The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees recently voted to approve the proposed integration of California State University Maritime Academy and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
According to spokesmen, the vote marks “a bold and innovative decision” by the CSU to better serve its students while preserving one of the nation’s premier maritime academies.
The Board of Trustees’ approval is a mandate in what will be a comprehensive thorough and inclusive integration process that is expected to be completed at the start of the 2026-27 academic year.
Throughout the integration, Functional Implementation Teams (FIT), comprised of members from the Chancellor’s Office, Cal Maritime and Cal Poly will be tasked with surfacing and planning the implementation of critical actions necessary to integrate the universities. FIT members will also ensure that processes and activities are properly coordinated and communicated to faculty, staff, students, and other key stakeholders.
“The integration of Cal Maritime and Cal Poly represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the California State University – one that synergistically combines the unique yet complementary strengths of two extraordinary universities to form a powerhouse educational institution with the potential to be a national leader in numerous specialized and future-focused fields of study,” said CSU Chancellor Mildred García. “Cal Poly San Luis Obispo will grow the impact and influence of the Cal Poly Maritime Academy throughout the Pacific-facing states and U.S. territories, bringing new opportunities and more equitable access to our diverse and talented students, while helping to drive our state’s and nation’s economy and continuing to advance national security interests.”
The integration timeline will include two major milestones, an administrative integration in July 2025 and an academic and enrollment integration in fall 2026. The administrative integration will establish a new governance structure and will result in both universities operating as a single institution, known commonly as Cal Poly. Led by President Jeffrey D. Armstrong, the new governance structure will include a vice president and CEO of the Cal Poly, Solano Campus and a superintendent to oversee the Cal Poly Maritime Academy.
“Cal Poly and Cal Maritime share an academic grounding in hands-on learning, and the integration of our universities will enhance student success on both of our campuses while helping to grow a diverse pipeline of talent to our nation’s maritime industries,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “I know that together, our faculty and staff will forge an even richer Learn by Doing education and continue to provide the leaders of tomorrow for California, the nation and the world.”
“This historic action will increase opportunities for current and future students and reinforces support for our critically important educational mission” said Cal Maritime Interim President Michael J. Dumont. “Cal Maritime graduates are integral to California’s powerful economy, and they contribute to national security. The integration of these two remarkable universities strengthens our commitment to educating future generations and underscores the unique impact of the university as we join Cal Poly and become known as the Cal Poly Maritime Academy.”
Cal Maritime will retain its maritime focus within Cal Poly, with the integration of operations, resources and governance structure.
The academy specialized degree programs, three of which lead to a Merchant Marine license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, will continue to be offered at the Solano location.
Cal Maritime’s students will become part of the Cal Poly student body and benefit from Cal Poly’s national reputation as a leading comprehensive polytechnic institution and gain access to a broad range of academic facilities and student services. Integration of academic programming and student support services will be completed in time for the start of the fall 2026-27 academic year term, at which time all degree options and services will be provided by Cal Poly and all students will be enrolled as Cal Poly students.
Cal Maritime will continue to accept students to its degree and licensure programs throughout the integration process.
The 2025 fall application period is open now.