The fall quarter edition of Pizza with the Presidents started off on a whimsical note — with a question about marching bands — before turning to more serious topics that weigh on student minds.
Coley and ASI President Julian Herrera dove into questions from the bevy of students who showed up for a pizza lunch and to have their voices heard in the Bronco Student Center on Nov. 10.
Air Resources Board and Spadra
In response to questions about the Air Resources Board (ARB) potentially moving to the parcel known to agriculture students as Spadra Farm, Coley sought to assure the crowd that the 150-acre property would continue to be in integral part of the College of Agriculture.
Under terms of the agreement to acquire the 300-acre Lanterman property, which has been dubbed Campus South, the university agreed to accommodate three state agencies, including the ARB, which will build new facilities and relocate its employees. The two other agencies, the California Highway Patrol and California Conservation Corps, have identified other areas on campus for their operations.
“Spadra Farm will always be a part of Cal Poly Pomona. I am resistant to ever promising that something will never happen,” Coley said. “What I can promise is that we are committed to agriculture.”
Coley said that once the ARB makes a decision about the location of the new facility, a moratorium on the development of Spadra would be enacted until the Academic Master Plan is completed.
Parking
The cost of parking tickets on campus drew the ire of at least one student.
Mike Biagi, director of parking and transportation services, said the university does not control the amount of the fine and that the penalty is computed using the California Vehicle Code.
He advised students who felt that they were wrongly issued a ticket to go through the online appeals process. Biagi said that 19 percent of appeals are overturned.
Responding to concerns about hit-and-runs, car break-ins and other safety issues in the parking lots, Biagi said the second parking structure currently under construction will contain 73 surveillance cameras. Cameras also could be placed in the parking lots if funding is found, Biagi said.
Coley urged drivers on campus to make pedestrian safety a priority.
Summer School
One student wondered why tuition costs more for summer quarter and whether the university would do anything to make it more affordable.
Coley said that with semester conversion looming, the university is working to lower the cost of summer session so that students can take needed classes for graduation before the switch to semesters.
“We want to hold a robust summer school so that students who can graduate before fall 2018 are given that opportunity,” Coley said.
Financial aid programs such as Pell grants and loans will continue for students who have not exhausted their eligibility during the year. Additional grants for the summer also are in the pipeline.
Other Topics
- The university has more than 550 undocumented students and recognizes the need for a center that would serve them. The Division of Student Affairs is looking into the establishment of such a center.
- The campus is making strides to conserve water and is nearing completion of its own water treatment plant.
- Coley affirmed that students have a right to free speech and that it will always be valued at the university.
- Herrera said that conversations are taking place within ASI about making Cal Poly Pomona a smoke-free campus.
- Students concerns about healthy dining options can be addressed through the Dining Services Survey through Nov. 23.
- Early commencement will continue to be offered for students who are within eight units of the completion of their degree.