Cal Poly faculty and staff began the new academic year Monday with the kickoff to the university’s annual Fall Conference, which precedes the start of classes on Sept. 23. Monday’s activities included a state-of-the-university keynote address from Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong, who welcomed faculty and staff to the new school year and outlined near-term strategic goals. Among his goals and initiatives, Armstrong announced that the university will investigate how it will increase enrollment to respond to California’s needs for more four-year college graduates. “Enrollment growth is essential. California — really, the country — needs more Cal Poly graduates,” Armstrong said. “However, the extent, nature and timing of growth are questions that we need to investigate with all of Cal Poly’s stakeholders — on campus and off campus. Armstrong also outlined four goals for the university to focus on this year and the next few years: improved graduation rates; further implementation of the Teacher-Scholar Model; an enhanced campus climate; and increasing private support to strengthen Learn by Doing and sustain the university’s national reputation for excellence.
“Enrollment growth is essential. California — really, the country — needs more Cal Poly graduates,” Armstrong said.
Assessing the growth requires evaluating the master plan, engaging the Academic Senate, as well as consulting with city and community leaders. “We must work together in asking and answering the right questions.’’
Among the questions, he said, would be an assessment of what the impact would be on the community as well as what the economic impact would be on the city and region. At the campus level, he said, there are many complexities, including what facilities the campus would need for classes, labs, and offices as well as for student housing and dining.
Enrollment this fall will be about 19,800 students, including graduate students. Armstrong said Cal Poly should consider growing by as much as 4,000 to 5,000 students over the next few years, depending on state funding, private support and the ability to physically accommodate new growth.