Hurricane Hilary Campus Update

August 21, 2023

Dear Campus Community,

At this time, the heaviest winds and rains from Hurricane Hilary have passed over Cal Poly Pomona, and I am pleased to share with you that our preventative efforts resulted in very little damage and disruption to our campus.  

I know that communities around our area lost power, access to telecommunications and internet access and are grappling with flooding, so I do hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well as we begin our recovery from the storm.  

At this time, I am receiving updates and working directly with Cal Poly Pomona officials, UPD, Facilities Planning & Management, Administrative Affairs, Student Affairs, our animal care specialists and more to ensure the few minor incidents that did take place on campus are tended to immediately. Fortunately, these amount to two downed trees with no impact to roadways and some small minor leaks in a few buildings. Thanks to the considerable preparation and response efforts of our personnel, we will be able to resume regular operations on our campus tomorrow, Tuesday, August 22.  

I want to thank everyone and every department for their understanding and flexibility as we changed and rearranged plans this week to start the academic year. I look forward to the energy and excitement that comes from our students and their families during move-in and of course, Fall Convocation which kicks off the week of Fall Conference activities. I know how much planning and effort went into these programs, how much we all look forward to coming together to celebrate the start of the new academic year, and the disappointment that results when plans were necessarily changed to assure safety. I especially want to thank the members of our Student Affairs team and all those who will be volunteering Tuesday and Wednesday to help our students move into their rooms, a tradition that was interrupted by the weekend’s storm. We will also be sharing updates on the adjusted plans for Convocation.  

Lastly, I want to thank you all for the culture of care and support you each contribute to here at Cal Poly Pomona. Your safety and wellbeing is of the utmost importance to me, my leadership team and everyone who calls themself a Bronco. Please, take care and I look forward to seeing you back on campus for the start of the 2023-2024 academic year the remainder of this week.  

Sincerely,

Soraya M. Coley, Ph.D.
President