Teaching & Learning
- In the PA Program, student use of generative AI for coursework is at instructor discretion
- AI is permitted only when an assignment explicitly allows it or when the student has prior written approval from the instructor; otherwise it is prohibited
Generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and similar platforms) may be used to support your learning when employed ethically and transparently. AI use is permitted only for assignments that explicitly allow it in the instructions OR with prior written approval from your instructor. If you are unsure whether AI use is appropriate for a specific assignment, contact your instructor before proceeding. When in doubt, ask for clarification rather than assume permission.
Generative AI tools are strictly prohibited for:
* Any assignment or assessment not explicitly designated as AI-permitted
- Butler also lists secure testing and proctoring systems used to support academic integrity in exams
- In the PA Program, generative AI is prohibited in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations and in any assignment or assessment not explicitly marked as AI-permitted
Generative AI tools are strictly prohibited for:
* Any component of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), including but not limited to history and physical examinations, diagnostic study selection, case presentations and staffing, patient education components, and clinical documentation or notes
* Medical documentation submitted for evaluation, including patient notes, case write-ups, and clinical assessments
* Any assignment or assessment not explicitly designated as AI-permitted
Proctorio is a secure testing tool that provides online proctoring with identity verification, test monitoring, lock-down browser components, and other features to support academic integrity.
During the summer of 2019, the PA and Pharmacy Programs began transitioning the delivery of assessments from traditional paper-based exams to computer-based exams utilizing ExamSoft. ExamSoft is a secure testing platform
- In the PA Program, generative AI may be used for learning support when used ethically and transparently, and the handbook gives specific permitted study-related examples
- These include brainstorming, organizing study materials, generating practice questions, and explaining concepts, but only when the assignment permits AI or the instructor has approved it
Generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and similar platforms) may be used to support your learning when employed ethically and transparently.
For assignments that explicitly allow AI tools or when you have received instructor approval, follow these guidelines:
Appropriate Use Examples
• Brainstorming ideas or study approaches
• Creating study schedules or organizing materials
• Improving writing clarity and organization
• Generating practice questions for self-study
• Explaining complex concepts to check your understanding
Research
- The provided research-compliance source does not define an AI-specific research ethics rule
- It addresses research compliance generally, while the generative AI resource states that the working group's material is guidance rather than the university's official position
The following information reflects the working group’s perspective on generative AI and does not represent the official position of Butler University on this topic.
Academic Integrity
- In the PA Program, disclosure is required whenever AI use is permitted
- Students must state which tool they used, how they used it, and which parts of the submission involved AI assistance
Required Disclosure
You must include a brief statement with your submission specifying which AI tool(s) you used, how you used them (e.g., “Used ChatGPT to help organize my outline and improve sentence clarity”), and what portions of your work involved AI assistance.
- Butler also identifies Proctorio as an online proctoring tool that supports academic integrity
- Butler's student handbook states that student work must be the student's own and defines breaches of academic integrity broadly
- In the PA Program, heavy reliance on AI-generated content without acknowledgment is treated as plagiarism, and violations may lead to assignment failure, course failure, conduct referral, and/or academic probation
In the area of academic integrity, this means that one’s work should be one’s own and that the instructor’s evaluation should be based on the student’s own efforts and understanding.
Your final submission must reflect your own personal work, understanding, analysis, and effort. Work that relies heavily on AI-generated content without proper acknowledgment constitutes plagiarism.
Consequences: Violations of this policy will be treated as academic misconduct and may result in assignment failure, course failure, referral to the Student Professional Conduct Committee, and/or academic probation.
Proctorio is a secure testing tool that provides online proctoring with identity verification, test monitoring, lock-down browser components, and other features to support academic integrity.
Institutional & Administrative
- The AI framework is presented as guidance developed for faculty and staff rather than an official university policy
- Butler provides faculty-facing AI guidance for teaching and learning, but the provided sources do not set a specific binding rule for faculty use in grading, feedback, recommendation letters, or administrative communications
In Spring 2024, the Provost’s Office convened a working group of faculty and staff to develop guidance around the use of generative AI in teaching and learning. The group met several times throughout spring and summer semesters. The following information reflects the working group’s perspective on generative AI and does not represent the official position of Butler University on this topic.
The idea of a GAI framework arose from faculty requests for guidance on ethical GAI use. After collecting feedback at the 2024 Celebration of Innovation in Teaching and Learning on a first iteration of GAI guidelines, Butler University’s GAI Faculty/Staff Workgroup developed this Framework to provide a roadmap for Butler faculty to navigate the GAI landscape.
The content of the Framework offers essential guidance on ethical use and responsible integration of GAI into higher education. It outlines key principles, ethical considerations, and practical strategies for incorporating GAI into teaching, development, and more.
- Butler identifies institutionally supported tools and requires review before new Canvas-integrated tools are approved
- The approval process includes security, FERPA, legal, and other reviews, but the provided sources do not state an AI-specific data classification rule or a university-wide approved generative AI platform policy
## BU-supported tools include:
All new tool requests for Canvas LTIs must go through the LTI approval process. The approval process for each tool will include reviews for Functionality, Accessibility, Security, FERPA, Legal, Cost, as well as other factors.
Depending on the settings selected by instructors, Proctorio may record students’ webcam, screen, room, or other behaviors during the exam session and share that information with the instructor. Proctorio has taken great measures to protect student privacy.
- The faculty framework is described as a roadmap and as part of an iterative, regularly reviewed process
- Butler has an AI working-group structure and an evolving guidance effort rather than a stated official university AI policy
- The Provost's Office convened a faculty and staff working group, and Butler describes participation in an all-campus AI program to increase effective adoption
In Spring 2024, the Provost’s Office convened a working group of faculty and staff to develop guidance around the use of generative AI in teaching and learning.
The following information reflects the working group’s perspective on generative AI and does not represent the official position of Butler University on this topic.
This year, Butler University is participating in a program hosted by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) designed to foster learning, share resources, and increase effective adoption related to artificial intelligence (AI).
The idea of a GAI framework arose from faculty requests for guidance on ethical GAI use. After collecting feedback at the 2024 Celebration of Innovation in Teaching and Learning on a first iteration of GAI guidelines, Butler University’s GAI Faculty/Staff Workgroup developed this Framework to provide a roadmap for Butler faculty to navigate the GAI landscape.
As GAI rapidly evolves, the Framework will be regularly reviewed to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness in supporting faculty in creating a future-ready learning environment ethically.
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 Butler University's AI Policies
Butler University has defined AI policies in 9 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 75%.
In the PA Program, disclosure is required whenever AI use is permitted. Students must state which tool they used, how they used it, and which parts of the submission involved AI assistance.
Butler's student handbook states that student work must be the student's own and defines breaches of academic integrity broadly. In the PA Program, heavy reliance on AI-generated content without acknowledgment is treated as plagiarism, and violations may lead to assignment failure, course failure, conduct referral, and/or academic probation. Butler also identifies Proctorio as an online proctoring tool that supports academic integrity.
Butler identifies institutionally supported tools and requires review before new Canvas-integrated tools are approved. The approval process includes security, FERPA, legal, and other reviews, but the provided sources do not state an AI-specific data classification rule or a university-wide approved generative AI platform policy.