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Dear graduate and professional students,

As the end of spring quarter approaches, we want to share our deep admiration for your adaptability and perseverance over this academic year. You have done a tremendous job keeping yourself and your community safe, while continuing to make progress toward your academic and career goals.

We are writing to highlight some reminders and also share Stanford’s most recent COVID-19 guidelines with the promise to share more information about summer plans soon. We are pleased to see campus and the surrounding areas opening up; we also recognize that many of you and your families elsewhere in the world continue to be deeply affected by the pandemic. 

Two Quick Reminders

  • Today, Wednesday, May 26, 2-3 PMIn a Campus Conversation, President Tessier-Lavigne and Provost Drell will reflect on this academic year and discuss plans for next year. They will be joined by Lloyd Minor, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Elizabeth Zacharias, Vice President for Human Resources.
  • By Friday, May 28, 11:59 PM: We encourage you to complete the first-ever, campus-wide DEI survey. You should have received an email with a unique access link from Provost Drell the week of May 10. This survey is an important part of our efforts to understand the experiences of all campus community members, including your experiences as graduate and professional students, and to ensure progress toward our campus DEI goals. Each person who submits a survey will receive a $10 gift card.

Updated COVID-19 Guidelines

Looking Ahead

  • Stanford Graduate Summer Institute 2021 applications are open; the next deadline is Sunday, June 6. Don’t miss this free opportunity to explore new subjects, experiment with new ideas, and meet new people. Week-long, immersive courses start Tuesday, Sept. 7.
  • Congratulations to Sanna Ali and KC Shah, the newly elected Graduate Student Council co-chairs, who will represent the graduate student community next year.
  • For doctoral students whose progress has been delayed due to COVID-19, please discuss your timeline and funding with your faculty advisor to determine if a teaching or dissertation fellowship may be appropriate for your situation.
  • As always, we welcome your suggestions for how our offices can support you and enrich your graduate studies at Stanford. 

In closing, congratulations to all who have graduated or are preparing to graduate in
2020-21! We hope you are proud of all you have accomplished. The world is awaiting your energy and dedication. And, of course, we look forward to seeing those of you continuing your studies on campus soon.


With best wishes for a healthy summer,
Susie and Stacey

Susie Brubaker-Cole
Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Stacey F. Bent
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs
Jagdeep and Roshni Singh Professor in the School of Engineering

Campus Conversation Today and Updates on Travel, Health & Campus Activity

Dear graduate and professional students,

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