351.1 Reporting Emergencies
University Police shall be notified immediately of any fire, medical or other life threatening emergency.
University Police is comprised of University Police Operations, Administration, Commuter Services, and Parking & Event Planning. The department is responsible for the protection of students, staff, faculty, and the general public; preservation of the peace; parking and traffic control; enforcement of laws and regulations; special events; coordination of alternative transportation options, 9-1- 1 dispatch services; department records management; and law enforcement relationships with city, county, state and federal agencies.
Police regulations are in accordance with California Penal Code Section 830.2 and Education Code Section 89560.
University Police shall be notified immediately of any fire, medical or other life threatening emergency.
Any lost, stolen, or potentially lost or stolen University property or equipment shall be reported to University Police in a timely manner.
Any lost, stolen or potentially lost or stolen personal property that occurs on campus shall be reported to the University Police in a timely manner.
Demonstrations or other potentially disruptive activities on campus shall be reported directly to University Police.
No person, while on University property, shall possess, carry or have control of any firearm, whether loaded or not, unless it is with the written permission of the University President or designee (Chief, University Police).
Exceptions are: sworn peace officers of the State of California, full-time paid peace officer of another state or the federal government who is carrying out official duties while in California, an armored vehicle guard engaged in the performance of his or her duties, an honorably retired peace officer authorized to carry a firearm, and where otherwise provided by the California Penal Code.
The University Police Department does not provide storage for firearms.
Traffic accidents, criminal activity, or serious personal injury/property damage shall be reported directly to University Police.
Incidents involving missing or potentially missing persons shall be reported directly to University Police without delay.
Access to, release, and maintenance of law enforcement records and information is governed by applicable regulations, statutes, case law, and agency policy. These rules generally seek to balance the right of the public to access information for lawful purposes against the right to privacy enjoyed by individual citizens.
In most instances, persons involved in traffic accidents and some other incidents have a right to obtain information contained in the report regarding that incident. In certain cases, a copy of the report may be available for a fee. In cases of sexual abuse or domestic violence, information may be treated as confidential and not released to protect the identity and safety of the victim(s).
Requests for law enforcement records information should be made in writing and directed to the Custodian of Records, University Police. An Application for Release of Information may be obtained from University Police.
University Police maintains a Daily Activity Log that contains information regarding law enforcement activities including calls for service and complaints of a public safety nature received by the department. This log, containing records for the past sixty (60) days, is available for public inspection on the University Police website.
Statistics for certain criminal offenses are reported monthly to the California Department of Justice and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Crime statistics gathered in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Police and Campus Crime Reporting Act are published on the University Police website.
State Summary Criminal Offender Record Information (Criminal History) is maintained by the California Department of Justice. This information is confidential, for official use only, and is released only to authorized agencies on a right to know, need to know basis. This information is not available for public release. Persons may review their own state criminal history records by contacting the Department of Justice, and may review their local criminal history records by written application to Custodian of Records, University Police.
University Police shall be notified immediately of any bomb threats. Each college of the University shall develop a response plan for bomb threats that includes identification of alternate facilities for classes evacuated.
Animals or pets are not permitted in any campus building except for service animals, approved emotional support animals, boarded animals approved through CAFES, or animals involved in authorized research or instruction programs. Limited exceptions are outlined in the following subsections. Dogs must have a valid license that also serves as evidence of current rabies vaccinations.
Unless otherwise provided in this section, the CSU Policy on Service and Emotional Support Animals for Students on Campus applies to Cal Poly students.
A pet is not considered a service or an emotional support animal. Policies and procedures for service and emotional support animals are separate from animals on-campus or pet policies.
Pets may not be on campus except when they are either secured by a leash up to six (6) feet maximum in length, the other end of which is retained by a person; secured in a carrier; or securely confined in a vehicle. Pets are not permitted in any campus building, even if on a leash, with limited exceptions outlined in this policy. Pets may not be left unattended on campus, including in parked vehicles. Pets are limited to open spaces, green spaces, plazas, and pathways if they are kept in compliance with this policy.
Pets may not be housed on campus, with the exception of fish in an aquarium that does not exceed five gallons per resident, or employee, subject to approval by authorizing personnel. The only additional exceptions to this policy are the President’s House, where all pets are permitted in the President’s discretion, and any staff/faculty on-campus housing, which is governed by the terms and conditions of the housing license, lease agreement, or as otherwise specified.
Dogs over 4 months old and residing in San Luis Obispo County for more than 30 days are required by county regulation to be licensed through Animal Services.
Pets found on campus in violation of these policies are subject to impoundment by San Luis Obispo County Animal Services.
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that is not trained to perform specific tasks directly related to an individual's disability but does provide emotional support which alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person's disability. An ESA may also be referred to as an assistance animal, a comfort animal or a therapy animal. An ESA is not restricted by species like a service animal. An ESA must be free from offensive odors, parasites and infectious diseases; conduct itself in a manner appropriate to a campus environment (housebroken, well groomed, etc.); not engage in behavior that disrupts or interferes with campus purposes (barking, etc.); not show signs of endangering the health or safety of others (biting, etc.); be six months or older; and have all current vaccinations. ESAs must also meet additional requirements such as those specified in an approval agreement allowing the ESA in university housing, other campus buildings or offices. The right to have an ESA is not protected by the ADA.
Approved ESAs are permitted in on-campus housing and outdoor campus facilities. The verification process for an ESA in housing is markedly different than the verification process for a service animal. A resident must show the Disability Resource Center that they meet the definition of a qualified person with a disability and the student must have been given approval by the DRC to have an ESA as a reasonable accommodation.
Approved ESAs are permitted to live in on-campus housing, provided the animal is sufficiently licensed. Dogs over 4 months old and residing in San Luis Obispo County for more than 30 days are required by county regulation to be licensed through Animal Services.
Because ESAs are considered accommodations, residents must provide a written request for a reasonable accommodation, along with appropriate supporting documentation from the student’s treating licensed medical or mental health professional to the Disability Resource Center. Documentation will be evaluated for approval by the Disability Resource Center and not by Housing.
Housing has the discretion as to where the student and ESA will be housed and may require students seeking permission to live with their ESA on campus to provide reasonable advance notice of their intent, so students living nearby will be informed that an animal will be present.
Approval by University Housing for an ESA does not permit the animal to be taken to classes. A student may separately request, through the normal accommodation process through the Disability Resource Center, an ESA as a necessary accommodation in a classroom under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504. The act specifies not only whether such an accommodation can furnish some emotional support, but whether it is essential for the student to be able to attend the class.
The approval process requires an interactive process to assess an individual's need for the animal and if the animal is appropriate and trained for the classroom setting. After that is completed, the DRC Director will assess whether the requested accommodation should be granted or if another accommodation can be provided to the student in lieu of having an animal in the classroom.
In the case of a Section 504 request for an animal in a classroom, the appeal process differs from the process for an approval of an ESA in University Housing. It should be submitted through the campus appeal process, with the final decision coming from the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee. At this stage, the decision on the appeal is final.
Service Animals and authorized ESAs are allowed for employees in campus buildings and on campus transportation vehicles (including any campus shuttle, bus, or other fleet vehicle). An ESA is not granted access to places of public accommodation (including food-service facilities, places of entertainment, and on-campus residences, where the ESA has not been approved to reside). ESAs are not allowed to be left unattended in any building, vehicle, or outdoor space.
An employee requesting an ESA as reasonable accommodation in the workplace is treated the same as any other request for reasonable accommodation in the workplace.
Employees requesting approval to bring an ESA into their campus workspace must notify their supervisor/manager and submit the required documentation of their need for an ESA and the animal’s fitness to the appropriate administrator for approval through the accommodations process. The appropriate administrator may deny approval of an ESA, or may withdraw approval, where the animal user fails to ensure their ESA conforms to the requirements outlined in Section 353.3 of this policy.
Dogs over 4 months old and residing in San Luis Obispo County for more than 30 days are required by county regulation to be licensed through Animal Services.
Matters relating to Service Animals and approved ESAs used by students, guests or visitors are addressed by the director of the Disability Resource Center. Matters relating to the use of Service Animals or approved ESAs for employees are referred to Human Resources (staff and management) or Academic Personnel (faculty).
A Service Animal (SA) is a dog (or miniature horse) that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disabilities. A Service Animal may also be referred to as a guide dog or a signal dog. Service Animals are trained to recognize and respond to a handler's need for specific service. Service Animals are allowed on campus grounds, including university housing, food-service facilities, places of entertainment, on-campus residences, classrooms and campus libraries. The Service Animal must have current vaccinations and be housebroken and under control. The use of Service Animals is protected by the ADA. Dogs over 4 months old and residing in San Luis Obispo County for more than 30 days are required by county regulation to be licensed through Animal Services.
California State University (CSU) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs and activities, including admission and access. The policy of the CSU and Cal Poly is to make its programs, services and activities accessible to students, faculty, staff and the general public with disabilities who visit or attend a campus-sponsored event.
Cal Poly complies with all federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to Service Animals.
Animals participating in on-campus animal programs such as the Cal Poly Counseling Services Animal Assisted Therapy program, the Associated Students Incorporated’s Goat Yoga program, and the Cal Poly Foster Cat program must follow the policies and procedures for those specific programs.
Main campus is defined as all streets, buildings, and sidewalks within the perimeter of California Boulevard, Campus Way, Hathaway Avenue, Slack Street, Grand Avenue, Klamath Road, Village Drive and Highland Drive.
Livestock and horses are not allowed in main campus buildings where campus business is conducted, including residence halls, for any other purpose than educational instruction.
Livestock and horses should not use the Cal Poly main campus, including roads, sidewalks, lawns/greens or flower beds, for any other purpose than educational instruction, Cal Poly SLO Mustang Mascot, law enforcement, and approved Cal Poly outreach events.
Horse riders who are authorized to ride on Cal Poly main campus within the scope of educational instruction are required to wear an equestrian helmet at all times while mounted and must clean up and properly dispose of their animal’s fecal matter.
The trapping, caging, displaying, and/or use of wild animals on campus for any other purpose than educational instruction or by authorized individuals is prohibited.
Wild animals that are not a risk and do not represent a hazard, cause property damage, or create a public nuisance, and that do not involve human intervention, shall be allowed to inhabit the campus grounds.
Prohibited human intervention includes, but is not limited to, interaction with, feeding, building of shelters, and injection of medication, unless requested by a veterinarian associated with educational instruction.
Wild animals that are a potential risk, represent a hazard, cause property damage, create a nuisance, or otherwise pose a potential conflict for humans shall be regulated, controlled, or humanely relocated, when possible, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations
The campus is responsible for providing and facilitating a process to request approval of ESAs, a grievance process where there are alleged violations of ESAs or Service Animal user rights under this policy, and a reporting mechanism for alleged violations of this policy or California state law on protection of Service Animals.
University Personnel, University Housing, Disability Resource Center and University Police shall collaborate as needed to identify and address any threat or disruption to the campus environment related to this policy.
Animal owners and users are responsible for complying with this policy and all other applicable policies, laws and procedures relating to their animals. Owners and users are responsible for disposing of feces deposited by their animals; keeping their animals under control; and ensuring the safety of their animals.
University affiliates may be disciplined under appropriate policies, including but not limited to the State of California Education Code Section 89535, Faculty Code of Ethics, the Student Code of Conduct, the California State University Standards of Ethical Conduct, CSU Personnel Policies for Faculty and Staff Members, or any applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Non-affiliates and affiliates may be disciplined under criminal statutes, such as California Penal Codes, California Health & Safety Codes, or the California Code of Regulations.
Any person who, without legal justification, intentionally interferes with the use of a Service Animal by harassing or obstructing the Service Animal, is in violation of California law, which is punishable by fines or imprisonment. They may also be barred from campus property and subject to the consequences outlined in section 353.9 of this policy.
Any person whose dog attacks or interferes with a Service Animal may be barred from campus property and subject to the consequences outlined in section 353.9 of this policy. Their animals may also be barred from campus property.
University Police shall be notified of young children that are left unattended on the campus.
Cal Poly’s Campus Administrative Policy development process includes a 30-day open review and comment period for new and significantly revised policies. This provides an opportunity for the University community to consider and respond to policy proposals before they are in effect. The policy owner will review and consider all feedback received prior to finalizing the particular policy and associated documents.
We encourage you to provide your input, both positive and constructive, by emailing cap@calpoly.edu. Feel free to make comments or changes on the following word document as well and attach to your email.
Download 355 Parking Regulations and Enforcement DraftAll permit regulations, with the exception of resident permits, are enforced 7 days a week, 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. All other parking regulations, including resident permits, are enforced throughout campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Campus Motor Vehicle, Parking, Scooter and Bicycle Regulations shall be made available on the University Police website. A printed copy of the regulations may also be obtained at University Police. Parking on campus is by permit only. This policy applies to the entire campus, which includes all outlying areas. Parking regulations are written in accordance with California Vehicle Code Section 21113 and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Sections 42200 and 42201.
All permit regulations are enforced Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. and until 5 p.m. on Friday. During the summer quarter and academic breaks, permit regulations are enforced Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. All other parking regulations are enforced throughout campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Campus Motor Vehicle, Parking, Scooter and Bicycle Regulations shall be made available on the University Police website. A printed copy of the regulations may also be obtained at University Police. Parking on campus is by permit only with the exception of metered spaces. This policy applies to the entire campus, which includes all outlying areas. Parking regulations are written in accordance with California Vehicle Code Section 21113 and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Sections 42200 and 42201.
Students teaching six (6) weighted teaching units (WTUs) or more, part time nonstudent instructors and temporary appointment positions shall be entitled to purchase staff parking for the term of their employment.
Complimentary off-duty faculty/staff parking permits are available from University Police for faculty and staff on leave from the University or otherwise on non-pay status during a specific academic term or terms. Employees must purchase a staff parking permit on or before the date they plan to return to active status.
Executive parking passes are issued to University vice presidents and college deans who have purchased parking permits. The executive pass is intended to accommodate exceptional instances where parking is not available when University business needs to occur and delay would impede their executive duties.
Event parking is defined as any program held on campus where reserved or specialized parking for attendees is requested, or the size, location, time, and date of the activity may impact the traffic flow/access to the campus or pose a potential liability to the University as determined by University Police. Unless authorized, event parking shall not be offered by campus event hosts during the following events: Open House, Fall Commencement, Spring Commencement, and Fall Quarter Residence Hall Move-In.
Prior to the acquisition of a power cart, the department shall initiate a campus building permit to ensure an appropriate area or space is identified for cart parking. All associated costs will be the responsibility of the requesting department. Carts must park within designated spaces throughout campus and may not park on sidewalks, walkways, plazas or on landscaping.
No person shall use any motor vehicle in any area on the campus for the purpose of human habitation or camping without the express written permission of the Vice President for Administration and Finance or designee. “Human Habitation” includes one or more of the following activities: sleeping between the hours of 12 midnight and 7 a.m., cooking, or elimination of body wastes.
Requests for long-term storage on University property or property under the jurisdiction of the University may be submitted in writing for consideration to the Chief of Police or designee. Abandoned vehicles or vehicles stored without express written permission of the Chief of Police or designee will be towed away. Any parking permit issued pursuant to campus regulations shall cease to be valid when the vehicle displaying the permit is determined to be inoperative. No repair of private vehicles shall take place on the campus. Unless approved by University Police Chief or designee, washing of private vehicles on campus is prohibited.
No person shall use any motor vehicle in any area on the campus for the purpose of human habitation or camping without the express written permission of the Vice President for Administration and Finance or designee. “Human Habitation” includes one or more of the following activities: sleeping between the hours of 12 midnight and 7 a.m., cooking, or elimination of body wastes.
Requests for long-term storage on University property or property under the jurisdiction of the University may be submitted in writing for consideration to the Chief of Police or designee. Abandoned vehicles or vehicles stored without express written permission of the Chief of Police or designee will be towed away. Any parking permit issued pursuant to campus regulations shall cease to be valid when the vehicle displaying the permit is determined to be inoperative. No repair of private vehicles shall take place on the campus. Unless approved by University Police Chief or designee, washing of private vehicles on campus is prohibited.
Prior to the acquisition of a power cart, the department shall initiate a campus building permit to ensure an appropriate area or space is identified for cart parking. All associated costs will be the responsibility of the requesting department. Carts must park within designated spaces throughout campus and may not park on sidewalks, walkways, plazas or on landscaping.
Prior to operating a power cart on campus property, all operators must complete a brief safety program. The safety program is assigned through Learner Web by a supervisor within the operators’ campus department. The campus department will assume responsibility to verify program completion. This safety program and associated materials are maintained and updated by University Police.
Bicycle regulations are in accordance with California Vehicle Code Sections 21200 through 21212, and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 42353.1. Bicycles used in the course of duty by University Police enforcement personnel are exempt from the University bicycle regulations.
Bicycles are not to be ridden on sidewalks or on Poly View Drive (Inner Perimeter) including the section of Poly View Drive that terminates at the Business Administration and Education Building. Bicycles are not to be ridden or parked inside buildings or stairways. Bicycles shall not be parked on lawn areas, sidewalks, or secured to lampposts, landscaping, stairs, railings, or any location where they impede pedestrian traffic or create a hazard.
Campus residents are encouraged to register/license their bicycles with University Police to aid in recovery/return of lost, impounded, and stolen bicycles.
Impounded and/or abandoned bicycles that remain unclaimed for a period of ninety (90) days or more may be disposed of or sold through auction by the University in accordance with ICSUAM Policy 3250.01.
The use of skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, coasters, or similar devices on the campus is prohibited, except for special events that have been authorized and approved by University Police.