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About the Guide

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The Administrative Guide is a reference manual of Stanford University's non-research guidelines. Updates that affect policy content are made regularly as needed. Housekeeping updates are typically corrections to URLs, department names, typographical errors, or other minor changes that do not affect policy content and are made immediately upon the request of the policy owner/designee. Emergency updates may also be requested by policy owners/designees.

Administrative Guide maintenance

University Human Resources is responsible for maintaining the Administrative Guide on behalf of the university. The Administrative Guide Editor is part of University Human Resources, located at:

505 Broadway, 5th Floor, Mail Code 8443
Redwood City, CA 94063

ID Mail Code: 8443

Email: guide-editor@lists.stanford.edu

Administrative Guide archives 

The University has archived many past Administrative Guide Memos. To access the archive, visit the Stanford Libraries digital archive (login required) to view scanned digital files or to request an in-person viewing of the documents. 

Policy update process

The University officer primarily responsible for a specific policy area formally approves Administrative Guide Memos relating to that area and brings any policy changes to the editor’s attention. The officer who approves a policy is listed on the applicable Guide Memo as the "Authority." A university-wide liaison group reviews new policies prior to their publication. 

  • When the concerns of more than one office overlap in an Administrative Guide Memo, the officer approving the Memo is responsible for identifying the overlap to the Editor and for obtaining agreement on proposed changes from the other office(s).

To initiate a policy update

  • After changes are submitted according to the Change Request Guidelines, and written approval of the policy owner/officer has been obtained, the Editor finalizes the revision.
  • Once updates are made on the website, an email notification is sent to a subscription email distribution list. To subscribe to get updates, visit Mailman and search for guide-update. Some policies require additional communication and may be highlighted in other employee communications.
  • For housekeeping or emergency updates, the Editor reviews the changes and has the discretion to make immediate updates depending on the type of change needed.

What's New summarizes new information and calls attention to all changes.