It’s move-in! Cal Poly welcomes thousands of new students to campus for start of school year
The familiar, back-to-school buzz was in the air at Cal Poly on Tuesday, as more than 3,000 students hauled laptops, mini-fridges, textbooks and carts full of clothes into their dormitories — officially kicking off the start of the new school year for the Mustangs.
The streets and sidewalks of campus rumbled under the feet of new students making their way to the dorms for the first time, families in tow, while staff and volunteers worked to keep things running smooth.
Tuesday marked the first of a string of Cal Poly move-in days this week — most freshmen and transfer students will move in Tuesday and Wednesday, while returning students are set to arrive Friday and Saturday through the start of classes on Sept. 23.
Administration expected over 8,600 students to live in campus housing this school year, according to Cal Poly spokesperson Matt Lazier. That number is just shy of last year’s 8,801.
Cal Poly is expecting moderate enrollment growth this year — up from last year’s 22,300 — but enrollment numbers won’t be finalized until after the October census.
Around 59% of students living on campus will be freshmen, Lazier told The Tribune. The university typically requires first-year students to live on campus.
Around 30% will be second-year students, with the remainder of campus housing set aside for returning third-, fourth- and fifth-years; transfer students; and graduate students.
As of Sept. 17, six students were on the waitlist for campus housing — one second-year student, four upperclassmen and one transfer student, he said.
Cal Poly received a record-breaking number of applications this year. According to data acquired by The Tribune, the school had room for just 7.9% of first-time freshman hopefuls and 9.2% of new transfer applicants.
Mixed emotions as students, families navigate Cal Poly move-in
Emotions were high among students and their families Tuesday.
For many Cal Poly newcomers, Tuesday marked the first time they’ve moved away from home.
That new sense of independence, some students and parents said, can be both exciting and scary. Incoming freshman Ceclia Method said the move to college is the opening of a “new chapter of life.”
Others said making friends, getting to class on time and getting good grades were their top concerns.
Simone Weiss, an anthropology and geography major, spoke to The Tribune about her mixed emotions on move-in day. Weiss is relocating to San Luis Obispo from Oakland.
“I go back and forth,” Weiss said. “It’s like my body knows, and I’m just shaky all the time, but overall, totally thrilled.”
She continued: “I’m most nervous for, I think, the lack of alone time. Honestly, just social stuff, but that’s pretty insignificant. I’ll figure it out.”
Weiss said she is excited to explore new classes, get into nature and try new things on campus.
Josh Weiss, Simone’s father, told The Tribune he’s also experiencing mixed emotions.
“We have a really close family, so of course ... when your last kid goes off to school, that’s a big change,” Weiss said. “But Simone is an amazing person, and she’s supremely capable, and this is a great fit for her.”
Keanu Widjaja, another Cal Poly freshman, said he’s most excited to be on his own, and figure things out for himself. His top concerns: Getting to class on time and finding places to eat.
“I’m a foodie, so I really hope there’s good food here,” he said.
Lucille Widjaja, Keanu’s mother, said she is excited for, but also worried about her son.
“My older (kids) come back home every week. This is too far,” she said with a laugh. “But I’m excited. It’s such a beautiful campus, and he already made a lot of friends from the orientation.”
Widjaja, of Los Angeles, plans to major in business administration, with a focus in information systems. He wants to minor in music and computer science.
Cal Poly freshman Andrew Thomson plans to major in city and regional planning. He is moving to SLO from Davis.
“I’m excited to meet new people and have fun this first week,” he said. “I’m just excited to be here.”
His mom, Krista DeZerega-Thomson, told The Tribune she’s excited her son gets the full move-in experience. The last time she moved one of her kids into college, it was during the pandemic.
“We didn’t get this experience because of the pandemic, so it’s cool,” she said through tears, as volunteers cheered new freshmen into the loading zone. “I’m thrilled, and it’s such a privilege to get to come to Cal Poly.”
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