Driving on Campus Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs

The Fundamental Standard has set the standard of conduct for students at Stanford since 1896. It states:

Historically, Driving on Campus Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs has been considered to be a violation of the Fundamental Standard. The original rationale was as follows:

"In action taken July 18, 1985, the Stanford Judicial Council rejected the contention that a student's drunk driving per se constituted a violation of the Fundamental Standard, but went on to state:

Instead, we start with the proposition that any conduct by a member of the University community which poses a substantial risk of harm to persons or property on campus can be a violation of the Fundamental Standard. With respect to driving under the influence of intoxicating liquors or drugs, it is our belief that whether such conduct poses the proscribed risk depends on the circumstances attending the conduct charged. Circumstances that may give rise to a Fundamental Standard violation include the degree to which the driver's ability to drive in a sober and prudent manner has been appreciably impaired by the effects of alcohol or drugs as evidenced by 1) the manner in which the vehicle was driven, 2) the time and place in which the vehicle was driven, 3) the amount of alcohol or drugs ingested by the driver and the likelihood that they affected the driver's mental and physical faculties at the time of the violation, and 4) the damage or injury, if any, occasioned by the driver's conduct."

In January 2004, a Judicial Panel made the following rationale and the Board on Judicial Affairs affirmed their position. Therefore, the most recent guidance to Judicial Panels is as follows:

"It is our belief that any DUI according to the laws of the state of CA shall constitute a violation of the Fundamental Standard. We believe this standard, rather than the more ambiguous 1985 opinion is a more accurate reflection of the Stanford community’s views on drunk driving, and we suggest that this standard be adhered to in the future."