Marc Tessier-Lavigne

One of the great joys of returning to Stanford has been attending our sporting events and getting to know some of our outstanding student-athletes. These dedicated students are all impressive, and some of the performances this fall have really stood out.

On Wednesday, Persis and I held our first "Conversation with the President and Provost" of the new academic year. We started holding these sessions last year, and we have found them to be great opportunities to hear from a broad mix of students, faculty and staff about issues on their minds.

Provost Drell and I want to take the opportunity of a new fall quarter to extend a warm welcome to you, whether for the first time or once again. Yet as we write we are also reminded of the challenges facing some members of our community, with the announcement just hours ago of an updated travel ban affecting visitors to the United States from several countries.

Going to college for the first time is a momentous occasion in the life of any undergraduate. This past week I was thrilled to participate in two of my favorite Stanford traditions that seek to facilitate this transition: Move-In Day and the new undergraduate reception at Hoover House.

In my column in the September/October issue of Stanford Magazine, I focus on a key priority for Stanford: advancing access and affordability for our students. True to the spirit of our founding, Stanford has one of the most comprehensive undergraduate financial aid programs in higher education. But there’s more to be done.

Stanford University vigorously and admantly opposes the shameful decision announced today to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

President Tessier-Lavigne sent a letter to the White House, encouraging continued support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Being true to the best we know as leaders.

In an open letter in the Stanford Daily, President Marc Tessier-Lavigne and Provost Persis Drell reaffirm and discuss further the resources and commitments Stanford offers to undocumented students.