity fills me with hope.” Congratulations to the 2023 awardees:
- Staff Award: Sarah Macdonald, assistant director, diversity, equity and inclusion in Instruction, Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT).
- Faculty Award: Tina Cheuk, assistant professor in the School of Education, and Ana Cabezas, diversity and multicultural inclusion coordinator in Campus Health and Wellbeing.
- Student Award: Kaylee Benting, Liberal Studies, Transfer Center student assistant.
- Student Club Award: Latinos in Agriculture.
- Campus Department: University Housing.
- Excellence In Inclusive Design Award: Pam Dougherty, instructional designer/accessibility specialist in the CTLT.
- Dolores Huerta "Si Se Puede" Award for Transformational Leadership: Adrienne Garcia-Specht, Cal Grant and Dream Program manager and financial aid counselor (pictured).
Save the Date for Dean of Graduate Education Campus 鶹s
All members of the campus community are invited to attend open forums for three finalists for the dean of Graduate Education position. The three one-day visits will take place May 15, May 18 and May 19, and feedback is crucial to the success of this search. Information about each finalist and the times and locations for the open forums will be sent via email prior to the campus visit.
Campus Community Invited to Engage in Inclusive Learning in May
To commemorate Inclusive Excellence Month this May, the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion (OUDI) is thrilled to be promoting an array of incredible programs and events hosted by campus and community partners that advance diversity, equity and inclusion. 鶹 believes that an excellent institution is an inclusive institution, and that all students, staff and faculty should feel valued, empowered and seen. This month is all about showcasing what inclusive excellence looks like and providing educational opportunities for all. May is jam-packed with events, including guest speakers, workshops and performances that highlight the many ways in which diversity enriches our community. The events this month are designed to cultivate a sense of belonging and activate inclusive learning. .
Learn About Pathways to Becoming an HSI
The Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Task Force invites the campus community to get an inside look at its recommendations and listen to , a leading scholar on HSIs, from 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 16. Garcia will describe what “servingness” in practice can look like at 鶹. Garcia, associate professor in the department of Educational Foundations, Organizations and Policy at the University of Pittsburgh, will cover the “structures for serving” and give examples of how HSIs are transforming their campuses. She will also provide examples of how HSIs can assess the extent to which they are serving Latinx students. Garcia challenges audience members to think about servingness as a multidimensional concept that can be addressed in unique ways by each college and university. The event is hybrid; Garcia will join remotely, and a viewing party will be held in the Advanced Technology Laboratories ().
Participate in Bike to Work to Win on May 19
May is National Bike Month, and Transportation and Parking Services is celebrating with an Instagram contest. On Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 19, the campus community is invited to share a picture for a chance to win a $25 Mustang Shop gift card. To enter the contest, post a story or selfie while on campus biking to work or class and tag @insidecalpoly. The first 15 people will win a $25 gift card to the Mustang Shop. With 7,000 bike rack spaces on campus, riding is a great option when choosing a commute. Nearly 33% of all staff and faculty live within 5 miles of campus, making for an easy bike-friendly commute that will help to open parking spaces and decrease the university’s carbon emissions. To reduce 鶹’s carbon footprint, TAPS encourages everyone to participate in this year’s Bike to Work Week.
New Electric Vans Will Move 鶹 Closer to Sustainability Goals
Facilities Management and Development has made a significant investment in sustainability with the purchase of nine fully electric cargo vans that will be assigned to the facilities trades such as electrical, carpentry, painting and lock shops. These electric vans will replace gas trucks purchased in the 1990s and will be put into service in May. The new full vans are more versatile and practical than the currently used small electric trucks and can be driven off-campus to perform maintenance at the 鶹 pier or off-campus ranches. The investment in electric vans demonstrates the university’s commitment to lowering the campus' environmental footprint.
鶹 Scholars’ Maya Varlee Recognized as 2022-23 Outstanding Student Employee
President Armstrong and Sharon D. Armstrong recently hosted the and their supervisors/nominators to celebrate their achievements and impact to 鶹. This year’s Outstanding Student Employee of the Year is Maya Valree, a 鶹 Scholars employee. Two other students received recognition: first runner-up Madeline Foti of Health Education and second runner-up Lily Bohm of ASI. The Outstanding Student Employee of the Year selection and luncheon planning committee congratulates Varlee and all nominees for being recognized for their contributions. The committee also thanks supervisors for their critical role in achieving student success and for the time they dedicated to nominating their student employees.
Salaries for Accounting Grads Rank Third Among U.S. Public Universities
With an average yearly salary of $78,121, 鶹 accounting graduates rank third in the nation among public universities, . 鶹 accounting graduates make a little more than $10,000 a year more than the median accounting graduate salary, just behind San Jose State University and UC Berkeley. (Access the Wall Street Journal for free by visiting the — scroll down to “Education.”) Career Services conducts an annual survey of the activities of its most recent graduates, which is compiled into the Graduate Status Report (GSR) and includes starting median salaries by college.
Register for International Student Inclusivity Workshop
The International Center will host its second annual International Student Inclusivity Workshop in collaboration with the International Advisory Council from 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18. The goal of this virtual workshop is to spotlight the experiences of international students on campus and in the greater San Luis Obispo community. The session is designed to bring together faculty and staff who are interested in enhancing inclusive and equitable practices to bolster international students’ success. Working with qualitative and quantitative data gathered from international student surveys and focus groups, attendees will engage in discussion around ways to increase academic support and foster students' sense of belonging. The workshop will cover topics ranging from cultural adjustment to academic success, and discuss strategies for empowering this community of students to succeed.
Trauma Healing for Educators of Color Offered May 17
As part of the Building Toward Equity Faculty Development Program, faculty of color at 鶹 are invited to join a workshop titled “Trauma Healing for Educators of Color,” from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 17. This workshop aims to provide faculty of color with a space to acknowledge, process and begin to heal from traumatic experiences, especially experiences with racism, discrimination and other negative experiences resulting from the oppression of marginalized and intersecting identities. Activities for this workshop include an opportunity to discuss and process negative racialized academic experiences with similarly marginalized peers; and the use of evidence-based practices, including letter writing, breathing exercises and affirmations developed to heal from those experiences and become more efficacious and self-assured in an environment that often denigrates and invalidates BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) faculty.
Sign Up to Volunteer at Spring Commencement June 17 and 18
The 鶹 Commencement team is seeking employee support to help celebrate graduates at the 2023 Spring Commencement on June 17-18. Sign up for a volunteer shift today, and help create a memorable spring celebration for graduates and their supporters. 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 for each shift completed. For additional details on faculty and staff shifts at Spring Commencement, go to the .
Toastmasters Club Coming to Campus
The Toastmasters Club is coming to campus and is the perfect opportunity for employees to gain experience in public speaking. This new club is part of Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. Members of the 鶹 Toastmasters Club will be part of a supportive and positive community that empowers its members to develop skills through a structured and interactive program. With Toastmasters, members learn to speak confidently, listen effectively and lead with impact — skills that are invaluable in both personal and professional life. The club plans to meet every Wednesday from 12:10 to 1:10 p.m. on campus, creating a space for members to network, connect and grow together. To learn more about the 鶹 Toastmasters Club and how to join, contact Eumi Sprague (esprague@calpoly.edu), IT director emeritus and Toastmasters International division director with District 33.
Safer to Host Action Planning and Trigger/Content Warnings Workshops
Safer invites faculty and staff to attend two important workshops on May 11 and 16. Both sessions will be held via Zoom. They include:
- Action Planning Workshop: Thursday, May 11, 10 a.m. to noon. This workshop is designed to help employees grow as leaders in gender and power-based violence prevention. Learn about the root causes of gender and power-based violence and explore risk and protective factors for sexual violence perpetration. Attendees will create individual plans to integrate violence prevention activities into their position on campus. .
- Trigger/Content Warnings Workshop: Tuesday, May 16, 1-2 p.m. This workshop will discuss trigger warnings and their effectiveness versus their potential to cause harm. Participants will have the chance to examine the impact of putting these warnings on their materials and consider multiple perspectives. Attendees will look at recent research and feedback from students involved with the Safer program. .
Teacher-Scholar Mini-Grant Program Proposals Due May 30
The 2023-24 Teacher-Scholar Mini-Grant Program is now open. This program has been developed to support 鶹's institutional commitment to advancing discovery, integration, application and engagement in the context of teaching and learning. With support from the Office of the Provost, the Teacher-Scholar Mini-Grant Program expands internal funding to support all areas of teacher-scholar activities. All faculty unit employees are eligible to compete for funding, including lecturers, tenure-track, and tenured faculty. Proposals are due by 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, via the 鶹 InfoReady system. A Teacher-Scholar Mini-Grant Program Information session at 1:10 p.m., Friday, May 5. Participants must be logged in with their 鶹 credentials to join. Direct questions to research@calpoly.edu.
Applications Open for Faculty Sustainability Fellow
The Center for Teaching and Learning and Technology is accepting applications for a two-year Sustainability Faculty Fellow for upcoming academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25. The faculty fellow will help focus 鶹’s efforts to prepare students to pursue social justice, promote environmental responsibility and improve economic conditions in their workplaces and communities. This two-year pilot fellowship is open to instructors of all ranks with at least two years of 鶹 service. For best consideration, applications should be received by Friday, May 12, and no later than Friday, May 19.
Check out the Latest in Lighting at May 11 Product Fair
The Architecture Department invites the campus community to the Neel Lighting and Controls Product Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11, in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design Building’s Berg Gallery (No. 5, Room 105) and Neel Resource Center (Room 101). The event will feature a product show, lighting presentations throughout the day and a special evening keynote presentation from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Business Rotunda (No. 03), Room 213. The keynote speaker is o , which is internationally recognized for the design of innovative architectural lighting for interior and exterior environments. The fair and presentations are complimentary, open to students and professionals, and require no preregistration. Read more about each of the presenters, their topics, times and parking locations when you . This will assist with seating arrangements, which are limited and on a first-come basis.
Kennedy Library Transformation Team to Host Town Hall May 15
On Monday, May 15, the Kennedy Library Transformation Team will host a panel featuring the design and build firms, Miller Hull and Hensel Phelps. This is an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and supporters to learn more about the upcoming Kennedy Library Transformation project before construction begins in summer 2023. During a Q&A portion, panelists will answer questions submitted prior to the event, as well as answer questions from those who attend. Other topics will include the project scope, summer quarter plans and temporary service and study locations. The town hall will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Advanced Technologies Lab (No. 7). Pizza and drinks will be provided to those who attend.
Register for the 2023 Mustang Mile 5K Fun Run
The 11th Annual Mustang Mile 5K of fun is back on campus. Hosted by in collaboration with the , the popular 5K fun run returns on May 17 at 6:30 p.m., and will feature a costume contest and prizes. Gather a team and start planning costumes. Tickets are $15 per person or $40 for a group of four. Registration is required. The first 250 people to register will receive a limited-edition swag bag with the 2023 Mustang Mile T-shirt and more. Mustang Mile is held in honor of 鶹 student Carson Starkey, who passed away in 2008 from alcohol poisoning.
How to Access to Physical Collections During Kennedy Library Transformation
Kennedy Library understands the need for easy and ongoing access to items in physical collections for scholarly, creative and curricular use. To obtain materials from the library collection or to place materials on course reserve during the next two academic years, check them out of the library before the end of spring quarter 2023. They will be automatically renewed through the duration of the renovation. Most of Kennedy Library’s physical collections will be packed and securely held in dark storage during the renovation. A small portion — approximately 12,000 items — of the physical collection that is frequently used will be relocated and accessible in Crandall Gym, where visitors may browse collections and check out books. All physical collections in dark storage will be eligible for request and delivery through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).
Free Upcoming Music Department Events
The Music Department has numerous free student presentations through the rest of the academic year. In addition to the following events, there will be several senior recitals. For a complete list with times and locations, visit the or call ext. 6-2406.
- May 16:
- May 19:
- May 23:
- May 25:
- June 10:
Campus Invited to Explore ‘Our Dusty Universe’ on May 11
A forum, “Exploring our Dusty Universe with JWST,” will take place from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 11, in the Advanced Technology Laboratories (No. 7). UC San Diego Associate Astronomy Professor Karin Sandstrom will describe the fascinating lives of interstellar dust grains from their formation in fiery supernova explosions to their incorporation into planets like Earth. The background of Sandstrom’s presentation is that dust is an important player in many processes happening in our galaxy and it is still very mysterious — most of the heavy elements that make up the Earth and everything on it, including humans, once resided in tiny grains of dust in interstellar space. Sandstrom will explain how properties of interstellar dust in our galaxy and others are being examined using new observations from the recently launched JWST space telescope. The event is sponsored by the Ross and Sue Benitez Space Exploration Endowment.
Theatre and Dance Department Presents ‘Somewhere, a Primer for the End of Days’
The Theatre and Dance Department’s spring main stage production, “Somewhere, a Primer for the End of Days,” will run 8 p.m. May 11-14 and 18-20 in Spanos Theatre, with a 2 p.m. showing on May 14. Survivors of years-long natural and humanitarian disasters find each other in the forests of the West Coast. Blood relations and found families rely on each other as they face new crises: a blight targeting tree roots, and the disappearance of insects. But Cassandra, an entomologist, and her brother Alexander, an engineer, find hope in the migration of Monarch butterflies to new nesting grounds. Is this our end? Or are we, like a butterfly, transforming?
OperaSLO to Bring Comedic Operetta to the PAC May 13-14
Opera San Luis Obispo will present a new rendition of Johann Strauss II’s comedic masterpiece, “Die Fledermaus,” at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 13-14, in Miossi Hall. The original “Die Fledermaus” was set in Vienna on New Year’s Eve in 1899; however, OperaSLO’s new production takes place at a 1970s-themed masquerade disco party in New York City. As the evening unfolds, the main character is pranked by his best friend through a hilarious series of events. Set to some of the most famous melodies and Viennese waltzes of all time and performed by a live orchestra, the production features an acclaimed cast of singers and dancers from around the country.
Social Linguistics and Literacy Scholar to Speak on Global Accessibility Awareness Day May 18
Drawing from disability studies, his own cancer diagnosis, and his research on the writing and communication practices of a group of international STEM scholars, Suresh Canagarajah will present "Crip Writing: Communication Through a Disability and Decolonial Lens," from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, in the Advanced Technology Laboratories (No. 7), with a reception to follow. In his talk, Canagarajah, the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Applied Linguistics, English and Asian Studies at Penn State University, will demonstrate the importance of centering vulnerability and relational ethics in all effective communication. This event is held in conjunction with Global Accessibility Awareness Day and is sponsored by the Office of Writing and Learning, the College of Liberal Arts, the English and Political Science departments, and the Disability Faculty-Staff Association. The event is accessibly designed, featuring an ASL interpreter and CART real-time captioning. Attendees may contact John Lee (jlee245@calpoly.edu) with questions about event accessibility or requests for disability-related accommodations.
CLA to Present Writers at Work Event on May 18 with Mary Ann McFadden and Dian Sousa
The campus community is invited to a free Writers at Work event hosted by the College of Liberal Arts and the English Department. An in-person reading with authors Mary Ann McFadden and Dian Sousa will be held at 7:10 p.m. Thursday, May 18, in the Baker Center for Science and Mathematics (No. 180), Room 102. McFadden is a seasoned writer with almost 50 years of experience. She is the author of two books of poetry, including “Eye of the Blackbird,” which won the Four Way Books Intro Prize in Poetry. A selection of her poems have been set to music by composer Gerald Busby and performed at Carnegie Hall. Sousa, a poet and activist, is the author of three books of poetry, including “The Marvels Recorded in My Private Closet” and “Lullabies for the Spooked and Cool.” Her work has appeared in numerous journals, including “The Prairie Schooner,” “American Poetry Journal” and “The Banyan Review.”
鶹 Wind Bands to Close Season with ‘Pines’ Concert on May 20
The Wind Bands Spring Concert will feature the Wind Ensemble and Wind Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20, in the . The Wind Orchestra will open the concert with Viet Cuong’s “Heart on Fire,” inspired by the pastoral poetry of Mary Oliver, winner of the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize. The group will also perform Yo Goto’s “Dancing in Rain” and Dello Joio’s “Variants on a Mediaeval Tune.” The Wind Ensemble will also perform one of Joio’s compositions, a rousing piece based on a string quartet by Franz Joseph Haydn, “Fantasies on a Theme by Haydn.” The concert will conclude with “Pines of Rome,” the expansive tone poem by Ottorino Respighi. It paints four distinct scenes set among the Italian pines in and around the capital city, ending with the ground-shaking return of the Roman army. Director of Bands Christopher J. Woodruff and Associate Director of Bands Nicholas P. Waldron will conduct the concert. are sold at the , ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the or call ext. 6-2406.
Change the Status Quo Keynote Event Rescheduled to May 22
Steven Canals’ visit — which was postponed from its rescheduled March 15 date due to speaker illness — will now be held at 6 p.m. Monday, May 22, in Chumash Auditorium. Canals, an Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning co-creator, executive producer, director and writer of the FX drama series “Pose,” is the keynote speaker of the 21st annual Change the Status Quo Social Justice and Service Lecture Series. A groundbreaking queer, Afro Latinx creator, Canals recently signed his first deal with 20th Century TV and is developing projects that represent diverse and inclusive voices and stories of historically marginalized communities. Hosted by the Center for Service in Action, this annual event aims to empower students to use the Learn by Doing spirit to challenge social norms, ask critical questions, demand solutions and make lasting social change.
Legendary Improv Comedy Troupe Comes to the PAC on May 25
鶹 Arts presents “The Second City Swipes Right,” an improv comedy show on all things dating, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, in Harold Miossi Hall. A hilarious cast of comedians will cover everything from love, dating, relationships and everything in-between in a brand-new interactive experience. Opening in 1959, The Second City has consistently been a starting point for many comedians, award-winning actors, directors and others in show business, including Bill Murray, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Eugene Levy, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mike Myers, Steve Carell, Jordan Peele, Stephen Colbert and many others. Come see the troupe that inspired “Whose Line is it Anyway?” and “Saturday Night Live!" This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
Spring Jazz Concert to Feature Guests Inga Swearingen and George Stone on May 26
The Spring Jazz Concert will include guest artists Inga Swearingen and George Stone at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 26, in the . Swearingen, voice, and Stone, trumpet and piano, will perform with 鶹’s Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz Ensemble, called MOSAIC, directed by Director of Jazz Studies Arthur White. Graduating seniors will be recognized at the concert, including vocalists Kelley Fredrickson, Danna Dumandan, and Alfred “AJ” Zoppi, who are music majors; guitarist Jacob Cherdak, psychology major; pianist Caeden Schlosser, business major; and saxophonist James Pettis, mechanical engineering major. Cherdak, Pettis, and Schlosser have been fixtures in 鶹’s large and small jazz instrumental ensembles; and Fredrickson, Dumandan and Zoppi were founding members of MOSAIC in 2019. The three vocalists and Cherdak were each named “Outstanding Soloist” at the University of Northern Colorado’s Greeley Jazz Festival in April. are sold at the , ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the or call ext. 6-2406.
鶹 Arab Music Ensemble Spring Concert Set for May 27
The Arab Music Ensemble will showcase music from multiple regions for its Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 27, in on campus. Several classic Iraqi songs, as well as celebrated selections of Lebanese, Palestinian, Romanian and Syrian music will be featured. Composers, poets and artists to be represented on the program include the Anton Pann Ensemble, Elias Rahbani, Fairuz, Marcel Khalife and Nazem al-Ghazali. “Al-Madrasa Al-Arabiyya,” a composition by Arab Music Ensemble Director Ken Habib, will have its world premiere. Critically acclaimed guest artists to be featured include Ishmael on qanun (zither), Fathi Aljarrah on kamanja (violin), and Faisal Zedan on riqq (tambourine), daff (frame drum) and darabukka (goblet drum). San Luis Obispo dance director Jenna Mitchell will lead the dance troupe in the performance of original choreography that dialogues with the music. are sold at the , ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the or call ext. 6-2406.
Event Postings
is a new platform that shines a spotlight on high-profile special events at 鶹 and throughout our community, focusing on the wide and diverse range of activities on and around 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 includes 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 .
Scheduling/Booking Venues
can help you schedule or book a venue for an upcoming on-campus event.
Note that a minimum three-day lead time is required to process a request for use of space through the Office of the Registrar.
鶹 鶹 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 .