Committee background
The CPOF Committee reviews proposals for direct student support and advising and recommends uses of Cal Poly Opportunity Fee funds to the University President.
Background
Cal Poly represents one of the greatest values in higher education, but the cost of a Cal Poly education remains financially prohibitive for many low-income and first-generation California students. Limited financial aid for campus fees has significantly contributed to Cal Poly having the highest costs of attendance of California public universities once financial aid is considered.
Following an alternative consultation process that received input from approximately 2,200 students and faculty, the President and Chancellor approved the Cal Poly Opportunity Fee. The fee funds expansion of the Cal Poly Scholars program, including scholarships for up to five years, a technology package, proactive advising, and other support.
The fee assessment began in fall 2019 for non-California-resident undergraduate students and was phased in by cohort over four years, from 2019 through 2022. The target for out-of-state enrollment remains 15 percent. Admission criteria remain identical for in-state and out-of-state students. Graduate students are excluded from paying or receiving the fee.
The fee is distributed among student grants (50–70 percent), direct student support and advising (15–25 percent), and tenure-line faculty hiring with an emphasis on diversity (15–25 percent).
Committee purpose and role
The CPOF Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the University President. It reviews proposals provided by the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and makes recommendations to the President on the use of funds for direct student support and advising. No more than 50 percent of available funds will be directed to student support and advising for Cal Poly Scholars, with the remaining 50 percent dedicated to general support for all students.
Committee composition
Nomination recommendations are submitted to the President for approval.
- ASI President (co-chair)
- Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance or designee (co-chair)
- Four ASI nominations: two non-California student representatives who may be ASI Board members, and two ASI Board members
- Two Cal Poly Scholars
- Academic Senate Chair or designee
- Provost or designee
- Vice President for Student Affairs or designee
- Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion or designee
- Provost’s Office representative, non-voting
- Two Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance Office representatives, non-voting
Committee summary: 12 voting members, 7 of whom are students, and 3 non-voting members. A quorum exists when at least one co-chair and six voting members are present.
Voting members serve one-year terms and may serve up to two terms, except the Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance or designee, who serves continuously as co-chair.
Committee guidelines
- University Budget and Fiscal Planning prepares revised CPOF projections.
- The Provost and a designated Cal Poly Scholars representative provide insight about priorities for direct student support and advising funds, in collaboration with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and OUDI.
- The Provost and Cal Poly Scholars representative submit project or initiative recommendations based on appropriate consultation.
- The committee receives proposed budget recommendations in advance, reviews a walkthrough, asks questions, and discusses the proposals.
- The committee develops an allocation recommendation by consensus and submits it to the University President.
- The University President responds with a final decision on funding allocations.
- Funding notification is sent to the Provost and posted on the Cal Poly Opportunity Fee website.
Committee protocol
- Members discharge their responsibilities with the best interest of the university at the forefront and rise above unit self-interest during deliberations.
- Members receive proposals in advance to prepare questions. Those copies are not shared or distributed outside the committee.
- Voting members may not delegate or proxy votes. Voting may occur by roll call, consent, or electronically; electronic responses must come from the member’s official Cal Poly email address.
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