About Canvas Profile Pictures
If you're a student, then your campus Buff OneCard photo automatically syncs to Canvas and appears as your profile picture. Although Canvas allows you to change your profile picture, please note that it will be replaced with your Buff OneCard photo each morning.
Note: Buff OneCard photos are not automatically uploaded for instructors or TAs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the benefit of adding students' Buff OneCard photos to Canvas?
Displaying Buff OneCard photos in Canvas helps instructors identify students from their Canvas course roster and helps students recognize and get to know each other.
I'm a student and I changed my profile picture in Canvas, but the next morning it changed back. Why?
Although students have the ability to upload a different profile picture in Canvas, it will be automatically replaced with their latest Buff OneCard photo every morning.
If you need to remove your photo from Canvas entirely, see "What if I don't want others to see my picture in Canvas?"
How do I set my Canvas profile picture as a TA or instructor?
Instructors and officially registered TAs can upload their own profile pictures directly to their Canvas profiles. To learn more, see Canvas's "How do I add a profile picture in my user account?" page.
Who can see my profile picture in Canvas?
Your Canvas profile picture is visible to your instructors, your TAs and other students who are enrolled in the same courses as you. Profile pictures appear under People in each Canvas course, as well as in discussion posts and conversation messages.
What if I don't want others to see my picture in Canvas?
Your Buff OneCard photo is part of your education record and is considered directory information.
To restrict access to your directory information, you can request full privacy status from the Office of the Registrar. One consequence of electing full privacy is that your Canvas profile picture will no longer reset daily. Once your full-privacy request is approved, you can delete your Canvas profile picture.
How do I get a Buff OneCard so my photo appears in Canvas?
To request a Buff OneCard, follow the steps on the Students & Families page.
Why isn't my or my student's Buff OneCard photo appearing in Canvas?
There are several possible reasons why a Buff OneCard photo wouldn't appear in Canvas:
- You aren't officially enrolled in any current or future-term courses. Once a student signs up for a class for this term or a future term, their Buff OneCard photo will be uploaded.
- You've elected full privacy through the Office of the Registrar.
- You're listed as a TA or instructor for any current or future-term course. Being a TA or instructor exempts you from having your Buff OneCard photo uploaded to Canvas, even if you are also a student.
- You don't have a Buff OneCard.
In all of the above cases, you can upload your own profile picture by following Canvas's "How do I add a profile picture in my user account?" guide.
