Stanford Student Housing
Stanford has been a residential teaching and research university since opening day on Oct. 1, 1891. The Founding Grant of the university states the founders' wish that "It is desirable that the members of the Faculty and students should generally reside upon the grounds of the University..." The original men's residence, Encina Hall, now houses the Freeman-Spogli Institute. The original women's residence, Roble Hall, is no longer standing, having been replaced by a second building of the same name in 1918. The current Roble Hall, the oldest on-campus residence still housing students, is now co-ed.
As of Autumn 2011, 6,306 undergraduates and 4,768 graduate students live on campus, allowing for a blending of academic and residential life. Undergraduate campus housing is guaranteed for four years for entering freshmen. Approximately 96 percent of all undergraduates registered and residing at the home campus live in on-campus housing.
The undergraduate housing system includes 80 very diverse residential facilities, including academic-focus, language, culture and cross-cultural houses; student-managed row-type houses; apartments; suites; and traditional residence halls. Faculty or senior staff serve as live-in resident fellows in residences that house first-year students, in academic-focus houses and in some houses for upperclass students. About 25 percent of students join one of the 17 fraternities or 13 sororities recognized on campus. Six fraternities and three sororities offer housing.
New graduate students are guaranteed housing their first year on campus when they apply by the spring deadline. Housing for graduate students consists of university-owned studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom or four-bedroom apartments. About 56 percent of graduate students eligible for housing live on campus, in housing designed for single students, couples without children and students with children.
Student Organizations and Student Government
About 650 organized student groups are recognized at Stanford, covering a range of interests: academic, international, political, environmental, religious, ethnic, social, community service and recreational. Student publications include The Stanford Daily newspaper. The Associated Students of Stanford University is the representative government for Stanford students.
Lively Arts
Stanford Lively Arts sponsors about 100 music, dance and theater performances (both free and ticketed) by world-famous artists annually, attracting about 30,000 visitors. Lively Arts also offers master classes, extended residencies, workshops, lecture/demonstrations and group discussions, as well as community and student programs. Call (650) 725-ARTS (2787).
Religious Life
There are about 35 recognized religious organizations on the Stanford campus. In addition to a wide range of Christian groups, there are the Hillel Foundation and Chabad, the Islamic Society, Ismaili Student Association, Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics, the Baha’i Association, the Hindu Students Association, the Sikh Student Association, the Buddhist Community and the World Peace Buddhists. The Center for Inter-Religious Community, Learning and Experiences (CIRCLE) is located in Old Union. The university’s support of the Office for Religious Life presumes that faith and spiritual quest are consonant with the academy’s most vital pursuits of meaning and purpose. Call (650) 723-1762 or visit religiouslife.stanford.edu.
Public Service
The Haas Center for Public Service provides service opportunities, including summer and postgraduate fellowships; integration of service experience with classroom learning; community-based research; public service leadership training; community programs serving children and youth; and advising on national service options after graduation. The center supports nearly 20 staffed programs and many student organizations, and works with faculty who offer 75 service-learning courses and community-based research projects. Visit haas.stanford.edu or call (650) 723-0992.
More than 100 student organizations, special projects and school-based programs across campus provide undergraduates and graduate students with opportunities to serve. These range from law clinics, including the Community Law Clinic in East Palo Alto, the Business School's Public Management Program, the Medical School’s Office of Community Health and Athletics’ Community Outreach program. Stanford’s eight community centers and four ethnic theme houses offer outreach programs that provide educational services for underserved youth, language assistance and cultural events.
Campus Safety
The Stanford University Department of Public Safety (SUDPS) is a multi-service agency providing law enforcement, security, safety, crime prevention and emergency services on the Stanford campus 24 hours a day. SUDPS employs sworn personnel holding the rank of deputy sheriff, sergeant, lieutenant and chief, as well as non-sworn community service and public safety officers, special events personnel and support staff. The Stanford Safety, Security and Fire Almanac is provided to the campus community in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. See police.stanford.edu for more information. Public Safety is located at 711 Serra Street, next to the Fire Station at the corner of Campus Drive and Serra Street. The business phone number is (650) 723-9633.
Getting Around
Bicycling is one of the most popular forms of on-campus transportation, with an estimated 13,000 bikes on campus daily. In 2011, Stanford was named a "Bicycle Friendly University." Although freshmen may not bring cars to campus, the free Marguerite shuttle system provides connections to local transit, shopping and dining. Zipcar car sharing and Enterprise rentals are options. The Thriving at Stanford [without a car] guide offers options to travel off campus. Call the Parking & Transportation Services at (650) 723-9362 or visit transportation.stanford.edu.
Stanford Traditions
Big Game
The annual football game against the University of California, Berkeley, Golden Bears is Big Game. It is preceded by Gaieties, a student-produced musical follies.
Full Moon on the Quad
Freshmen are kissed at midnight by seniors under the first full moon of Autumn Quarter.
Wacky Walk
During Commencement, undergraduate students enter the ceremonies informally and often dressed in festive costumes.
