Cal Maritime Academy has officially become Cal Poly Maritime Academy, following the California State University Board of Trustees' approval of the merger. This transition will be completed by the beginning of the 2026-27 academic year. The integration aims to merge academic systems, transitioning Cal Poly from quarters to semesters. The merger was prompted by Cal Maritime's 31 percent enrollment decline over the past seven years and rising operational costs, posing a fiscal crisis for the institution. New leadership has been appointed for the integration efforts.
"We've been anticipating this time between now and last November and we're looking forward to the new collaboration and coordination," Cal Poly Maritime Director of University Affairs Chelsea McClain said. "We will be integrating the academic year from quarter to semester. Cal Maritime was already semester and now Cal Poly will transition."
"But it's going to be a unique situation where we take elements of Cal Poly and merge them with Cal Maritime," McClain continued. "We're not sure yet what the mascot will be in the future. Possibly a Mustang the Mariner character of a captain or sailor."
The decision of the merger between the two schools was made after Cal Maritime experienced a 31 percent enrollment decline over the last seven years - going from approximately 1,100 students in 2016-17 to just over 750 in 2023-24, according to a CSU statement.
The rising employment and operational costs have contributed to the fiscal crisis for Cal Maritime, which has an annual budget of $53 million.
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