A&F UPDATE - Fall 2020

Enhancing the Student Experience with Three Completed Projects

Throughout the past seven months of the pandemic and virtual work, a number of major projects have been completed on campus.

Construction on the $10.2 million Dignity Health Baseball Clubhouse recently wrapped up. Thanks to 70 donors, this new state-of-the-art facility includes a study lounge, kitchen, training room, therapeutic cold plunge pool, laundry room, and gorgeous new locker room. With a beautiful view overlooking Baggett Stadium and the San Luis Obispo horizon, Cal Poly’s baseball community is grateful to start the year off with a brand-new clubhouse that will certainly help the program continue to grow and evolve.

Building 33, also known as the Clyde P. Fischer Science hall, is home to the math and science departments. On the second floor of this building there was once an outdated study space that has been transformed into a more modern, and inviting space with completely new furniture, lighting, display cases, and whiteboard wall. This lobby is strategically set up to comply with COVID-19 guidelines as the lounge and desk seating spots are all designed for one student and all have access to electricity from each chosen seat. This project was funded through Facilities as part of the enhancement budget for Campus Building and hopes to welcome an appropriate number of students in the future.

Feeling connected to peers and the surrounding community is very important for all Cal Poly students, especially first year and transfer students who are new to campus. In order to provide a place for students to eat, study and socialize responsibly outside of their residence, the University partnered with the Cal Poly Corporation and Associated Students Incorporated to develop extra seating spaces all around campus while still keeping within health and safety guidelines. These areas include the UU Plaza, Mustang Way, the PAC plaza, Dexter Lawn, Campus Market, and Bonderson Plaza as these are areas well known to students for enjoying some fresh air and catching up with friends or on some homework. These new spaces are equipped with umbrellas for shade and 30 new wi-fi hotspots to ensure the ability to attend virtual classes.

Mental Health and Well-Being Resources Available for Faculty, Staff and Students

As the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges that have come along with it continue, the university wants the campus community to know that there are several services and resources available.

It is imperative that every member of the campus community continues to take care of themselves, set work-life boundaries and not hesitate to reach out for support. There are numerous mental health and well-being resources available for faculty, staff and students.

Human Resources and Campus Health and Wellbeing have compiled the below list for you.

• The Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling services and is available to employees and their families at 800-367-7474 or at afd.calpoly.edu/hr/employee-resources/work-life.
• The Working Remotely Toolkit covers a range of remote-working topics, including getting settled, setting up your remote work station, digital communication and setting healthy boundaries and habits. 
• Mindfulness Resources have been shown to improve attention stability, increase cognitive capacity, improve stress regulation and reduce emotional reactivity
• Ergonomics tips for working from home includes best practices, a checklist and a schedule that will help you stay healthy.
• Teens and young adults can text START to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-TALK (8253) for a confidential conversation anytime (Jed Foundation).
• Students of color can text STEVE to 741-741 to access a culturally trained Crisis Text Line counselor (The Steve Fund).
• Read these tips from the Jed Foundation for taking care of ourselves and others during difficult times.
• Faculty and staff can remind students of key resources including the Counseling Center, Cross Cultural Centers, and the Dean of Students Office. Students can call Counseling Services at 805-756-2511 for 24/7 psychological support.

Additionally, employees should try to get sufficient sleep, exercise and proper nutrition. Take breaks from work and develop separation or boundaries from your workspace or transition to and from work. Human Resources notes that a decline in productivity is likely during a challenging time, and encourages all campus community members to practice compassion with themselves and each other.

EOC Team is at Center of University’s Response to COVID-19

Over the past eight months the Emergency Operations Center team and numerous task forces have planned and completed a range of projects to maintain the health and well-being of returning students and essential faculty and staff throughout the pandemic.

The EOC team, led by Anthony Knight, director of Cal Poly’s Department of Emergency Management, which includes faculty and staff representatives from across the campus who are brought together to coordinate the university’s response during an emergency. They develop recommendations that are then presented to Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong and his cabinet for consideration and approval.

Since activation in March, the EOC has worked on a number of projects including:

• Developing the concept of operations plan for fall quarter, which was approved by the CSU Chancellor’s Office.
• Creating a plan to support students in isolation and quarantine and developed the Student Quarantine and Isolation Guide with guidance for students who test positive or have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive.
• Drafting the Fall Work Plan - Return to Work Protocols for COVID-19 for campus employees. The plan was created in one of the many EOC working groups.
• Procurement of more than 50,000 pieces of personal protective equipment, 35,280 bottles of hand sanitizer, 3,000 hand sanitizer dispensers, 18,000 gallons of disinfectant and 900 cases of gloves.
• Coordinating testing for resident students who moved into residence halls before the start of fall quarter.
• Developing the plan for free Ongoing Campus Testing to help more quickly identify and isolate asymptomatic individuals.

A hearty thank you to all the Cal Poly, ASI and CPC employees for their continued efforts and contributions during this pandemic.

Social Responsibility During COVID

Since spring, employees have spent numerous hours creating a safer campus for everyone in the Cal Poly community. Now, it is up to everyone to do what is necessary to keep campus healthy.

Call it the new normal or doing your part; it really comes down to everyone in the Cal Poly community remaining socially responsible.

Refer to this video for an overview of steps taken to make campus and our community a safer place for everyone.

These safety protocols not only include required face coverings in public spaces but also appropriate hand hygiene and proper cough/sneeze decorum. These are in addition to physical distancing and health monitoring that everyone has grown accustomed to.

These significant steps, when followed, can help reduce the spread of disease.

Facilities partners with University Graphic Systems to inform the campus

This summer, in an effort to educate essential staff and students who were working on campus on the new pandemic practices and protocols, the team at Facilities Management and Development partnered with University Graphic Systems (UGS) to print signs for campus. In that time the student-run UGS has printed way finding signage, physical distancing floor stickers and so much more. Read more about it here

Vista Grande Dining Complex Opens with Seven Dining Venues, Neighborhood Market

This fall Cal Poly opened its newest dining venue, a $39 million complex that will feed the campus community for decades and help lower the university’s environmental footprint. The three-story facility houses seven new dining venues and a market in an energy-efficient building that recently gained LEED Gold certification.

Opening Vista Grande during a pandemic required significant changes to the original plans. The facility that was built to help foster community with seating areas, outdoor fireplaces, and game tables is now following guidance from local health officials, offering limited outdoor seating and no indoor dining. All customers are asked to use the Grubhub app for orders, and new Cleaning Concierge positions have been created in order to clean and sanitize more frequently.

Six of the venues are located on the second floor; Grand Ave Market and Jamba are on the first floor. For more information on Vista Grande visit vistagrande.calpolycorporation.org