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Overview of Stanford Policies

These university policies address sexual harassment, prohibited sexual conduct, Title IX, and consensual romantic or sexual relationships at Stanford. Collectively, the policies apply to all students, faculty, staff, and others who participate in Stanford’s programs and activities. One or more of these policies may apply to your concern.

Sexual Harassment Policy (Admin Guide 1.7.1)

Where sexual harassment has occurred, the University will act to stop the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and discipline or take other appropriate action against those responsible.

The Sexual Harassment Policy includes the following sections:

  • Definition of Sexual Harassment
  • What to Do about Sexual Harassment
  • Procedural Matters
  • Resources

This policy went into effect in 1993. It is subject to periodic review, and has been amended as needed to remain relevant and timely.

Click here to read Admin Guide 1.7.1

Prohibited Sexual Conduct (Admin Guide 1.7.3)

Prohibited Sexual Conduct is a severe form of sexual harassment. This Guide Memo outlines Stanford's definitions and policies relating to Prohibited Sexual Conduct: sexual misconduct, sexual assault, stalking and relationship violence.

In addition to defining terms relating to Prohibited Sexual Conduct, sections of this Memo cover

  • Consent
  • Getting Help and Reporting
  • Confidentiality
  • Retaliation
  • Education and Prevention
  • University Response and Resources
  • Other relevant topics

 Sexual Violence Support & Resources is a  comprehensive University web page dedicated to sexual violence awareness, prevention, response and support. The web page contains a list of resources and describes reporting options.

According to the Office for Civil Rights, sexual violence refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will, or where a person is incapable of giving consent. Examples of acts of sexual violence include:

  • rape
  • sexual assault
  • sexual battery
  • sexual abuse
  • sexual coercion

In addition to University disciplinary actions, someone who engages in Prohibited Sexual Conduct may be subject to criminal prosecution and/or civil litigation.

Click here to read Admin Guide 1.7.3

Consensual Sexual or Romantic Relationships in the Workplace and Educational Setting (Admin Guide 1.7.2) 

This policy
  • highlights the risks in sexual or romantic relationships at Stanford between individuals in inherently unequal positions;
  • prohibits certain relationships between teachers and students;
  • in other relationships: requires notification and recusal from supervision and evaluation.
Specific sections of the policy cover in detail relationships with students, between students, and in other contexts.

Click here to read a synopsis of the policy’s important points

Click here to read Admin Guide 1.7.2

Equal Employment Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Affirmative Action Policy (Admin Guide 1.7.4)

This policy applies to all who participate in Stanford's programs and activities, both on and off campus. It includes information about university resources for reporting alleged discrimination, harassment or retaliation, as well as options for external reporting.

Click here to read Admin Guide 1.7.4

Staff Grievance Policy (Admin Guide 2.1.11)

This policy resolves staff employee complaints at Stanford through a formal grievance process and is designed specifically for regular employees. The Staff Grievance Process is intended to supplement, not replace, routine and informal methods of responding to and resolving employee complaints.

Click here to read Admin Guide 2.1.11

Post Doc Grievance Policy (Chapter 10.3 of the Research Policy Handbook)

This policy outlines formal procedures for resolving both academic and non-academic grievances of postdoctoral scholars at Stanford. This grievance procedure is designed to supplement, not to replace, the routine and informal methods of responding to and remedying postdoctoral scholars' problems and complaints..

Click here to read Post Doc Grievance Policy

Stanford Title IX Administrative Policies and Procedures

The next two documents address Stanford University’s responsibilities under the Title IX statute and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA). Together, these prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender in federally-funded educational programs and activities, and require that universities have procedures in place to be able to respond when such discrimination occurs.  

The Title IX administrative process covers student-related concerns of sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual misconduct, dating violence or domestic violence and stalking when the responding party is a faculty, staff or a third party.

Click here to read Stanford Title IX Administrative Process

The Title IX Investigation and Hearing process covers student-related concerns of sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual misconduct, dating violence or domestic violence and stalking when the responding party is a Stanford student.

Click here to read Stanford Student Title IX Investigation and Hearing Process

Questions? Click here to learn more about: Stanford’s Student Title IX Process
Quick Reference Guide: https://stanford.app.box.com/v/student-title-ix-quick-ref