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Q1: Does 5XÉçÇø have a mandatory, university-wide AI policy for all courses?

Answer: No. Kent State does not have a single blanket policy governing AI use in all classes. Instead, individual instructors retain course-level autonomy to determine how generative AI tools may or may not be used in their learning environments.   There is however a policy about student use  (insert link) and FERPA (insert more details).

Q2: What key elements should I include when writing an AI policy for my syllabus?

Answer: A effective policy should establish clarity and reduce ambiguity for students. Be sure to include:

• Allowed vs. Unallowed Contexts: Specify which tools (if any) are allowed and during which stages of an assignment (e.g., ideation vs. final writing).

• Rationale: Explain why the policy exists in relation to the course learning outcomes.

• Transparency Expectations: Detail how students must acknowledge AI use (e.g., inclusion of prompt logs, declaration statements, or standard citations).

• Data Privacy & Inaccuracy Warnings: Remind students of the risks of algorithmic bias, factual "hallucinations," and privacy implications.

Click here for examples and how you can engage your students in your policy.

Q3: Can I rely on AI detection software to prove academic dishonesty?

Answer: No. AI detection software cannot be used as sole proof of academic misconduct. AI detectors are known to produce false positives (frequently misidentifying the work of non-native English speakers) and false negatives.

IInstead, use detector outputs only as an indicator to begin an investigative conversation with the student regarding their writing process, research notes, and prompt history.

Q4: What process should I follow if I suspect a student used GenAI in violation of my course policy?

Answer:

1. Initiate an Informal Inquiry (Verbal Review): Invite the student to a meeting to discuss their submission. Ask open-ended questions about their research process, draft history, sources, or key arguments.

2. Review Evidence: Examine draft revisions, commit histories, version logs, or request an explanation of sources.

3. Follow Institutional Policy: If you determine a violation of academic integrity occurred, follow Kent State’s official Administrative Policy regarding Student Academic Misconduct (3342-3-01.8). Report the sanction through the university's official academic integrity reporting portal.

Q5: How can I design assignments that discourage inappropriate AI use or foster meaningful engagement with AI?

Answer:

• Focus on Process, Not Just Product: Require students to submit outlines, early drafts, annotated bibliographies, or reflection logs alongside final submissions.

• Incorporate Local & Recent Contexts: Ground assignments in current course discussions, local Kent/Northeast Ohio community issues, or recent events outside the training cutoff of standard models.

• Integrate AI Critically: Have students generate an AI response to a prompt, then evaluate the output for factual errors, bias, missing perspectives, or depth of logic.

• Use In-Class or Oral Components: Incorporate in-class writing, group presentations, or brief viva voce (oral defense) discussions to assess authentic student understanding.

Q6: How should students cite or acknowledge AI tools in their work?

Answer:

• Academic Citation Styles: Major style guides (APA, MLA, Chicago) have specific formatting rules for citing generative AI responses.

• Declaration Statements: Instructors can require a short declaration block at the end of assignments. Example:

  "I acknowledge using [Tool Name, e.g., Microsoft Copilot] to [purpose, e.g., brainstorm paper topics / edit grammar]. The prompt used was '[Insert Prompt]'. All final analysis and writing remain my own."

Q7: Can I input student papers, grades, or personal information into commercial AI tools?

Answer: No. Uploading student papers, names, grades, or email addresses into public or non-enterprise AI models violates FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and university data privacy standards. Always use enterprise-tier tools with enterprise data protection (such as Kent State's enterprise Microsoft Copilot login) when interacting with sensitive educational content.

Q8: Can I require students to purchase a paid subscription to an AI tool for my course?

Answer: No. Instructors should not require students to purchase subscriptions to third-party paid AI platforms (e.g., ChatGPT Plus). Course requirements must rely on freely available resources or university-supported enterprise software to ensure financial equity and equal access for all students.

Q9: Where can instructors go for further training, consultations, or syllabus help at Kent State?

Answer:

• Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL): Offers 1-on-1 pedagogical consultations, syllabus policy reviews, and custom "Workshops in a Flash" for departments. Instructors can also earn the AI-Ready Educator Recognition. Contact: ctl@kent.edu.

• Division of Information Technology (IT): Provides technical assistance, enterprise software access (Copilot, Gemini), and cybersecurity guidelines for university-approved AI tools.