Party of None: Inside Stanford's War on Fun
Stanford University has been criticized for its increasing restrictions on student social events, leading to what some students call a 'War on Fun.' The cancellation of traditional parties and the bureaucratic hurdles for hosting events have left students feeling stifled and frustrated. This situation reflects a broader trend of administrative control over student life at the university.
- ▪Stanford canceled its traditional first party of the year, leaving students with no alternative events.
- ▪Hosting a social gathering now requires approval from the Party Review Committee, which meets only once a week.
- ▪Students must navigate a complex application process that includes a detailed proposal and a 'Harm Reduction Plan.'
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EXCERPTParty of None: Inside Stanford’s War on FunRead an exclusive excerpt from Theo Baker’s book, How to Rule the World: An Education in Power at Stanford University, where the former Stanford Daily reporter and youngest recipient of the George Polk Award for investigative journalism details his first assignment.By Theo BakerMay 18, 2026David ButowSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this storyThe first Friday of freshman year was meant to be when people really, truly, finally celebrated the amazing thing it is to be a college student. But, alas, it wasn’t to be.Stanford had been my dream since I was seven, much to the surprise of everyone around me on the East Coast. It wasn’t just the tech or the innovation.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Vanity Fair.
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