July 2017 Newsletter

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Save the Date – Mustang Family Weekend 2017

Make sure to mark your calendars for October 20-22^nd for Cal Poly’s 2017 Mustang Family Weekend! Scheduled halfway through fall quarter, Mustang Family Weekend allows families the opportunity to come back to campus and reconnect with the Mustang community for an exciting weekend filled with Learn by Doing experiences and Cal Poly festivities. Jam-packed with academic lectures, interactive presentations, and awesome performing arts and athletics events, this is one weekend you don’t want to miss. Registration opens summer 2017!

For more information about Mustang Family Weekend, CLICK HERE. 

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Find Us During Move-In Weekend!

Parent & Family Programs is excited to be hosting the following events during move-in weekend. Parent volunteers will be at the events to answer your questions and give their insight as Cal Poly Proud parents of current students. 

Gathering on the Green: Friday, September 8, 2017 4-6 p.m. 

Out of State parents, families, and students are invited to join us for a relaxed reception on Baker Science Lawn with refreshments and remarks from President Armstrong.

Evening with the President: Sunday, September 10, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. 

Reception for all parents and families of new Cal Poly students. Enjoy light refreshments, live music, and remarks from President Armstrong before attending the Big Fall Welcome!

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Off-campus Classics 

Your visit to Cal Poly will not be complete without these off-campus classics! Experience all the fun your student raves about in San Luis Obispo.

Local favorite, Firestone Grill, is known for its tri-tip sandwich and insanely addictive fries. This is a wonderful place to relax after a busy day, catch a sports game and indulge in good eats!

Also located downtown off of Higuera Street is the strangely captivating Bubblegum Alley. It is believed to have started as early as 1960 as an unofficial graduating student ceremony or school rivalry. If you’re brave, grab a gumball at the local Powell’s Sweet Shoppe and make your mark on San Luis Obispo.

If you find yourself in San Luis Obispo on a Thursday, you won’t want to miss the vibrant, weekly Downtown San Luis Obispo Farmers’ Market at 6:00 pm. With live music, kid friendly activities, fresh produce, shopping and lots of local food vendors, this is truly the perfect family experience.

Delve into the surroundings of San Luis Obispo by treating yourself to the picturesque beaches like Avila and Shell Beach, wine and beer taste at local establishments within 15 minutes of campus, indulge in SLO’s foodie culture with organic farm-to-table restaurants throughout Downtown, or explore SLO’s unique boutiques and galleries.

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Midsummer Money Talk

If your student is working a job or internship over the summer, now is the perfect time to check in with them about their finances. Summertime offers a great opportunity for reflection and conversation about money management as your student prepares to enters or continue college. What is the plan for the upcoming academic year? What has worked well in the past? Start a conversation and keep the dialogue open with your student. Money maturity doesn’t happen overnight, so be patient with your student as they navigate and develop their own budget. Be willing to share some of your own money mistakes and communicate your own financial expectations for your student.  

For more information on helping your student manage finances, click here.

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Tips for Living Off Campus 

Many of you may be gearing up to help move your student into their new apartment or house for the upcoming academic year. Cal Poly students are a part of the San Luis Obispo community, and as such, they have responsibilities as residents of the area to stay informed and respectful of their neighbors. It can be tricky to navigate the many codes and regulations surrounding living off campus, so Off Campus Programs has compiled some pieces of advice for parents/supporters to help students make positive decisions off campus: 

1. Be an active participant in helping your student find safe off-campus housing, making sure that housing options meet city health and safety standards.
2. Dialogue with your student about what is expected of them as a new renter/tenet, including ways he/she can be a considerate and helpful neighbor.
3. Now that your student is moving off campus and into the San Luis Obispo community, encourage him/her to actively engage in that community; there are many volunteer opportunities available through the Center for Service in Action.
4. Don’t forget, just because your student won’t be living on campus anymore doesn’t mean they can’t still be involved on campus – encourage your student to continue exploring clubs, intramurals, committees, and more.
5. Most importantly, keep communication with your student open and fluid; set expectations together about how and when rent and bills will be paid, and how your student plans to engage in the San Luis Obispo community.

Encourage your student to go through the Educated Renters Certificate Program, an online program that reviews renter rights, responsibilities, resources, and policies with students. This certificate will also help set your student apart from other applicants as an informed tenant. To enroll in the program, CLICK HERE.  

For resources including home security tips, renter’s safety evaluations, tenant rights, and more, CLICK HERE. 

For more information about Off Campus Programs including materials on off-campus noise and alcohol violations, CLICK HERE. 

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Resource Spotlight – Center for Service in Action 

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.

The Center for Service in Action at Cal Poly connects students with meaningful volunteer opportunities that complement their educational experience, strengthen their understanding of diversity and social responsibility, and develop skills to become ethical and knowledgeable leaders who contribute to a global society. Some of the reoccurring events and resources they offer include the following:

Change the Status Quo (CSQ): A Social Justice Conference: An annual conference hosted every winter that aims to challenge social norms to make lasting changes in our community and around the world. The mission of CSQ is to empower students to challenge stereotypes, demand solutions, and use education to make a lasting change. 

Student Community Services (SCS): Eight student-run programs that organize on-going community service events ranging from helping the homeless to helping the environment. SCS provides the opportunity for students to act as vital members of the community, share their resources with others and develop skills and leadership abilities while creating meaningful social change. 

Service Learning: A community service experience that enhances classroom learning by supporting faculty to develop service-learning courses, identify appropriate community partners, and place students in local community partner agencies. These courses allow students to engage in service, typically 12-14 hours per quarter, and reflect on their social responsibility.

Alternative Breaks: Volunteer excursions during academic breaks that offer a chance to raise students' self-awareness, supplement their educational experience with the university, and demonstrate Cal Poly's enthusiasm to make a positive impact outside of the campus community. 

AmeriCorps VIP A program that places members in local community agencies to develop the capacity of the agency by building and strengthening volunteer programs. All members receive a living allowance throughout the term of service, an educational award upon completion, and invaluable training and experience.

For more information about the Center for Service in Action, CLICK HERE. 

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Upcoming Events – July

July 17 – 18 | SLO Days Session 1
July 20 – 21 | SLO Days Session 2
July 22 – 23 | SLO Days Session 3 
July 25 – 26 | SLO Days Session 4 
July 27 – 28 | SLO Days Session 5
July 31 – August 1 | SLO Days Session 6 (Mustang Express and TRIO Achievers Session)

For Athletic event tickets, CLICK HERE. For Performing Art Center event tickets, CLICK HERE.

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Important Dates & Deadlines

July 4 | Academic Holiday – Independence Day observed 
July 17 – 18 | SLO Days Session 1
July 20 – 21 | SLO Days Session 2
July 22 – 23 | SLO Days Session 3 
July 25 – 26 | SLO Days Session 4 
July 27 – 28 | SLO Days Session 5
July 27 | Second five-week summer term begins 
July 29 – August 22 | Summer Institute 
July 31 – August 1 | SLO Days Session 6 (Mustang Express and TRIO Achievers Session)
August 2 – 3 | SLO Days Session 7 
August 5 – 6 | SLO Days Session 8 
August 8 – 9 | SLO Days Session 9 (Summer Institute and Educational Opportunity Program Session)
August 9 | Last day for Fall 2017 incoming freshmen and transfer students to cancel campus housing without financial penalty. The Housing and Dining Cancellation Form, found HERE, must be faxed to 805-756-5947 or postmarked by Aug. 9
August 10 – 11 | SLO Days Session 10 
August 11 | Last day for continuing students to cancel campus housing without financial penalty. The Housing and Dining Cancellation Form, found HERE, must be faxed to 805-756-5947 or postmarked by Aug. 11
August 12 | Quarter Plus students move in 
August 14 | Registration and tuition fees for fall quarter charged to new transfer students
August 14 | SLO Days Transfer Student Session 
August 21 | Registration and tuition fees for fall quarter past due (if not financial aid deferred)
August 26 | Open Enrollment for fall quarter begins
August 29 | Last day of classes for 10-week summer session 
August 30 – September 1 | Summer quarter finals 
August 30 | Class Cancelation: Student may be dropped from all enrolled classes if Registration Fees are not paid by 4pm. Excludes Financial Aid and other certain student groups.
September 1 | End of summer term 
September 1 | First installment of housing payment plan and dining payment plan for 2017-18 is due
September 4 | Academic Holiday – Labor Day observed 
September 8 – 9 | Assisted move-in for incoming freshmen and transfer students from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
September 8 | Gathering on the Green 4-6 p.m. 
September 9 | September SLO Days Session 
September 10 | Self-guided move-in for incoming freshmen, transfer, and continuing students from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
September 10 | Evening with the President 2-4 p.m. on O’Neill Green 
September 10 – 17 | Week of Welcome 
September 11 | Assisted move-in for continuing students from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
September 11 | 1st financial aid disbursement for fall quarter made
September 11 | Open Enrollment for fall quarter ends; last day to add a class without a permission number
September 12 | Self-guided move-in for continuing students from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
September 12 | Financial aid deferred registration and tuition fees for fall quarter due
September 14 | Fall quarter classes begin 
September 14 | 1st direct deposit refund for excess financial aid for fall quarter made
October 20 – 22 | Mustang Family Weekend 

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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

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