Photo Policy
Requests to take photos
(Applies to videotape and film as well as still photography)
CSU, Chico allows people to take photographs on campus as long as it does not disrupt the academic environment. Any individual or organization other than the working media that plans to take pictures for broadcast or public use must contact Public Affairs and Publications, 530-898-4143.
Any person wishing to take photographs of the campus with the purpose of using them in any form for commercial gain should first contact Public Affairs and Publications or the Office of the President, 530-898-5201.
Requests for copies of existing photos
The university has digital images available that can be shared. Contact the Public Affairs and Publications Office, 530-898-4143.
Requests for use of student ID photos
Student ID photos are used only for student (Wildcat Card) ID cards unless the student gives permission to release the photo for a secondary use. When a request for the photo is made by someone other than the student, the student is contacted. If he or she approves releasing the photo, a digital file of the photo is made available to the requesting party.
The Wildcat Card Office must receive proof of authorization prior to releasing a photo. When a student dies, his or her Wildcat Card photo is maintained for six months, and then removed from the database. If a request for a deceased student's photo is made within the six-month period, an attempt to contact the immediate family of the student will be made. All requests made to the Wildcat Card Office will be referred to the Office of Public Affairs and Publications. If the family approves the release of the photo, the digital file of the photo will be released to the requesting party. Questions about Wildcat Card photos should be directed to the Wildcat Card Office, 530-898-6119.
Requests for photos to be taken
The photographic services and photographers available on campus are as follows:
Kathleen McPartland, editor of Inside Chico State, arranges for photographs of events or people that will appear in ICS. If you are a CSU, Chico faculty, administrator, or staff member and want to request coverage for an event appropriate for ICS, contact McPartland at 530-898-4260 or e-mail kmcpartland@csuchico.edu at least two weeks in advance.
Inside Chico State staff takes photos for ICS. This generally does not include parties, retirement events, internal department activities, or awards ceremonies that call for a large number of individual photos. This kind of photography is best provided by Student Photography Services (see below), which charges for the service if it is not related to a student activity appropriate for the yearbook.
The publications staff does not have the resources to document every activity on campus. If something comes up for which you want photos and you have no camera available, call Public Affairs and Publications, 530-898-4263, and the staff will do what they can, within the limits of time and resources, to accommodate your request.
Student Photography Services has staff photographers who will take portraits of graduating students and college deans, individual recipients of master's commencement ceremonies, organization group photos, formal posed photos of award or ceremony recipients, and special social events. There is a charge for all services provided by this office. To request an estimate, please call Sean Chen, 530-898-6498 or e-mail at schen@csuchico.edu.
Altering photographs—a caution
Be extremely careful about altering a photograph with a photo editing software program. Any alterations that affect the accuracy of the persons, places, or events depicted in the photo should be avoided. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of a change, contact Public Affairs and Publications at 530-898-4143.