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December 2017 Newsletter
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Get Ready for Fall Commencement! • Warm Up This Winter When You Visit SLO • Finals Stress Busters • Residence Halls Close for Winter Break • Finding Balance During Winter Break • Resource Spotlight – Alternative Breaks • Upcoming Events • Important Dates and Deadlines • Important Campus Phone Numbers
Get Ready for Fall Commencement!
Is your student graduating this fall? With Commencement quickly approaching, here is some important information to help you and your student prepare for the big day!
Graduate Instructions
For commencement details, steps to a great commencement, and things to do before graduating, review the Graduate Instructions HERE.
Cal Poly Now App
Don’t forget to download the Cal Poly Now app and search for the Commencement Guide for information about parking, weather, ceremonies, and more! Download the app HERE.
Commencement Regalia | University Store
It’s not too late for your student to purchase their cap, gown, and other commencement regalia. Students can visit the University Store during their regular business hours to pick up all their commencement gear. The store’s finals week and commencement hours are as follows:
- Monday, Dec. 4 - Friday, Dec. 8: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 9: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Graduation Portraits | December 8 | Appointment Times Vary | Building 52 Room E-29
For more information and to schedule a sitting, please visit Ultimate Exposure website.
Fall 2017 Commencement Ceremonies | December 9 |Recreation Center Main Gym
Graduates will celebrate being Mustangs Forever at their assigned ceremony times, based on programs of study, as listed below:
Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 | 9 a.m. | College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences and College of Science & Mathematics
Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 | 1 p.m. | College of Liberal Arts and Orfalea College of Business
Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 | 4 p.m. | College of Architecture & Environmental Design and College of Engineering
For more information on Fall 2017 Commencement, CLICK HERE. Also, don’t forget to ‘like’ the Commencement Facebook page to get the latest updates!
Warm Up This Winter When You Visit SLO
December in San Luis Obispo is a time to wrap Christmas lights around trees, to pack lunches for sunny whale watching picnics, and to cozy up in a coffee shop or museum.
Not that winter goes unnoticed: Surfers know it’s winter because the waves are bigger. Hikers know because of the shorter days. But with temperatures often in the 70s, SLO Decembers don’t exactly resemble the Christmas card image of a winter wonderland.
Yet, it’s so wonderful. If you have a favorite Cal Poly student, that’s a perfect excuse to make SLO your winter getaway. For holiday shopping, consider unique gifts that represent the SLO Life. Locally made art, the San Luis Obispo Farmers’ Market Cookbook and Cal Poly merchandise are just a few of the items you can get offering SLO charm. Meanwhile, the Old SLO Trolley – all decked out for the holidays – represents a fun and festive way to preview the downtown stores you might want to visit. In between shopping and visiting Santa at the historic mission, you can create a masterpiece at the Art Bar, take in “The Nutcracker” at Cal Poly or see holiday-decorated train sets at the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum. A short drive away, photograph monarch butterflies in Pismo Beach, pick up hot apple cider at the Avila Valley Barn or rent a kayak in Morro Bay. In short, there’s plenty of things to do. Because winter in San Luis Obispo isn’t just an escape – it’s a place to be. Be here.
Finals Stress Busters
As Fall Quarter finals approach, your student may be feeling a heightened amount of stress regarding classes, tests, and projects. Cal Poly offers several different resources to help minimize students’ stress levels and promote healthy study habits.
- Dogs at the Library: Students are invited to the library lawn to pet and cuddle with therapy dogs to help de-stress and take a study break! All dogs are licensed and registered with Therapy Dogs International.
- Friday, December 1 | 1-3pm | Kennedy Library Lawn
- PAC Finals Fun: Your student can grab a study spot at the Cal Poly Performing Arts center lobby and enjoy complementary coffee, tea, donuts, bagels and scantrons!
- Monday, December 4 9am-4pm at the PAC Lobby
- Counseling Services is available for your student during regular business hours and a 24-7 line is offered (805-756-2511). To learn more about self-care tips to offer your student, CLICK HERE.
- For a full list of all the academic resources that Cal Poly offers such as study sessions, supplemental workshops, and tutoring, CLICK HERE.
Remind your student of the following tips for managing their stress:
- Incorporate some “downtime” into your daily routine; go for a walk, listen to music, read for pleasure
- Begin practicing relaxation techniques; meditate, practice breathing exercises
- Don’t ignore your body; eat well-balanced meals, exercise, get adequate sleep each night
- Take positive steps to change what you can; prioritize, break large tasks down into smaller ones, organize
Residence Halls Close for Winter Break
Residence halls and apartments close for Winter Break on Saturday, December 9. Students may leave their belongings but must vacate their rooms and apartments.
Freshmen must vacate by noon and continuing and transfers must vacate by 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 9.
Remind your student to bring the following items with them when they leave their residence hall:
- Valuables
- Medications
- Passports/IDs
- Other important items – wallet, phone charger, laptop, etc.
Please note: Residence halls and apartment buildings are locked during the break, and there is a charge for your student to be escorted in the building for emergency reasons.
On January 6-7, 2017 (Saturday & Sunday), campus residence halls and apartments re-open. Students can return to their rooms any time after 12 p.m. Please note that University Housing offices will be open from 12-5 p.m. each day. Please plan your travel accordingly. Early arrivals cannot be accommodated.
To view the full calendar of Housing deadlines and dates, including payment deadlines, CLICK HERE.
Finding Balance During Winter Break
Winter Break is almost here! Both you and your student are anticipating the longer visit home. Each return home can be an adjustment period, but for supporters of first-year students especially, we wanted to share this helpful list of tips from University Parent:
- Casually take out the family calendar and make sure your student understands which events require a firm commitment from them. Negotiate any conflicts.
- Your student has gotten used to independence - household rules (curfew, car use, etc.) may need to evolve. Talk it over together.
- Stock the refrigerator with healthy snacks. The door will open often for hummus, carrots, cheese, yogurt, fruit. (“And it’s free!”)
- Put out puzzles and magazines to help your student relax and settle in.
- Help your student feel part of the family again by involving them in household tasks like setting the table or running to the grocery store.
- Go with the flow instead of planning too many family outings. An impromptu trip to a local café can be better than waiting for a table at a popular restaurant.
- Give hugs and shoulder rubs. Make yourself truly available to talk about campus life and how it feels to be back home.
To read the full University Parent article, “The first visit home,” by Lucy Ewing, CLICK HERE.
Resource Spotlight – Alternative Breaks
Cal Poly has a variety of great resources for a diverse student body. Each month we will highlight one that may be beneficial or of interest to your student.
From December 10-16 this year, a group of students from the Center for Service in Action will go to New Orleans, Louisiana, choosing to spend part of their time off from academics on an Alternative Break. Providing students with a chance to make a difference during their breaks from the academic school year, Alternative Breaks allow Cal Poly students the opportunity to serve their global community while exploring outside their positions of privilege. Always involving some element of humanitarian aid, these trips include any combination of tutoring disadvantaged children, animal rescue, homeless shelter and food bank support, disaster relief, and habitat restoration. With domestic service trips offered every winter and spring break, and international service trips offered during the beginning of summer break, opportunities about for Cal Poly students to Learn by Doing Good. Encourage your student to consider and explore Alternative Breaks!
For more information on the Center for the Service in Action and Alternative Breaks, CLICK HERE.
Upcoming Events
December 1 | Cal Poly Fall Jazz Concert | 8-10pm in Spanos Theatre
December 2 | Men’s Basketball vs. Pepperdine | 7-9:30pm in Mott Gym
December 2 | Cal Poly Choirs: Holiday Kaleidoscope | 7:30-9:30pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 3 | Cal Poly Symphony Jazz Concert with Jeff Midkiff, Mandolin and Composer | 3-6 pm in the Performing Arts center
December 3 | Cal Poly Senior Clarinet Recital: Austin Johnson | 6-7pm in Building 45 Room 218
December 8 | Ryan's American Dance - Winter Dance 2017 | 7-9 pm in Spanos Theatre
December 8 | The Nutcracker, Civic Ballet | 7-9pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 9 | Fall Commencement | 9am, 1pm, and 4pm in the Recreation Center Main Gym
December 9 | Ryan's American Dance - Winter Dance 2017 | 2-4pm in Spanos Theatre
December 9 | The Nutcracker, Civic Ballet | 2-4pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 9 | Men's Basketball v Fresno State | 7-9:30pm in Mott Gym
December 9 | Ryan's American Dance - Winter Dance 2017 | 7-9pm in Spanos Theatre
December 9 | The Nutcracker, Civic Ballet | 7-9pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 10 | The Nutcracker, Civic Ballet | 2-4pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 11 | Morro Bay High School Band Concert | 7-9:30pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 12 | Los Osos Middle School Band Concert | 7-9:30pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 13 | Morro Bay High School & Los Osos Middle School Combined Choir Concert | 7-9:30pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 15 | Ballet Theatre SLO - The Snow Queen | 7-9pm in Spanos Theatre
December 15 | Wrestling v Northwestern | 7-9:30pm in Mott Gym
December 15 | SLO Master Chorale "Messiah" Sing-Along | 7:30-10:30pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 16 | SLO Youth Symphony Holiday Concert | 4-7pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 16 | Ballet Theatre SLO - The Snow Queen | 7-9pm in Spanos Theatre
December 16 | Men's Basketball v Princeton | 7-9:30pm in Mott Gym
December 17 | Ballet Theatre SLO - The Snow Queen | 2-4pm in Spanos Theatre
December 17 | Forbes Pipe Organ Sing Along | 3-5pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 18 | San Luis Obispo High School and Laguna Middle School Choral and Band Holiday Concert | 7-9pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 19 | A Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas | 7:30-10pm in the Performing Arts Center
December 29 | Women's Basketball vs CSU Bakersfield | 7-9:30pm in Mott Gym
December 30 | Men's Basketball v Notre Dame de Namur | 7-9:30pm in Mott Gym
December 31 | SLO Symphony New Year's Eve Concert | 7-9pm in the Performing Arts Center
For Athletic event tickets, CLICK HERE. For Performing Art Center event tickets, CLICK HERE.
Important Dates and Deadlines
December 1 | Fourth installment of housing payment plan and dining payment plan for 2017-18 due. Charge of $25 for late payment (see fee schedules for payment amount).
December 1 | Winter/Spring 2018 Housing License Agreements due
December 1 | Fees past due for Winter 2018 (if not financial aid deferred)
December 4 – 8 | Fall quarter final examination period
December 8 | Last day to cancel Winter/Spring 2018 Housing & Dining License Agreement without financial penalty (tentative)
December 9 | Fall Commencement 2017
December 9 | Residence halls and apartments close for Winter Break. Students may leave their belongings but must vacate their rooms and apartments.
- Freshmen must vacate by noon.
- Continuing & Transfers must vacate by 5 p.m.
- (Take valuables, medications, passports/IDs and other items with you. Residence halls and apartment buildings are locked during the break, and there is a charge to be escorted for emergency entry.)
December 10 – January 7 | Academic Holiday
December 12 – January 3 | Open Enrollment for all students for Winter 2018 quarter
December 13 | Winter/Spring 2018 housing assignments are available via the online application system
December 15 | All grades finalized for Fall 2017 quarter
December 19 | Students may be dropped from all enrolled classes if Registration Fees are not paid by 4pm. Excludes Financial Aid and other certain student groups.
December 25 – 28 | Campus administrative offices closed. Cal Poly campus is closed, except for needed emergency services and essential work.
January 1 | Fifth installment of housing payment plan and dining payment plan for 2017-18 due. Charge of $25 for late payment (see fee schedules for payment amount).
January 1 | First installment of housing and dining payment plan due for new Winter/Spring 2018 residents.
January 1 | Campus administrative offices closed. Cal Poly campus closed except for needed emergency services and essential work.
January 1 | First financial aid disbursement for Winter 2018
January 3 | Last day to add or swap classes via Student Center without a permission number
January 5 | First direct deposit refund for excess financial aid for Winter 2018
January 6 – 7 | Campus residence halls and apartments open for Winter term 2018. University Housing Offices will be open noon - 5 p.m. Saturday and starting at noon on Sunday.
January 7 | Last day to drop all classes for Winter 2018 quarter to receive a full refund
January 8 | Winter 2018 classes begin
January 15 | Academic Holiday–Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observed
January 16 | Intrahall trades begin (trades within the same hall).
January 17 | Interhall trades begin (trades to another hall).
January 18 | Last day to add or swap classes via Student Center with a permission number (by 11:59pm)
January 18 | Last day to drop classes, and change CR/NC grading option via Student Center (by 11:59pm)
January 18 |Last day to submit class audit petition to the Office of the Registrar (by 5:00 pm)
January 18 | Last day to log in and adjust your PolyPlan to avoid being placed in the last rotation appointment (PolyPlanner non-compliant)for Spring 2018 term by 5PM
January 25 | Last day to submit Late Enrollment Appeal by 5pm
Important Campus Phone Numbers
Admissions | (805) 756-2311
Career Services | (805) 756-2501
Commencement | (805) 756-1600
Counseling Services | (805) 756-2511
Disability Resource Center | (805) 756-1395
Financial Aid Office | (805) 756-2927
Health Services | (805) 756-1211
Mustang Success Center | (805) 756-6211
Parent & Family Programs | (805) 756-6700
Student Accounts | (805) 756-1428
University Housing | (805) 756-1226
University Police Department | (805) 756-2281
