FAQs

What is the goal for the Campus Center?

The university aims to transform the heart of campus, which is already a popular gathering spot, into a more vibrant, dynamic place that reflects the changing needs of students and the university community more broadly.

Spaces, structures, and programming are being designed to promote intellectual vitality, social engagement, and community-building. Features will include a central hub for students and faculty, flexible events spaces designed for student use, and enhanced landscaping for meetings and impromptu gatherings. Transforming the existing bookstore and post office and adding a new student multi-use space will form the Commons, with new spaces for students to hang out and a separate space for faculty, students, and staff to convene and exchange ideas.

The Campus Center region lies at the intersection of academic and residential areas. It includes White Memorial Plaza, the current bookstore location, and the post office, but the boundaries are intentionally loosely defined at this stage and may change as the next steps add detail to the vision. Phased construction and implementation will help minimize any impact on surrounding areas of campus and address evolving needs.

Why create a Campus Center?

The concept arose from Stanford's Long-Range Vision, the university’s community-sourced planning process. The new vision for this area will enhance the strengths and address deficits of the existing region around White Plaza to create a dynamic hub for the Stanford community of today and support the vital priorities of the university of tomorrow.

Who is this project for?

In short, everyone! A university is, first and foremost, its people. The work of the university—discovery, understanding, interpretation, learning—depends on a lively, engaged, interconnected, inclusive community. This initiative is primarily for the campus community, a place for students, faculty, postdocs, staff, neighbors, alumni, family, and friends, but it will also welcome visitors from the Bay Area community and far beyond.

What is the timeline?

The design, permitting, and construction is a multi-year process. Concept and site design approvals by the university’s Board of Trustees are targeted for the end of 2025. While planning continues, interim programming in the area iswill offering new uses and opportunities for interactions among community members.

How will the project be financed?

The first phase of the project will be significantly funded by philanthropy. The university received a foundational gift for a new Commons that will transform the bookstore and post office and add a new structure that together will provide a hub for a range of activities.

Who needs to approve the project?

This project requires reviews and approvals both by the university and Santa Clara County.

What happens to free expression opportunities when White Plaza goes under construction?

The Campus Center will continue to support White Memorial Plaza as a place which includes public discourse and advocacy. Planners will make sure that visible, accessible space will be available for free expression, student events, and community convenings during construction and after the project is completed.

Why are Tresidder and Old Union not part of the Commons?

Tresidder and Old Union are important elements of the long-term vision for the Campus Center. During the first phase – the Commons, which will transform existing and add entirely new spaces and settings for the community, and students in particular – moves forward, Old Union and Tresidder will continue to provide ongoing space for food, study, and socializing, and ensure the area still serves the campus community during construction. Subsequent phases, which will complement this initial phase, will expand and enhance offerings at Old Union and Tresidder based on continuing feedback as we learn more about how these new features are used, feasibility, and available resources.

What’s the difference between Campus Center, Town Center, and the Commons?

Campus Center is the overall name for the area at the heart of campus – including Tresidder Memorial Union and White Memorial Plaza to Canfield Court and Meyer Green – that is currently being reimagined and revitalized. Town Center was the name for the project during the initial planning stages. The Commons, which is the first phase of the project, will be a dynamic new campus hub that will include the existing bookstore and post office structures, a new multi-purpose space, and adjacent gardens and landscaping.