Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Is Cal Poly still hosting Open House in light of coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns?
The health and wellbeing of our community is our primary concern and our team is prepared to adjust accordingly, based on ongoing conversations with university leadership and recommendations by public health officials monitoring the evolving status of COVID-19.
With this in mind, and based on an abundance of caution, the following decision has been made: Open House and associated activities, including Poly Cultural Weekend, have been canceled. Our team is working on alternate plans to showcase Cal Poly to prospective students, and we encourage you to check back frequently at our website and social media for updates.
For the latest information on COVID-19 and the steps Cal Poly is taking, please refer to the Campus Health & Wellbeing website and President Armstrong's recent address to campus.
For questions and other concerns regarding Open House, SLO Days and Week of Welcome, please email us at orientation@calpoly.edu or call at 805-756-2400.
Join us for Cal Poly Open House, April 16 - 18, 2020
Events by Day:
Campus Preview Night at Farmers’ Market: Thursday, April 16, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Morro Street at Downtown San Luis Obispo
Campus Preview Night at Farmers’ Market is a small look into everything offered on campus. There will be multiple club booths and even some performances. Students and supporters get a preview of all we offer at Cal Poly, while enjoying one of the most popular things to do in San Luis Obispo - the downtown Farmers’ Market!
New Mustang Booth: Thursday April 16 - Saturday April 18
Thursday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Morro Street
Friday 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Resource Fair on Mustang Way, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Friday Night Invite at the University Union Plaza
Saturday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Dexter Lawn
Come visit the New Mustang Booth to celebrate Cal Poly's Class of 2024! At the booth, you can accept your admittance to Cal Poly at one of our laptops and take photos with props at our photo booth (digital + print copies available). There are also a few interactive activities to appreciate our new mustangs. All prospective students, current students, supporters, and members of the Cal Poly community are welcome!
Info Booth: Thursday, April 16 - Saturday, April 18 All Day
Thursday: Morro Street
Friday: University Union Plaza
Saturday: Dexter Lawn
At the info booth you can ask any and all questions about the weekend, and people will be there to assist you.
Check-In: Friday, April 17, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Mott Lawn
Guests will be checked in to the weekend and begin their Open House experience!
University Welcomes: Friday, April 17
Recreation Center, Bldg. 43
At University Welcomes, you will be introduced to Cal Poly's President Jeffrey D. Armstrong and Vice President Keith Humphrey as well as the Co-Chairs of Open House 2020, Alisha Solis and Amber Sylvester! They will be giving you the warmest welcome to Cal Poly, provide a glimpse of our orientation series, and outline all Open House events and opportunities. There will also be performances from Cal Poly's Mustang Band, Dance Team, and a-cappella group That's the Key! You'll attend only one out of the two University Welcomes sessions, depending on which College you applied under, as depicted below.
University Welcome I, 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Please attend University Welcomes I (Seating begins at 8:30 am) if you applied to any of the following:
- The College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES)
- The Orfalea College of Business (OCOB)
- The College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
University Welcome II, 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Please attend University Welcomes II (Seating begins at 10:00 am) if you applied to any of the following:
- The College of Engineering (CENG)
- The College of Liberal Arts (CLA)
- or The College of Science and Mathematics (CSM)
(If you are unsure which college your major is in, please don't hesitate to ask at Open House Check-In or visit either calpoly.edu or catalog.calpoly.edu)
At the end of your respective University Welcomes session, you will be led by orientation volunteers to your next event, where you will be introduced to your College. We can't wait to meet you all at University Welcomes and welcome you to Cal Poly, SLO!
Resource Fair: Friday, April 17, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Mustang Way & UU Plaza
Resource Fair is an opportunity for students and supporters to engage with campus resources. Throughout mustang way and the UU plaza, the resources will set up booths and have representatives present to provide information, answer questions, and just be a friendly face. It’s a great time to find out all the possible resources this school has to offer :)
Friday Nite Invite: Friday, April 17, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
University Union Plaza
An event on Friday Night of Open House that invites prospective students to meet each other, unwind, and make connections in an environment that simulates college life on a Friday night. There will be food such as pizza, salad, and candy. Activity options include dancing, games, bowling, and crafts. There will also be some other surprises throughout the night!
Cross Cultural Centers Mixer: Friday, April 12, 6:00 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Multicultural Center
During this event, prospective students and supporters will be able to talk to students who use the Cross Cultural Centers to get a deeper scope of the impact these resources have on our campus community.
The Transfer Experience: Friday, April 17, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
University Union, Room 220
The Transfer Experience will be a time for current and prospective transfer students to connect and start building their community here at Cal Poly. They will also be able to engage with resources that are relevant to the transfer experience and there will be a Q+A Panel where people will be able to ask any questions they may have.
Alumni Student Mixer: Friday, April 17, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
yakʔitʸutʸu Community Center and Courtyard
Come meet Cal Poly’s brilliant alumni! They may have just graduated or graduated 20 years ago, been involved on or off-campus, were a transfer or first-generation student, switched their major multiple times, or succeed and struggled through many different obstacles. This is the chance for both current and prospective tto have all their questions answered during our first annual Alumni Student mixer and panel!
Coffee House: Friday, April 17, 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
University Union, Chumash Auditorium
While students are enjoying Friday Nite Invite, parents and supporters are invited to Coffee House, where they can talk to current students from all six of Cal Poly's colleges while enjoying coffee from local vendor BlackHorse. There will also be speakers from Administration as well as Parent & Family Programs.
Honored Guests Event: Satuday. April 18, 9 a.m.
Location TBD
A breakfast for our honored guests and a parade viewing
Poly Royal Parade: Saturday, April 18, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Begins at the PAC circle and moves down North Perimeter Road
The parade is an event that showcases our campus and community through various floats and performances. It is lots of fun and usually includes different clubs, teams, and community organizations.
Opening Ceremonies: Saturday, April 18, 11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Dexter Lawn
Opening Ceremonies introduces prospective students and supporters to all that Cal Poly and SLO has to offer. This event will feature speakers including President Armstrong, our ASI president, and others!
Campus Showcase: Saturday, April 18, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Various Locations
Campus Showcase is a time for various clubs & organizations to showcase themselves to prospective students & their supporters! This is a great opportunity for guests to interact with on/off campus entities and see how they can get involved!
Booth Judging: Saturday, April 18, 11:00 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Campus Showcase
Judging booths and food and giving awards
Dexter Stage: Saturday, April 18, 11:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Dexter Lawn
Dexter Stage is an opportunity to showcase Cal Poly and the SLO community's talent to prospective students and their supporters. It will consist of performances by different on-campus clubs and off-campus entities.
Poly Royal and Open House History Display: Saturday, April 18th, 11 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Dexter Lawn
Displays history of Open House and Poly Royal
Special Events - To be confirmed
Special Events are put on by other Cal Poly organizations and clubs to showcase their unique opportunities. Keep checking back up to Open House, because more special events are being added all the time!
Poly Royal Rodeo & Concert: Friday, April 17th & Saturday, April 18th
Spanos Stadium
This year's annual Poly Royal Rodeo at Cal Poly’s Alex G. Spanos Stadium will be held Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18. Poly Royal Rodeo is the marquee event on campus during Cal Poly’s annual Open House.
Poly Royal Truck and Tractor Pull: Saturday, April 18th
Pasture on the corner of Highland Dr. and Mt. Bishop Rd.
The Poly Royal Truck and Tractor Pull has been held at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo almost every April since 1972. It is one of the largest events at Open House, drawing nearly 4,000 spectators and over 50 competitors from the Western United States. The event is run by Cal Poly Tractor Pull Club and the proceeds from the event bolster a scholarship endowment that goes to hard-working students of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. In 2016, the scholarship fund gave out over $30,000 to students.
Cal Poly encourages inclusivity in all its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, including (but not limited to) physical access or Deaf/Hard of Hearing services, please contact New Student & Transition Programs (orientation@calpoly.edu) in advance of your participation or visit.
