Cal Poly Report — Oct. 31, 2018
News
Diversity and Inclusion Collective Impact Forum Set for Nov. 2
The campus community is invited learn more about the progress made on diversity and inclusion work at Cal Poly and the accomplishments achieved through the collective impact process from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, in the Performing Arts Center Pavilion. The collective impact approach allows multiple campus groups to work around a common agenda and shared measurements for diversity and inclusion at Cal Poly with the help of the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion’s centralized infrastructure. At the forum, OUDI leaders will discuss specific recommendations made by strategy groups in the spring, which focused on curriculum, campus climate and the recruitment and retention of faculty and students. These recommendations will go to the Inclusive Excellence Council for review and approval. Attendees can expect to learn about next steps for collective impact work and find opportunities to participate in the continuing work of the strategy groups. The event will also recognize and celebrate the hard work done to advance diversity and inclusion efforts. Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend, enjoy light refreshments and connect with others. For more information on OUDI’s collective impact work, visit https://diversity.calpoly.edu/collective-impact.
Center for Service in Action Launches Make-a-Difference Month in November
The Center for Service in Action is designating the month of November as Make a Difference Month. In response to increased demand, the center is extending Make a Difference Day — its traditional day of service — into a month-long service event to connect even more local organizations with community members seeking meaningful service opportunities. In 2017, the program partnered with 18 organizations to log more than 2,800 community service hours by 700 volunteers during Make a Difference Day. The center is actively seeking to partner with San Luis Obispo County organizations and Cal Poly faculty and staff who may be interested in community service opportunities during Make a Difference Month. For more information or to sign up for a community service opportunity, visit serviceinaction.calpoly.edu/MADM.
Diversity Specialist Kimberly McLaughlin-Smith Returns to Campus Nov. 8
Cal Poly will welcome Kimberly McLaughlin-Smith, a diversity specialist at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, back to campus Nov. 8 to lead further conversations around diversity, inclusion, community-building and allyship. Students, staff, faculty and the San Luis Obispo community are invited to attend an event from 8:30 to 11 a.m. titled “Allyship: Making it Work on Your Campus and In Our Community.” McLaughlin-Smith will provide a guide to lasting allyship — being willing to use your privilege to take on the task of fighting and speaking up for those who have experienced oppression — through empathetic listening and learning useful to everyone in an inclusive climate. Later that day, she’ll lead a student-focused event from 5-7 p.m. in the PAC Pavilion. Spoken word poetry will lead the way to open dialog between students of various backgrounds. All Cal Poly students are welcome to attend. Visit https://diversity.calpoly.edu/ for more information about diversity and inclusion at Cal Poly.
Mars-Bound CubeSat with Cal Poly Connection Snaps Historic Photo of Red Planet
A snapshot from a cosmic road trip has made history. Wall-E, one of two identical briefcase-size satellites that underwent testing and preparation at Cal Poly earlier in the year for an historic mission to Mars, took a photo of the Red Planet — nearly 250 million miles from Earth. The two satellites are officially called MarCO-A and MarCO-B (MarCO stands for Mars Cube One) — but their engineering teams nicknamed them “EVE” and “Wall-E” respectively. Wall-E’s wide-angle camera captured the image of Mars on Oct. 3 as a test of exposure settings — the first image of the Red Planet ever produced by this class of tiny, low-cost spacecraft. MarCO-B’s camera looks straight out from the deck of the CubeSat. Parts related to the spacecraft’s high-gain antenna are visible on either side of the image. Mars appears as a small red dot at the right of the image. To take the image, engineers had to program the CubeSat to rotate in space so that the deck of its boxy “body” pointed at Mars. After several test images, they were excited to see that clear, red pinprick. The MarCO mission, led by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., hopes to produce more images as the CubeSats approach Mars ahead of the planned Nov. 26 flyby of the planet. That’s when they’ll demonstrate their communications capabilities, while NASA’s InSight spacecraft attempts to land on the Red Planet. Read more here.
From Eelgrass to Mudflat: New Cal Poly Research Dives into Morro Bay Mystery
Water-quality conditions in some parts of Morro Bay estuary may be the key factor preventing eelgrass recovery after a recent decline, according to a new Cal Poly study and published in the journal Estuarine, Coastal, and Shelf Science. “The study shows that in many parts of the bay, environmental conditions likely limit eelgrass growth,” said ecologist Jennifer O’Leary, who started investigating the eelgrass collapse as a California Sea Grant extension specialist based at Cal Poly. (O’Leary is now Africa Oceans strategy director with The Nature Conservancy). Although researchers cannot yet pinpoint the cause of the initial eelgrass collapse, the study results could help inform efforts to restore eelgrass in the bay by highlighting areas where restoration efforts could be successful. Eelgrass is a flowering underwater plant — not a seaweed or an algae — with quarter-inch wide leaves that can grow up to three feet in length. Eelgrass beds are always completely submerged, and their roots anchor the grass to sandy or muddy bottoms. In recent years Morro Bay’s iconic eelgrass beds experienced a massive die-off, declining more than 90 percent since 2007. Efforts to restore the eelgrass have failed in many parts of the bay, and eelgrass is now only found close to the mouth of the bay and sporadically in other regions. Local, state and federal partners, including the Morro Bay National Estuary Program, connected with an interdisciplinary team of scientists at Cal Poly to explore the problem. Read more here.
Cal Poly and Industry Leaders to Host Hackathon at California Cybersecurity Institute Nov. 3-4
The California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI) will host a hackathon Nov. 3-4, focused around the “internet of things,” sponsored by security and technology industry leaders Arlo and Bugcrowd at Camp San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly students will compete against skilled “white hat” hackers from government organizations and the cybersecurity industry at the hackathon in Red Team vs. Blue Team training exercises. The CCI will also showcase a mock city complete with a staged hospital and business that participants will hack into and protect during the training scenarios. At the hackathon, Cal Poly students from the White Hat Club and IT professionals from the public and private sector will work together to discover new ways to identify, isolate and remediate critical vulnerabilities in this new internet of things platform. For more information on the hackathon, contact James Baker at jbaker30@calpoly.edu or ext. 6-2948.
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to Host Elevator Pitch Competition Forum on Nov. 7 at the Performing Arts Center
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will host the ninth annual Elevator Pitch Competition Forum, a fast-paced contest for Cal Poly and Cuesta College entrepreneurs, Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Performing Arts Center on the Cal Poly campus. The forum — free and open to the public — will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Students will have 90 seconds each to pitch their cutting-edge innovations and business ideas. Judges will select two winners: one from Cal Poly and another from Cuesta. Each winner will receive $1,000. The audience will pick an overall “audience choice” winner that will receive $500. AJ Forsythe, co-founder and CEO of iCracked, is the keynote speaker. He won the first annual Elevator Pitch Competition in 2010 with a proposal for an on-demand smartphone repair network. What was once a Cal Poly student-founded startup with Forsythe as its first iTech has evolved into a multimillion-dollar company with more than 70 employees. In the past eight years, iCracked has attracted some 5,000 iTechs who have performed nearly 774,000 repairs across the nation. Forsythe will discuss iCracked’s transition from startup to success. Advance registration for the competition is required. For more information and to register, visit https://epc18.eventbrite.com.
yakʔitʸutʸu Grand Opening Celebration To Be Held Nov. 8
Cal Poly will celebrate the grand opening of the yakʔitʸutʸu housing community on Thursday, Nov. 8, with a host of activities and cultural programs for the campus community. The university’s celebration will kick off at 2 p.m. with tours of buildings and the community’s unique landscaping features, followed by a 3 p.m. dedication ceremony. There will also be educational booths, native foods and music. RSVP here. Named in honor of the indigenous peoples of San Luis Obispo County, the Northern Chumash, yakʔitʸutʸu opened in September and features seven buildings that collectively house 1,475 first-year students. Located at the Grand Avenue entrance to campus, the LEED-designed community includes a roof-mounted 1.1 megawatt solar system, a campus welcome center, open space with native plants, study and community rooms, laundry facilities, office and workspace, among other amenities.To learn more about yakʔitʸutʸu, visit www.housing.calpoly.edu/ytt. To see a video of the project visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPwFtJGafwM.
Student Success
Follow the Challenge as College of Engineering Students Design and Build a Prosthetic Designed for Surfing
Knowing that veterans with amputated legs have difficulty maneuvering on a surfboard, Van Curaza presented students a unique challenge this quarter: create a prosthetic leg designed specifically for surfing. Curaza, who founded Operation Surf — a camp for wounded veterans — offered the challenge through the Quality of Life Plus program, which pairs interdisciplinary student projects with the needs of wounded vets. This year, Curaza’s challenge was one of four presented to the interdisciplinary students. The team assigned to Curaza’s challenge include biomedical engineering majors Oyundari Altansukh and Samantha Campbell and mechanical engineering students Kurtis Barth and Caroline Swanson. Throughout the school year, we will follow the students in a series of videos as they design and build the prosthetic. This is the first installment of “Up to the Challenge.” Watch the video at https://engineering.calpoly.edu/follow-challenge.
Architecture Students to Exhibit Furniture Designs in 15th Annual Show Nov. 2 and 3
The Architecture Department is co-hosting the 15th annual Vellum Furniture Design Exhibition with Vellum Design Build, a San Luis Obispo design-and-build firm, on Nov. 2 and 3. The juried competition asks students to conceive and construct projects that range from tables and chairs to light fixtures, toys and other furniture design solutions that will be on display in downtown San Luis Obispo at 1185 Monterey St., between Santa Rosa and Toro streets. Nearly 195 students in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design will participate in this year’s exhibition. The projects will be judged on function, individuality and beauty by a panel of experts in the field. The student or team of students who design the top project will receive the Space Architects’ Milano Grand Prize and travel next April to Milan, Italy, for Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the largest furniture fair in the world. An opening reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, and the show continues on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. Click here for more information on Vellum and to see photos from past shows. (Pictured is fifth-year architecture student Mackenzie Stickney with her award-winning entry made of solid stock maple and leather. The lounge chair, titled “The Montreal,” received the AIA: Modern Master Award at last year’s Vellum Furniture Competition.)
College of Engineering to Host Undergraduate Research Program Symposium on Nov. 2
The College of Engineering will host the first Summer Undergraduate Research Program Symposium from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, in the lobby of the Engineering IV Building (No. 192). This event will highlight the incredible research done by 69 students who worked side by side with 33 faculty members. The results will be showcased in a series of display posters at the event. Students also will be on hand to share their experiences with attendees.
Faculty & Staff
Cal Poly Cybersecurity Expert Becomes a Fellow at Influential D.C. Think Tank
An engineering educator was selected as one of 17 new cybersecurity fellows by an influential Washington, D.C.,-based think tank because of his use of fun and engaging games to draw students to the increasingly important cybersecurity field. As a fellow with New America Foundation, Zachary Peterson, an associate professor in the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department, will support the organization’s positions with research and personal input. New America, which employs more than 200 people, is supported by titans including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Google and the Ford Foundation as well as government entities such as the U.S. Department of State. New America cited Peterson’s efforts at outreach and education, “especially those methods centered around the use of games and play.” Peterson’s affinity for games derives from his upbringing, when videogames like Super Mario Bros. had a memorable impact. Given his own history with games, it’s no surprise that Peterson has used them as a tool to recruit and retain students to computer science — and particularly to computer security. “A lot of my research at Cal Poly has been in cybersecurity education — especially in ways we can teach security principles to younger and underserved students,” he said. While the cybersecurity field is booming, with many high-paying jobs, getting students interested in the field — and keeping them interested — has been a challenge. Read more here.
Faculty and Staff Mixer To Be Held at Myron’s Nov. 1
Myron’s will be bringing a taste of the south to the faculty and staff mixer from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1. The menu will offer buttermilk fried chicken sliders with creole aioli and butter pickles as well as barbecue pork belly sliders with Jack Daniels barbecue sauce, fried jalapeños and onion rings. Sides will include pimento cheese dip with crudité vegetables and crostini, sweet potato fries with Texas Pete ketchup and Thousand Island and chopped salad with iceberg, hard boiled eggs, marinated tomatoes, pickled onions, roasted peppers, cucumbers, green olives, green beans and apple cider vinaigrette. Polish off your meal with a helping of Chef Darrell’s famous bread pudding. Two glasses of beer or wine will also be included, all for only $5. There will also be a raffle for a chance to win lunch for two at Myron’s. Myron’s is located upstairs in the Dining Complex (No. 19), across from the Rec Center. For additional information, visit https://www.calpolydining.com/myrons/.
Faculty and Staff Invited to Black Faculty and Staff Association's Nov. 7 Meeting
Cal Poly's Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) is pleased to invite interested faculty and staff to its next meeting from 12:10 to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in UU 216. The association’s vision, mission and events are available on the BFSA website. Questions? Contact co-chairs Bryan Hubain at bhubain@calpoly.edu and Camille O’Bryant at cobryant@calpoly.edu.
Flu Vaccinations Offered to Employees on Nov. 2
Campus Health and Wellbeing has collaborated with Rite Aid Pharmacy and the Rec Center to bring a flu shot clinic for employees to campus as part of an ongoing effort to promote health and well-being across our community. On Friday, Nov. 2, Rite Aid will administer flu vaccinations to employees from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Rec Center, immediately inside the doors. Employees may use their insurance benefits (bring your insurance card) or pay $28 for the vaccination. Payment is due at the time of service. Cash, check and credit cards will be accepted.
International Education Week to be Held Nov. 12-16
Events will be held Monday through Friday, Nov. 12-16, for International Education Week, an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. Some sessions are geared toward faculty and staff; others are open to all. The events include:
— Monday through Friday, Nov. 12-16: Internationally themed menus offered all week at 805 Kitchen.
— Tuesday, Nov. 13: International coffee and tea time, a chance to interact with international students, will be held from 11 a.m. to noon in the Multicultural Center, Room 217B, in the University Union. Also, Pizza and a Panel — Visually Capturing Experiences Abroad, a photo presentation and panel, will explore how students visually document and share their study abroad experience from 5:10 to 6:30 p.m. in Trinity Hall (No. 105).
— Wednesday, Nov. 14: Nat Geo Live presents Annie Griffiths “Photography Without Borders” from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Special discounted tickets are available for faculty, staff and guests; use Promo Code: CPIC.
— Thursday, Nov. 15: Mochi Making Workshop, a hands-on, fun lesson on how to make mochi, will be held from 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Science Building (No. 52), Room E28. Also Thursday, a faculty international opportunities research fair will provide international options for faculty, faculty Fulbright awards information, overseas teaching opportunities and internationally related grants. Drop by the Science Building (No. 52), Room E28, between 2 and 4 p.m.
For more information, go to http://international.calpoly.edu/iew-2018/index.html.
Nominations Sought for Outstanding Staff Award
Staff, faculty members, and department and division heads are encouraged to submit nominations for the Outstanding Staff Award. The deadline to submit a nomination for the 2018-19 award is Friday, Dec. 21. To be eligible, nominees must be permanent, full-time employees of the university, corporation or ASI, who have completed at least three years of employment as of Dec. 31, 2018 (10-month employees are eligible). Employees represented by bargaining unit 3 (faculty), former recipients of the award, and student assistants are not eligible. The Outstanding Staff Award selection criteria and nomination form can be found on the Administration and Finance website.
International Center Seeks Volunteers to Host Local Activities for International Students
The International Center is seeking faculty and staff for the International Poly Hosts Program. Volunteers agree to host international students for short, cross-cultural day visits that include such activities as an informal dinner at a host's home, beach trips, meeting for coffee, or celebrating holidays/family occasions. The program helps international students experience the community outside an academic setting. Poly Hosts gain a deeper understanding of other cultures while sharing their own. Questions? Refer to the application to learn more and to apply.
Nominations for Distinguished Teaching Award Continue Through Nov. 28
The nomination period for the Distinguished Teaching Award continues through Wednesday, Nov. 28. The award recognizes faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching and inspire their students. The award is especially significant since only students and alumni — those who have been touched by the faculty — are eligible to submit nominations. The rigorous evaluation process is conducted by peer faculty members and is based on reviews of written documentation and extensive in-class visitations. Any student or alumnus may submit one or more nominations on the Academic Senate website.
Empathia Workshop Explores Pathways to Healing and Compassion Fatigue on Nov. 7
An Empathia workshop will explore ways to ease compassion fatigue for caregivers. The session will be held 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Training Room of the Cal Poly Police Building (No. 36), Room 105. As a caregiver, the consuming priority is often taking care of a loved one or friend. However, by doing so, caregivers may minimize their own needs. This workshop will include: exploring paths of healing for those in a caregiver role; identifying and discussing signs of caregiver pain; identifying and discussing ways to care for yourself; and understanding “future” versus “present” hope and how it impacts your resiliency. The event is hosted by Employee and Organization Development and is provided by the university’s Employee Assistance Provider — Empathia Life Matters. To register, click here.
Facilities Management and Development to Host Nov. 7-8 Fall Summit and Open House; Register by Nov. 1 to Attend
Facilities Management and Development will host its Fall Summit and Open House on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 7-8, at the Facilities Building (No. 70). The deadline to register is 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1. The summit will include more than a dozen sessions spread over two days that showcase the breadth and scope of Facilities initiatives, processes and ways to improve work stations. Day One kicks off with a 9 a.m. coffee with the department’s leadership team followed by a day and half of fun, informative sessions, a raffle, giveaways and lunch. Sessions include: Office Ergonomics: Let's Get Comfortable!, Keep it Safe! Information Security and Confidential Shredding Services, Facilitating the Future — A Facilities Management and Development Overview, You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet — Cal Poly’s Push Toward Zero Waste, and many more. To see the full agenda or to register, click here. Follow Facilities on its Inside Cal Poly! Facebook page. Questions? Contact the Facilities Help Center at ext. 6-5555 or email facilities-cbs@calpoly.edu.
Faculty/Staff Invited to Disability Faculty Staff Association Working Social on Nov. 8
The new Disability Faculty Staff Association will host a working social from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, in UU 219. Faculty and staff are invited to meet colleagues with disabilities and allies, and provide input on the group’s future programming, goals and events. To sign up for the Disability Faculty Staff Association, visit the faculty-staff associations webpage.
Retired Faculty and Staff Club Luncheon to be Held Nov. 28 on Campus
The Retired Faculty and Staff Club, open to all Cal Poly retirees, will hold a luncheon and program featuring the university’s newest residence halls from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28. The luncheon will be held in the Performing Arts Center, followed by an optional tour of the new residence halls. The cost is $16, which includes lunch. Several reserved parking spots will be available in the Grand Avenue parking lot. These spots are intended for those who have challenges walking great distances. RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 21, to Barbara Ciesielski at 805-543-7429 or bciesielski@msn.com. For more information on the Cal Poly Retired Faculty and Staff Club, visit cpretirees.com. More detailed information about this luncheon is included in the fall 2018 newsletter at that site.
First Year Success Program Seeks Coaches; Training Session set for Dec. 10
The Mustang Success Center is seeking coaches for the First Year Success Program, an academic workshop for first-year students on academic probation for the first time. Volunteers need to attend a training session from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Dec.10. Commitments for the program include leading a breakout session of four to six students during one of the upcoming workshops in January, holding a follow-up meeting with each student in the group and serving as a resource throughout the winter quarter if a student in the group any help or guidance. Three two-hour workshops for affected students will be held at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11. Find the overview of coaching duties on the Mustang Success Center website.
Catastrophic Leave
Margarita Hill, professor in the Landscape Architecture Department in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, has qualified for catastrophic leave. Those wishing to donate leave credits to help her remain in full-pay status during an extended leave of absence should contact catastrophic leave coordinator Kate Auslen at ext. 6-1414 or kauslen@calpoly.edu to request a donation form.
In Memoriam
Daniel “Dan” Lassanske, 73, died Oct. 22, 2018. He was raised in Harlingen, Texas, and later Southern California, where he became interested in plant sciences, working at several nurseries and even building his own greenhouse. Upon his discharge from the Army, Lassanske attended Cal Poly and earned bachelor's and master’s degrees in agriculture. After graduation, he became a high school teacher in Poway, California, and later a professor in the Horticulture Department at Cal Poly. His enthusiasm for plants earned him the nickname, “The Heart of the Hort.” He excelled in helping students seek a variety of career paths in agriculture. His enthusiastic coaching and expert advice produced award-winning landscape teams, innovative enterprises, beautifully choreographed Poly Royal presentations, and earned him countless industry awards and recognitions. Lassanske was a devoted teacher and lifelong mentor to agriculture teachers and the FFA organization. He is survived by his two daughters and five grandchildren. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at First Baptist Church in Paso Robles, 1645 Park St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lassanske's name to the Lassanske Family Endowment, care of the Agricultural Education and Communication Department; or gifts can be made online at https://giving.calpoly.edu (specify the Lassanske Family Endowment).
Campus Announcements
The Power of Privilege (Recorded TED Talk) to be Shown Nov. 29
Employee and Organization Development will lead a Nov. 29 discussion about “The Power of Privilege,” a TED Talk by Tiffany Jana, co-author of “Overcoming Bias: Building Authentic Relationships Across Differences,” and co-founder of the diversity and inclusion management consulting firm TMI Consulting Inc. The talk helps attendees understand what it means to talk about privilege and what can be done with that power. Jana, in her candid TED Talk, shares that people are not powerless against unconscious biases and can use privilege for good. This Learning Circle occurs from 12:10 to 1 p.m. Join in and watch the recorded TED Talk, then engage in open sharing, exploration and discourse. Register here.
New and Expecting Mothers Invited to Participate in $2 Million NIH-Funded Infant Feeding Studies
Two National Institutes of Health-funded studies in the Kinesiology and Public Health Department will investigate behavioral patterns that develop between breast- and formula-feeding mothers and their infants during feeding. Formula-feeding mothers with infants between birth and 8 weeks old and who want to participate in the 12-week study will receive free baby bottles and up to $100 if selected. Research assistants will visit mothers in their homes four times and observe mother-infant interactions during bottle-feeding. They’ll also take measurements to assess infant growth and development. Breastfeeding mothers with infants between birth and 6 months old can participate in a second study that consists of two visits to the Cal Poly Infant Feeding Lab at French Hospital for a two-hour assessment each time. Participants will receive up to $50. For more information or to participate in the studies, contact principal investigator Alison Ventura at akventur@calpoly.edu or ext. 6-5693. Interested participants can reach the research team at healthykids@calpoly.edu or ext. 6-5694.
Cal Poly Researchers Assessing LGBTQ Mental Health Services, Seeking Participants
QCARES, the Queer Community Action, Research, Education, and Support team led by Cal Poly psychology Professor Jay Bettergarcia, received a $25,000 grant from San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health through the state Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to evaluate mental health services for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGTBQ+) individuals in San Luis Obispo County. QCARES will assess the quality of local services offered and identify the barriers to mental health care for the LGBTQ+ community. The grant represents the first time San Luis Obispo County MHSA funds have been used to target LGBTQ+ mental health and wellness. The group is seeking LGBTQ+-identifying individuals who are 14 and older to participate in a survey, a focus group or both to help researchers learn more about access to services, barriers to accessing care and experiences with support services throughout the county. Results of the study will help create community development initiatives that support countywide LGBTQ+ mental health and wellness. For more information about the project, visit the QCARES website. Read more here.
Vietnamese Language and Culture Group to Meet Each Friday
The Vietnamese Group welcomes students, staff and faculty who are interested in learning or expanding their knowledge of the Vietnamese language, culture and history. The group will meet Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. in the Center for Service in Action Lounge, in Room E24 of the Science Building (No. 52). Participants do not need to know any Vietnamese prior to attending; they just need to have an interest! Welcome! Xin mời bạn! For more information, email Professor Margaret Bodemer at mbodemer@calpoly.edu.
Poly Canyon Classic Set for Nov. 3; Road Restrictions to be in Place in Poly Canyon
The Cal Poly Cycling Club will host the Poly Canyon Classic, an all-day mountain bike competition, on Saturday, Nov. 3. To safely accommodate the campus event, there will be restrictions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on many of the trails and roadways in Poly Canyon, the College of Architecture and Environmental Design’s Experimental Structures Laboratory area and the agricultural lands beyond Patterson Ranch. Anyone planning to hike or ride in that area should expect some impacts during that time. Guests are welcome to attend the race and cheer on the competitors. Visit the Cal Poly Cycling website for more information at www.cpcycling.com.
Smart Life Roadshow Comes to Campus Engineering Plaza on Nov. 6
The Smart Life Roadshow, featuring the world’s “smartest” Airstream trailer, is coming to Cal Poly on Tuesday, Nov. 6 to show off what’s new and unique in smart home technology advancements. The Alexa-enabled Airstream, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Intel, Schlage, Sonos and other innovative partners using artificial intelligence and voice control, will be on display all day outside the Advanced Tech Labs building (No. 7). The College of Engineering, Computer Science department and the Cal Poly Digital Transformation Hub (DxHub) invite you to stop by and see what’s possible in your own office, bedroom, kitchen, living room and life. For more information on the Smart Life Roadshow, go to www.amazon.com/adlp/smartliferoadshow or follow @SmartLifeRoadshow on Instagram.
Submission Guidelines for Cal Poly Report
Cal Poly Report (CPR) is Cal Poly's official employee newsletter, designed to communicate information about officially sanctioned university news or events to faculty, staff and administrators. Submissions may run a maximum of three times and should be limited to 150 words. To help ensure CPR continues to contain only relevant and approved information, submissions are required to come from or be approved by the employee designated to approve submissions in the respective colleges, units and work areas. A list of designated approvers is available on the Cal Poly Report index website. Entries submitted by those other than the designated approver must be accompanied by an approval form signed by the unit's approver. The approval form is available online in fillable pdf format or a downloadable Microsoft Word format. CPR is published weekly during the school year, except during academic breaks, and monthly in the summer. The deadline for each issue is 12:30 p.m. the Friday prior to publication.
Events
Theatre and Dance Department to Present ‘Trust Fall’ Nov. 1-3, 8-10
The Theatre and Dance Department’s fall production, “Trust Fall,” is an original play written by Cal Poly Professor Al Schnupp. Performances, held in Spanos Theatre on campus, are at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 1-3 and 8-10. Schnupp’s “Trust Fall” is the classic story of Daedalus and Icarus, retold in a bold, twisted, contemporary style with a cast of eccentric characters. Daedalus is a gifted sculptor and celebrated inventor who designed the labyrinth. The adventures of Daedalus lead to imprisonment, a misguided escape and life as a fugitive. The play is a comic saga about a man who creates problems that others must solve. It is also a heartfelt tribute to a trusting son, Icarus, who loses his life as a result of the misguided instructions of his father. “Trust Fall” is performed with four puppet interludes, which illustrate the nighttime adventures of chickens as imagined by Icarus, an episode from the life of Medea, a toy mechanical machine that Daedalus is building for his son, and a mad king searching frantically for his enemy. Tickets are available through the Performing Arts Ticket Office from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. To order by phone, call 805-SLO-4TIX (805-756-4849). Learn more here.
‘How the Indian Ocean Spice Trade Made the World Modern’ on Nov. 2
Cornell University history Professor Eric Tagliacozzo will give a talk titled "How the Indian Ocean Spice Trade Made the World Modern" at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, in the Baker Center (No. 180), Room 101. People today take for granted the pepper, salt and other seasonings on dinner tables, but maybe they shouldn’t. The quest for spices brought the world together in ways that scholars are only now recognizing. Two thousand years ago, Han dynasty princes were buried with cloves in their mouths from Indonesia — 3,000 miles from China. In antiquity, the Mediterranean, India, Southeast Asia and China were thinly connected by spices. Venice and Istanbul built empires on the control of spices, Columbus’s search for spices landed him in the New World, and the barks and seeds of Asia launched the Age of Imperialism, when European state-making projects under the guise of "East India Companies" eventually carved up much of the world. Tagliacozzo has written two books “Secret Trades, Porous Borders: Smuggling and States Along a Southeast Asian Frontier” (Yale, 2005) and “The Longest Journey: Southeast Asians and the Pilgrimage to Mecca” (Oxford, 2013). In his lecture, he will look at these old histories as an engine for global connection and explore how spices became objects of unparalleled affection. The talk is free and open to all. For more information, email Professor Matthew Hopper at mshopper@calpoly.edu, or Professor Christina Firpo at cfirpo@calpoly.edu.
Pilobolus Dance Company’s ‘Shadowland’ Comes to the PAC on Nov. 3
The athletic, always entertaining Pilobolus Dance Company brings its unique new creation “Shadowland” — a first-of-its-kind presentation of multimedia, shadow play and dance — to the Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3. Created after years of experimentation with short-form shadow play, “Shadowland” is part shadow act, part dance, part circus and part concert. It was conceived in collaboration with Steven Banks, lead writer for the playfully surreal animated TV series “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and is propelled by a rhythmic original score by the popular American musician, producer and film composer David Poe. “Shadowland” combines Pilobolus’ legendary approach to modern dance with high-energy, fast-paced multimedia innovation — including multiple moving screens of different sizes and shapes and a mind-bending merging of projected images and front-of-screen choreography that leverage darkness and light. A pre-show lecture by dance Professor Diana Stanton will take place at 7 p.m. in the PAC’s Philips Lecture Hall. Student and adult tickets for the performance range from $31.20 to $69 and may be purchased in advance at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; by calling ext. 6-4849; or going online at www.calpolyarts.org. See a trailer of the show here.
‘Whose Live Anyway?’ Visits the PAC on Nov. 4
"Whose Live Anyway?" hits the stage at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, in Harold Miossi Hall presented by Cal Poly Arts. Following three sold-out performances at the PAC in past seasons, the irrepressible Ryan Stiles and his band of madcap comic mischief-makers from TV’s “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” are back with a hilarious new evening of star-quality improvisation and plenty of on-the-spot audience participation. Tickets range from $44-$64 for adults and $35-$50 for students, faculty and staff. They can be purchased at the Cal Poly Ticket Office from noon to 6 p.m. by calling ext. 6-4849 or online on the PAC website (show is for ages 10 and older).
Chinese Scholar to Discuss ‘What was Mao’s Cultural Revolution?’ on Nov. 6
Yongyi Song, a librarian and professor at California State University, Los Angeles, will present “What was Mao’s Cultural Revolution?” from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Construction Innovations Center (No. 186), Room C100. As a Shanghai native, Song was twice jailed by the Chinese authorities — once during the Cultural Revolution (1966-’76) for organizing an underground reading club and again in 1999 for collecting primary sources on the Cultural Revolution. He is committed to preserving the true history of contemporary China and combating governmental censorship. Song received the American Library Association’s 2005 Paul Howard Award for Courage and the California Library Association’s 2011 Zoia Horn Intellectual Freedom Award. He has published several volumes and research papers and created several crucial databases on the history of Maoist China. The event is free and open to all. The College of Liberal Arts, History Department and Asian studies minor program are sponsoring the event. Questions? Email Professor Andrew Morris at admorris@calpoly.edu.
Poly Sci Alum Tim Humphreys to Discuss 'Leveraging your Liberal Arts Degree’ on Nov. 9
Tim Humphreys, a Cal Poly political science graduate (class of 1972) and this year’s College of Liberal Arts’ honored alumnus, will discuss “Leveraging Your Liberal Arts Degree” with political science Professor Chris Den Hartog at 1:40 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, in the Baker Center (No. 180), Room 102. Humphreys will talk about how he applied Learn by Doing to launch his own consulting firm, Trident Services. Founded in 1978, the company is a nationally recognized operating systems software development and services firm. Humphreys will discuss how his political science degree helped him build invaluable client relationships. Refreshments and a Q&A will follow. For more information, contact politicalscience@calpoly.edu. Humphreys will be celebrated with eight other honorees at the annual Honored Alumni Dinner and Awards Presentation later that day at Chumash Auditorium.
Guest Flutist to Present Lecture-Recital on ‘Suppressed Music’ on Nov. 9
Suzanne Snizek, flutist and associate professor of music at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, will present a lecture-recital from 10:10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, in Room 218 in the Davidson Music Center (No. 45). Titled “Suppressed Music,” the presentation will cover a sampling of composers who have been threatened, imprisoned, killed and/or had their work denied performance by governments for political or religious reasons. Because of this, the composers have remained largely unknown. The program will primarily draw from the periods of World War I and World War II. Snizek’s innovative research on the topic has been published by Routledge in New York; Böhlau Verlag in Vienna; Armand Colin in Paris; and World ORT, the world’s largest Jewish education and vocational training non-governmental organization. The lecture-recital is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Music Department. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
National Geographic Live — Photography without Borders with Annie Griffiths on Nov. 14
Annie Griffiths, one of National Geographic magazine’s most celebrated photographers, will share images and stories from a globetrotting career that has taken her to Bedouin campfires, meeting Argentinian horse whisperers, and falling in with English county gentlemen staging a beauty pageant for rodents from 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Performing Arts Center. Special discounted tickets — $15 for faculty/staff and guests only — can be purchased online here. Enter promo code “CPIC.” A limited quantity is available. Student tickets are already sold at the discounted rate. This program is presented in association with National Geographic Live, bringing the National Geographic experience to global audiences, while celebrating the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change our world.
Public Lecture on ‘Archaeology of Warfare’ To Be Held Nov. 15
James E. Snead, anthropology professor at CSU Northridge, will present “The Archaeology of Warfare: Discoveries at Burnt Corn Pueblo, New Mexico” from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at Spanos Theatre. Warfare is a central factor of human history, and archaeology provides critical insight into understanding the causes, manifestations and outcomes of conflict. But interpreting physical evidence presents a significant challenge. Does evidence for burning suggest an accident — or deliberate destruction? Are artifacts weapons or hunting implements? Are walls defensive or symbolic? Burnt Corn Pueblo, located in northern New Mexico, provides a distinctive opportunity for the archaeology of war. A small village established toward the end of the 1200s, it was destroyed by fire within a generation. This free lecture in recognition of Archaeology Month is sponsored by the Social Sciences Department, History Department, Political Science Department, College of Liberal Arts and the California Lottery Fund. For more information, call ext. 6-2752.
Event Calendar
To find out what’s going on at Cal Poly, visit the Events Calendar. The site includes community events that are open to the public and Campus Life events open to students, faculty and staff. The calendar also includes events at the Performing Arts Center. A link from the calendar allows staff, faculty and students to check facility availability before requesting and reserving on-campus locations for activities and events. For more information about publishing an event on the calendar, contact events@calpoly.edu, or visit the university scheduling page.
Athletics
For an overview of up-to-date sports information, photos and videos, visit gopoly.com. Students always get in free. Faculty and staff discounts are available.
Upcoming Events @ Home
Saturday, Nov. 3
Women’s Swimming and Diving vs. Pepperdine, Anderson Aquatic Center, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 6
Women’s Basketball vs. Academy of Art, Mott Athletics Center, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 7
Men’s Basketball vs. Menlo, Mott Athletics Center, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 10
Wrestling vs. Cal Baptist, Mott Athletics Center, 1 p.m.
Football vs. Idaho State, Spanos Stadium, 4:05 p.m.
Job Vacancies
Employment Opportunities
The complete listing of staff and management vacancies is posted on the Cal Poly Jobs website. To apply, go online and complete the application form. For assistance, call Human Resources at ext. 6-2236.
#105070 — Application Support Programmer (Analyst/Programmer — Foundation/Career), Academic Affairs — Technical Services. Foundation: $3,470-$6,486 per month. (Anticipated hiring range: $3,470-$4,978 per month.) Career: $4,372-$10,478 per month. (Anticipated hiring range: $4,372-$7,000 per month). Open until filled.
#105069 — Nurse Practitioner (two positions open), Student Affairs — Health Services. $4,742-$8,883 per month (anticipated hiring range: $7,588-$8,000 per month). These positions are paid under the 10/12 pay plan, where the salary for 10 months is distributed over 12 months. The salary listed is the salary that will be received every month. One incumbent will have July and August off every year (with pay, benefits and vacation/sick leave accrual continuing through months off). The second incumbent will have June and December off (with pay, benefits and vacation/sick leave accrual continuing through months off).
#105065 — Costume Shop Coordinator (Performing Arts Technician II), Academic Affairs — College of Liberal Arts — Theatre and Dance Department. $2,908-$5,108 per month. (Anticipated hiring range: $3,250-$3,833 per month.) Open until filled. Review begins Nov. 26.
#105068 — Dr. Art James Sports Medicine Physician (Physician), Student Affairs — Health Services. $12,819-$24,950 per month. (Anticipated hiring range: $18,000-$20,000 per month.) Open until filled.
#105071 — Administrative Support Assistant (Administrative Support Assistant II), College of Science and Mathematics — Dean's Office. $2,600-$4,458 per month. (Anticipated hiring range: $3,000 - $3,400 per month.) Open until filled.
#105064 — Administrative Support Coordinator, Academic Affairs — College of Liberal Arts — Cal Poly Arts. $3,115-$5,475 per month. (Anticipated hiring range: $3,333-$4,000 per month.) Open until filled. Review begins Nov. 5.
#104999 — Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist (Administrative Analyst/Specialist — Exempt I), Administration and Finance — Human Resources. $3,897-$6,846 per month. (Anticipated hiring range: $4,400-$5,400 per month.) Open until filled.
#104985 — Director of Finance, Personnel and Operations (Administrator II), Academic Affairs — Orfalea College of Business. Salary commensurate with background and experience of the individual selected. (Anticipated hiring range $7,500-$10,000 per month.) Open until filled.
Faculty Employment Opportunities
Candidates are asked to visit the Cal Poly Jobs website to complete an application for any of the positions shown below. The complete listing of faculty position openings is posted on the website. For assistance, call Academic Personnel at ext. 6-2844.
There are no new listings at this time.
Corporation Employment Opportunities
Cal Poly Corporation is a separate entity operating in concert with the university to provide a diverse range of services and resources to students, faculty and staff. To view job postings or apply, visit the Corporation website. For assistance, contact Human Resources at ext. 6-1121.
Research Associate, Strawberry Center, $25.40 to $38.09 per hour.
ASI Employment Opportunities
Candidates are asked to visit the ASI website to complete an ASI application and apply for open positions. For more information, visit the ASI Business Office in UU 212 or call ext. 6-5800.
Assistant Coordinator - Accounting, $22.50/hour with excellent benefits. Position open until filled.
Teacher, $15.44/hour with excellent benefits. Position open until filled.