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St. Patrick’s Day
What to Expect | Enforcement & Fines | On-Campus Events | Health & Safety | Campus Messages
What to Expect
This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, we remind all students to celebrate the holiday responsibly and safely. Cal Poly and the City of San Luis Obispo are working together to enforce all laws and policies.
Out-of-town guests should not plan to come here.
– No guests will be allowed in on-campus housing Thursday, March 12, through Tuesday, March 17.
– No overnight visitor parking will be available on campus.
Criminal activity and violations of university policy will not be tolerated.
– Police will increase enforcement on campus, in the residence halls and in the nearby neighborhoods.
– The City of San Luis Obispo will double fines for violations.
– Warnings will not be issued for parties. Expect a $1,000 fine instead.
– Charges for damages in University Housing facilities will be doubled.
Students who violate the law or university policies will be held accountable.
– The City of San Luis Obispo and SLOPD will report all student arrests and citations to Cal Poly for student conduct investigations.
Enforcement & Fines
No Guests in University Housing March 12-17
- Guests will not be allowed in Cal Poly University Housing for St. Patrick’s Day starting at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 12, through 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 17.
- Only residents can enter their assigned buildings. Housing will be checking IDs to make sure we’re keeping our communities for residents only.
- If you don’t live here, you won’t be allowed in — including students who live in other on-campus residence halls and apartments.
- Guests will be required to leave.
- Students will not be able to purchase overnight guest parking permits during this time.
- Charges for damages incurred during the no-guest period in University Housing will be doubled.
What Happens in SLO Stays on Your Record
- Students and visitors who break the law will be held accountable.
- Cal Poly students who invite guests who break the law may also be held liable for their guests’ behavior.
- San Luis Obispo Police will report all crimes and violations occurring off campus to Cal Poly’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities to be addressed through the student conduct process.
SLO Safety Enhancement Zones
- The city Safety Enhancement Zone will be in effect from March 6-9, March 13-16 and March 17-18.
- Friday, March 6 at midnight to Monday, March 9 at 7 a.m.
- Friday, March 13 at midnight to Monday, March 16 at 7 a.m.
- Tuesday, March 17 at midnight to Wednesday, March 18 at 7 a.m.
- Fines for noise, unruly gathering, public urination and open container are doubled. A first violation for noise, public urination and open container will be $700, a first violation for unruly gathering will be $1,000.
Access Information for March 14, 2026 Common Final
- Campus Access & Parking
- Community members participating in the common final on March 14, 2026, will have access to campus and parking. If you encounter a road closure, inform the parking officer that you are attending a final, and they will allow you through.
- Plan Ahead
- Due to road closures and heavy pedestrian traffic, please arrive at least one hour early to ensure ample time for parking and reaching your final exam location.
- Public Transportation
- Transit services will continue to operate as scheduled. Please check with your provider for any potential delays and plan accordingly to ensure timely arrival.
On-Campus Events
Morning On the Green — A Mustang Music Festival
The university is planning an early morning concert, Morning on the Green — A Mustang Music Festival, on March 14 at the Sports Complex Lower Fields, with capacity for about 10,000 students. Tickets will become available at 10 a.m. on Feb. 18. Tickets are limited to one per Cal Poly Student.
ASI Student Town Hall
The campus community is invited to attend a Student Town Hall from 4-5 p.m. on March 4 to learn more about Cal Poly’s plans and guidelines for St. Patrick’s Day. ASI President Marc Cabeliza will moderate a panel of university leaders including President Armstrong; Ryan Gruss, assistant vice president for performing arts, events and campus engagements; and Terrance Harris, vice president for Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. You can help shape the discussion by submitting your questions in advance.
Health & Safety
Sober Up Spaces
Three Sober Up spaces will be on campus on March 14 from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. to provide support and an alternative to jail for those who are drunk and/or high. Locations for these spaces include:
- Multi-Activity Center (No. 43, Room 170)
- Sierra Madre Community Center (No. 113)
- Morning on the Green Music Festival (next to the first aid tent)
Keep your friends safe and utilize Sober Up spaces! These spaces provide students who are drunk and/or high – but breathing and conscious – a space to rest and sober up. Students dropped off at Sober Up spaces will be monitored and supported by Good Samaritan sobering center professionals.
If a student is unconscious or having difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1 immediately.
DO NOT take them to a Sober Up space.
Individuals dropping off and/or those receiving support at a Sober Up space are protected by state and federal health privacy laws.
You will not face discipline for:
- Dropping off an intoxicated student at a Sober Up space
- Being intoxicated and receiving support at a Sober Up space
- Individual student information will not be shared with the student conduct office.
If you choose to celebrate, do it safely, responsibly and respectfully.
- Be mindful of behavior that impacts the safety and well-being of your communities and neighbors.
- Plan for safe transportation.
- Stay with a friend, and plan a meet-up spot in advance in case you get separated.
- Charge your phone before going out.
- Eat and stay hydrated.
- Stick to one alcoholic drink or less per hour and avoid hard liquor.
- Don’t leave any drink unattended.
- Don’t mix substances.
Campus Messages
Feb. 26: Get Your St. Patrick’s Day Question Answered on March 4
Dear Students,
You’re invited to a Student Town Hall on March 4 to learn more about Cal Poly’s plans and guidelines for St. Patrick’s Day. ASI President Marc Cabeliza will moderate a panel of university leaders, including President Armstrong, Ryan Gruss, assistant vice president for performing arts, events and campus engagements; and me. You can help shape the discussion by submitting your questions in advance.
- When: 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, March 4
- Where: Cal Poly Partner’s Pavilion by 1901 Marketplace
- Student Price: Free with PolyCard
Submit a question today.
I hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Terrance Harris
Vice President, Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Feb. 25: Support Needed: St. Patrick’s Day Efforts
Dear Colleagues,
We are writing today to share information about the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday, anticipated activities on and near campus, and ways you can help support the university’s efforts.
In previous years, St. Patrick’s Day-related celebrations led to large, unruly gatherings and property damage both on and off campus. A coordinated university–city approach last year resulted in a significantly calmer weekend, and the university is taking the same approach again this year with the goal of another safe and peaceful St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
To support these efforts, we are asking for your help by signing up to assist in University Housing residence halls over the weekend. Those who sign up to assist may be asked to:
- Verify resident IDs at checkpoints across Housing neighborhoods
- Walk through residence halls in pairs to deter issues and report concerns to Housing staff
MPP Area Lead shifts are also available. Area Leads serve as the primary point of contact for a designated residence hall neighborhood or area and are responsible for coordinating within their area, responding to incidents or situations, notifying Residential Student Experience (RSE) leadership, and handling escalations and elevated concerns.
Shifts are organized by date, residential community, building, and time. Those who sign up will be paired with another employee or an RSE student leader (Resident Advisor or Community Advisor) for each shift. Training will be provided in the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Employees interested in working one or more shifts must receive approval in advance from their appropriate administrator. Overtime may be authorized. All employees will be paid based on their respective contracts. Please work with your appropriate administrator and enter your hours accordingly.
All participants will receive a Campus Dining meal voucher. Individuals who sign up for certain critical-need shifts will also receive $50 added to their Campus Express account.
To view available shifts and sign up, please visit the sign-up page here.
A full listing of university policies and programming related to St. Patrick’s Day weekend is available on the Dean of Students’ website, along with information on how the city will address off-campus activity.
Thank you for your support. Please contact the EOC at eoc@calpoly.edu with any questions.
Kolay Carver
Director – Residential Student Experience
Anthony Knight
Executive Director – Public Safety
Takuto Doshiro
Deputy Director - Emergency Operations Center
Feb. 5: Important St. Patrick’s Day Reminders from the Dean of Students
Dear Students,
I’m writing with a heads up on the university’s plans for St. Patrick’s Day and the importance of making safe, responsible choices. You are expected to follow university policies and local laws, so read on to know what’s expected of you and visit the Dean of Students website for more information.
While many students choose to celebrate, unsafe or disruptive behavior can result in serious consequences, including arrest and university conduct action. Fines are costly, stress is real, and the impact can last well beyond the weekend. Please don’t test your luck.
University Housing Restrictions
To support a safe residential environment, no guests will be allowed in Cal Poly residence halls from 8 p.m. Thursday, March 12, through 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 17. This includes all outside visitors and students from other housing communities. You must have your student ID for entry. No overnight guest parking permits will be issued, and campus access will be restricted. In addition, University Housing damage charges will be doubled.
City of San Luis Obispo Enforcement
The City of San Luis Obispo will enforce a Safety Enhancement Zone, doubling fines for violations such as noise disturbances, unruly gatherings and public intoxication during the following times:
- March 6, midnight - March 9, 7 a.m.
- March 13, midnight - March 16, 7 a.m.
- March 17, midnight - March 18, 7 a.m.
Fines begin at $700, with unruly gathering citations starting at $1,000. All student arrests and citations will be reported to Cal Poly for conduct review.
Campus Event Options
The university is planning an early morning concert, Morning on the Green: A Mustang Music Festival, on March 14 at the Sports Complex Lower Fields, with capacity of 10,000 students. More details will be released later in February.
Choose Safety
If you celebrate, do so responsibly. Stick with friends, plan safe transportation, manage noise, and look out for one another. Campus resources — including Mustang Patrol, the Mustang Shuttle and the Mustang Safe app — are available to support your safety. There will also be several sobering stations on campus to provide support and an alternative to jail for those who are intoxicated.
Please take care of yourselves and each other and make choices you’ll be proud of.
Sincerely,
Joy Pedersen
Dean of Students
Personal Safety Resources and Links
→ Mustang Safe: Turn your smartphone into a personal safety device. Download the free app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
→ Request a safety walk with Mustang Patrol by calling Cal Poly Police Dispatch at 805-756-2281 or through the Rave Guardian app.
→ Mustang Shuttle runs from 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m. seven days a week. Download the app to track the shuttle locations.
→ University Housing residents are expected to make mature, responsible, and respectful choices as individuals and a community. Review University Housing policies.
→ University Housing reserves the right to prohibit guests at any time based upon operational and/or public health needs. Review Overnight guest information for more details.
