60-611: California Polytechnic State University ( Cal Poly ) is a public university in San Luis Obispo, California , United States. Founded in 1901, It is the oldest of three polytechnic universities within the California State University system. Cal Poly emphasizes a “learn by doing” philosophy, integrating hands-on, practical experiences into its curriculum. As of Fall 2022, Cal Poly had approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 800 graduate students. Cal Poly
120-714: A higher reputation domestically and globally . The University Grants Committee funds eight public universities in Hong Kong . The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts also receives funding from the government . There are four self-financing universities, namely Hong Kong Metropolitan University , Hong Kong Shue Yan University , Hang Seng University of Hong Kong , and Saint Francis University . In India , most universities and nearly all research institutions are public. Some private undergraduate colleges exist but most are engineering schools that are affiliated with public universities. Private schools can be partially aided by
180-683: A university institute , and a distance university in Portugal . Higher education in Portugal provided by state-run institutions is not free; students must pay a tuition fee. However, the tuition fee is lower than that of private universities. The highest tuition fee allowed by law in public universities is €697 per year as of 2022. Public universities include some of the most selective and demanding higher learning institutions in Portugal. In Russia , about 7.5 million students study in thousands of universities. Founded in 1755, Moscow State University
240-826: A 14.6% acceptance rate. As of 2024, Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo has been ranked the best public master's-level university in the Western United States for 30 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report . Regional universities offer a full range of undergraduate programs and some master's programs, but few doctoral programs. U.S. News & World Report (2025) PayScale Best Value Colleges Ranked by ROI (2025) - 36th out of 1,978 Money Best Colleges for Your Money (2024) - 5 out of 5 star - Awarded America's Best Colleges. DesignIntelligence: America's Best Architecture & Design Schools: Cal Poly's on-campus student housing, totaling 6,239 spaces,
300-427: A café, community room, game room, mail room, welcome center, offices, and maintenance shop. Additional site improvements provide a large open space for activities and group events, volleyball and basketball courts, and outdoor gathering areas. The Warren J. Baker Center for Science and Mathematics was dedicated on November 1, 2013. This $ 119 million, six-story building replaced the aging “spider” Science Building 52 with
360-539: A few private institutions of higher learning, such as the National College of Ireland . However, none of the private institutions have university status and are highly specialized. Almost all universities in Italy are public but have institutional autonomy by law. The Italian state provides the majority of university funding. Therefore, students pay relatively low tuition fees, set by each university according to
420-1285: A handful of community colleges. In 2008, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act 9500, declaring the University of the Philippines as the national university to distinguish it from all other state universities and colleges. Other notable public colleges and universities include the Polytechnic University of the Philippines , Technological University of the Philippines , Philippine Normal University , Batangas State University , and Mindanao State University . There are six autonomous public universities in Singapore , including National University of Singapore founded in 1905, Nanyang Technological University founded 1981, Singapore Management University founded in 2000, Singapore University of Technology and Design and Singapore Institute of Technology founded in 2009, and Singapore University of Social Sciences founded in 2017. In Sri Lanka , there are seventeen public universities. Most public universities are funded by
480-542: A low-interest loan from the Higher Education Loan Board; students must pay back the loan after completing their higher education. In Nigeria , both the federal and state governments may establish public universities. South Africa has 26 public universities which are members of Universities in South Africa. These are categorized as traditional or comprehensive universities. In Tunisia ,
540-644: A national institution in 1926, the Academy of Athens is the highest research establishment in Greece. Private higher education institutions cannot operate in Greece and are not recognized as degree-awarding bodies by the Greek government. In Ireland , nearly all universities, institutes of technology, colleges, and some third-level institutions are public. The state pays the cost of educating undergraduates, although students must contribute approximately €3,000. There are
600-607: A new 189,000-square-foot structure. It includes laboratories, classrooms, offices for the physics, chemistry, and soil science programs, and spaces for the Western Coatings Technologies Center and the Environmental Biotechnology Institute. The center also features Centennial Park, a landscaped central green area. Campus parking is limited, with 2,892 general-purpose parking spaces, 3,492 dorm resident spaces, and
660-630: A perennial Rose Parade Float design program, LGBTQ+ and Multicultural groups, competitive and social athletic teams, and academic honors clubs. Notable engineering clubs include Prove Lab, PolySat, CubeSat , and QL+. Cal Poly fields 21 varsity sports (10 for men and 11 for women) and competes in NCAA Division I . It is a member of the Big West Conference , except for football, wrestling, women's indoor track & field and both swimming and diving teams. The football team competes in
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#1732791398325720-508: A senior project idea. The campus area known as ‘Architecture Graveyard’ hosts many senior projects, including experimental and unconventional structures. Enrolled Fall Freshman Statistics Cal Poly's admissions process is described as “more selective” according to U.S. News & World Report . For the class entering 2019, 15,366 freshmen were accepted out of 54,072 applicants, a 28.4% acceptance rate, with 4,613 enrolling. In 2018, students had an average GPA of 4.00; The average SAT score
780-1026: A total of 8,648 parking spaces. The Facilities Master Plan acknowledges that, despite adding more parking spots, the ratio of parking to students will decrease due to expected enrollment growth. To address this, the plan emphasizes reducing demand for individual vehicle parking by constructing additional dorms and enhancing campus life. Cal Poly Commuter and Access Services has successfully promoted alternatives to single occupancy vehicles, with bus use more than doubling and bicycle use nearly quadrupling from 2002 to 2012. As of 2024, there are over 7,000 bike rack spaces and 252 secure bike lockers on campus. In 2019, approximately 57% of students and 33% of faculty/staff lived within five miles of campus, facilitating easy bike commutes. The city's SLO Transit bus system provides service to and from campus. Cal Poly supports SLO Transit with funding from parking citation revenue, allowing faculty, staff, and students to ride for free. The SLO Regional Transit Authority provides bus service throughout
840-582: A university, not a college, can issue doctorate degrees in Israel. In Japan , public universities are run by local governments, either prefectural or municipal. According to the Ministry of Education , public universities have "provided an opportunity for higher education in a region and served the central role of intellectual and cultural base for the local community in the region" and are "expected to contribute to social, economical and cultural development in
900-539: A year and have to retake them, pay a partial or full tuition fee, ranging from €500 to €2000 per year. Private universities have existed in Serbia since 1989 but are held in less esteem because they are generally less academically rigorous than the public universities. Of the 74 universities in Spain , 54 are public and funded by the autonomous community in which they are based. University funding differs by region. However,
960-448: Is a university or college that is owned by the state or receives significant funding from a government. Whether a national university is considered public varies from one country (or region) to another, largely depending on the specific education landscape. In contrast a private university is usually owned and operated by a private corporation (not-for-profit or for profit). Both types are often regulated, but to varying degrees, by
1020-664: Is a 501(c)(3) nnonprofit corporation owned and operated by Cal Poly student leaders, with an annual operating budget exceeding $ 12 million. ASI provides co-curricular experiences, including events, speakers, concerts, intramural sports, fitness programs, aquatics, outdoor adventure trips, craft center courses, club services, and child development programs. ASI manages the University Union, Recreation Center, Sports Complex, and Children's Center, totaling over 450,000 square feet of campus facilities. Alumni Association: Engages and serves alumni, fostering lifelong connections between
1080-574: Is a public research university and the most prestigious university in Russia. Saint Petersburg State University is a state-owned university that was founded in 1724; it is managed by the government of the Russian Federation . In Serbia , over 85% of college students study at state-operated public universities. Academically well-performing students pay only administrative fees of less than €100 per year. Students who fail multiple classes in
1140-461: Is a volunteer-based orientation program for new students during the first week after move-in each September. It aims to introduce students to the campus and community and prepare them for a successful college career. Freshmen are placed in groups of 10–12, while transfer students are grouped in sizes of 40–60, each led by two current student orientation leaders. WOW groups participate in various orientation events and activities on and off campus. In 2010,
1200-654: Is the largest student housing program in the CSU system. In Fall 2015, 35.9% of undergraduates lived in 28 dorms, and 98.7% of first-time freshmen lived on campus. Additionally, 28.7% of sophomores lived on campus. There are five distinct groups of residence halls: North Mountain Halls, Red-Brick Halls, Sierra Madre and Yosemite Halls, Cerro Vista Apartments, Poly Canyon Village, and Yakʔitʸutʸu residence halls Greek organizations have been present at Cal Poly since 1949, with numerous fraternities and sororities. The Week of Welcome (WOW)
1260-623: Is well-regarded for its undergraduate programs, having been ranked 1st among Regional Universities in the Western US in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The university is home to several nationally recognized programs, particularly in engineering, architecture, and business, with the College of Engineering and the Orfalea College of Business standing out for their academic excellence and industry connections. Most of
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#17327913983251320-737: The Big Sky Conference ; the wrestling team is part of the Pac-12 Conference ; indoor track & field is independent; and swimming and diving compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation . Prior to joining Division I in 1994, Cal Poly won 35 NCAA NCAA Division II national team championships and competed in the California Collegiate Athletic Association . The university has two mascots: Musty
1380-541: The Korea National Open University which offers distance learning. The University of Seoul is a public municipal university. Manas University in Kyrgyzstan is a public higher education institution that offers associate degrees, undergraduate degrees, and graduate and postgraduate degrees. The University of Macau , Macao Polytechnic University , and Macao University of Tourism are
1440-526: The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research controls public universities and guarantees admission to students who earn a Tunisian Baccalaureate . Using a state website, the students make a wish list of the universities they want to attend, with the highest-ranking students getting priority choices. Universities rank students according to the results of their baccalaureate. There are forty public universities in Bangladesh . They are overseen by
1500-805: The University Grants Commission which was created by the government in 1973. Most universities in Brunei are public. In the People's Republic of China , nearly all universities and research institutions are public. Typically, provincial governments run public universities. However, some are administered by municipal governments or are national , which the central government directly administers. Private undergraduate colleges exist but are primarily vocational colleges sponsored by private entities. Private universities usually cannot award bachelor's degrees. Public universities tend to enjoy
1560-722: The University of Mons in 2009. The state-created university founded in Antwerp in 1971 is now part of University of Antwerp . Hasselt University started as a state-created public institution managed by the Province of Limburg . Similarly, the Province of Luxembourg managed the state-created public university in Arlon which became part of ULiège in 2004. Since 1891, private universities have gradually become state-recognized and funded. Some private, mostly Catholic, organizations are called free institutions, as in administratively free from
1620-437: The constitution of Greece , higher education institutions (HEI) include universities, technical universities, and specialist institutions. HEI undergraduate programs are government-funded and do not charge tuition. A quarter of HEI postgraduate programs are tuition-free. After individual assessments, thirty percent of Greek students are entitled to attend any of the statutory postgraduate programs without tuition fees. Founded as
1680-592: The 150 universities in Taiwan are public. Because the Taiwanese government provides funding to public universities, their students pay less than half the tuition fees of those at private universities. Ten public universities were established before the 1980s and are the most prestigious in Taiwan. As a result, most students choose public universities for their tertiary education. In the late 19th century Thailand , there
1740-793: The CSU system recommended integrating Cal Maritime with Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly has one of the largest college campuses in the United States, covering 9,178 acres and making it the second-largest land-holding university in California. The property includes the main campus, two agricultural lands, and two sites in Santa Cruz County . The Swanton Pacific Ranch , a 3,200-acre ranch in Santa Cruz County, provides educational and research opportunities, encompassing rangeland, livestock, and forestry operations for
1800-817: The Code de l'éducation states that " private higher education establishments can in no case take the title of university. " Nevertheless, many private institutions, such as the Catholic University of Lille or the Catholic University of Lyon , use the university as their marketing name. Most higher education institutions in Germany are public and operated by the states . All professors are public servants. Public universities are generally held in higher esteem than their private counterparts. From 1972 through 1998, public universities were tuition-free; however, some states have since adopted low tuition fees. According to
1860-624: The College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. It supports Cal Poly's “Learn by Doing” philosophy with an emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices and laboratory experiments. University House serves as the university president's residence. In the summer of 2018, a dormitory-style student community was completed at the corner of Slack Street and Grand Avenue. This development includes seven 3- to 5-story concrete-framed freshman residence hall buildings with 1,475 beds and an adjacent four-level parking structure. Community spaces feature
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1920-810: The D-1 open level, ranked as high as No. 5 and reaching their first national final in 2024 while winning the team spirit award. The Battle for the Golden Horseshoe is an annual rivalry college football game between the UC Davis Aggies and the Cal Poly Mustangs. The Mustang Marching Band , with over 200 members, performs at football, basketball, and volleyball games. Cal Poly is administratively organized into four divisions: Cal Poly Partners : A public-benefit nonprofit corporation providing commercial, fiscal, and support services to promote
1980-581: The D-1 open level. The Mustangs have been one of the top teams over the past decade, ranked as high as No. 5, and reached their first national final in 2024 while winning the team spirit award. Cal Poly offers various non-varsity (club) sports. The Mustangs play college rugby in the California Conference of Division 1-A, often ranked in the Top 25 nationwide, with the rugby sevens team ranked as high as No. 7. SLOCORE represents Cal Poly in ultimate at
2040-535: The Ministry of Education controls all public universities. Students enroll after completing a 8-4-4 educational program system and attaining a mark of C+ or above. Students who meet the criteria set annually by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service receive government sponsorship, with the government providing part of their university or college fees. Students are also eligible for
2100-458: The Mustang and Chase, a live mustang named after Margaret Chase, the university's second president. Cal Poly also offers various non-varsity (club) sports. The Mustangs play college rugby in the California Conference of Division 1-A . The Mustangs are often ranked in the Top 25 nationwide, and their rugby sevens team has been ranked as high as No. 7. SLOCORE represents Cal Poly in ultimate at
2160-679: The Punjab is the biggest public university, followed by University of Karachi . The public universities receive guidance and recognition from the Higher Education Commission . There are more than 500 public higher education institutions in the Philippines that are controlled and managed by the Commission on Higher Education . Of the 500, 436 are state colleges and universities, 31 local colleges and universities, and
2220-439: The central government establishes homogeneous tuition fees for all public universities which are much lower than those of their private counterparts. The highest tuition fee allowed by law was, as of 2010, €14.97 per academic credit, amounting to roughly €900 a year for an average 60-credit full-time course. Tuition fees at private universities might reach €18,000 a year. University House, San Luis Obispo University House
2280-772: The county, with discounted passes available to the Cal Poly community. As of 2020, the university offers 65 bachelor's degrees , 39 master's degrees , 84 minors and 13 credentials in six colleges: All undergraduate students are required to complete a senior project, a capstone experience integrating theory and application from their undergraduate studies. Projects may include design or construction experiences, experiments, self-guided studies or research projects, presentations, reports based on internships or co-ops, public portfolio displays, or performances. These projects often lead to job offers or recognition. Notable examples include Punchd, acquired by Google , and Jamba Juice , inspired by
2340-790: The educational mission of Cal Poly and the CSU system. Founded in 1940, it was known as the Cal Poly Foundation until 2006 and Cal Poly Corporation until 2024. Cal Poly Foundation: An auxiliary organization and IRC 501(c)(3) public charity that accepts and administers tax-deductible gifts to the university. It leads campus philanthropic activity by supporting fundraising and managing campus endowments. Cal Poly Extended Education: Provides degree, certificate, and professional development programs to residents of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Monterey Counties, and through distance learning technologies to students nationwide. Associated Students Inc : The Associated Students Inc. (ASI)
2400-1007: The fee was €1,951 in 2015. Non-European Union students and students who want to complete a second bachelor's or master's degree pay a legal school fee. Annually, these legal school fees range between €7,000 for bachelor programs and €30,000 for master's programs in medicine. The Ministry of Education supervises all universities, including private institutions. Almost all universities in Norway are public and state-funded. In Poland , public universities are established by Acts of Parliament. The government pays all tuition fees and other costs of public university students. In contrast, private citizens, societies, or companies operate private universities that charge tuition fees directly to students. These institutions are generally held in lower regard than public universities. A small number of private universities do not charge fees, such as John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin . There are thirteen public universities,
2460-526: The government through the University Grants Commission , which handles undergraduate placements and staff appointments. The top institutions include the University of Peradeniya founded in 1942 and the University of Colombo founded in 1921. Sri Lanka also has a joint service military university, the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University , which is operated by the Ministry of Defence . One-third of
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2520-683: The government. In Egypt, Al-Azhar University was founded in 970 AD as a madrasa ; it formally became a public university in 1961 and is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the world. In the 20th century, Egypt opened many other public universities with government-subsidized tuition fees, including Cairo University in 1908, Alexandria University in 1912, Assiut University in 1928, Ain Shams University in 1957, Helwan University in 1959, Beni-Suef University in 1963, Zagazig University in 1974, Benha University in 1976, and Suez Canal University in 1989. In Kenya ,
2580-679: The legislation of the national government until higher education was moved to the control of the three communities in 1990. Consequently, the Flemish , the French , and the German communities determine which institutes of higher education organize and issue diplomas. Until the 1970s, Belgium had two state universities: the University of Liège (ULiège) and the Ghent University (UGent), both founded in 1817. These are often referred to as
2640-542: The national or state governments. India also has an "open" public university, the Indira Gandhi National Open University which offers distance education. In terms of the number of enrolled students, it is now the largest university in the world with over four million students. In Indonesia , the government supports public universities in each province. Funding comes through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology and
2700-774: The program's awareness section won the National Orientation Directors Association (NODAC) Media & Publications Showcase Award for Emerging Technologies, developed entirely by student volunteers. Started in 1956, WOW is now the largest volunteer orientation program in the nation. The Cal Poly Recreation Center is the on-campus student recreation center. Cal Poly hosts over 150 recognized clubs and independent student organizations, including cultural clubs, mathematics and science clubs, improv and sketch comedy clubs, religious and atheistic groups, service organizations, engineering research and development clubs, professional development organizations,
2760-520: The provincial and municipal governments. Some of the public universities in Iran offer tuition-free and tuition-based programs. State-run universities are highly selective and competitive. There are nine official universities in Israel , a few dozen colleges, and about a dozen foreign university extensions. The Council for Higher Education in Israel supervises all of these institutions academically. Only
2820-706: The public universities in Macau . There are twenty public universities in Malaysia , funded by the government but governed as self-managed institutions. Tribhuvan University was the first public university in Nepal . It operates through six different institutes and is affiliated with various colleges. There are government-funded Purbanchal University and Pokhara University . There are 107 public universities in Pakistan , compared to 76 private universities. University of
2880-824: The region". This contrasts with the research-oriented aspects of national universities. In 2010, 127,872 students were attending 95 public universities, compared to 86 national universities and 597 private universities in Japan. Many public universities are relatively new; in 1980, there were only 34 public universities in Japan. Since July 2003, public universities may incorporate under the Local Independent Administrative Institutions Law. In South Korea , most public universities are national. There are 29 national universities, eighteen special universities, and ten educational universities. In addition, there are two national colleges and
2940-685: The same for all public universities. Except for some fields of study, notably medicine, all Austrians who pass the Matura exam have the right to attend any public university. Overenrolled degree programs have introduced additional entrance exams that students must pass in the first year or before starting the degree, especially with scientific subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Private universities have existed since 1999 but are considered easier than public universities and thus hold less esteem. All public universities in Belgium were operated under
3000-656: The school was renamed California State Polytechnic College to better reflect its expanding higher education offerings. A Master of Arts degree in education was added in 1949. In 1938, Charles and Jerry Voorhis donated a farm and school to the Cal Poly. In 1949, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation gifted an 812-acre horse ranch in Pomona, California . Originally a satellite campus for Cal Poly, the Pomona campus became an independent university, Cal Poly Pomona , in 1966. In 1960, control of Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and other state colleges
3060-1098: The state despite being state-funded. As of 2022, the communities fund all recognized universities, public and private, which follow the same rules and laws. The state runs most public universities in Croatia . Students who perform well academically pay only administrative fees which are less than €100 per year. Students who fail multiple classes in a year must retake the courses and pay a partial or full tuition fee. Almost all universities in Denmark are public and are held in higher esteem than their private counterparts. Danish students attend university for free. All universities in Finland are public and free of charge. Most universities and grandes écoles in France are public and charge very low tuition fees—less than €1000 per year. Major exceptions are semi-private grandes écoles such as HEC , EMLyon or INSEAD . Article L731-14 of
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#17327913983253120-494: The student's family wealth, the course of study, and exam performance. A few scholarships are available for the best low-income students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. However, for research, private funding ranges from low to non-existent, compared to most European countries. The Netherlands Ministry of Education funds most public universities. Dutch citizens and those from European Union countries pay an annual tuition fee for their first bachelor's or master's degree;
3180-587: The total student population. In 1924, Cal Poly came under the control of the California State Board of Education . During the Great Depression , financial constraints led to discussions about converting Cal Poly into a state prison. In 1933, the institution transitioned to a two-year technological and vocational school. By 1940, it began offering Bachelor of Arts degrees, with the first baccalaureate ceremony held in 1942. In 1947,
3240-434: The two historic state universities. In 1965, small specialized single-faculty public institutions were recognized as universities, including the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech ; both are now part of the University of Liège . The Belgian state created smaller public universities that have since merged with larger institutions, including the public university at Mons in 1965 which became part of
3300-512: The university and its alumni, and supporting the university's mission. The association includes 15 regional and special interest chapters. List of notable alumni of Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo Cal Poly has more than 150,000 alumni, with the majority located in San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties. 35°18′15″N 120°39′46″W / 35.30417°N 120.66278°W / 35.30417; -120.66278 Public university A public university or public college
3360-586: The university's athletic teams participate in the Big West Conference . Cal Poly was founded in 1901 as the California Polytechnic School, following the signing of the California Polytechnic School Bill by Governor Henry Gage . The school began classes on October 1, 1903, with 20 students enrolled, offering three-year secondary-level courses. Originally coeducational , the school enrolled 16 male and 4 female students. In 1929, California Governor C.C. Young prohibited women from attending. Women were readmitted in 1956. By Fall 2023, female students constituted 50.1% of
3420-505: Was 1329 and average ACT score was 29. Women constituted 50.5% of the incoming freshmen class, and men 49.5%. Cal Poly requires students to declare a major upon applying, then admits the most competitive applicants for each major. Each major has a change of major plan, requiring certain classes and GPA (usually between 2.5 and 2.75). In some cases, students wishing to change majors transfer to other universities. For Fall 2019 Cal Poly accepted 1,622 of 11,109 applicants as transfer students,
3480-458: Was a high demand for professional talent by the central government. In 1899, the King founded the School for Training of Civil Officials near the northern gate of the royal palace. Graduates from the school became royal pages, a traditional entrance into the Mahattai Ministry or other government ministries. As of 2019, Thailand has nineteen public universities. In Austria , most universities are public. The state regulates tuition fees, making costs
3540-439: Was launched as a senior project. In 1971, the California State Legislature officially renamed the institution California Polytechnic State University . Since the 1970s, the university has seen steady enrollment growth and significant campus expansion. On May 3, 2017, Cal Poly received a $ 110 million gift from alumni William L. and Linda Frost, one of the largest donations ever made to public education in California. In 2024,
3600-454: Was transferred to the newly formed CSU system. That same year, a plane crash killed 22 of the 48 people on board, including 16 Cal Poly football players. Authorized to offer Master of Science degrees in 1967, Cal Poly reorganized its curriculum from 1967 to 1970 into specialized schools: the School of Science and Math, the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the School of Architecture. In 1968, Cal Poly's FM radio station, KCPR ,
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