On Friday morning, President Jonathan Levin spoke to parents of undergraduate students at Stanford. He highlighted the unique atmosphere that Stanford offers, shaped by the culture and spirit of the American West. “It opens your mind to different opportunities,” he said.
Levin emphasized that at Stanford, students can explore their interests and engage with diverse cultures. “This is at the core of being a student here,” he added.
His comments kicked off Family Weekend, an event where families can discover more about life at Stanford. Levin was joined by Provost Jenny Martinez and Vice Provost for Student Affairs Michele Rasmussen to discuss how Stanford supports its students. The session was moderated by Diego Kagurabadza and Divya Ganesan from the Associated Students of Stanford University.
Levin, who became president in September after serving as dean of the Graduate School of Business, addressed the challenges facing higher education today. He mentioned threats to federal research funding and the need for diverse campus communities. “We are taking these issues very seriously,” he asserted, stressing the importance of rebuilding trust in universities.
He reflected on the historical social contract between American universities and the nation, noting how federal investments in research post-World War II helped the U.S. lead in innovation. Levin praised Stanford’s success in this area, citing numerous startups launched by its alumni.
Martinez, who teaches constitutional law, highlighted Stanford’s commitment to free speech and discovery, encouraging an environment of curiosity and openness. “This open-mindedness pushes the boundaries of science, and it’s the attitude we want to nurture in our students,” she said.
Rasmussen shared her vision for student life, focusing on the idea that students drive campus culture. “Our role is to support students in determining their own social lives,” she explained, expressing admiration for their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
During the Q&A session, a parent inquired about how Stanford is protecting students’ rights in light of recent federal changes affecting colleges. Levin acknowledged the significant impact of rulings against race-conscious admissions, noting a disappointing decline in underrepresented minority students. “This has been a long and hard journey to enhance representation at Stanford,” he said.
He reaffirmed Stanford’s commitment to fostering discussions and free expression, which he believes are essential to the educational experience.
When discussing the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence, Ganesan shared her personal experience with tools like ChatGPT. “I want to be myself with original thinking and ideas,” she asserted, emphasizing the value of a Stanford education in promoting curiosity and unique perspectives.
In response to a question about the university’s future, Levin expressed his desire for Stanford to be open to new ideas, people, and innovations. He described the current time as exceptional for discovery, especially given advancements in AI and data.
In closing, Levin shared that many faculty members have noticed a marked improvement in student engagement compared to the pandemic period. He expressed his delight in witnessing how involved and prepared the students are, noting that it has been one of the highlights of his year.
