Generative AI Policy

As a student in the Parent and Family Education program, you are preparing for a professional role that expects you to think critically, navigate misinformation, and respond thoughtfully to the real, complex needs of families. While generative AI tools can support learning and creativity, they must be used responsibly, and only in ways that align with program expectations and University academic integrity, data privacy, and copyright policies.

Our program approaches AI use with caution.  As future family educators, our goal is not just to learn information, but to develop your professional judgment including, the skills to filter misinformation,  recognize nuance, and lead with care and credibility. AI should enhance your learning, not replace your judgment or effort.

General University Guidelines

1. AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, Bing Co-Pilot) may be used only in ways explicitly authorized by your instructor.

2. Students are responsible for verifying the accuracy and integrity of any AI-generated content before using it in academic work.  AI tools may provide false, misleading, or biased information, and they may reproduce copyrighted materials without appropriate attribution. Using these tools without careful review and citation can lead to serious academic consequences.

3. Under the UMN Student Conduct Code, students are prohibited from uploading, sharing, or reproducing copyrighted materials, including instructor content (e.g., slides, readings, lectures, assignments) and peer work (e.g., discussion posts, group projects, peer feedback, etc.), on AI tools or any external platforms without written consent. Do not enter private, sensitive, or copyrighted information into AI tools, including: personal information, health data, UMN-protected data, or images with metadata into AI tools.

4. Any AI use must be transparent. If students use AI, they must clearly cite it following our documentation standards set by the instructor (see below).

Permissible Uses of AI

In general, students may use AI tools for the following purposes, unless otherwise prohibited by the instructor:

• Grammar and spell check

• Brainstorming ideas

• Generating outlines or writing structure

• Restructuring individual sentences for clarity 

Prohibited Uses of AI

AI tools may not be used for: 

• Any portion of weekly discussion posts and responses, including Call & Response posts  

• Any long-form writing (e.g., papers, projects)

• Generating or sourcing citations or references

• Uploading or analyzing instructor-created materials, such as assignment prompts, lecture notes, or slides

• Uploading or processing other students' work or group assignments

Documentation and Citation of AI Use

Students must disclose any use of AI in coursework. Include on the cover page of each assignment: 

• Whether or not AI were used

• If used, how and which tools were used

• A citation following UMN library guidelines (see: UMN Citation Guide for ChatGPT)

• Instructors may ask students to retain the original AI prompts or output

Academic Integrity, Copyright, and Responsible AI Use

Using generative AI in ways that violate course expectations or University policies may be considered scholastic dishonesty as defined in the UMN Student Code of Conduct and may result in academic consequences, including: 

• A failing grade on the assignment or in the course

• Required revision of the assignment

• A report to the Office of Community Standards

When using AI tools, you are responsible for protecting the privacy and intellectual property of yourself and others: 

• Only upload content that you created or have explicit permission to use.

• Do not upload instructor materials, peer work, research data, or personal information. 

• Respect all applicable copyright laws and FERPA regulations.

AI can be a useful learning aid, but it's not a substitute for your own thinking, effort, or academic integrity. You are expected to: 

• Fact-check AI-generated content and citations using credible sources.

• Recognize bias, stereotyping, or misinformation in AI outputs.

• Use AI to support learning, not to complete assignments for you.

Questions?

If you're unsure whether a specific use of AI is allowed, ask your instructor before submitting work. Each course may set its own expectations regarding generative AI, collaboration, and citation practices.