Teaching & Learning
- AI use may be allowed only when it is permitted and appropriately attributed or cited
- For student coursework and assignments, unauthorized use of AI-writing tools is prohibited under the university's academic integrity policy
The academic community, therefore, does not tolerate any form of “cheating” – the dishonest use of assistance in the preparation or submission of outside or in-class assignments. Violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action.
• unauthorized use of AI-writing tools or programs, and/or the permitted use of such tools without appropriate attribution or citation;
- The university does not state an AI-specific exam rule, but its academic integrity policy prohibits dishonest assistance on exams and misuse of sources during quizzes or exams
- Unauthorized AI-writing tool use is also listed as an academic integrity violation, so AI use in assessed work is not allowed when unauthorized or when not properly attributed if permitted
• inappropriate use of sources (e.g., cellphones) during a quiz or exam, etc.;
• unauthorized use of AI-writing tools or programs, and/or the permitted use of such tools without appropriate attribution or citation;
• misappropriation of examination materials or information;
• giving illicit aid on exams, papers, or projects or any other class submissions.
- This is presented as teaching-and-learning guidance rather than a binding university-wide student policy
- Bryant provides guidance and resources that support AI use for learning, including examples of AI acting as tutors, coaches, peers, and teammates
Many AI users default to using it as a search engine, simply generating content based on questions. Instead, think about ways that AI can scale previously hard to access experiences, such as taking on the role of tutors, coaches, peers, and teammates.
Research
- Separately, the library states that some subscribed databases do not permit uploading vendor content or data into external AI systems
- Bryant's AI data-use guideline allows public information and non-sensitive internal data to be entered into generative AI tools for university-related work, but prohibits sensitive or confidential information and requires data minimization and anonymization
When using generative AI tools, adhere to the following principles to protect sensitive information:
1. Minimize Data Exposure: Only input data that is essential for the task at hand. Do not include sensitive or confidential information.
2. Anonymize Data: Anonymize data by removing or altering personal identifiers.
1. Public Information: Data that is publicly available or intended for public dissemination. Examples include published research, public datasets, and open-source materials.
2. Non-sensitive Internal Data: Internal data that is not confidential or personally identifiable. Examples include publicly available course descriptions or schedules.
The Bryant University subscription does not permit the use or uploading of Mintel content or data into external applications, software or websites that use AI technology including ChatGPT, Bing AI, and Google Bard.
(Bryant University subscription) does not permit you to use or upload content you receive through LexisNexis (parent company of Nexis Uni) into external applications, bots, software or websites, including those using artificial intelligence technologies such as large language models and generative AI.
- Bryant does not set AI-specific rules for grant proposals, IRB applications, or ethics declarations in the provided sources
- Its research integrity policy defines research misconduct broadly as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting research, and its human-subjects guidance requires ethical, safe, and confidential research design with IRB review in cases where review must or should be sought
Research misconduct - means a fabrication, falsification or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. It does not include honest error or differences of opinion.
Fabrication - is making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
Falsification - is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record.
Plagiarism - is the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.
These guidelines exist to:
1. help ensure the protection of human participants used in research projects,
2. provide guidance to researchers in the design of experiments to ensure that the information being sought will be obtained in an ethical, safe, and confidential manner, and
3. provide a process that encourages the review of experimental protocols by knowledgeable individuals who are not directly involved in the research.
Academic Integrity
- Bryant also provides CTE resources with sample syllabus statements and style-guide information for citing AI use
- When AI use is permitted, Bryant requires appropriate attribution or citation; using permitted AI without attribution is an academic integrity violation
• unauthorized use of AI-writing tools or programs, and/or the permitted use of such tools without appropriate attribution or citation;
The CTE created Generative Artificial Intelligence for Teaching & Learning Digital Guide provides sample syllabus statements and style guide information for citing AI use.
- Bryant supports use of Turnitin and Respondus LockDown Browser as academic integrity tools
- Undisclosed or unauthorized AI use can be treated as an academic integrity violation, and the university states that such violations are subject to disciplinary action; instructors are responsible for acting on alleged violations and may penalize a student up to failure in the course and expulsion from the class
Explore CTE-supported tools for supporting academic integrity:
* Turnitin: creates Similarity Reports that compare student submissions against a vast repository of submitted papers, assignments, published journals and articles, and internet content.
* Respondus LockDown Browser: a secure browser application that restricts students' ability to navigate away from their Canvas New Quiz. LockDown Browser must be used with a Canvas New Quiz.
The academic community, therefore, does not tolerate any form of “cheating” – the dishonest use of assistance in the preparation or submission of outside or in-class assignments. Violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action.
• unauthorized use of AI-writing tools or programs, and/or the permitted use of such tools without appropriate attribution or citation;
Instructors have the explicit responsibility to take action in alleged Academic Integrity violations if the incident occurs with respect to a particular course. The instructor may penalize the student up to and including failure in the course and consequent expulsion from the class.
Institutional & Administrative
- Bryant provides consultation, workshops, and resources for faculty and staff who want to use generative AI in teaching and work
- The university also offers AI chatbots for faculty and staff use, including a branding-focused tool, but the provided sources do not set a detailed policy for grading, recommendation letters, or similar faculty functions
The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) provides consultation services and customized workshops for faculty and staff interested in using Generative AI.
Topics include:
* Understanding Generative AI on the trajectory of AI development
* Identifying use cases for effective Generative AI implementation
* Building AI-aware assignments
* Teaching with Generative AI
* Developing policies for ethical classroom use
* Identifying Bryant-supported Generative AI tools
Brand Guru is an AI-powered chatbot developed in collaboration with alliantDigital. The chatbot is based on OpenAI’s GPT-4o and assists faculty and staff in writing to branding pillars.
- The guideline recommends Copilot as the primary generative AI tool at Bryant and states it is the only known tool with the listed protective features at the time of publication
- Bryant has an institution-wide AI data-use guideline for faculty, staff, and student workers that requires minimizing data exposure, excluding sensitive or confidential information, anonymizing personal identifiers, and using tools aligned with university privacy and security standards
These guidelines apply to all faculty, staff, and student workers and cover the use of generative AI tools in all university-related work and activities.
When using generative AI tools, adhere to the following principles to protect sensitive information:
1. Minimize Data Exposure: Only input data that is essential for the task at hand. Do not include sensitive or confidential information.
2. Anonymize Data: Anonymize data by removing or altering personal identifiers.
3. Understand Tool Capabilities: Be aware of the data privacy and security measures of the AI tool being used. Ensure its policies align with university standards and legal requirements as described in Bryant's Acceptable Use, Data Classification, Data Encryption, Digital Privacy, and Storage Guidelines.
1. Public Information: Data that is publicly available or intended for public dissemination. Examples include published research, public datasets, and open-source materials.
2. Non-sensitive Internal Data: Internal data that is not confidential or personally identifiable. Examples include publicly available course descriptions or schedules.
As of the time of publication of this guideline, Microsoft Bing Chat Enterprise (now referred to as simply Copilot) is the only known generative AI tool designed with several features to protect data and ensure that the information processed is not uploaded to the generative AI database.
Due to these features and the fact that this version of Copilot is part of our Microsoft campus agreement and available to all faculty, staff, and students, it is recommended that Copilot be used as the primary generative AI tool at Bryant.
- Bryant presents AI as a strategic institutional initiative tied to Vision 2030 and describes university efforts to develop AI guidelines and guardrails through partnerships and faculty projects
- The provided sources show institution-level coordination through Information Services and the Center for Teaching Excellence, but they do not identify a formal AI committee or governance body by name
Vision 2030, our strategic plan, is evolving the Bryant experience.
Bryant University joins Ithaka S+R’s two-year study, Making AI Generative for Higher Education, to help develop guidelines and guardrails for using generative AI in colleges and universities.
Bryant University faculty, with CTE support and a Davis Foundation grant, are exploring ethical and instructional uses of AI in research and classrooms under new academic guidelines.
These resources will help the Bryant community understand generative AI tools and the safeguards required to keep data safe. In addition, training and informational material will be regularly distributed and updated by Bryant's Information Services division as well as the Center for Teaching Excellence.
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 Bryant University's AI Policies
Bryant University has defined AI policies in 10 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 83%.
When AI use is permitted, Bryant requires appropriate attribution or citation; using permitted AI without attribution is an academic integrity violation. Bryant also provides CTE resources with sample syllabus statements and style-guide information for citing AI use.
Bryant supports use of Turnitin and Respondus LockDown Browser as academic integrity tools. Undisclosed or unauthorized AI use can be treated as an academic integrity violation, and the university states that such violations are subject to disciplinary action; instructors are responsible for acting on alleged violations and may penalize a student up to failure in the course and expulsion from the class.
Bryant has an institution-wide AI data-use guideline for faculty, staff, and student workers that requires minimizing data exposure, excluding sensitive or confidential information, anonymizing personal identifiers, and using tools aligned with university privacy and security standards. The guideline recommends Copilot as the primary generative AI tool at Bryant and states it is the only known tool with the listed protective features at the time of publication.