University Guidelines for AI Use in the Classroom

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 09:36:46 -0500

Dear colleagues,

I am writing to share UMBC's guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom and in academic administration. These guidelines (available in the Provost Group files section on my.UMBC) were developed through broad consultation between faculty and staff and reflect emerging best practices and examples from peer institutions.

Because instructional approaches and disciplinary contexts vary widely, these guidelines are not a policy. Rather, they are intended to support faculty decision making and provide a shared framework for navigating the use of AI in teaching and learning. Faculty retain full discretion to determine whether, how, and when AI tools are used in their courses. We ask only that instructors clearly communicate their expectations regarding AI use in course syllabi.

The guidelines feature the "traffic light" model (green, yellow, red) to help instructors articulate permissible, limited, or prohibited uses of AI tools, particularly generative AI tools, within individual courses.

Guideline Principles

The guidelines are grounded in three core principles:

Academic Integrity: Faculty should clearly define expectations for AI use in assignments so students understand what is permitted and what constitutes academic dishonesty.

Pedagogical Choice: Faculty retain the autonomy to align AI use with course learning objectives and disciplinary norms, using the traffic light model as a decision support tool.

Responsible Use: All users are expected to engage with AI tools ethically, with attention to data privacy, intellectual property, and institutional policies.

Action Items

Review the Full Guidelines: The full document is available here.

Update Course Syllabi: Include a clear statement on AI use for the upcoming term. Sample language and templates are provided in the guidelines document.

Share Feedback: We welcome ongoing feedback as questions, concerns, and effective practices emerge. Feedback can be sent to Crystal Williams and Kyle Pokorny.

The rapid evolution of AI requires an adaptive approach. These guidelines are a starting point and we will continue to update them based on technological advancements and community feedback. Given that we are a community of scholars, we are also sharing links to resources within the guidelines document, including how other universities have handled this challenge.

Thank you for your partnership in fostering an environment where innovation and academic integrity can thrive together.

Best regards,

Anupam Joshi
Vice Provost and Chief AI Officer