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Artificial Intelligence Guidelines
Purpose and Scope
The public release of artificial intelligence-branded technologies ("AI") and their integration into commonly used software applications pose significant opportunities and challenges for higher education institutions. While early concerns centered on academic dishonesty, since then, as AI use, marketing, and investment have increased, a wider scope of considerations have come into focus, including, but not limited to, matters of environmental sustainability, government regulation, and intellectual property. Among these critical social concerns, institutions must consider AI’s potential impact on administrative operations, research, and the digital competencies expected of tomorrow’s college graduates.
As a liberal arts college committed to developing critical thinking, communication, and information literacy skills, Lycoming College is well-positioned to engage with AI, both as a tool and as an object of intellectual inquiry across disciplines.
These guidelines are intended to help ensure that as engagement and exploration occur, AI uses by the Lycoming College community comply with existing policies, minimize institutional risk, and support the College’s mission.
Compliance with Existing Policies
The following applies to uses of AI by all members of the Lycoming College community.
Use of AI is largely regulated by these existing policies:
While AI presents a range of potential harms, some forms of AI are classified in particular as “high-risk.” According to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, high-risk AI includes AI tools or platforms that pose risk to individuals or communities, including human rights (civil rights, civil liberties, equal opportunities, access to resources, or privacy) or safety (human life, well-being, or critical infrastructure). The use of high-risk AI tools or platforms and the use of other AI tools in high-risk ways are strictly prohibited, in accordance with the principles of the Code of Student Conduct and the Administrative Handbook.
Data Privacy
Use of AI brings a variety of data privacy risks. Per the College’s Acceptable Use Policy, Data Classification Policy, and Privacy Statement , those using AI must respect the rights and privacy of others and take reasonable precautions to secure their own devices and accounts.
Enforcement
Violations of these policies will be addressed according to the relevant policies’ procedures.
Staff Guidelines
Staff using AI must ensure the security, privacy, and confidentiality of all protected information, pursuant to the College’s Acceptable Use Policy, Data Classification Policy, and Privacy Statement .
Those seeking to use AI should:
- Log in with Lycoming username and password to access Microsoft Copilot
- Obtain permission from their supervisor if using AI outside of Microsoft Copilot
- Follow Lycoming College’s Software Policy for licensing.
Student Guidelines
Students must follow instructor guidance about AI usage in their courses. Instructors are encouraged to explicitly state their AI policy in their syllabus and/or in their individual assignments. If the AI policy is unclear, students are encouraged to ask their instructor(s) for clarity. Students who use AI when expressly prohibited by the course instructor may be violating Lycoming’s Academic Integrity Policy; students can expect instructors to follow the procedures outlined in said policy.
When using AI-generated content, students are required to cite and disclose their AI usage. Any AI-generated content used in assignments that is not disclosed and cited may be considered a violation of Lycoming’s Academic Integrity Policy. Instructors will follow the procedures outlined in said policy.
If an instructor believes a student has violated their syllabus policy on AI, they should speak to the student directly about their concerns. If the student admits to the violation or the faculty is not satisfied with the conversation, it is at their discretion to send the student to the Provost for further discussion.
Faculty Guidelines
Faculty/Instructors are free to determine whether they use AI in their courses and are highly encouraged to:
- Include an AI statement in their syllabus. This will be based upon three levels:
- Red: No AI usage
- Yellow: Some AI usage allowed based on the assignment; see specific instructions and policies
- Green: AI usage allowed for all assignments
- Acknowledge AI generated material (course material or assessment) within the classroom when applicable or appropriate
- Ensure they do not violate Copyright Law.
Uploading student assignments to AI tools or platforms (e.g. grading, feedback) is strictly prohibited, as student data is covered by Federal law (FERPA) and the Privacy Policy.
Research Guidelines
AI can be used as a tool for research but should not replace critical thinking and information literacy, as espoused by the Lycoming College Mission Statement’s Guiding Principles and Student Learning Outcomes. Those using AI for research must disclose its use and comply with Lycoming College’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), as appropriate.
Use of AI in research should be evaluated based upon the Acceptable Use Policy, Data Classification Policy, Software Policy, and Privacy Statement.
AI Literacy
In pursuit of its mission, Lycoming College educates students so that they have “an excellent foundation for an informed and productive life” and “model social responsibility.” This includes AI literacy, broadly defined as understanding the basics of AI, evaluating its limitations and outputs, responsibly using such tools, and understanding their larger impact on society, culture, and the environment. In keeping with this pursuit, Lycoming College will continue to develop AI literacy programs for faculty, staff, and students.
Acknowledgements
Portions of these policies were adapted from the UPenn Center for Teaching, Learning and Innovation, NYU’s Student Learning with Generative AI, York College Artificial Intelligent Guidelines, and DePauw’s Guidelines for Use of AI Tools.
Approved by the Information Technology Committee on March 27, 2026
Approved by the President’s Administrative Cabinet on March 30, 2026
Reviewed by the Academic Affairs Team during the Spring 2026 semester
Reviewed by the Faculty Executive Council during the Spring 2026 semester
Reviewed by the Technology and Systems Committee of the Board June 30, 2026