Policy 3.27

Part 1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide standards for the appropriate and ethical uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning at Minneapolis College. The policy aims to ensure AI is used in ways that support the college’s mission of providing access to the transformative power of education and provide guidance on implementing emerging technologies in ways that advance student success, institutional integrity, and equitable opportunity. 

The policy governs the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in all teaching and learning activities, including but not limited to AI-powered educational tools, adaptive learning systems, automated grading systems, tutoring platforms, generative AI models, and AI-supported research. 

Part 2. Definitions

The following definitions apply to this policy: 

Application Rule: The definitions contained in this section are applicable throughout Minneapolis College's policies and procedures. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI): “Artificial Intelligence” describes a range of computing techniques that attempt to replicate aspects of human thought, reasoning, processing, decision making, creativity, and behavior. 

Generative Artificial Intelligence: “Generative Artificial Intelligence” describes types of artificial intelligence systems that generate content such as text, participation in conversations, documents, images, videos, audio, data, program code, or other digital products. Generative Artificial Intelligence products can be:

• stand-alone tools, such as browser-based chatbots, or, 
• integrated into other software applications, websites, or mobile apps.

Part 3. Use of AI by Faculty and Academic Support Staff

Subpart A. Appropriate AI Use

The college encourages faculty to account for AI technologies in their course and assignment design in ways appropriate to their field or discipline.

• When faculty and staff use AI tools, they should evaluate AI tools for their effectiveness and suitability in supporting the specific learning goals and outcomes of their course or educational activity (e.g., tutoring).
• Faculty are required to include a statement about AI use in their course syllabi to provide students with an understanding of what AI use, if any, is permissible in the course.

Subpart B. AI-Assistance with Course Creation 

Faculty are the content experts for their courses and remain fully responsible for the originality, integrity, and accuracy of their course materials. Faculty may use AI tools for assistance with course creation in alignment with college policies but cannot use AI technologies as the sole provider of course content.

• Faculty must review and verify AI-generated course content and materials to ensure accuracy. 
• Faculty are encouraged to model transparency and best practices of AI use by citing the use of AI technologies in any course materials in which generative AI was used to produce content. 

Subpart C. AI-Assistance with Assessment

Faculty may use AI tools for assistance with assessment and feedback in alignment with college policies but cannot use AI systems as the sole provider of feedback on student assessment.

• The use of AI for providing feedback does not meet the requirements of Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI), and therefore should be used in moderation if at all.
• Faculty must review and verify AI-generated assessments to ensure accuracy and fairness.
• The use of AI tools for grading and feedback must be transparent and clearly aligned with the learning objectives of the course.
• Utilization of these tools must be done in accordance with college, Minnesota State, and Federal Privacy regulations, including Minnesota State Policy 5.23 and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Faculty are encouraged to comply with the Minnesota State's Generative AI Guidance.
• Faculty maintain final responsibility for assessment decisions and must ensure that AI technologies are used as tools to support, not replace, human judgment and feedback in the evaluation of student work.
• Cheating and AI detection technologies cannot be used as a sole basis for identifying an academic integrity violation due to biases and inaccuracies in these technologies. Human review and additional evidence collection is required to support academic integrity violation allegations.

Subpart D. Professional Development 

Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in training on AI technologies to better understand their potential, limitations, and ethical considerations in teaching and learning. Professional development opportunities will be made available to support faculty in accounting for AI effectively and responsibly in their teaching practices.

Part 4. Use of AI by Students

Subpart A. Responsibility for Work 

Students remain fully responsible for the originality, integrity, and accuracy of the academic work they submit. Any use of AI must comply with class policy as stated in the syllabus or written assignment instructions. Students must ensure that their submissions reflect their own understanding and effort. Use of AI for coursework in ways outside of what is permitted in the course policy or assignment instructions may be considered an academic honesty violation.

Subpart B. AI for Academic Support 

Students may use AI tools that support learning if their use complies with the guidelines established by faculty for each course, the College’s Student Accommodations policy, the College’s Academic Honesty policy and procedure, data security policies of the College, and this policy. Student use of AI must comply with relevant privacy laws, including Minnesota State Policy 3.26 on Intellectual Property.

Subpart C. AI for Research and Projects

Students may use AI technologies in research and projects, if their use complies with the guidelines established by faculty for each course, the College’s Academic Honesty policy and procedure, data security policies of the College, and this policy. Student use of AI must comply with relevant privacy laws, including Minnesota State Policy 3.26 on Intellectual Property.

Part 5. AI and Academic Collaboration

When collaborating with external organizations or using third-party AI platforms, faculty, staff, and students must ensure that any shared data, intellectual property, and research findings comply with the college’s policies on data protection, academic integrity, and ethical standards. Collaborative projects with external partners must comply with established data usage, authorship, and intellectual property rights policy.

Part 6. Oversight and Enforcement

Subpart A. Monitoring and Review

The college will monitor the use of AI in teaching and learning to ensure adherence to this policy and evaluate the impact of AI technologies on academic outcomes and student experiences. Faculty, staff, and students may be periodically surveyed to gather feedback on their experiences with AI tools and identify potential areas for improvement.

Subpart B. Compliance and Violations

Violations of this policy may result in academic or disciplinary action, in accordance with the college’s established procedures for handling academic integrity violations or misconduct. Faculty, staff, and students found to be using AI technologies in ways that are in violation of this policy will be subject to review and appropriate action.

Part 7. Policy Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains current with emerging AI technologies and the evolving needs of the Minneapolis College community. Updates will be made as necessary to ensure continued compliance with ethical standards, privacy regulations, and academic integrity.

Owner(s) Title: Vice President of Academic Affairs

Date of Adoption: 6/3/3036

Date of Implementation (if different from adoption date): The effective date requiring faculty to include an AI policy in their course syllabus is the beginning of the Spring 2027 semester.

Date Last Reviewed: N/A 

History and Subject of Revisions: Adopted 6/3/2026

Regulatory Authority (e.g. Minnesota State policy, federal or state law): Minnesota State System Procedure 3.6.1, Student Conduct; Minnesota State Policy 3.26 on Intellectual Property; Minnesota State Board of Trustees Policy 5.23; Minnesota State System Generative AI Guidance document;  Minneapolis College Policy 3.26 Academic Honesty; Minneapolis College Procedure 3.26.01 Academic Honesty Procedure