LETTER TO INCOMING FRESHMEN
The Poly Post, Summer 2008
By Renford Reese
Political Science Department, Cal Poly Pomona
One of the first things I tell students as they sit in my class on the first day is to never come in my classroom wearing paraphernalia from another university. The reason this is my policy is because I adamantly believe that the students at Cal Poly Pomona are just as gifted, talented, creative, and intelligent as the students at USC, UCLA, Berkeley, or elsewhere. Students at CPP usually have greater financial challenges but this does not mean they are less gifted. I have witnessed the brilliance and creativity of our student population in my twelve years teaching in the political science department at this university.
The beauty of Cal Poly Pomona is that students can just be. As one of the most diverse universities in the nation, there is no tension between the various ethnic groups on campus. The faculty treat students with respect. The 1,438-acre campus is beautiful and provides the ideal learning environment. On various dimensions, CPP is a gem. Those that immerse themselves in the various activities at this university find it a challenging, refreshing, and exhilarating experience.
Football teams at many universities in the U.S. generate campus pride. Alumni return for homecoming games and the sound of the band practicing the school's fight song on campus creates a palpable esprit de corps. We do not have a football team so we must compensate by creating, sustaining, and insulating a recognizable school spirit in the absence of one. We have a lot to be prideful about at this university.
Our athletic programs are consistently among the top in their conference. We have won 12 national championships. Our women's teams are particularly noteworthy. Beyond being competitive on the athletic fields, in the fall of 2007 our athletes were recognized nationally for collectively achieving a 3.02 grade point average. Twenty-one percent of our student-athletes have a 3.5 grade point average or higher.
Academically, our Model United Nations, Mock Trial, and Ethics Bowl teams have brought this university national attention. Our engineering students recently won the top prize at an international formula racecar competition. We have several nationally ranked schools within the university. The National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently recognized our Computer Information Systems department for their cyber security efforts. These results just do not happen. The president, faculty, coaches, and staff at this university have demonstrated a commitment to excellence.
On a scale of 1-10 my experience at this institution has been a 10-each year. People often ask me if I have a desire to go to a bigger university. My response is invariably "For What? This is my ideal university." Incoming freshman, I urge you to immerse yourselves in every aspect of campus life at CPP.
- Upon your arrival, go immediately to our bookstore and get as much Bronco paraphernalia as you can afford and wear it with pride.
- You should make a commitment to support "all" of our athletic teams.
- You should participate in the various academic forums, talent shows, and student activities on campus.
- You should join at least one club and participate in at least one competitive activity in your discipline.
- You should take at least one quarter to participate in one of our superb study abroad programs.
If you do these things, at the end of your tenure at CPP, when someone asks you why you did not attend a bigger university, your response will be, "For What? This was my ideal university."
