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Cal Poly will pair its student-run PolyCultural Weekend with the campus-wide Open House on April 9–11, bringing a three-day immersive program for conditionally admitted students into the broader admissions event. The move is designed to give prospective students a clearer sense of campus cultural life at a moment when many are weighing where they will enroll.
University spokesperson Keegan Koberl confirmed the collaboration in an email to Mustang News, saying organizers from the Multicultural Center, Student Development and Belonging, and New Student and Transition Programs have created a dedicated track for the weekend inside Open House.
What PolyCultural Weekend offers within Open House
PolyCultural Weekend (PCW) remains an overnight program: admitted students live on campus with a current student host, visit cultural organization booths, and participate in performances and discussions meant to introduce them to campus communities. Organizers say guests will be able to join both PCW-specific events and the regular academic programming of Open House.
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Highlights scheduled for the combined weekend include a PCW Got Talent show and a variety of hands-on activities. According to event information, participants can expect everything from outdoor excursions to late-night socials.
- Student-hosted overnight stays and college tours
- Performances and cultural showcases, including a Got Talent stage
- Workshops such as a drag workshop and craft sessions
- Recreational options: hiking, bowling, silent disco and dancing
- Organization booths where clubs connect directly with admitted students
Organizers emphasize that the PCW track is meant to support students from historically underserved backgrounds and anyone seeking multicultural campus connections. “PCW is designed to complement Open House by centering cultural connection, community-building and engagement with student organizations,” Koberl said.
Students on why the pairing matters
Members of campus cultural groups view the integration as a way to broaden reach. Haley Wong, a junior studying business administration and a member of the Chinese Student Association, said the joint programming will likely increase attendance and help more admitted students meet peers before they arrive on campus.
For participants like biomedical engineering sophomore Emily Reyes, the weekend’s theme—framed this year as growing together—is meant to convey how distinct cultures can combine to form a supportive community. Reyes, who has staffed a Pilipino Cultural Exchange booth and performed with Hui ‘O Hawai’i, compared the mix of groups to a bouquet: each part different, but striking when presented together. She also recalled speaking with admitted students who were worried about fitting in at a school they perceived as predominantly white, and said PCW helps challenge that impression.
Ryan Lampitok, a chemistry sophomore who attended PCW as an admitted student and later returned as a host, described the weekend as a decisive moment. Seeing student communities in action convinced him Cal Poly was the right fit, he said; the experience also led to lasting friendships. Nicole Angel Sabuero, a business administration junior who represented PCE, called the program a practical way for prospective students to form a campus connection before classes begin.
A complete list of participating student organizations is available on the Multicultural Center website for those who want to explore which groups will be present during the weekend.
By embedding PCW within Open House, campus leaders say they hope to present a fuller picture of student life to admits—especially those seeking cultural affinity on campus—and to make the transition to college feel less uncertain for students arriving this fall.
