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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. View a map of Resident Check-In Points.
- 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.
Campus Road Closures and Parking Enforcement
- The following roads will be closed to through traffic from Friday, March 13, at 10 p.m. through Saturday, March 14, at 2 p.m. (subject to change):
- Grand Avenue at Pacheco Way.
- Highland Drive at University Drive.
- North Perimeter Road at University Drive.
- California Boulevard at Highland Drive.
- California Boulevard at Campus Way.
- Village Drive at North Perimeter Road.
- Village Drive at Via Carta.
- The following parking lots will be closed from Friday, March 13, at 10 p.m. through Saturday, March 14, at 2 p.m.
- H-2A, H-2B and H-2C
- H-12
- H-13
- H-15 (excluding ADA spaces)
- G-2
- The following parking lots are reserved for Morning On the Green ticketholders and staff supporting the concert.
- H-14
- H-16
- No overnight visitor parking will be allowed.
- No visitor-parking permits will be sold from Friday, March 13, at 10 p.m. through Saturday, March 14, at 2 p.m.
- On-campus residents with a valid residential parking permit will be able to access campus parking structures. Staff will be stationed at each entrance to verify permits—please expect delays. If the resident has a permit for Structure 131, then they can enter through Grand Ave. All others should come through Highland Drive.
- Students can take Uber/Lyft to get to and leave campus. There are designated drop-off and pick-up locations around the campus footprint.
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.
- For those participating in the common final, it is recommended to park in the Grand Ave. Structure and the C Lots around California Boulevard for easiest access.
- 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
Gates will open at 4:45 a.m. Saturday, March 14, for this year's Morning on the Green concert at the Sports Complex Lower Fields. If you're attending, review the information below to be prepared for a great morning.
Wristband Pick-Up Information
To expedite entry to the concert, wristbands can be picked up in advance by scanning your ticket at our pick-up locations:
- Performing Arts Center and University Union Plaza
- Dates: March 9-13 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Concert FAQs
Is there a wait list or stand-by line for the concert?
No, there is not.
How do I pick up my wristband to expedite entry to the concert?
We will have two pick-up locations: one at the PAC and one near the University Union Plaza. These will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, March 9 – Friday, March 13.
What if I don’t pick up my wristband early?
You will still be able to get into the concert; however, you will have to wait in an additional line, and entry will be much slower.
Can I give my wristband to my friend?
We will put a student wristband on your wrist when you pick it up. If you have a guest ticket, the guest band will be provided to you and you can give to your friend.
Can I return my ticket(s)?
Yes, you can. Please fill out the following form and we will process the return for you: Returning Morning on the Green ticket form – Fill out form
What time do gates open?
The gates will open at 4:45 a.m., with entertainment beginning at 5 a.m.. We highly recommend being ready to enter at 4:45 a.m. to ease your entry experience.
Can I leave the concert and come back in?
There is no re-entry allowed.
Will there be food and water at the concert?
Yes, we will have complimentary breakfast burritos/sandwiches, fruit and various other breakfast pastries along with water stations. Vegetarian options will be available as well.
How can I get into the concert easily?
Arrive early, pick up your wristband during the week, and don’t wear or bring anything that will set off the metal detector.
Where can I park if I need to drive to campus?
Cars will be directed to H14 and H16. ADA Parking will be available in H15 and will provide easier access to the venue.
Can I bring a bag?
No bags of any kind or size will be allowed.
Venue Rules
- Must have wristband or ticket to scan to get a wristband in order to attend
- All attendees will be subject to a full pat down
- Confiscated items will not be returned
- The university is not responsible for any lost or stolen items
- Any items being brought into the venue (including phone cases) will be searched
- NO re-entry/ins-and-outs
- NO bare feet (must be wearing appropriate footwear for standing/walking on grass and uneven surfaces)
- NO overnight camping or parking
- NO unauthorized vendors
- NO tailgating
- This event is 18+
Zero Tolerance
We have a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drug use and possession. Police will be working inside and outside of the event, and all narcotics laws will be strictly enforced. Don’t test your luck.
Medication
- All medication brought shall be subject to search.
- Over-the-counter medication must be in their original and properly labeled container and not mixed with any other medication or items.
- Prescription medication must be clearly labeled with the medication name and authorized user.
- If you have any questions, please contact eoc@calpoly.edu prior to the event.
Prohibited Items
- Bags or purses of any kind
- Cigarettes, E-Cigs, disposable E-Cigs, marijuana, and lighters
- Festival totems, banners, fan signs or large posters
- Balloons, balls, inflatables, and frisbees
- Laser pointers, hula hoops, and glow sticks
- Paint pens, permanent markers, and spray paint
- Outside food or beverages (including alcohol, snacks, and candy)
- Illegal substances
- Weapons of any kind (including pocket-knives, pepper spray, fireworks, etc.)
- Professional or dedicated recording devices (including cameras, video cameras, Go Pros, etc.)
- Selfie sticks
- Water bottles or flasks of any kind (Water will be provided)
- Lawn chairs and shade structures
- Projectile objects, devices, or toys
- Empty containers of any type, as well as containers that do not contain their original substance including but not limited to lip balm, deodorant, or lipstick containers
- Aerosol products/cans
- Drones, remote-controlled aircraft, toys
- Pets (service animals are allowed)
- No amplified sound
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
March 11: Final Reminders for St. Patrick’s Day
Dear Students,
With St. Patrick’s Day 2026 fast approaching, we are reaching out to you all one final time to encourage you to be safe, make smart and healthy choices, be good neighbors, and take part in the university’s on-campus offerings if you choose to celebrate.
First, a look back at St. Patrick’s Day 2025 and a word of thanks. After several years of escalating street parties in nearby neighborhoods and destructive behavior in our University Housing facilities on campus, we were pleased to see a safer and calmer holiday celebration last year.
To those of you who were here last year and who celebrated the holiday, we offer our appreciation for the part you played in changing the culture of St. Patrick’s Day in our community.
And to everyone, we ask you to carry this approach forward this year for another safe and successful weekend.
Like last year, there are several changes to some of our normal university policies that you need to be aware of for the coming weekend and holiday:
- There is a strict no-guest policy in effect from Thursday, March 12, through Tuesday, March 17, in University Housing. This includes residents from other halls on campus. If you don’t live in the building, you will not be allowed in. And any Cal Poly students found to have a guest during this period will be held accountable.
- There will be no overnight visitor parking available on campus during this period.
- Staffing and patrols, including by Cal Poly Police, within University Housing will be increased, and quiet hours will be strictly enforced.
- Charges for any damages to University Housing facilities during this time will be doubled.
In addition, the city’s safety enhancement zone will be in effect, doubling fines for noise violations, unruly gatherings and other related offenses — and warnings will not be issued. More information about safety enhancement zone enforcement is available on the city's Respect SLO webpage.
Law enforcement presence will be significantly increased on and off campus during this time, and students found to violate the law and/or university policy will be held accountable. The City of San Luis Obispo and SLOPD will report all student arrests and citations to the university for student conduct investigations.
We know that some members of our student community will want to celebrate the holiday, and we are not asking you to refrain. However, we ask that you make good choices and celebrate in a manner that is safe for you and those around you and respectful of all community members on and off campus.
More information about these policy changes is available online at the Dean of Students’ webpage.
Morning On the Green
Last year, Cal Poly offered the first-ever Morning on the Green concert — a way for students to celebrate safely on campus and not in unsafe, unauthorized street parties in our nearby neighborhoods. More than 5,000 people attended the show.
As we approached the second installment of this event, the university examined last year’s edition and made changes aimed at 1) allowing more of you to take part in the celebration, and 2) smoothing out the entry process to make it easier for attendees to gain access and to increase safety for everyone on site.
This year’s concert features Odd Mob and Walker & Royce. The show is set for 5 to 9 a.m. Saturday on the Cal Poly Sports Complex Lower Fields. All 14,000 tickets for this year’s event have been claimed, and there will not be a standby line.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early; gates open around 4:45 a.m. Entry will continue throughout the morning.
To enter the concert venue, you will need a wristband. Speed up your entry process by picking up your wristband in advance, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday this week at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) or UU Plaza. Look for the Morning on the Green tents.
If you don’t pick up your wristband early, you can still attend the show, but you will need to stand in an additional line Saturday morning, and your entry will be slower.
There is additional information about the concert — including venue rules and other important information — on the Dean of Students’ webpage.
You can also find health and safety tips and information about other university offerings, including three Sober Up Spaces that will be available for students from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14. They will be at the Morning On the Green show, the Multi-Activity Center (MAC), and the Sierra Madre Community Center.
The spaces provide support for students who are intoxicated but who are conscious and breathing and are not experiencing a medical emergency. Students who utilize these spaces, as well as students who drop off an intoxicated individual, are protected by privacy laws and will not face discipline.
However you may choose to spend the holiday weekend, please know that your health and safety are a primary concern for the university. We want you to have fun and celebrate, but please do so in a way that is healthy, safe and respectful to your community.
Marc Cabeliza
ASI President
Terrance Harris
Vice President, Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
March 9: St. Patrick's Day Housing Reminder
Residents:
St. Patrick’s Day guest policy, quiet hours and double fines start on March 12. Remember:
- Guests are not allowed in Housing communities. You can only access the building where you reside.
- Carry your ID — you will need it to pass through the Housing checkpoint for your building.
- Quiet hours are in effect 11 p.m.-8 a.m., Sunday-Thursday and 1-10 a.m., Friday and Saturday.
- Vandalism of state property is a crime. Fees will be doubled for damages and criminal charges may apply.
- Policy violations will be reported to Cal Poly’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR), to be addressed through the student conduct process.
f you see something, say something. Call Cal Poly Police Department at 805-781-7317 or report to OSRR.
Let's keep it safe, everyone.
University Housing
Cal Poly
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.
