Nondiscrimination Policy

Stanford University admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or marital status to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the University. Consistent with its obligations under the law, in the administration of the University's programs and activities, Stanford prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law; Stanford also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.  This policy applies to Stanford programs and activities both on and off-campus, including overseas programs.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding this nondiscrimination policy: Stanford’s Director of the Diversity and Access Office, Rosa Gonzalez, Kingscote Gardens, 419 Lagunita Drive, Suite 130, Stanford, CA 94305-8550; (650) 723-0755 (voice), (650) 723-1791 (fax), equal.opportunity@stanford.edu (email). Stanford’s Title IX Coordinator, Stephen Chen, has been designated to handle inquiries regarding sexual harassment and sexual violence: Kingscote Gardens (2nd floor), 419 Lagunita Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, (650) 497-4955 (voice), (650) 497-9257 (fax), titleix@stanford.edu (email).  Individuals may also file complaints directly with the Office for Civil Rights, within the United States Department of Education, by following the information on this website:  https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html.

Visas

In order to register as students, Stanford University requires that all those who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents obtain and maintain an appropriate visa status for their stay in the United States. The types of student visas sponsored by Stanford include the following:

  1. Student Visa (F-1): The F-1 visa is obtained with an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility issued by Stanford University. The graduate student on an F-1 visa must enroll in a full course of study. The accompanying spouse or child enters on an F-2 visa. F-2 visa holders may not hold employment or engage in business under any circumstances. The F-2 spouse of an F-1 student may not engage in full-time study, and the F-2 child may only engage if the study is in an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade). The F-2 spouse and child may, however, engage in study that is avocational or recreational in nature.

  2. Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1): The J-1 visa is obtained with a DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility issued by Stanford University or a sponsoring agency. This visa is often required for graduate students sponsored by certain agencies, foundations, and governments. In some cases, exchange visitors must leave the United States at the conclusion of their programs, and may not change to non-student visa status, and/or may not apply for permanent residency in the United States until they have returned to their home countries for at least two years. The accompanying spouse or child of an exchange visitor may obtain a J-2 visa and may, in some cases, obtain authorization to work by applying for an Employment Authorization Document from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in order to be employed in the U.S. There is no regulatory restriction on study for J-2 dependents.

The Certificates of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) are issued to admitted students after receipt of certifications of adequate financial support. An F-1 student transferring from another U.S. school must obtain a new I-20 from Stanford and complete a transfer process at the Bechtel International Center no later than 15 days after the effective date of the transfer. A J-1 student or scholar transferring from another U.S. school must obtain a new DS-2019 from Stanford and complete a transfer process at the Bechtel International Center no later than 15 days after the effective date of the transfer.

Rescission

By applying for admission to Stanford University academic programs, applicants certify that the information they provide in their applications is complete, accurate, and their own work. As also noted in the application materials, Stanford reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission under certain circumstances, including (but not limited to):

  1. if there is a significant drop in academic performance, a failure to graduate (in the applicant's current program), or a failure to satisfy a prerequisite or condition of admission;

  2. if there has been a misrepresentation in the application process or a breach of any of the terms of the application process; or

  3. if the University learns that an individual has engaged in behavior prior to the first day of enrolled Stanford attendance that indicates a serious lack of judgment or integrity.

Indeed (and for example), Stanford may rescind an individual's admission at any time, including after attendance and after degree conferral, if it determines, for example, that an individual has been admitted to Stanford on the basis of having provided false information; has withheld requested information; or has engaged in behavior prior to the first day of enrolled Stanford attendance that indicates a serious lack of judgment or integrity.

The University reserves the right to require individuals to provide additional information (and/or authorization for the release of information) about any such matter, and to place a hold on registration and/or the conferral of a degree during the investigation into any such matter. Stanford also reserves the right in perpetuity to investigate the authenticity, accuracy, and authorship of materials submitted, information provided, and assertions made in connection with the application.

Similarly, Stanford University awards degrees on the basis of successful completion of all program requirements in accordance with Stanford's policies and procedures. The University reserves the right to rescind any degree or honors designation (even after conferral) if the program requirements have not been so completed, and to place a hold on issuing a degree during the investigation into any such matter.

For academic programs that require work authorization in the United States (such as to serve as a teaching assistant or research assistant), Stanford University reserves the right to rescind the admission and terminate the student status of any student who fails to timely obtain and maintain that work authorization status.

Holds

A hold can be placed on the registration of any student with unmet financial or other University obligations; in addition to being unable to register for and take classes, among other limitations, such a student cannot receive a transcript, statement of completion, degree certificate, or diploma until the hold is released. As a condition of attending Stanford, students accept this provision.