Policies & Guidance
The Stanford community strives to create meaningful change both on campus and in the world. A commitment to integrity permeates all aspects of campus life, and the Office of Community Standards (OCS) supports this mission by upholding two of Stanford's foundational principles: the Fundamental Standard and the Honor Code. Together, these standards articulate the values that unite us and outline the responsibilities that attend the great privilege of being at Stanford. Every member of the Stanford community plays an integral role in espousing these ideals and sustaining our culture of excellence.
Cardinal Rules
- Promote a culture of personal integrity and academic honesty through your daily actions
- Speak up if you're unsure whether or not conduct would violate these principles
- Hold yourself and others accountable to these community values
The Fundamental Standard
The Fundamental Standard has set the standard of conduct for students at Stanford since it was articulated in 1896. It states: Students at Stanford are expected to show both within and without the University such respect for order, morality, personal honor and the rights of others as is demanded of good citizens. Failure to do this will be sufficient cause for removal from the University.
Honor Code
The Honor Code is an undertaking of the Stanford academic community, individually and collectively. Its purpose is to uphold a culture of academic honesty.
"There is only one true failure for you and that is not to be true to the best you know." — Jane Stanford
Policies & Guidance Links
The Stanford Student Conduct Charter of 2023
The Stanford Student Conduct Charter of 2023 applies to cases filed on May 2, 2023 and after. Read through the student conduct charter's contents.
Academic Accommodations & the Honor Code
If the Office of Accessible Education in consultation with the relevant department, determines that a student’s academic accommodation is both reasonable and does not constitute a fundamental alteration of a course, the terms of that accommodation shall not be considered an academic procedure that creates a temptation to violate the Honor Code.
BCA Guidance: Definitions and Clarifications
Here you can explore pages reflecting Board on Conduct Affairs (BCA) guidance regarding various aspects of the Conduct Process.
BCA's Interim Honor Code Recommendations
Based on guidance from the 2019 Judicial Charter Committee (C-10) and with the advice of the ASSU Undergraduate Senate, the ASSU Graduate Student Council, and the Faculty Senate Steering Committee, the Board on Conduct Affairs (BCA) adopts the following guidance to promote community ownership of the Honor Code.
Bylaws to Charter
The bylaws to the Student Judicial Charter of 1997 are rules and/or administrative provisions of the Board on Judicial Affairs (BJA) that clarify and facilitate practice under the Charter and allow for efficient internal governance of the BJA.
Student Conduct Penalty Code Bylaw
Updated to align with the Stanford Student Conduct Charter of 2023 - Approved by the Board on Conduct Affairs on March 10, 2025, and effective June 23, 2025, pursuant to Section II(A)2 of the Charter: Stanford University’s Student Conduct Penalty Code is to be used in conjunction with the Student Conduct Charter of 2023. It is applicable when a student accepts responsibility for a violation, or when a Conduct Panel has determined that a student violated the Honor Code, the Fundamental Standard, or another rule or policy governing student conduct.
BCA Guidance: Honor Code Level-Setting
Section III.A.1.a of the Student Conduct Charter of 2023 states that “[t]he Board may specify in the Bylaws the level of review for particular allegations, and factors to be considered in determining the appropriate level of review.” Section III.B.3 of the Charter states that “[d]uring the investigation, the investigator may request that the Director or their designee assign a higher level of review for the concern, if appropriate.”
This By-Law provides guidance for setting the level of review for reported concerns. The Director of OCS has authority to set a higher or lower level of review based on extenuating circumstances, recognizing that investigations are not conducted for concerns at the Alternative Resolution level.
BCA Guidance: Guidelines for Conduct of Hearing Panels
Section III.A.1.a of the Student Conduct Charter of 2023 states that “[t]he Board may specify in the Bylaws the level of review for particular allegations, and factors to be considered in determining the appropriate level of review.” Section III.B.3 of the Charter states that “[d]uring the investigation, the investigator may request that the Director or their designee assign a higher level of review for the concern, if appropriate.”
This By-Law provides guidance for conduct at Hearing Panels.
CA Guide to the Penalty Code (1997 Charter)
The following pages reflect Board on Conduct Affairs (BCA) guidance regarding the Student Conduct Penalty Code under the Stanford Student Judicial Charter of 1997.
Student Conduct Penalty Code (1997 Charter)
Learn more about when different sanctions are typically applied during the Judicial Process of the Stanford Judicial Charter of 1997, and what the ramifications are for a student.
Additional Policy Information
Other Stanford Policies
For your convenience and ease of reference, we have posted links to a number of Stanford University policies that are germane to Stanford's Fundamental Standard and Honor Code.
