Stanford University

Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more here.

Public or Private: Private
Federal Circuit: Ninth Circuit
Head of Institution: President John L Hennessy
Stanford University
Office of the President
Building 10, Main Quad
Stanford, CA 94305-2061
650-723-2481
president@stanford.edu
Website: http://www.stanford.edu

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Do you have any information, updates, or changes regarding the policies at this institution? Let us know!

On this page, FIRE has excerpted policies that address speech and expression. You may download the full policy in .pdf form, below.

Restrictions on Expressive Rights

Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Office of Judicial Affairs: Sexual Harassment 10-11

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature
constitute sexual harassment when: ... The conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic
or work performance or creating an intimidating or hostile academic, work or student living
environment.
View full policy (PDF, 130 KB).

Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)

Acts of Intolerance Protocol 10-11

Acts of intolerance that do not rise to the level of a hate crime may involve constitutionally protected speech. Engaging in constitutionally protected expressive activities will not subject a student to discipline under the Fundamental Standard. The University may respond to acts of intolerance through education.
For the purpose of this protocol, an act of intolerance is conduct that adversely and unfairly targets an individual or group on the basis of one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics:

1. Gender or gender identity
2. Race or ethnicity
3. Disability
4. Religion
5. Sexual orientation
6. Nationality
7. Age
View full policy (PDF, 82 KB).

Office of Judicial Affairs: The Fundamental Standard 10-11

Over the years, the Fundamental Standard has been applied to a great variety of situations.
Students at Stanford are expected to show both within and without the University such respect for order, morality, personal honor and the rights of others as is demanded of good citizens. Failure to do this will be sufficient cause for removal from the University.
View full policy (PDF, 58 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Student Activities and Leadership: White Memorial Plaza 10-11

White Plaza is a Stanford University space available for programs, speeches, rallies, information tables, banners and posters. It is considered a "free speech area" on campus. ... Events in White Plaza must be organized by University entities (student groups, departments, and programs) and require prior approval from Student Activities and Leadership (SAL).
View full policy (PDF, 71 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Office of Judicial Affairs: Computer Network and Usage Policy 10-11

Prohibited Use-- Use of the University's computers, network or electronic communication facilities
(such as electronic mail or instant messaging, or systems with similar functions) to send, view or
download fraudulent, harassing, obscene (i.e., pornographic), threatening, or other messages or
material that are a violation of applicable law or University policy, such as under circumstances that
might contribute to the creation of a hostile academic or work environment, is prohibited.
View full policy (PDF, 112 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Office of Judicial Affairs: Sexual Harassment 10-11

Stanford is committed to the principles of free inquiry and
free expression.
View full policy (PDF, 130 KB).

NOTE: You must have Adobe Acrobat installed to view policies in PDF format.

The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in January 2011. According to FIRE’s research the substantive policies are current at least until this date. Directory information, including the name of the president of the college or university, may have been updated more recently. If any policy has been revised, or if you believe that we are in error, please contact us.