With the success of Stanford’s worksites in downtown San Jose and Newark, Stanford is expanding to a third co-working office space managed by Regus in San Francisco, starting October 1. Alternative work locations, sponsored by the Provost and Business Affairs, serve as a near-term solution to mitigate critical workforce issues such as affordable housing near campus and increased Bay Area commute times. The expansion was shared publicly at campus community meetings with the President and Provost in late May and early June as part of the new vision of Stanford’s future. Growing interest of the San Jose location during its pilot phase, influenced expansion to alternative worksites in Newark and San Francisco to meet the demand from areas with the longest and most difficult commutes. All worksite participants are periodically surveyed to evaluate the overall effectiveness and experience of the alternative worksites, which helps to inform decisions on future workspaces. “Stanford’s investment in a third alternative worksite demonstrates a dedicated commitment to easing affordability and commute issues by supporting a growing organizational culture that embraces workplace flexibility and values employee connectivity,” says Elizabeth Zacharias, vice president for University Human Resources. The San Francisco alternative site is located on the 15th floor of 50 California Street. At the heart of San Francisco’s financial district, 50 California is in close proximity to public transportation (Embarcadero BART station, the Cable Car line and many bus options). It is across from Embarcadero Center, a mall with numerous food and retail options. There is a high level of interest in the San Francisco space, and signups have reached capacity. Employees in excess of the first 140 that desire to work at the San Francisco site have been placed on a waitlist and will be contacted when a space is available. On behalf of the university, Business Affairs administers all space assignments and selects participants on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or questions about the San Francisco worksite, please send an email to the San Francisco Alternative Worksite listserv. The San Jose worksite will continue and will move to the same reservation process as the Newark and San Francisco sites. Employees that reside in the South Bay including those currently utilizing the San Jose space will receive information via email in October. Editorial update as of 10/1: The San Jose alternative worksite is tentatively scheduled to re-launch on November 1. Visit the Alternative Worksites page for more information about the San Jose, Newark and San Francisco worksites.
Stanford University has opened an off-campus worksite in San Francisco following the success of its two existing spaces in San Jose and Newark. The new facility, which is located in the middle of the city's financial district on California Street, will be managed by Regus. The worksite is intended to address the lack of affordable housing around Stanford's campus and to make commuting more convenient.