University Archives

Records related to the preparation, promotions, and events of Poly Royal and Poly Royal Rodeo.

Objects created for promotional or ceremonial purposes or as memorabilia; objects used in daily operations. Includes diplomas, class, rings, and other related items from alumni. From 2017 forward, such items will be retained in the collections through which they were received, rather than being added to this collection.

Records created by the Construction Management Department, College of Architecture and Environmental Design.

Records created by the Office of Institutional Research, and its predecessor the Office of Institutional Planning and Analysis. These offices were responsible for compiling data about Cal Poly students, and reporting the data in publications such as the Fact Book.

Records created by the Architectural Engineering Department, College of Architecture and Environmental Design.

Documents, photographs, newspapers, and exhibit content related to the Journalism Department, College of Liberal Arts. Includes The Polytechnic Journal, department information, and reports on the 1960 Cal Poly football team plane crash. Records date between 1906 and 2005. Finding aid available at https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8vx0n7k/admin/

Records created by the Office of the President during the term of Jeffrey D. Armstrong, which began in 2011.

Records created by the Animal Science Department, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.

Records created and collected by the Cal Poly MultiCultural Center, including photographs related to Martin Luther King Jr. Day events and Black student activities on campus 1984 – 1996, as well as images of African American Student Union and Society of Black Business Students and one folder related to the Lantern Festival. Also includes VHS videotapes of campus activities and events organized by the MultiCultural Center including discussion panels, celebrations, and performances. Finding aid available at https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8pg1xgc/admin/

Records created by the History Department, College of Liberal Arts.

Records created by the Office of Academic Programs and Planning, as well as its predecessor Office of Academic Planning and Instruction. Includes records of commencement and related activities once administered by this office.

Photographs, negatives, and photographic slides created and collected by campus staff, faculty, and students between 1900-2017. Images include campus buildings and landscape, student activities, special events, classrooms and coursework, faculty and staff events, and aerial views of campus and the surrounding area. Finding aid available at https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8w09c4b/admin/

Collection related to the annual Cal Poly Rose Float, and the Tournament of Roses Parade.

Audio-visual recordings created by campus departments, students, and faculty. May include public relations, sports, and other departments. May also include recordings produced by the ITS department, when that department was involved in media production for the campus.

Records related to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Cal Poly, held in 2002.

Records, papers, and photographs related to the administration and programming of the Biological Sciences Department, College of Science and Mathematics.

Items related to the events and activities related to the 1960 football game with Bowling Green Ohio and the subsequent airplane crash. Also included are related events and fundraisers following the plane crash.

Student and student-press produced newspapers, journals, magazines, and newsletters. Includes The Polygram (1916-1932), The Polytechnic Californian (1940), El Mustang (1938-1939, 1941-1942, 1946-1967), Mustang Daily (1967-2013), and Mustang News (2013- ), monthly Polytechnic Journals (1906-1912), Mustang RoundUp (1942-1948), and The Alternative (1986-1987). Not produced between 1933-1937 and 1943-1945. Newspapers cover local and international events from the perspective of Cal Poly students. A more comprehensive collection of the student newspapers and a finding aid can be found at https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/studentnewspaper/ and https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8mc94qc/

Records relating to the administration, marketing, and program management of the Athletics department including sports schedules, programs, photographs, and team data, as well as records related to Title IX. Collection is unprocessed and requires advance notice for research access. Related photographs can be found in the UA0099 University Archives Photograph Collection. Limited finding aid available at https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8t72q18/

Records created by the Political Science Department, College of Liberal Arts.

Records created by the Women's and Gender Studies Department, College of Liberal Arts.

Records created by the Graphic Communications Department, College of Liberal Arts.

Publications from the Office of the Registrar which provide descriptions of colleges, departments, degree programs, and course offerings, among other information about the university. From 1905 - 1983, the catalog was published as a special issue of Cal Poly's circulars, bulletins, or announcements service.

Documents related to the development and activities of the Pride Center and the former Gay Student Union. Includes flyers, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, event information, and other documents related to the creation of GSU. Alternatively known as Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals United (GLBU). Records date between 1972-2018. Finding aid available at https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8tb1dcp/admin/