Cal Poly farmland considered for development
Following public outcry, Cal Poly announced it has dropped a plan to develop farmland that agriculture students use as classrooms.
As part of the university’s master plan update, Cal Poly officials were considering building housing, hotels and a convention center on 43 acres of farmland. The land consists of lemon and orange groves, grapevines, a deciduous orchard and silage for Cal Poly livestock, according to a university news release.
Cal Poly agriculture students recently launched a website and a petition opposing the development plan. Faculty members also voiced displeasure with the proposal.
Additionally, the College of Agriculture faculty recently conducted a vote of no-confidence in Agriculture Dean Andrew Thulin. Faculty members voted 78-21 against Thulin, citing alleged violations of shared governance procedures and micro-management as reasons for the no-confidence vote.
On Thursday, CalCoastNews reported on the no-confidence vote, as well as the mounting opposition to the development proposal. That same day, Cal Poly officials decided to scrap the plan to build on the farmland.
“We have heard from our students, our faculty members, and our alumni industry friends on this issue in recent weeks, and their voices have been unanimous: This land must be maintained for our ag programs,” Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong said in a statement released by the university.
The land university officials considered building on is located west of Highway 1 along the western entrance to campus.
