Teaching & Learning
- Use of AI for coursework is primarily at instructor discretion
- Submitting AI-generated essays or assignments as one’s own work is identified as unethical
- CSUF tells students to follow each course syllabus and instructor guidance, and faculty-facing guidance provides example policies ranging from no AI use to limited or assignment-specific use
Read the syllabus for each course to understand the guidelines each instructor has set for AI usage. If you have any questions about guidelines or requirements, consult the instructor before using AI in the course..
Ethical Use: Use ChatGPT if and as allowed by the instructor for brainstorming, drafting, or revising content while ensuring originality in the final product.
Unethical Use: Submitting AI-generated essays or assignments as your own work.
When creating assignments, consider specifying whether the use of such AI tools is allowed or prohibited. This clarity helps ensure that students understand what tools are acceptable for each task.
For this course, students must be the author of all work. You may use AI in some minor ways.
In this course, students are permitted to integrate AI into some of the substantive work of the course. Review individual assignments to determine permissible uses.
- CSUF also supports online proctoring through Proctorio, with exam environment and equipment requirements, and notes accessibility considerations for flagged behaviors
- Assessment rules are also set at the course or assignment level, but faculty guidance includes a model policy that prohibits AI at any stage of an assessment and another that specifically forbids AI use during quizzes or tests
Adhere to any specific rules regarding the use of AI in coursework or assessments.
For example: for any purpose while taking a quiz or test, generate content that is directly used in an assignment (such as code, text, images, or other media), solve problems from assignments, write a first draft of a paper or essay, write all or part of a discussion post, or analyze data.] Always review individual assignments for specific instructions.
AI use is not permitted at any stage of this assessment.
All work must be completed independently in a controlled environment, relying solely on your own knowledge, understanding, and skills.
In order to take your exams via the online proctoring service, you must have access to a computer equipped with a functioning video camera and microphone.
However, the software captures eye, head, and mouth movements, talking to self, pacing, and may flag the use of a screen reader or other devices which may be reported as “suspicious”. If you are a student with a disability that may manifest in these activities and/or you require accommodations, which include any of these activities, please contact your Instructor and Disability Support Services.
- CSUF permits AI for study assistance when allowed by the instructor
- Student guidance explicitly lists concept clarification, summarization, idea exploration, content review, and self-quizzing as acceptable examples, while emphasizing that AI should support learning rather than replace it
Use AI tools to support learning, not to circumvent academic responsibilities.
Ethical Use: Use ChatGPT if and as allowed by the instructor to clarify concepts, summarize material, and explore ideas.
Unethical Use: Relying solely on ChatGPT to complete assignments without learning the material.
For this course, students must be the author of all work. You may use AI in some minor ways. For example, unless otherwise specified in the assignment, you may use AI to [faculty insert examples of what is acceptable. For example: generate ideas, polish or edit text you have drafted, create an outline of an essay, modify or design presentation slides, review content, quiz yourself, or for other studying purposes].
- CSUF allows AI assistance with coding only if the instructor permits it
- Student guidance treats debugging, learning programming concepts, and solving specific problems as ethical uses when authorized, while copying AI-generated code without understanding or attribution is identified as unethical
Ethical Use: Seek AI help if and as allowed by the instructor for debugging, learning new programming concepts, or solving specific problems.
Unethical Use: Copying AI-generated code without understanding or attribution.
Students should consult their instructors' AI policies before using any generative AI tool, including TitanGPT, for their assignments.
TitanGPT is an advanced conversational AI tool that can assist with tasks such as:
* Drafting and editing documents, emails, and proposals
* Conducting research and generating ideasSupporting programming and coding tasks
Research
- The university's ethical framework specifies that AI tools cannot be credited as authors of scholarly works
- CSUF does not set a single mandatory university-wide rule for AI in research writing, but it states that AI can enhance research and must be used responsibly
- The framework also requires openness about AI use in research contexts, verification of AI-generated content, and notes that AI for research support is subject to instructor permission
Ensure that AI tools are not credited as authors and that human accountability is maintained.
While AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance learning and research, they must be used responsibly.
Maintain openness about AI use in academic and administrative contexts.
* Clearly communicate when and how AI is being used in courses, research, or administrative processes
* Disclose the limitations and potential biases of AI tools used in academic settings
* Ethical Use: Use AI if and as allowed by the instructor to generate ideas, organize research, or draft outlines for projects.
* Unethical Use: Presenting AI-generated research or analysis without verification or additional work.
Verify the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content
- CSUF states that AI may support research, but any AI-generated content must be verified and users remain responsible for mistakes
- Faculty sample policies include options where AI-assisted analysis may be prohibited for an assignment, while institutional guidance emphasizes checking accuracy and assessing whether AI is appropriate for a task
While AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance learning and research, they must be used responsibly.
Content generated by AI can sometimes be inaccurate, deceptive, or completely fabricated, also known as “hallucinations,” and might inadvertently include copyrighted material. It is your responsibility to vet any AI-generated content before dissemination.
Please be aware that users are responsible for any mistakes generated by TitanGPT or any other generative AI system.
Verify the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content
Assess the appropriateness of AI use for specific tasks or assignments
For example: for any purpose while taking a quiz or test, generate content that is directly used in an assignment (such as code, text, images, or other media), solve problems from assignments, write a first draft of a paper or essay, write all or part of a discussion post, or analyze data.] Always review individual assignments for specific instructions.
- The framework also explicitly states that AI cannot be credited as an author of scholarly works
- The materials call for developing ethical guidelines specific to AI use in research, teaching, and administration, but the provided sources do not define AI-specific IRB application rules
- CSUF’s sources provide general ethical expectations for AI in research, including upholding academic standards, verifying AI outputs, disclosing AI use in research contexts, and complying with privacy, copyright, and institutional ethical guidelines
Ensure that AI tools are not credited as authors and that human accountability is maintained.
Uphold academic and professional standards when using AI and promote responsible AI use in learning and research.
Maintain openness about AI use in academic and administrative contexts.
* Clearly communicate when and how AI is being used in courses, research, or administrative processes
Respect data privacy and security regulations when using AI systems
Comply with copyright and intellectual property laws when using AI-generated content
Follow institutional and professional ethical guidelines in AI applications
Develop ethical guidelines specific to AI use in research, teaching, and administration
Verify the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content
Academic Integrity
- CSUF requires transparency about AI use and directs students to acknowledge AI-generated content
- Disclosure and citation requirements may be imposed by instructors or assignments, and faculty sample language includes requiring quotation marks and citations for AI-generated language, disclosure of how AI was used, and documentation of prompts, outputs, and revisions
Distinguish your own original work by properly acknowledging all AI-generated content.
Be clear and honest about when and how AI tools have been used in your work.
Disclose AI assistance in line with institutional guidelines.
Clearly state how AI was used in your work.
Example: “This essay was drafted with the assistance of ChatGPT and edited for originality.”
[faculty insert optional statement: If you are using language generated by an AI app, you must properly attribute that use by putting that language in quotation marks and adding a citation just like you would when you copy language from human authors.]
You may be asked to disclose how AI was used and reflect on what you learned from the process.
You may be required to submit evidence of how AI was used, such as prompts, outputs, and revisions.
Proper citation and documentation of AI interactions may be required.
- The provided sources do not specify AI-specific penalties; they discuss risks of investigations and false accusations
- The guidance instead emphasizes clear communication with students about AI expectations for assignments and assessments
- CSUF’s Faculty Development Center cautions against relying on AI detection tools as evidence of misconduct because they are not fully reliable and can generate false positives, including bias against multilingual and non-native English writers
recent studies report much lower real-world success rates (exposing “serious limitations of the state-of-the-art AI-generated text detection tools and their unsuitability for use as evidence of academic misconduct”).
False positives could trigger investigations that cause undue stress and time burdens
In short, the use of these detectors can result in false accusations, particularly when evaluating writing from multilingual and non-native English speakers, which results in anxiety and extra work for faculty and students, particularly students.
“Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly developing technology with significant implications for traditional college education. In the short term, it is important to keep in mind that the ability to detect AI-generated content is currently not 100% reliable. Unlike traditional forms of plagiarism detection—which document the original source of the plagiarized text as evidence of academic dishonesty—no such evidence currently exists for AI detection platforms.
Suggested strategies include constructive discussions between students and faculty, as well as clear communication about expectations related to AI use for assignments and assessments via course syllabi and assignment instructions.”
Institutional & Administrative
- CSUF supports faculty and staff use of AI, but requires responsible use, human judgment, and review of AI outputs
- Faculty are encouraged to create explicit course AI policies and to apply the institutional ethical framework in teaching and assessment; staff guidance also prohibits entering confidential Level 1 or 2 data into publicly accessible AI tools and requires vetting AI-generated content before dissemination
Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) supports the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance work, teaching, learning, research, and campus services.
When creating assignments, consider specifying whether the use of such AI tools is allowed or prohibited. This clarity helps ensure that students understand what tools are acceptable for each task.
Prioritize human judgment and decision-making in AI applications.
* Use AI as a tool to augment human capabilities, not replace them
* Ensure AI complements rather than replaces human expertise and judgment
* Ensure decisions affecting individuals are made or reviewed by humans
1. For Faculty/Instructors:
1. Apply the framework when incorporating AI tools in curriculum, teaching, and assessment
2. For Staff:
1. Apply the framework when considering and using AI tools for administrative tasks
Do not input confidential information (Levels 1 & 2) into generative AI tools that are publicly accessible.*
It is your responsibility to vet any AI-generated content before dissemination.
- CSUF prohibits entering confidential Level 1 or 2 information into publicly accessible generative AI tools and warns that information entered into such tools may become public
- The university promotes TitanGPT and ChatGPT Edu as institutionally available tools with privacy, data protection, and enterprise security features, and directs employees to contact the Campus HelpDesk before procuring new generative AI tools so pre-approved alternatives can be considered
Do not input confidential information (Levels 1 & 2) into generative AI tools that are publicly accessible.* Any data shared with these tools under standard settings may not be secured and may risk disclosure of sensitive or proprietary details. Assume that any information provided on these publicly accessible AI tools could become public.
Prior to procuring any generative AI tools, please contact the Campus HelpDesk. Assistance can be provided in evaluating the suitability of an AI tool for your requirements or to identify if an alternative, pre-approved AI solution is available.
TitanGPT, a secure and innovative AI tool powered by ChatGPT-4o, is available to all CSUF students, faculty, and staff. This resource, is designed to support your work by offering an efficient way to brainstorm ideas, draft documents, and summarize information, while ensuring your data remains secure within our campus systems.
OpenAI's ChatGPT EDU agreement is tailored specifically for the California State University (CSU) system, providing advanced AI capabilities for all employees and students. It offers the ability to build custom GPTs for sharing within campus workspaces, as well as the needed privacy and data protection, and other enterprise security such as single sign-on (SSO).
Students or Faculty interactions with ChatGPT.edu are treated with the same level of care and confidentiality as other commonly used electronic platforms, such as email, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office 365.
- The university also references broader CSU governance activity through ASCSU resolutions and a CSU generative AI committee
- CSUF has an institution-level AI strategy centered on ethical and responsible adoption across teaching, learning, research, administration, and campus services
- Its ETHICAL Principles AI Framework sets campus-wide principles, calls for regular AI audits, reporting mechanisms, development of clear AI policies, and establishment of an AI ethics review board for high-impact projects
CSUF supports the ethical and responsible use of AI technologies to enhance work, teaching, learning, research, and campus services.
Maintain openness about AI use in academic and administrative contexts.
* Communicate AI policies and guidelines to all campus stakeholders
* Implement a system for regular AI audits to assess the impact and effectiveness of AI implementations on campus and share those results with the campus community
* Establish mechanisms for reporting AI-related concerns or issues
Develop ethical guidelines specific to AI use in research, teaching, and administration
Develop clear policies on the ownership and use of AI-generated intellectual property created within the institution
Establish an AI ethics review board to oversee high-impact AI projects
Request for Additional Faculty Membership on the Chancellor's Office CSU Generative AI Committee (2024)
Renewing the Call for a Working Group on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education (2023)
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 California State University, Fullerton's AI Policies
California State University, Fullerton has defined AI policies in 12 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 100%.
CSUF requires transparency about AI use and directs students to acknowledge AI-generated content. Disclosure and citation requirements may be imposed by instructors or assignments, and faculty sample language includes requiring quotation marks and citations for AI-generated language, disclosure of how AI was used, and documentation of prompts, outputs, and revisions.
CSUF’s Faculty Development Center cautions against relying on AI detection tools as evidence of misconduct because they are not fully reliable and can generate false positives, including bias against multilingual and non-native English writers. The guidance instead emphasizes clear communication with students about AI expectations for assignments and assessments. The provided sources do not specify AI-specific penalties; they discuss risks of investigations and false accusations.
CSUF prohibits entering confidential Level 1 or 2 information into publicly accessible generative AI tools and warns that information entered into such tools may become public. The university promotes TitanGPT and ChatGPT Edu as institutionally available tools with privacy, data protection, and enterprise security features, and directs employees to contact the Campus HelpDesk before procuring new generative AI tools so pre-approved alternatives can be considered.