By Sabriel Zapata, October 27, 2026
Cal Poly Pomona’s Maker Studio has reduced its hours to 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and is no longer open Fridays due to budget cuts.
Located on the second floor of the University Library, the Maker Studio is open to all students, regardless of their major. According to their website, the studio offers free access to its machines and technology, including a vinyl cutting machine and a 3D printer. The studio provides limited material support, and students are encouraged to check what is available before starting a project.
Trinidad Jimenez, a manufacturing engineering student who has worked at the Maker Studio as a student employee since spring 2024, said management spoke to the Maker Studio team early in the semester to explain that the reduction in hours was due to campuswide budget cuts.
According to the CPP website, funding for the Maker Studio is secured through grants, and its ongoing maintenance is supported by the University Library and the Office of Academic Innovation.
As a result of the decreased budget, Jimenez said the Maker Studio reduced staff members’ hours and had to say no to potential new hires. The Poly Post was not provided with an exact number of people affected by the budget cuts.
Manuel Dumais, a civil engineering student who uses the space, said the Maker Studio has been a valuable resource during his time at CPP. He said he hopes more students will take advantage of the space, which might help secure more funding in the future.
“I like the freedom to be able to create anything I want at the Maker Studio,” Dumais said.
Josef Velten, a lecturer and Repair Café volunteer, founded the Repair Café in spring 2023. The service allows students to bring in broken electronics for possible repair and operates out of the Maker Studio, though it receives no funding of its own, according to Velten.
Velten said the Maker Studio’s reduced hours have affected the Repair Café’s availability. He volunteers out of “the love of the game,” and students also volunteer to help repair electronics.
According to Velten, students must bring their own replacement parts, but the Repair Café team does its best to help with repairs. Though fixes are not guaranteed, Velten said this is a valuable resource for students which will now not be available due to the Maker Studio being closed on Fridays.
Velten said he was disappointed with the decision to reduce the Maker Studio’s hours. He said the space should remain open as much as possible but acknowledged the challenges of making difficult budget decisions.
Timothy Obole, a civil engineering student, is a lead technician at the Maker Studio who has worked there since fall 2024.
“It scares me that hours have been reduced, but I am grateful that management has been open and honest about what has been happening with our budget,” Obole said.
Obole said students may need to bring their own materials, depending on the size of their projects. Students can use the Maker Studio’s equipment after completing the required training and safety videos, which are available through the studio’s Canvas course. Students interested in using the space must first register at the front desk to join the course.
Jimenez said he hopes the Maker Studio can secure a larger budget, a bigger workspace, and more technicians. He also said he envisions increased collaboration with the Repair Café, adding additional funding could help bring in more hours for current staff as well as more staff to help at the Maker Studio.
“This place is open to all,” Obole said. “This is a very valuable resource that is included in student’s tuition. They should take advantage of this resource.”
