Teaching & Learning
- Use of AI in graded coursework is at instructor discretion under FDU's syllabus policy
- When AI use is limited or prohibited, students are directed to consult the professor before using AI on assignments
- Instructors may choose one of three approaches: permit AI use without restriction, permit it only with limitations they specify, or prohibit it entirely
Include a statement in your syllabus that artificial intelligence use in your course is either 1) permitted and unrestricted, 2) permitted but limited in some way that you should explain, or 3) prohibited. Please use one of the following statements in your syllabus:
Artificial intelligence use is permitted in this course and there are no limits on its use.
Artificial intelligence use is permitted in this course but may not be used for the following purposes:
Artificial intelligence use is prohibited in this course. If you have questions about a particular use, consult the professor.
- There is no separate university-wide rule specifically for exams or assessments in the reviewed sources
- AI use is governed by the instructor's syllabus choice, which may allow, limit, or prohibit AI in the course, including particular uses the instructor identifies
Include a statement in your syllabus that artificial intelligence use in your course is either 1) permitted and unrestricted, 2) permitted but limited in some way that you should explain, or 3) prohibited. Please use one of the following statements in your syllabus:
Artificial intelligence use is permitted in this course and there are no limits on its use.
Artificial intelligence use is permitted in this course but may not be used for the following purposes:
Artificial intelligence use is prohibited in this course. If you have questions about a particular use, consult the professor.
- FDU provides institutionally supported AI tools for learning support and directs users to AI literacy resources
- The university's Center for Artificial Intelligence describes FredGPT as supporting course planning, tutoring, and generating study aids, but course-level permission still depends on the instructor's syllabus policy when use relates to a class
FredGPT can help you brainstorm lesson plans, create activities, generate discussion prompts, draft emails, build rubrics, explain concepts, outline projects, tutor through practice questions, simulate conversations, and much more.
What Are Some Use Cases For FredGPT?
To study for my class.
To create examples and study aids.
To do research.
To practice conversations.
To tutor me through difficult concepts.
Include a statement in your syllabus that artificial intelligence use in your course is either 1) permitted and unrestricted, 2) permitted but limited in some way that you should explain, or 3) prohibited.
Research
- The reviewed sources do not set a university-wide rule for using AI to draft or edit research papers, theses, dissertations, or manuscripts
- However, FDU's sponsored-projects guidance prohibits the use of generative AI to write grant proposals or supporting documents because of confidentiality and compliance risks
Do not use Generative AI to draft any part of the proposal or related documents.
Do not upload draft proposals, unpublished research findings, budget information, or supporting documents to Generative AI tools.
AI tools can pose risks related to confidentiality, intellectual property, and sponsor compliance.
- FDU allows only low-risk institutional data to be entered into public generative AI tools and prohibits entering confidential, regulated, or otherwise sensitive information
- This applies to research-related data as well as other university data, and approved institutionally managed tools are designated for broader educational and operational use
The use of public (non-university provided) Generative AI tools to process or store FDU data shall be limited to data classified as Public only.
Users are prohibited from entering any Confidential, Restricted, Regulated, or Confidential Human Subject Data into public Generative AI platforms.
Confidential Human Subject Data: Data collected in research studies under promises of confidentiality or covered by Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols. Example: De-identified human-subject data where re-identification is possible, consent forms, interview recordings, behavioral study data.
- FDU explicitly prohibits using generative AI to draft grant proposals or related documents and also bars uploading draft proposals, unpublished findings, budgets, and supporting documents into AI tools
- For human-subjects research, confidential human-subject data may not be entered into public generative AI platforms, and research involving AI can require IRB review when it uses identifiable private information or records individuals for research purposes
Do not use Generative AI to draft any part of the proposal or related documents.
Do not upload draft proposals, unpublished research findings, budget information, or supporting documents to Generative AI tools.
Users are prohibited from entering any Confidential, Restricted, Regulated, or Confidential Human Subject Data into public Generative AI platforms.
Research involving AI may also require IRB review if, for example, it records individuals for research purposes or uses identifiable private information to train or test systems.
Academic Integrity
Institutional & Administrative
- FDU gives faculty responsibility to set course AI rules in the syllabus
- The university also provides an approved institutional tool, FredGPT, for faculty and staff work such as lesson planning, activities, communications, and other routine tasks, while requiring human review for communications and marketing uses and prohibiting AI-only creation of recommendation letters
Include a statement in your syllabus that artificial intelligence use in your course is either 1) permitted and unrestricted, 2) permitted but limited in some way that you should explain, or 3) prohibited.
FredGPT can help you brainstorm lesson plans, create activities, generate discussion prompts, draft emails, build rubrics, explain concepts, outline projects, tutor through practice questions, simulate conversations, and much more.
Always use AI tools as a starting point—not as a replacement for your own thinking, editing, and expertise. Human review is essential.
Faculty and staff may use AI to support the drafting process, but AI should never replace the personal knowledge and judgment required for letters of recommendation. Final letters must be reviewed carefully for tone, accuracy, and appropriateness.
- FDU has a formal data-security policy for generative AI
- Public non-university AI tools may be used only with data classified as Public, while confidential, restricted, regulated, and confidential human-subject data are prohibited
- The university identifies approved platforms, including FDU-licensed FredGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Zoom AI Companion, and states that institutionally managed AI platforms may be used for broader educational and operational purposes subject to the data-classification rules
The use of public (non-university provided) Generative AI tools to process or store FDU data shall be limited to data classified as Public only.
Users are prohibited from entering any Confidential, Restricted, Regulated, or Confidential Human Subject Data into public Generative AI platforms.
University-approved institutionally managed AI platforms (e.g., FredGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Zoom AI Companion, future FDU-vetted tools) may be used for broader educational and operational purposes, in accordance with the University's Data Classification Policy and applicable laws and regulations.
Why Choose FredGPT?
Institutional licensing to support education and routine work
- Its strategy emphasizes AI literacy, practical adoption across teaching and work, and human oversight
- FDU has an institutional AI strategy that includes a dedicated Center for Artificial Intelligence, enterprise deployment of university-managed AI tools, formal data-governance rules, and operational guidance for communications and marketing
The Center for Artificial Intelligence is designed to position FDU at the forefront of AI education, research, and innovation. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the Center fosters collaboration across the university, equips students and faculty with cutting-edge tools and knowledge, and addresses the evolving ethical and societal implications of artificial intelligence.
To support student success, innovation, and responsible AI use, Fairleigh Dickinson University now offers access to FredGPT—our official, university-supported AI chatbot.
This policy establishes requirements and safeguards for the use of public (non-university provided) and institutionally managed Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools in connection with Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) data and operations.
Always use AI tools as a starting point—not as a replacement for your own thinking, editing, and expertise. Human review is essential.
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 Fairleigh Dickinson University's AI Policies
Fairleigh Dickinson University has defined AI policies in 9 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 75%.
No explicit disclosure requirement is currently defined in the available policy sources.
No explicit detection or enforcement process is currently defined in the available policy sources.
FDU has a formal data-security policy for generative AI. Public non-university AI tools may be used only with data classified as Public, while confidential, restricted, regulated, and confidential human-subject data are prohibited. The university identifies approved platforms, including FDU-licensed FredGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Zoom AI Companion, and states that institutionally managed AI platforms may be used for broader educational and operational purposes subject to the data-classification rules.