We are Stanford students affiliated with Education & Democracy United, a nationwide organization dedicated to academic freedom, accountability, and democratic participation on college campuses.

Stanford has quietly removed all student speakers from departmental commencement ceremonies in the School of Humanities and Sciences. This decision limits student speech at one of the University’s most visible and meaningful rituals, undermining Stanford’s commitments to academic freedom, democratic participation, and trust between students and campus leadership. Commencement should reflect Stanford's stated values, including preparing students to engage disagreement and contribute thoughtfully to public life. Stanford already has clear policies to address genuinely harmful or disruptive speech, including standards prohibiting harassment or incitement to violence. A blanket, preemptive removal of all student speakers is unnecessary and sets a troubling precedent. For more context, read our op-ed in the Stanford Daily.

We urge the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education to reinstate student commencement speakers for remaining and future School of Humanities and Sciences departmental graduation ceremonies and to engage students, faculty, and shared governance bodies before making future changes to commencement speaking policies.

Add your name to support student voices, academic freedom, and democratic values at Stanford.

Respectfully,

Georgia Allen ‘28

Owen Rowe ‘28

Gauri Kathula ‘29

Turner Van Slyke ‘28