Teaching & Learning
- For the general student body, AI use on assignments is at instructor discretion; using ChatGPT or similar AI tools on assignments without instructor permission is treated as scholastic dishonesty
- For dual enrollment students, AI use to complete assignments, papers, multimedia projects, or other schoolwork is strictly prohibited unless a teacher or administrator gives permission, and students may not present AI-generated content as their own work
“Cheating” shall include, but not be limited to:
9. Improperly using ChatGPT or similar AI tools on assignments without permission from instructors.
AI is not a substitute for schoolwork that requires original thought. Students may not claim AI generated content as their own work. The use of AI to take tests, complete assignments, create multimedia projects, write papers, or complete schoolwork without permission of a teacher or administrator is strictly prohibited. The use of AI for these purposes constitutes cheating or plagiarism.
- For dual enrollment students, using AI to take tests is strictly prohibited unless a teacher or administrator authorizes it
- The student handbook also classifies unauthorized assistance and unauthorized test materials during tests as cheating, and scholastic penalties may include a failing grade on an examination
The use of AI to take tests, complete assignments, create multimedia projects, write papers, or complete schoolwork without permission of a teacher or administrator is strictly prohibited. The use of AI for these purposes constitutes cheating or plagiarism.
“Cheating” shall include, but not be limited to:
2. Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test;
3. Collaborating with or seeking aid fromanother student during a test without permission from the test administrator;
4. Scholastic penalties – Removal from a program or the assignment of a failing grade on an assignment or examination or in a course by an instructor based on scholastic dishonesty; including cheating, collusion, and plagiarism; committed by a student.
- Dual enrollment students may use AI as a learning tool or study aid only with permission from a teacher or administrator, with an exception for use authorized in an IEP
- The library materials also recommend limited study-oriented uses such as clarifying concepts, summaries, explanations, practice, and productivity support, but these are framed as guidance rather than binding institutional rules
In certain situations, AI may be used as a learning tool or a study aid. Students who wish to use AI for legitimate educational purposes must have permission from a teacher or an administrator.
Students may use AI as authorized in their Individualized Education Program (IEP).
[ ] I use AI to clarify concepts, not to copy answers.
[ ] I ask AI for summaries, definitions, and explanations to build my understanding.
[ ] I use AI to practice (e.g., quiz me on history facts, explain math problems).
[ ] I use AI to break tasks into steps and set study schedules.
[ ] I ask AI for tips on productivity, studying, and time management.
Research
- The same checklist states that AI should not be cited as a primary source in academic research papers
- The college provides advisory guidance that AI may be used for idea generation, outlining, draft polishing, brainstorming, and grammar checking, but students should still write in their own voice and avoid full rewrites
[ ] I generate ideas or outlines with AI, then write in my own voice.
[ ] I do not cite AI as a primary source in academic research papers.
[ ] I use tools like Grammarly or ChatGPT to polish drafts, not to fully rewrite them.
[ ] I use AI as a writing assistant for brainstorming, outlining, or grammar checking.
- No explicit policy on grants, IRB applications, or formal research ethics declarations was identified in the provided sources
- The college gives advisory guidance for research integrity by instructing students to fact-check AI outputs with reliable sources and not to cite AI as a primary source in academic research papers
[ ] I fact-check AI responses using reliable sources (AI can make mistakes!).
[ ] I do not cite AI as a primary source in academic research papers.
Academic Integrity
- For students, an advisory checklist recommends citing AI tools whenever they assist with work
- For employees, a draft policy under review by the Board of Regents proposes that AI use should be appropriately disclosed when generating official college communications
- The student handbooks require instructor or teacher/administrator permission for certain AI uses but do not establish a uniform college-wide citation format for student submissions
[ ] I always cite AI tools when they assist me (e.g., "Assisted by ChatGPT, July 2025").
Transparency: When AI is used to generate official college communications, the use of AI should be appropriately disclosed.
9. Improperly using ChatGPT or similar AI tools on assignments without permission from instructors.
Students who wish to use AI for legitimate educational purposes must have permission from a teacher or an administrator.
- For dual enrollment students, schoolwork may be checked with AI content detectors and plagiarism recognition software
- Across the student conduct materials, undisclosed or unauthorized AI use is treated as cheating, plagiarism, or scholastic dishonesty and can lead to disciplinary action, including failing grades on assignments or examinations, removal from a program, probation, suspension, or expulsion
In order to ensure academic integrity, tests, assignments, projects, papers, and other schoolwork may be checked by AI content detectors and/or plagiarism recognition software.
The use of AI to take tests, complete assignments, create multimedia projects, write papers, or complete schoolwork without permission of a teacher or administrator is strictly prohibited. The use of AI for these purposes constitutes cheating or plagiarism.
Incidents of academic/scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary measures.
4. Scholastic penalties – Removal from a program or the assignment of a failing grade on an assignment or examination or in a course by an instructor based on scholastic dishonesty; including cheating, collusion, and plagiarism; committed by a student. The instructor shall submit a written report of the incident and of the planned action to the instructor’s dean.
5. Conditional Probation - The placing of a student on notice that continued infraction of regulationsmay result in suspension or expulsion from the College District.
6. Suspension - Forced withdrawal from the College District for either a definite period of time or until stated conditions have been met.
7. Expulsion - Permanent forced withdrawal from the College District.
Institutional & Administrative
- Faculty are encouraged to use AI to enhance teaching, and staff may use it for administrative tasks
- A draft policy, presented to the Board of Regents for a first reading, provides guidelines for employees
- The draft policy also includes confidentiality and data security rules and states that AI use in official college communications should be appropriately disclosed
Guidelines for Employees:
1. Enhancing Teaching and Learning: Faculty are encouraged to explore... AI to enhance...
2. Administrative Tasks: Employees may use AI tools to improve efficiency...
3. Confidentiality and Data Security: Employees must not input confidential or personally identifiable information (PII)... into public AI platforms.
4. Transparency: When AI is used to generate official college communications, the use of AI should be appropriately disclosed.
- In addition to advisory guidance for students, a draft policy under review by the Board of Regents establishes data security rules for employees
- This proposed policy states that employees must not input confidential or personally identifiable information (PII) into public AI platforms and that AI use must comply with FERPA, HIPAA, and other relevant data privacy regulations
Confidentiality and Data Security: Employees must not input confidential or personally identifiable information (PII)... into public AI platforms. Use of AI tools must comply with FERPA, HIPAA, and other relevant data privacy regulations.
[ ] I do not enter private information (e.g., student ID, passwords) into AI tools.
[ ] I'm cautious with AI tools that ask me to log in or connect to school systems.
[ ] I know that free tools may collect data-use trusted sources when possible.
- The college has a formal AI governance process underway
- A draft AI Policy, proposed by students, faculty, and administrators, has been presented to the Board of Regents for a first reading, indicating a structured approach to developing institutional AI guidance for classroom use and college business
4.13 Consideration of an AI Policy - FIRST READING: Recommendation: That the Board of Regents approve the first reading of an AI Policy as attached. ... The recommended policy was proposed by students, faculty, and administrators. The policy provides guidelines for use in the classroom and for college business by employees.
DocuMark: Responsible AI Use for Academic Integrity
Knowing your institution's AI policy is step one. DocuMark helps enforce it fairly by empowering universities to manage AI-generated content, prevent cheating, and support student writing through responsible AI use.
Common Questions About Alvin Community College's AI Policies
Alvin Community College has defined AI policies in 10 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 83%.
For students, an advisory checklist recommends citing AI tools whenever they assist with work. For employees, a draft policy under review by the Board of Regents proposes that AI use should be appropriately disclosed when generating official college communications. The student handbooks require instructor or teacher/administrator permission for certain AI uses but do not establish a uniform college-wide citation format for student submissions.
For dual enrollment students, schoolwork may be checked with AI content detectors and plagiarism recognition software. Across the student conduct materials, undisclosed or unauthorized AI use is treated as cheating, plagiarism, or scholastic dishonesty and can lead to disciplinary action, including failing grades on assignments or examinations, removal from a program, probation, suspension, or expulsion.
In addition to advisory guidance for students, a draft policy under review by the Board of Regents establishes data security rules for employees. This proposed policy states that employees must not input confidential or personally identifiable information (PII) into public AI platforms and that AI use must comply with FERPA, HIPAA, and other relevant data privacy regulations.