Soar - Summer 2015

SUMMER 2015

INCOMING STUDENTS’ GUIDE TO EVERYTHING CAL POLY

SOAR 2015 • mustangnews.net

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BAKER MATH & SCIENCE Opened in 2013, The Warren J. Baker Center for Science and Mathematics is the second largest building on campus, only smaller than Robert E. Kennedy Library.

The building houses eight lecture-style classrooms with a combined capacity of 484 students, 64 faculty offices, approximately 50 state-of-the-art laboratories and about two dozen prep spaces and stockrooms.

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CONTENTS Editor's note

by Suha Saya

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Get ready, Soaries!

Tim Wetzel

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Tips for Freshmen, From Former Freshmen Brendan Abrams

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Info93840928 name028394

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The College Life Adjustment Naba Ahmed

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Tricky Transportation Annie Vainshtein

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Poly Picks 1st Place picks for some of the great food places around San Luis Obispo voted on by Cal Poly students

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Campus Map and Resources A map and guide to on-campus resources

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SOAR 2015 • mustangnews.net

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CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACCEPTANCE TO CAL POLY

EDITOR’S NOTE

Mustang News Staff 2015-2016

For incoming students, Soar is truly the first taste of all things Cal Poly-related.

Special Sections Coordinator Suha Saya

Summer orientation is the foundation of experiences for students — it introduces them to campus resources, college lifestyle, new academic skill sets and most importantly, Cal Poly culture.

If it wasn’t for the orientation programs Cal Poly offers, I would not have walked into my first day at university feeling so at home and comfortable. Though my first experience of Cal Poly culture was two years ago, it was in that moment that I realized that college was not so scary after all, and moreover, that I was ready for the change.

Not only did the fellow nervous faces of freshmen provide comfort on orientation day, but so did the friendly faces volunteering to help — who guided me and answered any questions I had, reassuring me that I wasn’t going into the new experience alone. Orientation was a simple glimpse of the way the Cal Poly community supports one another.

This edition is a guide on how to best get through these next four years at your new home. For those of you today who are unsure of what Cal Poly might bring you, my experience tells me this — it will bring you everything you want and more. You will meet the most amazing people, you will take some of the most eye-opening classes and through the ups and downs of college, I promise, you will find yourself.

This is just the beginning.

I wish you all the best of luck these next four years.

Suha Saya Special Sections Coordinator

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Art Director Jordan Triplett Designers Micaela Pacini Erica Patstone Staff Writers Celina Osegura Tim Wetzel Brendan Abrams Annie Vainshtein Naba Ahmed Copy Editors Kayla Missman Kristine Xu Ad Rep Manager Maddie Spiveck Assistant Ad Rep Managers Sam Patterson Anna Seskind Advertising Representatives CJ Estores Kristen Corey Melissa Mubaraki Madison Fleming Shakti Rajput Victoria Howland

SOAR 2015 • mustangnews.net

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GET READY, SOARIES!

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Tim Wetzel @timawetzel

very new student comes into college with different expectations. Some are ecstatic to move into the residence halls, some are nervous to share a room with that stranger from Fresno and others are simply relieved to finally move away from home. For those looking to get an idea of what they’re jumping into, the New Student and Transition Programs (NSTP) offers Soar — an overnight orientation event, offered over the course of the summer.

According to the NSTP website, Soar offers students a connection with campus resources, community, their college and departments and other new students from their major.

Mechanical engineering senior Michael Swartz is one of this year’s Soar leaders.

“Our students and supporters will get to see a lot of academic and awareness topic information throughout the day,” Stoner said. “We also have our evening entertainment, which also has happened in the past, and we’re going to have some of the Mustang (Bowling) Lanes open.”

“I think it’s a really fun and engaging way to get involved in campus,” Swartz said, “and to figure out what Cal Poly’s all about right off the bat.”

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Get ready, Soaries! • Tim Wetzel

Like past years, Soar offers new students lots of activities and programs to help them get involved in student life. Transitions Board member Allison Stoner, a sociology alumna, helped plan this year’s events.

Unlike past years, however, Soar will offer housing to students overnight in the dorms. According to the website, “Students will be staying in the Residence Halls with other Soar attendees and our Soar Staff. Parents and Supporters have the option to stay on campus through Poly Canyon Summer Village.”

Stoner is especially eager for the students to stay overnight.

“We’re really excited that this year, all of our students will be staying on campus for one night,” said Stoner. “That’s something we haven’t done for about six years. So that’s new and that’s pretty big.”

Swartz will be one of the members leading these overnight escapades, and expressed his enthusiasm as well.

“I’m pretty excited to be one of the leaders for the overnight thing,” Swartz said. “I think that’ll be really cool.”

rewarding part of orientation is always going to be the connections that the students are able to make,” Stoner said.

According to Stoner, the overnight stay will be an excellent addition to Soar.

In addition to the icebreakers and group discussions, Soar will offer students a chance to connect with other people in their college. Stoner listed this as one of the benefits of Soar.

“We’re very excited for them to just get a taste of what it’ll be like once they do move in permanently during the fall, and so we’re really excited to run some programming that night while they’re in the residence hall,” Stoner said. “(They’ll) kind of start having some discussions, as well as some time for them to just really hang out and get to know one another.”

Swartz noted that the most important part of Soar is the connections freshmen make during it. “(Freshmen should) know that they’re a member of this community, and there are a lot of resources available to them,” Swartz said. “Everyone here wants them to succeed.”

Stoner agrees that Soar is more focused on the community than on the specific programs provided.

“I think as important as all the programming is, the coolest part and the most

“(The students) are grouped by their college in general,” Stoner said. “And I think that’s a really nice way that they’re already recognizing some faces that they will very likely have classes with once the fall starts.”

Swartz remembers his experience in Soar and said it helped with his transition.

“I enjoyed it a lot,” Swartz said. “I really liked my Soar leader, and I’m still in contact with a couple people in that group. I think you can definitely meet people that you’ll be around for the next four years.”

If you’ll be attending Soar this summer, don your spirit gear and sunscreen — the Orientation Team has a great couple of days in store for you. “(Students should) just come with an open mind,” Stoner said. “We provide most of what they will need for their time.

They really just come to take it all in.”

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TIPS FOR FRESHMEN, FROM FORMER FRESHMEN

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y now, incoming students have likely been listening to a cacophony of advice from family and friends for months on end. Everyone seems eager to share their bits of wisdom about the transition to college life, and it’s not going to end any time soon. We’ve polled former freshmen through Cal Poly Facebook pages to collect a few of the most important tips. You can count on these tips to be contemporary, exemplary and Cal Poly-specific, so take note.

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“Figure out PASS and Polylearn as soon as possible,” environmental management and protection sophomore Dan Canella said. PASS (Plan A Student Schedule) and PolyLearn are Cal Poly’s academic lifelines, so it’s best to get the hang of using them before it’s too late.

PASS is a valuable tool that allows students to set up nonconflicting class schedules, and PolyLearn Brendan Abrams is a program most professors @brenabrams use to post homework, grades Some professors are even and other resources. Both are known to be a bit more genessential for academic success. erous with grading if they’ve seen the student make an effort to “Office hours, office hours, office show up to office hours. Their credenhours,” history and English soph- tials might be impressive and intimiomore Claire Ready said. Current stu- dating, but professors are people too. dents don’t simply recommend spending There’s no reason to be too shy to step quality time with your professors. They into their offices every now and then. endorse it thrice. Not only are professors’ office hours great opportunities “It’s okay if you’re not best friends to get extra help on difficult material, with your roommate. The experithey are ideal times to make connec- ence teaches you how to manage and tions with the people responsible for navigate other people’s habits and find your education in that particular field. compromises,” statistics sophomore

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Tips for Freshman, From Former Freshmen • Brendan Abrams

Gianna Ciaccio said. Most freshmen end up with a randomly selected roommate, so it’s not unheard of for some of them to be unsatisfied with their living situations. Adjusting to the schedules and habits of anywhere from one to five other people (for on-campus apartment residents) is rarely an easy task. Fortunately, finding ways to make it work can be worthwhile practice in coexisting with humans you may find disagreeable. In addition, it is a great way to find out what to look for (and what not to look for) in your future roommates.

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“Say yes to every new experience. You could end up loving something you had never tried before,” journalism senior Anna Jacobson said. It is not part of everyone’s personality to be adventurous, but those who want to thoroughly enjoy their time in San Luis Obispo will need to try new things. It’s time to face the facts. Even if country music gives you a headache and your two left feet would give anything not to be stuck on a dance floor, you will, at some point, be talked into going line dancing. If the simple mention of the outdoors makes you shiver in your clean,

stylish clothes, get over it now because you’ll inevitably be hiking somewhere during your college career. It doesn’t end there. Opportunities for exciting new adventures will confront you incessantly, and it’s up to you to pull a Jim Carrey from “Yes Man” and just say yes.

Living and learning in San Luis Obispo has the potential to be the best years of your life. Cal Poly could be the site of your greatest successes and also your most embarrassing mistakes. But don’t dwell on a failed final or disappointing Saturday night out, because those will pale

in comparison to your new best friends and late-night breakthroughs in the lab.

College may seem nerve-wracking, but perhaps the most important thing to remember is this: millions of people in your exact same situation have made it through, so you can too. You can try to study up on everything you’ll need to know before you get there, but you will figure it all out along the way. That’s how things work at Cal Poly.We Learn By Doing.

SOAR 2015 • mustangnews.net

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HERE’S HOW THE FALL 2015 ADMITTED STUDENTS STACK UP Students who applied and were selected

by Cal Poly for the 2015-16 academic year reached record highs for the number of applicants, and feature some Celina Oseguera notable academic achievements. @celinaoseguera Of the more than 50,000 that applied, most were College of Engineering (CENG) students. They also accounted for a majority of the selected students.

Selected Students: 15,768 Total

21.8%

The College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) made up the smallest number of applied and selected students.

19.7%

15.8% 23.6%

Applied to Cal Poly: 55,071 Total

19.7% 15.2% 17.8% 33.2%

COSAM CAFES CAED OCOB CENG CLA

The selected freshmen had especially high academic marks.

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13.8%

COSAM CAFES CAED OCOB CENG CLA

Here’s How the Fall 2015 Admitted Students Stack Up • Celina Oseguera

Students chosen for CENG had the highest average GPA at 4.13, while College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) admits had the lowest at 3.87.

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Selected Freshmen ACT Scores

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For the SAT, CENG admits earned the highest math and reading scores with an average of 1,419; the lowest were CAFES admits at 1,253.

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Selected Freshmen SAT Scores A V E R A G E

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CENG selected students also scored highest on the ACT exam, averaging 32. College of Liberal Arts (CLA) and CAFES admits scored the lowest at 28.

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Selected Freshmen GPA

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SOAR 2015 • mustangnews.net

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Mixing alcohol with pregnancy damages a developing fetus more than any illegal drug.

PLEASE DON’T DRINK WHILE PREGNANT.

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THE COLLEGE LIFE ADJUSTMENT

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ll incoming students must make the transition into their college experience at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Gone are the familiar 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. high school schedules, and in its place is the fast-paced culture of college.

According to freshman focus team career counselor Eric Chau, time management is what makes schedules critical.

“Students need to be really on top of their time management in terms of making sure they have good study habits right off the get go,” Chau said. “They need to understand the fact that in order to be on top of their academics they will have to study two to three hours per unit.”

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Naba Ahmed @nabaahmed

The fast-paced culture of college is especially apparent in the quarter system, academic advisor Cassie Pitkin said.

“The quarter system can take a little getting used to,” Pitkin said. “Students should be aware that classes are fast and they can have a midterm as early as the third week.”

Pitkin also emphasized how time management is essential.

“Take a half hour after each lecture and go through the notes,” Pitkin said. “By making sure that they understand everything on their own, it is a big indicator of what they know.”

The College Life Adjustment • Naba Ahmed

While incoming students are attuned to the familiar schedule in high school, college uproots that schedule.

“The biggest thing is that most students are used to having someone else establishing their own routine for them,” Pitkin said. “Now, they need to find their most productive schedule that suits them.”

Freshman focus team career counselor Ashley Eberle stressed the importance for incoming students to understand that their first year at Cal Poly will not be as easy as they think.

“The first thing I like to focus on with students is normalizing the fact that the first year at Cal Poly can be very stressful,” Eberle said. “Students are all dealing with really different chal-

lenges and the facade is that firstyear students have it all figured out.”

When it comes to dealing with stress, students must make themselves top priority, Eberle said.

“In order to manage their stress, students have to take care of themselves,” Eberle said. “Good self-care is the place to start which they can do by reaching out and getting involved.”

In addition, Cal Poly has a large support system, which students should always be using, Pitkin said.

“A big message that campus tries to convey is that there is so much support available on campus,” Pitkin said.

“We really do our best to reach out

to students who are seeking help.”

It may not be difficult to find assistance on campus, but students must make the effort to ask for help. Chau recommended establishing connections with peers, the Mustang Success Center, academic advisors and career counselors.

“Even though college may be hard, make sure to ask for help because a lot of people are more than willing,” Chau said.

Chau added that the support system extends to professors as well.

“Professors are really helpful in their office hours,” Chau said. “Students will be responsible for adjusting to having a varying class schedule, so they should utilize office hours.”

However, one very big adjustment concerns students’ new level of freedom.

“Living on campus versus living with their parents encourages a lot of self-discipline,” Chau said. “There is a less of a routine in college, so students will have to accommodate for themselves.”

But most of all, to help students accommodate more to college life, students should see Cal Poly as their second home, Eberle said.

“As early as possible try to make Cal Poly your home because that makes the transitions so much easier,” Eberle said.

“As important as it is to stay connected with family, students should establish themselves at Cal Poly through clubs, sports or fraternities and sororities.”

SOAR 2015 • mustangnews.net

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TRICKY TRANSPORTATION: WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE A CAR

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an Luis Obispo is home to more than just Cal Poly — it features numerous hikes, beaches, shopping areas and music venues. And while most students want to explore all of what the city has to offer, many don’t have cars. In fact, for most freshmen, cars are a luxury, and often not an option.

Discouraging as it may seem, fear not.

There are a handful of places within the city that are accessible by foot and by bus.

The bus route is a viable mode of transportation for those looking to get off campus and is especially popular among Cal Poly students.

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Annie Vainshtein @annievain

According to SLO Transit transportation assistant Dee Lawson, the most popular bus routes used by Cal Poly students are the 4, 5, 6a and 6b. Lawson added that the 4 and 5 bus routes take students to Target and Costco.

Students are riding the buses much more than in the past, Lawson said. SLO Transit recorded 40,000 more rides in the last year than in the previous year.

San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (SLO RTA) director Geoff Straw explained that the bus routes have become extremely popular, resulting in

Tricky Transportation • Annie Vainshtein

the addition of extra buses to avoid standing or crush loads.

Straw added that the RTA provides traffic congestion relief along the two main roadway corridors in our county (U.S. 101 and Highway 1.)

SLO Transit bus routes usually cost $1.25, but students who show their Cal Poly ID can ride for free.

With or without the bus, check out these options for places to go when you don’t have a car. Friday nights don’t have to be boring anymore.

1. ARBORETUM Cal Poly’s “well-kept secret,” the Leaning Pine Arboretum is a beautiful garden area with a sizable display of plants, trees and shrubs open to anyone looking to relax and enjoy nature. The arboretum is located on the north side of campus, behind the Environmental Horticulture Science (EHS) facilities. Hours are from 8 a.m to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

2. ARCHITECTURE GRAVEYARD Architecture Graveyard, which is not too far off the main campus, is a great hiking location for those with an eye for design.

The hike is about three miles round trip and features an eclectic collection of architecture and engineering projects by former Cal Poly students. You can even climb on the structures for stargazing.

3. THE P If you don’t know where the P is, it isn’t hard to find. The P, a Cal Poly landmark, is essentially a hill with a great view. You can see it from most places on campus — it’s been decorated and personalized to spread messages countless times.

The P, while an exceptionally beautiful sunset spot, is equally fun day or night and only requires a relatively short hike.

4. FARMER’S MARKET The San Luis Obispo farmer’s market is a popular spot for students and members of the community to relax, eat delicious food and listen to music.

Held every Thursday night on Higuera Street, it offers a variety of fresh produce and live music from local artists.

Bus routes 4, 5, 6a and 6b ride through downtown — students can take any of those routes if they’d like to visit the farmer’s market.

Whether or not you decide to walk, bike, take the bus or ride horseback, there are a number of fun and interesting places and activities to explore around town. Take advantage of your surroundings and don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone — that’s what freshman year is for.

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Each year, Cal Poly students vote on their favorite businesses in San Luis Obispo for Mustang New’s “Poly Picks” edition, priorly known as “Best For.” We’ve highlighted some of the first place winners.

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Vegetarian

Sandwich

Pizza

Natural Cafe

High Street Deli

Woodstocks

on-campus dining

Burger

Restaurant

Chick-fil-A

Eureka!

Firestone

Thai

Dessert

Sushi

Thai Boat

Doc Burnstein’s

Aisuru Sushi

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ROBERT E. KENNEDY LIBRARY lib.calpoly.edu

Voted No. 1 study spot by Cal Poly students, the library not only has books, periodicals and a knowledgeable staff to help you find exactly what you need, but also group study rooms, Wi-Fi, laptop rentals, a café, vending machines and outdoor seating. Plus, the 24-hour study room has Poly Prints, where students can scan and print projects and papers or purchase supplies such as index cards, pencils and flash drives.

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HEALTH CENTER hcs.calpoly.edu

The Health Center provides on-campus health care by appointment and urgent care. It has board-certified physicians, licensed physician assistants and nurse practitioners and offers laboratory testing, X-rays, vaccinations and prescription medications. It also provides counseling services for managing stress, depression, drug and alcohol resources and other mental health issues, according to the Cal Poly Health and Counseling Services website.

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RECREATION CENTER

asi.calpoly.edu/recreation_center

The newly renovated Recreation Center reopened in January 2012. Cal Poly students receive automatic membership, paid for by student fees. As a part of the reopening, students can now attend exercise classes and use the lap and leisure pools without additional charges.

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STUDY HELP & TUTORING

ALEX G. SPANOS STADIUM gopoly.com

The Alex G. Spanos Stadium is planning a renovation to expand capacity from approximately 11,000 to 22,000 seats. Cal Poly hosts its soccer and football games here.

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UNIVERSITY UNION (UU) asi.calpoly.edu

The UU is a campus hub of activity, providing many services such as student lounges for socializing and quiet studying, Internet stations, Starbucks , Ciao!, conference rooms, club and organization resource areas and an auditorium for guest speakers, career fairs, club events, dinners and dances. The UU Plaza is an outdoor community area which is great for socializing or attending events such as Concerts in the Plaza and club fairs.

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STUDY ABROAD iep.calpoly.edu

The International Education and Programs office is located in Mathematics and Science (bldg. 38), room 145.

Students can find information on study abroad programs, information sessions, scholarships and other resources here.

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UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT (UPD) afd.calpoly.edu/police

UPD’s mission is to maintain order, enforce laws and promote a safe environment for the campus. This department handles parking, access and emergency services.

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CROSS CULTURAL CENTERS studentlife.calpoly.edu/culture

sas.calpoly.edu

Student Academic Services in room 112 of the Robert E. Kennedy Library provides programs and support services to help students improve their study skills. It also provides a referral list of tutors.

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UNIVERSITY STORE

calpolyuniversitystore.com

The Cross Cultural Centers consist of the MultiCultural Center, Pride Center and Gender Equity Center.

Together, they provide a safe space — both physically and metaphorically — for students to embrace all aspects of their identity. They also host events for students to socialize and learn more about societal issues.

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CAREER SERVICES

careerservices.calpoly.edu

This center provides resources and counselors to help students Cal Poly University Store sells textbooks, courseware and on their career paths. It helps students develop career plans, Cal Poly merchandise. It also sells various electronic supplies create resumes, find internships and jobs, contact alumni and including laptops, software, gifts and school supplies. employers and develop graduate school plans.

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