Recent News
Cal Poly’s National Society of Black Engineers Receives National Chapter of the Year Honor
Apr 29, 2021
SAN LUIS OBISPO — A live Q&A with astronaut Victor Glover in space was one of several highlights that helped Cal Poly’s National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) earn recognition as Small National Chapter of the Year.
The recognition was relayed by NSBE’s national executive board, which wrote, “This has not been an easy year, but the programming and events held by your chapter demonstrate true resilience in the face of adversity.”
The small chapter award goes to those with 25 or fewer members. Cal Poly’s chapter was also recently recognized as the regional chapter of the year for a third consecutive time.
Cal Poly Symphony to Present ‘Voices Past and Present’ Virtually on June 11
Apr 29, 2021
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Cal Poly Symphony will present its season finale, “Voices Past and Present,” through a virtual presentation at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 11.
The program will include music for winds and brass, music for string orchestra and music for everyone together. The winds and brass will conclude their yearlong exploration of Gordon Jacob’s “Old Wine in New Bottles,” a set of pieces based on old English folk songs.
Cal Poly Choirs to Present ‘Ubi Caritas’ Concert Virtually on Saturday June 5
Apr 29, 2021
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Cal Poly Choirs will present a virtual concert titled “Ubi Caritas” which will feature a variety of selections on the themes of charity and love at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 5.
Cal Poly’s Chamber Choir will present three 20th century settings of the Latin text “Ubi Caritas,” all loosely based on the ancient chant melody. This portion will feature works by Maurice Duruflé, Ola Gjeilo and Luke Mayernik. The group will also perform several Italian and French secular works.
Cal Poly Sends Ten Student Projects to Annual CSU Research Competition
Apr 26, 2021
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Ten research projects from Cal Poly students were selected to represent the university at the annual California State University (CSU) systemwide competition April 30 to May 1.
The projects were chosen from a total of 46 — involving 84 undergraduate students, graduate students and recent alumni from Cal Poly’s six colleges — during the university’s internal competition. Cal Poly’s Academic Senate Grants Review Committee chose the 10 to move forward.
“I’m thrilled that these students will have the opportunity to represent Cal Poly at this CSU-wide event and share their important research with the competition jurors and their peers, as well as faculty and staff members from across the CSU,” said Jane Lehr, director of Cal Poly’s Office of Student Research. “We had such a successful internal competition this year, we could have easily sent twice as many projects forward if we had been allowed to do so.”
Cal Poly Once Again Named One of The Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs
Apr 26, 2021
University Recognized for the Fourth Time Since 2017
SAN LUIS OBISPO — For the third straight year — and fourth year since 2017 — Cal Poly has been named one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs by ACPA-College Student Educators International and Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
The university previously earned the distinction in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Scout Coffee Co. Coming to Cal Poly in Fall 2021
Apr 26, 2021
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Scout Coffee Co. is bringing its scratch-made pastries and craft-roasted coffee to the yakʔitʸutʸu neighborhood on Cal Poly’s campus for the opening of the 2021-22 academic year.
The locally owned coffee company recently agreed to partner with the Cal Poly Corporation and open its third San Luis Obispo location next to the Cal Poly Welcome Center in yakʔitʸutʸu.
W. Terrence Spiller to Perform Beethoven Sonatas Virtually on May 21 from Cal Poly
Apr 22, 2021
Event Available on Demand Through May 28
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Pianist and Cal Poly Professor Emeritus W. Terrence Spiller will give a virtual all-Beethoven recital that will be released at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 21, and will be available through May 28.
The recital is the fifth in Spiller’s survey of the complete piano sonatas of Beethoven and will be presented from the main stage of Miossi Hall in the Performing Arts Center’s Christopher Cohan Center.
Cal Poly Receives $5 Million to Perform Research in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology
Apr 19, 2021
Federal funds extend key educational partnership with Air Force Research Lab
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The federal government has allocated $5 million to Cal Poly’s educational partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFLR), which will allow engineering students to conduct cutting-edge research on a modified general aviation airplane that will act as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The funding represents half of $10 million appropriated to Cal Poly and California State Polytechnic University in Pomona through the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 133) to advance UAV technology. Last summer, in separate funding, the two campuses shared $5 million from the partnership to further research on mini satellite technology known as CubeSats.
Rep. Salud Carbajal, whose district includes Cal Poly, secured the funding along with fellow Californians Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-El Monte, and Rep. Norma J. Torres, D-Pomona.
Cal Poly Virtual Tomato Spectacular Plant Sale Offers Plant Pickup on Campus
Apr 16, 2021
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s annual Tomato Spectacular plant sale will be held virtually this year, with online ordering beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 17, and continuing until mid-May or until plants are sold out.
Reservations will be required to pick up plants within five days of purchase. Customers can select a time from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Tuesday, April 20.
The Tomato Spectacular will offer more than 70 different types of tomato plants.
Cal Poly Study Sounds Alarm on Effects of Noise Pollution on Plant Communities Over Time
Apr 14, 2021
First-of-its-kind study reveals that loud, equipment sounds negatively impact a New Mexico woodland habitat years later
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Though noise may change by the moment for humans, its effect on trees and other plants lasts longer. A Cal Poly study, published today (April 14) reveals that human noise pollution affects an ecosystem’s plant life diversity even after the din has stopped.
In a study conducted 12 years ago near natural gas wells in a New Mexico woodland dominated by piñon pine and juniper trees, researchers found that there were 75% fewer piñon pine seedlings in noisy sites as in quiet ones. This was most likely due to the noise driving away the Woodhouse’s scrub jays, which plant thousands of pine seeds while storing them to eat during the winter months.