Academic Integrity Tools and Statements

Southern Utah University views academic integrity as a vital component of academic success. There are two key tools available to SUU faculty to monitor academic integrity within their courses. It is important to discuss what constitutes academic integrity within your course and at Southern Utah University. For face-to-face courses, this can be done as a class discussion during the first few class meetings. In online courses, this can be a bit more difficult. SUU has created an Academic Integrity Module for Canvas shells that can be used for all modalities that utilize Canvas. Search "SUU Academic Integrity Materials" in Canvas Commons to access the module.

At SUU, faculty members have access to two tools to assist in monitoring academic integrity. These two tools are:

  • CopyLeaks Similarity Checker
  • Proctorio

All modalities of learning at SUU can utilize the similarity checker for written assignments. Online courses may use Proctorio to monitor academic integrity during quizzes and exams, while face-to-face courses should utilize SUU Testing Center or classroom time to administer quizzes and exams.

Additionally, SUU recognizes the emergence of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education. CTI has provided examples of generative AI syllabus statements used at SUU and other higher education institutions. CTI also encourages that faculty have open conversations with their colleagues as we navigate this unique tool that is impacting higher education and the world around us.

Regardless if you decide to utilize these tools and statements, it is important to familiarize yourself with the SUU Policy 6.33: Academic Misconduct and procedures for reporting academic integrity violations to the Academic Integrity Specialist.

All modalities at SUU can utilize Canvas for submitting assignments to help faculty ensure that students are following the appropriate standards for citing resources. Below are two guides that you may find beneficial.

Best Practices When Utilizing CopyLeaks

While academic integrity is ultimately up to each individual student, CopyLeaks can assist you in identifying similarities between the submitted assignment and source materials used to create the assignment. It is important to note that tools such as CopyLeaks do not detect plagiarism but instead identify similarities. In some cases, students have copied their own work without citing their work (self-plagiarism). In other cases, significant similarities exist, but evaluation by the instructor shows proper citation in every instance. Here are some helpful tips and best practices when utilizing similarity checking software.

  • Introduce CopyLeaks as a tool for text analysis, not a “plagiarism checker.”
  • Turn on CopyLeaks for student viewing so students can learn how to properly cite source materials. 
  • Remember that similarity scores are not an assessment of the quality of writing.
  • Utilizing the detailed CopyLeaks report will give you a much clearer picture of what a student is struggling with (e.g. quotations).
  • Provide students with substantial feedback regarding their work, how they could apply the approved writing style (e.g. APA 7) better, etc.

  • Encourage students to create original content by using unique assignment prompts that ask students to connect the subject matter to their personal lives/opinions/experiences.

  • Support students by scaffolding assignments (for example, students submit a rough draft prior to the final draft) to reduce the likelihood of plagiarism.

  • If a student’s assignment contains uncited/unsourced material, use it as an opportunity to discuss academic integrity, including how to correctly quote and cite sources.

  • Regardless of the tool you decide to implement, inform and educate students about its use.

  • Google Chrome is the recommended browser.

When students submit an assignment that is utilizing CopyLeaks, they will be required to acknowledge that the assignment is being reviewed for similarities. Currently, the acknowledgement statement reads:

"I understand this submission is being reviewed for originality through CopyLeaks, and Southern Utah University's Academic Integrity policy applies to this submission."

Faculty and students all have a strong interest in maintaining the integrity of exams and quizzes within courses. SUU utilizes Proctorio for securing online exams located within SUU’s Learning Management System, Canvas. Proctorio can be used to record and monitor over 20 suspicious behaviors during a remote exam. It is important to understand how Proctorio works before making an accusation of violating academic integrity. The Center for Teaching Innovation has created multiple resources to assist you with learning more about Proctorio.

If you have additional questions, please contact CTI at canvas@suu.edu or by phone at (435) 865-8555.

When Should I Use Proctorio?

  • I am teaching an online course.
  • A face-to-face student is traveling with a school group (e.g. athletics) and needs to complete the exam.
  • A face-to-face student is ill or has a medical condition 

If you are teaching a face-to-face course, you should utilize SUU’s Testing Center.

Protecting Student Privacy

Proctorio puts student privacy first. Here are some highlights from the Privacy Policy:

  • All test takers' information collected during an exam is fully encrypted and cannot be viewed outside of the institution. This encryption ensures that your data is safe.
  • Proctorio is only running when a test taker accesses a quiz page from within their learning management system (LMS). As a Chrome extension, Proctorio can only run within Chrome and no information is collected until a quiz page is accessed within the student's LMS. Proctorio will only collect information during a proctored exam.
  • Proctorio does not automatically collect personally identifiable information and under no circumstances will any personally identifiable information be provided to third parties for any reason.
  • Here is a document from Proctorio you can download as well: Proctorio Privacy and Data Protection.pdf

As technology continues to evolve, artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to play a role within education. There are both benefits and concerns involved any time a new technology is introduced to society and especially higher education. At SUU, it is up to each individual faculty member and department to determine how, why, and when AI tools can be used as part of a student’s coursework. CTI encourages faculty to discuss examples of appropriate uses of AI-generated materials and what uses would be considered a violation of SUU academic misconduct policy. 

Knowing your stance on AI-generated materials is great. However, it is important that you communicate your stance with your learners. If they are not allowed to utilize AI-generated materials and tools, then it needs to appear not only in the syllabus but also in the assignment instructions. The same is true if you support the use of AI-generated materials.

AI Guiding Principles

Examples of Syllabus Statements

Change Policy Throughout the Semester

“The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education is an ever evolving situation. As AI continues to evolve and more tools begin to include AI into their products, this course will have the flexibility to ebb and flow with these changes. As such, I will provide clear instructions in each assignment as to whether generative-AI is allowed for that assignment.”

AI Allowed

“Within this course, we will be utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) as part of our learning process. I will assume that submitted assignments have either been co-authored/created or are entirely the product of an AI application. Grading for this course will be partially based on your ability to harness and proficiently utilize this new technology within our field of study.”

“Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and BingAI, may be used on all assignments in this class. You are responsible for the final product submitted, so make sure your submission is accurate and your sources are reliable.”

AI Allowed With Permission

“Within this course, you are not allowed to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) applications to create, draft, or complete the majority of the assignments. However, there are some assignments that indicate AI is allowed. Within the instructions of those assignments you will find directions on how and why AI is allowed as part of that specific assignment. If you are unsure if you can use AI applications as part of the assignment, please reach out to me via the General Q&A Discussion board or by emailing me directly.”

“Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and BingAI, may be allowed on some assignments in this class. Each assignment will include a statement indicating whether generative AI is allowed or not, and if allowed, how it could be used. If you choose to use generative AI on an assignment where it is allowed, you are responsible for the final product submitted, so make sure your submission is accurate and your sources are reliable. On any assignment prohibiting its use, any perceived use of generative AI will be investigated for possible submission to the university as cheating.”

AI Not Allowed

“Within this course, all submitted assignments should be written, developed, created, or inspired by you. If any work is created by artificial intelligence (AI) it will be considered plagiarized work and a violation of SUU Policy 6.33: Academic Misconduct. This could result in a failing grade to disciplinary action through the Dean of Students’ Office. AI is an evolving technology and will impact our academic, professional, and personal lives. It is important that as part of your education, you learn to critically think, create, and evaluate products/assignments.”

“Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and BingAI, are not allowed to be used in this class. Although the use of these types of tools may be allowed in other classes or are used professionally, this class will focus on learning foundations without the aid of generative AI. Any perceived use of generative AI will be investigated for possible submission to the university as cheating.”

Pedagogical Practices Involving AI

Below are just a few examples of how SUU’s faculty can modify assignments or create opportunities to discuss utilizing AI-generated materials.

  • Ask students to consider SUU’s academic misconduct policy and how utilizing AI-generated materials may violate the policy. When would utilizing AI-generated materials not violate the policy?
  • Have students review the course schedule and brainstorm when they believe it would be acceptable to utilize AI for assisting on an assignment.
  • Add a reflective component to the assignment asking students to self-assess their process and materials learned as a result of completing the project.
  • Utilize Universal Design for Learning principles within the assignment that allow students to demonstrate what they learned in a variety of ways.
  • Craft prompts that allow students to explore unique aspects of the field of study.
  • Scaffold the assignment to emphasize the process the student is using versus the final product.

Contact

The Center for Teaching Innovation