Public Policy Program Course Policies

This page outlines University policies on issues that may arise in courses, as well as policies the Public Policy Program will implement in instances where there is not clear guidance on an issue. In general, instructors should specify policies for their courses and students are responsible for knowing and abiding by those policies. If students are unsure about any policies, they should seek clarification from the instructor.

1. Class attendance: Students should refer to individual course policies regarding class attendance and the Academic Advising office's page on attendance and absences.
2. Exam attendance: Stanford’s policy is that students must attend final exams at the dates and times specified by the Registrar. If two courses have exams that conflict, students cannot register for both classes. If unforeseen circumstances, such as health or personal emergencies, or a student’s required participation in Stanford business that takes them away from campus, prevent a student from attending a regularly scheduled exam, students should reach out to their instructors as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements. For more information, visit Academic Advising's page on finals schedules and/or the Bulletin's End-Quarter Examinations section.
3. Requests for Regrades: Students who believe their work was graded incorrectly should submit a written request for the work to be regraded to the instructor. The request should be made within one week of being returned, and should briefly and specifically describe the error the student believes was made. The entire work – not just the specific item in question – will be regraded. If the request arises because of a claim that different students were graded differently, the instructor may request that all affected students submit their work as a group.
4. Honor Code: The Honor Code is a very important part of the Stanford academic community. The Public Policy Program urges students and instructors to support a culture of academic honesty. Instructors should provide clear guidance on what is permitted and unpermitted, and students should take care to avoid plagiarism, unpermitted collaboration, and receiving/giving unpermitted aid. If there is any ambiguity about what is permitted, students should ask the instructor for clarification.
5. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Stanford is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for disabled students. Disabled students are a valued and essential part of the Stanford community. If you experience disability, please register with the Office of Accessible Education (OAE). If you already have an Academic Accommodation Letter, please share your letter with your instructors at the earliest possible opportunity so they can partner with you and OAE for the course.
6. Consideration of Course Material Costs: If the cost of course material poses a significant challenge to you, please reach out to the instructor. The First-Gen and/or Low Income (FLI) Student Success Center is also a great resource.