Thousands of young Mustangs stampeded onto Cal Poly campus Saturday to start the fall quarter.
Over 5,500 freshman and transfer students got their first look at their new home ahead of Thursday’s class start.
Students like Spencer Allen, who plans to study architecture, are excited for that first taste of freedom.
"I’m excited to meet new people, the environment, hanging out, finding my way around (campus), not getting lost," Allen, a Cambria native, said.
For many of these students, green and gold runs in the family.
"My brother goes here, it’s comforting because moving away from home is kind of scary for me so it will be nice to have him around and a lot of fun," Elise Bodnar, a Simi Valley native majoring in liberal studies, said.
Pamela Deluca gave a send off to her youngest of three children enrolled at Cal Poly. She said this third round of goodbyes wasn’t quite as emotional.
"Not so much, I have to be honest with you, but it’s fun and exciting knowing they’ll all be together," Deluca said.
Many incoming students will live in the newest Freshman dorms built since 1970.
Each building, which features a full kitchen and recreational areas, is named for a central coast region and animal in a northern Chumash dialect.
"I love them, I think the collaboration Cal Poly has with the Northern Chumash is amazing," Naomi Root, a second year student and resident assistant, said.
For students, it’s a crash course in pronunciation but an opportunity to learn about a new culture.
Kevin Zhang, a New Zealand native who plans to study physics, said it’s the culture of the Central Coast he’s most excited to learn.
"American culture, we really like American music," Zhang said.
Whether they come from far away or just up highway 101, these students are eager to learn and make memories.
"Hopefully (I’ll make) a close knit group of friends I’ll keep forever," Bodnar said.
