Cal Poly Discontinues Swimming & Diving
3/7/2025 8:30:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT ARMSTRONG ON BUDGET AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES
March 7, 2025
I am writing to follow up on my budget email from earlier this month. As you know, we are living in unprecedented times, which require bold and strategic action. Despite these challenges, I remain incredibly optimistic about the future of Cal Poly and confident in the strength of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters. Our university is well-positioned to fulfill its mission and build upon its success, even in turbulent times.
Cal Poly has long relied upon its Learn by Doing philosophy, and now is the time to double down on that approach. As a residential campus, we must remain committed to hands-on learning while also focusing on operational excellence. To protect the academic mission of the university, we must continually assess our administrative structure to ensure it supports rather than hinders our goals. As Cal Poly evolves, our administrative framework must also adapt to best serve our faculty, staff and students.
With that in mind, I am announcing the following organizational changes and efficiencies to create better alignment in many of our business processes across campus. All impacted individuals and divisions have been informed, as it is essential to engage directly with those affected to address questions and concerns.
Organizational Changes
- Student Affairs & Strategic Enrollment Management
The divisions of Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management will be unified under a single vice president, Terrance Harris, effective no later than July 1, 2025. In this new role, Terrance will report directly to me. This alignment will bring together two outstanding divisions that work in tandem to support student success. The change will allow us to fully benefit from having a single division oversee the entire lifecycle from student prospect to graduate. The new division’s name will be determined through a collaborative process led by Terrance Harris and Cindy Villa.
I want to express my deep appreciation to Terrance for stepping into this expanded role. I am equally grateful to Cindy for her dedication in delaying her retirement to serve as interim vice president of Student Affairs over the past few months. Additionally, Cindy has agreed to continue in a part-time capacity during the transition, providing critical support to the division and Terrance.
- Research
As we look forward, the Division of Research will be integrated into Academic Affairs no later than July 1, 2025. In addition, Research will no longer be led by a vice president-level position (currently only two CSU campuses have vice presidents for research). These changes are not a reflection of diminished importance, but rather a strategic step to create greater efficiencies, while better aligning research with academic priorities and ensuring its continued growth and impact.
When the Division of Research and Economic Development was established several years ago, it laid the foundation for many successes. Since then, our economic development efforts have expanded significantly, particularly externally, leading much of this work to be incorporated into the Office of the President.
In partnership with Academic Affairs and Administration and Finance, Interim Vice President for Research Dawn Neill will collaborate with Huron Consulting, a management consulting firm specializing in higher education, who will provide a third-party assessment focused on efficient operations while continuing to support and elevate research and the Teacher Scholar Model.
It bears repeating that research remains critical to advancing the Teacher Scholar Model and strengthening Learn by Doing. At the same time, Cal Poly does not aspire to R1 or R2 Carnegie Classification, nor does the university seek to offer PhD programs.
I want to express my gratitude to Dawn Neill for her leadership to the Division of Research and through this transition.
Alignment Initiatives (Efficiency and Effectiveness)
- Housing Operations
Earlier this academic year, Allison Baird-James and Cindy Villa met with our housing team to announce the realignment of operations under the Division of Administration and Finance effective July 1, 2025. While residential life and student success programs will remain within Student Affairs (or the newly named division), operational and financial functions related to housing will shift to Administration and Finance.
- Payroll
In late January, Payroll transitioned to University Personnel’s Human Resources unit. This new structure provides more efficient (end-to-end processes) management of day-to-day operations together within one management team. In addition to improved alignment of objectives and strategies, this change will ensure greater effectiveness and further enhance customer service in addition to supporting the newly created Employee Shared Services Center on campus.
- Maritime Academy & Cal Poly
As we continue integrating the California State University Maritime Academy with Cal Poly, we are expanding our geographical and academic responsibilities across the four Pacific-facing states (Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon), Guam and Samoa. To strengthen relationships with governmental and private entities associated with the maritime industries, Bill Britton will serve as Executive Director of the Solano Campus and Maritime Academy Initiatives, under the leadership of Vice President Jessica Darin and the soon-to-be-named Vice President/CEO of the Cal Poly Solano campus.
- Noyce School of Applied Computing
The Digital Transformation Hub (DxHub, powered by AWS) and the Cybersecurity Institute (CCI), along with several of their signature programs (e.g. Cleared for Success and the Cal Poly 5G Innovation Lab) will now be administratively housed within the Noyce School of Applied Computing effective July 1, 2025. These are initiatives Bill Britton shepherded, prior to assuming responsibilities associated with the Maritime Integration. Dustin DeBrum and the teams with DxHub and CCI will transition to the school under the leadership of Chris Lupo. This strategic realignment will allow for greater synergies and efficiency in support of student success.
This strategic realignment will allow for greater synergies with efforts and partnerships already underway in the College of Engineering consistent with our commitment to Learn by Doing, student success and workforce development. This Spring, Provost Jackson-Elmoore will be collaborating with Chris Lupo and Bob Crockett to provide opportunities for engagement on ways in which this more intentional coupling of the DxHub and CCI with the College of Engineering and Noyce School of Applied Computing can continue to drive innovation and provide academic opportunities.
- Athletics
Cal Poly Athletics announced today that Cal Poly’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs will be discontinued effective immediately. While this is disappointing news to share, the financial realities made the decision unavoidable.
Cal Poly Director of Athletics Don Oberhelman met with the impacted student-athletes, coaches and staff to share this news. While the Swimming and Diving program is discontinued, student-athletes that were in the program will have their scholarships and commitments honored throughout their time at Cal Poly or have the option to enter the transfer portal. For additional information refer to the Athletic FAQ.
Unfortunately, Cal Poly is not immune to the rapidly evolving and changing NCAA Division I landscape, which presents many challenges and uncertainties for collegiate athletics programs. The House vs. NCAA settlement, which addresses past and future compensation for student athletes related to name, image and likeness (NIL) rights, will have a significant financial impact – resulting in a loss of at least $450,000 per year for our programs. This comes amid additional national class-action lawsuits pending against the NCAA, further compounding financial and operational challenges for collegiate athletics.
I want to be clear that we remain committed to the student-athlete model and excelling both in the classroom and in athletic competitions. However, that requires us to make difficult decisions, such as today’s, to maintain and sustain a viable athletics program. At this time, no other Cal Poly sports programs are at risk of being discontinued. However, the university continues to look at roster management to ensure we field the most competitive teams while providing a top-tier experience for our student-athletes.
Administrative Reductions & Future Goals
The changes I’ve announced today are designed to enhance efficiency by streamlining administrative roles and business processes. I understand that transitions like this, and the resulting changes, can be difficult and unsettling for some. However, embracing change is healthy and helps safeguard the university’s future in uncertain times.
Importantly, we recognize that student success cannot happen without the success of our faculty and staff. It is imperative that we remain focused on the key priorities I outlined for the university’s growth and sustainability. Moving forward, we will continue to prioritize:
• Expanding access to hands-on learning opportunities for students and expanding the Teacher Scholar Model for faculty
• Strengthening faculty and staff support through salary equity programs, as well as housing, and childcare
• Enhancing financial sustainability through revenue generating and fundraising opportunities
• Advancing our mission to serve the breadth and diversity of California
By staying committed to these priorities balanced by cost containment, we will ensure Cal Poly remains a leader in higher education into the future.
Closing Thoughts
I am as excited as ever about Cal Poly’s future. Our institution’s success is driven by our incredible students, faculty and staff who embody Learn by Doing every day.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our students and our mission. Together, we will navigate these challenges and ensure a strong future for Cal Poly.
