We want your stay at Stanford to be as enriching as possible. Please make sure you are familiar with our year-round and Summer Session policies to ensure a seamless experience.
Important Information for Confirmed Students
The Stanford Summer Session 2016 Program Handbook and Residence Agreement contain relevant information for all confirmed Summer Session students–whether residential or commuting. Upon confirmation into the Summer Session program, students will also have access to these documents in their student portal.
Health Insurance
We all know that good physical and mental health is essential to learning. You are required to have health insurance when you study at Stanford in the summer, and you are also required to pay the campus health services fee, which gives you access to Vaden Health Center, our on-campus medical clinic. At Vaden Health Center, you’ll be able to schedule physical exams as well as sign up for Counseling and Psychological Services. Students with conditions that may require academic accommodations should contact the Office of Accessible Education as soon as possible to make those arrangements.
Academic Regulations
Please familiarize yourself with the policies regarding the grading system, dropping and withdrawing from courses, taking courses for Credit/No credit, end-quarter examinations, and fees (including late fees). Explanations of these policies are provided in the Stanford Bulletin and in our FAQs.
Student Conduct
As a Stanford Summer Session student, you are bound by the expectations of student conduct outlined in the Summer Session Handbook, which you will receive upon admission to the program. In addition to the policies discussed in the Handbook, you are held to the expectations of conduct laid out by the Honor Code and Fundamental Standard, and the Policy on Campus Disruptions. Every member of the Stanford community, including every Summer Session student, is responsible for knowing these policies. Some University policies not covered in the Summer Session Handbook may be addressed at the Summer Session website or in the Stanford Bulletin. Questions about specific Student Conduct policies related to Summer Session, or possible policy violations, may be discussed with the Associate Dean & Director of Summer Session.
Accreditation
Stanford University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501; 501-748-9001. In addition, certain programs of the University have specialized accreditation. For more information, contact the Office of the University Registrar.
Statement of Nondiscriminatory Policy
Stanford University Summer Session admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity 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, Stanford prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in the administration of the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding this nondiscrimination policy: the Director of the Diversity and Access Office, Mariposa House, 585 Capistrano Way, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-8230; (650) 723-0755 (voice), (650) 723-1216 (TTY), (650) 723-1791 (fax), equal.opportunity@stanford.edu (email).
Students in programs offered through the Summer Session Office are not matriculated Stanford University students, and not all University student policies apply to Summer Session students. The University reserves the right, at its discretion, to withhold registration from, or require withdrawal from the program by any student or applicant.
Computer and Network Usage Policy
Stanford has a Computer and Network Usage Policy that translates the University’s general business practices into the electronic domain and conforms to federal, state, and local laws. This policy defines the appropriate usage of computers and networks with respect to intellectual property rights, privacy issues concerning information belonging to others, and the integrity of information resources. A key piece of the policy is that campus identifiers (such as Stanford ID, SUNet ID, and password) never be shared with anyone. Stanford urges students to read and become familiar with the policy, which will also be covered during orientation. In addition, students should familiarize themselves with the related Academic Computing Services Acceptable Use Policy.
Stanford requires that users of the Stanford network respect copyright law. Stanford is required by law to follow up and respond to every copyright complaint, and even a first time complaint for a student may result in the disruption of network services for that student. On a second valid copyright complaint, the student’s Internet connection is disabled and the student is referred to the Summer Session Office.
File-sharing and Copyright Infringement
The University does not tolerate the use of its networks to facilitate the unlawful distribution of intellectual property. While the law provides limited exceptions, it is generally a violation of the law to either upload or download copyrighted content, such as songs, movies, TV shows, video games, software programs, and textual works, without the express permission of the copyright owner. The consequences for student who use the Stanford network to unlawfully file-share can be severe and may come from different fronts. Both the copyright owner and the University may impose penalties. Under the provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), a copyright owner or an authorized agent may lawfully scan Internet traffic and send a complaint to Stanford as the Internet service provider (ISP) if it is discovered that a copyrighted work was shared without permission. If the copyright owner chooses to follow up with civil litigation, it may file a “John Doe” lawsuit against the IP address and Stanford would have to provide the identity of the Stanford network user in response to a valid subpoena. From 2005 through 2008, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) brought claims against more than 50 Stanford network users. Stanford estimates that collectively Stanford students paid over $100,000 to record companies to settle their claims. Although the RIAA announced in 2009 it would end its litigation campaign, students should be mindful that litigation continues to be a viable option for copyright holders to pursue and some rights holders continue to actively pursue litigation.
Consent to Use Photographic Images
Registration as a student and attendance in our programs during the Summer Quarter constitutes an agreement by the student to the University’s use and distribution – both now and in the future – of the student’s image or voice in photographs, video capture, electronic reproductions, or audiotapes of participation in classes and other campus and University activities, held both on or off the Stanford campus.
If any student is in a class or attending an activity where such photographing or recording is to take place and does not wish to have his or her image or voice so used, the student should raise the matter in advance with the Summer Session Office.
Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)
FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. Information can be found through the University Registrar.
Health Information Privacy and Security (HIPAA)
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and its regulations protect the privacy of an individual’s health information.
Incoming Stanford Freshmen
If you are accepted to Stanford University as a matriculated undergraduate student and will be starting your freshman year during the upcoming Autumn Quarter, you are not eligible to take summer courses as a visiting undergraduate student. Stanford typically does not allow incoming freshmen to begin their studies during the Summer Quarter. Stanford students are eligible to take Summer Quarter classes following their freshman year.
Additional Information
Additional information on Stanford University can be obtained through the Stanford University website. Every effort is made to ensure that the course information, applicable policies, and other materials contained in this website are accurate and current. The University reserves the right to make changes at any time without prior notice.
