An administrative session of the Faculty Senate provided approval for four 10-week quarters in the coming academic year, along with a daily course meeting schedule for both online and in-person classes.
At a special meeting on Thursday, the Academic Council discussed but did not vote on a faculty resolution calling on Stanford to greatly accelerate its efforts to divest from fossil fuel companies and to transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2030.
The Academic Council convened its first special meeting in 50 years in response to a faculty petition requesting a “full and broad” discussion of a new academic policy recently approved by the Faculty Senate.
As a limited number of people return to campus, starting with additional researchers on June 22, operational changes are being implemented to maintain campus health and safety.
The Stanford community gathered virtually Sunday to reflect on the accomplishments of this year’s graduates, thank them for their contributions to the university, and offer reassurance as they embark on new beginnings in a changed world.
Stanford’s active investment holdings in fossil fuels have declined more than 90% to now represent less than 1.5% of the university’s Merged Pool, the Board reported as it outlined further efforts in support of the clean-energy transition.
The Stanford Board of Trustees approved a high-level budget plan for 2020-21, including an increase in endowment payout supporting student financial aid, while taking additional measures to deal with the loss of revenues and investment market volatility caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
During the final regularly scheduled meeting of the academic year, the Faculty Senate discussed principal investigator eligibility, support for faculty during the pandemic, and the recently announced Community Board on Public Safety.
New data released on alcohol and drug use, sexual violence and sexual harassment at Stanford will help guide changes to the university’s programs, policies and services.
President Marc Tessier-Lavigne and Provost Persis Drell have released a letter to the Stanford community on academic planning for the fall quarter and 2020-21 academic year.
