Individual Student Use and Student Organization Use
- See additional guidelines for students on the Licensing & Trademarks page.
Individual students
Students are not permitted to use the university’s shield logo or other university trademarks, such as the university tagline, VT logo, or the HokieBird.
Exceptions to this policy are granted in a limited number of special situations. For example, the shield logo may be used for class projects and for university-approved conference and presentation materials. To be considered for such an exception, contact one of the following:
- Publications/PowerPoint presentations—identity@vt.edu or 540/231-8639.
- Web sites—webcomm@vt.edu or 540/231-8508.
Approval must be received prior to printing, manufacture, or distribution. Any use of logos, seals, names, or other university marks must be in accordance with policies established by the university.
Graduate assistant business cards
Graduate assistants are permitted to use the university’s standard business card formats. These cards can be purchased through University Printing Services at printing@vt.edu or 540/231-6701. No other student use of the standard business card is permitted except as noted below.
Web usage
University names, the shield logo, and other university trademarks are restricted to official university use only. Personal Web pages are not permitted to display the shield logo or university trademarks. Nor may such pages use the university’s name in a manner that would lead the Web reader to perceive that the Web page is an official university page.
Graduate students or groups may be permitted to use university logo/trademarks in a limited number of special situations. However, use must be approved prior to Web publishing. For approval to use the logo on the Web, contact webcomm@vt.edu or 540/231-8508. For approval to use any other university trademark, contact the Department of Licensing and Trademark Administration at licensing@vt.edu or 540/231-3748.
Resale and other commercial use of university logos
Student or personal use of university trademarks on T-shirts, baseball hats, bumper stickers, and other specialty items is prohibited without prior approval by the Department of Licensing and Trademark Administration at licensing@vt.edu or 540/231-3748. Approval is granted in strictly limited situations.
Student organization use
Student organizations
Use of the university’s shield logo and symbols is determined by the student organization’s classification and the intended use of these identity vehicles. Organizations are registered by Leadership and Student Organization Programs (LSOP).
Classification of student organizations
Officially listed organizations are classified in the following manner:
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University Student Life Program (USLP)
The USLP shall be permitted to represent itself as an agent of the university and use names, logos, and symbols of the university. Any use of logos, seals, names, or other representative university symbols shall be in accordance with policies established by the university.
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University Chartered Student Organization (UCSO)
In limited situations, the UCSO may represent itself as an agent of the university and use names, logos, or symbols of the university with the express written consent of the university. Direct requests to identity@vt.edu or 540/231-8639.
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Registered Student Organization (RSO)
In limited situations, the RSO may represent itself as an agent of the university or use names, logos, or symbols of the university with the express written consent of the university. Direct requests to identity@vt.edu or 540/231-8639.
Publication, print media, and Web use
Use of the university’s shield logo must be reviewed by University Relations at identity@vt.edu or 540/231-8639.
Resale and other commercial use of university logos
Student organizations must request and obtain approval to use the university’s names, logos, or symbols on commercial goods and specialty items. For approval, contact the Department of Licensing and Trademark Administration at licensing@vt.edu or 540/231-3748.
Student leader business cards
Leaders of USLPs and UCSOs are permitted to use Tech student business cards.
Use of this distinctive, vertical card is limited to official business of the student organization represented. Organizations are responsible for all costs associated with producing the cards.
For approval, contact Student Activities at shblevin@vt.edu or 540/231-8805.
