The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine utilizes select social media channels to share messages that are aligned with and uphold our mission and values. This policy safeguards the public’s trust and high regard for the profession and college. The policy also assists in protecting students’ reputations and future careers.
Digital communications and social media channels have become valuable tools for sharing personal and professional information, networking, marketing, and more. However, their archival and accessible nature presents real risks, especially concerning client/patient confidentiality, copyright laws, and personal and institutional reputation. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to use appropriate privacy settings on social media while recognizing that the privacy of digital information can never be entirely assured.
The College of Veterinary Medicine has several official social media channels. If you have images or stories that advance college missions, we encourage you to share them with the Veterinary Medicine Strategic Communications team via this link: Social Media Submission Form. Your submission will be reviewed and potentially shared on official college channels.
Social Media Guidelines for faculty, staff, and students of the College of Veterinary Medicine:
1. Taking/Posting Photographs and Videos
We love sharing our passion for veterinary medicine, but it is important to respect privacy and confidentiality. Please do not post photos, videos, or recordings of educational, clinical, or research activities on your social media channels, including, but not limited to, the following:
- University-owned or client-owned animals or cadavers: Exceptions are made for official college social media channels when written authorization from the client/owner is documented in the health information system (HIS). Content should never be shared that could be considered inappropriate or gory.
- Personal information: Do not share names, likenesses, or contact information of students, colleagues, clients, or research partners without their consent.
- Research Farms: The taking of photographs or videos at the research farms is prohibited except by authorized university personnel. Veterinary Teaching Hospital: In general, no photos may be taken of patients, faculty, or staff, without permission, even for private use. Some services allow students to use photos/video for educational purposes. Please check with each service to learn its policy regarding pictures of patients.
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: No photos, videos, or other information from the lab may be taken without explicit approval from the director.
- Wildlife Medical Clinic: Photos of wildlife may be taken only during the patients’ normally scheduled procedures. Handlers must be wearing appropriate PPE and may not “pose” or otherwise engage with wildlife as they would a domestic animal.
2. Responsible Social Media Use
Our community values respectful and professional communication. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:
- Respectful communication: Avoid sharing statements that could be perceived as defamatory, harassing, or obscene. This includes anything that might be perceived as threatening or inciting unlawful actions. Individuals should always make every effort to present themselves in a mature, responsible, and professional manner. Comments should always be civil and respectful.
- Graphic content standards: Social media posts depicting animal tissue, surgical procedures, or other graphic content are never appropriate, even when obscured by emojis or filters, due to the potential of misinterpretation by the public.
- Course materials: Course notes and images are for personal educational use only. Do not share them outside the college. Animal use policy: Do not post photos of animals used in teaching or clinical rotations on your private social media accounts.
- Official representation: Do not create social media sites or pages that appear to be official university sites. Always clarify that your personal opinions are your own and not endorsed by the college or university.
3. Maintaining Professionalism
To maintain the integrity and reputation of our college, we have established consequences for violations of the above guidelines:
- Content removal: College representatives may request the removal of inappropriate posts, comments, or content from social media accounts that violate the policy or misrepresent the College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Student conduct: Violations of this policy may be addressed through the college Honor Code system and the University Student Code. This policy applies even when students are at off-site facilities, where additional media policies may also be in effect.
This policy last updated October 31, 2025.