Teaching & Learning
- Use of AI in coursework is generally at instructor discretion
- The academic honesty policy also treats unauthorized use of AI tools to generate or complete work as academic dishonesty
- The Writing Center states that many classes permit some AI use while others prohibit it, and students are responsible for following assignment-specific or course-specific rules
As of Spring 2024, many LFC classes permit some level of AI use, while others prohibit it. Students are responsible for understanding the expectations for AI use in each course.
AI use is permissible if approved by the professor or instructor. Use of AI may be acceptable at one point in a project or assignment but disallowed at another. Carefully review assignment instructions and speak to the instructor if you are unsure.
Artificial intelligence tools may be used to help generate or complete assignments, but only if explicitly allowed by the professor or instructor. If students use AI when not authorized by their professor or instructor, use generative AI to answer specific assessment questions, or present work generated by AI as their own, this could amount to academic dishonesty.
- AI use during assessments is not uniformly permitted and depends on instructor authorization
- The academic honesty policy states that using generative AI to answer specific assessment questions without authorization could constitute academic dishonesty
Artificial intelligence tools may be used to help generate or complete assignments, but only if explicitly allowed by the professor or instructor. If students use AI when not authorized by their professor or instructor, use generative AI to answer specific assessment questions, or present work generated by AI as their own, this could amount to academic dishonesty.
- The college recommends AI as a study aid when used appropriately and with human judgment
- Students are encouraged to use AI for brainstorming, explanatory support, examples, and feedback, but they are warned to verify accuracy and not rely on AI as a sole source of truth
Use AI appropriately. It can be useful for brainstorming, explanations, examples, or feedback, but AI cannot replace your own critical thinking or judgment.
Use AI critically. Verify what AI tells you against reputable sources. Don't assume that AI is always accurate, unbiased, or complete.
AI can be used in many contexts as a supplement to your work. ChatGPT and other LLMs can help you brainstorm, give explanations of concepts in other ways, and generate examples. Treat it like you would treat a tutor or a Writing Center consultant.
The Writing Center recommends using AI like you would a calculator in a math class. It can simplify some tasks and support your work, but it should not replace your own understanding or effort.
Research
Academic Integrity
- When AI use is allowed, students are expected to acknowledge it and follow instructor directions for citation or disclosure
- The Writing Center advises students to ask instructors how AI use should be documented and to cite outputs using the style their instructor requires
Acknowledge AI use if you use it. Depending on the assignment, you may need to cite or explain how you used AI. If your instructor permits AI, ask how they want you to credit its use.
If your instructor allows the use of ChatGPT or other LLMs and asks you to cite them, you should use whatever citation style your instructor says to use. MLA, APA, and Chicago all recommend different approaches to citing AI and/or AI images. Ask your instructor how to cite AI and use the citation style they say to use.
- Undisclosed or unauthorized AI use may be treated as academic dishonesty and handled under the college's academic honesty process
- The policy lists potential sanctions ranging from grade penalties to dismissal, and states that a documented record is kept with the dean of faculty
Artificial intelligence tools may be used to help generate or complete assignments, but only if explicitly allowed by the professor or instructor. If students use AI when not authorized by their professor or instructor, use generative AI to answer specific assessment questions, or present work generated by AI as their own, this could amount to academic dishonesty.
When any misconduct is documented under this policy, the dean of faculty shall maintain a record of the violation and any sanctions imposed. The dean of faculty shall report the violation and sanction to the student's academic adviser and the registrar, and as applicable to the vice president for student affairs and the director of athletics.
Sanctions for academic misconduct may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following, depending upon the seriousness of the offense and whether the student has been found previously responsible for academic misconduct:
1. A verbal or written warning.
2. Lowered or failing grade on an assignment, paper, exam or course.
3. Suspension from the College.
4. Dismissal from the College.
Institutional & Administrative
- The ITS AI and LLM use policy applies to faculty and staff as well as students
- It permits AI use for routine work tasks and allows low-risk institutional data to be entered into third-party AI systems, but requires human review and prohibits using AI outputs as the sole basis for consequential institutional decisions such as grading, performance management, hiring, admissions, or decisions about student or employee standing
This policy governs acceptable uses of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language model (LLM) systems for all faculty, staff, and students at Lake Forest College.
The College recognizes that AI systems can support productivity and innovation when used responsibly. Faculty, staff, and students may use approved or publicly available AI tools in accordance with this policy to assist with routine work tasks, research, communications, software development, and educational activities, provided such use does not compromise data security, privacy, legal compliance, or institutional integrity.
Third-party AI systems may be used only with Low-Risk Institutional Data as defined by the College's data classification policy. High-Risk Institutional Data may not be entered into publicly available or third-party AI tools unless the vendor has been specifically approved by the Office of Information Technology and legal counsel under a written agreement.
AI systems may not be used as the sole basis for decisions that have legal, academic, employment, financial, or disciplinary effects on individuals, including but not limited to admissions decisions, grades, performance evaluations, hiring decisions, or determinations affecting a student's or employee's standing. Any AI-assisted output used in such contexts must be reviewed by a qualified human decision-maker before action is taken.
- The college restricts AI use based on institutional data classification
- Only low-risk institutional data may be entered into third-party AI systems unless a vendor has specific approval and a written agreement, and users must ensure compliance with privacy, copyright, security, and recordkeeping obligations
Third-party AI systems may be used only with Low-Risk Institutional Data as defined by the College's data classification policy. High-Risk Institutional Data may not be entered into publicly available or third-party AI tools unless the vendor has been specifically approved by the Office of Information Technology and legal counsel under a written agreement.
Examples of High-Risk Institutional Data include, but are not limited to:
• Student education records protected by FERPA
• Employee personnel records
• Financial account or payment card information
• Protected health information
• Social Security numbers or government-issued identification numbers
• Confidential legal, contractual, or donor information
Users must not rely on AI-generated output without verifying its accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance with College policies. Users are responsible for ensuring that any use of AI:
• complies with applicable laws and regulations, including FERPA, copyright law, and data privacy obligations;
• does not disclose restricted or confidential information;
• does not produce or disseminate discriminatory, defamatory, or harmful content;
• does not substitute for required human review in matters involving professional judgment or institutional decisions.
Procurement or adoption of AI-enabled software or services must follow the College's existing technology review and vendor assessment process, including security and data privacy review.
- Lake Forest College has an institution-wide AI and LLM use policy that frames AI adoption around responsible use, data protection, legal compliance, and human oversight
- Governance responsibilities are assigned to the Office of Information Technology and legal counsel for vendor approval and to existing technology review and vendor assessment processes for AI-enabled software procurement
This policy governs acceptable uses of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language model (LLM) systems for all faculty, staff, and students at Lake Forest College.
The College recognizes that AI systems can support productivity and innovation when used responsibly. Faculty, staff, and students may use approved or publicly available AI tools in accordance with this policy to assist with routine work tasks, research, communications, software development, and educational activities, provided such use does not compromise data security, privacy, legal compliance, or institutional integrity.
Third-party AI systems may be used only with Low-Risk Institutional Data as defined by the College's data classification policy. High-Risk Institutional Data may not be entered into publicly available or third-party AI tools unless the vendor has been specifically approved by the Office of Information Technology and legal counsel under a written agreement.
Procurement or adoption of AI-enabled software or services must follow the College's existing technology review and vendor assessment process, including security and data privacy review.
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 Lake Forest College's AI Policies
Lake Forest College has defined AI policies in 8 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 67%.
When AI use is allowed, students are expected to acknowledge it and follow instructor directions for citation or disclosure. The Writing Center advises students to ask instructors how AI use should be documented and to cite outputs using the style their instructor requires.
Undisclosed or unauthorized AI use may be treated as academic dishonesty and handled under the college's academic honesty process. The policy lists potential sanctions ranging from grade penalties to dismissal, and states that a documented record is kept with the dean of faculty.
The college restricts AI use based on institutional data classification. Only low-risk institutional data may be entered into third-party AI systems unless a vendor has specific approval and a written agreement, and users must ensure compliance with privacy, copyright, security, and recordkeeping obligations.