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Overview
By default, all Online@UT (Canvas) users have blank placeholder profile pictures associated with their accounts. Users can add or change their profile pictures on the user's Settings page. ** Canvas profile pictures may be different from official university VolCard ID photos. **
Information
Do I have to add a profile picture to Canvas?
No, users in Online@UT (Canvas) are not obligated to add a profile picture in Canvas. The Office of the University Registrar and the Office of Innovative Technologies Canvas Advisory Board have determined that UTK instructors cannot require students to upload their profile pictures to Canvas.
How do I add a profile picture to Canvas?
- Log in to Online@UT (Canvas) with your NetID and Password.
- Click the Account link in the Global Navigation Menu on the far-left edge of your screen underneath the Power T, then select the Settings link from the sub-menu.
- Click the profile picture icon (i.e., the gray generic avatar image next to your name).
Upload Picture
To upload a new profile picture file:
- Click the Picture Options drop-down menu and select the Upload a Picture option. Click the choose a picture link. You can also drag a picture from your desktop and drop it into the window.
- Find the image you want to upload and click the Open or Browse button.
- Crop or resize your picture as needed, then click Save when finished.
Take a Picture using your webcam
- Click the Picture Options drop-down menu and select the select the Take a Picture option [1]. Then click the Take Picture button [2].
Note: Depending on your browser, you may need to allow Canvas to access your camera. The Take a Picture option is not supported when using Safari or Internet Explorer.
- To take another picture, click the Retry button [1]. When you are finished, click the Save button [2].
Tips for Profile Pictures (from Canvas Community)
- Please choose an appropriate picture to represent yourself. Your institution has the right to remove pictures that are not appropriate for a classroom setting.
- Images should be square in size to prevent your picture from being resized or distorted.
- Files can be any type (.jpg, .png, .gif) or size as long as you have room in your user files to store the file. Canvas recommends that your profile picture be as small as possible.
- Your personal files quota is enforced when uploading a profile picture. If you do not have enough storage space in your personal files, you will not be able to upload your profile picture. Create more space by removing some files in your personal files. NOTE: OIT limits user (personal) file storage in Canvas to 1 GB per user.
Explicit, copyrighted, and otherwise inappropriate materials will not be permitted. All images are subject to the
UT System Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources policy which states:
Violation of copyright law or infringement is prohibited by University policy and federal law, including with respect to the use of the University’s Assets, software or Data. Any unauthorized use of copyrighted material may subject the User to discipline as a violation of one or more provisions of the general standard of conduct in the student handbook or to discipline under the Campus Code of Conduct or the Human Resources Policy and Procedures.
How do I report inappropriate profile pictures in Canvas?
Who can see my profile picture in Canvas?
Anyone enrolled in the same course as you, including students, can see your profile picture. Your picture appears under “People” in your courses, as well as in other areas such as discussion posts and conversation messages.
How do I change/remove my profile picture in Canvas?
Canvas will automatically replace your profile image when you upload a new one!
You can manually remove your profile picture
- Log in to Online@UT (Canvas) with your NetID and Password.
- Click the Account link in the Global Navigation Menu on the far-left edge of your screen underneath the Power T, then select the Files link from the sub-menu.
- Select the My Files folder.
- Select the profile pictures folder.
- For the photo you wish to remove, look to the far right, and click the three vertical dots that appear.
- Select Delete, then click Delete on the pop-up to confirm that you wish to delete the image from your Canvas user (personal) files.
How do I report inappropriate profile pictures in Canvas?
Clicking on a user's image will bring you to their profile. You can report their image by clicking the Report inappropriate picture link.
What do I do if I accidentally reported someone's profile picture as inappropriate?
The OIT Canvas administrators receive the reports within the Canvas Admin Console for when one user marks another user's profile picture as being inappropriate using the “Report inappropriate picture”.
If you click on that link by accident, you don't need to contact the OIT HelpDesk or the Canvas Support Team to explain or clarify.
No action is taken automatically when an image is reported as inappropriate. Before an image would be removed, it would be reviewed and discussed by appropriate university staff.