By Kathleen Barker and John Verzani
At the May 9th, 2023 Plenary, the University Faculty Senate unanimously passed changes to the CUNY policy on Academic Integrity (2022) that were proposed by its Academic Affairs Advisory Committee, Chaired by Professor Kathleen Barker. Chancellor Felix Matos and Vice Chancellor Wendy Hensel asked the Senate to recommend policy language to address the rapid and growing availability of artificial intelligence tools emerging with application to academic learning and process.
Issues of artificial intelligence (AI) are being covered in higher education news outlets and national media in a bountiful continuing stream. Coincident, we may read informed, or less so, opinions about how AI has intruded upon faculty practices that go back hundreds of years. Some opinions also occur within a narrative that attempt to diminish the value of higher education. Therefore, concerns about how AI can be, should be, and will be managed by faculty cannot be minimized. The role of faculty is to assure the integrity of higher education.
To do this, faculty rely on institutional policies to ensure academic integrity. The emergence of AI has made this a paramount concern as faculty work to preserve both their disciplines and the credentials of graduates.
Given the emergence of AI, the Academic Affairs Advisory Committee at the University Faculty Senate undertook a charge to revisit the CUNY policy on academic integrity. It was challenging to do so when the technology is changing day-to-day, if not hour-to-hour.
We have received word that the University is moving forward with suggested policy changes made by the UFS Academic Affairs Advisory Committee, with additional input from Prof. Roxanne Shirazi, Chair of the Libraries and Information Technology Committee, and unanimously affirmed at the most recent UFS Plenary on May 9th. (see AAAC Annual Report 2023, Appendix 1)
The suggested language recommends expanding the definition of cheating to include:
“Unauthorized use of AI-generated content on assignments or examinations unless an instructor for a given course specifically authorizes their use. Some instructors may approve of using generative AI tools in the academic setting for specific goals. However, these tools should be used only with the explicit and clear permission of each individual instructor, and then only in the ways allowed by the instructor.”
Similarly, the recommendation to expand plagiarism in the policy to reflect:
“Unauthorized use of AI-generated content; or use of AI-generated content, whether in whole or in part, even when paraphrased, without citing the AI as the source.”
As we plan our future semesters, it is important to note that UFS recommended policies are reviewed but not stamped.
Following the UFS suggested revisions to CUNY academic integrity policy, there are many steps to final adoption, These include:
- Proposed changes vetted by the Student Conduct Officers. This is underway.
- Review by the Committee on Student Life for its nexus to the student disciplinary process.
- Review by Committee on Academic Technology (CAT)
- Review and approval by the Board Committee on Education Policy. (October 2 is the next available committee meeting for this.)
- Approval by the Board of Trustees.
Should there not be a venue for further faculty consideration, such policies can be addressed at one of the six yearly public hearings of the CUNY Board of Trustees.
How will AI impact our pedagogy and student learning? Your considered opinions and questions are valuable within and across departments, at our University Faculty Senate committees and meetings, as well as at Board of Trustee public hearings. Please write to us using links below.
Wishing you a restorative annual leave.
Kathleen Barker is a Professor of Psychology at Medgar Evers College. She Chairs the University Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Advisory Committee and has served in the elected Senate leadership in many roles representing the faculty.
John Verzani is the Chair of the University Faculty Senate and a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the College of Staten Island.
The UFS Blog is a forum for CUNY Faculty, and welcomes the expression of all points of view. Please send submissions to Stasia Pasela, Editor.
Image: Info-graphic shared on Reddit May 29, 2023, AI tools apps in one place sorted by category, with comments that it missed some apps.