Isabella Carter
Stanford University is a politically liberal institution that encourages members of its community to be informed and engaged citizens. However, it maintains a strict nonpartisan stance and is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding political activities, including campaign activities, lobbying, and the giving of gifts to public officials. Stanford-affiliated individuals have contributed over $4.8 million in political donations for the 2024 election cycle, with 96% of these donations going to Democratic candidates. This is despite the University's policy that prohibits the use of University resources for political campaign activities or the endorsement of any candidate, political party, or political action committee.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Stanford-affiliated donations for the 2024 election cycle | $4.8 million |
| Percentage of Stanford-affiliated donations going to Democrats | 96% |
| Amount donated to Kamala Harris' 2024 campaign by Stanford affiliates | $800,000 |
| Amount donated to Donald Trump's 2024 campaign by Stanford affiliates | $18,280 |
| Amount donated to Senators Jon Tester and Sherrod Brown's campaigns by Stanford affiliates | Substantial |
| Amount donated to VoteVets.org by Stanford affiliates | $50,000 |
| Amount donated to Democratic Majority for Israel by Stanford affiliates | $62,000 |
| Political party registration ratio of Stanford faculty (Democrats to Republicans) | 8:1 or 7.6:1 |
| Stanford's stance on political activities | Stanford University supports the freedom of expression and discussion of ideas and opinions. It encourages members of the University community to be informed and engaged citizens while complying with federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding political activities. Stanford is a non-partisan institution and does not endorse any political party or candidate. |
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What You'll Learn
Stanford University's political donations
However, individuals affiliated with Stanford, including faculty, students, and staff, are encouraged to engage in political activities and express their opinions. They are allowed to contribute to political campaigns, parties, or action committees, but they must do so in their individual capacities and not as representatives of the university. Stanford's community has been observed to be predominantly liberal, with a higher ratio of Democrats to Republicans among its faculty and students. This trend is reflected in political donations, with 96% of Stanford-affiliated donations in the 2024 election cycle going to Democratic candidates, totalling over $4.8 million.
The influence of Stanford-affiliated donations extends beyond individual candidates, with notable contributions to Political Action Committees (PACs) and hybrid PACs. For instance, VoteVets.org and the Democratic Majority for Israel received significant financial support from Stanford-affiliated sources. Additionally, Stanford-affiliated individuals have shown interest in high-profile elections outside of California, providing substantial financial contributions to senators from Montana and Ohio facing competitive reelection battles.
While Stanford-affiliated individuals have the freedom to engage in political activities, the university itself maintains a neutral position. Any research or academic endeavours addressing public policy issues or political techniques are permitted without restriction, as long as they comply with local, state, and federal guidelines and do not disrupt the effective working environment. Stanford's policies on political activities aim to encourage informed and engaged citizens while navigating the legal and ethical considerations of a non-profit educational institution.
In summary, Stanford University's political donations are shaped by the individual choices of its community members, who predominantly lean towards Democratic candidates and progressive causes. The university itself refrains from engaging in partisan activities, instead fostering an environment that values freedom of expression and informed political participation.
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Stanford's non-partisan stance
Stanford University maintains a strict non-partisan stance in its political activities. The University's Founding Grant emphasises that "The University must be forever maintained upon a strictly nonpartisan and nonsectarian basis". This means that Stanford does not endorse or contribute to any political party, candidate, or organisation. The University is legally prohibited from doing so due to its status as a non-profit entity and must remain neutral in political matters.
Despite this non-partisan stance, Stanford recognises the importance of freedom of expression and encourages its community to be engaged citizens. Members of the University are free to express their political opinions and participate in political activities as individuals. They may use their personal resources, such as a student's dormitory room or telephone service, for personal political campaign activities, as long as they do not imply that they are speaking or acting on behalf of the University.
To ensure a clear distinction between personal and institutional positions, individuals associated with Stanford must explicitly state that their views are their own and not those of the University. This is especially important for recognised student organisations or groups, which must include express disclaimers when taking political positions. Additionally, Stanford has guidelines for inviting political candidates to speak on campus. These events must be non-campaign events, maintain a nonpartisan atmosphere, and must not include any solicitation of votes or donations.
While Stanford itself does not contribute to political campaigns, its affiliates, including students, faculty, and employees, have been active in political donations. In the 2024 election cycle, Stanford-affiliated individuals contributed over $4.8 million in political donations, the highest among private American universities. These donations were largely directed towards Democratic candidates, with 96% of the contributions going to Democrats. This trend aligns with the broader perception of Stanford as a politically liberal institution, although it also houses conservative research centres and student groups.
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Stanford affiliates' donations to Kamala Harris
Stanford University does not make financial contributions to political candidates. However, individuals affiliated with the university have donated over $4.8 million in the 2024 election cycle, according to nonprofit OpenSecrets. This is more than any other private American university.
In the 2024 election cycle, nearly 98% of Stanford affiliates who donated to a presidential candidate chose to donate to Kamala Harris' campaign. Harris received nearly $800,000 from Stanford affiliates, the largest sum for any individual candidate. This is in stark contrast to Stanford-affiliated donors' contributions to Republican candidate former President Donald Trump, which totalled only $18,280.
The high proportion of donations to Harris's campaign is in line with the general trend of Stanford-affiliated donations skewing further left over time. Over 96% of Stanford-affiliated donations in the 2024 election cycle were made to Democrats. This is an increase from the 2016 election cycle, when no more than 75% of Stanford-affiliated donations went to Democrats.
While Stanford University itself does not engage in political campaign activities, the university supports the freedom of expression and discussion of ideas and opinions. Members of the university community are encouraged to be informed and engaged citizens, expressing their political opinions and engaging in political activities as individuals using personal resources.
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Stanford's influence on US politics
Stanford University has a notable influence on US politics, with its community members actively engaging in political activities and contributing to various campaigns. The University itself maintains a nonpartisan stance and refrains from endorsing or financially supporting any political candidates or parties directly. However, Stanford-affiliated individuals have made significant political donations, with a strong lean towards Democratic candidates and committees.
During the 2024 election cycle, Stanford-affiliated donations totalled over $4.8 million, surpassing other private American universities. Notably, 96% of these contributions went to Democratic candidates, with Vice President Kamala Harris receiving nearly $800,000, compared to only $18,280 donated to former President Donald Trump. Stanford affiliates also provided substantial financial support to Senators Jon Tester and Sherrod Brown, who faced competitive reelection battles.
The University's community members are encouraged to express their political opinions and engage in political activities as individuals. They are, however, required to clearly state that their positions do not represent the University's views. Stanford's policies strictly prohibit the use of University resources for political campaign activities and emphasise the importance of complying with federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding political activities.
Beyond financial contributions, Stanford University also influences US politics through its research and academic endeavours. Studies conducted by Stanford faculty members, such as Greg Buchak, have shed light on the economic consequences of political spending and the impact of the Citizens United decision on economic growth and business incomes. Additionally, examinations of voter registration data across academic departments have revealed a predominance of Democratic voters among Stanford faculty, with an 8 to 1 ratio of Democrats to Republicans in a 2004 survey.
In summary, Stanford University's influence on US politics is evident through the political activities and donations of its community members, as well as its academic contributions to understanding the economic and ideological aspects of politics. While the University maintains its nonpartisan stance, the political leanings and engagement of its affiliates shape its impact on the political landscape.
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Stanford's policy on political activities
Stanford University upholds the freedom of expression and encourages its community to be informed and engaged citizens. However, it maintains a strict non-partisan stance and is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding political activities. Stanford's Founding Grant emphasizes that the university must never become an instrument for any political party, religious sect, or organization.
Stanford's policies on political activities are outlined in the Administrative Guide 1.5.1 on Political, Campaign, and Lobbying Activities. The university prohibits individuals from engaging in political campaign activities on its behalf or using university resources for such purposes. This includes the use of university letterhead, name, seal, email, office space, telephones, computers, and other facilities. While members of the university community are free to express their political opinions and engage in political activities as individuals, they must not imply that they are speaking or acting on behalf of the university.
Registered Stanford student organizations, departments, schools, and institutes can use designated areas, such as White Plaza, for tables and other activities with approval from the Office of Student Engagement (OSE). Students can also use their dormitory rooms and personal telephone services for personal political campaign activities and display political signage inside their windows or on their doors.
Stanford allows inviting candidates to speak in a non-candidate capacity if the event adheres to OSE/Office of Special Events & Protocol (OSEP) policies and is authorized in advance. These events must maintain a nonpartisan atmosphere, with no campaign materials, solicitation of votes, or donations. Additionally, virtual events must also comply with these policies.
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Frequently asked questions
Stanford University does not contribute to political campaigns as it is a non-profit entity and must remain nonpartisan. However, Stanford-affiliated individuals have contributed over $4.8 million in the 2024 election cycle, with 96% of donations going to Democrats.
Stanford University supports the freedom of expression and discussion of ideas and opinions. It encourages its community to be informed and engaged citizens while complying with federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding political activities. Stanford community members can express their political opinions and engage in political activities in their personal capacities, but they must not use university resources or imply that they are representing the university.
Yes, but the event must be non-partisan and not a campaign event. The candidate must speak in a non-candidate capacity, and there must be no solicitation of votes or donations.
Stanford community members can display political signage inside their dormitory rooms or on their unit's door. However, partisan signage must not be displayed inside or outside offices or classrooms, including windows visible from outside the building.
Stanford University is generally considered a politically liberal institution, with a higher ratio of Democrats to Republicans among its faculty and students. However, it also houses conservative research centers and student groups, and some Stanford-affiliated organizations have supported the Republican Party in the past.
