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We’re now Cal Poly Humboldt, what's next? by Frank Rocha
It’s official, like a referee with a whistle. Humboldt State University is now California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. The institution launched the polytechnic prospectus, a multiyear phased plan, which includes $433 million one-time funding, and $25 million is ongoing funding for the institution starting Jan. 26. “That $25 million is really to support academic program buildout, recruiting students like yourselves and future students, retention, communicating about our programs, and supporting infrastructure,” said Jenn Capps, provost and vice president of academic affairs, in an Open Forum on Jan. 19. In that same meeting Capps was able to determine how the one-time funding is being implemented at Cal Poly Humboldt. “The one time, the $433 million is really about infrastructure: housing, academic buildings, technology, communications, land acquisition, things like that,” said Capps. Clearing the air There were questions from others about the changes that will be made transitioning to a polytechnic, like the graduate student collective who believe there should be improvements to the prospectus. Others fear what the update might bring to classes during the transition to a polytechnic. Capps was able to clear up some rumors surrounding the transition. “There’s absolutely no intention or purpose behind eliminating something that isn’t, air quoted, polytechnic. All of our academic programs are very important, and we would never seek to eliminate programs based on becoming a polytechnic,” Capps said. Students fear the idea that the tuition will rise because the institution is now a polytechnic, but Capps said the two don’t correlate. “Polytechnic designation isn’t connected to how much tuition costs or how much fees cost at our institution. Those decisions are made independent of a designation. Tuition is determined at the system level, so I know there’s been a little worry that if we’re a polytechnic and polytechnic are expensive and that might cause students more money. Those two things are not associated with one another,” Capps said. Students also wonder what their diploma will say when they graduate from
Cal Poly Humboldt banner displayed at the bookstore on campus celebrating the university’s name change. | Photo by Ricardo Lara Nava
Cal Poly Humboldt during the spring 2022 moved and get out there. It will be kind February to mid-february that will kind of semester or in the future ahead. of like a higher level position and it will dig into that question a little bit,” Gould “So, for a couple of years during this supervise the existing tribal recruiter posisaid. transition if you started at the University tion,” Meriwether said. The Year Two Planning of the multi under HSU you will have the opt in choice What happens now that we’re a year plan was revealed in a Jan. 28 zoom if you want to go the old school right, polytechnic? meeting, which detailed the revised planotherwise California State Polytechnic The logo is being reworked to acning for one-time spending. University, Humboldt. The forthcoming commodate the new name change as we The revision included an increased class in fall 2022 won’t have that choice speak. All Humboldt State University number of new faculty hires from 12 to because they would have 16 during years one and two of enrolled and started here the transition. $800,000 from under that new name,” polytechnic funding will go said Capps. to GI 2025/Inclusive Student New hire from the Success. Also increased oneprospectus time investments in marketing, “We are adding a rebranding, student recruitment second tribal counselor to and outreach efforts will be expand state-wide focus as made during years one and two. part of us being a polytechAs of right now, plans willnic,” said Jason Meri-Jenn Capps, provost and vice president of academic affairs continue to be refined as the inwether, vice president of stitution goes along and they’re enrollment management, asking for students’ help in the in a Jan. 10 joint interview with Capps. merch is now deadstock or no longer process. Year three plans will be honed in There being only one hire for a tribal being made. The mascot change is being by the end of fall 2022 semester. counselor from the polytechnic prospectus evaluated by a branding agency called “So, if you have ideas, interests, there’s is a start. There could be positions added Simpsonscarborough who have met with things you’re interested in seeing come throughout the multi year phased plan groups of students, faculty, staff, alumni, forward at HSU or hopefully Cal Poly that surrounds expanding Traditional Eco- and community leaders since December, Humboldt you want to share those with logical Knowledge at the institution. according to Kristen Gould, director of us. We’d love to hear what you’re interest“Start in the spring and in fact you’ll marketing. ed in,” said Capps. probably see the job posted, probably, “A lot of people have started bringing If students want to reach out, Capps before your article goes up. We’ve already up that question about the mascot and so asks for them to get in contact with the approved it and everything through the you can expect some surveys to come into Office of Academic Affairs at Cal Poly HR process we’re just waiting for it to get your inbox, hopefully at the beginning of Humboldt to share their ideas or interests.
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All of our academic programs are very important, and we would never seek to eliminate programs based on becoming a polytechnic. ”
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|febrero 2022 | El Leñador| 3
