Yesterday, I joined Provost Drell, Redwood City Mayor Ian Bain, and other leaders from Redwood City, San Mateo County, and Stanford to officially open Stanford’s Redwood City campus. This was a historic moment, marking our first significant footprint outside of the main campus and a strategic investment in Stanford’s future.
Earlier today, President Trump issued an executive order calling on federal agencies to “take appropriate steps, in a manner consistent with applicable law, including the First Amendment, to ensure institutions that receive Federal research or education grants promote free inquiry, including through compliance with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies.”
At Stanford we have had a longstanding commitment to freedom of expression.
Provost Drell and I are providing a further update to our community on the steps Stanford is taking to respond to the recent admissions fraud scheme. We know that this episode has jarred the trust of many Americans in the college admissions process, and it has prompted many questions from the Stanford community. We are determined to take the right steps at Stanford to ensure the integrity of our process and to work toward rebuilding that trust.
We write to express our shock and deep sorrow following today’s attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Our profound sympathies and support go out to the families and loved ones of the victims, and to all members of the Muslim community in New Zealand and around the world.
By now many of you have seen the news that Stanford’s head sailing coach was charged today, along with many others around the country, in an alleged scheme that involved payments intended to influence the admission of students to a number of U.S. colleges and universities. To the two of us, this is nothing short of appalling.
On many occasions over the past few years, in the context of different issues in our nation and on our campus, the two of us have tried to share an important message: Every member of our community at Stanford University is valued.
Now is a time to underline that message once again.
As we remember Martin Luther King, Jr. this weekend, I want to take this moment to recognize the tireless efforts and persistent work of the students, faculty and staff who are promoting social progress through research, education and service.
You may have seen our announcement today that we are building a new solar plant to power our campus and reduce Stanford’s carbon footprint.
This new plant, combined with our existing solar generating systems, will allow the university to complete its transition to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2021.
I want to take this moment, on Election Day, to encourage each and every eligible member of the Stanford community to cast your vote, if you haven’t already. Voting is the bedrock of our democratic system, and it is an essential way to support the issues you care about and the representatives you think can carry forth those promises.
We write to express the horror and sorrow of the entire Stanford community at yesterday’s attack on worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
We are delighted to welcome so many new and familiar faces to Stanford for the fall quarter. As we think about all that we have to look forward to in a new academic year, we are especially encouraged by the work going on around campus to build a strong and engaged Stanford community.
At the annual meeting of the Academic Council, Provost Drell and I presented a high-level vision for Stanford’s future, building on the input of many hundreds of people from across the university community over the last year. We’re excited to share this vision with our community. We believe it reflects the optimistic, pioneering, energetic spirit of a community eager to strengthen Stanford’s foundations and to expand its contributions.
President’s comments to the annual meeting of the Academic Council, May 17, 2018
In his annual address to the Academic Council on Thursday, May 17, 2018, Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne outlined initiatives that will set an agenda for Stanford in the next decade and beyond.
President, provost answer questions during meeting with university community
President Marc Tessier-Lavigne and Provost Persis Drell answered a range of questions on issues from long-range planning to housing availability during a campus community meeting.
Notes from the Quad: The long-range planning white papers
President Marc Tessier-Lavigne and Provost Persis Drell announce the release to the university community of 37 white papers summarizing more than 2,800 ideas and proposals submitted in Stanford's long-range planning process.
Committee appointed to recommend principles on historical names
President Tessier-Lavigne has appointed a new committee to recommend principles for decision-making on requests to rename campus buildings and sites named for historical figures.
Statement of Stanford leadership on immigration principles
As an academic institution and as a community, Stanford welcomes and embraces students and scholars from around the world who contribute immeasurably to its mission of education and discovery.
Notes from the Quad: In memory of Ben Barres, a personal tribute
As we mourn today the loss of our colleague and dear friend Ben Barres, I thought it would be fitting to share a piece that I wrote in tribute to Ben almost a year ago. I was honored to deliver it as an introduction to a symposium held in Ben’s honor on January 12, 2017.
The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have passed tax reform legislation that now awaits the president's signature. For higher education, the final bill contains mixed news. At Stanford, our attention now turns to addressing the effects of this legislation on our community.
Notes from the Quad: An update on campus historical names
I'm writing to update the campus community on the Advisory Committee on the Use of Historical Names on Campus. I met with the committee on Monday to get an update on its progress. Yesterday, a group of students concerned about the process voiced their views in a campus march, and I met with representatives of the group last evening. I respect their views, and I want to discuss here how we intend to move forward and bring the process to conclusion.
