California Polytechnic State University

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) – San Luis Obispo is a public institution that was founded in 1901. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 22,013, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 6,000 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. The enrolled student population at California Polytechnic State University is 57% White, 16% Hispanic/Latino, 12.6% Asian, 7% Multiracial, 5% Race Unknown, 2% International, and 1% Black. There are about 52% identified male and 48% identified female students. 83% of the students are from California.

Engagement Summary

Cal Poly took initiatives to address mental health as a campus-wide priority. This was seen when Counseling Services hired clinicians with the expertise to represent and assist certain marginalized populations on campus. Their partnership with Health Education and other services made it possible to recognize specific programming based on mental health and wellness.

More specifically, Cal Poly improved campus climate for students of color by diversifying faculty and their student body. Informal and formal surveys, as well as the Healthy Minds Survey were used by Cal Poly to gather information pertaining to the experiences of students on campus regarding their mental health.

Retention, mental health service and health service use, and diagnosis in students of color were pieces of information that the school kept track of. To improve the overall student experience on campus, it was recommended that mental health and well-being of students of color was promoted as a campus-wide priority.

Midterm Evaluation Progress-to-Goal Snapshot

Cal Poly had a goal to expand the JED Campus Team by involving upper administration and faculty members.

Highlights include:

  • Cal Poly worked with the engineering school to infuse DEI and mental health with 50% of the college population. The dean was also worked with, and underrepresented students were identified as high-risk.
  • A counselor collaborated with a Public Health class to examine data on students from the engineering and architecture departments.