History
Stanford University was founded in 1885 by California senator Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, “to promote the public welfare by exercising an influence in behalf of humanity and civilization.”
Education
Stanford University is one of the world’s leading research universities. It is known for its entrepreneurial character, drawn from the legacy of its founders, Jane and Leland Stanford, and its relationship to Silicon Valley. Areas of excellence range from the humanities to social sciences to engineering and the sciences. Stanford is located in California’s Bay Area, one of the most intellectually dynamic and culturally diverse areas of the nation.
Research
- From Nobel Prize winners to undergraduates, all members of the Stanford community are engaged in creating new knowledge.
- Stanford’s culture of collaboration drives innovative discoveries in areas vital to our world, our health and our intellectual life.
- Eighteen independent labs, centers and institutes engage faculty and students from across the university.
- At the intersection of disciplines is where new ideas emerge and innovative research happens.
- Academic departments sponsor numerous other research centers and labs.
Career
- With seven schools and numerous other academic and administrative areas, Stanford offers a wealth of rewarding career opportunities.
- At Stanford, we believe that career growth should be personal—tailored to the strengths and ambitions of each person. We also believe that personal growth should be encouraged and supported—so that everyone at Stanford can enjoy a healthy work-life integration. The university provides a host of programs and resources to help employees advance their careers. From career counseling to tuition and training assistance, we encourage you to take full advantage of all the resources Stanford offers to help you grow.
Student services
The staff here at the Career Development Center is excited to welcome all new students! Find out how to connect with us during new student orientation, whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, transfer, or international student. Welcome To Stanford!The staff here at the Career Development Center is excited to welcome all new students! Here are five ways to connect with us during new student orientation, whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, transfer, or international student. We look forward to connecting with you early and often!
Housing services
About 62 percent of graduate students eligible for housing live in university-provided housing designed for single students, couples and families with children. New graduate students are guaranteed housing their first year on campus when they apply by the spring deadline.
The undergraduate housing system includes 80 diverse facilities. About 25 percent of students join one of the 16 fraternities or 14 sororities recognized on campus. Seven fraternities and three sororities offer housing.
There are 850 owner-occupied housing units for faculty on campus, as well as 628 rental units for faculty and staff.
Library services
- Green is Stanford University's main research library, and has collections in the humanities, social sciences, area studies, and interdisciplinary areas.
- Cecil H. Green Library
- Lathrop Library
- Archive of Recorded Sound
- Art & Architecture Library (Bowes)
- Biology Library (Falconer)
- Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Library (Swain)
- Earth Sciences Library & Map Collections (Branner)
- East Asia Library
ICT services
University IT cable modem service gives you access to the Internet at speeds up to 40 Mpbs V and 25 Mpbs ^. The cable modem service does not provide direct network access to Stanford resources, though faculty, staff, and students with a Stanford account (SUNet ID and password) have access to Stanford-licensed materials via web-based authentication or through the use of the Campus VPN service.
Medical services
Stanford Medicine delivers unparalleled care for each patient’s unique needs. Our multidisciplinary approach to health care coordinates deep expertise with the most advanced technology for the best possible outcomes.
Campus life
Stanford University is located on 8,180 acres in the center of the San Francisco Peninsula. Stanford land features 49 miles of roads, two separate water systems, three dams, three open water reservoirs, 88 miles of water mains and a post office. Stanford’s Central Energy Facility utilizes heat recovery and thermal storage to maximize efficiency in the university’s heating and cooling systems. Stanford provides or contracts for its own fire, police and other services. In 2019, phase one of Stanford’s 35-acre Redwood City campus will open and eventually become home to roughly 2,700 Stanford staff. It is located a mile from downtown Redwood City and five miles from Stanford’s main campus.
Sports facilities
Arrillaga Center for Sports & Recreation
- Women's Squash
- Men's & Women's Fencing
- Facility for students, faculty & staff
Avery Aquatic Center
- Men's & Women's Swimming and Diving
- Men's & Women's Water Polo
- Synchronized Swimming
Burnham Pavilion & Ford Center
- Men's and Women's Gymnastics
- Some Men's Volleyball
Student clubs
In general, the 650+ clubs and organizations at Stanford span the following areas:
- Athletic/Recreational
- Careers/Pre-professional
- Community Service
- Ethnic/Cultural
- Fraternities/Sororities
- Health/Counseling
- Media/Publications
- Music/Dance/Creative Arts
- Political/Social Awareness
- Religious/Philosophical
- Our last accreditation review took place in 2013. Documents from this process can be accessed by those with a SUNet ID on the Resources page of this website.
- We are currently preparing for our next accreditation process scheduled for 2022-2023.