STAR Center Policy on Academic Integrity and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  1. Academic Integrity & Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

All work submitted by students must reflect their own understanding, effort, and judgment. Falsification, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, or submitting work not produced by the student is prohibited.

Violations include (but are not limited to):

  • Submitting AI-generated work as your own without permission or citation
  • Using AI to bypass learning tasks, assessments, or practical demonstrations
  • Copying or paraphrasing without proper attribution
  • Presenting someone else’s work or assistance as your own

Academic integrity violations will result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate failure and disenrollment from the course.

  1. Permitted Use of AI (Only When Authorized by Instructor)

AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot) may be used only when the instructor explicitly allows it, and only for the permitted purpose. Examples where AI may be allowed include:

  • Brainstorming or exploring ideas during research and preparation
  • Drafting preliminary outlines only or improving grammar/clarity
  • Generating questions for self-study
  • Technical explanation assistance

All AI-assisted work must be disclosed (e.g., “Portions of this draft were supported by ChatGPT for organization”).

  1. Prohibited Use of AI

AI use is not permitted when it would circumvent learning, evaluation, or demonstration requirements. AI is specifically prohibited during:

  • Exams, quizzes, graded case studies, or closed-book assignments
  • Simulator evaluations, oral exams, and performance assessments
  • Any assignment where the instructor has not explicitly allowed AI use

AI may not be used to:

  • Generate answers or submissions directly for graded work
  • Fabricate references, data, calculations, or technical justifications
  • Replace required student analysis, reflection, or critical thinking

  1. AI Output

AI outputs are not inherently correct or safe. Students remain responsible for verifying accuracy, citing appropriately, and demonstrating full understanding of any material used.

  1. Disclosure Requirement

When AI is used on any permitted task, students must provide a short note (e.g., footer or cover page) such as: “AI Assistance Declaration: Used ChatGPT to brainstorm structure and improve grammar. All technical content and conclusions are my own.”

Failure to disclose AI use when required is treated as an integrity violation.

  1. Instructor Authority

The instructor will adhere to all USCG requirements for approved courses and may at their discretion:

  • Restrict, or prohibit AI use per assignment
  • Require demonstration or oral defense of submitted work
  • Reassess or nullify work suspected of unauthorized AI assistance

Unauthorized collaboration, plagiarism, or submitting work generated by AI not in line with this policy after will be considered a serious breach of academic integrity and will result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate failure and disenrollment from the course. Note: STAR Center uses AI-Detection software to flag suspiciously generated work and submissions. Any submission flagged as suspicious will result in an investigation into the contents, sources of the work and additional student assessment and verification will be incorporated.