Visitors and Privacy
Stanford is a private university and its land is private property, but, as part of its mission of producing and sharing knowledge, the university welcomes visitors from the local community and around the world to campus to engage with our research programs, enjoy arts and cultural programming, receive medical care, hear public lectures by faculty and invited speakers, and otherwise enjoy the environment. While Stanford is an open campus and visitors may generally come and go as they wish, they cannot conduct organized events or activities on campus without permission.
Areas generally open to the public include, White Plaza, public eating areas and outdoor touring areas, locations to which the public has been invited by advertised notice (for events or activities designated as open to the public). Even in areas open to the public, visitors must not interfere with the privacy of students, faculty, and staff, or with educational, research, and residential activities.
- The university has historically made White Plaza available for expressive activity (such as handing out pamphlets or communicating with passersby) by non-Stanford visitors, so long as such activities do not disrupt other uses of the Plaza or violate general rules applicable in the Plaza (such as restrictions on amplified sound). White Plaza is the designated area for such activities by visitors, which are not permitted in other areas of campus.
- The use of tables and other structures in White Plaza is restricted to Stanford community members.
- While campus visitors may attend both registered and spontaneous events in White Plaza organized by Stanford affiliates (students, faculty, and staff), visitors may not organize their own events in White Plaza (or elsewhere on campus).
- Visitors are also under an obligation to identify themselves in accordance with the Identification Requirements.
- Visitors must leave if asked to do so by a university official.
Conditions
No commercial activity, including taking photos or audio or visual recordings that are sold or otherwise used for commercial purposes, may occur on the campus or in university programs without the university's permission.
Members of the media are prohibited in all residential areas of the university, including student residences and the surrounding faculty neighborhoods, without prior permission from University Communications.
Visitors should not be in academic or residential areas unless they have been invited for appropriate business or social purposes by the responsible faculty member, student, or staff member.
Violators of this policy may be subject to criminal and/or civil liability, as well as university disciplinary action.
Related policies & links
The information on this website is meant as a general overview. Please be sure to read and understand the full policy documents for all of the policies that may apply to your event. Please also be sure to check for important announcements and updates that may impact events on campus. If you have questions, please contact us.