Undergraduate Education
Contacts
Office: Sweet Hall, 590 Escondido Mall, Stanford, CA 94305
Mail Code: 3082
Phone: (650) 723-4463
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: undergrad.stanford.edu
Established in 1995, the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE) comprises the Bing Overseas Studies Program, the Center for Teaching and Learning, Stanford Introductory Studies, and Undergraduate Advising and Research. VPUE’s objective is to create and maximize opportunities for learning partnerships at Stanford. For undergraduates, VPUE serves as the nexus for key programs and initiatives and helps them define and achieve their intellectual ambitions at Stanford. Student opportunities within VPUE include investigative introductory courses, targeted classes in writing and rhetoric, specialized introductory seminars, intensive pre-term September studies programs, undergraduate research support, overseas studies programs, academic advising, and undergraduate scholarships and fellowships, as well as tutoring and learning skills support. The VPUE also serves as the primary conduit for faculty interested in furthering their interaction with undergraduates, developing innovative curriculum and pedagogy, and discovering ways in which working with undergraduates can enrich their own research agendas. We advocate for undergraduate education in collaboration with students, faculty, schools and departments across the university. All of our resources are dedicated to connecting students with Stanford, involving faculty with undergraduate education, and fully realizing a liberal education.
VPUE programs for first- and second-year students include New Student Orientation/Approaching Stanford, the Leland Scholars Program, Thinking Matters, Program in Writing and Rhetoric, Introductory Seminars, and Sophomore College. Programs for more advanced students include the Bing Overseas Studies Program, Writing in the Major, Undergraduate Research, Arts Intensive, and Bing Honors College. Undergraduate Advising, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Hume Writing Center, and the speaking center serve undergraduates throughout their time at Stanford. The office of the VPUE works closely with the office of the vice provost for student affairs and the admissions office. The vice provost for undergraduate education reports to the provost.
Policies governing undergraduate education are formulated by Faculty Senate committees and voted into legislation by the Faculty Senate. The Committee on Undergraduate Standards and Policy (C-USP) addresses such topics as general education requirements, grading, awards, advising, and teaching evaluation. The Committee for the Review of Undergraduate Majors (C-RUM) oversees the initiation and review of undergraduate degree programs. Committee members include the vice provost for undergraduate education or his delegated staff (ex-officio) and representatives from the faculty at large, administration (such as the office of the university registrar), and students. The Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU) nominations committee selects student members. The VPUE also maintains, by rule of the Faculty Senate, the Thinking Matters Governance Board and the Writing and Rhetoric Governance Board to oversee these university degree requirements. Finally, the Undergraduate Advisory Council (UGAC) was established by the provost in 1996 to serve as the main faculty advisory body for the vice provost for undergraduate education.
Freeman-Thornton Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education: Harry J. Elam, Jr.
Olive H. Palmer Professor in the Humanities
Senior Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education: Martha Cyert
Professor of Biology
Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education: Sharon Palmer
Director of Finance & Administration: Scott Calvert