Lucknow: A dance reel featuring a girl student of Lucknow University was criticised as much for the sleazy song in the background as for “tarnishing the image” of the university that produced great leaders.Almost every corner of the LU campus has now become a ‘reel adda’ for independent bloggers, students and aspiring models. While some users request, advise or criticise students for using the LU campus for reels, others appreciate their creativity.Some reels showcase the creativity of LU Fine Arts College students through ‘Glimpse of Arts Faculty of Lucknow’ and creative performances by the university’s cultural board, Sanskritiki, while a growing number is devoted to modelling and dance performances carrying captions such as ‘attendance 0%, dance 100%’.The issue gained attention recently after LU sealed Lal Baradari, following reports that students had “unauthorisedly entered and made reels” inside the dilapidated building.Former LU chief proctor and educationist Prof Nishi Pandey said, “A student should not assume that being enrolled in a university gives him/her right to use its official logo, its grading system as a branding element on Instagram/YouTube or in commercial/promotional content. Hence, students can’t use or film the university logo, and those wanting to use it must write and seek permission. Any outsider who wants to shoot has to take permission,” she said.Pandey said there was a desperate need for guidelines specifically governing the use of LU’s official structures and buildings by students. “Students have full freedom of speech, but they can’t use the campus logo and campus to air personal views,” she said.She added that the university should also create a system to identify and promote good creative content and talent. “Social media is all over the place, hence, there must be guidelines for use of campus for online content,” she said.Educationist, career consultant and former LU gold medallist Amrita Dass said, “There should be a regulatory body for approving content, because if the content is objectionable, it will ruin the image of the university.”She said reputed institutions and organisations frame policies to protect their image and brand. “In the present AI age, digital scanning of the content is possible. A committee can do the needful and no content should allowed to be posted without approval,” she said.Former LU vice-chancellor Prof Roop Rekha Verma said, “We can’t apply moral policing on students. Also, we can’t judge what is decent or indecent, but there is need to establish good communication with students. Vice-chancellors should not control but win the trust of students. Reels that disturb classes or breach the institution’s image should be discussed with students,” she said.Verma also suggested that LU should roll out a notice, after getting it passed by its executive committee, clarifying that the university’s official logo would not be used.LU student Ankit Singh, who submitted a reel assignment last year, said, “The university officially allows us to create Instagram reels and memes as mid-term academic assignments. This was introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) guidelines to promote innovative and creative learning,” said Ankit Singh.He said he does not support content that makes the viewer cringe to be shot on campus but creativity in the form of reels should be allowed.“Universities are spaces for expression and creativity. Well-made videos showcase campus architecture, cultural activities, festivals, student achievements, clubs, sports and academic work and a ban could become unnecessary moral policing,” said Anirudh Desai, PhD student.He said yes, but a set of rules to follow can be made, such as no filming during classes or examinations, in restricted or unsafe areas, no filming of confidential documents, laboratories or sensitive facilities, no obscene, threatening, defamatory or harassing content and no unauthorised use of the university’s official logo, seal or branding, particularly for commercial/promotional purposes.FOR BOXLeads worth followingNew Delhi: AIIMS, New Delhi issued comprehensive social media guidelines in Jun 2026 for students, residents, faculty, researchers and employees, including restrictions on the unauthorised use of its name, logo, emblem and official branding in content for social media. Gauhati University too restricted unauthorised vlogging and videography on campus, citing concerns related to security and discipline.
