Frequently asked questions

Following are answers to questions frequently asked via the Stanford Parents' Help Line:

I am worried about my son or daughter. Who do I call?

Unless it is an emergency situation, call the Parent Help Line at (650) 725-0649 for advice. After you speak with someone there, a set of conversations can occur among the people most involved in your son's or daughter’s life. If it is an emergency situation, however, call the Stanford Police directly at (650) 329-2413.

How do I send a package to my son or daughter?

Visit this website to learn how.

How do I obtain enrollment verifications for students for insurance purposes?

Once a student has enrolled, he or she can generate the enrollment certificate on Axess, which is the online student information system. The certification is available without fee. To obtain the enrollment certificate, students should select the Student Center tab and select Request Enrollment Certification. Students who have issues with printing certifications through Axess can go to the Students Services Center for help.

When are the dates for Parents' Weekend?

Generally, Parents’ Weekend has been held on the last full weekend of February. The next Parents' Weekend will be Feb. 22 and 23, 2013.

What are the dates of school breaks so that I can plan my son or daughter's flights home?

Start by accessing the university’s academic calendar. You can anticipate a weeklong break at Thanksgiving, about a three-week break after fall quarter and a week break between winter and spring quarters. It is best to wait to learn your son or daughter’s schedule for finals before booking flights. They generally learn that schedule at the beginning of classes each quarter, although it can change.

What do you recommend in terms of airport transportation?

A good place to start planning your trip is the Plan Your Visit site on the Visitor Information pages. It includes links to information about the area airports, including San Francisco International, San Jose Mineta International and Oakland International. All of the airport websites have information about transportation options.

The ASSU, the Stanford student government, often arranges airport shuttles for students during breaks, but that information generally is not available until the last minute.

When is Commencement scheduled?

Commencement Weekend in 2012 will be June 16 and 17. We advise families to plan their visits early. You can access key dates, including Commencement, into the future through the Registrar’s Office website.

Is there a limit to the number of tickets parents can order  for graduation?

No. Commencement is held in the Stanford Stadium, and it is big enough to accommodate everyone who wishes to attend. The same is true of the departmental ceremonies, which are held at small venues throughout campus. The departmental ceremonies are where students are actually handed their diplomas.

That said, family members should know that Commencement Weekend involves a great deal of walking. Families often underestimate how difficult it is to help members with disabilities get from location to location. If you have a family member with accessibility concerns, plan early for his or her visit to Commencement.

What are students' storage options?

The best place to start is with the Student Housing website.

How do I order a birthday cake for my student?

Visit the web pages of the Parents’ Club.

How do I update my address with the university?

First, ask your daughter or son to update the parent contact information in Axess. Then, send an email to mykidis@stanford.edu with all the information. You can also call the Stanford Alumni Association, which maintains parent addresses, at (650) 725-4336.

How do I pay my student's bill? How do I add money to the Stanford card plan?

Remember that although Stanford acknowledges and respects parents’ financial support, payment is the responsibility of students. Students may authorize parents or others to access their Stanford account and make payments on their behalf through Axess, the student database system. The best place to look for more information is the parent pages of the Student Financial Services website.

Last updated on March 13, 2012