Posts by Marc Tessier-Lavigne

November 16, 2017

An update on campus historical names

I'm writing to update the campus community on the Advisory Committee on the Use of Historical Names on Campus. I met with the committee on Monday to get an update on its progress. Yesterday, a group of students concerned about the process voiced their views in a campus march, and I met with representatives of the group last evening. I respect their views, and I want to discuss here how we intend to move forward and bring the process to conclusion.

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November 7, 2017

Advancing free speech and inclusion

Like many of you, we have been following what has been going on at other campuses and in our own Stanford community around issues of speech and expression. We have been reflecting on how we at Stanford can advance both our unwavering commitment to the free expression of ideas and our equally steadfast goal of an inclusive community.

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October 20, 2017

Bryce Love

One of the great joys of returning to Stanford has been attending our sporting events and getting to know some of our outstanding student-athletes.  These dedicated students are all impressive, and some of the performances this fall have really stood out.

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October 4, 2017

Restarting the conversation

On Wednesday, Persis and I held our first "Conversation with the President and Provost" of the new academic year. We started holding these sessions last year, and we have found them to be great opportunities to hear from a broad mix of students, faculty and staff about issues on their minds.

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September 25, 2017

A new academic year

We want to take the opportunity of a new fall quarter to extend a warm welcome to you, whether for the first time or once again. Yet as we write we are also reminded of the challenges facing some members of our community, with the announcement just hours ago of an updated travel ban affecting visitors to the United States from several countries.

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September 23, 2017

Warmth and optimism from Alondra to Zapata

Going to college for the first time is a momentous occasion in the life of any undergraduate. This past week I was thrilled to participate in two of my favorite Stanford traditions that seek to facilitate this transition: Move-In Day and the new undergraduate reception at Hoover House.

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September 15, 2017

Advancing access

In my column in the September/October issue of Stanford Magazine, I focus on a key priority for Stanford: advancing access and affordability for our students. True to the spirit of our founding, Stanford has one of the most comprehensive undergraduate financial aid programs in higher education. But there’s more to be done. 

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September 5, 2017

On the federal administration's plans for DACA

Following the decision by the federal administration to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Stanford is urging congressional action in support of our country’s DREAMers. Here is the statement the university issued.

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September 1, 2017

Looking back, and ahead

Thank you all for so warmly welcoming me to Stanford exactly one year ago today. Together we have experienced a year of great transition both on and off campus, and I have witnessed with pride how you have advanced our mission of bettering the world through education and research while strengthening our community. This anniversary provides an opportunity for me to share a few brief reflections on our fundamental values and our vision of a truly purposeful university.

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