Teaching & Learning
- For student coursework and assignments, AI use is governed largely by instructor discretion at the university level
- The university also provides sample syllabus language treating AI-produced work as cheating and requiring citation when AI is used
- Using generative AI to create or edit submitted work is an academic integrity violation when an instructor has expressly prohibited it, and instructors are expected to make any allowed use explicit for the course or assignment
Faculty should make clear to students whether use of AI tools is permitted and, if so, whether there are limits or restrictions on such use. Students should ask faculty whether use is permitted if clear authorization has not been provided. If AI tools are used, attribution should be given to ensure that work submitted properly credits sources of information.
14.Relying on generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms to create or edit work that is then submitted for an assignment when an Instructor has expressly prohibited use of such AI platforms. If an Instructor allows students to use generative AI platforms, that policy should be made explicit for the assignment or course.
You should thus be sure to check the syllabus for each of your courses, noting instructor policies to see if and how AI is allowed on your assignments.
It is considered cheating to submit work not created by you, including the work of other people (as in contract cheating or in submitting another person's work as yours) or work created by a program that employs Artificial Intelligence (such as ChatGPT or other AI bots).
- This means AI use in exams or assessments is not permitted when unauthorized by the instructor
- Use of AI in examinations or other assessed work is not separately addressed as an AI-specific rule, but the academic dishonesty policy prohibits using unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in examinations or other academic work
C. Cheating: Cheating is defined as using or attempting to use materials, information, or study aids in examinations or other academic work that are unauthorized by the instructor. Cheating includes, but is not limited, to the following:
1. Obtaining, providing, or using unauthorized materials or devices for an examination or assignment, whether verbally, visually, electronically, or by notes, books, or other means.
- Instead, students are directed to follow each instructor's syllabus and course-specific policy on whether and how AI may be used
- The university acknowledges that AI can be allowed and helpful for students in some courses, but it does not set a single university-wide rule for study assistance uses
Since the time of its release in the fall of 2022, ChatGPT and AI in general have become common tools for students. In some of your courses, there will be instances where using AI is allowed and helpful. In other courses, you may be asked not to use AI to help you with tasks such as phrasing, idea development, research, and writing because you will be relying on something else (other than you) to do your work.
You should thus be sure to check the syllabus for each of your courses, noting instructor policies to see if and how AI is allowed on your assignments.
Research
- At the university-wide level, there is no general research-writing policy specific to manuscripts, theses, or dissertations
- However, the Department of Geosciences states that generative AI use in thesis/dissertation documents and other student scholarly work is treated as plagiarism and may lead to sanctions up to dismissal from the program
Important note about AI usage: Applicants should be aware that the Department of Geosciences at Idaho State University considers the use of generative AI in homework submissions, thesis/dissertation documents, and other student scholarly work to be plagiarism, a violation of the student code of conduct, and merits sanctions ranging from reduced grades to dismissal from the program.
- The provided sources do not state AI-specific rules for grant proposals, IRB applications, or formal research ethics declarations
- The university's general AI guidelines require transparency and disclosure when work includes information acquired through AI tools, and they require compliance with existing policies on privacy, confidentiality, and academic integrity
Transparency: Be transparent in your use of AI tools and always disclose when your work includes information acquired through the use of an AI tool.
When using Generative AI tools, be mindful that all use must comply with the ISU Policies and Procedures which govern our community, including those concerning data privacy and confidentiality, academic integrity, human resources, information security and procurement.
Academic Integrity
- Idaho State requires transparency about AI use and says users should disclose when their work includes information acquired through AI tools
- Where AI use is permitted, attribution should be given, and sample syllabus guidance states that submitted work relying on AI must be cited like a research source with in-text citations and a references page
Transparency: Be transparent in your use of AI tools and always disclose when your work includes information acquired through the use of an AI tool.
If AI tools are used, attribution should be given to ensure that work submitted properly credits sources of information.
If your submitted work relies on Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT or any other AI bot), you are required to cite it as you would a research source, using appropriate APA, MLA, or Chicago citation format. Proper citation includes both in-text citations as well as Works Cited/References pages.
- A department-specific Geosciences page also states that graduate application materials will be evaluated using an AI detector and that high AI detection scores may remove candidates from consideration
- Enforcement follows the academic dishonesty process: instructors investigate suspected incidents, gather evidence, and may impose penalties, while repeated or severe cases can result in suspension or expulsion by an Academic Dishonesty Panel
- The university supports use of Turnitin for identifying academic dishonesty and says its AI indicator may aid faculty when combined with other evidence, but it must be used with discretion because it is only a probable estimate and requires faculty judgment
The most comprehensive tool available at ISU for identifying academic dishonesty is ISU's subscription to Turnitin. If you would like to use this tool, you should create Turnitin links for your assignments within ISU's Canvas platform. For more help in creating Turnitin links, contact the ITRC at 208-282-5880. Turnitin will identify matches between student submissions on its site as well as with published materials available online.
In addition to its plagiarism checker, Turnitin provides an estimate of AI-generated content within individual student assignments. When used in conjunction with other forms of evidence, Turnitin’s AI indicator can be a significant aid to faculty in evaluating a case of potential dishonesty. It should be used with discretion, however, as it requires faculty judgment and provides a probable estimate rather than absolute proof.
The Instructor of the course is responsible for investigating each suspected incident of Academic Dishonesty.
Upon reasonable suspicion of Academic Dishonesty, the Instructor shall proceed as follows:
1. The Instructor shall gather evidence to determine whether further action is necessary.
On the basis of the preponderance of the evidence, the Instructor may decide an act of Academic Dishonesty has occurred and impose a penalty.
Suspension from the University: This is the administrative withdrawal of the student found responsible by the University. The student is suspended for a length of time, determined by the Academic Dishonesty Panel, which may depend upon the circumstances that led to the sanction. This action is permanently recorded on the student’s transcript. When the Panel imposes suspension, the Office of the Registrar shall record “Suspension for Academic Dishonesty” on the student’s permanent transcript.
Expulsion from the University: This is the most severe penalty for Academic Dishonesty and may be imposed by the Academic Dishonesty Panel for extreme or multiple acts of Academic Dishonesty. Once expelled, the student is not eligible for readmission to the University. When the Panel imposes expulsion, the Office of the Registrar shall record “Expulsion for Academic Dishonesty” on the student’s permanent transcript.
In keeping with this philosophy, application materials for our graduate programs will be evaluated using an AI detector.
High AI detection scores may be used to remove candidates from further consideration. We acknowledge that AI detection tools are imperfect, and we strongly recommend that applicants check their own work prior to submission to ensure that it passes an AI detection test.
Institutional & Administrative
- Faculty are expected to set clear course policies on whether students may use AI and to state limits or restrictions when AI is permitted
- The provided sources do not include explicit rules on faculty use of AI for grading, recommendation letters, or administrative communications
- The Academic Integrity Council also provides faculty best-practice suggestions, sample syllabus statements, and guidance on using Turnitin and AI indicators with faculty judgment
Faculty should make clear to students whether use of AI tools is permitted and, if so, whether there are limits or restrictions on such use.
Articulate your Academic Integrity policy on the first day of the semester ("syllabus day") by reviewing on your syllabus a clear statement of your policy and the consequences for violating it. You may find helpful the sample syllabus statements on this website, which includes sample policies on the use of generative AI.
The most comprehensive tool available at ISU for identifying academic dishonesty is ISU's subscription to Turnitin. If you would like to use this tool, you should create Turnitin links for your assignments within ISU's Canvas platform.
In addition to its plagiarism checker, Turnitin provides an estimate of AI-generated content within individual student assignments. When used in conjunction with other forms of evidence, Turnitin’s AI indicator can be a significant aid to faculty in evaluating a case of potential dishonesty. It should be used with discretion, however, as it requires faculty judgment and provides a probable estimate rather than absolute proof.
- Separately, an ITS knowledge-base article states that Gemini for Education has been enabled on all ISU Google Accounts
- AI tools should not be acquired until their security has been validated and appropriate university offices have verified protective contract language
- Users must never include protected personal information such as patient records or student education records, and university-owned intellectual property may not be put into a generative AI tool
ISU community members must not enter information requiring confidentiality into an AI tool without ensuring information entered will be protected from redisclosure or use in responses to others, as documented by appropriate contract language and security controls. When in doubt, do not enter any confidential information into an AI tool.
Because many AI tools use the information you include in them, always assume that anything you input will become public. Never include protected personal information such as patient records, student education records, or any other information which should be maintained as private. Be mindful of the application of laws such as HIPAA and FERPA, which have strict requirements for how personal PII is to be maintained.
University owned intellectual property may not be put into a generative AI tool.
Do not enter any ISU protected data or information into an AI tool.
AI tools should not be acquired until the security of the tool has been validated and the appropriate University offices have verified inclusion of contract language appropriately protecting the University.
Gemini for Education has been enabled on all ISU Google Accounts.
- Idaho State has established university-level AI governance through a taskforce and, according to ITS, is forming an AI Steering Committee to define guidelines and policies
- The stated institutional approach is to guide responsible AI use while aligning with university policies on security, privacy, and other risks, and the guidelines are expected to evolve as the technology changes
A taskforce of administrators and faculty from various parts of the University has been created to guide the responsible use of AI tools at ISU. As AI technology evolves, so will these guidelines.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an exciting technology with great potential. ISU is forming an AI Steering Committee to define guidelines and policies that will advance AI at the university while addressing potential risks.
While these policy documents are in development, this article answers the AI-related questions that have been submitted to ITS.
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 Idaho State University's AI Policies
Idaho State University has defined AI policies in 10 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 83%.
Idaho State requires transparency about AI use and says users should disclose when their work includes information acquired through AI tools. Where AI use is permitted, attribution should be given, and sample syllabus guidance states that submitted work relying on AI must be cited like a research source with in-text citations and a references page.
The university supports use of Turnitin for identifying academic dishonesty and says its AI indicator may aid faculty when combined with other evidence, but it must be used with discretion because it is only a probable estimate and requires faculty judgment. Enforcement follows the academic dishonesty process: instructors investigate suspected incidents, gather evidence, and may impose penalties, while repeated or severe cases can result in suspension or expulsion by an Academic Dishonesty Panel. A department-specific Geosciences page also states that graduate application materials will be evaluated using an AI detector and that high AI detection scores may remove candidates from consideration.
The university prohibits entering confidential, protected, or ISU-protected data into AI tools unless protections against redisclosure and appropriate contractual and security controls are in place; when in doubt, users are told not to enter confidential information. Users must never include protected personal information such as patient records or student education records, and university-owned intellectual property may not be put into a generative AI tool. AI tools should not be acquired until their security has been validated and appropriate university offices have verified protective contract language. Separately, an ITS knowledge-base article states that Gemini for Education has been enabled on all ISU Google Accounts.