Cal Poly Report — May 6, 2020
News
Orfalea College of Business Dean Candidates to Visit Campus Virtually
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Mary Pedersen has accepted the recommendation of the Orfalea College of Business Dean Search Committee, co-chaired by Stern Neill and Eduardo Zambrano, to invite three finalists for the position to visit campus virtually. Biographies and curricula vitae are linked on the Academic Personnel website: https://academic-personnel.calpoly.edu/content/announcements. Faculty, staff, students and the campus community are invited to attend the Open Forum scheduled for each finalist. To join the forum, participants will need to use their Zoom account associated with their @calpoly.edu email address.
'Teach ON!' Offers Lectures About Equity and Justice Surrounding COVID-19
In the spirit of the "Teach In" that was offered in the winter quarters of 2018, 2019 and 2020, the College of Liberal Arts will host a "Teach ON!" — a series of both synchronous and asynchronous lectures and resources devoted to issues of equity and justice surrounding COVID-19. People's collective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic magnifies structural inequities — as well as strengths — that exist in our diverse communities. These recorded and live lectures can be used by faculty across campus in courses to address important topics such as anti-Asian racism, health disparities in different populations with regard to treatment and testing, redeployment of survival strategies for marginalized communities, and more. Synchronous lectures will be held every Thursday starting May 7. A Canvas site was available starting April 30 for asynchronous lectures and recordings of synchronous lectures. Visit https://cla.calpoly.edu/teachon to see a "living" schedule as new topics are added. Anyone who would like to be invited to the Canvas site can email Grace Yeh (gyeh@calpoly.edu) or Jaime Ding (jpding@calpoly.edu). Questions about the Teach ON! can be directed to Heidi Velasco (hmvelasc@calpoly.edu).
Complete the 2020 Census for San Luis Obispo
ASI student government is encouraging the Cal Poly community to complete the 2020 U.S. census during spring quarter. One simple way that faculty and staff can help in this effort is by ensuring that they fill out the census themselves and also encourage their classes and student assistants to do the same. Regardless if students have remained in San Luis Obispo or are back home for spring quarter, the Census Bureau has confirmed that students should be counted at their San Luis Obispo address where they spent most of the year. For more information, see the Census Bureau's statement on counting college students. To complete the 2020 census, visit my2020census.gov.
Registration Open for Virtual Social Justice Education Conference
The third annual Social Justice Education Conference will be held virtually from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16. The conference will focus on building community and engaging in social justice in this unprecedented time. The keynote speaker is Farima Pour-Khorshid, Ph.D., a Bay Area educator, community organizer, critical scholar and former elementary school teacher. A panel of K-12 educators and undocu-advocates from the Central Coast will also present. Pre-register to receive up-to-date information about the event. The event is organized and sponsored by the Central Coast Coalition for Undocumented Student Success, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, Central Coast Coalition for Inclusive Schools and Cal Poly. For more information, visit the conference website or contact ccc.undocu@gmail.com.
Cal Poly Study Finds Climate Change May Threaten Local Endangered Lizard
An iconic local lizard in the Carrizo Plain may be threatened by climate change, according to a study by Cal Poly, York University in Canada, and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The team of scientists found that soaring summer temperatures force blunt-nosed leopard lizards into underground burrows for much of the day, where they cannot mate, feed or defend their territories. The study, led by Cal Poly biological sciences graduate student Kat Ivey and published in the journal Conservation Physiology, predicts the lizard will lose additional hours of daily activity due to climatic change this century, with uncertain outcomes for the lizard. These large, charismatic lizards now cling to existence in an increasingly harsh habitat where conditions allow them to be active for only about three months per year for several hours per day. The Cal Poly study highlighted multiple ways to protect the lizards. Read more here.
Student Success
Architectural Engineering EERI Seismic Design Team Wins Second Place
A team of architectural engineering (ARCE) students placed second in the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Seismic Design Competition (SDC) in early March in San Diego. The team competed against 46 other university teams from throughout the U.S. and countries such as Canada, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Malaysia, Mexico, Turkey and Romania. The Cal Poly team’s months-long preparation involved writing a design proposal; constructing a 5-foot-tall balsa-wood model to survive two shake-table ground motions; refining computer simulations to accurately predict the model’s performance; and developing communication materials, including a poster and oral presentation. Their efforts led to a second-place award for presentation and poster, third in proposal, and fifth for architecture. Read more here.
Faculty and Staff Invited to Write Letters to Graduates
Faculty and staff can showcase how Cal Poly Proud they are of spring 2020 graduates by writing a Dear Mustang Grad letter. The Dear Mustang Grad campaign offers a unique way to congratulate graduates, highlight their accomplishments, give thanks, share memories and offer words of wisdom. Through these letters, the Commencement Office team hopes to surprise the Class of 2020 with personal notes from the people who supported them throughout their Cal Poly journey. For optimal impact, faculty and staff are asked to keep this letter a secret. Once submitted, the Commencement Office will begin preparations to deliver the letters to graduates on your behalf. The deadline to submit Dear Mustang Grad letters is Friday, May 8. Click on the following link to submit a letter today.
Faculty & Staff
Faculty Invited to Take Survey on Instructional Support Needs
To best prepare for multiple possible scenarios in the fall quarter, the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) is preparing to expand its programming during the summer to make sure that faculty members have the support they need. All faculty have been invited to complete a survey to provide feedback on the programs offered and possible additional services. This will help the CTLT refine and enhance instructional support programs and services offered in summer 2020. Faculty are asked to complete the survey by the end of day on Friday, May 8. Faculty members who have not taken the survey already can click this link to take the survey.
Nominations Sought for 34th Annual Cal Poly Community Service Awards
The Center for Service in Action is hosting the 34th annual Cal Poly Community Service Awards, and nominations for this recognition are due at 5 p.m. Monday, May 18. Awards for the categories of individual faculty, staff and student contributions, along with student organizations and community partner of the year, will be bestowed on those making extraordinary impacts to address community needs. President Armstrong usually presents the awards and recognizes recipients for their efforts at an annual ceremony, but due to COVID-19 guidelines this year’s awards and written recognition from the president will be sent to recipients. More information about the history of the awards, details on each category, and a link to the nominations form can be found here. Anyone with questions about the nomination process can email the Center for Service in Action at serviceinaction@calpoly.edu.
Nominations Open for LEAD Awards to Showcase Leadership, Service, Collaboration and More
Nominations for the 2019-20 Leadership and Engagement Achievements of Distinction Awards are open through 9 a.m. Monday, May 11. The LEAD Awards recognize students, student organizations, programs and events in Student Affairs. This collaborative awards ceremony showcases leadership, service, followership, collaboration and more. The awards are geared toward celebrating the outstanding efforts on campus to promote leadership and engagement. LEAD Awards are given to students or student organizations based on three categories: Leadership in Action, Collaboration, and Program or Event of Distinction. Students can nominate themselves or others. Additionally, nominations can be submitted for the Allyship Award, which recognizes Cal Poly faculty and staff or offices and departments that are allies for students, programs or events, organizations and beyond. All nominees will be recognized in the presentation and two to four nominees will be chosen in each category to win the overall award. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit https://leadership.calpoly.edu/lead-awards.
CTLT Support Available for Transition to Canvas
As Cal Poly transitions to Canvas, the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology has several resources, including consultations, workshops and guides, available to best support faculty. These resources can all be found at canvassupport.calpoly.edu. Beginning in fall quarter 2020, Canvas will be the only learning management system (LMS) available. Fall course shells will be available in Canvas two weeks before the summer quarter begins. Every faculty member has one test course, named "username-sandbox," for trying out and learning Canvas tools. Faculty members who would like to start working on their fall courses now and need an additional test course can request a test course. Starting June 15, the CTLT will be offering Canvas webinars to help faculty learn how to migrate their PolyLearn courses and set up their Canvas courses for future teaching. This summer, the CTLT will also offer sessions on teaching online. In the meantime, faculty can self-enroll in the Launching a Course Online with Canvas to learn more about teaching online and see what an online course looks like. Questions? Email canvassupport@calpoly.edu.
Culturally Informed Early-Career Faculty Success Program Accepting Applications
Tenure-track faculty or full-time lecturers from historically underrepresented minority groups teaching in the STEM or STEM education fields, including social sciences, are invited to apply to the National Science Foundation-funded CSU Culturally Informed Strengths-Based Approach to Advance Early-Career Faculty Success program. Participants must have been hired during or after fall 2017. Participants will be supported through senior faculty coaching, peer coaching and networking, trainings about culturally informed strengths-based strategies for faculty success, and grant proposal writing support. The commitment includes the following:
— Kickoff weekend retreat (Aug. 28-30, 2020/potentially virtual).
— Six web-based zoom workshops (September 2020–May 2021).
— One hour one-on-one coaching call with senior STEM faculty strengths coach (every other month, September 2020–May 2021)/
— One hour one-on-one peer coaching call with another participant (every other month, September 2020–May 2021).
— Completion weekend retreat (June 2021).
Applications for this opportunity will be accepted until May 15. Email questions to csu.agep.alliance@gmail.com.
Virtual Talk on Positivity with Best-Selling Author Shola Richards Set for May 15
Employee and Organization Development will host a special session of CSU’s Got Talent with Shola Richards at 10 a.m. Friday, May 15. Richards is a best-selling author of "Go Together" and "Making Work Work." He has previously talked at Cal Poly and is a renowned keynote and TEDx speaker, as well as a workplace civility activist. Known for his fabulously inspiring and funny personality, he’ll be discussing how we can stay positive and mentally prepare for a return to “normal” work (whatever that looks like). A virtual Learning Circle will be hosted by the Employee and Organization Development department where you can join colleagues virtually to watch the talk and then participate in a facilitated group discussion. Attendance to the virtual Learning Circle is limited. Click here to register.
Changes to Academic Advising Coming Summer 2020
To streamline advising services for students, Cal Poly’s undergraduate academic advising structure will be reconfigured effective summer 2020. The Mustang Success Center will transition to a first-year advising center, specifically serving freshmen of all majors. The College Advising Centers will advise students in their second year and beyond, including transfer students. The faculty advising model will remain the same. Anyone who would like to have an advisor attend a department meeting to discuss the changes can contact Shannon Stephens at sgstephe@calpoly.edu. The Mustang Success Center website will be updated on June 5 with additional information.
Onboarding Toolkits Available for Managers and Employees
It is estimated that 76% of new hires feel socialization is most important. Employees who participate in a structured onboarding program are 69% more likely to stay with an organization for three years. The Employee and Organization Department has on-demand toolkits available to support employees in making the best first impression and biggest long-lasting impact during the onboarding process. Whether it’s mapping out an entire onboarding process or just revamping what you already have in place, Employee and Organization Development's Onboarding Toolkit for Managers has the on-demand courses, books, checklists and videos to get you the tools they need. Additionally, the Onboarding Toolkit for Employees has helpful resources to get new employees set up for success in their first 90 days. View all of the learning and development toolkits on the Learn and Grow Website.
Give Your Research a Boost During COVID-19
The Center for Expressive Technologies is seeking proposals for research grants from tenure-line faculty and lecturers in all colleges. What is an expressive technology? Projects funded by CET usually engage with visual and creative technologies (often digital), but the "what" is not as important as the "how" and the "why." Expressive technologies allow us to tell stories that give us voice, help us meet our communal goals, inspire creativity and imagination that can engender empathy, help us learn from histories, or promote our cultural diversity. This is an opportunity for faculty members to work with colleagues from other departments or colleges on new ideas to keep their research moving. For more information, visit https://cet.calpoly.edu/cet-rfp. Have questions or need help finding a collaborator? Email CET Director Matthew Harsh mharsh@calpoly.edu.
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In Memoriam
Music Professor Emeritus John Russell died April 6. A dedicated teacher and meticulous musician, his commitment to the music he taught, composed and performed inspired four decades of students. He taught music theory, piano and voice at Cal Poly from 1968-05. He chaired several department committees and served as chair from 1996-99. In 1996 he was a recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award. He was instrumental in the development of the music minor program. Russell had a profound influence on the choral music at Cal Poly and in San Luis Obispo. He formed the College Singers, and when Cal Poly was designated a university, the ensemble became known as the University Singers, which continues to be active to this day. A co-founder of the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival in 1971, Russell conducted the Mozart Festival Chorus until 1980. He loved to compose, and his original works are published by Associated Music, G. Schirmer, E.B. Marks, the Gregorian Institute of America and Walton Music. A celebration of Russell’s life will be announced at a later date.
Campus Announcements
Anti-Hate Working Group Launches #HateFreeCP Campaign
The Cal Poly Emergency Operation Center’s anti-hate working group recently launched a new social media campaign — #HateFreeCP — to educate the campus community on how to address coronavirus-related racism, bias and xenophobia. The campaign is posting tips and information on OUDI’s Instagram and Twitter (@CalPolyOUDI) and Facebook (facebook.com/calpoly.oudi) each weekday for the next four weeks.
Develop New, Healthy Behaviors While Working at Home
The Food Science and Nutrition Department is offering free, individualized virtual nutrition and wellness coaching to help employees develop new, healthy habits that promote personal wellness. Participants will work, virtually, one-on-one with a senior-level nutrition counseling student for three sessions lasting 30 to 60 minutes, scheduled around the participants' availability. Each participant and their coach will find solutions for their wellness challenges and set achievable goals each week. Sessions will be tailored to individual needs and priorities, such as: healthy food preparation, mindful eating, physical activity, food labels, healthy weight, meal planning and more. This is a Learn by Doing and graded experience for the student counselors, as they enhance their nutrition counseling skills. Participants commit to attending four sessions when they sign up here: https://bit.ly/359h5Pd. All sessions are virtual and confidential. Contact Lecturer Kati Fosselius, at ext. 6-6132 or kfosseli@calpoly.edu with any questions.
Events
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.
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
All athletic events through the spring have been canceled.
Job Vacancies
Employment Opportunities
For all available job openings, visit jobs.calpoly.edu. All new positions opened this week are listed below. To apply, go online and complete the application form. Current employees can also find job postings at CSU Careers, an internal job site for CSU employees. For assistance, call Human Resources at ext. 6-2236.
#496714 — Digital Transformation Services Consultant (Information Technology Consultant), Information Technology Services — Cal Poly Digital Transformation Hub. $52,464-$129,504 a year. Anticipated hiring range: $70,000-$95,000 a year. Open until closed.
#494755 — Police Officer, Administration and Finance — Public Safety Department. $56,184-$86,820 per year. Salary commensurate with the background and experience of the individual selected. Open until filled.
#496301 — Articulation and Transfer Credit Coordinator (Administrative Support Coordinator I), Academic Affairs — Office of the Registrar. $34,152-$61,776 per year. Anticipated hiring range: $34,800-$44,400 per year. Open until filled.
#496387 — Degree Progress Evaluator (Student Service Professional II), Academic Affairs — Office of the Registrar. $51,648-$73,440 per year. Anticipated hiring range: $51,648-$54,000 per year. Open until filled.
#496396 — Financial Aid Scholarship Counselor (Student Services Professional II), Academic Affairs — Financial Aid. $51,648-$73,440 per year. Anticipated hiring range: $51,648-$54,000 per year. Open until filled.
#496718 — Health Information Technician, Student Affairs — Campus Health and Wellness. $36,828-$71,052 per year. Anticipated hiring range: $36,828-$54,000 per year. Open until filled.
#494803 — Temporary One-Year Planning/Project Analyst (Administrative Analyst/ Specialist), Administration and Finance — Facilities Management and Development. $39,456-$76,164 per year. Anticipated hiring range: $48,000-$66,000 per year. Open until filled.
#494871 — Construction Inspector (Administrator II), Administration and Finance — Facilities Management and Development. Salary commensurate with the background and experience of the individual selected. Open until closed.
#496717 — Application Engineer Lead (Analyst/Programmer), Information Services — Information Technology Services. $52,464-$125,736 per year. Anticipated hiring range: $79,000-$105,000 per year. Open until filled.
For a full list of available jobs, go to jobs.calpoly.edu.
Faculty Employment Opportunities
Visit jobs.calpoly.edu for all available job openings. The part-time lecturer pools are now opened. Visit jobs.calpoly.edu for current openings, further information and how to apply. 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 all available job postings or apply, visit the Corporation website. For assistance, contact Human Resources at ext. 6-1121.
There are no new listings at this time.
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.
There are no new listings at this time.
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.