At a university whose very name includes the word polytechnic, it is often easy to overlook the quality liberal arts education – both inside and outside the classroom – it offers as well. Here’s a look at some lesser-known College of Liberal Arts clubs and activities:
Poly Players/Alpha Psi Omega
United by a common love and passion for theater, Poly Players, a student-run musical theatre-based group affiliated with the theatre and dance department, annually sponsors theatre-geared events.
The group is a sort of off-shoot from Alpha Psi Omega, the department’s theatre club. As of next year, the group will most likely be exclusively referred to as Poly Players.
On April 7, Poly Players will present a musical review with excerpts from classic musicals. This thespian group is comprised of both theatre majors and non-majors alike, though selection is based on an audition.
For more information, contact Ryan Cordero via e-mail at rcordero@calpoly.edu or by phone at 805-458-2080.
Another Type of Groove
Created as a way in which to provide an open forum for dialogue and the interchange of ideas, Another Type of Groove holds monthly poetry sessions open to both the Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo communities.
Although not within the College of Liberal Arts per se, Another Type of Groove has been associated with the college in the past, and in May the group will be hosting a slam event in conjunction with the college.
The poetry venue has attracted nationally renowned poets, such as World Slam champions, National Slam champions and HBO Def Poets, to their events – the group gives aspiring poets and interested audience members an opportunity to experience the best of contemporary performance poetry.
Another Type of Groove takes place the first Thursday of every month in Chumash Auditorium from 8 to 11 p.m. For more information, including a schedule of events, check out www.studentlife.calpoly.edu/mul/atog.asp?dept=mul.
Byzantium
This award-winning literary magazine publishes students’ fiction and poetry on an annual basis. Contest entries are judged by the English faculty, with the winners, including honorable mention winners, published in the magazine.
The contest is open to undergraduates and graduates in all fields. Production is a collaborative effort with two English majors serving as editors for the project, and an art and design major serving as art director.
This year, Meghan Bailey and David Schwartz are acting as editors, with Julian Caustrita accompanying them as art director.
Byzantium can be purchased at El Corral Bookstore, with this year’s magazine debuting this quarter. For more information, go to www.cla.calpoly.edu/engl/byzantium.html.
Model United Nations
This student-run organization provides the opportunity for students to explore complex international diplomacy issues throughout the year, and then represent various countries at conferences modeled after those held by the United Nations.
Last fall, students traveled to Boston to attend a conference at Harvard University. In the past, students have also attended the Canada International Model United Nations conference in Ottawa, Canada, and the Far West Model United Nations conference in San Francisco.
Students wishing to participate must be enrolled in POLS 285, Model United Nations, fall quarter, and POLS 385, Advanced Model United Nations, winter and spring quarters.Since issues covered at the conferences are wide-ranging, students from all majors are encouraged to participate.
For more information, visit www.calpoly.edu/~mun/ or contact advisor Craig Arceneaux at 805-756-2842.
More information on these clubs and others can be found here.