Hawaii Pacific University AI Policy

The use of generative AI tools to complete any academic exercise — including assignments, papers, examinations, speeches, and other coursework — is prohibited unless an instructor for a given course has specifically authorized such use. Authorization by one instructor does not extend to other courses; students must obtain explicit, clear permission from each individual instructor and must use AI tools only in the manner and to the extent permitted.

Using a third-party tool, such as but not limited to generative AI such as ChatGPT, to complete any academic exercise within any learning modality (assignment, paper, speech, equations, etc.). Third party tools should not be used in the completion of course assignments unless an instructor for a given course specifically authorizes their use. Some instructors may approve generative AI tools usage in the academic setting for specific goals.

However, these tools should be used only with the explicit and clear permission of each individual instructor, and then only in the ways allowed by the instructor.

The use of generative AI tools to complete any academic exercise — including assignments, papers, examinations, speeches, and other coursework — is prohibited unless an instructor for a given course has specifically authorized such use. Authorization by one instructor does not extend to other courses; students must obtain explicit, clear permission from each individual instructor and must use AI tools only in the manner and to the extent permitted.

* Giving or receiving unauthorized assistance during examinations.

Enrollment in online and hybrid programs at the university requires remote testing. It is the kuleana of the institution to ensure academic integrity of remote testing in our programs to meet accreditation guidelines. As such, HPU licensed the use of Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor to support remote testing. Students enrolling in online and hybrid programs acknowledge, upon enrollment, that testing may be required through Respondus Monitor to proctor remotely.

While these tools may offer benefits for learning and productivity, students must understand the risks associated with their use, including the potential for generating inaccurate, biased, or misleading information, as well as issues related to confidentiality and intellectual property.

Students must independently verify the accuracy of any information generated by an AI tool before relying on it or submitting it as part of an academic exercise, and should request and confirm sources when the AI tool provides citations.

Use a chatbot that serves as a thought partner or tutor.

Be specific about how students may or may not use Gen AI. We also recommend using clear and transparent language to provide reasoning for your choices.

When students are permitted to use AI tools, they must disclose that their work was created, in whole or in part, with AI assistance, and must follow any disclosure requirements set by the course instructor.

Unauthorized use of AI tools constitutes cheating under the Academic Integrity Policy and may result in sanctions up to and including expulsion.

It is Hawai‘i Pacific University’s policy that any act of academic dishonesty will incur a penalty up to and including expulsion from the university. A student who cheats on an academic exercise, lends unauthorized assistance to others or who hands in an assignment that is not his or her work will be sanctioned.

Enrollment in online and hybrid programs at the university requires remote testing. It is the kuleana of the institution to ensure academic integrity of remote testing in our programs to meet accreditation guidelines. As such, HPU licensed the use of Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor to support remote testing.

Be specific about how students may or may not use Gen AI. We also recommend using clear and transparent language to provide reasoning for your choices. If you incorporate Gen AI into the assignment, include instructions that teach students how to prompt and analyze output (or not, depending on your teaching and learning goals). Consider alternatives you might offer students if they refuse to use Gen AI.

Once you complete this process for one assignment, you are ready to review all course activities and assignments. When this is complete, write an AI Use Policy for your course to provide clear guidance to students on how they may, or may not, use Gen AI.

The framework envisions graduates and employees who understand how AI works, can critically assess its broader impact, and know how to use it ethically and effectively in their chosen professions. It also calls for ongoing faculty development, clear expectations for responsible use, and meaningful human oversight—while preserving faculty judgment about when AI can strengthen learning and when students must work independently.

Students must not input any confidential or sensitive information into AI tools, including but not limited to student records, personal data of others, information protected under FERPA, passwords, or any material subject to a nondisclosure agreement.

Students must not download AI software to university-owned devices or agree to software licenses without university authorization, consistent with the Network and Computing Usage Agreement.

Students should exercise caution when using third-party interfaces or plugins for AI services, as these may not meet University security standards and may be developed by non-approved entities.

University data should be stored on ITS approved shared drives or network/cloud storage.

HPU data is the property of the university and upon request any HPU data that is placed in a cloud service or other external repository must be returned to the university.

Notwithstanding HPU’s right to retrieve and read any electronic files and messages, such files and messages must be treated as confidential by other students, staff and faculty members, and accessed only by the intended recipient.

* Disclosing, altering, or deleting any proprietary or confidential university information without proper authorization.

At Hawaiʻi Pacific University, we believe artificial intelligence should enhance—not replace—the human experience.

That principle guided HPU’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy Development and Coordination Task Force. Drawing on perspectives from across the University, the Task Force developed a proposed institution-wide strategy and governance framework for how AI can support teaching, learning, student success, and university operations.

The framework envisions graduates and employees who understand how AI works, can critically assess its broader impact, and know how to use it ethically and effectively in their chosen professions. It also calls for ongoing faculty development, clear expectations for responsible use, and meaningful human oversight—while preserving faculty judgment about when AI can strengthen learning and when students must work independently.

This policy will be reviewed regularly given the rapidly evolving nature of AI technology. Students are responsible for reviewing updates to this policy.