Living on Campus

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies believes valuable growth experiences occur outside of the classroom. The residential staff develop rich living and learning environments that complement the program’s academic curriculum. A team of residential staff live in each residence hall with the participants to provide 24/7 support, guidance, and supervision.

COVID-19 Policy

Participant’s health and well-being is Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies’ top priority. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies will be following all Stanford University COVID-19 related policies and procedures. All policies are subject to change before and during the program; please continue to monitor this website and email communications for important updates. Stanford University policies are available here and COVID policies for minors are here. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies will notify a participant’s Designated Adult if the participant tests positive so they can be picked up from campus within 48 hours. Participants will be required to take a rapid antigen test if they become symptomatic during the program.

In the event of any emergency, or if the Student tests positive for COVID-19, the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) are the Student’s primary emergency contact(s).

Housing and Roommate Assignments

Your Home for the Summer

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff will share the residence hall assignment for each program during orientation. To protect the privacy of all participants, room and roommate assignments are not shared until arrival day check-in. Due to the brief duration of the program, roommate requests and room changes are not allowed.

Room Information

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies programs use residences that Stanford undergraduates live in during the regular academic year. Residence hall size varies based on program size, although each residence hall has space to accommodate participants and staff.

Shared Bedrooms

Most bedrooms are shared, typically with two to three participants to a room; however, some larger rooms may accommodate up to four participants.

Room Furniture

Rooms come furnished with a Twin XL mattress per participant, and most have desks, dressers, and closets. While every participant is not guaranteed their own desk or dresser, each room has sufficient space for personal items.

Gendered Room Assignments

Rooms are assigned by gender, and rooms for males and females are typically separated. All-gender housing is available; participants or their parents/legal guardians are encouraged to contact spcs-residential@stanford.edu to learn more information about gender inclusive housing.

Common Social Spaces

Each residence hall includes a shared common space used for house meetings, study sessions, leisure, entertainment, and hanging out.

Accommodation Request Process

Participants with a disability who may need an accommodation must initiate the request by submitting the SPCS Courtesy Accommodation request form. SPCS staff will evaluate the request, recommend reasonable accommodations and communicate results with participants, families, instructional teams, and staff as appropriate.

Participants are responsible for:

Working with course instructors to discuss the implementation of the accommodations as needed
Adherence to the same standards: academic, technical, performance and behavior expected of all participants

Stanford is committed to ensuring equal access to its educational programs for students with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.

Dormitory Logistics

Cleanliness
University custodial staff will clean the residences on a regular basis. Common spaces will be cleaned daily, and bedroom linens and trash cans will be exchanged once a week. The specific day your linens will be exchanged will be communicated in your opening hall meeting. In addition, participants will work together to keep the common spaces clean and organized throughout the entirety of a session.

Room Fixtures
All bedroom linens and towels will be provided, including pillows, pillowcases, sheets, and blankets. Each room will have the same furniture used during the regular academic year by Stanford Undergraduates. Participants are not allowed to move residential furniture without permission from Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff and a fee will be charged to those who do not return furniture to its original location or cause damages.

Lost Keys
Participants should immediately notify Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies residential staff if a bedroom or residence key has been lost. The residential staff will ensure a new key is issued as soon as possible. Please be aware that there is a lost key fee of approximately $200.00. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies will email payment instructions to the parent or legal guardian of any participant who loses a key at the end of the program.

If a participant loses their dining card during the summer, there is a $15.00 replacement fee. Replacement library access cards are $25.00.

Lost and Found
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies is not responsible for items brought by participants or bought during the program.

Room Maintenance and Staff Access to Rooms
Requests for room maintenance should be directed to residential staff. Residential staff strive to notify participants in advance of room entries related to housekeeping and maintenance, but in some cases, notifications may not be able to be provided. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies reserves the right to enter participant rooms at any time for health, safety, welfare, or law enforcement purposes.

Laundry
Participants will have access to a washer and dryer in their residences and will be expected to do their own laundry during the course of the program. Laundry is free and does not require coins or cards to operate. Residential staff will provide information about laundry early in the program and will keep the laundry room stocked with necessary supplies.

Environmental Awareness
Participants are expected to be good stewards of resources during their time in Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies and are encouraged to abide by these guidelines.

Conserve water by not leaving faucets running or taking excessively long showers.
Utilize the reusable water bottles provided to you on arrival day throughout the program.
Conserve energy by turning off lights and other electrical devices when not in use.
Conserve paper and only print documents as necessary.
Recycle and compost in the appropriately marked containers.

Fees
Participants are responsible for keeping their keys in their possession at all times. Participants will be issued a brass room key, a building access fob, a dining hall access card, and a library access card. The following fees will be assessed if a participant loses any of these items during the program:

Room Key and Fob: Approximately $200.00 (exact cost depends on if one or both were lost)
Dining Access Card: $15.00
Library Access Card: $25.00

Dining

Meals are eaten in campus dining facilities that are managed by Stanford Dining, a dedicated team of food professionals that prides itself on providing high quality, delicious, and healthy cuisine. The dining hall used by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies, Stern Dining, offers a variety of fresh and nutritious meal selections.

Dietary Needs and Restrictions

In an effort to provide the best experience for all participants, Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies strives to ensure that any and all dietary needs are accommodated to the greatest extent possible. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies and Stanford University are accustomed to hosting participants from around the world with varied dietary restrictions.

Diverse Diets

All dining halls offer vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, halal, and kosher options.

Clear Ingredient Labels

Special dietary foods and allergens will be clearly labeled to the greatest extent possible in the dining hall.

At the dining hall, participants collect their forks and knives before sitting down.

Food Preparation Details Always Available

Information about food preparation and ingredients is available in the dining hall upon request. Stanford Dining has registered dietitians on staff, who are actively involved in menu planning and evaluation, and are also available for consultation. If you would like to consult with the dietitian prior to arrival, contact spcs-residential@stanford.edu for assistance with setting up an appointment.

Stanford Dining facilities offer world-class food and a wide range of seating options for participants.

Commitment to Sustainability

Stanford Dining strives to only include ingredients that are local, organic, humane, fair-trade, and sustainable. Through this, Stanford Dining provides a healthy, world-class dining experience that also helps limit waste and reduce harm to ecosystems.

Further Concerns?

Stanford Dining is more than happy to work with parents and Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies to accommodate dietary needs. For more information, please email Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies.

Email Us

Questions About Stanford Dining

What allergens does Stanford Dining label?
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Stanford Dining currently labels 10 food allergens (coconut, egg, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat) and identifies foods that are vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free at the point of service. In addition, label cards are used for core menu items which display the ingredient list.

How do I know if items are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten free?
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Color coded icons indicate whether a dish is vegetarian (V), vegan (VGN), or gluten-free (GF) at the point of service.

What is Stanford Dining's standard for foods labeled as gluten free?
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The gluten-free label indicates that the ingredients in the recipe are free from all sources of gluten (anything that is prepared on shared equipment or in a shared facility with wheat would NOT be marked gluten-free and manufacturers are often called to clarify this). Wheat allergen includes anything with wheat or gluten (including their derivatives). To summarize, the item will either be marked GF or list wheat as an allergen.

What if I have a food intolerance and not a food allergy?
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Typically, food intolerances/sensitivities and mild to moderate (non-severe) food allergies can be managed in the dining hall without special accommodations. For those with food intolerances/sensitivities or food allergies outside of the major allergens that are labeled (coconut, egg, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat), guests are encouraged to direct these questions to a dining hall manager. If one is unable to determine whether a dish contains a food to be avoided, dining hall staff are trained to assist and provide ingredient/preparation information.

What gluten-free options are typically available to me in the dining hall?
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You may request GF bread at the grill stations. Tamari Soy Sauce is used instead of Soy Sauce throughout the dining hall to allow a greater selection of entree items for guests avoiding wheat/gluten. Gluten-free grains like quinoa, millet, and amaranth are rotated daily, and brown and white rice are always available.

Does Stanford Dining guarantee the absence of gluten or allergens in its food or facilities?
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While many precautions are taken to correctly identify ingredients and prevent cross-contact, the absence of potential food allergens in food or facilities is not guaranteed. It is, therefore, ultimately the responsibility of the individual to judge whether or not to question ingredients or consume food items.

What steps are taken to prevent allergen cross contact?
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Stanford Dining offers a variety of options for guests with food allergies and specialized dietary requirements through the Food Allergies @Stanford program. Stanford Dining is a member of the FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) university affiliate program and follows best practices to identify allergens in foods and prevent cross-contact. Management and culinary staff are highly trained to work with guests with food allergies. Dining hall staff are trained to follow correct food safety and food allergy kitchen procedures to prevent cross-contact and take the necessary steps to accurately label and communicate food allergens, prevent food-related allergy incidents, and accommodate guests with food restrictions in the dining halls.

Cross-contact prevention procedures begin with storage; allergy friendly foods are stored separately on top shelves away from other food containing allergens. Additional procedures include cooking allergy-safe foods first, keeping foods covered and away from other foods that may splatter, and general food safety practices. Separate (purple) cooking equipment and physical barriers are used when cooking allergen-friendly meals for guests with severe allergies. The dietitians and student interns routinely audit and evaluate food labeling and cross-contact prevention practices across the Stanford Dining Halls.

If I'm concerned about contamination of allergens on the serving line, what are my options?
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In self-service dining halls, cross-contact can occur when other students unknowingly contaminate a food with an undisclosed allergen. To avoid this, always request a fresh plate; just let the dining staff know what you would like to eat and they will assemble your meal using new gloves and clean serving utensils, with food from the kitchen that has not come into contact with potential allergens on the serving line.

What does the asterisk (*) mean next to an allergen?
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An asterisk next to an allergen indicates the food is made in a facility or on shared equipment that also processes the specific allergen.

Communication & Mailing

During the summer, parents and legal guardians can be in touch with Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff and participants in a variety of ways.

Contacting Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies

Email

Most communication from Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies will come via email. To prevent important emails from getting caught in spam filters, please add our email address to your “safe sender” list.

Email Us: spcs-residential@stanford.edu

Phone

For urgent concerns about your participant, contact the staff duty phone at (650) 285-9891. This phone is available 24/7 from 12:00pm on June 23, 2024 until 11:00am on August 2, 2024. This number should only be used in an emergency situation.

First Few Days

Summer programs allow participants to have the chance to grow as individuals; however, some participants may have difficulty leaving home. Our engaging and attentive residential staff will be there to help participants adjust to the program and mature as individuals.

Adjusting to the Program

Some participants may feel homesick at the start of the program or require a few days to adjust to course expectations as well as their new surroundings and routines. To help facilitate this adjustment to campus, participants are strongly encouraged to limit contact with friends and family. Since this is a great opportunity for participants to advocate for themselves in a collegiate environment, we encourage participants to speak directly with staff about any concerns that arise during this transition.

A Supportive Environment

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff are attentive to the needs of the participants at the start of the program. There will be many icebreakers and activities in the first several days to help everyone get to know one another and Stanford’s campus. Once settled in, participants typically become fully engaged in the program and calls home may become less frequent.

Contacting Participants

By Phone

Participants may call home from their own personal cell phones during times that do not interfere with program courses or activities. The program does not provide a phone for participants to receive calls.

By Mail

Letters and packages can be sent to participants during their time on Stanford campus. Please do not send mail close to the program's end date. To mail a package, you will need the name of your participant's program:

[Participant Name] - SPCS/ [Program]
365 Lasuen Street
West Lobby - Basement
Stanford, CA 94305

Tips for Mailing

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies is not responsible for misplaced mail. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies will not ship or mail any items to participants after the end of the program.

Complete All Information

Be sure to include the name of the participant and residence hall on all mail and packages.

No Valuables

We recommend against sending valuable items (sentimental or monetary).

Delivery Dates

There is no mail delivery on Saturdays or Sundays. All mail must be delivered to Stanford three days before the end of the program.

Mail Delays

Mail delivery to residence halls often takes an extra day or two because it arrives at our satellite campus offices and is then sorted and delivered to the participant.

Campus Resources

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies participants will have a new set of responsibilities as they adapt to residential life. Here are a few important features of campus life—from sunny campus outings to where and how to withdraw cash.

Stanford At A Glance

A summer at Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies is an indescribable experience full of academic adventures and personal growth in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Stanford, CA

A university that includes its own town, the large campus provides a beautiful backdrop for the academic and personal growth of participants.

43,000 Trees

Stanford's unofficial mascot—the tree—is fitting. With a beautiful campus full of nature, participants have a lot of relaxing space to enjoy outside.

25 Fountains

Iconic (and chlorinated) Stanford water fountains throughout the campus offer ample opportunity for dipping your feet and cooling off during the summer.

1 Unforgettable Experience

Numbers only begin to describe the intellectual pursuits that await you at Stanford University this summer.

Someone bikes past Tresidder Union, a central space on campus that has dining options and ATMs.

Banking

The Stanford Federal Credit Union and Wells Fargo Bank have branch offices on the second floor of the Tresidder Student Union, located on campus. ATMs connected to the STAR, PLUS, CIRRUS, MC, and VISA systems are available. Bank of America maintains an ATM at the Tresidder Student Union as well. Please note that money is only necessary for incidentals such as souvenirs.

The Dish, a large satellite dish, is a scenic landmark within the hills right off campus.

Outdoor Outings

Stanford’s campus has many exceptional outdoor spaces that participants will have an opportunity to experience during their time in Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies. A hike of the Stanford Dish may be a part of scheduled program activities.

On campus basketball courts, participants play a game together.

Recreational Facilities

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies participants will have access to recreational facilities on campus operated by Stanford Recreation and Wellness.

To visit the gym, your parent/legal guardian must complete the waiver prior to your arrival on campus.

Health & Safety

Safety is of the greatest importance to both Stanford University and Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies. Our residential staff members are trained to respond to any safety situations that arise, including addressing physical and mental health issues and bringing participants to world-class medical facilities in the case of emergencies.

Health and Safety at a Glance

Our staff are trained to handle a variety of health and safety concerns should they arise during the program. Here is an overview about what services our staff can provide and what healthcare items you are responsible for this summer.

Residential Safety

Our residential staff are trained to handle emergency situations and participants will be briefed on campus safety procedures during their opening hall meeting.

World Class Hospitals

In emergencies, participants will be taken to Palo Alto Medical Foundation Pediatric Urgent Care or the Stanford Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department.

Personal Medicine

Participants should be sure to bring any necessary unexpired prescription medicine with them this summer. Participants should have enough medicine with them to last the duration of the program.

Health Insurance is Required

All participants are required to have U.S. based health insurance for the duration of the program.

General Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies partners with several campus departments to help train staff in emergency management and campus safety protocols. In the unlikely event of an emergency, these departments will work with staff to take every step necessary to ensure the safety of all participants. For more information on these organizations, visit their websites:

Emergency Updates

In the event of a disaster or emergency affecting the Stanford community, updates can be found online. Residential staff will receive emergency alerts via text message or email and will relay that information to program participants.

Emergency Information

Our Safety Principles

Residential Security
Exterior doors and windows of the residences should be closed and locked when the residence is unattended. Participants should also keep the door and windows to their bedroom closed and locked whenever they are not in their room. Any suspicious activity should be reported immediately to residential staff, who in turn will contact Public Safety and Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies professional staff as needed.

Mandatory Reporting
California law requires certain individuals at Stanford to report known or reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect to the authorities. These individuals are known under the law as "Mandated Reporters.” All instructors and members of the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff are Mandated Reporters, as are many of the members of the larger Stanford University community with whom participants interact.

Personal Medicine
All participant prescriptions and medications, especially EpiPens or other anaphylaxis medications, should be up-to-date and not expire during the participant’s time in the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program. All medications should be in their original, labeled packaging. Participants are responsible for self-administering all medications brought with them to the program.

Over the Counter Medications
Participants are encouraged to bring their own over the counter pain medication or allergy medicine with them to the program. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff can provide certain over the counter medications (ibuprofen, Benadryl, bandages, etc.) if a participant’s parent or legal guardian has authorized them to do so in CampDoc. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies will only administer over-the-counter medications if authorized in writing. Families are encouraged to review all over-the-counter medications listed on CampDoc prior to submitting to ensure staff have the most accurate information. If a participant is provided an over-the-counter medication during their program (i.e., ibuprofen for a headache), staff will typically notify that participant’s parent/legal guardian via email.

Student Medical Records
If a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff member receives medical records on a participant’s behalf during the program, the forms will remain secure until the participant departs the program.

Mental Health and Wellness
Participant health, safety, and wellbeing is the top priority of Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies. Participants who are unable to perform basic academic and/or non-academic activities, require a level of care that exceeds Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies’ resources, or are hospitalized on an involuntary mental health hold will be withdrawn from the program. Emergency contacts will be notified to arrange transportation home.

Medical Insurance

It is required that each participant have U.S.-based medical insurance while attending Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies programs. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies does not provide medical insurance or recommendations and cannot assist families in obtaining medical insurance.

Health Care and Medical Treatment

Stanford University has world-class medical facilities both on campus and across the street from campus. In the event of illness or injury that cannot be treated by the on-site staff, Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff members will transport the participant to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Pediatric Urgent Care or the Stanford Pediatric Emergency Department, based upon the level of care needed and the hours that the facility is open. In the event that a participant needs medical care, program staff will contact the participant’s parents/guardians and will remain in contact until medical care is complete.