Recent News
Cal Poly Collaborative Study Finds Noise from Oil and Gas Operations Stresses Birds and Hinders Their Reproduction
Jan 8, 2018
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Birds exposed to the persistent noise of natural gas compressors show symptoms remarkably similar to those in humans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, according to new research from Cal Poly and two partner schools.
In some cases, the three species studied — western and mountain bluebirds and ash-throated flycatchers — also have chicks whose growth is stunted.
The findings, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, add to a growing body of evidence suggesting noise pollution from human activity is harmful to wildlife. The University of Colorado Boulder and the Florida Museum of Natural History were also part of the study.
Cal Poly Center Named Finalist for National Entrepreneurship Award
Jan 8, 2018
The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is one of two finalists for the 2018 United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) National Model Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program award.
The winner of the award will be announced during USASBE’s annual conference on Jan. 14 in Los Angeles. The other national model finalist is the University of Syracuse.
Cal Poly Named One of Nation’s Best Values by Kiplinger’s Finance Magazine
Jan 8, 2018
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly was named a 2018 best-value college by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, placing 27th in the nation and sixth in the state among public universities and colleges in the magazine’s annual ranking.
Kiplinger’s, a personal finance and business forecasting organization, ranked the top 300 best-value colleges and universities “based on quality and affordability” from data culled from nearly 1,200 public and private four-year institutions across the nation.
Trombonist Ralph Sauer to Present Master Class Feb. 3 at Cal Poly
Jan 8, 2018
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Ralph Sauer, principal trombonist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic for 32 years, will present a brass master class for Cal Poly music students at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, in Room 218 in the Davidson Music Center (No. 45) on campus.
The master class is free and open to the public. During the class, several of the Music Department’s leading brass students will perform and be critiqued.
Cal Poly University Art Gallery to Exhibit the Work of a Collective of Veteran Artists Jan. 16-Feb. 9
Jan 8, 2018
Artist Lecture and Gallery Opening Reception Set for Jan. 16
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s University Art Gallery will present “Taking Place,” a self-selected body of work by current and former military members who comprise an artist collective, from Tuesday, Jan. 16 to Friday, Feb. 9.
Cal Poly Float Wins Past Presidents Trophy at 2018 Rose Parade®
Jan 1, 2018
Universities’ Float ‘Dreams Take Flight’ Honored as California-Grown Certified for the Seventh Consecutive Year
PASADENA, Calif. — Cal Poly universities’ milestone 70th float, “Dreams Take Flight,” received the Past Presidents Trophy for the most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials at the 129th Rose Parade® held New Year’s Day.
The float, designed and built by teams of students from Cal Poly and California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, invited onlookers to take flight on the airplane wings of a trio of cuddly critters — a koala bear, sea otter and red panda. It celebrates the 2018 parade theme, “Making A Difference,” honoring those individuals in our communities who act in selfless, generous and kind ways to benefit others.
Cal Poly Assistant Professor Takes on Vexing Global Problem of Dying Forests
Dec 21, 2017
SAN LUIS OBISPO — An increasing body of peer reviewed science shows that forests worldwide are dying at an accelerated pace from prolonged exposure to drought and heat — along with other factors such as land use and wildfire — creating a global challenge. Cal Poly Assistant Professor Richard Cobb, whose research is focused on forest health, recently published findings from an international research study that he hopes will help address the issues resulting from future forest die-offs and lead to better forest management.
Cobb, who teaches in Cal Poly’s Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences Department, headed a collaboration of 20 researchers in the U.S. and internationally, in an effort to tackle the problem. They determined that having a strong framework of questions to ask and data to collect may help identify management tools that could potentially help minimize future forest mortality rates in some areas — despite the great diversity of forests around the world.
Cal Poly Emergency Management Director Graduates from FEMA Executive Academy
Dec 20, 2017
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Anthony J. Knight, Cal Poly’s director of emergency management, recently graduated from a Federal Emergency Management Agency executive academy designed to give him tools, resources and insights to prepare for and respond to all types of disasters.
Knight, who has been with Cal Poly’s Department of Emergency Management since April 2016, graduated Dec. 7 from FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy at the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Cal Poly Honors Faculty, Staff for $32 Million in Research Grant Spending in 2016-17
Dec 19, 2017
Holders of two patents also honored, along with two faculty members who secured a combined $30 million in external funding over their careers at the university
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly honored university researchers who spent more than $32 million in research funding; obtained 310 new grants valued at nearly $22 million; and secured two patents in the 2016-17 fiscal year.
The patented inventions include an improved statistical method for more accurate assessment of recycled plastic content for manufacturing as well as a specialized filter designed to work with a portable water-treatment bag.
Cal Poly to Present Bach Week Jan. 16-20
Dec 18, 2017
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Cal Poly Music Department will present Bach Week from Tuesday through Saturday, Jan. 16-20, with presentations and performances on campus and in Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.
Bach Week features a range of events, including a chamber music performance on period instruments, collaborative performances of large vocal and instrumental works by students and professionals, two master classes, and a guest lecture or “Akademie.” The free demonstrations and lectures provide additional context for the performances.