Teaching & Learning
- Use of generative AI in graded coursework is governed by instructor discretion
- The college states that students may use AI tools only when the professor has specifically authorized it for the assignment; otherwise, submitting AI-generated work as one's own is treated as academic misconduct
if students are to use generative AI to aid in completing assignments, the professor should provide this information on assignment instructions and in the syllabus.
Unauthorized use of technologies, including unauthorized use of generative AI, to complete or aid in the completion of any assigned work or assessment is considered a form of academic misconduct.
Any student who submits work generated in part or whole by an artificial intelligence (AI) system as his/her own work without permission from the professor is considered to have committed an act of scholastic dishonesty.
The use of AI in courses should be specifically stated in assignment instructions and syllabi, in accordance with Atlantic Cape's Academic Integrity policy.
- AI use in exams and assessments is not generally permitted unless authorized by the professor
- The academic integrity policy explicitly treats unauthorized use of generative AI to complete or help complete an assessment as misconduct
Unauthorized use of technologies, including unauthorized use of generative AI, to complete or aid in the completion of any assigned work or assessment is considered a form of academic misconduct.
- These recommendations are advisory rather than a formal blanket permission rule, and course-level limits still apply
- The college recommends limited, supportive uses of AI for learning, such as brainstorming, tutoring-style explanation, and grammar help, but warns students to verify accuracy and avoid overreliance
AC's librarians generally recommend that students not use AI writing tools to complete assignments. Here are some examples of ways to use AI that can support your work and learning:
Brainstorming: Help come up with ideas for a topic.
Practice: Help create practice tests and quizzes.
Tutoring: Ask AI to explain difficult concepts or to summarize something you don't understand.
Grammar: Use AI to identify grammatical errors and offer suggestions on your writing.
Research: Some AI tools can help identify keywords and build search strategies for information gathering.
Remember, AI tools are not always accurate. The information they generate can be fabricated and the sources they cite can be fake or incorrect. Always verify the information you receive from an AI tool before using it. Also keep in mind that using AI too heavily can weaken your critical thinking skills and keep you from really learning.
Research
Academic Integrity
- When AI use is allowed, the college requires transparency through course documents and citation of AI-generated material
- Students are directed to disclose use according to the professor's instructions and syllabus, and the library guidance states that words produced by AI must be cited because they are not the student's own
if students are to use generative AI to aid in completing assignments, the professor should provide this information on assignment instructions and in the syllabus.
If you are allowed to use AI in your classes, check your course syllabus and assignment instructions to determine the extent to which and in what ways AI can be used.
The words generated by an AI program are not your own, so when using AI-generated words, those words need to be cited to avoid plagiarism and acknowledge the source.
- Undisclosed or unauthorized AI use is enforced through the college's academic misconduct process
- The policy states that such use counts as scholastic dishonesty, allows instructors to impose academic sanctions including failing work or course grades, and permits further disciplinary sanctions under student conduct procedures
Unauthorized use of technologies, including unauthorized use of generative AI, to complete or aid in the completion of any assigned work or assessment is considered a form of academic misconduct.
Any student who submits work generated in part or whole by an artificial intelligence (AI) system as his/her own work without permission from the professor is considered to have committed an act of scholastic dishonesty.
Academic sanctions, as listed in the course syllabi and as appropriate to the severity of the misconduct, may include: a reduced or failing grade for the assignment or assessment; a reduced or failing grade for the course.
The Assistant Dean of Student Conduct reserves the right to issue disciplinary sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion from the College, if the student's conduct also constitutes a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Institutional & Administrative
- Faculty are expected to set course-specific rules for student AI use in syllabi and assignment instructions
- The library guidance also states that faculty should tell students how AI may be used in a course and points instructors to separate generative AI guidance, but it does not establish a broader binding rule for staff administrative uses such as grading or recommendation letters in the provided sources
if students are to use generative AI to aid in completing assignments, the professor should provide this information on assignment instructions and in the syllabus.
The use of AI in courses should be specifically stated in assignment instructions and syllabi, in accordance with Atlantic Cape's Academic Integrity policy.
Faculty should identify in their syllabi and assignment instructions their expectations and requirements concerning the use of AI in a course. Faculty can find additional information in Atlantic Cape's Generative AI guide.
- The college prohibits entering sensitive institutional data into public AI systems without authorization and restricts use based on data classification
- Public data may be used with approved public generative AI tools when vetted and compliant, but confidential, restricted, and sensitive information require higher safeguards, an approved contract, or are prohibited entirely in such tools
No Public Generative AI Tools can be used for restricted or confidential data unless there is a contract agreement in place and there has been a security review that has approved that data to be used with an AI tool.
No public generative AI tools can be used for Sensitive data.
For Public data: Public data can be used with approved public GenAI tools, in accordance with Policy 401.1. Public data does not require special handling but must still be vetted for accuracy, copyright, and compliance with any applicable laws or institutional guidelines.
For Confidential Data: Confidential Data can not be used with public GenAI tools unless there is a contract agreement and approved through a security review.
For Restricted Data: Restricted data can not be used with public GenAI unless there is a contract agreement and approved through a security review.
For Sensitive Data: Sensitive data can not be used with public GenAI tools under any circumstances.
Atlantic Cape Community College data cannot be copied, provided, modified, or deleted without authorization. Sensitive or personal information may not be stored on non-college-owned devices or systems without explicit approval.
- The college has an institutional governance document for generative AI that sets principles for acceptable use and assigns oversight responsibilities
- It states that IT and Information Security oversee compliance and updates, and frames use around alignment with legal, ethical, and college policy requirements
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the use of public generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools at Atlantic Cape Community College. It aims to ensure GenAI is used in ways that align with institutional values, legal and ethical standards, cybersecurity requirements, and applicable laws and policies, while protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of College data.
The Information Technology Services (ITS) Department, in collaboration with the Information Security Officer, is responsible for overseeing compliance with this policy, conducting reviews of approved GenAI tools and implementations, and updating standards and procedures as necessary.
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 Atlantic Cape Community College's AI Policies
Atlantic Cape Community College has defined AI policies in 8 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 67%.
When AI use is allowed, the college requires transparency through course documents and citation of AI-generated material. Students are directed to disclose use according to the professor's instructions and syllabus, and the library guidance states that words produced by AI must be cited because they are not the student's own.
Undisclosed or unauthorized AI use is enforced through the college's academic misconduct process. The policy states that such use counts as scholastic dishonesty, allows instructors to impose academic sanctions including failing work or course grades, and permits further disciplinary sanctions under student conduct procedures.
The college prohibits entering sensitive institutional data into public AI systems without authorization and restricts use based on data classification. Public data may be used with approved public generative AI tools when vetted and compliant, but confidential, restricted, and sensitive information require higher safeguards, an approved contract, or are prohibited entirely in such tools.