This sounds like Stanford maintains its elevators but the state doesn't have enough inspectors to to certify and renew paperwork. But the anecdotes in the beginning make you think Stanford is ignoring its responsibility. Maybe it is, but the lack of inspectors sounds more plausible
No, but all of my side projects are work related things, and it has occurred to me that if I ever leave my company those projects will not help my github. I still do them anyway because I am most excited to build them.