University policies of particular importance to student organizations are summarized in this section. More extensive listings of University policies are available for your reference in the Stanford University Bulletin and the Administrative Guide.
OSA and ASSU have the responsibility to take administrative action against groups that violate University and ASSU regulations. Such actions may include loss of recognition, resulting in loss of access to University services, and/or referral to the Dean of Students Office, the Organizational Conduct Board, or Judicial Affairs for possible disciplinary action.
The rights of free speech and peaceable assembly are fundamental to the democratic process, and the University firmly supports the rights of members of the community to express views or protest against action and opinions with which they disagree. All community members also share a concurrent obligation to maintain on campus an atmosphere conducive to scholarly pursuits, to preserve the dignity and seriousness of University ceremonies and public exercises and to respect the rights of all individuals. It is a violation of University policy for a member of the faculty, staff or student body to (1) prevent or disrupt the effective carrying out of a University function or approved activity, such as lectures, meetings, interviews, ceremonies, the conduct of University business in a University office and public events; (2) obstruct the legitimate movement of any person about the campus or in any University building or facility. Members of the faculty, staff and student body have an obligation to leave a University building or facility when asked to do so in the furtherance of the above regulations by a member of the University community acting in an official role and identifying himself/herself as such; members of the faculty, staff and student body also have an obligation to identify themselves when requested to do so by such a member of the University community who has reasonable grounds to believe that the person(s) has violated section (1) or (2) of this policy and who has so informed the person(s). For more information on this policy, visit the website online at http://www.stanford.edu/dept/registrar/bulletin/pdf/NonacadReg.pdf (see page 7 of this online bulletin) *Please note that the Quad and Oval are not available for such activities.
Hazing is prohibited by state law and University policy. California Education Code sections 32050 and 32051 state: “...'hazing' includes any method of initiation or preinitiation into a student organization or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization which causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm, to any student or other person attending any...college, university, or other educational insititution in this state; but the term ʻhazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contents or competitions.” “No student, or other person in attendance at any...private...educational institution, shall conspire to engage in hazing, participate in hazing, or commit any act that causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any fellow student or person attending the institution. The violation of this section is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or both.” Consequences to an organization found to have violated hazing law or University policy by the Organizational Conduct Board may include loss of its status as a recognized student organization and loss of its housing prvileges. In addition, individuals alleged to have engaged or participated in hazing or committed any hazing act may be referred to the Judicial Affairs Office for possible disciplinary action. Questions should be directed to OSA or Residential Education staff.
Federal and state laws that govern the University as an educational trust and tax-exempt institution, and concern for the proper role the University plays in society, limit the partisan political activities that can take place in Stanford facilities or with Stanford support. These limitations in no way inhibit the expression of personal political views by any individual in the University community. Permitted political activities include:
Because the laws relating to political activities are complex, all groups bringing political candidates to campus must contact the OSA well in advance of the event (see also Administrative Guide Memo 15.1 http://adminguide.stanford.edu/15_1.pdf).
Stanford's resources support the University's missions of creation, preservation and dissemination of knowledge. The University's assets must be preserved for these purposes, and not for the personal gain of individuals' or outside parties' uses that do not further Stanford's academic objectives. The University receives frequent requests for access to its resources by outside entities, typically in exchange for some form of compensation to Stanford. Many of these, if granted, would constitute unacceptable business activities. Student groups must consult the OSA before engaging in any agreements or plans for sales, fundraisers or commercial/corporate sponsorships to ensure that they are in accordance with Unrelated Business Activity (found online at http://adminguide.stanford.edu/15_3.pdf, Administrative Guide Memo 15.3).
Registered student organizations in good standing are permitted to use the Stanford name to identify themselves as affiliated with Stanford. However, the name “Stanford” and symbols associated with Stanford University, including the University seal and the Block “S,” are trademarks protected by federal and state laws from unauthorized use and must be used properly. In order to ensure that the University's name and other trademarks are adequately protected, the following procedures should be used:
Camera-ready artwork of trademarks will be provided with the License Agreement or OTL approval of designs. Visit the website at http://www.stanford.edu/group/identity/index.html. For a list of licensed vendors specifically for stationary and business cards, please visit http://www.stanford.edu/group/identity/stat_block.html. For questions about other products and vendors, please contact the Manager of Emblematic Licensing in the Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) at 723-0651.
A copyright is the set of exclusive legal rights that authors have to protect how their work is used. These rights include copying, distributing or performing any part of another's work or intellectual property. An author's rights begin when a work is created and considered copyrighted even without a copyright mark. All student organizations must adhere to copyright law. Activities which bring copyright law into play would include showing a movie, producing a play, playing audio recordings or reprinting pieces from published works, including photographs. Generally, you must secure permission from the author or publisher before presenting copyrighted material, however, there are several educational exceptions. Please contact the OSA for assistance in determining whether permission is necessary and how to seek it.
First, it is important for student leaders to know and follow the University's policy on alcohol and controlled substances. Specifically, it is the policy of Stanford University to maintain a drug-free workplace and campus. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession and/or use of controlled substances or the unlawful possession, use or distribution of alcohol is prohibited on the Stanford campus, in the workplace or as a part of any of the University's activities. The workplace and campus are presumed to include all Stanford premises where the activities of the University are conducted. Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary sanctions up to and including termination of employment or expulsion of students. Violations may also be referred to the appropriate authorities for prosecution. Second, student group leaders should be aware of any alcohol policy that relates to their group activities. These include the following:
All requests for large venue events (e.g. large scale conferences, fairs and events in Frost) must be submitted to the Registrar's Office (non-academic events) for general campus venues or the Director of Athletics (for athletic events) in DAPER venues at least 12 weeks in advance of the event. These events must be approved by the both the OSA and Stanford Events before any contracts are signed or advertising conducted. They must complement the group's mission and be primarilty targeted to Stanford students. Off-campus co-sponsors may be involved but only in limited ways - student groups must drive all decision making. Events that significantly impact the University may require prior approval by the Events Advisory Group (EAG), a subcimmittee of the Committee on Public Events (http:// events.stanford.edu) Student groups are expected to consult with the OSA early in their planning. Note that the Oval and Quad can not be reserved as most events through the Course and Room Scheduling Office since they can only be reserved under certain circumstances. For additional information see:
For liability reasons, Stanford University does not permit high risk activities (hang gliding, outdoor survival courses, advanced mountain climbing, hot air ballooning or rock climbing) to be held on Stanford land or to be sponsored by University departments and groups. Individuals wishing to organize such activities on their own may do so, but are not permitted to use the Stanford name with publicity or when dealing with vendors, participants or others. Groups must consult with appropriate departments when large, unusual or potentially risky events are planned. In organizing such events, the planner may be assuming responsibility for the safety of participants and might be held personally liable in case of accidents.
All campus meetings are considered public events unless declared an invitation event at the time the facility is reserved and on all announcements of the meeting. A “public event” is defined as one where all who wish to attend may do so, including the press and members of the general public. An “invitation event” is defined as one where attendance is limited to the sponsoring organization and specifically invited guests.
Some organizations are affiliated with regional or national organizations
and occasionally off-campus co-sponsors. However, as Stanford
student organizations, all decision-making control must reside locally.
The University expects that registered Stanford students will lead all
decision-making and be locally autonomous.
