John Washington is a journalism senior and opinion columnist for Mustang News. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.
When I received my notice of acceptance into Cal Poly two years ago, I was overjoyed. I would live near the coast in a beautiful area, learn under experienced & passionate professors and form more tightly knit bonds than I did during my time at Cal State Fullerton and my mostly online community college.
I’m graduating very soon, and all those hopes were affirmed. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and don’t regret coming to Cal Poly at all.
But if I’m allowed to complain about one thing that soured my experience, it’s the construction. When one project finishes, a new one starts. And it feels like the school has to have ten projects going at a time or else they won’t hit their quota.
I get that they are improving the school. (I think) I get that they have to expand the school to make room for more students. I get that construction isn’t a fast-moving process. Last, I get that construction is not some unique experience to Cal Poly; it’s everywhere. I know all this, which is why you shouldn’t take everything I say as gospel.
It just frustrates me that people pay a lot of money to go to this school and are promised many things about the superiority of this school compared to the other state schools, and even some UCs.
But at least when I went to Cal State Fullerton, I could walk freely to and around campus without changing my path of travel every month to account for the newly fenced-in areas I often happen upon at Cal Poly. And at least I could go inside a physical building and check out a book without having to know how to find an online resource that most people still haven’t heard about.
The constant construction all over campus makes me feel as if my tuition is mainly being used to improve buildings to attract future students, not help the ones who go here now.
Thus, I decided to rank some of my favorite construction projects on campus from my two years here. Under each, you’ll find my sincerest explanation for why I appreciate them.
Honorable mention: Modular dorms
All that clanging and clattering you heard during the school day for months on end? It’s not the marching band. They’re building more dorms, as anybody who has recently tried to access the hiking trail to the “P” knows. But these are not normal dorms. They are modular dorms that will be built in a factory in Southern California and put together on campus like massive legos. This one doesn’t qualify for the final list because…they’re actually doing it right (for now). It is an inconvenience to some to close a couple parking lots, but it’s hard for me to imagine a less invasive huge residential campus project.
4. Big letters
The Cal Poly sign in the University Union Plaza needs no introduction, but here we go anyway. This sign was especially necessary because its letters are eight feet tall. According to ASI, it took four years of planning and collaboration. Who would have guessed? Not me. It shocks me that, in the entire four-year process, nobody came up to the University Union Advisory Board and told them that there was, maybe, a better use of student fees than a big sign to take pictures with.
3. Football stadium plaza
The school removed a rose garden so they could throw some cement on top as part of a nearly $5 million project that they’re calling an “immersive college athletics experience that is uniquely Cal Poly.” In reality, it’s a few food and beverage stands and an easy way for Cal Poly to sell alumni more expensive tickets with the title of VIP attached to them.
2. Football building
The John Madden Football Center has a big name to live up to. All due respect to the late football disciple whom I actually went to church with growing up, but I don’t think anyone wanted this building except John Madden. His family donated the majority of the money used to complete this project, but they’re still almost $13 million short of the $45 million total cost and they don’t know where this money is going to come from. Meanwhile, the expected completion date of Fall 2024 looks a bit unrealistic now. But if these new facilities are eventually fully constructed, the athletic director’s assumption is that they will magically compel the team to move “deep, deep into the FCS playoffs.” I’d simply ask for them to win more than three games in a season first.
1. The library
This one broke my heart. I arrived on campus in Fall 2023, not knowing the library would be closed for two years. I would never see the inside of the building as a student. But rest assured, Cal Poly said, there would be alternative study spaces and all the library resources would be available online. Sure, they put up tents with chairs and tables inside. And yes, I have successfully requested dozens of books through the library’s online system. But it’s just not the same. A large public university needs to have a library. It’s a tenet of education, and although it’s not just a building to me, it needs to at least be a building.
I want the decision makers at Cal Poly to consider current students in their decisions to improve future student experiences. If the school has to expand enrollment, new housing is necessary. The modular dorms are an example of them properly considering current students. Less noise on campus, only one or two buildings at a time and it doesn’t hurt that it’s cheaper than building traditional dorms. But spending too much time and money on projects that don’t benefit students in the slightest is irresponsible.
