WOW 2017 by Mustang News

WEEK OF WELCOME 2017

Sections Week of Welcome MAKE THE MOST OUT OF WOW

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORS

10 PLACES TO GO IN SLO

BUDGET YOUR PLU$ DOLLARS

SHARING A DORM ROOM

FRESHMEN YEAR WOES

PREPARE FOR YOUR YEAR

AVOID FRESHMAN 15

ONE-DAY TRIP PHOTO-STORY

BEST STUDY SPOTS IN SLO

CAL POLY CLUBS

TRAVELING ACROSS FIVE STATES

BEST RESTAURANTS IN SLO

PRIDE CENTER RESOURCES

Sports

News

FOOTBALL

CAL POLY TEAM USA

MEN’S SOCCER

How to make the most of WOW Jacob Lopez @ CPMustangNews

Week of Welcome is the ultimate way to hit the ground running. It’s a week featuring fun and informative activities, plenty of new friends and knowledge of useful resources — so here’s how to make the most of it! Register Early and Be Prepared Registering early is essential to avoid feeling overwhelmed with move-in and preparing for classes simultaneously. Registering early is key to getting classes you want to take, and with professors you want to take them with. But regardless of whether you land the class times and professors you want, go into fall quarter with an open mind. Show up to all the events You should show up to all the events to learn about campus resources and safety. You will be shown important presentations about health and safety that are all very informative. For example, in years past, the suicide awareness exhibit left students

more aware of the importance of being there for someone who is suffering. It’s important to be present; you could save a life by showing up. WOW-a-rama is also one of the highlights of WOW. Every single WOW group meets on the soccer field to play fun, interactive games. Anthropology and geography senior Troy Phounsavath said it was his absolute favorite event put on by WOW. “I felt WOW-a-rama was a transformational experience that allowed people to express themselves,” Phounsavath said. “Everyone came together in a sober environment and expressed themselves freely.” You should definitely make WOW-a-rama a must-go!” Participate (Rip Up that Cool Card) Participation is essential for a fulfilling WOW experience. Anthropology and geography senior Cassandra Smith, who was a WOW leader, said that she sometimes feared that some of her activities wouldn’t go as planned. “My favorite part of WOW was being unsure about an activity, but then seeing all of

HANNA CROWLEY | MUSTANG NE W S

WOW FUN | Before classes begin, two students participate in an activity during WOW. my WOWies having a blast with it because everyone showed up and was joining in,” Smith said. Stay in Touch even after WOW Food science senior Nicole Cortese’s favorite part of WOW was the amount of friendships she made and maintained. “It’s nice to make friends early on through WOW. Getting to know people was the most rewarding thing about participating,”

she said. “Getting to know people definitely helped me settle in and understand the culture of Cal Poly better.” Staying in touch is knowing that you can always reach out to your new friends and WOW leaders with any questions about Cal Poly. It means reaching out to new friends about fulfilling or making plans. Week of Welcome is what you make of it. If you put the effort in, this experience will enhance your overall time at Cal Poly.

FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | WEEK OF WELCOME | MUSTANG NEWS

Welcome to Cal Poly Free cookie with every App order.

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Multimedia & Web Managing Editor | Brendan Matsuyama

News Managing Editor | Gina Randazzo

A message from the editors Our mission at Mustang News is to serve the Cal Poly community with storytelling that informs, impacts and compels. The stories we tell are those that we would want to know as Cal Poly students. The first question any journalist in Mustang News is asked when pitching or covering a story is, “So what?” How is this information relevant to our community? Who will it affect? What makes it a story? These questions are vital to how Mustang News operates; we want to be on the front lines of impactful stories about Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo. It means talking to the right people and telling their stories as they would tell them themselves. It means digging for key data that will bring insights, which people don’t always see. It means capturing footage that shows more than it tells. Mustang News can collect all of these things separately, but how we piece them together into a story is what really matters. What really matters, more so than each piece of the story we collect, is whether our audience can understand, appreciate and relate to what we publish. That is where storytelling and multimedia go hand-in-hand. It is not as simple as delivering the right news at the right time. As storytellers, we must consider our audience and make sure the media by which we deliver the stories are appropriate, compelling and digestible.

The landscape of news has changed. There are no longer opaque boundaries between print, web and broadcast journalism. Online tools have given storytellers the abilities to mesh a variety of delivery methods into one informative and engaging package. From interactive infographics to 360 degree images to video packages, we at Mustang News strive everyday to remain at the forefront of multimedia storytelling and surpass our audience’s expectations. We are deep in our Learn by Doing experience, just as our peers are. Sometimes that road gets bumpy. Sometimes we make mistakes. However, we always iron out those bumps, improve the way we tell the story and move forward. We are motivated foremost by the concept of service. Service to our community; to students, residents, faculty and alike. They deserve the truth; the bigger picture. They deserve the news that is relevant to them, delivered in the most timely and engaging way possible. That is the objective of Mustang News: to serve the Cal Poly community and San Luis Obispo. As managing editors for Mustang News, it is our job to ensure these objectives are being met. We are here to make sure that we are not only telling the stories that need to be told, but to make these stories as interesting and engaging as possible. This is our duty as journalists and storytellers, and we take our duty seriously.

Free!

Buy a 6-inch sub with a 30 oz. drink, and get a 6-inch sub of equal or lesser price free! Extras at additional cost.* Expires January 7, 2018 *Free sub excludes Extras. Valid at participating Cal Poly campus restaurants for in-restaurant orders only, excluding kiosk orders. Plus applicable tax. No cash value. Not for sale. Coupon must be surrendered with purchase. One time use. One coupon per qualifying item(s). Cannot be combined with promotional offers. Void if transferred, sold, auctioned, reproduced, purchased or altered, and where prohibited. Subway® is a Registered Trademark of Subway IP Inc. ©2017 Subway IP Inc.

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Limited time only. No additional discounts or coupons may be applied. App ordering available for participating restaurants. Allow 15 minutes for pickup. Subway® is a Registered Trademark of Subway IP Inc. ©2017 Subway IP Inc.

SUMMER NEVER ENDS SHOP MOON DOGGIES

837 Monterey St., SLO | 805-541-1995 | Rentals available

Places to go during your first week in SLO

For most people, Week of Welcome will be their first week in the small, beautiful college town of San Luis Obispo. Most new students are thinking, “what can I possibly do in San Luis Obispo that is fun while simultaneously upping my aesthetic on Instagram?” Not to worry, here is a list of ten must-see sights to explore that will make new students feel right at home as a true Mustang. Serenity Swing Serenity Swing is one of the most iconic, on-campus hikes Cal Poly has to offer. This mysteriously hidden swing gives a slight adrenaline rush as people’s feet swing above San Luis Obispo. Although the hike to the

swing is on the steeper side, the view is definitely worth it.

10 PLACES continued from page 8

Prefumo Canyon The long, twisting road to get to the top of Prefumo Canyon is one of the most adventurous aspects San Luis Obispo has to offer. Once at the top, people park their cars and enjoy San Luis Obispo in its most raw beauty of endless green hills. The peaceful silence of Prefumo Canyon qualifies it to be one of the best places to take a study break because it melts away all the stresses of being a student. The best time to visit is during sunrise or sunset, when the skies are a cotton candy pink with strokes of lavender.

Pirate’s Cove Pirate’s Cove is located off a side road just before reaching Avila Beach and offers a different view of San Luis Obispo ocean life. The short hike to Pirate’s Cove brings people to a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean as the huge waves roll right beneath them. For those that want a closer look at the ocean, there is a side path to a longer hike at Pirate’s Cove. The hike ends underneath a cove, where you’re tucked away in a small cave above the ocean.

10 PLACES continued on page 9

Farmer’s Market Thursdays are a buzzing time of the week because of San Luis Obispo’s

weekly Farmer’s Market. From ripe fruit to fresh powdered donuts to sizzling tri-tip sandwiches, locals are always strolling through the Farmer’s Market. Everything is affordable, delicious and accompanied by an evening of live entertainment. Bubblegum Alley Bubblegum Alley is located on Higuera Street and provides the perfect photo-op with a rainbow of various pieces of already-chewed gum. Come add to the famous tradition of sticking a piece of your own gum to the wall. Firestone Grill Also located in downtown San Luis Obispo is the famous Firestone Grill. This restaurant is always packed

with lines out the door. From crisp chicken tenders to delectable tri-tip sandwiches, Firestone Grill serves up some mouth-watering dishes. *Pro-tip: You can’t eat at Firestone without ordering the fries. SLO Donut Co. SLODOCO is the perfect study spot, open 24 hours with free WiFi. From $1 classic donuts to nutella-filled donuts to vegan donuts, SLODOCO is a great fit for all Cal Poly students who need to satisfy their sweet tooth. This place must be worth going to if Josh Peck and John Stamos came to visit last year, right? Pismo Beach Pismo Beach offers a variety of delicious restaurants such as the original

Splash Cafe and Hoagie’s Sandwiches and Grill. Not only is Pismo an amazing destination for food, but also for puppies. Explore the town and discover a small pet shop named Animal Kingdom that allows people to pet, hold and cuddle with various puppies of their choice. End the day with a cinnamon roll from Old West Cinnamon Rolls while sunbathing on the beach. High Street Deli High Street Deli is the sandwich shop of all sandwich shops. People go out of their way on road trips to make a quick pit stop here for their delectable sandwiches. Any sandwich on the menu will exceed expectations and cost $6.99 every day at 4:20pm. Come every Tuesday

with your Cal Poly student ID and get a sandwich for only $6. Bishop Peak Bishop Peak is the most rigorous hike San Luis Obispo has to offer. Hike on a cloudy day and find yourself literally above the clouds. The best time to hike Bishop’s is at sunrise. There are two routes to get to the top, one that is steep but will take less time and one that gradually elevates but takes longer. Either way, the 360 view at the top is breathtaking and well worth the hike. “Conquering Bishop’s Peak is one of the best feelings,” agricultural and environmental plant sciences freshman Annie Meeder said.

Natalie Truong @ CPMustangNews

EXPLORE SLO

FILE PHOTO | MUSTANG NE W S

| Eat. hike and relax your way through San Luis Obispo before your first day of classes start.

FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | WEEK OF WELCOME | MUSTANG NEWS

How to budget Plu$ Dollars

SOPHIA O’KEEFE | MUSTANG NE W S

“Fake Money”, “Blank Checks” and “Monopoly Money”. The Cal Poly dining credit, or Plu$ Dollars, have become infamous for how quickly they seem to disappear. The average residence hall freshman has approximately $1500 to spend on food every quarter (apartment freshmen have around $1100). The seemingly endless funds mean students become more comfortable being spendthrifts with their ID card, buying lunches and coffee for friends with their bottomless supply. But what students — particularly freshmen — soon learn is that their fake money is much more real than it appears. When finals week of spring quarter finally roams around, students find that they have just enough money to get by. They either have too much and lose it all, or too little and have to borrow. To solve this goldilocks issue, most students either become philanthropic with their funds, or become dependent on their more ‘stacked’ peers. But these last-minute solutions are the procrastinators’ strategy. How might the financially-inclined students of Cal Poly budget so they have the perfect amount of money at the end of the year? Plan ahead! First, take inventory of your funds every once and awhile. On campus, nearly every register that takes Plu$ Dollars will display your funds after your transaction. You can keep a planned budget each week by dividing your current funds with the number of weeks left in the quarter (there are 11 weeks in the standard academic quarter). For a freshman who lives in a residence hall, this means around $130 per week, or under $20 a day. Thinking about your daily and weekly spending can help you budget effectively! It’s also important to

remember that your funds will roll over to winter and spring quarter, but not over summer. Business administration sophomore Max Frenkel said that he “saved enough money one quarter that [he] had lots of money to rollover, meaning [he] could splurge the next quarter.” If you find yourself with $100 or even $200 dollars left over after every quarter, you know you can afford to spend more. But which food is cheap and what is expensive? Checking prices on food items is unnecessary when you are spending Monopoly Money, right? Well, it turns out that not all campus eateries are created equal, in both price and substance. According to calpolydining.com, prices for the average meal on campus can vary greatly. One of the cheapest options on campus is also the most economical. Cal Poly’s 805 Kitchen, previously known as 19 Metro, costs only $5.50-$6.50 for freshman and as little as $6 for other students. It offers an “all-you-care-to eat” venue with options that change every day. Business administration sophomore Tali Pilip likes 805 Kitchen for all its options. “It has the best diversity for the money on campus,” Pilip said. “They have really good Asian food, fresh fruit and options for vegetarians.” 805 Kitchen is also one of the only places on-campus to get a gluten-free meal, alongside Red Radish. Another affordable place to eat is Mustang Station, at $2.50$2.75 per pizza slice. Wherever you go for campus food, keeping an eye on the prices can help you make decisions based on your funds as well as your tastes. Store non-perishables in your dorm If you have the room space or the inclination to prepare your meals, Campus Market is a great place to get foodstuffs for your apartment or dorm. Stocked every day with cereals, pastas and microwavable items, Campus Market is a great and cheap place to get lots of food for days that you need a quick meal without leaving the comfort of your favorite Netflix show! Graphic communication sophomore Mckenna Moura reaps the benefits of buying food that she can prepare in her apartment or dorm. It’s easier to have food [on hand] because it shows you how to spend money when you go out to buy groceries,” Moura said. When buying food in bulk, you think about PLU$ DOLLARS continued on page 12

Not valid with any other offers or discounts. Expires 9.22.17.

PLU$ DOLLARS continued from page 10

FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | WEEK OF WELCOME | MUSTANG NEWS

the amount of money you are spending more intuitively than when at a campus dining location. Said simply, it helps build good spending habits. Don’t splurge! One of the easiest ways to cut down on your Plu$ Dollar expenditure is to reduce your buying of the most expensive items that you don’t necessarily need. That means ordering a standard coffee over a $6 Starbucks concoction, or skipping the avocado toast breakfast from Sandwich Factory in favor of a bowl of cereal. If you’re looking for a good snack or a meal on the go, Cal Poly has daily-made wraps and sandwiches for a bit more than the standard meal (found in the Avenue, Kennedy Library,

and Campus Market). It is well worth if you have the funds but not a lot of time before class. It’s also very possible to find yourself with so much credit at the end of the year that you don’t know what to do with it! Students in this position have many options to get rid of their money. Cal Poly’s expansive agriculture program produces delicious and locally made jam, honey, chocolate and barbecue sauces that can be taken home for gifts or pantry-stuffers. Other viable options include buying food for your less frugal peers. At the end of the day, everyone’s diets are different and there are many strategies that students have working for them to make the most out of their monopoly money. Taking some time to organize your meals and their costs can significantly help your wallet in the long run.

Prepare to share Anna Reck @ CPMustangNews

The expectation that every freshman’s year with their new roommate is going to be free of conflict is unrealistic. All roommates experience conflict to some extent. However, there are many things you can do to prevent conflict worse than simply not agreeing on where to hang your mirror. Tip #1: Be Open and Honest Many individuals may not be the type to confront someone. If some experience conflict with their roommate, it may be difficult for them to become active in solving the issue. However, Patricia Ponce, director of Student Ombuds, a service that offers counseling to students, emphasized that being open and honest with your roommates is a necessity. “Open communication is key,” Ponce said. If you feel that you can’t approach your roommate with the hopes of correcting an action of theirs that is affecting you negatively, then your relationship lacks open communication. See Tip #2 to see how you can incorporate open communication into your everyday dorm life. Tip #2: Create a Roommate Agreement According to Ponce, all roommates should complete a “roommate agreement,” or roommate contract. You or your roommate may believe that because you both are so similar, you may not need to go through the time to create your own — but the reality of it is, everyone has their differences, and those differences can and will lead to conflict in the living space if they are not acknowledged through some form of communication. In this case, identifying and talking about your differences in writing is the best way to remind you and your roommate of them. If your roommate is aware of these differences — just a few of them being “topics such as living habits (bedtime and wake time), food and scent preferences, overnight guests,

cleaning, hygiene, noise control,” Ponce said— then you can “discuss these issues before they become problems.” Tip #3: Always Use “I” Statements If you feel that you must confront your roommate about a problem, always use “I” statements when speaking to them. “I statements don’t directly put the blame on the person being addressed, but instead shine light on the negative effects that the person’s behaviors have on the subject. One example given by Ponce, if you need a template, is “(I feel _______(state feeling) “frustrated” when you _______(state action) “turn the light on at 1 a.m.” because __________(state situation) “I am sleeping and need to get up early for class.” “I “ statements are a more effective way of communication than “you” statements because it is easy to spark an argument and initiate feelings of resentment in the person being addressed for their behavior when they feel that they’re being blamed. Tip #4: Use the Pattern Rule If you are not sure when to talk to your roommate about something that is bothering you, use the “pattern rule.” “If a situation or behavior occurs three times, that creates a pattern and an indicator that the matter should be addressed,” Ponce said. If you wait longer, you find yourself increasingly more unable to address the problem, which feeds “resentment and frustration.” Tip #5: Don’t Expect to be Best Friends You meet an unbelievable amount of people in college, so don’t force a best friendship with your roommate if you feel that you are not completely compatible. Go with the flow; don’t stress and become jealous of other dynamic roommate duos. Focus on having a friendly, healthy and drama-free relationship with your roommate and it will prove to be the healthiest situation for you both.

5 freshman year woes and how to nix them Josh Ortlip @ CPMustangNews

As the new school year approaches, many exciting experiences lie in store for incoming freshmen. Cal Poly’s WOW gives students the opportunity to explore and enjoy the wonderful place we call home. However, as orientation comes to a close, the reality of college life settles in — class schedules, deadlines and new social situations. The following list yields some common struggles you may likely face as a freshman along with some insight to navigate the road to a successful school year. I miss home, what can I do? While the prospect to live away from home is often exciting, homesickness often kicks in within the first few weeks of school. Reminiscing about home may lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can be detrimental to your overall wellbeing. English junior Claudia Torkelson experienced homesickness, but managed to overcome it by occupying herself with other activities. “It was tough being away from home at first, but keeping busy really helped me deal with missing my family,” Torkelson said. One of the best ways to suppress the feeling of homesickness is to surround yourself with friends, get involved on campus, and focus

on the here and now. College is a fleeting experience, and the opportunities you will have to learn and grow may never present themselves again. How do I manage my time? Outside of the classroom, you have the freedom to prioritize and decide what you do with your free time. As a new college student, it’s easy to get caught up with distractions that can prevent you from reaching your full potential as a student and individual. When it comes to schoolwork, procrastination may be one of the biggest detriments to any college student. Putting things off to the very last minute increases stress and reduces the quality of work. As a first-year, you’ll learn early on which part of the “sleep, academics and social” triangle came first. It will be an adjustment at first, because of the rush of fall quarter: the variety of social events within the dorms and student organizations. Allow fall quarter to be a blank easel, color it the way you want, enjoy it, but also recognize that you have a commitment to your classes. Strategize ways to compartmentalize all your activities and budget the appropriate amount of time for homework and studying. With organization and a focused approach, you will

have time to enjoy your college experience while remaining on the road to success!

Keeping busy really helped me deal with missing my family CLAUDIA TORKELSON

What do I do when I feel like I’m conforming? In many cases, your first year of college is like a clean slate. You have the power to pursue your interests and to find a potential career path. However, many students get caught up with social norms and conform into something they’re not. During his freshman year, mechanical engineering junior Noah Thompson surrounded himself with different people who helped him

to realize who he was as a person. “Everyone comes from so many different backgrounds, it was overwhelming at first and it challenged me to define my beliefs,” Thompson said. College is your time to find out what you align with and what you don’t. And sometimes, hanging out with the right people can get you there. Ultimately, as you mature throughout the next couple years, your experiences will shape and define you into who you want to become. No one can take that from you. What happens if I don’t like my major? Many students face the dreaded prospect of changing majors at Cal Poly. It seems daunting and difficult to break the rigid confines of picking a major and sticking to it. However, changing majors is not impossible. Experience industry management senior Garret Auproux is one student who successfully switched majors. “I was worried at first when I wanted to change my major during my third year,” Auproux said. “I met with my counselor and devised a plan that helped me pursue the course of study I wanted. I’m happy I made the FRESHMAN YEAR WOES continued on page 15

I M P O R T A N T

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

ABOUT DIABLO CANYON POWER PLANT Welcome to Cal Poly. We are glad you have chosen to make San Luis Obispo your home. Situated approximately seven miles north of Avila Beach is Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP). DCPP is a nuclear power plant that generates approximately 10% of California’s electricity. Both PG&E and the County of San Luis Obispo have developed detailed emergency plans that would be used in the unlikely event that an emergency were to occur at DCPP.

FILE PHOTO | MUSTANG NE W S

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU | Prepare for a new living situation without the stress. FRESHMAN YEAR WOES continued from page 14

decision to change, its definitely worth it.” Conditions like GPA determine whether you’re qualified for admission to a specific college, among many other factors. Most importantly, don’t feel stuck with the major you chose. It’s difficult to choose a major and it may take some trial and error to discover your academic calling. If you have questions or are looking to start the process of changing a major, the Mustang Success Center (Bldg. 52, Rm. D37), is a great place to start. How do I deal with roommate problems? Life on campus has its ups and downs and dealing with roommates is bound to happen sooner or later. Whether it’s personal property, late night noise or disagreements

in general, it’s necessary to lay down the groundwork for the living situation with your roommates. Psychology junior Celine Gruaz had to deal with her roommates and found that stepping away for a bit helped her to confront her roommates. “Sometimes you just need some space. I needed my personal space when my roommate and I weren’t getting along,” Gruaz said. “I’d study out of my room or go somewhere else until I was able to come back and have a civil discussion with my roommate.” Communication is essential and can prevent issues from arising. Don’t let a problem go unaddressed until it reaches a breaking point. Furthermore, honesty is important even if it feels awkward and uncomfortable at first. Furthermore, be firm and clear with your expectations and honor your roommate’s wishes.

If an emergency occurs at DCPP that requires you to take action, you will hear a steady siren for three minutes. This means you should tune to a local radio or television station, or Marine Channel 16 while at sea, for emergency information and instructions. Additional emergency information is in the current Emergency Planning Calendar, the current SLO County YP phone book, and at www.slocounty.ca.gov/oes.

Sponsored by the County of San Luis Obispo Office of Emergency Services and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Paid for by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

@cpmustangnews

FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | WEEK OF WELCOME | MUSTANG NEWS

Tips from classmates to prepare for your year at Cal Poly Sydney Brandt @ syd_brandt

“I am really excited to start learning, start learning about what I want to study.”

“You’re going to have the best year of your life at Cal Poly and there will be ups and downs, but Cal Poly is such a great place and it is where you are supposed to be.”

“Have fun, I know you’re here for school, but get involved.”

“We won’t be like this forever, that’s why it's a good reason to make the most of it, and do everything you want to do during these four or five or six years.” —Paige Welsh

“I’m really excited to just hop right in and see what I can do and see where everything takes me.”

—Sydney Mendoza

—Dom Porcincula

—Mackenzie Reed

—TOMLINN COX

| PHOTOS COURTE SY OF STUDENTS

Freshmen Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Master’s Student

When it comes to academics, architectural engineering freshman Tomlinn Cox said this year will definitely be a challenge. “It’s a lot more studying than I’m used to, I didn’t really study that much in high school, so that’s going to be different,” Cox said. Along with learning how to live away from home and share a dorm with two other girls, Cox said she will need to learn how to manage her 25-35 hours of studying time this quarter. But however challenging her classes may be, Cox said she is ready to start her journey of “Learn by Doing.” “(My high school) didn’t really have a lot of courses that were geared toward engineering and architecture. I already got my textbook for one of my classes and started looking through it and I’m just excited,” Cox said.

By sophomore year, you will have learned what it is like to live a year on your own. For sociology sophomore Mackenzie Reed, she cannot wait to start focusing on her future. “Living away from home will be easier, I was so homesick the first quarter, but now I’m so excited to go back and just be independent this full year,” Reed explained. Whether it’s deciding how to budget spending money or what clubs to join, Reed said she is trying to narrow her focus on her career interests. Having her dad as a law enforcement captain has definitely influenced her decision to declare a concentration in criminal justice, she said. “I’ve been looking into different paths I can take, I’ve thought about F.B.I., law school, now I am thinking about D.A., so I don’t really know where I wanna go yet, but I definitely know that’s the direction I want to go,” Reed said.

After spending her summer interning at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, computer engineering junior Sydney Mendoza is getting ready for her second year as a WOW leader. “I know it was pretty hard for me coming into a new city and not knowing that many people. I just want to be a support system for new students and know they can come talk to me if they need anything and just help their transition be smoother into college,” Mendoza said. Along with being a part of the New Student and Transition Program and being an active member in her sorority, Mendoza said her goal is to get more involved this year. Clubs such as Women in Software and Hardware, and Society of Women Engineers are two Mendoza is considering that will help her with her career.

Fall 2017 brings many last “firsts” for students like business senior Paige Welsh. “I want to do everything that I haven’t done in the past that I have made excuses for. All the things that I ignored or didn’t get to do because I was studying or because I was ‘busy,’ I want to make time for this year,” Welsh said. As she reflected on her time as a Mustang and looked toward the future, Welsh said the hardest part is putting everything together. “My goal is to be employed before I graduate so I know where I’m headed, but I know that it doesn’t work out that way all the time. The hardest part I think will be putting it all into one resume or speaking about it in one or two interviews to try and convey it to make it seem all worth it,” Welsh said.

Beginning his journey at Cal Poly in 2011, industrial engineering master’s student, Dom Porcincula, will be starting his seventh year this fall, in hopes to pursue a career in 3D printing optimization. “There is generally a higher expectation of graduate students, you made it to this point in your academic career and the idea is that you got into grad school and you should be able to meet a high academic expectation,” he said. Having taken 18 to 22 units a quarter for the past five years, Porcincula said he is now only taking around two to three classes for his master’s program. Because you are expected to put more work in on your thesis, the content is generally a lot more intensive, and classes are not as homework driven as undergrad Porcincula said.

FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | WEEK OF WELCOME | MUSTANG NEWS

Exercise self-control For many students, 805 Kitchen, Cal Poly’s dining hall style with buffet style food, might seem like a quick way to end up eating too much. But with so many options, eating healthy is easier than ever. Students can grab a plate and serve themselves some of the many styles of cuisine offered. “Having unlimited discretion and choices for the salad bar and hot foods made staying healthy a breeze, just as long as I chose the healthiest options and limited the dessert intake,” nutrition sophomore Kellen Huffman said.

LETTUCE EAT

FILE PHOTO | MUSTANG NE W S

| Red Radish is the on-campus destination to create personalized salads.

can substantially affect your balanced diet. Many dining stops offer meat-free meals on Monday, a weekly plan called Meatless Mondays. By swapping out meaty options for vegetable alternatives, students can fulfill their daily protein intake in a healthier way just once a week.

WHERE

DEXTER LAWN

WHERE

D E X T E R L AW N

(BUSINESS BREEZEWAY IN EVENT OF RAIN)

Visit every venue Megan Coats, Cal Poly’s registered dietitian, has been working to improve the nutrition of campus food. In what she calls her “stealth health” initiative, the default options at restaurants will be healthier, whole wheat options. This exciting plan created five new dining venues on campus and remodeled the 19 Metro location to build 805 Kitchen. “Students have over 20 locations to visit and use their dining plan,” Coats said. “I recommend they visit all of the sites to see all the healthy options.” Cal Poly’s dedicated dining and nutrition staff are striding toward a healthier baseline for on campus dining venues. PULSE (Peers Understanding Learning Supporting Education) and Heat (Health Enrichment Action Team) leaders can also educate students on healthy diets, while these restaurants give the student body diverse and accessible opportunities to eat healthy.

WHEN

One stereotype that has stuck for college freshmen is the “Freshman 15”. With the freedom to eat what one pleases and countless restaurants in both Poly Canyon Vil-

lage and the University Union, Cal Poly freshman may find it easy to hold up the stereotype of gaining weight their first year. But, with many campus locations offering delicious, tasty options and campus resources to aid in a balanced diet, eating better is just a healthy choice away.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2017

Krista Balster-Gee @ CPMustangNews

Add fruit and vegetables where possible Sociology sophomore Maleia Bisera lived on campus last year and always tried to incorporate lots of vegetables into her regular diet. “In between classes, Lucy’s Juice is a great way to add in an extra healthy snack, with a big selection of fruit and veggie smoothies,” Maleia said. She also said places like Pico’s allow students to opt for healthy alternatives by mixing and matching which toppings they wanted with their meal. Luckily, eating healthier can also mean making small substitutions to one’s regular diet. Along with added vegetables, controlling which type of calories you consume

(BUSINESS BREEZEWAY IN EVENT OF RAIN)

WHEN

SEPTEMBER 28, 2017

WHERE (BUSINESS BREEZEWAY IN EVENT OF RAIN)

10 A.M. – 2 P.M.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2017

@CALPOLYABROAD

Pismo Beach is a prime spot for an active beach day. If volleyball isn’t your thing, there are plenty of spots to roll out your beach towel and tan. And, if you’re more into hammocking, Pismo has a pier where you can just “hang” too.

HANNA CROWLEY | MUSTANG NE W S

Looking for a place to listen to the waves and soak up the sun? Head over to Avila Beach! This adorable beach town offers a variety of restaurants serving up seafood and acai bowls. Avila Beach is the perfect spot to lay out a towel or picnic blanket and enjoy time with friends. HANNA CROWLEY | MUSTANG NE W S

e e T FOLLOW Up US n u F

HANNA CROWLEY | MUSTANG NE W S

Best driving range and practice area in SLO

@CALPOLYABROAD

Bucket of Range Balls

2990 Dairy Creek Rd. San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

3 Morro Bay is a sleepy beach town just down the road from Cal Poly on US 1-North. If you drive out to Morro Rock, you might find a group of sea otters lying on their backs, cuddling with their pups. Take a kayak out into the bay, or spend the day thrift shopping in the town’s unique thrift stores. Morro Bay is a perfect escape for a day of serenity.

o me ONsSOCIAL MEDIA

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10 A.M. – 2 P.M.

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One day get aways

805-782-8060

4 Montaña de Oro is the scenic location for a hike and photo opportunities. Its unique rock formations against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean make it an idyllic getaway from the hills of San Luis Obispo. Take a group of friends here for the day and visit the tidepools. CHRIS GATELEY| MUSTANG NE W S

19 FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | WEEK OF WELCOME | MUSTANG NEWS

Tips for keeping the Freshman 15 off

10 A.M. – 2 P.M.

FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | WEEK OF WELCOME | MUSTANG NEWS

hit hard, or for those days when the library and UU just aren’t enough, an environment fostering much-needed motivation can be found in each of Downtown San Luis Obipo’s various coffee houses.

FILE PHOTO | MUSTANG NE W S

CAFFEINE BREAK | Scout’s downtown location has a variety of drink options and study spaces.

SLO’s best study spots Katherine Flitsch @ CPMustangNews

With so many new students joining us on campus this year, and many of them without personal desks in their dorm rooms, the pre-existing scarcity of on-campus study space will be even more strained. Here are some popular off-campus study spots that you might want to check out for yourself, as an alternative to fighting for a seat in the library or University Union(UU). SLO Donut Co. A delicious variety of donuts for cheap, 24/7 open hours, designated study space…it is not

hard to understand why SLODOCO is a popular off-campus study hotspot. Try it out for yourself, but keep in mind that seating is limited and some students find the frequent bustle and loud volume to be distracting, so be sure to bring headphones as well. Your guide to downtown coffee houses: There is something about subtle lighting, an artistic cappuccino and the hum of conversations set against a backdrop of music playing and baristas calling out names that makes coffee shops the perfect destinations for focused studying. For those Sundays when the overwhelming fruits of a weekend’s procrastination

College of Liberal Arts

Working Toward Inclusion Everyday

Kreuzberg - 685 Higuera St. Kreuzberg is a Cal Poly favorite because of its artistic atmosphere and impressive (but relatively pricey) menu. Unique light fixtures give off a gradient of lighting, from the airy, open table space, to the cozy, overstuffed couches in the lounge, to the low-lit, secluded rear loft space. With ample seating, a wide coffee selection and a full menu of delicious breakfast and lunch plates, Kreuzberg is a practical place to camp out for a day of studying. Scout Coffee House - 1130 Garden St. Scout offers a relaxing and house-warming environment with its brick walls and tasteful decor. Study spaces are located in booths, which are backed with white panels and soft cushions. There’s also seating in the front, where you and a friend can study together. If you’re looking for a bite to eat or a sip of something sweet, Scout will definitely serve it up. Ascendo Coffee- 974 Monterey St. Ascendo has seating in both the entrance and side room. Ascendo’s atmosphere is peaceful and quiet— it even has a “community space” where visitors are encouraged to unplug from technology and indulge in conversation. Ascendo offers a wide variety of baked goods and

exclusive coffees for a reasonable price. BlackHorse Espresso & Bakery-1065 Higuera St. BlackHorse, “home of the blackhorse foam” is known for its delectable and artistic macchiatos. It’s another chill, caffeine-accompanied study spot on Higuera Street. It also has several other locations scattered throughout San Luis Obispo. The seating is limited in the Foothill location, but has tables and chairs for your studying needs. Front Porch Situated just off campus, beyond the Rec Center and Health Center, Front Porch provides Cal Poly and Cuesta students with free coffee and tea in a comfortable space, which offers a coffee shop vibe, and of course, free Wi-Fi. There is also a game room that’s perfect for study breaks, and when students get hungry, they have access to an industrial kitchen where they can store or prepare their own food. “It’s great because it has the atmosphere of being off campus with the convenience of being close,” biological sciences junior Kayley Krystowiak said. Not only will studying off campus be a logistical advantage this year, but also a compromise between work and fun. As political science junior Michael Huber said of his experience studying at Kreuzberg, “it allows you to get out but still get stuff done.” And as an added bonus over the library, most of these off-campus locations even have air conditioning.

FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | WEEK OF WELCOME | MUSTANG NEWS

10 unique Cal Poly clubs to check out Hannah Benson and Megan Schellong @ CPMustangNews

throughout the year, including the big ones: March Triathlon Series, Heart and Soles and Tour de Donut.

As a freshman walking through club showcase, you’re going to be signing up for different student organizations left and right. By the time you walk through the end of the showcase, you’ll realize just how impacted your email inbox will become. Just wait. But before you let the emails flow in, here are 10 unique Cal Poly clubs to check out, in addition to the ones you may or may not have seen at the Week of Welcome club showcase.

White Hat Cal Poly’s White Hat club is your go-to for all things computer-security related. Every week, one member issues a talk on one security topic. Throughout the year, White Hat participates in Capture the Flag security challenges, bringing together its knowledge about internet safety. “I’d say the best professional development opportunity we provide to our members is the access we have to professionals in the security industry,” electrical engineering graduate Nate Graff said. “The club works hard to maintain contact with representatives and engineers, and throughout the year we’ll host tech talks with those companies.”

CP Salsa Club Not to be confused with the popular chip pairing (although dips are included) this club is for students who are interested in the art of Salsa dancing. No matter the skill level or experience, aspiring Salsa dancers are encouraged to join the Friday night fun. The club starts meetings with lessons and follows with dancing socials, many of which take place at the whimsical Madonna Inn. Hammock Club This adventure club prides itself in its inclusivity: anyone interested in hammocking in unique locations is welcome to join. If a member does not own a hammock, a rental is happily offered. Membership is $30, which helps pay for t-shirts, hammock gear, food at the gatherings and the many outings that the club embarks on. However, members do not need to go far for adventure, because the two favorite locations of the club are Architecture Graveyard and Pismo Pier. American Marketing Association Cal Poly’s chapter of American Marketing Association focuses on three main values: improving, promoting and supporting. This group welcomes all majors, who are interested in marketing and business. It allows students to connect with top-level companies through jobs, internships and conferences. At weekly meetings, a different professional shares knowledge of several industries, further expanding a student’s network. “We also pride ourselves in our ability to support fellow students at every grade level: from freshman choosing a concentration and wanting to learn more about marketing, to senior marketing concentrations.” business administration senior Alice Read said. Music Production Union If jamming is your thing, then Music Production Union is the place to be. Every week, the club gets together to share new song lyrics, tracks and originally-produced work. For many, it’s a chance to get outside their own comfort zones and present their work in a friendly setting.

FIRED UP

MEGAN SCHELLONG | MUSTANG NE W S

| Students get to apply their classroom knowledge to making the Rose Float.

Smile and Nod This club is Cal Poly’s only improvised comedy team. You’ll never know what to expect— except for many laughs— because each skit is different from the next. The Smile and Nod team performs short form comedy, like “Whose Line is it Anyway?” and long form comedy, used by professional comics like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. To watch the Smile and Nod team live, check out their list of shows during Fall 2017 here. Rose Float Cal Poly’s Rose Float team is a club that brings together design and creativity. Cal Poly students have entered the Rose Float competition for a total of 69 times, sweeping away 56 awards to date. The Cal Poly floats have been known to break ground by using new technology such as the “first use of hydraulics for animation in 1968, the first use of computer-controlled animation in 1978, the first use of fiber optics in 1982, and animated deco in 2014,” according to the website.

Rose Float president Ali Harake encourages students to join to see the float come to life and have the unique opportunity to represent the school during the annual Rose Parade. “It’s been said that this program creates that family atmosphere that really sticks for a lifetime, I’ve personally heard from alumni who were around before the 1980’s say that float had one of the biggest impacts on their college careers,” mechanical engineering senior Harake said. The float is built throughout the fall quarter in the San Luis Obispo and Pomona campuses, so be sure to express interest in joining earlier rather than later. Triathlon Club Can’t decide if you’d rather run, bike or swim? Join the Triathlon team and you won’t have to choose! The tri-team meets everyday, (sometimes twice per day) for a run, bike or swim practice. Their biking routes take them to Montana de Oro, Pismo Beach and Avila Beach. The team competes in several races

International Club This group of students is passionate about bringing cultures together. It’s a social space where international and American students get to know each other through camping trips, outdoor adventures, potluck dinners and even pumpkin carving during Halloween. Real Food Collaborative/Collective Whether you’re a food-fanatic, environmental activist or chef, this club could be for you. The Real Food Collaborative’s mission is to bring more real food to campus — including local and organic items. It also has the ambitious mission of creating a student-run food co-op on campus to provide environmentally sustainable and ethically produced food.

TABATA GORDILLO | MUSTANG NE W S

10 SLO Restaurants You Don’t Want to Miss

Tabata Gordillo @ CPMustangNews

to check out their half off breakfast burritos every Tuesday morning!

10 RESTAURANTS continued from page 24

With the beginning of fall quarter right around the corner, Cal Poly students start to make their way back to SLO with extra time on their hands before classes officially commence. Grabbing a bite to eat friends after the long summer break is a great pastime in this college town. Whether you are a returning student or a San Luis Obispo first-timer, here are ten restaurants you do not want to miss.

Aisuru This traditional sushi bar,located next to the Fremont Theater, is a Cal Poly favorite. Every Tuesday evening, college students flood into the restaurant for the $2 California roll special. If that’s not convincing enough, this sushi bar offers a different special each week. Whether it be a sit in dinner or to-go orders, Aisuru has made itself a part of a students’ weekly routine.

es, and more. If you’re looking for a place to have nice dinner with friends or even just looking for a healthy option, Vegetable Butcher is definitely a place to try out.

Breakfast Buzz From breakfast burritos and scrambles to waffles and pancakes, Breakfast Buzz, located on Santa Rosa St., is a top choice for San Luis Obispo residents, especially on the weekends. Owned by two Cal Poly alumni, this traditional breakfast diner offers traditional comfort breakfast foods, outdoor seating, and friendly customer service. Make sure

Vegetable Butcher New to downtown San Luis Obispo, this “Culture Kitchen” caters to those with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets. The restaurant’s menu offers an assortment of veggie tacos, market enchiladas, quinoa dish10 RESTAURANTS continued on page 25

Mee Heng Low Noodle House Though not as popular as other restaurants in downtown San Luis Obispo, this quaint Chinese noodle shop deserves the recognition. Located on Palm St. near the Palm Theatre, Mee Heng Low offers a diverse, easy-to-order menu with different noodles, toppings, and sauces to choose from, all under $10. Linnaea’s Cafe This cozy downtown coffee shop, mainly known for its wide range of coffee drinks and teas, also offers delicious vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free pastries, breakfast and lunch. If you’re looking for a relaxing escape , Lin-

naea’s has a beautiful patio garden, perfect for quiet studying or catching up with old friends. This cafe also hosts live story telling, poetry and music events every night except on Mondays. For upcoming events, you can find a calendar on Linnaea’s website. Sally Loo’s Wholesome Cafe Sally Loo’s homey atmosphere welcomes customers in for healthy breakfasts and lunches daily. The cafe’s menu has a wide range of options such as delicious brewed coffee, egg sandwiches, smoothies, acai bowls, soups, paninis, and salads. According to their website, owners Jen and Brandon want to provide “quality coffee, wholesome food and a sense of community to San Luis Obispo residents.” Sally Loo’s is among the top contenders for SLO locals and students alike. Taqueria Santa Cruz Express This taco shop is definitely one of SLO’s most popular fast food shops by far. No matter

what time of the day it may be, this Mexican food shop is full of eager Cal Poly students waiting on their tacos, burritos or ceviches. Taqueria Santa Cruz is the perfect stop for that Mexican food craving. The Natural Cafe Another fresh and healthy option, The Natural Cafe is located in the heart of downtown SLO— Higuera St. This wholesome cafe offers veggies, tofu and grain options including the Nachos Grandes and the Yogi Special. Not only does this restaurant offer a variety of appetizers and meals on their menu, they also provide decadent pastries and desserts by the register. For anyone looking for healthy yet delicious meals, The Natural Cafe is a must. Flour House Flour House is an authentic Italian pizza bar and pasteria located downtown on Higuera street. According to the eatery’s

website, “Flour House cuisine is simple and healthful because it reflects the way real Italians have cooked and eaten for generations.”With its modern ambiance, close knit staff, and appetizing artisanal pizzas, this restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a traditional italian meal and a glass of wine with good company. Kreuzberg Easily one of the trendiest cafes in San Luis Obispo, Kreuzberg is also known for its assorted, easy-to-order menu. Serving breakfast all day and soups, salads, sandwiches, and pasta after 10:30 a.m. everyday, this cafe’s hip, college town ambiance is a great choice for a coffee date or for a bite to eat with friends. On top of that, Kreuzberg is known for its open mic nights every Wednesday night, allowing locals and college students to show off their talent to a cool, laidback crowd.

FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | WEEK OF WELCOME | MUSTANG NEWS

The Great Divide: two students travel across five states to Canada

RIDE OF A LIFETIME

BEN VAN HAMERSVELD | COURTE SY PHOTO

| D a r i o D i G u i l i o ( l e f t) a n d B e n v a n H a m e r s v e l d (r i g h t) .

Emma Kumagawa @ emma_kumagawa

Normally when people embark on a bike ride, they don’t wind up participating in impromptu BMX races nor in complete strangers’ wedding ceremonies. Cyclists typically don’t cross five states and two countries in six week’s time, with only backpacks and determination in tow. Dario DiGuilio and Ben van Hamersveld aren’t normal cyclists. The Great Divide mountain bike route extends

for about 2,800 miles across the country, Point A at the Mexican border in Antelope Wells, New Mexico and Point B in Banff, Canada. While many cyclists are initially hesitant to commit to the challenge, DiGuilio and van Hamersveld were eager to embark on the journey from the start. Architecture senior DiGuilio first read about the Great Divide one year ago, while mechanical engineering senior van Hamersveld heard about it from a friend and decided to do further research. The students weren’t biking amateurs either— they were used to biking multiple miles

each day to and from campus. “We consider ourselves hardcore commuters,” van Hamersveld said. Once the two realized that they were both interested in the trip, they decided to start planning for their last-minute adventure. DiGuilio and van Hamersveld shared their exciting news with their families and friends and were on the trail by June 23. They chose to take “the atypical way,” from south to north. According to DiGuilio, this route had “some of the more heinous terrain,” which got the hardest part of the trip over with at the beginning. “It was physically and mentally hard at first because we kind of just jumped into it. It’s impossible to think about biking across the country on the first day,” van Hamersveld said. DiGuilio and van Hamersveld said most of the difficulty was due to unfavorable weather. Thunderstorms were common in the southern half of the trip and on the second day, the two bikers found themselves contemplating whether or not to continue the trip after almost being struck by lightning. However, they decided to forge on and became so used to the storms that van Hamersveld, who was afraid of lightning, soon overcame his fears. The pair also struggled with adjusting to its new traveling schedule. With extreme temperatures and starkly different daily routine than that at school, they quickly learned what to do. DiGuilio and van Hamersveld realized they could only carry food and water for two or three days at a time, which they restocked at gas stations and convenience stores. They found that riding

an average of 10 hours per day was best, taking a few breaks for food until finding somewhere to stay the night. “At no point did we have an easy day because the nature of biking is that it never gets easier, you just get faster, which is one of our favorite ways to think about it,” DiGuilio said. The pair usually slept in sleeping bags on the side of the trail. Sometimes, kind strangers would give them a place to rest. “We’d stop in a town for literally two minutes and be hanging out in front of a gas station,” van Hamersveld said. “Someone would drive up in their car or walk by and see our bicycles and be like, ‘Yo, you have a place to sleep?’ and we’d be like ‘No, not yet,’ and they’d say ‘Come on over! We’ll feed you and you can take a shower.’” They said generally people were curious to learn about what they were up to, especially in smaller towns. “We weren’t hesitant to talk to anybody. We were always pretty open and would let people know what we were doing,” DiGuilio said. “It really bolstered my faith in humanity, the amount of nice people that we met. And we only had, like, two assholes the entire time, so it was pretty nice.” DiGuilio said one of the best aspects of the Great Divide was passing through smaller communities off the beaten path. Many of these areas were away from major highways and only accessible through dirt roads. “Doing a trip like this, where you’re really testing your abilities to complete a challenge is worthy of not working or taking summer classes,” DiGuilio said. “It opened my eyes to the scale of things that we’re able to tackle.”

OUTREACH

BJ YEBISU | MUSTANG NE W S

| The Pride Center is available in the University Union as a resource for students not only to answer questions they may have, but make them feel welcome at Cal Poly.

A look into the Pride Center’s student resources Isabel Hughes @ CPMustangNews

The Pride Center, Safer and Cross Cultural Center collaborated to organize more than 30 events in April for Pride Month. Amid the annual celebration of the LGBTQIA community at Cal Poly and in light of National LGBT Pride Month this June, the Pride Center took the month of April to highlight several resources available to students and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Pride Center Software engineering sophomore Ty Foster found joy in the Peer Resources in Student Mentoring (PRISM) program as a mentor. The PRISM program pairs LGBTQIA+ students and allies with mentees to assist them in connecting with the queer community and offer them guidance with queer-related issues. Foster is also involved with the Pride Center, stating that it serves as both a social and study environment. “The Pride Center is really what gave me a sense of community and belonging here,” Foster said. Located in the Julian A. McPhee University Union (UU), the Pride Center is filled with computers, printers and literature that offer perspective on the LGBT experience. Its mission statement reads: “The Pride Center supports and advocates for the unique academic and social needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and pansexual (LGBTQIAP) students to promote personal growth and success. We empower and retain LGBTQIAP+ and allied communities on campus by cultivating a culture of care and providing a welcoming and inclusive spaces for all members of campus to explore issues related to sexual and gender identity.” During the academic year, the Pride Center is staffed Monday through Friday from

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. But the room is open whenever the UU is open. “I don’t know anyone who has walked through this door and not made a friend somehow and felt connected to the people in this room,” Foster said. Cal Poly’s Drag Club Foster, also the treasurer of the Cal Poly Drag Club, manages finances and cooperates with the board to plan events and facilitate drag shows. The drag club was founded this year and plans on hosting drag shows each year, as well as holding other events such as clothing swaps and makeup and choreography workshops. “Our goal as a club is to educate people about drag, help people who want to do drag learn how to and put on drag shows,” Foster said. Foster urged students who are interested in drag to try it out regardless of their level of experience. Cal Poly’s first drag show was hosted by the Queer Student Union (QSU) in 2015. QSU serves as a resource to students of the LGBTQIA+ community as well. It aims to improve Cal Poly’s campus climate for queer students through community building, activism and social networking. QTPOC Another resource available at Cal Poly is the club created for and by Queer Trans Identifying People of Color, known as QTPOC. This club spurred from the dialogue group hosted by the Pride Center when students decided they wanted to create another opportunity to come together. Currently, QTPOC members host a dialogue group called “Convos for QTPOC.” “The difference is ‘Convos for QTPOC’ is more exclusive for people who identify as either queer and/or trans and

a person of color while the club is more open, we’ll accept anyone,” QTPOC social coordinator Louel Ibe said. Ibe stressed how QTPOC and the Pride Center have helped him find his niche at Cal Poly. “When I went to the Pride Center I got immediately put into the world of the queer identities here at Cal Poly, which helped out a lot and helped me feel more welcome as a first year,” Ibe said. The QTPOC dialogue group serves as a space for participants to explore topics about identity and make connections with other students. Other dialogue groups that exist on campus include the Queer Dialogues, Gender Variant Dialogues and Gender Non-Conforming Dialogues. Gender-inclusive housing Gender-inclusive housing is offered on campus as another resource for members of the LGBTQIA+, gender and sexual diversity and ally communities. It is offered in Poly Canyon Village, Cerro Vista and

Yosemite Hall (tower six). “In general, I found it to be really accepting because people who opt into it are tolerant and accepting of the LGBTQ[IA+] community,” kinesiology freshman and Yosemite resident Garrett Brisbane said. According to Brisbane, people in his tower are not hesitant to express themselves and that makes him comfortable being himself. “It’s super positive. Honestly I love being there, it’s a really nice place to come home to just because all the people are so inviting and welcoming,” biomedical engineering freshman and Yosemite resident Esther Park said. Both Brisbane and Park highlighted how personable and helpful their resident adviser was, emphasizing that she helped residents become more aware about issues in the LGBTQIA+ community and has been an “open book.” If a student wishes to switch into gender-inclusive housing during the school year, it is possible if they follow roomchange procedures.

FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | NEWS | MUSTANG NEWS

FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | SPORTS | MUSTANG NEWS

Savage and the rest of his teammates when Meyer hit a two-run single in his first at bat. Meyer’s single knocked in the second and Many sports fans think of summer as a “dead third runs in a four-run second inning in time” in sports. In professional sports, sumTeam USA’s first game, a 10-0 route over mertime is dominated by baseball’s prothe Catawaba Valley Stars. In Team USA’s longed season. This especially holds true 22-1 victory against Catawaba Valley, Meyer for collegiate sports, as no teams play in the grounded out in his only at bat and caught summer. Each Cal Poly sports team spends the final three innings. its summer welcoming new recruits, planThe next time Meyer got on base, he drew a ning a roster for the upcoming season, and walk against the Peninsula Pilots and scored learning new plays, among other things. in the sixth inning. He also caught four inBut this summer, two Cal Poly athletes nings and grounded out in that game. When were the exception to this unwritten rule. Team USA joined international play against Sharon Day-Monroe, a Cal Poly 2008 the Chinese Tapei, Meyer caught the first alumna, and Nick Meyer, Cal Poly baseseven innings, flew out to right field, and ball’s starting catcher, both competed on was hit by a pitch in a 6-3 win. one of the highest stages in their respective In Team USA’s series against Cuba, Meyer sports. Day-Monroe represented Team USA doubled with one out in the sixth inning in the International Association of Athletics and was left stranded in a 7-2 Cuba victoFederations (IAAF) World Championships ry. Meyer did not play in Team USA’s final while Meyer participated in USA Baseball’s series against Japan. Team USA finished its summer season with a 15-5 record. Collegiate National Team. Meyer’s time behind the dish and producDay-Monroe dashes onto the word tion at the plate were both limited due to a stage lower back injury that plagued him throughDay-Monroe, who competes in the heptathout the summer, finishing his stint abroad lon, finished in third place with 6,421 points batting 3-15 over 14 games. Despite the at the USA Track and Field Chaminjury, he threw out three out of pionships in Sacramento on five runners trying to steal June 24-25. Day-Monroe and did not commit an joined Kendell Williams error for Team USA. and Erica Bougard as Meyer was the It was neat playing third Mustang in Team USA brings its against the different the last five years top three qualifiers. to accept an inviHeading into the countries and to see the IAAF World Chamtation to join the different talent from other pionship in LonCollegiate Nationdon on Aug. 5 and 6, al Team, joining inparts of the world. Day-Monroe ranked fielder Mark Mathi10th in the world based as and pitcher Matt COACH LARRY LEE Imhof. Meyer was not on the qualifying cutoff time of 6,200 points. the only Cal Poly member to In London, Day-Monroe ran a seadon red, white and blue; Cal Poly son-best 800-meter time in Day 2 in Lonbaseball head coach Larry Lee is coaching don to finish the IAAF World Championship first base for Team USA. heptathlon in 20th place overall with 6,006 “It was a great experience for him, got him points. In the long jump, Day-Monroe posted in front of a lot of high-level scouts,” Lee said a mark of 18 feet, 5 inches, good enough for a of Meyer. “Unfortunately, a day or two after 27th place finish. In the javelin, Day-Monroe he got there he hurt his lower back and it finished in 21st place, throwing for a park bothered him throughout the summer. Deof 133 feet, 8 inches on her third attempt. fensively he’s as good as any catcher in the Day-Monroe finished in sixth place in the country. He will take these experiences and grow from them.” 800-meter race with a time of 2:12.64. This was Day-Monroe’s fifth career IAAF Though multiple Mustangs have played for World Championship appearance following Team USA, it was Lee’s first time coaching two Olympiads. the team. “I’ve been asked a couple different times to Meyer makes his mark on Team USA coach the team, but this was the right situaMeyer got his first taste of international play tion,” Lee said. “I had relationships with all of after joining America’s best college baseball the coaches and was happy to accept. It was players and played for Team USA in late June. neat playing against the different countries Meyer made himself known to Team USA and to see the different talent from other head coach (and UCLA head coach) John parts of the world.” Nate Edelman @ NateEdelman

LOOKING UP

CHRIS GATELEY | MUSTANG NE W S

| Having advanced to the playoffs last year, the Mustangs are motivated to keep their momentum going through training in hopes that they will have another successful season.

Optimistic for 2017 following playoff berth Dan Dempster @ dandempsterMMJ

After an unexpected playoff appearance last season, the Cal Poly football program has a lot of reasons to be excited about this year. The Mustangs, who start the season ranked No. 23 in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) preseason poll, have been preparing for this season’s kickoff with a five-week fall preseason training camp. Though the team is following a momentum-building season, finishing 7-5 with a playoff berth in 2016, many key players have now graduated. This leaves the Mustangs with 13 returning starters, five on offense and eight on defense. An experienced secondary looks to improve While the defense returns more starters, some key issues from last season still loom. Cal Poly gave up 32.8 points per game, ranking the Mustangs 96th in the FCS in scoring defense. Their pass defense was one of the worst in the country; only 11 teams gave up more yards through the air. The Mustangs made some additions to the coaching staff this offseason, which may turn the team around. Randy Stewart, who coached at Cal Poly from 1987-1991, returned to coach the safeties. Stewart spent the past 26 years coaching various college teams such as University of California, Berkeley, Boise State University and University of Nevada, Reno. He also coached pro-bowl defensive backs such as Deltha O’Neal and Nnamdi Asomugha.

“He understands the game more than anybody I’ve ever met,” senior safety B.J. Nard said, “I think it’s going to be something that improves our game tremendously.” Nard, who leads all returning starters in tackles, highlights a secondary studded with upperclassmen. Head coach Tim Walsh said the experience and growth of the secondary will help the team. “They need to play better,” Walsh said. “But they have all played a ton, so I’m looking forward to big things from them.” Maintaining strength up front The Mustangs need to replace many positions on the defensive front, including a linebacking core which is missing the team’s three leading tacklers from 2016. Nard, however, sees these holes filling up quickly, saying that several players are stepping up in fall camp. Walsh echoed his safety’s comments, noting that most players at the top of the defensive depth chart already have solid experience. Senior linebackers Charlie Davis and R.J. Mazolewski, both of whom started the first three games last year before injuries cut their season short, have returned from their ailments. Walsh expects solid production from the defensive line as well, most notably from senior Augustino Elisaia, who Walsh expects to be one of the best in the league at his position. Plenty of senior experience provides some hope that the defense can improve, but Walsh noted that college football is changing in a way that puts a large emphasis on offense.

“It’s more of a 24-to-27 point game is a good defensive game,” Walsh said. “If we score 35-to-38, we’re going to win a lot more than we’re going to lose.” The Mustangs scored 34.7 points-pergame last season, which is indeed why they won more games than they lost. But just like the defense, the offense has some new faces at important positions. A new man under center Junior Khaleel Jenkins is listed as the starting quarterback on the depth chart and will likely be the starter for Cal Poly in their opener against Colgate. Jenkins served as Dano Graves’ backup, who is now coaching the quarterbacks after graduating. Graves had the best passing efficiency rating of any starting quarterback in the Walsh era. Khaleel Jenkins has appeared in seven games in his Cal Poly career. Walsh said the big pass plays put them over the hump in terms of scoring points, but their running game is the main focus. Controlling the time of possession by running the ball is how they win games, though overall efficiency at the quarterback position is still vital. The Aug. 26 season-opener against Colgate will not be Jenkins’ first start, after starting against No.13 Portland State as a freshman. He showed flashes of brilliance in his lone start, most notably a 50-yard touchdown run, as the Mustangs scored 35 points behind Jenkins. “I think we’re going to see a guy who’s a pretty special athlete play quarterback,” Walsh said.

The praise for the new starter did not stop with the coaching staff. “I’ve always had faith in [Jenkins], I’ve had faith in him since he started his true freshman year against Portland State,” senior fullback Joe Protheroe said. “He’s twice as good as he was then, and he was good back then.” Threats from everywhere Perhaps the most important returning-starter for the Mustangs is senior fullback Joe Protheroe, who led the team in rushing this past season with over 120 yards per game. Protheroe, who earned spots on multiple preseason All-American lists, is the clear leader of the offense that has led the nation in rushing three out of the last four years. Protheroe is not the only one who makes the Mustangs’ running game so strong. The senior fullback credits a strong offensive-line and a backfield deep with talent. “Threats from everywhere, basically, is why we’re so good,” Protheroe said. The Mustang backfield includes returning players junior Malcolm Davis and seniors Jared Mohamed and Kyle Lewis. Lewis is second in rushing among returning starters, averaging 9.69 yards per carry. Cal Poly’s first opponent, Colgate, will provide a formidable first test for the Mustang offense. In 2016, Colgate gave up the least amount of rush yards in the FCS, providing a matchup worthy for one of the nation’s best rushing attacks. One the other hand, Colgate was the 8th worst in passing yards allowed, providing an opportunity for Jenkins to settle in early.

29 FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | SPORTS | MUSTANG NEWS

Two Mustangs vie for Team USA

The Mustangs will also need to reevaluate positions on the defensive side. Goalkeeper Simon Boehme will have to adopt goalkeepAfter finishing second in the Big West in ing duties from Eric Kam, who was one of 2015, Cal Poly slid to the bottom half of the the top goalies in the conference. Boehme conference to finish seventh overall with a played exceptionally well against Notre 5-9-3 record (3-5-2 Big West). Dame with 12 saves during the team’s seaThe Mustangs ranked in the bottom of the son-opening four-game East Coast road trip. conference in many categories, including Another key player to be replaced is debeing ranked dead last in assists and fender Kody Wakasa, who had goals per game. The team also two goals last season himhad a .081 shooting percentself. The Mustangs have age, the second-worst in a lot of blank spots to The much the conference. fill all across the field, Although it was the but Coach Sampson anticipated blue-green only losing season in said that “bringing Coach Steve Sampmore youth to rivalry vs. UCSB takes the team helps in son’s 30+ years of building the team coaching, there were place Saturday, Oct. 28 a few memorable for the future.” highlights from 2016 at home. What to watch for that the Mustangs were able to hang on to. Forward Veterans such as senior captain Adam Olsen (reJustin Dhillon was the star for Cal Poly as he lead the team with corded two assists in 2016) and seven goals, tied for third in the conference. forward Kaba Alkebulan (most experienced He also accounted for 32 percent of the team’s player on the team with 51 career appearancshots on goal. es and six career goals) will provide guidance In 15 games, goalkeeper Eric Kam ranked and leadership for the younger recruits. The production from Higgins and Enriquez will second in goals-against average in the Big West. Midfielder Christian Enriquez became be key for the 2017 season as Coach Sampson the third Mustang to earn Big West Freshman encourages the team to be more “goal-danof the Year, recording the third-most shots gerous”. These two midfielders earned Big (18) and shots on goal (7) for the team. West All-Freshman honors in their breakout season last year. What’s Changed Vacant spots left open by offensive powerhouse Justin Dhillon and defensive competEven though the Mustangs return six starters from last season, the team’s top offensive itor Kody Wakasa will allow new talent to threat is gone. Justin Dhillon accounted for shine which has already been demonstrated almost half of all goals scored in the team’s by some of the newer members. The Musseason and had at least 28 more shots than tangs will need widespread offensive and anyone else on the team. Without Dhillon, a defensive production as well as a cohesive new forward or midfielder will have to step integration of incoming and returning players into the offensive picture. if they wish to improve. Sophomores Kenneth Higgins and ChrisThe team wraps up its non-conference play tian Enriquez had the second and third most in September and kicks off the first home game of the 2017 season Sunday, Sept. 10 shots respectively last year as freshmen, proving to be important offensive playmakers in against St. Mary’s. The first conference game their first seasons at Cal Poly with their roles is scheduled for Sept. 28 against UC Riverlikely to increase now that Dhillon is gone. side at 7 p.m. in Spanos Stadium. The much Sampson will work with 16 new recruits, the anticipated blue-green rivalry vs. UCSB takes biggest recruiting class in his coaching career. place Saturday, Oct. 28 at home. Megan Healy @ HealyMegan

RECOVERING

SAMMI MULHERN | MUSTANG NE W S

| The Mustangs lost some key players, but they haven’t lost motivation for this season.

FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 | SPORTS | MUSTANG NEWS

Men’s soccer looks to return to prominence in the Big West