Cal Poly Parent FAQ
Phone numbers and emails for the Cal Poly offices parents call most, from Parent and Family Programs in Building 124 to University Police in Building 36.
About this group
Is this the official California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo parent group?
No. Far From Home is an independent parent community supported by College Cubbies. For official information, visit the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo parent and family page.
Dates and breaks
When is Mustang Family Weekend 2026?
Friday, Oct. 2 to Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. Cal Poly Football hosts Weber State at 5pm Saturday at Spanos Stadium, and one family registration includes a swag bag and one weekend parking pass.
Is Cal Poly on quarters or semesters in 2026 to 27?
Semesters. Fall 2026 is the first semester, with classes from Aug. 24 to Dec. 11 and finals Dec. 14 to 18. Spring classes start Jan. 25, 2027.
When is Thanksgiving break at Cal Poly?
The academic calendar lists Fall Break as Nov. 23 to 29, 2026. The registrar's fall planning calendar shows campus closed Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27.
When can my student fly home for winter break?
Fall finals run Dec. 14 to 18, 2026, and residents must vacate by noon on Dec. 19. Book around your student's own last exam, since the registrar's planning calendar also lists a Saturday, Dec. 12 exam day.
When is Cal Poly Commencement 2027?
May 21 to 23, 2027, under the new semester calendar. Spring residence halls close at noon on May 23.
When is spring break 2027?
March 15 to 21, 2027. Housing says spring break is included in the spring semester housing contract.
Travel and where to stay
What is the closest airport to Cal Poly?
San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP), at 975 Airport Drive in San Luis Obispo. Alaska, American and United fly nonstop from cities including Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Where do parents park at Cal Poly?
Visitor parking is in Structure 131 off Grand Avenue. A daily permit is $8 through ParkMobile, PayByPhone or a pay station, and permits are generally not required on weekends outside event lots, residential areas and time limited zones.
Are there hotels within walking distance of Cal Poly?
Cal Poly Graphic Communication lists Quality Suites and the Apple Farm Inn on Monterey Street as about half a mile from campus. Parent and Family Programs also links to local hotel deals for Cal Poly families.
Can we get to Cal Poly by train?
Yes. Amtrak serves San Luis Obispo via the Pacific Surfliner from the south and the Coast Starlight from the north, and an Amtrak Thruway bus stops on campus across from Scout Coffee.
Move in and move out
When is move in at Cal Poly?
For fall 2026, first year and new transfer students were assigned Aug. 18 or Aug. 19 and booked a 15 minute slot in the Housing Portal. Spring 2027 move in is at noon on Jan. 24.
What furniture comes in a Cal Poly dorm room?
A twin XL bed, desk, chair, dresser and a closet or armoire. Lofted beds and bed risers are not allowed.
Can my student stay on campus over winter break?
Not under the standard contract. Students must leave or sign up separately for winter break housing; Fall Break and Spring Break are included in the semester contracts starting fall 2026.
What happens to things left in the room at move out?
Housing says all items left behind will be donated. Students who skip the Express Checkout steps can be charged a $25 improper check out fee.
Health, safety and local life
What is my student's mailing address at Cal Poly?
Each student gets a personal campus mailing address from Distribution Services before school starts. It is not the building address, and mail sent to a building address is returned, so ask your student for the exact address.
What should my student do if they get sick at night?
Call (805) 756-1211 to reach an after hours advice nurse. Campus Health and Wellbeing lists nearby urgent cares and two 24 hour emergency rooms, French Hospital Medical Center and Adventist Health Sierra Vista. In an emergency call 911.
How can parents get Cal Poly emergency alerts?
Text CPSupporters to 226787 to receive PolyAlert messages for 365 days. Short term visitors can text CPVisitors for 60 days of alerts.
Who to contact for what
Cal Poly splits parent questions across more than a dozen offices spread from Building 1 to Building 124. Here is where to start.
Parent and Family Programs (805) 756-6700, calpolyparent@calpoly.edu, Building 124, Room 224. Mustang Family Weekend, the Mustang Family News newsletter, the Parent Advisory Council and general questions about where to turn.
University Housing (805) 756-1226, housing@calpoly.edu, Building 31. Move in appointments, room questions, winter break housing, Express Checkout and move out fees.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (805) 756-2927, financialaid@calpoly.edu, Building 1, Room 213. Aid packages and scholarships.
Office of the Registrar Records: (805) 756-2531, records@calpoly.edu, for registration, leaves of absence, withdrawals and verification letters. Evaluations: (805) 756-2396, evaluations@calpoly.edu, for degree progress, transfer credit and major changes. Both offices sit at Mustang Business Park and are not open to walk ins.
Campus Health and Wellbeing (805) 756-1211, wellbeing@calpoly.edu, Building 27. Medical appointments, the after hours nurse line and the campus pharmacy.
Counseling and Psychological Services (805) 756-2511. Press option 2 for crisis support at any hour.
University Police (805) 756-2281 for non emergencies, police@calpoly.edu, Building 36. Call 911 in an emergency.
Office of the Dean of Students (805) 756-0327, deanofstudents@calpoly.edu, Building 81. A place to start when a concern about your student does not fit neatly into one office.
Disability Resource Center (805) 756-1395, drc@calpoly.edu, Building 124. Academic accommodations.
New Student and Transition Programs (805) 756-2400, orientation@calpoly.edu. SLO Days orientation and Week of Welcome.
Transportation and Parking Services (805) 756-6654, parking@calpoly.edu, Building 36. Visitor permits and event parking.
Student Mail Services packagecenter@calpoly.edu, (805) 756-2872. Lost or delayed packages. Email gets the fastest reply.
Commencement commencement@calpoly.edu, (805) 756-1600. Ceremony schedules and guest questions.
Commuter Services (Mustang Shuttle) (805) 756-6680, commute@calpoly.edu. Questions about the free day and night campus shuttle routes.
Cal Poly Emergency Information line (805) 756-7777. This line is switched on only during a campus emergency, so save it in your phone along with the PolyAlert text signup.
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