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Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence

This policy establishes guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies at our institution. It applies to all students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

 

General Principles

  • AI tools should enhance, not replace, human judgment and decision-making.
  • Users must uphold the Academic Integrity Policy when utilizing AI tools. For the full implications of Academic Integrity violations, visit the Code of Conduct Policy.
  • Assess AI tools for potential biases and take steps to mitigate them
  • Privacy and data protection regulations must be adhered to when using AI tools. Free AI tools are not secure and may store, reuse, or train on data used.    

 

Guidelines for Academic Use

For Students

  • Read the expectations and permitted use of AI tools in the Academic Catalog and coursework. 2. Properly cite and reference any AI-generated content used in assignments.
  • Use AI tools to enhance learning, not to replace academic work.
  • Critically review AI-generated content to ensure the accuracy of information, as AI hallucinations may occur. Students are responsible for all final submissions.
  • Allowable use of AI tools:
    • Brainstorming, creating study guides and practice problems, proofreading and grammar checking, seeking feedback on writing structure, tone, or clarity, and exploring complex concepts unless otherwise noted in an assignment.
    • Caution: high use of AI tools may increase the plagiarism score beyond the University limits.
  • Prohibited Conduct:
    • Completing assignments without substantial (80%) student input.
    • Using AI to complete assessments, assignments, or exams in violation of course policies.
    • Solving exam questions during assessments.
    • Submitting AI-generated content as original work without proper citation.
    • Misrepresenting AI-generated content as personal understanding or scholarly effort.
    • Students must not input sensitive, protected, or confidential information into AI tools. This includes personal identifiable information (PII), including name, student ID, email addresses, names of family members, addresses, or indirect identifiers such as course names or unique assignment titles, student-protected information, patient information, or proprietary content. Free AI tools are not secure and may store, reuse, or train on data used. AI tools may retain input, so personal info is prohibited.
  • Free AI tools are open-source, and entering protected information can violate FERPA, HIPAA, and other federal and/or state-protected information.

NOTE: “Turnitin AI detection score” is separate and apart from the “Turnitin plagiarism score.” This policy only governs AI plagiarism. See Code of Conduct - Plagiarism Policy in the Catalog.

 

For Faculty, Staff, and Administrators

  • Ensure compliance with FERPA, institutional data privacy policies, academic integrity standards or violate institutional policy.
  • Communicate AI usage expectations to students as they pertain to course requirements.
  • Monitor student AI usage in accordance with Aspen’s Plagiarism Policy.
  • Allowable use of AI tools:
    • Use of AI tools to improve the clarity, tone, or formatting of communication or content, generating examples, prompts, or scaffolds for student assignments (with clear authorship disclosure), and reviewing anonymized student work for grammar suggestions or general writing patterns.
  • Prohibited Conduct:
    • Inputting sensitive, protected, or confidential information into AI tools. This includes students’ work product, personal identifiable information (PII), including name, email addresses, names of family members, addresses, or indirect identifiers such as course names or unique assignment titles, student-protected information, patient information, or proprietary content. Free AI tools are not secure and may store, reuse, or train on data used. AI tools may retain input, so personal information is prohibited.
    • Submitting identifiable student work (including names, ID numbers, or context-specific details). Entering protected information can violate FERPA, HIPAA, and other federal and/or state-protected information.
    • Using AI to generate grades, evaluative feedback, or summative assessment decisions without professional judgment.

    

AI in Coursework

  • If the course has established rules for AI usage, the Faculty must follow the guidelines in the course.
  • If the course does not have established rules for AI usage, then the faculty must clearly and concisely communicate their expectations regarding AI usage. Faculty can allow higher thresholds of AI usage on assignments.  However, the “Turitin AI detection score” of 1% to 20% is always acceptable due to the risk of false positives. NOTE: “Turnitin AI detection score” is separate and apart from the “Turnitin plagiarism score.” This policy only governs AI detection. See Plagiarism Policy in the Catalog. Faculty are responsible for reviewing the student’s submission and retain the discretion to report, or not report, a potential code of conduct violation (“Turnitin AI detection score > 20%). The range to communicate is as follows, with the university's default being Restrictive.
    • AI-Friendly: Students are asked to use AI tools for specific parts of their assignments, such as idea generation, outlining, drafting, or research, and depending on the assignment, might even utilize it to create final content. Students will submit the AI-generated material as part of their final submission. AI-friendly assignments are exempt from the 20% AI usage threshold.
    • AI-Assisted: Students can utilize AI tools to assist in their assignments, such as generating ideas, proofreading, or organizing content. Students do not submit their prompts or the AI-generated material as part of the final submission. AI-assisted assignments are held to the 20% AI usage threshold.
    • AI-Restrictive: AI tools are prohibited for the assignment, and all work must be the student’s original creation. AI-restricted assignments are held to the 20% AI usage threshold.
  • No Use of AI Allowed for the Following Assignments: Signature Assignments need to be centered on the student’s original work, as it is intended to measure institutional and programmatic outcomes, which are used for the assessment of student learning.
  • Prohibited Conduct: Never copy and paste student work, student information, protected data, or proprietary content into any AI tool that is not purchased or licensed by the University. Free AI tools are open-source, and you can be violating FERPA, HIPAA, and other federal and/or state-protected information.

                                                                                                                             

Administrative Use

  • Regularly review and update AI policies to reflect technological advancements.
  • Provide AI literacy training for faculty, staff, and students.

 

Ethical Considerations

  • Regularly assess AI tools for potential biases and take steps to mitigate them.
  • Foster open discussions on ethical AI use among all stakeholders.

NOTE: This policy aims to harness the potential of AI while maintaining the integrity of our educational mission. It is subject to regular review and updates as AI technology evolves.