Main Quad, Memorial Court, and the Oval

The Quad and Memorial Court

The Main Quadrangle (“Quad”) and Memorial Court are part of Stanford University’s academic preserve.¹ Due to its location, at the heart of the Stanford campus, and to protect and enhance its historic status, university policy limits activities in this area to established or traditional university ceremonies and events.

Stanford University is private property and the Main Quad, Memorial Court, and its entrances and pathways represent the formal academic image of the university, leading directly to its departments, classrooms and other academic spaces, as well as faculty and graduate student offices. 

Established major university ceremonies and events that are held in the Main Quad and Memorial Court include those related to: New Student Orientation, Family Weekend, Admit Weekend, Commencement Weekend, Reunion Homecoming, and the Founders Celebration. 

The Main Quad is considered a pedestrian zone and appropriate use of its space includes walking, reading, and other limited use of the area such as academic class gatherings. 

Activities such as demonstrations, rallies, dances, performances, flyer distribution, and any use of amplified sound should take place in alternative locations, such as White Plaza or other nearby designated outdoor event spaces.

Other general usage restrictions:

• Weddings and memorials are not allowed in this area but may, under certain circumstances and subject to prior approval, take place inside Stanford’s Memorial Church.
• Commercial and wedding-related photography is strictly prohibited on the university campus, and in the Main Quad area in particular.
• Commercial filming without prior permission is prohibited.
• Buildings in and around the Main Quad are offices and classrooms and are not open to the public.
• Posting of signs and banners, distribution of flyers, chalking, and any advertisements, commercial or otherwise, are prohibited in or around the Main Quad, its entrances, buildings, arcades or brick grounds throughout the area.
• Structural displays are not permitted.
• Vehicles are not permitted; only motorized service vehicles with university authorization may enter open areas
• No drones or unmanned flying vehicles of any kind are allowed without prior approval from the university.
• No sound over 60 decibels is allowed, including amplified sound, without prior approval from the university.
• Cooking of any kind is strictly prohibited without official permission.
• The arcades must remain clear and open except with prior approval from the university.
• Riding a bicycle or skateboard is prohibited in the Main Quad, its arcades, and the Memorial Court. Bicycle and skateboard parking is also prohibited in these spaces. See the Main Quad Bike Rack Map for parking locations.
• Overnight camping and structures are not allowed, as with the rest of campus under the Camping Policy.
• Smoking near campus buildings and entrances is prohibited.
• Campus restrooms are not available for tour group use. 

Requests for waivers to reserve either the Main Quad or Memorial Court must be submitted at least 60 days in advance and in writing to the Office of Special Events & Protocol (OSEP) at: stanfordevents@stanford.edu; or (650)724-1387. Exceptions may be granted only in extraordinary cases. 

The Oval

The Oval is the official entrance to the Stanford University campus. Given its historic and aesthetic significance, Stanford University maintains this outdoor space and endeavors to balance preservation of its beauty and environmental integrity with activities that contribute to campus life.

The Oval represents a main doorway into the activities and work of the university. The Oval leads to academic departments, classrooms and other teaching and research spaces, including faculty, staff, and graduate student offices. Activities taking place on the Oval should contribute to and support the life of the University without compromising operations. 

The Oval is considered a pedestrian zone. Appropriate use of its space includes walking, jogging, reflection, and other limited recreational use of the lawn area and internal walkways–such as picnics, playing frisbee, and informal sporting events–unless or until such use causes unreasonable obstructions or damages the landscaping or other property. Campus community members may use the Oval lawn for small-scale, low-impact group activities with fewer than 50 people. Activities are allowed if they do not require equipment installation or set-up (e.g. tables, chaires, a/v, volleyball nets or goals secured by stakes). Small pieces of equipment that are temporarily placed are allowed, such as portable soccer nets, spikeball game sets, etc.

The Office of the President may approve special requests to use the Oval and the surrounding roadway for university-approved events related to community building and well-being, and intellectual exchange. White Plaza and the other outdoor event spaces are the designated locations for demonstrations, rallies, and dances. Weddings and memorials are not allowed in the Oval, but may take place in Stanford’s Memorial Church.

Prohibited Uses

• Use of any grill/barbeque or open flame is prohibited on or around the Oval
• Fireworks or the use of other incendiary devices represent a safety hazard to the area and are therefore prohibited
• Sound in excess of 60 decibels, including amplified sound, that may hinder nearby university activities is also prohibited, with the exception of certain university-sponsored and officially regulated activities. 
• No drones or unmanned flying vehicles of any kind are allowed without prior approval from the university.

For more information regarding usage of the Oval, please contact the Office of Special Events & Protocol at 650-724-1387 or stanfordevents@stanford.edu.

¹ This space includes all sidewalks, steps, gateways and pathways that border and provide entrance and exit pathways to this important university historical area.