Teaching & Learning
- Aurora University says student use of AI in coursework is determined at the course level by each professor
- Students must follow the syllabus, and even when AI is allowed, submitted assignments must reflect the student's own thinking and creativity, with AI use acknowledged and cited
Each professor may have different rules regarding the use of AI tools—some may encourage their use for brainstorming, while others may prohibit them entirely. Your syllabus should outline each professor’s rules for using AI. If AI isn’t mentioned or you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out for clarification.
Regardless of whether or not you’re allowed to use AI in a course, the assignments you turn in should reflect your original thoughts and creativity. And, as always, you are expected to properly cite any sources used. This means, that if AI was used, you must acknowledge its contributions appropriately and understand that you remain responsible for the quality of your work.
The university expects students to do their own academic work. In addition, it expects active participation and equitable contributions of students involved in group assignments.
- Aurora University does not provide an AI-specific exam rule in the sources, but its academic integrity code prohibits unauthorized help and internet or electronic-device use during exams
- The AI use guidelines also state that AI assistance in assessments should be used cautiously with human oversight, which addresses institutional handling of assessments rather than student permission during exams
Cheating - Cheating is obtaining, using or attempting to use unauthorized
materials or information (e.g., notes, texts, or study aids) or help
from another person (e.g., looking at another student’s test paper, or
communicating with others during an exam via talking, notes, texts,
electronic devices or other study aids, unauthorized use of a cell phone
or the internet), in any work submitted for evaluation for academic
credit.
• AI assistance in grading, assessments, or admissions processes should be used cautiously,
ensuring human oversight.
- However, when students use AI in courses, whether it is allowed for study support depends on the professor's syllabus rules
- Aurora University describes AI as something faculty teach students to use to support learning, research, theory testing, and skill development
AU faculty are teaching students across disciplines how to use AI to inform rather than replace their work. Students are learning how to effectively use prompt generative AI tools to support data analysis and research, test theories, and even create art.
Each professor may have different rules regarding the use of AI tools—some may encourage their use for brainstorming, while others may prohibit them entirely. Your syllabus should outline each professor’s rules for using AI.
Research
- It also requires users to verify AI-generated content before using it in research-based work
- Aurora University requires AI-generated content in research papers and publications to be clearly disclosed, and says attribution should be provided where required
• AI-generated content should be clearly disclosed in academic assignments, research
papers, and publications pursuant to syllabi.
• Attribution: AI-generated content that uses public data should be appropriately attributed
where required.
• AI-generated content is not infallible. It may contain factual inaccuracies, logical
inconsistencies, or outdated information. Users must verify the accuracy of the content
through reputable sources and cross-reference key facts, especially in research-based
work or decision-making processes.
- Aurora University permits AI use to support data analysis and research, but places restrictions on the data used
- Restricted or internal/private research data must not be uploaded to publicly available AI tools, research involving such data must follow IRB and data-protection requirements, and third-party tools handling such data require ITS governance review
Students are learning how to effectively use prompt generative AI tools to support data analysis and research, test theories, and even create art.
• Restricted and Internal/Private Data: Any data that is confidential, restricted, or owned by
the university, including research data, student records, financial information, and
intellectual property.
• Data Security: Restricted, Internal/Private data should not be uploaded to publicly
available AI tools.
• Research and Innovation: AI use in research involving Restricted, Internal/Private data
must follow institutional review board (IRB) guidelines and data protection policies.
• Third-Party AI Tools: Any third-party AI tool used for processing Restricted,
Internal/Private data must undergo a security and compliance review by the ITS
Governance Group.
- Aurora University requires AI use to align with ethical research practices
- For research involving restricted or internal/private data, AI use must follow IRB guidelines and data protection policies, and outputs involving such data must be reviewed for intellectual-property implications before external dissemination
• Users must ensure that AI use aligns with academic integrity policies and does not
compromise ethical research practices.
• Research and Innovation: AI use in research involving Restricted, Internal/Private data
must follow institutional review board (IRB) guidelines and data protection policies.
• Intellectual Property (IP): AI-generated outputs involving Restricted, Internal/Private
data must be reviewed for potential IP ownership implications before external
dissemination.
Responsible AI use is crucial for maintaining academic integrity, data security, and ethical
research practices.
Academic Integrity
- Students are also expected to cite sources properly, acknowledge AI contributions when AI is used, and provide attribution where required
- Aurora University requires disclosure of AI-generated content in academic assignments, research papers, and publications, subject to syllabi
And, as always, you are expected to properly cite any sources used. This means, that if AI was used, you must acknowledge its contributions appropriately and understand that you remain responsible for the quality of your work. Proper citation is essential, and resources such as APA and MLA offer guidelines for attributing AI-generated content.
• Attribution: AI-generated content that uses public data should be appropriately attributed
where required.
• AI-generated content should be clearly disclosed in academic assignments, research
papers, and publications pursuant to syllabi.
- Aurora University uses Turnitin for plagiarism and AI writing detection when instructors require it, but its own guidance warns that Turnitin's AI detection is not always accurate
- Suspected academic integrity violations are reported through formal procedures, documented with sanctions consistent with the course syllabus, and can lead to disciplinary action under university policy
Turnitin is utilized for academic integrity purposes when required by course instructors. Students submit papers through Turnitin for plagiarism detection and AI writing detection.
The last icon is utilized for AI detection and identifies if AI usage is suspected by Turnitin. Please note that this feature is not always accurate.
Suspected cases of academic integrity violation should be reported to the
course instructor, the administration of the school or department under
whose jurisdiction the suspected offense took place, or to the Academic
Affairs office (and will be addressed using the procedures set forth in this
Policy Statement and Policy Statement F3 below (p. 02)).
1. The faculty member will report the violation to the Office of Academic
Affairs or University Registrar via the official electronic reporting
system. This report will include a written summary of the violation;
the consequences and sanctions resulting from the violation
consistent with the policies stated within the course syllabus;
and any interactions with the student regarding the violation.
• Violations of these guidelines may result in disciplinary action in accordance with
university policies.
Institutional & Administrative
- Aurora University's AI use guidelines apply to faculty and staff generally and require compliance with university policy, law, and ethics
- For assessment-related uses, AI assistance in grading and similar processes must be used cautiously with human oversight, and instructors are required to communicate course expectations through a syllabus
• AI tools must be used in compliance with university policies, applicable laws, and ethical
standards.
• Faculty, staff, and students should be aware of AI limitations, potential biases, and the
implications of AI-generated outputs.
• AI assistance in grading, assessments, or admissions processes should be used cautiously,
ensuring human oversight.
Scope: All full-time and part-time faculty.
Instructors of record are required to
Develop a syllabus for every course, regardless of delivery method (e.g. traditional,
online, hybrid, etc.)
Post the syllabus electronically on Moodle on or before the first scheduled day of
class.
- Aurora University has university-wide AI data protection rules and an approved AI tools list
- Restricted or internal/private data must not be uploaded to publicly available AI tools; third-party tools processing such data require ITS security and compliance review; and the approved tools list specifies allowed data types and prohibited examples for each platform
If you are unsure if your data should be entered into an AI tool, please contact ITS first. You are
responsible for work generated with AI tools. Please refer to the AU Approved AI Tool list for
the current list of AI tools approved at AU.
• Restricted and Internal/Private Data: Any data that is confidential, restricted, or owned by
the university, including research data, student records, financial information, and
intellectual property.
• Data Security: Restricted, Internal/Private data should not be uploaded to publicly
available AI tools.
• Third-Party AI Tools: Any third-party AI tool used for processing Restricted,
Internal/Private data must undergo a security and compliance review by the ITS
Governance Group.
Aurora University Approved AI Tools List
Below are the currently approved applications and their permitted data types.
ChatGPT Public
Public datasets, company press
releases, non-confidential academic
publications, course outlines
Confidential school
documents, protected health
information (PHI), Internal
company reports
Aurora University
ChatGPT Edu Instance Public, Internal
Internal meeting notes, information
currently in your AU O365 account,
course outlines. Information from your
X and H drives.
Credit card information, highly
confidential financial, PHI and
HR data.
- Aurora University states that it is advancing AI literacy across students, faculty, and staff and aims to support ethical and responsible AI use in classrooms, work, and daily life
- Its AI use guidelines present a university framework for responsible integration of AI into university operations, and ITS governance is involved in reviewing certain third-party AI uses involving restricted data
At Aurora University, we are working to advance AI literacy by empowering our students, faculty, and staff with the knowledge and skills to use AI tools and resources in ethical and responsible ways—in the classroom, in career preparation, and in daily life for the better.
Our goal is to make AI a seamless vehicle for elevating human capacity and connections.
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to enhance research, teaching, and administrative
processes, Aurora University recognizes the need for clear guidelines to ensure responsible AI
use.
Responsible AI use is crucial for maintaining academic integrity, data security, and ethical
research practices. These guidelines provide a framework to support the responsible integration
of AI into university operations while protecting institutional and individual interests.
• Third-Party AI Tools: Any third-party AI tool used for processing Restricted,
Internal/Private data must undergo a security and compliance review by the ITS
Governance Group.
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 Aurora University's AI Policies
Aurora University has defined AI policies in 11 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 92%.
Aurora University requires disclosure of AI-generated content in academic assignments, research papers, and publications, subject to syllabi. Students are also expected to cite sources properly, acknowledge AI contributions when AI is used, and provide attribution where required.
Aurora University uses Turnitin for plagiarism and AI writing detection when instructors require it, but its own guidance warns that Turnitin's AI detection is not always accurate. Suspected academic integrity violations are reported through formal procedures, documented with sanctions consistent with the course syllabus, and can lead to disciplinary action under university policy.
Aurora University has university-wide AI data protection rules and an approved AI tools list. Restricted or internal/private data must not be uploaded to publicly available AI tools; third-party tools processing such data require ITS security and compliance review; and the approved tools list specifies allowed data types and prohibited examples for each platform.