Welcome to Cal Poly
At Cal Poly, the most important person on campus is the student.
We start with the premise that all of our students, by the simple fact that they have met Cal Poly's high standards for admission, are equipped to succeed. And then our dedicated faculty and staff bring to bear their enormous talent and unwavering commitment to students' success.
Central to this process is Cal Poly's distinctive Learn-by-Doing approach, the rigorous challenge to students to apply classroom theory to real-world problems in the context of a comprehensive polytechnic education, grounded in the arts and sciences.
Learn by Doing enables students to develop deep confidence in their knowledge and technical skills, preparing them to become resourceful and innovative professionals who can help solve the problems of an increasingly complex and technological world.
Talented faculty, dedicated staff, the dynamic nature of Learn by Doing and the state's best and brightest students - these are important facets of Cal Poly, but not the whole sum.
An exceptional university succeeds only if it has the full engagement of the entire university community - students, faculty and staff, parents, alumni and friends - one that joins together in a partnership of discovery.
Fortunately, Cal Poly has an abundance of people deeply committed to a vibrant partnership, deeply committed to transforming lives, one student at a time.
It is my great privilege to be associated with the people of Cal Poly, and I invite you to join our partnership.
Jeffrey D. Armstrong
President
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, California
Cal Poly Mission Statement
Cal Poly fosters teaching, scholarship, and service in a learn-by-doing environment in which students, staff, and faculty are partners in discovery. As a polytechnic university, Cal Poly promotes the application of theory to practice. As a comprehensive institution, Cal Poly provides a balanced education in the arts, sciences, and technology, while encouraging cross-disciplinary and co-curricular experiences. As an academic community, Cal Poly values free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.