Policy Number "2026-09-25"
Publications Policy
University of Toronto Engineering Society

Last Revision: September 25, 2026

Contents

For a list of all Bylaws and Policies, see the index.

General Publication Standards

General #

0.0 # Purpose

  1. 0.0.1 # The purpose of this document is to set guidelines for all publications and media produced by the Engineering Society, hereby referred to as "EngSoc."

0.1 # Enforcement

  1. 0.1.1 # The Vice-President Communications is obligated to enforce all of the requirements detailed in the policy, and has the right to refuse the publication of any item that does not adhere to the policy below.

Publication Standards #

1.0 # Requirements

  1. 1.0.1 # Media submitted for or created specifically for an EngSoc publication must be created by a student and must not consist of, or incorporate, content generated by generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), including AI-generated images, photographs, illustrations, artwork, video, audio, or other media.
    1. 1.0.1.a # Students must not submit AI-generated or AI-manipulated media as original student-created work.
    2. 1.0.1.b # This restriction does not prohibit the use of ordinary non-generative software tools for editing, formatting, colour correction, cropping, resizing, noise reduction, or similar post-production processes, provided that the underlying creative work remains student-created.
    3. 1.0.1.c # This restriction also does not prohibit the use of GenAI for explicitly satirical or explanatory purposes (e.g. AI generated images in an article discussing the plausibility of said images in The Cannon), so long as the usage of GenAI is disclosed.
    4. 1.0.1.d # Where there is uncertainty as to whether a tool or process constitutes GenAI, the student should disclose its use to the publication's editorial team before submission.
  2. 1.0.2 # Any media created by a student specifically for the purposes of an EngSoc publication shall remain the intellectual property of the student who created it, unless otherwise agreed to in writing.
    1. 1.0.2.a # By creating media specifically for EngSoc, the student grants EngSoc a perpetual,royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to use, reproduce, publish, distribute, display, modify, adapt, and otherwise reuse the work for EngSoc-related purposes.
    2. 1.0.2.b # The licence granted under 1.0.1.b shall include the right for EngSoc to reuse the work in publications, social media, websites, promotional materials, advertisements, merchandise, presentations, and other communications produced or distributed by or on behalf of EngSoc.
    3. 1.0.2.c # EngSoc may continue to use and reuse such images and media after the student has completed their involvement with EngSoc, without requiring additional permission or compensation, provided that the use is for an EngSoc-related purpose.
    4. 1.0.2.d # Where reasonably practicable, EngSoc shall provide attribution to the student creator when using their work. Attribution shall not be required where it is impractical due to the format, medium, or nature of the use.
  3. 1.0.3 # All images and media taken from external sources shall be used in accordance with Canadian copyright law. This means that:
    1. 1.0.3.a # Any image or media used within a publication that was not created by a student specifically for the purposes of that publication (see section 1.1) must either be licensed under an applicable Creative Commons (CC) licence or be in the public domain.
      1. 1.0.3.a.i # Proper attribution shall be provided for all images and media where required by the applicable licence, which typically includes the creator and type of licence at minimum.
      2. 1.0.3.a.ii # Suggested sources for appropriately licensed or public domain images and media include, but are not limited to:
      3. 1.0.3.a.iii # The exception to the above rule is for all images and media obtained through Canva and through the EngSoc ran website photos.skule.ca. These may be used freely and without attribution.
    2. 1.0.3.b # Where the licensing status cannot be verified, the material shall not be used unless appropriate permission has been obtained.
  4. 1.0.4 # A separate document containing the respective sources of each externally obtained image or piece of media used in a publication shall be maintained and submitted alongside the publication, to the VP Communications, for review and records.
    1. 1.0.4.a # The purpose of maintaining a source document is to ensure that all externally obtained images and media used in publications can be verified as being appropriately licensed or in the public domain, and to minimize the risk of copyright infringement or other legal issues.
  5. 1.0.5 # All individuals responsible for producing publications shall ensure that the requirements of this section are followed before the publication is distributed or made publicly available.
  6. 1.0.6 # All publications shall abide by the current EngSoc Policy on branding in their references to EngSoc and representation of EngSoc.
    1. 1.0.6.a # In particular, publications may use the following terms when referring to the engineering undergraduate community or EngSoc:
      1. 1.0.6.a.i # Skule™ — a term used to refer to the engineering undergraduate community. Every reference to Skule must be accompanied by the ™ symbol, with the notable exception of "Skule Nite," the engineering comedy sketch and revue.
      2. 1.0.6.a.ii # Skuligans — a term used to refer to current engineering undergraduate students.
      3. 1.0.6.a.iii # F!rosh Week or F!rosh – a term used to refer to the engineering orientation week for incoming first year students.
      4. 1.0.6.a.iv # EngSoc — a term used to refer to the Engineering Society, the student government representing undergraduate engineering students at the University of Toronto. EngSoc is made up of elected student volunteers and includes Officers, Project Directors, Associated Entities, Class Representatives, and the Board of Directors. For further information about EngSoc and its governance structure, please refer to skule.ca/about/engsoc.html.
  7. 1.0.7 # Media intended for print publication should be prepared in CMYK.
    1. 1.0.7.a # RGB files may be accepted for submission at the discretion of the editor, but will be converted to CMYK before publication. This often has the effect of dulling the colours and is not recommended.