Franciscan University of Steubenville AI Policy

In the classroom, all instructors will have clear authority over how and whether generative AI tools may be used in their courses. In alignment with the University’s academic integrity policy, students may not use generative AI to create course content without explicit instructor permission.

At the same time, AI may be used appropriately for study support, citation generation, technical help, and accessibility enhancements as permitted by individual instructors.

Students will be required to disclose which AI tools they used and how they used them in any submitted assignments involving AI assistance.

Respecting the intellectual and creative property of others, including data, ideas, and copyrighted material. Use of another person's creative property without proper attribution, consent, or permission may be considered plagiarism under University policy and may constitute a violation of copyright or other laws.

During the past 18 months, the University has been faithfully discerning how it will address AI in all aspects of campus life, whether in the classroom or the offices of faculty and staff, to embrace the promise of AI while guarding against its potential harms.

Administratively, it means utilizing tools that allow us to spend less time on data processing and more time focused on analysis, collaborative critical thinking, and forming authentic human relationships.

As a result of all these efforts, the University recently unveiled its Leadership Statement on AI at Franciscan University, along with new artificial intelligence use policies for students, faculty, and staff members.

The guidelines, he says, emphasize ethical responsibility, human oversight, and human relationships.

In the classroom, all instructors will have clear authority over how and whether generative AI tools may be used in their courses.

To support this framework, faculty will receive training in AI best practices through new workshops offered by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and the Center for Teaching Excellence. These sessions will help professors explore AI’s possibilities in pedagogy while reinforcing their role as formators of moral and intellectual virtue.

During the past 18 months, the University has been faithfully discerning how it will address AI in all aspects of campus life, whether in the classroom or the offices of faculty and staff, to embrace the promise of AI while guarding against its potential harms.

In early 2024, Mello launched an internal AI discussion group with 96 faculty and staff members.

In addition to Mello’s work, University Provost Dr. Stephen Hildebrand and Senior Vice President Brenan Pergi ’97 MBA ’02 initiated an AI task force to primarily address the use of AI in the classroom. At the same time, a series of AI workshops for faculty and staff were being spearheaded by Apple White, assistant director of Institutional Effectiveness, and Phil Oprean, director of Institutional Research.

White and Oprean also used these workshops as listening sessions to report the ideas and concerns of staff members from all areas of the University to members of the Executive Team.

As a result of all these efforts, the University recently unveiled its Leadership Statement on AI at Franciscan University, along with new artificial intelligence use policies for students, faculty, and staff members.

“At Franciscan, we believe artificial intelligence is a tool— not a replacement for human intelligence or moral responsibility,” reads the University’s statement. “We must approach AI prudently, using it to support our mission without compromising our faith or the dignity of the human person.”

The guidelines, he says, emphasize ethical responsibility, human oversight, and human relationships.