This series serves as a gathering place for research on the history of California Polytechnic State University, from its origins as the "California Polytechnic School" in 1901 through the present.
Additional research on Cal Poly's history is accessible at Kennedy Library, including senior projects pre-2009. These materials can be searched at Kennedy Library's catalog..
Primary sources used in this research are found in University Archives, Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library, Cal Poly. Some materials from University Archives are digitized, including the student newspaper, the El Rodeo yearbooks, Cal Poly course catalogs, and photos and audiovisual materials.
Submissions from 2020
Planning and Power: Architectural Reflections of Student Minorities at Cal Poly, Caroline Ambrose
Cal Poly Students Struggle for Gay Rights, Dio Capilla
Court’s In Session: The Development of Pre-Law Programs at Cal Poly, Megan Hayes
Cal Poly During World War II: Financial Decisions and Campus Life 1943-1945, Clara Juarez
World War II and its Impact on Cal Poly: Enrollment and Learn by Doing, Willie Kirschner
Forgotten Opposition: Cal Poly Reactions to American Imperialism in the 1980s, Cooper Lock
Beatniks and Politics, Nothing is New: Analyzing the Factors Surrounding Cal Poly’s Anti-War Movement during the Vietnam War, Brooks Martin
The Creation of the Cal Poly Architecture Department and the Decline of Multi-Disciplinary Education, Annie Martinez
What Didn’t Happen: Analyzing Cal Poly’s Proposed Educational Assistance Program Following the Korean War, Sam McClintock
Historical Issues in Cal Poly’s Fraternities, Vincent Mejia
Cal Poly and WWII: A Time of Change, Matthew Schivo
The History of Poly Royal and its Relationship with the City of San Luis Obispo, Maegan Sheehan
The Great Depression and its Effects on Cal Poly: As Compared to Other Higher Educational Institutions Across the Nation, Daniel Verbera
Marketing a College: Cal Poly’s Marketing Evolution from the 1960s-1980s, Tesia Wilson
Submissions from 2018
“What were you wearing?”: Victimization of Sexual Assault Victims at Cal Poly, Joanna Birns
Understanding the Chaos: Poly Royal Riots in 1990, Coraal Dadon
Ah Louis and his Family’s Legacy at Cal Poly and the Area of San Luis Obispo, Mariah Fiske
Cal Poly’s Role in Globalization, Ava Fry
Cal Poly Liberal Studies Program: A Look at the Growing Focus on STEM in Teacher Preparation, Erin Goode
“The Living Room of the Campus”: How Student Involvement Impacted Cal Poly’s College Union, Kelsey Mandell
Cal Poly’s Vietnam Veterans: Neglected but not Voiceless, Faye Messner
The Greek System and the Influence of Cal Poly’s Students Towards Campus Administration, Austin Park
The Development of the Baker Building and the Long Road Towards Its Completion, Connor Petterson