Fundamental Standard
Students at Stanford are expected to know, understand, and abide by the Fundamental Standard, which is the University's basic statement on behavioral expectations articulated in 1896 by Stanford's first President, David Starr Jordan, as follows:
"Students 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."
Actions that have been found to be in violation of the Fundamental Standard include:
- Physical assault
- Property damage
- Forgery
- Theft
- Sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct
- Misrepresentation in seeking financial aid, University housing, University meals, or other University benefits
- Driving on campus while under the influence of alcohol
- Misuse of computer equipment or email
- Sending threatening or obscene messages
There is no standard penalty which applies to violations of the Fundamental Standard. Penalties range from a formal warning to expulsion. Each case is fact specific; considerations include the nature and seriousness of the offense, the motivation underlying the offense, and precedent in similar cases.