Cal Poly Welcomes Community to Open House on April 6-8

For Immediate Release
March 23, 2017

Contact: Nate Alcorn
805-756-2400; nalcorn@calpoly.edu

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly Open House invites prospective students and their supporters, current students, faculty and staff, alumni, and the San Luis Obispo community to join in Open House festivities Thursday through Saturday, April 6-8.

Open House celebrates the achievements of past and current Mustangs and provides prospective students the opportunity to take part in campus traditions and show off their school spirit as they prepare for their time at Cal Poly.

“We are excited to collaborate with the Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo communities to showcase all the university has to offer through an event-filled weekend,” said event student co-chairs Brian Moore and Rebecca Villalobos. “Open House is a unique opportunity to experience student life at Cal Poly.”

On Thursday, April 6, prospective students and their families can visit the campus and Open House’s premiere weekend event, Club Preview Night at Farmers Market, held downtown San Luis Obispo.

On April 7, Admitted Students’ Preview Day will allow prospective students and their families to become acquainted with the students’ future academic careers. Students will be encouraged to start thinking about their course of study as they learn about their future curriculum, hear from college deans, and meet with faculty and current students. That evening, at Friday Nite Invite, prospective students will be able to “have fun, meet each other, and catch a glimpse of the amazing environment Cal Poly has to offer,” Moore said.

On Saturday, Cal Poly will hold its Poly Royal Celebration, during which more than 200 student clubs and organizations will demonstrate the Learn by Doing philosophy. Special events such as the Poly Royal Parade, a Kids’ Fair, live music, the Poly Royal Truck and Tractor Pull, the Cal Poly Rodeo and more will be showcased.

Community members are invited to participate in a variety of fun family-friendly events, including:

Poly Royal Rodeo
Friday, April 7, 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, April 8, 5:30-10 p.m. at Spanos Stadium
For the first time, the Poly Royal Rodeo will be held in Spanos Stadium. The public is invited to this throwback to the “old West.” Watch college rodeo’s finest athletes rope and ride their way into the history books of one of the greatest college rodeos in the world. A concert by Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band follows the Saturday rodeo and is included with the Saturday rodeo ticket. Children 10 and younger attend the rodeo for free. Contact: neiguren@calpoly.edu.

Student Opera Production: “Pirates of Penzance”
Friday, April 7, 7:30-10 p.m. and Saturday, April 8, 7:30-10 p.m. at Spanos Theatre
Cal Poly’s Student Opera Theatre (CPSOT) presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta “The Pirates of Penzance.” Music faculty member and CPSOT founder Jacalyn Kreitzer called the operetta a “sublime and hilarious marriage of clever verse and beautiful music.” Kreitzer, the show’s producer, selected the work for this year’s semi-staged production in honor of Thomas Davies, Cal Poly’s director of choral activities and vocal studies, who is retiring at the end of the academic year. Students in “The Pirates of Penzance” will sing lead, comprimario, and ensemble roles. The chorus, stage managers, assistant director, assistant producer, make-up, costume designers and stage craftsmen are also students from a wide variety of majors. Contact: music@calpoly.edu.

Open House Computer and Electrical Engineering Showcase
Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the ASI Recreation Center
Join the computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science and software engineering programs in the Recreation Center for an exciting hands-on showcase. Enjoy interactive displays and games. Contact: daiken@calpoly.edu.

Screen Print Your Own T-Shirt
Friday, April 7, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday, April 8, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., in Graphic Arts Building (No. 26), Room 209C
Participants can screen print their own T-shirt on a four-station manual printing press with a custom Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, design. A $10 fee will be charged to cover costs. Contact: jtodd@calpoly.edu.

Mustang News Live on Dexter
Saturday, April 8, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., in the Dexter Building (No. 34)
Mustang Media Group, the student-run media organization that includes Mustang News, KCPR, CPTV and Central Coast PRspectives (CCPR), will be on display and broadcasting live. This award-winning program offers students from all majors the opportunity to work and learn in a professional environment. Contact: pbittick@calpoly.edu.

Poly Royal Truck and Tractor Pull
Saturday, April 8, 1-3:30 p.m. in the pasture on the corner of Highland Drive and Mt. Bishop Road
The Poly Royal Truck and Tractor Pull has been held almost every April since 1972. It is one of the largest events at Open House, drawing nearly 4,000 spectators and more than 50 competitors from the western United States. The event is run by the Cal Poly Tractor Pull Club, and proceeds bolster a scholarship endowment that goes to hard-working students in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. In 2016, the scholarship fund gave out more than $30,000. Contact: mzohns@calpoly.edu.

Music Department Student Recital
Saturday, April 8, 2-3:30 p.m. in the Music Building (No. 45), Room 218
A chamber recital featuring student members of various Music Department instrumental ensembles. Contact: music@calpoly.edu.

Alumni Beer and Wine Garden
Saturday, April 8, 2:30-5 p.m. in Engineering Plaza
Join in an afternoon of fun, reconnect with alumni, faculty, staff and student ambassadors. Enjoy local beer, wine and appetizers. The event will be held rain or shine. Contact: hburgoon@calpoly.edu.

Activities, Tour and Concert at the Student Experimental Farm
Saturday, April 8, 4-8:30 p.m. at the Cal Poly Student Experimental Farm (Bishop Road, past the rodeo arena, across from compost unit)
Students and community members will gather at the Student Experimental Farm for an evening of activities and to learn more about project-based learning and existing projects to get involved in at the farm. Entertainment will be provided by local band Cuyama Mama and the Hot Flashes. Contact: ammontgo@calpoly.edu.

Open House is intended to foster relationships with community members, local businesses, departments, and student groups so that every prospective student will have access to these resources while attending Cal Poly.

For more information about Cal Poly’s Open House weekend, go to: http://orientation.calpoly.edu/openhouse or call the Open House office at 805-756-2400.

# # #