Heritage Months Communications

Heritage and History Month communications are part of Cal Poly's commitment to recognizing the diverse histories, cultures, and experiences that contribute to our university community. Through these communications, the Department of Culture and Institutional Excellence (CIX) recognizes nationally established Heritage and History Month observances and encourages learning, reflection, and engagement in programs and events across both campuses. Below we have outlined the University's approach to these communications and the guiding principles that inform them. 

Our Commitment 

CIX remains committed to creating a campus environment where all members of the Cal Poly community have opportunities to celebrate their identities, learn from one another, and build a stronger sense of belonging. We welcome questions and feedback regarding Cal Poly’s Heritage and History Month university-wide communications. Copies of each Heritage and History Month statement are published on our department’s Instagram account shortly after the initial campuswide communication is distributed. Please contact our department at cix@calpoly.edu with any questions, suggestions, or feedback. 

Our Approach  

CIX coordinates university-wide communications across Cal Poly's San Luis Obispo and Solano campuses, recognizing the following Heritage and History month observances: 

• Latinx/e Heritage Month (September) 
• LGBTQ+ History Month (October) 
• Native and Indigenous Heritage Month (November) 
• Black History Month (February) 
• Women's History Month (March) 
• Arab American Heritage Month (April) 
• Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month (May) 
• Jewish American Heritage Month (May) 

These communications acknowledge the historical and ongoing contributions of these communities while highlighting opportunities for campus engagement, education, and celebration. For additional information about nationally recognized heritage months, visit the U.S. Department of State's Heritage and History Months webpage. 

Guiding Principles 

The selection of university wide heritage month communications is informed by several guiding principles. 

• Historical Recognition

  The observances recognized by CIX align with nationally established commemorations that acknowledge communities whose histories and contributions have significantly shaped the United States. These observances also reflect the many identities, histories, and experiences represented within the Cal Poly community. 

• Education and Engagement 

  These identity and cultural observances provide opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to learn about the histories, achievements, and lived experiences of historically underrepresented communities. University-wide communications help raise awareness of educational programming, events, and opportunities for engagement throughout the academic year. 

• Inclusive Representation

  While these observances do not encompass the full range of identities and experiences represented at Cal Poly, we encourage colleges, departments, student organizations, and campus partners to collaborate in recognizing the diverse identities, histories, and cultures that enrich our university community. 

Culturally Significant Dates 

Cal Poly recognizes that members of our university community observe a wide variety of cultural and religious significant dates throughout the year, reflecting the many traditions, beliefs, and lived experiences that enrich our campuses. Because of the breadth of these observances, CIX does not issue university-wide communications for individual cultural or religious significant dates. Instead, colleges, departments, student organizations, cultural centers, and campus partners are encouraged to recognize and celebrate these occasions in ways that are meaningful to their communities through educational programming, events, and other engagement opportunities.