Teaching & Learning
- Use of generative AI in coursework is not governed by a single uniform campus rule
- Rhodes states that AI-generated content in coursework without proper acknowledgment is plagiarism unless the instructor expressly permits it, and faculty decide course by course whether AI use is acceptable
Though AI has already changed academic work and postsecondary education, it has not done so in the same ways or to the same extent within departments or across disciplines and divisions. No uniform consensus has emerged either at Rhodes or within academia regarding its place in higher education. As attitudes toward AI differ significantly across the college, the integration of artificial intelligence into teaching, scholarship, and creative work is left to the discretion of each faculty member.
The Rhodes College catalog states that “a student must not adopt or reproduce ideas, words, or statements that are not their own without appropriate acknowledgment. This prohibition extends to the output of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and editors, including, but not limited to, text, image, sound, video, coding content, and online translators.
Use of AI-generated content in the completion of coursework without proper acknowledgment is considered an act of plagiarism unless such use is expressly permitted by the course’s instructor.”
Faculty will have to decide on a course by course or case by case basis whether or not using AI is ethically or academically acceptable.
- Rhodes does not set a single institution-wide AI rule for exams and assessments
- Faculty are directed to state their AI policies clearly in syllabi, rubrics, exams, and assignments on a course-by-course basis
- The AI Task Force has also standardized a range of syllabus language for use across the college, available as a separate resource
Faculty will have to decide on a course by course or case by case basis whether or not using AI is ethically or academically acceptable. Any departmental policies established should be included in your syllabus, as should your individual policies on AI and academic integrity.
Include specific language regarding GAI on your syllabus, rubrics, exams, and assignments.
The following pages include a range of syllabus language that the AI Task Force has standardized for use across the college.
- Rhodes does not define a student-wide rule specifically for AI tutoring, studying, or personal learning help
- The materials note that students commonly use tools like Grammarly and that faculty should clarify ambiguities, but they do not set a standalone institutional policy for non-graded study assistance
Clarity is particularly important because Rhodes students are accustomed to using online tools like Grammarly and may not adequately distinguish between AI-assisted proofreading or editing and the use of AI to generate ideas, content, or structure.
- AI use for coding is treated under the same coursework plagiarism rule rather than a separate coding policy
- Rhodes states that generative AI output includes coding content, and using it in coursework without appropriate acknowledgment is plagiarism unless the instructor expressly permits it
This prohibition extends to the output of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and editors, including, but not limited to, text, image, sound, video, coding content, and online translators.
Use of AI-generated content in the completion of coursework without proper acknowledgment is considered an act of plagiarism unless such use is expressly permitted by the course’s instructor.”
Research
- Rhodes does not publish a dedicated policy for faculty research writing or manuscript preparation using AI
- However, the general academic integrity rule requiring acknowledgment of AI-generated content applies broadly to academic work, and employee guidelines advise verifying AI-generated content and requesting citations when AI is used for research or information gathering, which has indirect applicability to manuscript preparation contexts
a student must not adopt or reproduce ideas, words, or statements that are not their own without appropriate acknowledgment. This prohibition extends to the output of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and editors, including, but not limited to, text, image, sound, video, coding content, and online translators.
Research and Information Gathering: Use AI to quickly gather background information, explore recent trends, or identify relevant data on a given topic. AI can also compile summaries of large or complex documents to support informed decision-making.
Request Sources: If you are using AI for research or data analysis, ask it to provide citations or references to verify the accuracy of the information.
- This guidance is framed for workplace and administrative use, not as a student or faculty research compliance policy
- Rhodes provides employee guidance that AI may be used for research and data analysis work, but outputs should be verified and sources requested
Research and Information Gathering: Use AI to quickly gather background information, explore recent trends, or identify relevant data on a given topic. AI can also compile summaries of large or complex documents to support informed decision-making.
Data Insights and Analysis: Utilize AI to identify patterns, trends, or anomalies within datasets, providing predictive insights and enhancing reporting. AI tools can also help organize data for presentations, dashboards, or other reporting purposes.
Review and Verification: Ensure that AI-generated content is up to date by verifying AI outputs, particularly when handling policy-sensitive or public-facing information.
Request Sources: If you are using AI for research or data analysis, ask it to provide citations or references to verify the accuracy of the information.
- The Honor Code's prohibition on unacknowledged AI use and the Honor Council enforcement mechanism also underpin research integrity expectations
- Rhodes does not publish a standalone research ethics policy specifically addressing AI, but the institutional AI guidelines establish ethical principles applicable to research contexts, including requirements for transparency in AI use, documentation of AI applications and their risks, verification of AI outputs, and compliance with applicable laws
Transparency in AI Usage: All AI applications must be documented and if required, openly communicated to relevant departmental stakeholders. This includes the purpose, scope, decision-making processes involved, and risks associated with the AI application.
Review and Verification: Ensure that AI-generated content is up to date by verifying AI outputs, particularly when handling policy-sensitive or public-facing information.
Request Sources: If you are using AI for research or data analysis, ask it to provide citations or references to verify the accuracy of the information.
Respect for Intellectual Property: Acknowledge the use of AI tools where applicable and respect copyright laws and licensing agreements related to AI-generated content.
Academic Integrity
- Rhodes requires appropriate acknowledgment of AI-generated content in student coursework, and failure to cite AI when its use is allowed can still be an academic integrity violation
- For employees using AI administratively, the college also requires acknowledgment where applicable and documentation of AI applications, with communication to stakeholders when required
a student must not adopt or reproduce ideas, words, or statements that are not their own without appropriate acknowledgment. This prohibition extends to the output of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and editors, including, but not limited to, text, image, sound, video, coding content, and online translators.
Use of AI-generated content in the completion of coursework without proper acknowledgment is considered an act of plagiarism unless such use is expressly permitted by the course’s instructor.
violations of academic integrity, including the unauthorized use of AI or failure to correctly cite it when use is acceptable, may result in penalties for the assignment or course and be reported to the Honor Council.
Respect for Intellectual Property: Acknowledge the use of AI tools where applicable and respect copyright laws and licensing agreements related to AI-generated content.
Transparency in AI Usage: All AI applications must be documented and if required, openly communicated to relevant departmental stakeholders. This includes the purpose, scope, decision-making processes involved, and risks associated with the AI application.
- Rhodes says AI detection tools are not reliable and does not endorse them as dependable proof
- Unauthorized AI use or failure to cite AI when allowed may lead to assignment or course penalties and referral to the Honor Council, under the broader Honor System
Not computationally—or least, not reliably. Detection tools do exist: Turnitin.com, ZeroGPT, and others suggest their programs can distinguish between human and AI-written content, but the detectors are not very effective.
violations of academic integrity, including the unauthorized use of AI or failure to correctly cite it when use is acceptable, may result in penalties for the assignment or course and be reported to the Honor Council.
As a member of the Rhodes community, I pledge I will not lie, cheat, or steal, that I will report any such violation I may witness, and that I will uphold the values of Truth, Loyalty, and Service.
Institutional & Administrative
- For employees, Rhodes provides an administrative-use AI policy and advises staff to consult supervisors before using AI for work tasks
- Faculty have autonomy over whether and how AI is integrated into teaching and are expected to communicate their course policies clearly
As attitudes toward AI differ significantly across the college, the integration of artificial intelligence into teaching, scholarship, and creative work is left to the discretion of each faculty member.
Faculty have the autonomy to design and implement classroom experiences in accordance with the goals of their courses and the subjects they teach
As a best practice, always consult your supervisor before using AI to perform work tasks.
This policy aims to provide Rhodes College employees with a framework for the responsible and eƯective use of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools for administrative purposes.
- Rhodes prohibits entering sensitive or confidential information into generative AI systems and requires compliance with privacy laws such as FERPA
- The guidelines identify Microsoft Copilot as the recommended enterprise AI tool and list categories of prohibited data, including PII, academic records, health information, legal information, and security credentials
Employees are advised to avoid entering sensitive information into AI tools to safeguard privacy and security. Sensitive data types include personally identifiable information, confidential business information, health records, and security credentials to protect privacy and security.
Microsoft Copilot is the recommended AI tool for the
Privacy and Confidentiality: Do not share sensitive or confidential information with AI tools where data privacy is not guaranteed. Exercise caution even when data confidentiality is guaranteed.
Data Protection: Rhodes College is committed to protecting the privacy and integrity of all data processed by AI systems. All data must be handled in compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations, such as FERPA. Measures should be in place to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and misuse of personal information.
Prohibited Data Types: The following data types should not be entered into generative AI platforms:
Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Full names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, financial information, student ID numbers, academic records, financial aid details, disciplinary records, etc.
Confidential Business Information: Proprietary college information, internal business strategies, non-public financial data, contractual agreements, etc.
Health Information: Medical records, health insurance information, mental health records, disability accommodations, etc.
Legal Information: Confidential legal documents, client-attorney privileged communications, pending litigation details, etc.
Sensitive Personal Information: Political opinions, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, ethnic or racial origins, etc.
Security Information: Passwords, security codes, encryption keys, access credentials, etc.
- Rhodes has an institutional AI governance structure and strategy documents in place
- The materials state that an AI Working Group drafted the new policy, the Senior Leadership Team approved it, the policy will be added to the employee handbook, and the college plans regular audits and updates; faculty-facing materials also reference an AI Task Force
The college’s new AI policy, which can be reviewed in the Appendix of this document, was drafted to help our community use AI ethically, transparently, and securely. Crafted by the AI Working Group and approved by the Senior Leadership Team, the policy will be included in the next iteration of the employee handbook.
The policy also highlights the need to document AI tools' purpose, scope, decision-making processes, and potential risks. It also outlines plans for regular audits to ensure compliance with privacy laws and ethical standards, aƯirming our community’s dedication to responsible and secure AI use.
Policy Updates: These guidelines will be reviewed and updated as needed to adapt to technological advancements and emerging ethical considerations.
The following pages include a range of syllabus language that the AI Task Force has standardized for use across the college.
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 Rhodes College's AI Policies
Rhodes College has defined AI policies in 12 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 100%.
Rhodes requires appropriate acknowledgment of AI-generated content in student coursework, and failure to cite AI when its use is allowed can still be an academic integrity violation. For employees using AI administratively, the college also requires acknowledgment where applicable and documentation of AI applications, with communication to stakeholders when required.
Rhodes says AI detection tools are not reliable and does not endorse them as dependable proof. Unauthorized AI use or failure to cite AI when allowed may lead to assignment or course penalties and referral to the Honor Council, under the broader Honor System.
Rhodes prohibits entering sensitive or confidential information into generative AI systems and requires compliance with privacy laws such as FERPA. The guidelines identify Microsoft Copilot as the recommended enterprise AI tool and list categories of prohibited data, including PII, academic records, health information, legal information, and security credentials.