Aerospace Administrative Tools and Student Resources
Please refer to the following information to learn about processes in the AERO department. If you have additional questions after having read the directions, please contact the AERO office at aero@calpoly.edu or 805-756-7172 for support.
General Information
All financial transactions must be run through the club treasurer/budget manager, allowing them to record the deposit or withdrawal.
Provide the correct funding information. Errors cannot be corrected (ie. using your IRA fund instead of letting us know this was meant to be a CP Connect purchase).
Cal Poly is NOT tax exempt, state taxes will be applied.
If a vendor requests a W-9, please contact the AERO office.
Cal Poly’s fiscal year is July 1 – June 30.
To request a trial balance, transaction list, or question, please contact AERO office.
Purchasing a Gift Card: follow directions at: Gift Cards – Procure to Pay – Cal Poly. Include a Hospitality Form (PDF)
Printing shirts with logos or Cal Poly branding: Follow the directions at University Brand – Trademark Licensing (calpoly.edu) Include a Hospitality Form (PDF).
Making a club deposit
Your club treasurer or president should be the only person making a cash/check deposit.
Please schedule an appointment with AERO office to make the deposit.
Be prepared to verify the cash and/or checks totaled.
IRA renewal
Every March, the dean’s office sends out information to the clubs to remind them to renew their IRA. Detailed information, along with the forms, can be found through Academic Programs’ website: https://academicprograms.calpoly.edu/content/IRA/index
Work directly with your faculty advisor to complete the IRA renewal application.
Turn in completed applications to the AERO office. The department chair’s signature will be obtained for your club and then submitted to the dean’s office.
IRA allocations are deposited into your club’s fund between September – October.
Accepting a donation
If you receive a check donation to your club, bring the check to the AERO office in 41-134 to complete a gift form and have the check deposited into your club account.
If your club has been offered a physical gift, (gift-in-kind) please contact the AERO office before you accept a physical gift.
If you would like a list of donors who have given to your club, please contact Elise Erb in advancement in the CENG Dean’s office (192-310)
Field trip guidelines:
Conduct a pre-trip evaluation using the Pre-Trip Evaluation Worksheet (available at the Risk Management Field Trip and Activity Information page) and submit the worksheet to the department. This may require a site visit, which can be omitted if the field trip leader can demonstrate and document sufficient knowledge of the field trip site. This could be accomplished by reviewing online, examining published materials, or contacting the site to discuss the visit.
Complete the leader portion of the University Field Activities Notification and distribute to students, preferably on the first day of class but definitely before the start of the field trip (available at the Risk Management Field Trip and Activity Information page).
Ensure that students initial and sign the student portion of the University Field Activities Notification, preferably on the first day of class but definitely before the start of the field trip. If a student refuses to sign the form, print his/her name on the form, indicate in the signature area that he/she received a copy, and date the form.
Ensure that students sign Release of Liability, Promise Not to Sue, Assumption of Risk and Agreement to Pay Claims form (available at the Risk Management Field Trip and Activity Information page). The Release of Liability and Field Activities Notification are part of the same document.
Submit copies of all required forms to the department/college, if the field trip is domestic, or the International Center, if the trip is international.
Provide a plan to accommodate any students with special needs. For assistance, contact the Disability Resource Center.
Provide training for any equipment that may be used.
Provide an alternate assignment for students unwilling to accept the risk of participation for “serious and compelling” reasons (for defined reasons, see Academic Senate Resolution AS-103-80-IC.pdf). Note: In a major where the field trip is a part of the degree requirements, this provision applies to the specific field trip but not the degree requirement. In practice this means that a student may opt out of a field trip to one site, but the student must complete the requirement by participating in another field trip either at another site or time, if required by the program.
Comply with the CSU Use of University and Private Vehicles Policy Guidelines. See Administration and Finance, “Driver Safety & Training“ . For additional information, see the Risk Management Vehicle Use GuideBook.pdf.
Take roll at the beginning and end of the field trip; attach the roll sheet to the Travel Request Form 1A at the completion of the trip. Students leaving during the field trip should sign out on the Field Activities Sign Out Release Agreement; attach the agreement to the Travel Request.
Arrange all chartered air or bus travel through AFD Contracts and Procurement.
Please note that the request must be filled out by your faculty advisor.
Please read through and follow these directions before filling out the Purchase Request form:
You may use one form for multiple vendors. Please group items from same vendor together on the form.
Home Depot does not allow for certain items (lumber) to be purchased online, they must be bought in-store. If you need to purchase an item in person, you will need to get approval from your advisor and then request reimbursement.
Many vendors sell their products on Amazon so instead of using multiple vendors, with multiple shipping charges, check Amazon for availability.
Purchasing a Gift Card: follow directions at: Gift Cards – Procure to Pay – Cal Poly. Email the Gift Card Request Form to the AERO office. Include a Hospitality Form (PDF).
Printing shirts with logos or Cal Poly branding: Follow the directions at University Brand – Trademark Licensing (calpoly.edu) Include a Hospitality Form (PDF).
The least expensive shipping rate will be chosen unless indicated otherwise.
The office does not track your budget. When planning your project budget, please remember that taxes and shipping will be added to the final cost.
Ship-to Address:
→ All order will be shipped to the AERO office. It is your responsibility to come pick it up when you have been notified by email
Place Your Order: AERO Purchase Request (AdobeSign) to have the office purchase your requested items with the department procurement card.
Returns / Issues With Your Order: If you need to return an item, please first contact the company regarding their return policy. Once you have the information needed to make the return, email the AERO office with the details.
A request to hire an ISA must be made by faculty/supervisor. The form will not be processed if submitted by the student.
Hiring Process:
→ Faculty submits a Student Hire Request: Faculty: AERO ISA Student Hire Request Form
→ AERO office will proceed with hiring once the Hire Request Form is submitted and initiate ASE 101 and ISA 101 paperwork.
→ Forms will be routed to students, faculty and department chair for approvals via AdobeSign.
→ If you are a new student employee, you must meet with Payroll Services no later than your first day of employment. Once you complete your section of the hiring form in AdobeSign, a Payroll staff member will contact you to schedule a virtual Zoom intake. Please Note: First time student employees are required to completed a Student Employment Request Form, documents to complete an I-9 and their original Social Security Card no later than the first day of employment for pay. Students who have already worked at Cal Poly are not required to fill out any forms to be hired into concurrent or subsequent positions. You cannot be paid for any time prior to this intake being completed. For more information: Students – Payroll Services – Cal Poly
Getting Paid:
→ Enter hours worked on the online timesheet located at: https://afd.calpoly.edu/payroll/students/. Please note: the SA timesheet is different from the ISA timesheet. Be sure to click on the correct link in your portal for access to your online timesheet.
→ Use the screen print function of your web browser to print/download a copy of your timesheet for your records.
→ Have you advisor sign the timesheet and bring the copy to the AERO office.
Once you have entered your hours through Payroll your hours will be reviewed by your advisor and the office and pay will be issued within the regular pay cycle.
Calendar deadlines for entering time (published calendar)
Late Timesheet
Please fill out form completely. After the form is signed by your instructor and the department chair, you’ll receive an email from the department administrator providing you a permission number to enroll in the course.
General student resources, such as housing information and links to other university resources are found on the Undergraduate Student Resources page.
Before your trip: At least 2 weeks prior to travel:
Travel Pre-authorization Form: This form is required for each traveler (minimum) 2 weeks before a trip.
- Traveler’s Risk Acknowledgment: Include this form with your Pre-authorization.
- Travel advances: Make your request on the Pre-authorization form. When your check has been issued you will be emailed to pick-up the advance at Payment Services, Bldg. 001-129. Photo ID is required to pick up the check. Travel advances are not reflected in the club’s budget until the travel claim is processed.
- Prohibited States: Effective January 1, 2017, AB 1887 prohibits state-funded travel to states that have enacted a law that voids or repeals any existing state or public protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression or have enacted laws that have the effect of voiding or repealing any of these protections.
After your trip: Within 10 days from the return of your trip complete and email the office the following together:
Travel Claim Form: Complete the form and email it to the office in the original excel format. It will be routed back to you for signature.
- Google Map: If you will be claiming mileage, download a copy of a map showing your route and miles.
- Travel Pre-Authorization:Include your approved/signed Travel Pre-Authorization.
- Travel Advance: If you requested and received a travel advance, please enter that amount on the form.
- Receipts: Attach receipts for expenses $40 or more. Receipts must show final cost, itemized list of what was purchased, proof of payment, and date of purchase. If you no longer have a copy of a receipt then a Lost Receipt Form must be turned in for expenses $40 or more.
- Proof of Payment: Bank statement showing charge (personal information may be blacked out).
Driver Forms: If you have club members who are driving their personal vehicle, driving a vehicle rental or driving one of our department vehicles on state business, that person will be required to submit driver paperwork. The following forms will need to be submitted no less than 2 weeks prior to traveling. Note: These forms are submitted annually and only need to be completed once.
- Authorization to Use Privately Owned Vehicles on State Business
- Volunteer Identification Form
- Request to Operate Vehicles on University (State) Business NOTE: A copy of your driver’s license needs to accompany this form
- New Mandated Reporter
Airfare: Your club has the option of using the CSU-wide travel agent, Christopherson Business Travel for airfare. Charges for airfare are billed directly to your club account. To use this option email the AERO office the following:
- Name of each traveler (provide the full name that appears on driver’s license or passport)
- Each traveler’s date of birth
- Departure date
- Preferred time of day to depart
- Airport you wish to depart from
- Airport you wish to fly to and the same for the return.
Vehicle Rental: Your club has the option of using the CSU-wide travel agent, Christopherson Business Travel for vehicle rentals. Charges for vehicle rental(s) are billed directly to your club account. To use this option email the Me office the following:
- Name of driver(s)
- Type of vehicle
- Pick-up destination
- Time of day to pick-up and the same for the return.
Reserving a Charter Bus: Your club may directly book with the list of Bus Charters contracted with Cal Poly. Please DO NOT pay for a bus charter yourself. Always have Cal Poly send a check for payment to the bus company on behalf of your club after the trip has been completed.
For more information about university travel policy and reimbursement rates, see the University Travel guidelines.
International Travel: International Center