We strongly encourage instructors to have an explicit policy about generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in their course syllabus, including relevant distinctions between GenAI use (as process) and GenAI content (as product). We also encourage instructors to reinforce their expectations in assignment instructions and in conversation with students. Your policies are an articulation of you 

Guiding principles for course policies

Course policies that center student learning and are transparent are more likely to support both instructors and students.

• Learning-Centered: Like any tool students might use to engage in the work of a course—from library books to research databases to internet search engines—GenAI systems present opportunities for students to learn important skills, including creativity, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and discerning use of resources, among others. We encourage instructors to talk explicitly with students about the pluses and minuses of GenAI systems as they help or hinder learning in a course.  In this way, regardless of one's view of GenAI or concern with its implications, the emphasis is on learning and what might assist or inhibit the learning process.
  • For example, if a course learning objective is to help students develop their own voices and perspectives through reflective writing, then use of GenAI systems to produce text that ostensibly represents "personal voice" or "perspective" might undermine that objective. Alternatively, if a learning objective is to help students structure and refine the presentation of arguments in writing, a GenAI system might play a supportive role in the process of students' learning how to organize an argument in written form (which is not the same as a student trying to use a GenAI system to formulate the substantive claim—with accompanying reasoning and evidence—that is being structured in written form).
• Transparent: Faculty and GE instructors have flexibility in how they approach newly available GenAI tools, and this means students will shift among a variety of approaches in their different courses.  It is therefore essential for instructors to prioritize transparency so that students know clearly the GenAI policy in each individual class and the expectations for specific course activities and assignments, especially if the parameters for GenAI use vary among the latter.  In addition to including a GenAI course policy on the syllabus and explicit details about GenAI use in assignment instructions, we encourage faculty and GE instructors to talk explicitly with students about the rationale for their policy and expectations, including the relationship to students’ learning, as suggested above.

Course policy examples

It can be helpful to read a range of policy examples to get a sense of what options may be best for your context, and what details may be important to share with students. If you allow genAI use, whether broadly or for specific tasks, specify whether citation or documentation of use is required, and if so, provide a model of what you want to see. 

The sample course policies below are grouped by broad approach:

1. GenAI use is allowed (or required) without limitations on use
2. GenAI use is allowed (or required) with specific limitations on use
3. GenAI use not allowed

We also encourage exploration of the Syllabus Resources from the Sentient Syllabus Project, which offers a variety of considerations and example policies that can be used or adapted. Instructors can also find dozens of sample course policies crowdsourced by instructional designer Lance Eaten, including an option to search by discipline and course topic.

Note: If inclusion of content produced by GenAI is allowable under your course policy, here is possible language for indicating how to cite GenAI: You may use content produced by a GenAI tool in your assignment submissions, but you must quote or cite it like any other source you use and reference in your work. Please use standard [APA or MLA] citation guidelines for GenAI, as indicated here: [MLA Style Center] [APA Style Blog].

1. GenAI use is allowed (or required) without limitations on use

Example allowing unlimited GenAI use and requiring citation of GenAI content

Students may use GenAI tools in this class to help with course work and assignments. Helpful uses include brainstorming ideas, creating outlines, editing, and so forth. However, if you include in your assignment submissions any content that is generated by GenAI, such as text, images, graphics, etc., you must cite the GenAI tool that is your source, in the same way that you must cite any content you use from other sources, such as books, articles, videos, the internet, etc. In class and on Canvas, I will provide guidelines for how you need to cite GenAI as well as other sources. I will also provide helpful resources for how best to use GenAI to support your learning process and work. Although open use of GenAI is allowed in this class, be advised that GenAI suggestions or content can be inaccurate, incomplete or otherwise problematic; using GenAI can impact negatively the quality of your work and your grades.  I welcome questions and discussion about GenAI use in this course – let’s talk!

Example allowing unlimited GenAI use and requiring both citation of genAI content and documentation of use

"Students can use GenAI tools in this class to help with course work and assignments.  Helpful uses include brainstorming ideas, creating outlines, editing, and so forth. However, if you use a GenAI tool, you need to document your use, including the tool you use and when, where, and how in your work process you used it (for example: “I used ChatGPT to generate an outline for my paper, which I then revised before writing my first draft” or “I used slidesAI.io to create the slidedeck style for my presentation.” etc.). In certain cases, as part of your documentation, I may ask you to submit any GenAI results you obtained, so you need to keep GenAI-created drafts and logs of your interactions with GenAI tools; failure to provide such documentation may result in a grade reduction in certain instances. I will provide helpful resources for how best to use GenAI to support your learning process and work.Along with documentation of your GenAI use, you are also required to cite GenAI if you use any GenAI-created content in your work submissions, for example text or images or graphics generated by GenAI tools. That is, you need to treat GenAI just like other sources such as books, articles, videos, etc. I will provide guidelines for how you need to cite GenAI tools as sources."

2. GenAI use is allowed (or required) with specific limitations on use

Example allowing certain GenAI uses but prohibit GenAI-generated content

"Students can use GenAI tools in this class to help with certain aspects of course work and assignments. This includes brainstorming ideas, creating a paper outline, or summarizing research findings of articles. However, you cannot use content such as text or graphics created by GenAI tools in your work; rather, you must be the author/creator of your work submissions. For example, you can use a GenAI tool to suggest a paper outline based on a draft you provide it, but you cannot submit a paper with text generated by GenAI as if the text is your own writing. Be advised, in accordance with UO policy, if I believe you’ve handed in work created whole or in part by GenAI tools, I may submit a report of suspected academic misconduct to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for that office to make a determination of responsibility and, if warranted, assess a grade penalty. So, if you are in doubt or have questions about a particular GenAI tool and if its use is okay, check in with me and let’s discuss!"

Variation: Instructors allowing certain GenAI uses can also require documentation using the sample language above.  In addition, instructors can list explicitly which GenAI uses are allowed and which are not allowed.

Example allowing GenAI use for certain tasks or assignments

"Learning to use GenAI tools [such as Copilot or whichever the course requires….] and recognize their pluses and minuses are important emerging skills. Students in this class will thus be required to use specific GenAI tools to complete certain assignments. Instructions and guidelines for required GenAI use will be provided in class, and we will thoroughly discuss and debrief our class engagement with GenAI." 

Additions: In addition to a policy that requires GenAI use for certain tasks or assignments, instructors should determine to what extent additional GenAI use for other course activities or assignments is allowed, if at all. 

Example allowing GenAI use only with explicit permission for very specific tasks or assignments

Students may use GenAI tools in this course only with explicit instructor permission for certain tasks or on certain assignments. I will clearly indicate when you can use GenAI and provide clear guidelines for which GenAI tools are allowed and in what ways you can use them. I will also indicate how you will document your use of GenAI. In accordance with UO policy, if I believe you’ve handed in work created in whole or in part by GenAI tools used without permission, I may submit a report of suspected academic misconduct to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for that office to make a determination of responsibility and, if warranted, assess a grade penalty. The bottom line is, unless permission has been given, you should not use GenAI in this course. If in doubt, ask!Variation: Instructors can specify the exact uses allowed in the course policy statement, although it may be advantageous to communicate such uses in more detail in task or assignment instructions, in accordance with the course policy statement, as in the example here.

3. GenAI use not allowed

"Students may not use GenAI tools in this course to produce course materials or assignments in whole or in part. All work you submit for this course toward completion of course requirements must be your own original work done specifically for this course and without substantive assistance from others, including GenAI. Work you’ve completed for previous courses or are developing for other courses this term also should not be submitted for this course.  In accordance with UO policy, if I believe you’ve handed in work created all or in part by GenAI, I will submit a report of suspected academic misconduct to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for that office to make a determination of responsibility and, if warranted, assess a grade penalty. If you have any questions or doubts, please ask!"