Recording and Photography

Classroom Recording Policy

While faculty may have pedagogical reasons to record their classes and class recordings can be important for accommodations purposes, widespread recording may chill open discussion within classrooms when students are faced with the possibility of a comment made in class “going viral” on social media. Students and faculty members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Classroom Recording Policy and faculty members should consider including it in their syllabi.

Except with permission from the Office of Accessible Education or the instructor in question, students may not audio- or video-record lectures or other official course-related activities. Students also may not take photographs of lectures or other official course-related activities absent permission from the Office of Accessible Education or the instructor in question. Even with permission, students may only use such recordings or photographs for personal use; no posting or further distribution or use is permitted. Any recording or photography should be overt and conspicuous so that it is readily apparent to all participants that a recording is being made or photographs are being taken.

Film, Video, and Photography Policy

Stanford is a private university and its campus is private property. Filming and photography on Stanford-owned lands, including the Redwood City campus and open space areas such as The Dish walking trail, are restricted. Most filming and photography require advance permission. The university reserves the right to refuse or revoke permission to film or photograph on Stanford-owned lands for any reason.

Notwithstanding these limits, persons in areas on campus broadly accessible to the public should understand that they are generally subject to photographs and video recordings. Occasionally, students (and others) are confused and think that the law prohibits filming or photographing people in public without their consent, but that is not the law in California (or most other places in the United States). For rules and requests for filming, recording and photography, refer to the University Communications website.