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Full-Text Articles in History

Cal Poly: A Shift From State Dependence To Donor Dependence Over The Course Of Three University Presidents, David Vacchio Mar 2018

Cal Poly: A Shift From State Dependence To Donor Dependence Over The Course Of Three University Presidents, David Vacchio

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

Cal Poly’s period of financial uncertainty under McPhee during the Great Depression led to an expanded effort between the school and the state to find alternative ways of funding the school, and gradually began to lean towards a system less involved with the state due to its budget restrictions and laws preventing it from loaning its credit. The creation of the Cal Poly Foundation in 1940 was an important step in distancing the school from the jungle of state regulations, but McPhee had to consistently struggle with the law for the right for Cal Poly to use the Foundation due …


The Greek System And The Influence Of Cal Poly’S Students Towards Campus Administration, Austin Park Mar 2018

The Greek System And The Influence Of Cal Poly’S Students Towards Campus Administration, Austin Park

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

This paper will portray how Cal Poly’s Greek life systems as well as the regular student body have influenced the university’s present policies of alcohol and other misconducts. It will examine the history of some fraternities who have received serious punishments due to their actions which resulted in the expulsion and dissolution of their organizations. However, in efforts to maintain stable relationships with Cal Poly and the residents of San Luis Obispo, it is common for fraternities and sororities to participate in local and national philanthropic services in order to maintain stable relationships through philanthropy. Since the 1970s, fraternities as …


The Development Of The Baker Building And The Long Road Towards Its Completion, Connor Petterson Mar 2018

The Development Of The Baker Building And The Long Road Towards Its Completion, Connor Petterson

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

This paper focuses on the history and development of the Baker Building. There are three main stages to the history of this building. The first stage was coming up with the idea of having a new science center with the main reasoning being that the old Science Building (also known as the Spider Building) couldn’t accommodate the growing student population. The second stage of this history was the funding problems the project had and how they had to focus on public-private partnerships as well as donations from Cal Poly alumni and the San Luis Obispo community to receive their funding. …


Understanding The Chaos: Poly Royal Riots In 1990, Coraal Dadon Mar 2018

Understanding The Chaos: Poly Royal Riots In 1990, Coraal Dadon

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

In April of 1990, Cal Poly’s President Warren J. Baker made the decision to indefinitely cancel the annual open house event, Poly Royal. The decision was made easy because of the violent and disruptive riots that broke out during the weekend of the event that year. Primarily the result of binge drinking among young students, the riots included: arson, destruction of property, and over a hundred injuries. This paper will explore all the precautionary measures taken by city officials to combat the riots and examine the measures that could have been taken to prevent the riots from happening. Using sources …


Cal Poly’S Vietnam Veterans: Neglected But Not Voiceless, Faye Messner Mar 2018

Cal Poly’S Vietnam Veterans: Neglected But Not Voiceless, Faye Messner

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

Vietnam Veterans at Cal Poly offered an interesting and important voice to the overall discussion of the war on campus. Student veterans participated in the same debates on the war and offered their opinions. They spoke skeptically about the war and participated in campus protests alongside civilian students. Unfortunately, life as a student veteran at Cal Poly was difficult. The benefits they received through the G.I. Bill were difficult to acquire and had many limitations. Likewise, Cal Poly administration made it difficult for veterans to receive the support they needed. Because of this, they formed their own groups to create …


Cal Poly Liberal Studies Program: A Look At The Growing Focus On Stem In Teacher Preparation, Erin Goode Mar 2018

Cal Poly Liberal Studies Program: A Look At The Growing Focus On Stem In Teacher Preparation, Erin Goode

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

Teacher preparation at Cal Poly has had a presence on campus since the 1950’s. Under the title of Liberal Studies, the program has developed into one of the foremost teacher preparation programs in the state. Part of Liberal Studies’ success is from a growing focus on STEM education for teachers both through the curriculum and outside programs. This paper discusses the benefits of the Liberal Studies Department residing under the College of Science and Mathematics and the increased opportunities the program were exposed to after moving from the College of Liberal Arts in 2009.


Cal Poly’S Role In Globalization, Ava Fry Mar 2018

Cal Poly’S Role In Globalization, Ava Fry

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

This paper discusses the effects of an uneasy position for America in the 1980s business markets on the university’s decision to internationalize the curriculum, specifically the responses of Cal Poly’s administration and its student body. The rhetoric used for the proposal of an International Education Office in 1988 by the Academic Senate, revealed an unexpected motivation behind its creation that intrigued me to look further. It seemed that the education system was rapidly globalizing in schools across the nation. A dramatic increase of studies on programs abroad support this claim, however, research failed to show the same international action at …


Cal Poly’S Sexual Revolution, Jasmine Valsaint Mar 2018

Cal Poly’S Sexual Revolution, Jasmine Valsaint

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

The sexual revolution is perceived as a shift in sexual attitudes beginning in the mid 1960’s and ending in the mid 1980’s. The revolution was apparent at universities across the United States through the introduction of widely available contraceptives and education in sexual health. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and describe how the sexual revolution allowed for social and administrative change at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Through statistical reports as well as the ever-changing views of students and faculty on campus, it can be proven that although Cal Poly is historically conservative, it …


“What Were You Wearing?”: Victimization Of Sexual Assault Victims At Cal Poly, Joanna Birns Mar 2018

“What Were You Wearing?”: Victimization Of Sexual Assault Victims At Cal Poly, Joanna Birns

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

This paper will argue that Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo place greater blame and responsibility on women victims of sexual assault than their perpetrators. Sexual assault and sexual assault prevention methods in local media will be examined, as will three recent Title IX cases of Cal Poly students. Placing abundant blame and responsibility on the victims of sexual assault creates a culture of victimization, which discourages victims from reporting their sexual assaults. Although this paper does not offer up suggestions of how we can better Cal Poly’s approach to sexual assault, it hopes to spark a conversation about improving …


“We Need A Little More Of This” Margaret Chase And Her Career At Cal Poly, Jacob Robin Mar 2018

“We Need A Little More Of This” Margaret Chase And Her Career At Cal Poly, Jacob Robin

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

In 1908, a woman by the name of Margaret Chase set foot on the Cal Poly campus. She was the epitome of a strong leader in her school and community. The respectability cast upon her by her peers has shown the influence she has given to the faculty and students. Chase represents a role model, whose story has not been told; however, it should be. The school motto of Cal Poly is “Learn By Doing” and Margaret Chase lived her life on those accords. The school expects every student to live and study by that motto, but Miss Chase shows …


Ah Louis And His Family’S Legacy At Cal Poly And The Area Of San Luis Obispo, Mariah Fiske Mar 2018

Ah Louis And His Family’S Legacy At Cal Poly And The Area Of San Luis Obispo, Mariah Fiske

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

This paper examines the history and unique experience of Ah Louis and his children and their effects on making the area of San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly more accepting to Chinese and Chinese Americans. The paper will also examine past and current issues of discrimination towards Chinese and Chinese Americans at Cal Poly and in the area of San Luis Obispo in comparison to the state of California. The oldest son of Ah Louis, Young Louis, was incredibly instrumental in creating acceptance at Cal Poly and the community through his founding and work in the Chinese Student Association. The …


History Of California Polytechnic Foundation, 1940s – 1950s: A Power Struggle Of Private Management Of Higher Education And State Management, Jon Reinemann Mar 2018

History Of California Polytechnic Foundation, 1940s – 1950s: A Power Struggle Of Private Management Of Higher Education And State Management, Jon Reinemann

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

This paper is an examination of the history of California Polytechnic Foundation during the 1940s – 1950s. A power struggle of private management of higher education and state management existed between the administration of California Polytechnic State University and the Department of Education of California. Julian A. McPhee made his personal mission to extend the financial stability for the University after the massive cuts it suffered in the Great Depression. He would ultimately fail as the other California College Presidents brought back the legal incorporation and revised it to make it under direct supervision of CPSU San Luis Obispo and …


Football And Its Importance At Cal Poly, Kyle Stickler Mar 2018

Football And Its Importance At Cal Poly, Kyle Stickler

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

This research looks at the Cal Poly football program and its influence at the university. It looks at Cal Poly and other California State schools similar. While touching on the entire history of the Cal Poly football program, it will hone in on the post World War II era. This time period is significant due to the race to expand higher education. Decision makers at these institutions at the time saw athletics as a key to expanding their respective universities. Students and administration are primary characters in this paper. By looking at student run publications and administration publications, this paper …


“The Living Room Of The Campus”: How Student Involvement Impacted Cal Poly’S College Union, Kelsey Mandell Mar 2018

“The Living Room Of The Campus”: How Student Involvement Impacted Cal Poly’S College Union, Kelsey Mandell

Cal Poly's History: Student Research Reports

Today at Cal Poly we make use of our Julian A. McPhee University Union building every day. Home to on-campus student resources such as the Multicultural Center, Gender Equity Center, Pride Center and ASI Craft Center, our UU is a place that provides unity for people of all different groups. Our UU also accommodates a bowling alley, a Chase Bank, Starbucks, a frozen yogurt shop- among other take-out restaurants, as commercial means to produce revenue so the building can sustain itself financially. The UU at Cal Poly is also used as a study space for students or a place to …