Updates to Stanford’s Policy on Proctoring & the Adoption of a Proctoring Bylaw

Dear Faculty and Instructors,

We are writing to share recently posted updates to the Honor Code and Student Conduct Charter of 2023 following several years of study and consultation by the Academic Integrity Working Group (AIWG). The Board on Conduct Affairs (BCA) has also adopted the Stanford Proctoring Bylaw. As you prepare for fall courses, we wanted to provide important information and guidance to support the academic integrity of assessments.

Important to Know

• Proctoring of in-person assessments is now permitted university-wide beginning September 1, 2026.
• The BCA has adopted the Stanford Proctoring BylawThe Bylaw provides a framework for fair and effective in-person proctoring.
• Proctoring is permitted, not requiredThe new policy does not require instructors to proctor exams. Decisions regarding assessment practices remain at the discretion of departments and instructors.
• Department consistency across course offeringsThe adopted bylaw recommends that departments and programs apply a consistent approach to proctoring across all offerings or sections of the same course so that students encounter clear and equitable expectations.
• Recommended syllabus languageFaculty and instructors choosing to proctor assessments are strongly encouraged to include language such as:

“To foster a climate of academic honesty, effective learning, and fair assessment, examinations in this course may be proctored in accordance with the Stanford Honor Code.”

The OAE’s Centralized Testing Center (CTC) will continue to support students approved for specific exam accommodations in proctored courses. OAE-registered students are notified directly by Disability Advisers and course staff if their accommodations are approved for testing at the CTC. Instructors who proctor exams in their courses should be attentive to CTC email communications to help coordinate exam logistics for students testing at the CTC.

Questions?

Additional information regarding accommodations, exam resources, best practices, and implementation guidance will continue to be shared throughout the summer. Meanwhile, if you have questions about the Honor Code, the Student Conduct Charter, and/or the Academic Integrity Working Group, please review FAQs.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all of you for incorporating this update into your plans for the coming year, and we look forward to our continued collaboration on academic integrity.

Sincerely,

Michele Rasmussen
Vice Provost for Student Affairs 

Kären Wigen 
Board on Conduct Affairs

Jay Hamilton
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

Ken Goodson 
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs