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Preface

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Handbook last updated: October 13, 2022

The Stanford University Faculty Handbook, published by the Provost’s Office, provides policies governing faculty.  New faculty are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the handbook, but it is well worth review by faculty with long-standing University experience as well.

Chapter One provides background information regarding the University.  Chapters Two through Five pertain to those holding the following categories of professorial appointments: Tenure Line, Teaching and Research Line, University Medical Line (formerly the Medical Center Line), and Senior Fellows and Center Fellows in designated policy centers and institutes.  This handbook, in its appendices, contains various forms, including additional University policies and procedures for use in the appointment, reappointment and promotion of faculty.  These forms include guidelines stating the University-wide criteria for such appointments, reappointments and promotions, and therefore deserve study by every faculty member.  Recommendations to modify existing professorial appointments may be submitted through Stanford University's Faculty and Academic Staff Appointments web form system.

There are additional policies and procedures applicable to specific schools and departments (including school-specific supplementary criteria for appointments, reappointments and promotions) that have been approved by the Provost’s Office as consistent with overall University policy.  It is not possible to present each of these policies in this handbook, but they may be obtained by inquiring of one’s department chair or school dean, or by checking a School’s website.  Similarly, all employees are subject to additional applicable University policies, such as those set forth in the University’s Administrative Guide, and the Stanford Bulletin.  For additional information on policy statements and guidelines that support research at Stanford (including those relating to the Academic Staff-Research ranks), please consult the Research Policy Handbook.

In an institution as complex and dynamic as Stanford, change in organization and in the policies and procedures to which the faculty and academic staff are subject is an ongoing process, and the University reserves the right to make such changes. The online version of this handbook should always be referenced to determine the applicable policy language.

Persis Drell
Provost