Rights and Responsibilities

Honor Code(PDF)

The Honor Code asks students to pursue their studies in a manner consistent with academic integrity. Further resources:

• Judicial Affairs: The Honor Code

Fundamental Standard (PDF)

Since its inception, the Stanford community has made citizenship and respect for others a cornerstone of its philosophy. This philosophy is captured most prominently in the Fundamental Standard, which outlines codes of conduct for students that emphasize respect, morality and good citizenship. Further resources:

• Judicial Affairs: The Fundamental Standard

Privacy of Student Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. This includes the following rights:

• To review educational records within 45 days of a request for access
• The right to request amending records the student believes are inaccurate
• The right to consent to disclose information from the records

Further information:

• Office of the Registrar: Student Record Privacy

Selected Stanford Policies

Nondiscrimination Policy

Stanford University admits students of either sex and any race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin. All are entitled to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded to University students.

It prohibits discrimination, including harassment, against students on the basis of sex, race, age, color, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin. It also prohibits discrimination on any other characteristic (protected by applicable law) in administering its admissions policies, educational policies, scholarships and loan programs, athletic and other University-administered programs. 

For inquiries regarding this policy, contact the following:

Director of Diversity and Access Office
Mariposa House, 585 Capistrano Way
Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-8230

Phone 650-723-0755
TTY 650-723-1216
Fax 650-723-1791 http://www.stanford.edu/dept/ocr/

Sexual Harassment Policy

Stanford University strives to provide a place of work and study that is free of sexual harassment, intimidation or exploitation. If sexual harassment is found to have occurred, the University will act to stop the harassment, and prevent its recurrence. The university will also discipline or take other appropriate action against those responsible.

• Sexual Harassment Policy (PDF)
• Sexual Harassment FAQ from the Judicial Affairs Offic

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Copyright Policy

Copyright laws protect original works of authorship. They give the owners of copyrights the exclusive right to authorize others to do certain things in regard to a copyrighted work. These things include making copies, distributing the work, displaying or performing the work publicly and creating derivative works. 

Copyright laws apply to nearly all forms of captured content, including traditional works such as books, photographs, music, drama and sculpture. The laws also adapt to changes in technologies. They include in their scope modern forms of work such as motion pictures, electronic media, software, multimedia works and some databases.

Unless an exception to the copyright owner’s exclusive rights applies, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner to do any of the following:

• Copy
• Distribute
• Display
• Perform a copyrighted work in any medium for any purpose

Be especially mindful of copyrighted materials when using the Internet. Just because a work is posted on the Internet does not mean that the owner of the copyright has given you permission to use it. In addition, you should not post materials to the Internet without copyright clearance or share copyrighted materials electronically through peer-to-peer networks.

It is each person’s responsibility to be aware of and abide by copyright law. Violation may result in civil or criminal liability and constitutes grounds for University discipline, up to and including discharge, dismissal and expulsion. Further resources:

• Message from the Provost on Copyright (2006) (PDF)
• Stanford University Libraries: Copyright and Fair Use
• Office of Judicial Affairs: Plagiarism

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Research Policies

Stanford undergraduate researchers must comply with the research policies outlined by the Office of the Dean of Research, which publishes the Stanford Research Policy Handbook. The Office of the Dean of Research maintains web pages with detailed information on all such policies. Further resources:

• Dean of Research Office
• Research Policy Handbook

Grievance Procedures

Academic Grievance Procedures

You have recourse if you are subjected to an improper academic decision made by a person or group acting in an official University capacity. You can choose to file an official Academic Grievance.

• Informal resolution.  It’s best first to try to resolve it through a discussion (in writing or in person) with those responsible for the improper decision or act. If that discussion does not resolve the issue, consult the individual at the next administrative level (such as department chair or program director). 
• Filing a grievance. If informal measures prove unsatisfactory, you can write up a formal grievance complaint. This complaint should include the subject of the dispute and the reasons why you believe that it constitutes an unfair or improper decision. In addition, you should detail the informal efforts you’ve made to that point to resolve the issue. The grievance should be filed within 30 days of the end of the quarter in which the issue arose. It should be submitted to the dean of the school in which the grievance arose.
• Response to the grievance. The dean will review the grievance, collect any additional relevant information and decide the grievance within 60 days after you file it.
• Filing an appeal. If you’re unhappy with the decision made by the dean in regard to your grievance, you may appeal in writing to the Provost.  Further appeal options are available as well.
• Further resources. If you are considering filing an official grievance, be sure to review the more detailed grievance procedures outlined in the Stanford Bulletin.

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Nonacademic Grievance Procedures

The purpose of the Student Nonacademic Grievance Procedure is to provide a process for students to seek resolution of disputes and grievances. This is especially true for those that may not fall within the scope of the other grievance processes. It includes those which may arise in a student’s capacity as a student-employee. 

• Student non-academic grievance procedure

To register a Nonacademic Grievance, contact the following:

Director of Diversity and Access Office
Mariposa House, 585 Capistrano Way
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-8230

Phone 650-723-0755
TTY 650-723-1216
Fax 650-723-1791  http://www.stanford.edu/dept/ocr/

Diversity at Stanford

Stanford values diversity in all of its forms and applications and is dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming community. Students are encouraged to explore and embrace the diversity at Stanford in all facets of their academic life.

Petitions

In special circumstances, a student may wish to submit a petition to request an exception to a university policy.  Petitions may be submitted for Academic Standing decisions, general academic policies and their deadlines. Petitions are special requests. As such, students must present compelling circumstances in making their request.  Further information:

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