Meyer Green is a spacious, central spot on campus that’s great for low-impact events and gatherings. Because it sits next to busy academic buildings, events need to keep pathways open and respect the flow of daily campus life. Student groups, departments, and other Stanford affiliates can reserve the lawn or stage, while larger events may need extra coordination with nearby campus partners. The information below walks you through how to reserve the space, what approvals you might need, and how to plan a successful event at Meyer Green.
Step 1: General Background and Understanding the Space
Meyer Green is a 2.45-acre open space located near Green Library, Sweet Hall, the Law School, and the Graduate School of Education. As a pedestrian zone in an academic area, events at Meyer Green must remain at an impact level that allows for the continuation of university business. Events must be consistent with Stanford's educational mission.
Only Stanford affiliated organizers may host events in the space.
Event organizers must coordinate and communicate with nearby academic buildings and libraries, and may need to submit a detailed proposal. Please see Step 2. How to Reserve Meyer Green on when a detailed event proposal is required.
Pathways, bike traffic, and fire lanes must be kept free from obstruction during events. Only vehicles with proper permits are allowed inside bollards.
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., Seven days a week
Step 2: How to Reserve Meyer Green
- For Reservations and Questions, please contact:
- Student Affairs Meeting Services
- Telephone: 650.723.4314
- Email: meetingservices@stanford.edu
- Student Affairs Meeting Services
Reservations must be submitted at least 7 business days in advance.
To minimize impact to campus resources and support your event’s success, avoid scheduling during busy or restricted times of year. Check for conflicts with academic calendars, major events, holidays, and campus operations before finalizing your date. The following University scheduling guidelines can help align your event with the broader university schedule. University Big 5 events will have priority scheduling access.
Schools, departments and Registered Student Organizations may reserve Meyer Green via 25Live on a first come, first-served basis.
The university has also designated Meyer Green as an additional location suitable for protests and rallies. However, unlike White Plaza, advance registration and approval is required. For additional information please review the University’s Freedom of Expression/Other Campus Usage Guidelines page.
Space requests can be made for the lawn, stage, or both (full-space). Any events with amplified sound must reserve the full space.
There is no specific venue fee to use Meyer Green.
- Important Note Regarding Event Costs: Event organizers are responsible for all event-related costs, including security, staffing, furnishings, grounds services, waste removal, and for any damages incurred in using the space. For additional questions or information, please contact SAMS.
Please submit a detailed event proposal to SAMS if your event meets any of the following:
- More than 50 attendees are expected.
- You are requesting amplified sound, ordering staging or other production elements.
- The event impacts vehicular traffic or pedestrian traffic.
- Set-up includes tenting, catering, signage, and equipment.
- The event requires coordination with multiple departments and vendors.
Step 3: Venue Guidelines and Requirements
Stanford is not only an academic institution but a residential community. Supporting the academic mission of the university while respecting those who are studying, researching, or otherwise carrying out academic-related activities is a Stanford priority. It is the responsibility of all faculty, students, and staff using the space to moderate noise levels, especially during regular business hours.
Noise is generally any sound (e.g., voice, music, or other noise) amplified through the use of equipment, including, but not limited to speakers, sound systems, amplifiers for musical instruments, and bullhorns. This also includes excessive noise from drums or yelling.(Monday-Friday). With prior approval, it may also be permitted after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays until 10:00 p.m. In addition, with prior approval loud noise can happen from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. on weekends.
Obtaining Appropriate Approvals for Amplified Sound: As part of the event planning process, the event organizer must obtain all appropriate approvals regarding the use of amplified sound during an event or activity. If you are considering utilizing amplified sound at your event please first review the University’s Noise and Amplified Sound Policy.
Requests for amplified sound must be submitted to Student Affairs Meeting Services at least seven (7) business days in advance.
- Event date, time, attendees, purpose and goals.
- Times of proposed amplified sound.
- Type of amplification such as: Speaker only, multi-speaker system, musics, other?
- Why this event should be granted an exception to the policy
- Include notification plans:
- How neighbors in surrounding buildings, classrooms, offices, etc. would be advised.
- How sound will be mitigated and or shut off if ongoing complaints are received.
- Confirming all performers/speakers would also be advised of any potential shutdowns if needed as a condition of participation.
- Specific name and contact information to lodge complaints during the performances.
Please submit your requests to:
- Student Affairs Meeting Services
- Telephone: 650.723.4314
- Email: meetingservices@stanford.edu
Step 4: Notifying Venue Neighbors Regarding Your Event
When scheduling an event in Meyer Green, especially on regular business days, please contact the neighboring schools and buildings to:
- Inform them of your event details, including date, time, and potential impacts to the area.
- Provide your contact information so that nearby departments can reach out with any questions or concerns during the event.
- Law School
- Dean’s Office | deans.office@law.stanford.edu | 650.723.4455
- Graduate School of Education:
- GSE Facilities | gsefacilities@stanford.edu or gse-ops-staff@lists.stanford.edu | 650.723.2109
- Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education (VPUE)
- Sweet Hall Facilities | vpue@stanford.edu | 650.723.4463
- Green Library:
- Facilities | sul-facilities@lists.stanford.edu | 650.724.8507
- Stanford Bookstore:
- Telephone: 650.329.1217 ext. 8330
- Access and Pathways - Pathways around the venue must stay clear for emergency and ADA access.
- Signage - Only approved, freestanding event signage is permitted, and must follow the university’s general policy regarding Banners, Flyers, Chalking, and Posters.
- Tents, Canopies and Structures - Only small 10’x10’ open-sided canopies are permitted, provided they do not block access, and are weighted with water barrels. Large tents and ground stakes are not allowed.
- Vendors - All external vendors must carry appropriate insurance and adhere to university policies. Vehicle access for vendors must be coordinated in advance.
- Facilities Requests - Submit Work requests to LBRE Facilities Operations for needs such as irrigation sprinkler shut-off, electrical access, and trash/recycling removal.
- Power Access - Standard 120V power pedestals at the circular concrete area are locked. Access may be requested when reserving the space.
- Clean-up - Event organizers are responsible for any post-event cleanup and associated costs.
- Clock Tower Chimes - The west-entry Clock Tower Chimes cannot be turned off. Please plan accordingly, as the chimes ring on the quarter hour and count the time at the top of the hour.
- Bicycle Parking - More than 500 bike parking spaces are available nearby. Contact Stanford’s Bicycle Program Coordinator for additional information.
- Open Flame Cooking and Food Trucks - Open flames, including BBQs, grills, butane/gas equipment, and food trucks and other large trucks are not permitted
- Catering and Set-up - Catering should be simple and low impact (no messy oils or sauce). All food service must be set up on tarps, located outside of the bollards, and off pathways
- Alcohol Service - Alcohol service is limited to events that have been pre-approved to serve and may involve additional licensing and fees
- Permits - Organizers need to ensure all necessary food and beverage permits have been obtained prior to the event
- Personal events unrelated to academic department or student group usage
- Commercial activities, sales, tabling
- Drones, vehicle displays (see Vehicle Policy)
- Camping
- Events with open flame equipment, fireworks
- Weddings and/or professional wedding photography
- Commercial filming (see Filming Policy)
- Food trucks
For events that may require additional security, please reach out to Stanford Department of Public Safety for guidance and consult with Student Affairs Meeting Services.
Share these numbers with your events team.
- Emergency - 911
- Non-emergency police - 650.329.2413
- Stanford Noise Hotline - 650.724.9000
- Department of Public Safety (Security & Event Safety) - 650.723.9633
Step 5: Review Venue Diagrams and Restroom Needs
Maps
Restrooms
Portable restrooms are required when existing restrooms are unavailable, closed, or more than a 2-minute walk (500 feet) from the event site.
Portable Restroom Planning Chart
| Attendance | 4-hour Event | 8-hour Event |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50 | 1 | 2 |
| 51-100 | 2 | 3 |
| 101-250 | 3 | 4-5 |
| 251-500 | 5-8 | 8-10 |
| 501-1,000 | 8-12 | 12-16 |