CVM Social Media Policy

This policy applies to all professional, graduate, and undergraduate students, staff, and faculty, and to any personal communications within a social media platform which directly or indirectly reference Kansas State University. Social media platforms include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, Snapchat and X, Threads, Pinterest, WhatsApp, as well as blogs, discussion forums and any website which allows public commenting or posting.

Reposting of material from official university or CVM social media sites onto personal social media platforms is encouraged to further the university mission and educate or engage the public.

Students, staff, and faculty cannot post audio recordings, photographs or videos of other students, employees, or people engaged in college business or events without specific approval from the dean or an appropriate administrator responsible for the activity in question (e.g., department head, unit director, faculty instructor). Posting photographs or detailed descriptions of work performed or observed in the college or activities during externship experiences must be approved by the faculty member, staff member, and/or supervising veterinarian prior to posting of material. Posting client or patient information on social media platforms is explicitly forbidden in all circumstances.

Material that is posted should reflect the college standards of veterinary care and contemporary biosecurity practices. Personnel in photographs and videos must be wearing appropriate attire with personal protective equipment (where indicated and appropriate). Photographs and video should represent the expected standards for animal welfare to include health and well-being. Consistent with university standards photographs should avoid animals that have been injured or are in an altered state due to sedation or other pharmaceutical agent. Posted photographs and videos should not show animals that demonstrate pain or distress.

Students, staff, and faculty should not also participate knowingly in, or repost or link to, audio recordings or photographs or videos of themselves or other students, employees, or people engaged in college business or events that include inappropriate activities in violation of college standards of veterinary care and contemporary biosecurity practices which are or could potentially be posted by others outside of college influence. Regardless of the posting origin, inappropriate activities outside of college standards of veterinary care and contemporary biosecurity practices reflect poorly on the college and the represented individuals, and participation in or reposting of such media must be avoided

Faculty may utilize social media and online platforms to enhance student learning. Materials or details relating to classes and laboratories cannot be posted to social media platforms without permission of the faculty instructor responsible for the materials and classroom activities.

Communication or posting of unapproved material related to the CVM, CVM activities, clients and patients of the KSU-VHC or KSU-VDL, or CVM research or teaching activities on social media platforms is unprofessional and may pose legal consequences for the CVM and its personnel. Failure to comply with this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including potential dismissal from the DVM or graduate educational program or loss of employment.

Adopted 10/16/2018 – revised 10/02/2026