Generative AI Resources for Faculty

This page provides suggestions on how you could possibly format your AI policy statement and connect you to resources to help you determine the best fit for your classroom expectations. The library does not participate in syllabus creation or standards, if you have questions on syllabus development, please reach out to Faculty Collaborative for Teaching Innovation.

Santa Clara University currently does not have a campus wide AI policy. Faculty are encouraged to determine how AI tools and systems are utilized in their classrooms and communicate this to their students. This can be a daunting task, especially if you are not very familiar with AI; however, by not having an AI statement in your syllabus you create ambiguous expectations for students which can lead to misunderstandings and stress. 

When creating your AI statement, your goal is to be as clear and direct as possible to avoid ambiguity. Much like when conducting research, start broad, then hone in on what's most important. Consider your starting question, is the use of generative AI tools/systems permitted in your course?

Yes, generative AI tools/systems are permitted in your course.

If you wish to allow the usage of AI in your course, consider creating sample situations that students can be expected for AI to be applied. Here are a few examples that could be included in your policy statement:

• Graded assignments with specified Generative AI tools are allowed, as described in the syllabus because students need to understand issues around privacy, data security, and consent when using Generative AI. For these specified assignments where AI tools are allowed, we will go over in class how to access and use them.
• Ungraded assignments are allowed because students can augment their learning outside of class but still need to demonstrate mastery of skills without the support of Generative AI on graded assignments.
• Self-study outside of the classroom is allowed because Generative AI can enhance learning by providing multiple ways to engage with the content and skills being developed in this class.
• Use of AI is only allowed under special circumstances in which individual students approach the instructor on a case-by-case basis to develop a learning approach that uses Generative AI responsibly.
• Although Generative AI is permitted in this class, it is not allowed to be used during open book/note tests or quizzes. These types of grades act as learning retention and understanding checks, if you are found to be using unpermitted resources during these exercises you will be violating the university's Student Code of Conduct. 

Include Parameters

In addition to supplying students with examples on how generative AI may be used in the course, explore adding parameters to your AI policy. The following are some parameters you can consider including, in some form, of your statement:

• It is never acceptable to completely copy the work of generative AI. It should only be used as a resource and not for plagiarism.
• Take responsibility for the content (e.g., written and digital/interactive media assignments and projects). AI can produce content that contains inaccurate information, offensive language/images, and biased or unethical representations. What you submit is your responsibility across these dimensions.
• Do not enter private, sensitive, or copyrighted data from others into AI tools without their consent.
• Provide clear attribution of your sources. Any assignments that utilize Generative AI without attribution per the guidelines shared in this course can be seen as potential academic dishonesty and treated at the undergraduate level within the SCU Student Code of Conduct and at the graduate and professional level within the honor codes found in their respective school policies.

No, generative AI tools/systems are not permitted in your course.

If AI usage is not permitted in your course, communicate your reasoning to your students. The following are examples of some reasons you can include or modify:

• The assignments in this course have been designed to ensure that you personally develop and demonstrate the knowledge and skills associated with the learning outcomes laid out in the syllabus without the use of Generative AI.
• While Generative AI can enhance learning in some contexts, its use is viewed as counter to the specific learning objectives of this course. (Define which learning objectives AI would impact)
• Content in this course is private, sensitive, or copyrighted and should never be entered into a Generative AI tool.

NOTE: Some students use generative AI for self-study outside of the classroom. If you believe this type of usage infringes on the expectations you have for students in your class, encourage students to speak with you directly to ensure their self-study does not interfere with graded or ungraded work. 

Information in this section was inspired by an internal resource from Southern Methodist University. For more information on this resource, please email Sophia Mosbe at smosbe@scu.edu.