Teaching & Learning
- Use of AI in coursework is at instructor discretion
- The academic integrity policy treats unauthorized AI use to complete work or aid a project as a violation
- Students may only use AI for coursework when the instructor specifically allows it, and any AI-generated information used in the work must be cited
B1.3 Use of artificial intelligence (AI) or any other machine authored content, to complete any
work, except as specifically allowed by the instructor, in which case the information
generated by AI must be cited.
C1.3 Collaboration with another or the use of AI to aid in completion of a project unless
specifically allowed by the instructor.
Students: please note that AI tools may only be used in coursework when authorized by your instructor (see policy for more details).
- AI use during exams is prohibited unless the instructor permits it
- The policy classifies use of AI among prohibited resources during an exam as cheating and also treats using prohibited technologies during exams as a violation unless permitted by the instructor
B2.0 Cheating: Using prohibited materials, devices, or other resources (including people or AI) to gain
an academic advantage. Cheating includes:
B2.3 Using technologies, such as calculators, phones, laptops, etc., during exams except as
permitted by the instructor.
C2.5 Use of prohibited resources during an exam, including but not limited to, cell phones,
calculators, notes, other people’s work, or AI.
- The explicit enforceable rule provided is that coursework use requires instructor authorization; separate study-assistance rules are not defined
- The university frames AI as a tool to support learning under human oversight, but it does not set a specific standalone rule for students' personal, non-graded study use
We Commit to Augmentation over Replacement – We view artificial intelligence as a powerful tool to empower and elevate human critical thinking, creativity, and ethical reasoning, never to replace it.
We Believe in "Human-in-the-Loop" Collaboration – We value the active participation of human judgment to continuously verify and guide AI outputs, ensuring our tools serve the greater good.
Students: please note that AI tools may only be used in coursework when authorized by your instructor (see policy for more details).
Research
Academic Integrity
- Disclosure through citation is required when AI use is allowed by the instructor
- RMU's broader AI principles also state that meaningful human oversight and clear disclosure are essential
B1.3 Use of artificial intelligence (AI) or any other machine authored content, to complete any
work, except as specifically allowed by the instructor, in which case the information
generated by AI must be cited.
We Share the Responsibility of Oversight - We believe that meaningful human oversight and clear disclosure are essential in advancing human learning and well-being.
It also includes the AI Signal Framework for transparency in AI usage, guidance on ethical issues like bias, and comprehensive citation protocols for APA, MLA and Chicago.
- RMU enforces AI-related misconduct through its academic integrity process
- The policy classifies unauthorized AI use in academic work and use of AI to create all or nearly all of an academic work as violations
- Suspected violations must be reported to the instructor and/or the Academic Integrity Council, and the university provides access to Turnitin as anti-plagiarism software
Any student suspected of a violation of academic integrity must report to the instructor in charge of the course and/or to the Academic Integrity Council.
This link provides access to a description of 'Turnitin', anti-plagiarism software. Click on 'training' for detailed information regarding the use of the software.
C2.9 Use of AI to create all or nearly all of an entire academic work.
The following constitute violations of academic integrity and will not be tolerated at Robert Morris
University.
Institutional & Administrative
- Faculty and staff are permitted to use university-approved AI tools for university business, including teaching, scholarship, and administrative work
- RMU also states that educators retain ultimate authority for instructional decisions, and faculty are encouraged to explore new technologies with support
The following AI tools are permitted for use when doing university business, which includes, but is not limited to teaching, producing scholarship and completing administrative work.
We Trust Our Educators – We affirm that qualified educators, rather than algorithmic systems, hold the ultimate authority and responsibility for all instructional decisions.
We Value Academic Freedom and Support – We encourage our faculty to bravely explore new technologies while ensuring that our community receives the support needed to engage with these systems critically, responsibly, and equitably.
- RMU restricts university business use to approved AI tools covered by university license agreements
- Its AI principles also emphasize protecting confidential and restricted records and compliance with FERPA and HIPAA
- The university states that data security and privacy have been vetted for those tools, and that personally identifiable information and intellectual property are safe only within those approved environments
The following AI tools are permitted for use when doing university business, which includes, but is not limited to teaching, producing scholarship and completing administrative work. RMU has license agreements with the vendors of these tools, where data security and privacy have been vetted.
* Personally identifiable information (PII) and Intellectual Property (IP) are safe in these environments (only)
We Commit to Secure Innovation – Recognizing how AI models process information, we prioritize the strict protection of confidential and restricted records, ensuring no technology compromises our ethical or legal obligations (such as FERPA and HIPAA).
- RMU has an institution-wide AI framework for teaching, learning, and scholarship built around guiding principles on human agency, oversight, transparency, privacy, accessibility, and support
- Governance is assigned to the Academic Council on Artificial Intelligence, which stewards the policy, recommends actions to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, reviews updates regularly, interprets policy questions, and suggests training
Driven by our vision to empower student potential and our mission to develop career-ready individuals, RMU embraces the transformative power of artificial intelligence in education. To ensure our academic community navigates this evolving landscape safely, effectively and in a positive manner, we have established the following comprehensive framework guiding the beneficial, responsible, and ethical use of AI in all teaching, learning, and scholarship.
The Academic Council on Artificial Intelligence (ACAI) acts as a steward of the Usage of Artificial Intelligence policy and any decisions or actions taken by the council will result in a recommendation to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
ACAI members will:
* Review and suggest updates for this policy on a regular basis
* In a timely manner, convene in-person or virtually to interpret questions about this policy posed by instructional faculty or members of the Academic Integrity Council, which cannot be readily addressed by existing policy language
* Suggests training ideas/opportunities as needed
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 Robert Morris University's AI Policies
Robert Morris University has defined AI policies in 8 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 67%.
Disclosure through citation is required when AI use is allowed by the instructor. RMU's broader AI principles also state that meaningful human oversight and clear disclosure are essential.
RMU enforces AI-related misconduct through its academic integrity process. Suspected violations must be reported to the instructor and/or the Academic Integrity Council, and the university provides access to Turnitin as anti-plagiarism software. The policy classifies unauthorized AI use in academic work and use of AI to create all or nearly all of an academic work as violations.
RMU restricts university business use to approved AI tools covered by university license agreements. The university states that data security and privacy have been vetted for those tools, and that personally identifiable information and intellectual property are safe only within those approved environments. Its AI principles also emphasize protecting confidential and restricted records and compliance with FERPA and HIPAA.