Academic integrity is central to teaching and learning at HVCC, and AI does not change that foundation. As the instructor, you set the rules for acceptable AI use in your course, and students are required to follow the expectations you establish. When students use AI without permission, or fail to credit the help they received, the work may count as plagiarism or unauthorized aid under the college’s Academic Integrity Policy. Likewise, using AI during exams or on graded assignments where it is not allowed is considered cheating.
Students must clearly cite any AI assistance they use, and you may require them to document their prompts, decisions, and revisions. While AI‑detection tools can sometimes raise concerns, they are not reliable enough to serve as the sole basis for an academic integrity decision. In all cases, your professional judgment as faculty is the primary factor in determining whether AI was misused and how to respond. For full details on academic integrity standards, refer to Article VII of the Judicial Code.
AI Detection
AI‑detection tools can help faculty gather additional information, but they cannot prove whether a student used AI. HVCC uses Turnitin’s AI detector as the only official tool for this purpose. Its results should be treated as one data point, not a verdict. The college’s Academic Integrity Policy says that AI‑detection scores may not be used as the sole basis for accusing a student of plagiarism or cheating.
Instead, think of Turnitin’s AI report as a conversation starter. If the score seems unusual, combine it with your own observations:
- Does the writing sound different from the student’s past work?
- Are there gaps in reasoning, incorrect facts, or abrupt changes in tone?
- Does the assignment skip required steps or ignore class‑specific details?
As the instructor, your professional judgment is central. AI detection should support your decision‑making, not replace it. When used alongside drafts, checkpoints, reflections, or a brief discussion with the student, Turnitin can help you understand what might be going on—but it cannot tell you what happened on its own.
This approach keeps the focus on learning, fairness, and transparency, not policing.
For more information about Turnitin’s AI Detector.
Talking with Students About AI Use
Conversations about AI use work best when they are calm, curious, and centered on learning, not punishment. Early in the semester, let students know that they should always ask questions if they are unsure about what is allowed. Remind them that you set the AI expectations for each assignment—and that those expectations may differ from class to class.
If you suspect unauthorized AI use, start with a non‑accusatory conversation. For example:
- “Can you walk me through how you created this assignment?”
- “Which parts were hardest for you, and how did you approach them?”
- “Did you use any digital tools while you worked on this?”
Most students will be honest when the tone is open and respectful. This approach helps you understand whether the student simply misunderstood the policy, relied too heavily on AI, or used it in a way that conflicts with the assignment.
If the work doesn’t match the student’s voice or past performance, you can ask for a follow‑up:
- A short explanation of their process
- A revised draft
- A quick oral check or problem‑solving demonstration
These steps help students show what they know and provide a fair basis for your judgment. As always, if you believe a violation occurred, follow the procedures outlined in the Academic Integrity Policy—but only after gathering enough information to make a clear and well‑supported decision.
This approach keeps trust at the center of your teaching while helping students learn to use AI responsibly.