From its beginnings, Stanford University has played a vital role in public life. The Office of Public Affairs coordinates and facilitates Stanford’s relationships with neighboring communities; local, state, and federal government; and the general public.
The office is led by David Demarest, Vice President for Public Affairs.

Public Affairs encompasses the Office of Government and Community Relations, which coordinates and facilitates Stanford’s interactions with local, state and federal government, as well as its relationship with neighboring communities. The office is in regular contact with officials at all levels of government on a wide variety of issues that are important to the university, from land use policies to funding for the basic sciences.