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KCPR is comprised of student disc jockeys, journalists, and artists who serve an audience of over 30,000 monthly listeners worldwide. Through their work, KCPR has become a musical and cultural tastemaker of the Cal Poly community and broader Central Coast.

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Cal Poly vs. UCSB Soccer Game

By Ginger Perez Every school year, both Cal Poly and the venues along the Central Coast host events that have quickly become rites of passage for anyone moving to San Luis Obispo. For returning and especially graduating students, this year is another opportunity to revisit some traditions that make Cal Poly home.

Mustang Family Weekend Family weekend is a perfect chance to bring your supporters out for a weekend to explore all SLO has to offer, one more time. This year, family weekend falls on Oct. 2 to 4, marking the beginning of fall festivities in town. This may have been an event that you and your supporters have skipped out on in the past few years; however as a senior, you now have your lineup of favorites to share, from the best sandwich shop to iconic beach spots.

To get Cal Poly’s first fall semester started, a familiar student favorite is the perfect first of many lasts. The annual Cal Poly vs. UCSB soccer game is scheduled for September 25 this year. The friendly rivalry between the two schools draws a lively crowd, making it a great opportunity to get together with your friends and show off your school spirit. Students are able to get free tickets, but they must be reserved in advance at designated pick up locations– tickets typically become available a couple weeks in advance. Keep an eye on gopoly. com for all the details to come.

Poly Royal Rodeo One of Cal Poly’s biggest events of the year is the Poly Royal Rodeo. Now held in Spanos Stadium and typically occurring in April, the Poly Royal is a celebration of Cal Poly’s agricultural roots and members of the rodeo team. Featuring events such as bull riding, steer wrestling and barrel racing, tickets can be purchased for Thursday, Friday or Saturday night. Tickets typically drop in February at ticketscalpoly.evenue.net and discounted tickets can be purchased with a valid PolyCard. The rodeo is a perfect place to sport your cowboy boots and don a cowboy hat for the night. All are welcome, even if it is your first rodeo.

Mustang Mile

Shabang

The Mustang Mile is an annual 5K held on campus that honors the memory of Carson Starky, a Cal Poly student who lost his life to alcohol poisoning after fraternity-related hazing. Every year, students gather to run the Mustang Mile with their friends or solo. Many participants use the opportunity to wear group costumes or neon colors in order to make the event even more memorable. After crossing that finish line, students celebrate Carson’s life with live music, food and booths dedicated to ensuring safety across campus. Typically occurring in the spring, more information about the Mustang Mile can be found at asi.calpoly.edu.

Unique to the Central Coast is Shabang, SLO’s very own music festival. Gather your friends to hear an exclusive mix of big names such as Chris Lake, Wallows and Backseat Lovers, as well as upcoming artists. This year, it will be held on May 1 and 2 at the Dairy Creek Golf Course. Hosted right in the midst of festival season, you don’t need to travel to the desert for your live music fix. Head to https://shabangslo.com/ for more information and to purchase tickets.

Illuminate

Sororities’ Best Dance Crew Hosted by Theta Chi, an on-campus fraternity, Sororities' Best Dance Crew is a great opportunity for everyone to come out and support a good cause. Otherwise known as SBDC, proceeds of the event go to Theta Chi’s philanthropy: the Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo. Every panhellenic sorority is paired with a few Theta Chi members, and together they choreograph a dance that competes against the other panhellenic organizations. No matter if you are involved in Greek life or not, attending SBDC means a fun night cheering on friends.

Illuminate is an annual dance showcase put on by the on-campus club, United Movement, that highlights the wide range of cultures and dance styles that Cal Poly has to offer. The showcase is held in the Performing Arts Center, typically during February. For those who haven’t made it to Illuminate yet, it is a good opportunity to support the arts on campus and enjoy one of Cal Poly’s largest student-run productions.

No one makes it to every event, and that’s part of the college experience. But whether you’re cheering in the student section, spending a weekend at Shabang or watching classmates perform on stage, these traditions are what make each school year at Cal Poly unique.

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By Caroline Ohlandt Even though we’re starting this school year in August for the first time, fall is just around the corner here on the Central Coast. While you won’t find crisp days or changing leaves quite yet, that doesn’t mean you can’t embrace the fall spirit. From pumpkin patches and corn mazes to cozy coffee shops and seasonal treats, here are some ways to make the most of fall in SLO.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch Fall on the Central Coast wouldn't be complete without a trip to a pumpkin patch. Each autumn, Avila Valley Barn comes to life with pumpkins, hay rides and plenty of photo opportunities. But if you’re looking for more of an adventure, Brookshire Farms in Nipomo and River K Pumpkin Patch in Paso Robles also offer sprawling corn mazes that make for a fun weekend outing with friends.

Celebrate Oktoberfest For students 21 and older, the Madonna Inn’s Oktoberfest celebration on Oct. 3 is a fun way to embrace the season. Expect live music, festive decorations and plenty of German-inspired food and drinks. Better yet, a free shuttle runs from Campus Bottle and other downtown locations, making it easy to enjoy the festivities without worrying about transportation. Advance tickets are available at https://my805tix.com/e/slo-oktoberfest-4.

Get Spooked with a Haunted House If you’re looking for a thrill this Halloween season, The Haunt in Atascadero is well worth the drive. Known for its interactive scares, immersive sets and changing themes each year, it’s one of the Central Coast’s most popular haunted attractions. But be prepared, it isn’t for the faint of heart. If you're feeling especially brave, opt for the pitch black Night Terrors experience for an even more intense scare. If you’re ready to scream your head off, turn to https:// www.thehauntinatascadero.com/ for more information and ticket purchases.

Go Apple Picking Nothing says fall quite like warm apple pie, and it’s even better when it’s homemade with apples you picked yourself. Starting in September, spend a morning at SLO Creek Farms’ U-Pick orchard, and head home with a basket full of fresh apples for baking, making cider or enjoying as a snack on the drive back.

Try Seasonal Treats No fall is complete without pumpkin-flavored everything. Scout Coffee rolls out seasonal syrups each year, while SloDoCo fills its display cases with maple-inspired donuts and other seasonal favorites. If you make a trip to Avila Valley Barn, don’t leave without grabbing a cup of chilled apple cider and some roasted sweet corn.

Stay In with a Cozy Movie Night Not every fall activity has to take you off campus. On a chilly fall night, grab a pumpkin-flavored drink, light a candle, and settle in for a movie or tv marathon. Whether you’re rewatching the “Harry Potter” series, “Gilmore Girls,” “Knives Out” or “When Harry Met Sally,” it’s one of the simplest ways to embrace the season with roommates or friends.

Spend a Weekend in Paso Robles October marks Harvest Wine Month in Paso Robles, making it one of the liveliest times of year to visit. While SLO is beloved for so many reasons, Paso holds its own hidden gems from hot air balloon rides above vineyards to cozy restaurants. Head to Parchetto for some mouth-watering Italian food or grab some brunch at Brunch. The region comes alive with seasonal events, live music, and beautiful vineyard scenery, making for an easy weekend escape from SLO. Explore all Paso Robles has to offer at https://www.travelpaso.com/.

Don’t Pack Away Your Swimsuit One of the best parts of fall in SLO is that summer weather doesn’t end even when the calendar says it should. August and September are some of the warmest months, making it the perfect time to squeeze in a few more beach days before cooler weather arrives. Head out to Avila or Pismo Beach to catch the last rays of sun or Morro Bay for some kayaking. The Central Coast is one of the few places where you can spend the morning at a pumpkin patch and end the day watching the sunset from the sand.

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By Ginger Perez Senior year has a way of making everything feel like it is a do-or-die situation. Suddenly, every weekend is your "last." The last Thursday Farmers' Market. The last chance to do the Tri-Tip Challenge. The last sunset hammock at Avila. It can feel like there's an expectation of attendance attached to every experience, and eventually, your year is packed with plans you feel like you can't miss. At the same time, life after college is already beginning. The people you have surrounded yourself with over the past four years are now planning their futures, which look different for everyone. For graduating students, it is easy to come down with FOMO (fear of missing out). You’re left wondering if you're making the most of your final months while watching everyone else's last semester happen differently than your own. The pressure to say yes to every invitation and experience can make it seem like missing one event means missing out on part of the "real" college experience. But the reality is that no student, regardless of being a senior, has enough time to do everything.

There will always be another restaurant you wanted to try, another hike you meant to do or another campus event you hoped to attend. Trying to fit it all into one year can lead to burnout quicker than one may think. Instead of trying to check every box, it helps to prioritize what matters most to you. It could be spending one more Flour House Meter Monday with your roommates, taking a weekend trip to Big Sur with your closest friends or having a home-cooked dinner together before everyone moves away. It also helps to remember that everyone's senior year looks different. Some students are having future job interviews every week. Others are finishing student teaching, working part-time jobs, preparing to move across the country or all of the above. Comparing your final semester to someone else's is difficult because everyone is living a different version of it.

Social media can make that comparison even harder. Instagram photo dumps can make it seem like everyone is constantly together, doing something and squeezing every last moment of senior year. It is easy to forget that social media is a highlight reel of everyone’s life, and in most cases far from reality. Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is put your phone away, or delete social media for a few days in order to be present within your own life and senior experience. It's also worth remembering that graduation isn't the end-all, be-all, especially when it comes to friendships. There's pressure to fit four years' worth of relationships into one final semester, but friendships are meant to grow with you. Just because everyone is heading in different directions doesn't mean those relationships fade.

The biggest lesson of senior year is learning to be okay with missing some things. There will be days where you just don’t feel like going out. You would rather sit at home and binge a show. You have to finish your senior project you have been putting off. You have to get up early the following day. The truth is: you can’t be everywhere at once, but sometimes those days are much needed and actually a part of the whole experience. By the time graduation arrives, no one will have experienced everything Cal Poly has to offer. But everyone will be left with memories and friendships that represent their time here. Rather than measuring your senior year by how many events you attended or how many boxes you checked off your bucket list, measure it by the way the people around you made you feel, and the experiences that felt most meaningful to your experience.

Campus Safety Comes in Many Forms. Cal Poly Public Safety is committed to creating and maintaining a safe learning and living environment for the Cal Poly campus community.

Mustang Patrol On campus late? Students, faculty and staff can call Cal Poly Police and request Mustang Patrol meet and walk with you to any on-campus destination or your vehicle parked in a campus lot.

Transit Options Mustang Shuttle offers free campus rides for students, faculty and staff, with free SLO Transit to and from campus or around town and discounted RTA buses for areas outside of SLO.

Mustang Safe The free Mustang Safe app turns your smartphone into a personal safety device with a virtual walk home, friend walk location tracking and quick access to campus support resources and emergency services.

Go Safely Leave your electric scooter at home. Electric scooters, skateboards, one wheels and other micro-mobility devices are not allowed on campus.

Poly Alert PolyAlert is Cal Poly’s Emergency Notification System. Cal Poly email addresses are signed up to receive critical emergency information via email, text, and voice that helps ensure the safety of our community.

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Blue Moon Over Avila

Worth the drive. Avila Beach | Daily, 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Blue Moon Over Avila is one of those places where the setting is just as special as the meal. Located across from the Avila Beach Pier, the restaurant offers sweeping ocean views and a relaxed coastal atmosphere that makes it the perfect spot to slow down and enjoy a long lunch or dinner. Their delicious French-inspired menu and frequent live music make the experience even more memorable. When my parents are in town, it’s always one of the first places we go.

By Caroline Ohlandt One of my favorite parts of living in San Luis Obispo these past four years has been discovering the local food scene. From hidden brunch spots to special occasion dinners, I seem to find a new favorite every time I think I’ve tried them all. Whether you’re stepping onto campus for the first time or coming back for another year, here are the restaurants I’d recommend to any student looking for a great meal around SLO.

Giuseppe’s Cucina Rustica

The SLO classic everyone should experience. San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach | Daily, hours to vary Tried and true, Giuseppe’s is a San Luis Obispo classic for a reason. Originally started as a Cal Poly senior project, Giuseppe’s has become one of the area’s most beloved restaurants. Just remember: they don’t take reservations, so getting there right when they open, especially on weekends, is key. I highly recommend the Brussels sprouts, pomodoro and tiramisu. If you’ve only been to the downtown SLO location, check out the original Pismo Beach location for a different atmosphere but the same delicious tastes.

Bear & The Wren

When you’re craving pizza. San Luis Obispo | Tuesday-Sunday, 4-10 p.m. While Woodstock’s in downtown SLO is the go-to pizza spot for many students, Bear & The Wren has become my favorite. Their specialty Detroit-style pizzas topped with piped ricotta cheese keep me coming back again and again. If you’re sharing, start with the melon salad, which pairs perfectly with the pizza, and don’t leave without trying their agave lemonade.

The Acai Project

Oyster Loft

San Luis Obispo | Daily, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

When parents are in town. Pismo Beach | Wednesday-Sunday, 5-9 p.m.

While Shake Smart on campus gets a lot of love, The Acai Project next to Scout Coffee on Foothill is my go-to breakfast spot. Their acai base and build-your-own option stand out from the rest, and best of all, it’s just a short walk from campus. They also offer plenty of toppings, vegan and vegetarian options and great smoothies, so it’s easy to find a combination you’ll love.

One piece of advice before anything else: order the caramel basket for dessert. Seriously, the flambeed bananas on it will blow your mind. If you’re looking for the perfect spot for date night or when family comes to visit, Oyster Loft is hard to beat. Their Japanese seafood fusion menu offers a unique take on local seafood, and the sunset views overlooking Pismo Beach make it one of the most memorable dining experiences on the Central Coast.

My go-to breakfast.

High Street Market and Deli

The sandwich every student should try. San Luis Obispo | Daily, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. No list of SLO favorites would feel complete without High Street Deli. Their sandwiches are loaded, flavorful and perfect to grab before heading to the beach, a hike or a picnic. One tip: download the High Street Deli app and order ahead. The line can get long, especially on weekends, so ordering in advance lets you skip the wait and get straight to your sandwich. If you're looking to save a little money, students get a $9 sandwich special on Tuesdays with a valid student ID, and the same deal is available to everyone after 4:20 p.m. daily.

Ox + Anchor

The ultimate special occasion dinner. San Luis Obispo | Wednesday-Sunday, 5-9 p.m. Located at Hotel San Luis Obispo, Ox + Anchor is the kind of place where the food feels like art. It's definitely a splurge, but the quality speaks for itself. Everything I’ve ordered has been exceptional, from the creative sides to the beautifully prepared mains, many of which are perfect for sharing. If your family is in town or you’re celebrating something special, it’s one of the best places to indulge with a great meal.

Honorable Mentions My list is never ending, but if I had to narrow it down, here are a few more spots that deserve a shoutout: •

Corazón Cafe SLO: A downtown favorite serving Mexican-inspired breakfast and lunch with standout coffee drinks, chilaquiles, and other Southern Mexico-inspired specialties.

•

Mason Bar & Kitchen: An Arroyo Grande gem serving farm-fresh cuisine in a cozy, country-chic atmosphere.

•

Mistura: Beautifully prepared Peruvian cuisine featuring house-grown organic produce and unique flavor combinations you won’t find anywhere else in SLO.

•

The Hidden Kitchen: Worth the drive for their famous blue corn waffles and a walk on the beautiful Cayucos pier, making for one of the best brunches on the Central Coast.

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The Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies (LAES) major is a jointly offered BS degree through the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Engineering. This program prepares students for innovative careers in a wide array of professional fields that combine skills and interests all across STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). LAES allows students the flexibility to customize an individual course of study where they can pursue their specific career interests. Here is a small sampling of potential degree concentrations: animatronics and theme park design, audio engineering, video game design, film and television production, user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design, interactive/immersive entertainment, product engineering and industrial design, project management, animation, sustainability, STEAM education, digital media production and management, and much, much more.

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You focus on ﬁnals. We’ll help with food. Between tuition, rent, and everything else, eating well can feel like a luxury. But nutritious food helps you thrive. The Cal Poly Food Pantry and the SLO Food Bank’s on-campus Neighborhood Food Distribution provide free produce and pantry staples to students.

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By Ava Welcher The beginning of the school year brings the excitement and nerves of a fresh start: new classes, new friends, new opportunities, and this year, the brand new semester system for Cal Poly. This past term, we bid farewell to the quarter system and will adopt a new calendar, timeline, and course catalogs. But what does this mean for us, the students?

What is the semester system? By switching to semesters, Cal Poly becomes the very last school in the California State University system to follow a semester calendar. Instead of the official school year consisting of three ten-week long quarters (Fall, Winter, and Spring), there will be two 15-week long semesters (Fall and Spring), with additional opportunities to take courses in the summer. These longer terms allow for deeper dives into course material, as there will be more time in the semester to explore and digest topics. Additionally, many lectures will adapt to 80 minute durations, instead of the 110 minute long classes in the quarter system.

What will the year look like? As far as the actual calendar goes, the Fall semester begins on August 17, with classes starting on August 24. We’ll still enjoy a week-long fall break at the end of November, and final exams will conclude on December 18. After the month-long winter break, Spring semester classes begin on January 25. We will also get a week off in the middle of March for spring break, and Commencement at the end of the term will be from May 21 through the 23. In total, between both the Fall and Spring semesters, there are 146 instructional days, which is actually one less than in this past 2025-2026 school year!

What does this mean for my academic progress? Don’t worry, all of the credits you have taken so far at Cal Poly will still count towards your total degree units, though some of them may fill different requirements. Students retain the right to choose which catalog is the best fit: to either stick with the quarter catalog or pivot to the semester catalog, thus joining this year’s round of first year and transfer students. Each department may provide a recommendation for which catalog is the most advantageous for student success, but ultimately, the choice is still yours.

What if I have more questions? The Cal Poly Semester Conversion website (semesters.calpoly.edu) is a hub of information to answer all of your remaining questions regarding the switch. There you can find guidelines for GE requirements, resolutions Cal Poly has made to ensure student success during this process, links to informational videos and pamphlets and more. Under the Student Advising tab, students can access more personalized resources, like scheduling meetings with academic advisors, acquiring degree progress reports and using college-specific tools. Each individual college has semester conversion resources on their individual websites, broken down by majors. Viewing your program’s updated curriculum sheet and flowchart is a great place to start. For any lingering concerns, signing up for an advising meeting is the best way to get individualized help.

The transition to semesters should not be something that adds to the nerves category of your preparation for the new school year, but rather to excitement! The calendar and catalog pivot is an opportunity for students to delve deeper into topics you love and experience a new structure of instruction. Cal Poly is committed to supporting students and their success through graduation, so remember to utilize the plentiful resources available to make your transition to semesters as smooth as possible! Have a great first semester, Mustangs!

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By Siena Vu Studying abroad is frequently considered one of the most memorable experiences for a college student. With Cal Poly’s transition to semesters, students may be wondering how it will affect their study abroad planning given academic schedules, credit transfers and returning to campus. Fear not! Much of the study abroad process will remain unchanged as most of the impact depends on the length of a student’s program. In terms of what’s the same: Cal Poly students will still prepare for study abroad in a similar fashion. Your journey can begin at the International Center located in the Library, room 319. Study abroad advisors can point you in the right direction to find a program and destination that fits your desires while ensuring that your course credits are up to date. In terms of what’s different, it’s not all bad. In fact, for students participating in semester-long programs, the conversion may actually simplify the process. Alex Moses, an incoming junior who will spend the fall studying abroad in Paris, said the transition isn’t expected to affect her experience much. “My program is a semester long, so technically it might be easier for my credits to transfer back to Cal Poly with the semester conversion,” Moses said. “The only thing that might be more difficult is just coming back to Cal Poly later and getting used to the new system, course length, etc.”

Many universities abroad already operate on a semester system, so Cal Poly’s transition actually brings its own academic calendar into stronger alignment with institutions around the world. Rather than converting semester credits for a quarter system, students studying abroad for a full semester may experience a more straightforward transfer process. Regardless, these students should still anticipate an adjustment period in coming back to Cal Poly. Instead of returning to the fast-paced, 10-week quarter schedule they were used to, they will have to adjust to longer terms, revised course offerings and different pacing from what they were used to. Furthermore, students studying abroad in the fall must undergo this adjustment a semester later, after the rest of the students have already acclimated. Cal Poly will continue to offer an extensive list of study abroad opportunities throughout the transition, including the continuation of quarterlong program offerings. But the experience for students participating in these programs may be different than those going for a semester. While these shorter programs used to align neatly with Cal Poly’s quarter system, the semester conversion creates new concerns and considerations regarding credit transfers, financial planning and graduation timelines. Students studying abroad for 10-12 weeks may return before a Cal Poly semester concludes or leave for study abroad weeks after a Cal Poly semester begins.

This offset may raise concerns for students who have little wiggle room for credits per semester or for those that feel they would be getting less credits for the time they are paying for. Kira Stringer, an incoming third-year student planning to participate in a quarter-length study abroad program this fall, said the transition introduces more concerns than it would for someone attending a semester-long program. “I’m aware that in choosing a quarter-system program, I’m not really fitting with Cal Poly’s new semester system, but I think it’s still the right choice for me because I have the credit space to spare,” Stringer said. “And money-wise, it costs less to go for a quarter. I did have to make sure the credits that I’m getting abroad still transfer and allow me to stay on track for graduation, but it all still works out, so, yeah, I think it’s the right choice for me.”

Students that are considering quarter programs may need more careful academic planning to ensure required courses fit both their desired study abroad experience and graduation timeline. Study abroad advisors continue to encourage students to pursue international opportunities through the semester transition. Planning ahead has always been an important part of studying abroad; the uncertainty of semester conversion highlights the value of early advising even more so. Students are encouraged to meet with both academic and study abroad advisors well in advance to map out their coursework, understand how credits will transfer and identify programs that best fit their academic goals. Additionally, Cal Poly’s International Center has a great website pre-advising module for students looking into abroad programs. Head to https://international. calpoly.edu/ to find all the information related to international study, from helpful frequently asked questions to detailed descriptions of each program available.

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Private & shared bedrooms for up to 4 occupants In-unit laundry machines for select floor plans Fully furnished Utilities included within rent Access to our exclusive amenities and resident events

1 Mustang Drive. San Luis Obispo, CA (805) 783-2500 | www.mustangvillage.com

By Skye Casem As the academic catalog switches to semesters, it’s valuable to stay on top of class credits, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a bit of fun? Enrolling in enjoyable elective courses can make the college experience memorable inside the classroom. Being an undergrad student is a rare time with the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and try new experiences away from the required major courses.

Beekeeping (PLSC1175) Beekeeping (PLSC1175) is a three unit course that quickly became a favorite among students. This high demand class focuses on honeybee biology and apiculture, but most people enroll because students make their own honey. Beekeeping teaches students about the lifecycle of honeybees and everything about beekeeping. Not only is this class a sweet hands-on experience, but it’s all the buzz amongst Cal Poly students and fills up fast.

Flag Football (KINE 1141) If you’re sporty and seek a community on campus, Flag Football (KINE 1141) is the class for you. Held on the Doeer Family Field, this one unit course teaches basic flag football knowledge and important football skills. The class focuses on physical activity, so students are expected to come ready to learn how to throw spirals and score touchdowns. All levels are welcome, but beginning and intermediate levels of physicality are preferred.

Branded Wine Marketing (WVIT 3343) Branded Wine Marketing (WVIT 3343) is a three unit wine marketing course focused on consumer behaviors and marketing strategies in the wine industry. You will study a mix of marketing decisions and understand the impact of both federal and state regulations. For anyone who has been mesmerized by a wine label before, it’s time to experience the decisions behind it! Courses are offered in-person, but also online format. Before enrolling, one of the following prerequisites must be completed: AGB 212, AGB 2212, ECON 201, ECON 2001, ECON 221, ECON 2030, ECON 222 or ECON 2040.

Beginning Jazz Dance (DANC 1133) Beginning Jazz Dance (DANC 1133) is a two credit dance introductory dance class that focuses on jazz technique and phrases. This class is tailored to students that love physical movement and artistic expression, as well as listening to wonderful music during the process. Students are required to attend at least one dance concert and possibly purchase live dance performance tickets.

Group Exercise: Cardio and Strength Training (KINE 1131) Have you ever wanted to start strength training, but didn’t know where to start? The gym can be an intimidating space, especially when it comes to perfecting form and understanding how to actively train. Group Exercise: Cardio and Strength Training (KINE 1131) is a one unit course that focuses on teaching safe techniques and breaking a sweat in the process. The group aspect of this course is perfect for students who want to expand their social circle, improve their understanding of cardiovascular fitness and lift heavy with strength training.

VALENCIA APARTMENTS REACH OUT TO US! 555 Ramona Drive San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 805.543.1450

By Ishaani Dhanotra As Cal Poly switches over to the semester system this upcoming fall, students both old and new most likely will have pressing questions. The change, which makes Cal Poly the final CSU to join the semester system, comes with a new catalog and different course requirements, all of which may be confusing to navigate. For all your semester conversion needs, look no further than the following advising options available to you through campus.

Transition Tips

Mustang Success Center The Mustang Success Center is open to all first year students as both an online and in-person advising hub. Navigating your academic journey in a new school is never an easy task, so the MCC has siphoned all the important information you need onto their website; head to https://success.calpoly.edu/content/whereare-we to explore the various topics and see their advising hours. Before arriving at Cal Poly, understanding the curriculum–as well as your academic goals and standing–is important to any new student’s success. The MCC website features information on course registration, degree planning and academic support. They are here to help you through any questions you may have. The MCC is available for all questions and concerns relating to semester schedule planning, university policy, campus resources and general one-on-one support. According to their website, Zoom meeting drop-ins began for incoming students on June 22, 2026. In-person meetings will resume on August 17, 2026. Neither are available through appointment, so that students may discuss with an advisor on a rolling basis throughout the day. If you want to pop in for a chat, they are located in Building 52, Room D37.

Transition Tips, a website catered towards helping students navigate their upcoming college academic experience, has a checklist for what students need to know before beginning their school year. This includes math placement, the First-Year admissions checklist and registration. The process for registering for classes and making schedule adjustments are detailed on the website, as well as information on how schedule enrollment will work for Spring semester. Access all this information at: https://success.calpoly.edu/transition-tips.

Semester Conversion Team To ensure a smooth transition to the semester catalog for all new students, Cal Poly has created a Semester Conversion Team. Touting the motto “Keep calm. Convert on,” they sit at the heart of semester conversion. Dr. Rachel Fernflores, professor of philosophy, serves as the director and project manager for semester conversion. Cristal Cruz Rios acts as administrative support coordinator for cocurricular project needs. For general questions that your advisor can’t answer, email them at semester-conversion@calpoly.edu. To access their office hour schedule, head to: https://semesters.calpoly.edu/contact.

CAMPUS HEALTH & WELLBEING

WELLBEING SERVICES SAFER

Named a 2026 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader

805-756-2282 safer@calpoly.edu

SERVICES OFFERED • Primary and Urgent Care (Same day appointments available) • Pharmacy and Medical Vending Machines • Vaccinations • Lab and X-ray Services • Physical Therapy • Registered Dietitian • Psychiatry • Sports Medicine • Health Education Programs • Mental Health Services (individual, group, crisis) • Gender and Power-Based Violence • Advocacy & Support • Basic Needs Support • Alcohol & Drug Education

FOOD PANTRY 805-756-6181 wellbeing@calpoly.edu

HEALTH SERVICES 805-756-1211 health@calpoly.edu

HEALTH EDUCATION/PULSE 805-756-5260 pulse@calpoly.edu

CAPS 805-756-2511 counseling@calpoly.edu BUILDING 27

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