Teaching & Learning
- AI use for coursework is set at instructor discretion through course syllabi rather than by a single uniform student rule
- APSU provides syllabus language showing that instructors may fully allow AI with documentation and citation, allow limited use with prior approval and disclosure, or prohibit AI entirely for assignments and projects
Statement on the Use of AI (examples below)
Full AI Usage with Documentation and Citation
Students are permitted and encouraged to use AI tools, such as ChatGPT, for assistance in completing assignments, projects, and other coursework. However, it is mandatory to document and cite the AI tools used, including the specific prompts and outputs. All AI-generated content must be appropriately referenced, much like any other source. Proper attribution is required to maintain academic integrity.
Conditional AI Usage
Students may use AI tools, such as ChatGPT, under specific circumstances with prior approval from the instructor. AI can be used for brainstorming, idea generation, or to gain a better understanding of complex concepts. However, AI tools should not be used to write or complete assignments, projects, or exams in their entirety. When AI assistance is utilized, students must disclose the extent of its use and provide proper citations.
Prohibition of AI Usage
The use of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, is strictly prohibited for all assignments, projects, exams, and other coursework in this class. All work submitted must be your original creation.
In academic teaching applications, faculty must establish clear guidelines for the application or restriction of GAI in their courses through their syllabi including the need for citation and/or disclosure.
- Use of AI in exams is also left to instructor course policy
- APSU's sample syllabus language includes one option that forbids AI for exams and another that says AI should not be used to complete exams in their entirety, while the faculty handbook requires instructors to state their course restrictions in the syllabus
Students may use AI tools, such as ChatGPT, under specific circumstances with prior approval from the instructor. AI can be used for brainstorming, idea generation, or to gain a better understanding of complex concepts. However, AI tools should not be used to write or complete assignments, projects, or exams in their entirety. When AI assistance is utilized, students must disclose the extent of its use and provide proper citations.
The use of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, is strictly prohibited for all assignments, projects, exams, and other coursework in this class.
In academic teaching applications, faculty must establish clear guidelines for the application or restriction of GAI in their courses through their syllabi including the need for citation and/or disclosure.
- APSU permits AI for learning support when instructors allow it and frames the Writing Center as a place to help students use AI responsibly
- The syllabus examples specifically allow AI for brainstorming, idea generation, and understanding complex concepts with instructor approval, and Writing Center materials say students can get guidance on using Gen AI in ways that support academic integrity
Students may use AI tools, such as ChatGPT, under specific circumstances with prior approval from the instructor. AI can be used for brainstorming, idea generation, or to gain a better understanding of complex concepts.
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Research
- Research-related AI use is therefore acknowledged at the faculty-guideline level rather than defined in detail here
- The university states that faculty must create guidelines for proper AI use in research and creative activities, but the provided sources do not set a specific university-wide rule for using AI to draft or edit research manuscripts, theses, or dissertations
Faculty must follow and create guidelines that ensure the safe, effective, and proper use of Generative Artificial Intelligence tools in teaching, research and creative activities, and other work products.
- The provided sources do not define rules for using AI in research data collection, analysis, statistics, or synthetic data generation
- The only related statement is that faculty guidelines must ensure safe and proper AI use in research activities and protect restricted and private data
Faculty must follow and create guidelines that ensure the safe, effective, and proper use of Generative Artificial Intelligence tools in teaching, research and creative activities, and other work products.
Faculty are responsible for fair use of GAI technologies including the security of restricted and private data as indicated in policy 1:029.
- However, the provided sources do not specifically address grant proposals, IRB submissions, or formal ethics declarations
- APSU links AI use in research to academic integrity, originality, responsible use, and data security, and requires faculty to set guidelines for research applications
The purpose of policy 1:029 Generative Artificial Intelligence at APSU is to guide the use of GAI tools, such as language models, deep learning algorithms, or other similar technologies while maintaining academic integrity, promoting originality, and fostering responsible use of GAI technology.
Faculty must follow and create guidelines that ensure the safe, effective, and proper use of Generative Artificial Intelligence tools in teaching, research and creative activities, and other work products.
Faculty are responsible for fair use of GAI technologies including the security of restricted and private data as indicated in policy 1:029.
Academic Integrity
- Where instructors allow AI, APSU requires disclosure and citation through course policies
- The sample syllabus language requires students to document and cite the AI tools used, including prompts and outputs, and the faculty handbook says syllabi must address citation and/or disclosure
However, it is mandatory to document and cite the AI tools used, including the specific prompts and outputs. All AI-generated content must be appropriately referenced, much like any other source. Proper attribution is required to maintain academic integrity.
When AI assistance is utilized, students must disclose the extent of its use and provide proper citations.
Example: If you use AI to help generate ideas for a research paper, you must note this in your submission and provide a brief summary of how AI was used.
In academic teaching applications, faculty must establish clear guidelines for the application or restriction of GAI in their courses through their syllabi including the need for citation and/or disclosure.
- Undisclosed or unauthorized AI use is treated as academic integrity misconduct under course policies, and students must be told the consequences in the syllabus
- APSU allows instructors to use Turnitin AI detection, but it states that AI detection results are not enough on their own to determine misconduct or grading action
Turnitin offers AI detection capabilities that go a step further by also filtering text likely paraphrased using AI or a word spinner, in addition to detecting text that is likely to be AI-generated. Instructors can access this AI detection tool as part of their Turnitin Feedback Studio usage.
"The final decision on whether any misconduct has occurred rests with the reviewer/instructor. Turnitin does not make a determination of misconduct, rather it provides data for the educators to make an informed decision based on their academic and institutional policies."
"We must emphasize that the percentage on the AI writing indicator should not be used as the sole basis for action or a definitive grading measure by instructors."
"Turnitin’s AI writing & paraphrasing features provide data and insight to enable educators to start a formative conversation with their students in conjunction with their academic misconduct policies."
Misuse of AI, such as presenting AI-generated content as entirely your own without proper citation, will be considered plagiarism and subject to academic penalties.
Unauthorized or undisclosed use of AI will be treated as a violation of academic integrity.
The unauthorized use of AI will be considered academic dishonesty and subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to, receiving a failing grade on the assignment or in the course.
Students must also be advised of the consequences of violations through unauthorized and inappropriate use of GAI technologies, including the potential penalties for this academic misconduct.
Institutional & Administrative
- APSU expects faculty to govern AI use in their courses and research, and it is investing in AI training for both faculty and staff
- Faculty must create course guidelines for AI use or restriction, and the university has launched structured training programs to help faculty and staff integrate AI in teaching and workplace settings
Faculty must follow and create guidelines that ensure the safe, effective, and proper use of Generative Artificial Intelligence tools in teaching, research and creative activities, and other work products.
In academic teaching applications, faculty must establish clear guidelines for the application or restriction of GAI in their courses through their syllabi including the need for citation and/or disclosure.
Faculty are responsible for fair use of GAI technologies including the security of restricted and private data as indicated in policy 1:029.
Faculty Focus – Implementation of structured training programs to help faculty understand, explore and integrate AI tools into curriculum and teaching practices.
Staff Focus – Training to implement AI in workplace environments to support student success in a structured, risk-aware environment.
- The provided sources require attention to data security when faculty use AI and describe staff AI implementation as occurring in a risk-aware environment
- They do not identify a university-wide approved platform list in the accessible text, but they do state that restricted and private data must be protected
Faculty are responsible for fair use of GAI technologies including the security of restricted and private data as indicated in policy 1:029.
Staff Focus – Training to implement AI in workplace environments to support student success in a structured, risk-aware environment.
- APSU has an institutional AI governance and strategy structure centered on an AI Task Force, a formal generative AI policy, and a campus-wide strategic investment in training and integration
- The university states that the task force was created in Spring 2024 to examine AI's impact on higher education and APSU specifically, and later announced a three-phased strategic approach for faculty, staff, and students
In Spring of 2024, a task force was created to examine the impact of the changes on higher education and specifically Austin Peay State University.
The purpose of this webspace is to share the work of the Task Force and to highlight the innovations and workshops happening across campus as APSU integrates this new and exciting technology into our teaching, learning, and workforce best practices.
The purpose of policy 1:029 Generative Artificial Intelligence at APSU is to guide the use of GAI tools, such as language models, deep learning algorithms, or other similar technologies while maintaining academic integrity, promoting originality, and fostering responsible use of GAI technology.
Austin Peay State University announced today a strategic $51,000 investment in artificial intelligence training and integration across campus, following Board of Trustees approval on April 11. This initiative will support comprehensive AI education programs for students, faculty and staff as part of the university’s commitment to preparing graduates for an AI-driven workforce.
The investment establishes a three-phased strategic approach that aligns with Tennessee’s AI initiatives while supporting the university’s “Experience Austin Peay” strategic plan:
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 Austin Peay State University's AI Policies
Austin Peay State University has defined AI policies in 11 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 92%.
Where instructors allow AI, APSU requires disclosure and citation through course policies. The sample syllabus language requires students to document and cite the AI tools used, including prompts and outputs, and the faculty handbook says syllabi must address citation and/or disclosure.
APSU allows instructors to use Turnitin AI detection, but it states that AI detection results are not enough on their own to determine misconduct or grading action. Undisclosed or unauthorized AI use is treated as academic integrity misconduct under course policies, and students must be told the consequences in the syllabus.
The provided sources require attention to data security when faculty use AI and describe staff AI implementation as occurring in a risk-aware environment. They do not identify a university-wide approved platform list in the accessible text, but they do state that restricted and private data must be protected.