Teaching & Learning
- Use of AI in coursework is governed by instructor direction rather than a single blanket rule
- Students are also expected not to use AI to create fake assignments or fabricate academic records
- The university states that class syllabi must define expectations for AI use, and unauthorized use of AI on assignments can be treated as academic misconduct
Please include a statement regarding the use of AI in your class. For example:
This class uses AI in the following ways...
The use of AI in this class is not permitted...
Use of AI in this class is left to instructor discretion...
Misconduct involving AI can range from failing to cite the use of AI in an assignment to using AI to generate papers or complete exams.
Misconduct involving AI can also include using AI to create fake course assignments and generate fake transcripts or grades records.
- The university treats AI use on exams as misconduct when not authorized
- Course-level rules may further prohibit or allow AI, but unauthorized use to complete exams is explicitly identified as misconduct
Please include a statement regarding the use of AI in your class. For example:
This class uses AI in the following ways...
The use of AI in this class is not permitted...
Use of AI in this class is left to instructor discretion...
Misconduct involving AI can range from failing to cite the use of AI in an assignment to using AI to generate papers or complete exams.
- The university encourages responsible use of AI for learning support
- Course-specific limits may still apply through instructor syllabus statements
- It describes AI as a tool for summarizing notes, generating study questions, tutoring support, and concept explanation, while warning users to review outputs and check for accuracy and bias
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support your learning when used appropriately and responsibly.
Suggested Uses for AI
Summarize class notes or dense readings into simpler explanations.
Generate practice quiz questions or flashcards.
Brainstorm ideas for papers, projects, or presentations.
Get help understanding difficult concepts or terminology.
Use AI tutors/chatbots to review and reinforce course material.
Things to Keep in Mind
Always review AI-generated content critically—it may contain errors, bias, or outdated information.
Use AI as a supplement, not a substitute, for learning.
Follow your instructor’s course-specific policy on AI use.
Please include a statement regarding the use of AI in your class. For example:
This class uses AI in the following ways...
The use of AI in this class is not permitted...
Use of AI in this class is left to instructor discretion...
- For student coding work, the university does not set a single institution-wide rule
- AI use in classes, including programming-related work, is left to instructor direction through syllabus statements, and undisclosed or unauthorized AI use on assignments may be treated as misconduct
Please include a statement regarding the use of AI in your class. For example:
This class uses AI in the following ways...
The use of AI in this class is not permitted...
Use of AI in this class is left to instructor discretion...
Misconduct involving AI can range from failing to cite the use of AI in an assignment to using AI to generate papers or complete exams.
Research
- The university does not prohibit AI use in research writing, but it requires human accountability and transparency
- Researchers remain responsible for all submitted content, must disclose AI use as required by publishers or sponsors, and must not list AI as an author
Researchers are ultimately responsible for all aspects of the content they submit, including any portion generated or edited with the assistance of AI tools.
Researchers should verify the accuracy, originality, and appropriateness of any AI-generated text, code, images, analyses, or summaries before use in scholarly work.
The use of generative AI or other AI-assisted technologies in research should be disclosed when required by journals, conferences, funders, or publishers.
AI tools may not be listed as authors or co-authors on publications, proposals, or other scholarly outputs.
- AI may be used in research data and analysis only with careful human oversight
- Researchers must validate AI-generated analyses before use, and they must not enter confidential, proprietary, regulated, or personally identifiable data into public AI systems without authorization and safeguards
Researchers should verify the accuracy, originality, and appropriateness of any AI-generated text, code, images, analyses, or summaries before use in scholarly work.
Researchers must not input confidential, proprietary, export-controlled, or personally identifiable research data into publicly available AI systems unless the use is explicitly authorized and appropriate safeguards are in place.
AI tools should not be used to fabricate, falsify, or manipulate data, images, results, or citations in ways that mislead or misrepresent research findings.
- AI use in research is subject to research integrity and human-subjects protections
- Researchers must comply with sponsor, legal, and publication requirements; cannot use AI to fabricate or falsify research outputs; and human-subjects research involving AI or AI processing of identifiable private information requires IRB review and may require consent disclosures
The use of AI in research must comply with all applicable sponsor requirements, federal and state laws, institutional review board (IRB) protocols, data use agreements, and publication standards.
AI tools should not be used to fabricate, falsify, or manipulate data, images, results, or citations in ways that mislead or misrepresent research findings.
Research involving interaction or intervention with human participants through the use of AI, or the use of AI to collect, process, or analyze identifiable private information about living individuals, may constitute human subjects research and requires review by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to initiation.
Researchers must disclose in IRB applications how AI technologies will be used, including any risks related to privacy, consent, bias, explainability, and data security.
Informed consent materials must clearly describe the role of AI in the research when it may reasonably affect a participant’s decision to participate or when required by the IRB.
Academic Integrity
- Disclosure of AI use is required where applicable
- The university identifies failure to cite AI in assignments as misconduct, requires syllabi to state course AI rules, and requires research disclosures when journals, conferences, funders, publishers, or the IRB call for them
Misconduct involving AI can range from failing to cite the use of AI in an assignment to using AI to generate papers or complete exams.
Please include a statement regarding the use of AI in your class. For example:
This class uses AI in the following ways...
The use of AI in this class is not permitted...
Use of AI in this class is left to instructor discretion...
The use of generative AI or other AI-assisted technologies in research should be disclosed when required by journals, conferences, funders, or publishers.
Researchers must disclose in IRB applications how AI technologies will be used, including any risks related to privacy, consent, bias, explainability, and data security.
- The university links unauthorized AI use to academic misconduct enforcement processes, but it does not define a specific AI-detection-tool policy in the provided sources
- Sanctions for student misconduct are handled through the student conduct process, and academic integrity materials identify AI-related cheating behaviors that can trigger enforcement
Misconduct involving AI can range from failing to cite the use of AI in an assignment to using AI to generate papers or complete exams.
Misconduct involving AI can also include using AI to create fake course assignments and generate fake transcripts or grades records.
Code of Conduct violations are referred to the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards. The Director then assigns a hearing officer to meet with the student to discuss the alleged violation. The hearing officer decides whether the student is responsible or not responsible for the alleged violation, and sanctions are assigned if necessary.
Examples of sanctions include, but are not limited to written warning, conduct probation, educational sanctions, fines, referral to counseling, restitution, restrictions, suspension, expulsion, revocation of admission and/or degree, withholding degree, and organizational sanctions.
Institutional & Administrative
- Faculty are expected to communicate AI rules in their courses through syllabus statements
- Staff using AI for website content must also avoid exposing sensitive or restricted information
- For institutional communications and web content, DSU requires human review and editorial responsibility, and marketing guidance permits AI-assisted drafting or ideation while prohibiting publication of unreviewed AI output
Please include a statement regarding the use of AI in your class. For example:
This class uses AI in the following ways...
The use of AI in this class is not permitted...
Use of AI in this class is left to instructor discretion...
Artificial intelligence may assist with drafting, ideation, grammar suggestions, and basic formatting, but all content published under the DSU name must be reviewed and approved by a designated human editor.
AI-generated content must never be published verbatim without human review for accuracy, tone, accessibility, legal compliance, and alignment with DSU’s brand and editorial standards.
AI should not be used to create or modify official university communications, statements of policy, legal disclaimers, safety instructions, or crisis messaging without direct oversight from the appropriate university office.
Do not enter confidential, sensitive, or restricted information into public AI tools when creating website or communication content.
- The provided sources do not identify a university-approved AI platform list
- The university restricts what information may be entered into public AI tools
- Sensitive categories such as student records, HR information, research data, legal matters, credentials, and regulated or proprietary information must not be entered unless specifically authorized and protected
Do not enter confidential, sensitive, or restricted information into public AI tools when creating website or communication content.
Examples include but are not limited to:
Protected student information (e.g., FERPA-covered records)
Personnel or HR-related information
Confidential legal or contractual matters
Internal strategy documents
Passwords, system configurations, or access credentials
Research data protected by law, policy, sponsor agreement, or ethics protocol
Researchers must not input confidential, proprietary, export-controlled, or personally identifiable research data into publicly available AI systems unless the use is explicitly authorized and appropriate safeguards are in place.
- The university has an institution-level AI posture that frames AI as a strategic priority and sets broad principles for use
- It emphasizes responsible, ethical, and transparent use, human oversight, privacy protection, and adaptation of university processes as AI evolves
At Dakota State University, we embrace artificial intelligence as a transformative technology that can enhance teaching, learning, research, creativity, and operational efficiency. As a digital-forward institution, DSU is committed to preparing students, faculty, and staff to engage with AI thoughtfully, ethically, and effectively.
Our institutional posture on AI is grounded in the following principles:
Human-Centered Use
AI should support—not replace—human judgment, creativity, and accountability.
Academic Integrity and Transparency
Use of AI in academic settings should align with course expectations, disciplinary norms, and academic honesty standards. Transparency in how AI is used is essential.
Privacy and Data Protection
AI tools must be used in ways that protect student privacy, institutional data, and intellectual property.
Responsible Innovation
We encourage experimentation and exploration with AI technologies while recognizing the need for ongoing evaluation, critical thinking, and adaptation of policies and practices as the technology evolves.
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 Dakota State University's AI Policies
Dakota State University has defined AI policies in 12 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 100%.
Disclosure of AI use is required where applicable. The university identifies failure to cite AI in assignments as misconduct, requires syllabi to state course AI rules, and requires research disclosures when journals, conferences, funders, publishers, or the IRB call for them.
The university links unauthorized AI use to academic misconduct enforcement processes, but it does not define a specific AI-detection-tool policy in the provided sources. Sanctions for student misconduct are handled through the student conduct process, and academic integrity materials identify AI-related cheating behaviors that can trigger enforcement.
The university restricts what information may be entered into public AI tools. Sensitive categories such as student records, HR information, research data, legal matters, credentials, and regulated or proprietary information must not be entered unless specifically authorized and protected. The provided sources do not identify a university-approved AI platform list.