Explained: The Integration of Cal Maritime and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

The CSU Board of Trustees voted to approve the integration of California State University Maritime Academy and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo on November 21, 2024. Read the announcement​, and learn more about the integration.​​​​

The proposal seeks to address financial challenges at Cal Maritime, including declining enrollment and rising operations and compensation costs, that have made it unviable for the university to continue as a standalone institution. As one of only six state maritime institutions in the U.S. and the only one on the West Coast​ and Pacific Rim, Cal Maritime is integral to preparing the next generation of U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Merchant Marine officers serving this region.

“Beyond this pragmatic fiscal and operational imperative, this proposed action will benefit the students, faculty and staff of both institutions, and advance the broader CSU mission by enhancing the quality, diversity and sustainability of the CSU's academic programs and services," said Steve Relyea, CSU executive vice chancellor and chief financial officer. “And of equal and broader importance, the integration will serve the workforce needs of the state of California and the nation's maritime industry while protecting critical U.S. economic and national security interests."

Licensed graduates of Cal Maritime are instrumental in the economic and national security of the country as they transport imports and exports as well as government supplies and military equipment around the world.

Separately, both universities boast excellent hands-on learning and research in the fields of oceanography, marine sciences, engineering and the 'blue-green economy'—that is, sustainably securing renewable energy, food and water from the ocean. Integrating the two universities would bring together their complementary work, which would strengthen their respective programs, open opportunities for students and faculty, and benefit the state and nation.

“All of us at Cal Maritime are proud of these significant and globally impactful strengths and believe that the proposed integration provides the opportunity to not only sustain, but to build upon them," said Cal Maritime Interim President Michael Dumont.

New Opportunities for Cal Poly

By integrating the Cal Maritime campus at Vallejo, California, students and faculty at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo would have access to greater opportunities with additional programs and facilities.

With the addition of Cal Maritime's science- and engineering-related programs, many of which lead to a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine officer license, the integration would effectively open space and relieve pressure on Cal Poly's impacted engineering and science majors—such as mechanical engineering—as prospective Cal Poly students could apply to these degree programs at the Vallejo campus. Students would also be able to participate in Cal Maritime's specialized license-track programs, known for their high return on investment, while earning a Cal Poly degree.

“Cal Maritime's license-granting programs, engineering programs and other areas of study offer complementing concentrations in engineering and other fields that are not currently offered at Cal Poly, allowing the portfolio of academic offerings to expand," said Nathan Evans, deputy vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and chief academic officer.

In addition, the Vallejo campus would allow Cal Poly students and faculty to access new research facilities and lab space for instruction, experiential learning and research. This would include the new training vessel, Golden State, which is set to arrive in Vallejo in late 2026. Owned by the federal government, the ship will offer state-of-the-art lab space and classroom facilities, berthing for 600 students as well as faculty and staff, an onsite infirmary, an auditorium and a helipad. These features “support the ship's dual mission: to train and educate our student-cadets, and also to serve as an emergency and first-response vessel in the event of natural or man-made disaster," Dumont said.

Lastly, the incorporation of Cal Maritime programs would allow Cal Poly to apply for greater funding related to national security and renewable energy programs, such as federal grants and contracts, that could bolster programs at both campuses.

A Secure Future for Cal Maritime

For Cal Maritime, the integration would first mean financial viability. Operating costs would be greatly reduced as many operations and administrative processes would be incorporated into the work already being done by departments at Cal Poly, such as admissions, advising, payroll, fundraising, facilities maintenance and other student support services. The campus would also be able to leverage Cal Poly's expertise, networks and resources to enhance its academic quality, student success and research impact.

Cal Poly's internationally recognized brand and reputation would also garner greater attention for Cal Maritime. Plus, its successful marketing, student outreach and enrollment efforts would help increase and diversify enrollment at the Cal Maritime campus. “Cal Poly has been able to build a robust and dynamic enrollment management and marketing program and will be able to amplify these benefits to more diverse students and families who may have been previously unaware of the opportunities presented by the maritime field," Evans said. “Additionally, and in keeping with Cal Maritime's mission, this will allow for increased outreach across the western United States including Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii, as well as U.S. territories in the Pacific."

Once enrolled as Cal Poly students, Cal Maritime students would also have access to the Cal Poly Financial Aid and Scholarship Plan to help fund their education. Currently, the financial condition of Cal Maritime has not allowed for substantial financial aid and scholarship options for students—a challenge to student recruitment and retention as there are additional residential and uniform costs associated with the license-track programs.

While one-time funds for the integration would provide continuing students aid to cover any difference in fees, the Cal Poly Financial Aid and Scholarship Plan would ensure all future students have sufficient financial support to pursue their degrees and secure a promising career. Additionally, the one-time funds and the ongoing financial aid plan would help increase access to Cal Maritime programs for low-income and historically underserved students.

“We are confident that these changes will result in a significantly higher number and percentage of low-income California students attending Cal Maritime and achieving social mobility as they pursue maritime careers," said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “Equally important and secondary to increasing financial aid and scholarships, our plan advances the 'Learn by Doing' model, improves access and success for an increasingly diverse student body, allows for greater support of the institutions' high and very high investment programs and enhances the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff."

What Integration Means for Current Cal Maritime Students

Should the plan be approved, the multi-year transition period would not disrupt current students' course of study. The Vallejo campus would remain the permanent location for Cal Maritime's license-track programs, research work and other degree programs—and students currently attending Cal Maritime would continue their studies there.

While integration efforts would begin in July 2025, maritime academy students would not be enrolled as Cal Poly students until fall 2026. The specifics around the diploma have not been determined yet and are currently under review as we look to the best option for students.

Once students are enrolled as Cal Poly students in fall 2026, they would follow Cal Poly's Financial Aid and Scholarship Plan and fee structure. The CSU would use some of the one-time funds for the integration to cover any difference in fees current Cal Maritime students would be charged following this transition.

To learn more, read the FAQs and watch the presentation and discussion at the July Board of Trustees meeting.