SOAR - Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration

Freshman - Day 1

Day 1 for Freshmen Students and Parents starts at 9:00 a.m. with the Check-In for SOAR on Mott Lawn. Various resources, activities and options are available throughout the morning as you arrive. The first formal session starts at 1:00p p.m. Day 1 programming lasts throughout the day, includes dinner, and continues with an evening session concluding at approximately 9:00 p.m. A more detailed schedule of the sessions will be provided at Program Check-In at the University Union Plaza.

SOAR overnight guests who are scheduled to stay in a university residence hall may check in at the Sierra Madre hall front desk anytime 10:30 a.m. on the scheduled day of arrival. SOAR overnight guests will need to check out of rooms by 8:30 a.m. on their scheduled day of departure.

Check-In & Unstructured Activities (With Parents)

This time is allotted to explore the following areas on campus that will help you learn about the Cal Poly campus and get you set up for the fall:

El Corral Bookstore – Find out how to reserve your textbooks early and buy the PREFACE book. (Throughout the Day.)

Poly Card – You can take your picture today and then pick up your ID card when you arrive in September and avoid the huge lines! (Throughout the Day.)

Residence Hall Check-In – If you choose to stay in the residence halls, this is the time to check-in with Housing. (TBD)

Educational Opportunity Program and Student Support Services Invitation-Only Session –
This meeting is for students only, who have received an invitation from EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) or SSS (Student Support Services) . Attendance is mandatory.
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP): Meet during the time and location provided by your EOP Advisor.
Student Support Services (SSS): 11:15a.m.- 12:00p.m.; Location Building 124, Room 224.

Resource Faire – Speak with University staff from various campus departments to learn about resources and ask questions. (10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Placement Testing – During this time, you will have the opportunity to take the Math Placement Exam (MAPE) (10:30 a.m.) and testing for placement in Spanish language classes (11:00 a.m.).

Lunch on Your Own – Eat at one of the on-campus venues or explore the San Luis Obispo area for some local cuisine.

Welcome/General Session (With Parents 1:00 p.m.)

This welcome will outline the SOAR programming planned for the afternoon.

College Advising Session (Student Only 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

Each college will conduct advising sessions with the new students to introduce them to the college culture and academic curricula specific to their major. Students will be given advice on completing their degree requirements at Cal Poly.

Campus Resource Tour (Student Only 3:30 p.m. & 4:45 p.m.)

Students will be taken on a tour of campus that will highlight different organizations and programs. The different tour resources that will be introduced are included below:

Health & Counseling Services –Students have access to health care while they are enrolled on campus. Health and Counseling Services offers many different low-cost services to students.

Academic College Facilities – Students will visit their college academic advising office and will learn where to make appointments to meet their advisor.

Robert E. Kennedy Library – The library was voted the best study spot on campus. Cal Poly’s library has hundred of resources available for students.

Academic Skills Center – Available to all Cal Poly students, the Academic Skills Center (ASC) offers a wide variety of retention programs and campus support services including Study Skills Seminars, Individualized Study Skills Advising, Online Study Skills Library available 24 hours a day, Study Session Program and Tutor Referral Service.

University Police Department – Cal Poly has its own police station located on campus. Students can pay parking tickets there and register their bike, among other things.

Disability Resource Center – The Disability Resource Center (DRC) will be available to meet with students on a drop-in basis between 10 :00 a.m – 12:00 p.m.

Career Services – Career Services provides resources for students to find support during the career development process. Students can utilize career services for personal career counseling sessions, access mustang jobs to find employment, and attend various workshops and events.

Student Rights & Responsibilities – This offices mission ensures a fair and impartial administration of the disciplinary process while educating students about their responsibilities and protecting the rights of all members of the university community.

Dean of Students – The Dean of Students provides students with consultation in assisting with the resolution of any university-related concerns, grievances or appeals.

State Cashiers – Located in the Administration building, the State Cashiers handle all payments required by Cal Poly and the different departments.

Advising Centers – Each college has advising centers that help students stay on track for graduation by checking on degree requirements.

Financial Aid – Students who receive financial aid will learn where the Financial Aid office is as well as how to utilize it.

Freshman Student Panel (Student Only 3:30 p.m. & 4:45 p.m.)

This panel addresses how to transition from high school into the university. The session covers some of the important things you will need to know. A panel of current students will answer questions and relate their experiences covering topics such as the ones listed below:

– Shift in academic expectation and personal responsibility between high school and Cal Poly
– How to get involved on campus
– Transitional adjustment

Dinner (Included) (With Parents 6:00 p.m.)

Campus Life & Respect Presentation (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)

This presentation is an introduction to Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo life. Learn about what the university and the town have to offer while hearing about residence hall life, relationships, campus culture, and respect. The presentation includes input from current students, parents, University Housing, the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities and the University Police Department. Below is a list of the specific topics discussed in the presentation:

– Residence Hall Life
– Shared Living
– Cal Poly Culture & Traditions
– Roommates and Relationships
– Homesickness
– Sustainability
– Student Rights & Responsibilities
– SLO Community

Freshman - Day 2

Day 2 for Freshmen Students and Parents starts at 8:30 a.m. with separate continental breakfasts and program sessions. The day concludes with a closing session for both students and parents together.

Welcome Back Day 2/Continental Breakfast (Student Only 8:30 a.m.)

Faculty Classroom Experience (Student Only 9:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m.)

This session is dedicated to apprise the students of their behavioral expectations, communications and successful transition to the Cal Poly academic environment. The topics covered include classroom etiquette, academic integrity, faculty access, syllabi, email/ Blackboard, semester-to-quarter adjustment, academic rigor, registration rotation system and PREFACE.

Course Registration Demo (Student Only 9:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m.)

This must-attend workshop will teach students how to use PASS and CP-Reg, the only mechanisms for registering for classes at Cal Poly.

Closing (With Parents 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

Closing is a time to recap the days’ events as well as prepare students for what to look out for before coming back in September.