Information Technology Top Actionable Takeaways from Westmont College's AI policy:

 

  1. Disclose Your AI Use. You must be transparent about using AI in your academic or creative work. This means clearly stating which AI tools you used and how they contributed to the final product. Minor uses, like basic grammar checks, don't need to be disclosed, but anything more significant does. Misrepresenting AI-generated work as your own is a violation of academic integrity.
     
  2. Protect Sensitive Data. Never input confidential or personal information into external AI systems. This includes student records (FERPA-protected), personal identifiable information (PII), and non-public research data. Assume any information you enter into a public AI tool could be stored, used for training, or seen by others.
     
  3. Stick to Approved Tools. The college officially supports Google Gemini. Using other AI tools, especially for tasks involving institutional data, is prohibited unless they have been specifically approved through the college's formal request and evaluation process. Don't purchase or use new AI services without getting administrative approval first.
     
  4. Uphold Academic and Ethical Integrity. You are prohibited from using AI for dishonest or harmful purposes. This includes creating deceptive content like deepfakes, generating material that is harassing or obscene, spreading misinformation, or engaging in any form of academic dishonesty. AI should augment your work, not replace your judgment or facilitate cheating.
     
  5. Respect Copyright. When using AI, you are still bound by copyright laws. You must not use AI to circumvent copyright protections or plagiarize the work of others. Any copyrighted material you input into an AI tool must adhere to fair use principles, just like any other academic work.
     
  6. Use AI with Christian Discernment. As a core principle, all AI use should align with the college's Christian mission. This involves a commitment to truth, honesty, and using technology in a way that promotes human dignity and flourishing.

Top  Actionable AI Policy Takeaways was generated giving Google Gemini the policy and asking “Please generate a top 5 actionable takeaways from this AI policy” and supplementing with takeaway #6.