Sample Syllabi Statements for Generative AI and ChatGPT Usage - Policies for Course Instructors

Sep 13, 2026

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Sample syllabi statements and guidance for course instructors on setting clear policies for generative AI tools, including ChatGPT. The material provides example rules on acceptable use, requirements to cite AI-generated text and any generated code with model details, date/time, and the exact prompt, and cautions about requesting permission before using AI for assignments. It also outlines approaches for distinguishing permissible tutoring or drafting from cheating or plagiarism, plus recommendations on attribution and communicating expectations to students at the start of term.

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Syllabus Statements for Generative AI and ChatGPT Usage

Core rules for citing AI output and prompts

University sample policies and permission requirements

Recommendations for plagiarism, cheating, attribution, and acceptable use

Sample Syllabi Statements for Generative AI and ChatGPT Usage Below are examples of statements, language, and policies that instructors can review when considering if they should add such statements to their own courses. Vanderbilt University Professor Alan Peters AI Policy for his Electrical and Computer Engineering courses You are free to use generative AI algorithms such as Chat-GPT in your work. However, You must: 1. Cite any text that the AI generated (even if you edited it) with a bibliography entry that includes the name and version of the AI model that you used, the date and time it was used, and includes the exact query or prompt that you used to get the results. 2. Cite, as described in rule 1, any code that you had it generate for you. I recommend that you not ask it to write code for you. Doing so will probably be more work than simply writing it yourself. Because: a. You must thoroughly test the code to prove that it works. b. You must explain what you did to verify that it works. c. To demonstrate that you understand it, you must comment every single logical object be it a data structure or line or short block of code that it generates. I.e. exactly what that bit of code does and how it does it. d. The code must follow the other rules. For example the assignment may have stated restrictions on methods, procedures, external libraries, or programs. e. It must generate the results that are asked for in the assignment instructions. I hope that by following these rules you will learn how to use generative AI as an assistant to increase your productivity in writing and coding. If you fail to follow these rules, that will be an honor code violation and you will be referred to the Honor Council. Princeton University McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning We encourage faculty to be explicit about their AI/ChatGPT policy in their syllabus, on Canvas, and during class. We offer two sample syllabus statements below: 1. Intellectual honesty is vital to an academic community and for my fair evaluation of your work. All work submitted in this course must be your own, completed in accordance with the University’s academic regulations. You may not engage in unauthorized collaboration or make use of ChatGPT or other AI composition software. 2. Students must obtain permission from me before using AI composition software (like ChatGPT) for any assignments in this course. Using these tools without my permission puts your academic integrity at risk. University of Pennsylvania Center for Teaching and Learning ● You are not allowed to use ChatGPT (or tools like it) foryour work for this class. Using such tools will be considered a violation of Penn’s Code of Academic Integrity and suspected use will be reported to the Center for Community Standards & Accountability. Please contact me if you have any questions about this policy. ● You may use ChatGPT and otherAI assistants foryour work in this class but you must contact me for permission first so we can discuss how you plan to use these tools and how you will indicate their use in your work. If you do not first request permission, using such tools will be considered a violation of Penn’s Code of Academic Integrity. Duke Learning Innovation-AI and Teaching at Duke-Recommendations for Course Policies We suggest that faculty make it clear to students what their expectations are regarding the use of AI at the outset of the particular course. For example, you might allow the use of AI for generating early ideas and drafts but require that use be cited as part of the work. However, you might choose to expressly forbid the use of AI to develop other written assignments. Explaining how the use of AI can constitute cheating or plagiarism is a must. Instructors have discretion in setting specific AI policies to fit their course and individual assignments. Here are some recommendations for how to do so: Plagiarism Instructors should choose poli

FAQs

What citation details are required when using generative AI for coursework?

The policy requires citing any AI-generated text, including the AI model name and version, the date and time used, and the exact query or prompt used. Generated code must also be cited as described in the same rule.

Are students allowed to use ChatGPT for assignments without permission?

Some sample statements forbid unauthorized use and treat it as a violation of academic integrity, while others require students to obtain permission first. The document emphasizes that permission-based policies should be clearly stated in the syllabus.

How can instructors explain cheating, plagiarism, and proper attribution for AI use?

Instructors are advised to define what counts as copying or summarizing without adequate documentation, prohibit AI in assignments requiring original work, and provide guidance on how students should credit AI generators (e.g., listing ChatGPT as a reference or indicating generated text).

Sep 13, 2026

Upload by Jasmine