In order to preserve Cal Maritime’s nearly 100-year history in a time of declining enrollment, the California State University (CSU) announced a recommendation to integrate the Vallejo university with California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
The integration — which would be complete by the start of the 2026-27 academic year — requires the approval of the CSU Board of Trustees. The board will be asked to act on the recommendation at its November meeting following information sessions at its July and September meetings.
CSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Steve Relyea and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Nathan Evans made the recommendation to Chancellor Mildred García.
“The integration of Cal Maritime and Cal Poly will benefit the students, faculty and staff of both institutions, as well as advance the broader mission of the CSU system by enhancing the quality, diversity and sustainability of the CSU’s academic programs and services statewide,” said Relyea and Evans in a CSU statement. “In addition, it will serve industry and workforce needs of the state of California and of the nation while also supporting U.S. economic and national security interests. We are confident in our recommendation.”
Garcia was also in favor of the integration.
“The recommended integration of Cal Maritime and Cal Poly is an innovative and vitally necessary strategy with benefits that will be felt throughout the CSU, the state of California and our nation,” said García. “It provides a long-term solution to Cal Maritime’s untenable fiscal circumstances, preserves its licensure-granting academic programs so key to the maritime industry and our state’s and nation’s economy and security, and leverages academic and operational synergies between the two universities that will benefit California’s diverse students, families and communities for generations.”
The only degree-granting maritime academy on the West Coast and one of only six state maritime academies in the U.S., Cal Maritime has experienced a 31 percent enrollment decline over the last seven years. The enrollment has gone from approximately 1,100 students in 2016-17 to just over 750 in 2023-24, according to the CSU statement. There are 81 members of faculty; with 176 staff. The annual budget for the school is $53 million. The rising employment and operational costs have contributed to Cal Maritime’s fiscal crisis.
Cal Maritime Class of 2023 cadets take their U.S. Coast Guard Licensing Oath at Saturday’s commencement ceremony. (Thomas Gase — Times-Herald)
The proposal also comes after recent controversy. A Vallejo Times-Herald report in 2021 exposed decades-long claims of sexual assault and sexual harassment, homophobia, transphobia and racism on campus and during training cruises. Cal Maritime students and employees reported accusations of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment aboard the 500-foot ship to officials at the Vallejo campus between 2019-2022.
In 2021 transgender student Sophia Scopazzi, a then senior who was part of the Gender Equity Committee, voiced concern over different treatment students received based on perceived gender.
Last summer Dumont began his tenure as interim president at Cal Maritime, taking over for Thomas A. Cropper who announced in November of 2022 that he would retire in August of 2023.
Since then the school has been recognized on multiple spots on the badge-eligible list of U.S. News and World Report’s list of 2024 Best Colleges. The college was recognized for top performances in academic reputation, cost of attendance and return on investment. The college scored No. 1 for Top Public Schools and ranked No. 2 out of 103 for Regional Colleges-West.
Additionally, Cal Maritime was included on Forbes’ list of America’s Top Colleges 2023. Forbes’ annual list showcases 500 of the finest U.S. colleges, ranked using data on student success, return on investment and alumni influence.
Although CSU said in its statement that the challenges the school faces is nothing new, Cal Maritime has implemented several actions to reduce expenses and increase revenues.
“Cal Maritime has been part of Vallejo’s rich history and a source of pride for eight decades. Our students, faculty, staff and alumni have played an important role in the history of the state, the region and the nation,” said Cal Maritime Interim President Michael Dumont. “An integration with Cal Poly is an amazing opportunity to honor that legacy by preserving one of the nation’s premier maritime academies.”
Cal Maritime cadets prepare for departure on the Golden Bear training vessel as it heads for Hawaii in 2021 . (Chris Riley—Times-Herald file)
Under the recommendation, Cal Maritime would retain its maritime focus within Cal Poly, with the integration of operations, resources and governance structure. Cal Maritime’s specialized degree programs, three of which lead to a Merchant Marine license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, would continue to be offered at the Vallejo campus. Both institutions would benefit from expanded academic offerings, research opportunities and facilities.
Cal Maritime’s students would become part of the Cal Poly student body and benefit from Cal Poly’s strong reputation as a comprehensive polytechnic institution and gain access to a broad range of academic facilities and student services.
“As I’ve reflected upon this new opportunity the CSU has asked Cal Poly to take on, I’ve recognized the value it provides both Cal Poly and Cal Maritime,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “Both of our institutions share an innovative, hands-on, learn by doing approach and academic programming that is rooted in world-class engineering. I am optimistic and confident that we can leverage these and our other collective strengths to build upon and ensure our future success.”
Following the announcement by CSU, both State Senator Bill Dodd and U.S. Congressman John Garamendi said they were pleased with the possible integration.
“Cal Maritime is an essential resource for California and the entire nation, so ensuring the campus continues to educate maritime leaders is paramount,” Dodd said. “It’s critical for public safety, economic prosperity and national security. I’ve spoken with the chancellor’s office and I appreciate her commitment to ensuring the campus is sustainable and that Vallejo continues to produce graduates now and for generations to come.”
“This integration should allow CSU students at both the Vallejo and San Luis Obispo campuses to benefit from a strengthened academic curriculum and graduate with a nationally recognized degree that prepares them for the maritime jobs of the future in nautical engineering and the burgeoning offshore renewable energy industry,” Garamendi said. “As Vallejo’s Congressman, I work each year to secure millions in federal funding for Cal Maritime, including building the replacement vessel for the Academy’s aging training ship, Golden Bear. I will hold the CSU Chancellor to her commitment to keep Cal Maritime’s Vallejo campus open for years to come.”
