California Polytechnic State University May 20, 2004 MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Professor Roya Javadpour rjavadpo@calpoly.edu (805) 756-7647 www.polyhouse.org Cal Poly Engineering Students Doing “Extreme Makeover” For Nipomo House of Disabled Seniors as a Community Service Project TO: News Editors, Photo Editors, Assignment Editors, Reporters WHAT: This weekend, a class of 25 industrial and manufacturing engineering students will storm the home of Ed and Joyce Babros to undertake an “extreme makeover” of their Nipomo home to improve the elderly couple’s standard of living. WHEN: 2 Days: The media is invited to view and interview the students at work on the community service remodel project from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, May 22-23. The media is also invited to the “unveiling” of the completed project, when Mr. and Mrs. Babros return to their home to view the makeover for the first time on Sunday, May 23 at 5:00 p.m. The Babros have graciously agreed to interviews from the press at the unveiling. WHERE: The Babros home, Nipomo. (*contact thendrix@calpoly.edu for exact address). The course instructor, Professor Roya Javadpour, will be on site during this time as well. BACKGROUND: The educational purpose of the class is to give students “hands-on” experience planning and managing a technical project involving fundraising, scheduling, supply management, team recruitment, resource allocation, time/cost budgeting, risk assessment, task coordination, progress monitoring, and post-project assessment. The students’ goal is to better the lives of local senior citizens by remodeling their home with improved flooring, bathroom and electrical retrofitting, paint, and shelving. “This worthwhile endeavor poses many challenges for the students,” says Professor Javadpour, the class instructor, “including the need to plan and schedule the work and resources to assure that the entire project can be completed in only three days this coming weekend before the school quarter ends.” The course clients, Mr. and Mrs. Babros, have been dealing with the challenges of disability for many years. As the victim of a violent crime, Mr. Babros suffered a traumatic head injury that forced early retirement. Seven years ago, a failed knee replacement and severe infection required that his right leg be fused, and a fall after coming home from the hospital necessitated a subsequent hip replacement. He is now wheelchair bound. The remodeling and retrofitting planned by the Cal Poly students will improve the safety and comfort of both Ed and Joyce, his primary caregiver. The students received support for the project from more than 25 donors, including local businesses, individuals, and fellow industrial and manufacturing students. A complete list of donors and additional project information can be found at www.polyhouse.org. CP Home • CP Find It Get Adobe Reader • Microsoft Viewers Events • Recent Releases • Cal Poly Magazine • Cal Poly Update E-newsletter • Contact Public Affairs • Alumni • Giving • Athletics Cal Poly Public Affairs California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 805.756.7266 polynews@calpoly.edu