Recent News
Cal Poly Study Finds Climate Change May Threaten Local Endangered Lizard
May 5, 2020
SAN LUIS OBISPO — 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.
Cal Poly Architectural Engineering EERI Seismic Design Team Wins Second Place
Apr 29, 2020
SAN LUIS OBISPO — A team of Cal Poly architectural engineering (ARCE) students placed second in the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Seismic Design Competition (SDC) in early March in San Diego.
The Cal Poly 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.
Cal Poly Honored Again by Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA
Apr 16, 2020
The campus, with one of the largest urban forests in the U.S., first received the honor in 2014
SAN LUIS OBISPO — For the sixth consecutive year, Cal Poly has been named a Tree Campus USA for its commitment to urban forest management, the Arbor Day Foundation announced.
The 2019 award — the foundation honors campuses for their previous year’s commitment — recognizes Cal Poly’s best practices in managing one of the largest and most diverse university urban forests in the nation.
Cal Poly to Hold Virtual Tomato Spectacular Sale, with Plant Pickups, Beginning April 17
Apr 16, 2020
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s annual Tomato Spectacular plant sale will go on — with plants available for purchase online and scheduled pick-up times on campus.
More than 70 different types of tomato plants will be available at the annual Tomato Spectacular sale. Online ordering will begin Friday, April 17, at www.polyplantshop.com and will continue until plants are sold out.
Cal Poly Engineering Student Makes Respiratory Masks in His Garage for Local Health Care Workers
Apr 10, 2020
Cristian Sion is using 3D printers to make the N95-style respirators that medical professionals are finding in short supply
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Working with medical professionals, a Cal Poly engineering student has helped design and create 60 respiration masks in his garage using 3D printers, and he plans to create even more to help address the nationwide shortage of the crucial medical protective gear.
Cal Poly Set to Expand Campus-Based Technology Park
Apr 8, 2020
The 30,000-square-foot project, which received a $6.7 million Economic Development Administration grant, will expand the footprint of the existing Tech Park, which opened in 2010
SAN LUIS OBISPO — With the support of a $6.7 million federal grant, Cal Poly has begun the expansion of the campus Cal Poly Technology Park. When completed, the project is expected to create 150 jobs and spur $20 million in private investment.
NASA Small Satellite Program Selects Cal Poly to Help Develop New Technology for Lunar Exploration Missions
Apr 3, 2020
Partnership will help return astronauts to the moon later this decade and pave the way for later exploration to Mars
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly is teaming up with NASA and nine other university teams across the nation to advance small spacecraft technologies that will help pave the way for human and robotic lunar exploration.
“Cal Poly’s CubeSat Lab has a history of collaboration with a number of different NASA centers,” said John Bellardo, who directs the lab — the campus epicenter for the class of small satellites about the size of a loaf of bread. “These awards are further evidence of that. I expect these opportunities to continue into the future.”
Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Cal Poly Engineering Faculty Members Adapt Courses, Shift Focus to Coronavirus
Mar 27, 2020
Multiple faculty members in the spring quarter will encourage their students to help with ventilator shortages, design medical products, and publish analysis of biological data related to worldwide health crisis
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — As soon as Eric Paton heard there was a shortage of hospital ventilators worldwide amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the Cal Poly lecturer reached out to students he knew could help and designed a course to address the challenge.
Cal Poly Student Affairs Professionals Recognized by Industry Associations
Mar 4, 2020
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Several Cal Poly Student Affairs professionals were recognized recently by industry peers for their contributions to advancing social justice, orientation and transition programming, leadership and service, and student conduct.
Staff members in Career Services, New Student and Transition Programs, the Office of the Dean of Students, and University Housing received awards from the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA), respectively.
Cal Poly Construction Management Students Set New Team Record at Regional Competition
Mar 4, 2020
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly construction management (CM) students brought home 10 awards, including six first-place trophies, in their best showing ever at the 2020 Associated Schools of Construction Region 6 and 7 Student Competition.
The Cal Poly teams earned more than twice as many awards as their nearest competitor with six first-place trophies, two second-place awards, one third-place award, and an award for best presentation at the competition, held in early February in Sparks, Nevada.