A flurry of questions touched on a wide variety of topics at the spring quarter edition of Pizza with the Presidents, but the event was largely dominated by concerns over parking, the upcoming conversion to semesters and planned campus improvements.
Semester Conversion
University President Michael Ortiz addressed several questions about Cal Poly Pomona’s switch from quarters to the semester system, which is slated to occur in fall 2017.
One student asked why the university is switching to semesters. Ortiz replied by saying the switch is a directive coming from the CSU chancellor’s office, and that it will come with certain benefits. Students will only be required to purchase textbooks twice a year, and the longer timeframe of a semester allows students who have trouble to get help before the term ends. The switch to semesters will not cause an increase in tuition, Ortiz said in reply to another question.
Parking
Parking questions focused on the cost of both citations and permits. Parking and Transportation Services Director Mike Biagi said the cost of a parking citation is set by state law, which requires the university to closely match its parking citation fees to nearby cities, in this, Pomona. The cost of parking passes is the result of student votes in previous years that approved the construction of the parking structure and the creation of the Bronco Shuttle service, both of which are funded by fees.
Campus Improvements
Ortiz and Walter Marquez, associate vice president for Facilities Planning & Management, fielded questions about future campus construction projects.
One student wanted to know when the CLA building would be torn down. Marquez said it will not be demolished until the new student services building is built, which is expected to happen between 2016 and 2018.
Another student wondered if there will be funding for more extensive bicycling infrastructure on campus. Ortiz said that the campus officials have long planned on making Cal Poly Pomona a friendlier place for cyclists, but budget limitations have tied their hands. The new bike path on the south side of campus shows that officials are listening to student concerns, Ortiz said. Marquez said those bike lanes will be extended to Camphor Lane in the near future.
For a more in-depth recap of the event, please see the Storify account below: