Creating Space for Community

When did the Student Affairs departments move?

The departments moved over the summer of 2025.

What are the benefits to the move?

The entire 15,000-square-foot building has been dedicated to student programming, centers and support services. This is an opportunity to cultivate more community and synergy among these students and further support students from all identifies and backgrounds.

The building includes meeting rooms, a lactation room, several cozy lounge areas, study spaces with laptop charging stations, gender-inclusive restrooms, and an outdoor patio area.

What is the Cal Poly Space Optimization initiative?

The Space Optimization effort seeks to ensure that university facilities are used effectively and efficiently to enhance academic excellence and support the success of every student. The largest move in the effort to date was the acquisition of Mustang Business Park in 2023 and the relocation of non-academic staff to this off-campus facility in 2024. This move opened 50,000 square feet of critical student-serving space in the campus core. The multi-phased plan will take place over several years. Learn more about Space Optimization.

Who do I reach out to with questions?

Questions about the move can be directed to sacomms@calpoly.edu. If you have questions about an individual department's services or programming, reach out to department staff directly. 

Building 15 is Renamed: Welcome to Mustang Commons (Press Release)

April 21, 2026: SAN LUIS OBISPO — Over the past academic year, staff and students in Building 15 have transformed the space into a vibrant hub for community and connection across the programs that call it home.

Today, that building has a new name — Mustang Commons — that reflects the building’s role as a shared space that fosters development and belonging. On Wednesday, April 22, the new letters will be installed on the building. On May 6 from 3-4:30 p.m., the campus community is invited to Get to Know Mustang Commons: A Community Drop-In, a gathering that will include refreshments and conversation with staff about their programs.

Mustang Commons is the home of the Black Academic Excellence Center, Cal Poly Scholars, the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), La CASA, TRIO Achievers and Wonderful’s College Scholarship Program. Most of the programs moved from the Science Building (No. 52) last summer as part of a university initiative to provide more space for classrooms and labs.

The Mustang Commons name was selected following survey feedback and consultation with Cal Poly staff and student groups. The feedback indicated the strongest naming concepts emphasize community, belonging, success and Mustang identity.

“We are thrilled to have a name that illustrates the purpose and feel of this building as a shared, welcoming place where students can stop by to access services, study, gather with friends and get the support they need to thrive,” said Jamie Patton, associate vice president for student affairs, student development and belonging, whose office is also located in Mustang Commons.

The building also forms the core of a new student success hub, anchored by the new Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Success Center under construction at the corner of North Perimeter Road and Village Drive.

Contact: Cynthia Lambert, cmlamber@calpoly.edu, Student Affairs Communications

April 22, 2025: Campus Departments are Moving Locations this Summer

Dear Students,

This summer, several departments and programs will move to new campus locations as part of a university initiative to provide students with more spaces for classrooms, labs, and student support programs and services.

These relocations are part of Cal Poly’s broader Space Optimization effort, which seeks to ensure that university facilities are used to enhance academic excellence and support the success of every student.

Several Student Affairs departments are moving to Building 15, the former home of Cal Poly Partners, to create a new student-centric hub for learning and support. This building will form the core of a new student success neighborhood and be entirely dedicated to student spaces that foster collaboration and community for the following programs:

• Black Academic Excellence Center (BAEC).
• Latine/x Center for Academic Success and Achievement (La CASA).
• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).
• Cal Poly Scholars.
• TRIO Achievers.

In addition, the Dream Center will co-locate with the Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center (NAICC) in the yakʔitʸutʸu residential community (No. 172).

The following programs and services will move back into the newly renovated Kennedy Library, which reopens this fall:

• Office of Writing and Learning, including the new location for the Tutoring and Learning Center.
• Cal Poly International Center.
• University Honors Program.
• Cal Poly Print and Copy.

The following changes will occur in the Science Building (No. 52):

• University Advising (Mustang Success Center, UA Retention) will expand into Room E25.
• The Transfer Center will expand into Room E29.
• Graduate Education will expand into the D27 conference room.

Find more information on the Student Affairs department moves. Learn more about all the moves that have happened to date on the university's Space Optimization webpage.