Student Guidelines

The following guidelines are intended to help students navigate using Generative AI (GenAI) in their academic endeavors at the University of Richmond. The guidelines include the ethical, academic, and practical considerations of using Generative AI or “GenAI” for students’ work at the University. The following are general guidelines and they may vary between classes. Professors have the right to set the policies and guidelines for their classes and as such we strongly encourage all students to openly communicate with their professors on any clarification regarding using GenAI for specific coursework.

Boatwright Memorial Library LibGuide

In addition to what follows below, we also encourage students to explore the Boatwright Library LibGuide: Generative Artificial Intelligence, which offers an overview of GenAI concepts and further resources for learning how to use this emerging technology.

Academic Integrity

Students must adhere to the policies set forth by their professor in regards to GenAI use for coursework. This includes:

  • Whether AI use is allowed to assist with any particular assignment.
  • The manner in which GenAI may be utilized.
  • The type of GenAI that may be used within the context of the class.
  • Citing the use of GenAI in the creation or assistance of creation in any work.
  • Any other stipulations put forward by the professor with regards to their course.

Policies may vary between disciplines, specific courses or individual assignments, so be sure to communicate with professors for further clarification.

For example, asking a friend to discuss your ideas for a research paper may be fine, but asking for help on a take-home exam is not. Likewise, GenAI may be acceptable in some situations, and not in others. Asking GenAI to help you generate practice problems for an area of study or your review of a topic may be allowed, but asking a GenAI tool to write a paper or essay and submitting it as your own work may not be allowed. When in doubt, asking the professor about how to use GenAI is advised if it is not clear in the course material.

Take care to always verify the output of GenAI models against additional sources to ensure they are accurate. GenAI has the risk to “hallucinate” or generate false information. Remember that each person is responsible for the accuracy, quality, and content of their work even if it is generated in part by an AI tool.

Respecting Intellectual Property

GenAI's ability to produce content that mirrors human creativity poses significant questions about intellectual property rights. When using AI to generate text, images, or any form of creative content:

  • Acknowledge the source of AI-generated content where appropriate.
  • Ensure that the use of AI-generated content does not infringe on existing copyrights or plagiarize the work of others.

Perspective and Bias in GenAI

All GenAI models are built with a perspective, which can be shaped by the data that is used to train the algorithm as well as how we use the tool. GenAI models can reflect and amplify existing biases present in their training data. Biases may come from a range of places, including labeling and classification decisions, old data, and skewed representations in datasets. Bias can come in many forms, and here we focus on bias that is prejudicial or unfair.  When these biases are not addressed, GenAI can generate problematic results including the propagation of harmful stereotypes.  For these reasons, it is important to be attentive to identifying and addressing biased inputs and outputs. It also helps to adopt a mindset of critical evaluation of AI-generated content in which the fairness, accuracy, and consideration of diverse viewpoints​​ and perspectives are examined. AI is built with a perspective, so being attuned to how GenAI models can perpetuate social, cultural, and political biases and harms is important.   

Data Privacy and Security

When using generative AI for academic or personal purposes, it's essential to adhere to data security and privacy standards outlined by the University in order to protect sensitive and confidential information. Publicly available generative AI tools, such as those provided by OpenAI, Google and Microsoft, use the data that you provide them to train further iterations of their models. As such, never send information classified as confidential, restricted, or official-use to one of these services. This type of information includes but is not limited to:

  • Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
  • University ID number
  • Financial aid records
  • Passwords, passphrases, PIN numbers, security codes, and access codes
  • Health records
  • Financial information
  • Or any other information you do not want publicly shared
Data Security Policy
For comprehensive guidelines regarding data security at the University of Richmond, refer to the official data security policy and the external data transfer policy. Always ensure your use of generative AI falls within the boundaries definied within the policy

Effective Use

GenAI is a rapidly changing field, and using this new technology effectively and responsibly requires continuous learning and evaluation. The Boatwright Library LibGuide: Generative Artificial Intelligence has curated resources and learning guides in order for our community to learn how to use this technology responsibly and effectively. We encourage all students to explore these resources to increase your GenAI literacy.

Important Questions to Ask

Expand All
  • Integrity and Fairness
    • "Have I clarified the proper and improper use of GenAI in each of my courses, knowing that instructors set the course policies and these may differ between different instructors?"
    • "Have I seen an example or model of a proper use of GenAI in this course (if it is allowed at all)?"
    • "How can I ensure honesty in my academic work, particularly regarding the extent of GenAI assistance? Is my use of GenAI consistent with the university’s honor code policy?"
    • "What are the ways in which my instructor is asking me to cite the use of GenAI?  Have I ensured proper citation in my submitted work?"
    • "Is the use of a GenAI tool fair to my peers in the course?"
  • Privacy and Security
    • "Am I sharing any personal or sensitive information that could compromise my privacy or the privacy of others?"
    • "Have I verified that the data I am using or considering for use with AI tools is classified as public and not confidential or restricted?"
    • "Am I taking the necessary steps to anonymize or de-identify any data that could potentially be linked back to an individual before using it with generative AI tools?"

     

  • Learning
    • "Have I properly communicated with my professor my intended use of GenAI within the context of the course?"
    • "Does using a GenAI tool enhance my learning and critical thinking?  In what ways?"
    • "Is this tool facilitating or interfering with my achievement of the course goals?"
    • "Am I using these tools to complement my learning or as a shortcut? If a tool complements my learning, how can I be sure that the learning lasts beyond my use of the tool? If I take a shortcut, how will it interfere with my preparation for future courses or my preparation for a career?"
  • Accuracy and Bias
    • "Have I taken the necessary steps to ensure the output produced with GenAI tool is accurate?"
    • "Do I understand the importance of maintaining a critical eye towards the limitations of AI, especially in contexts that require nuanced understanding or ethical considerations?"
    • "Is the content generated by a GenAI tool free from biases that could negatively impact certain groups in society? If it is not, what steps am I taking to eliminate these biases?"