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Introduction

  • Author: Joseph M. Keegin

  • Date: May 23, 2023

  • Context: Discussion on the implications of ChatGPT and AI technology in higher education, specifically addressing the lack of response from university administrators regarding issues surrounding academic integrity.

Overview of Communication from Administration

  • Emails from Administration at Tulane University:

    • 22 emails from the president’s office since November 2022, covering institutional announcements.

      • Topics include:

      • University medical partnership

      • Changes in leadership across schools and institutes

      • Commencement announcements

    • 7 newsletters from the department’s college, including updates on:

      • Faculty awards

      • Alumni achievements

      • Capital campaigns

      • Monthly happenings

    • 2 emails from the dean's office regarding informal “Catch Up With the Dean” events featuring activities and refreshments.

    • Significant volume of communication:

      • 11 emails from the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

      • 4 emails from the Office of Human Resources and Institutional Equity

      • 54 emails from the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

      • 2 emails from the provost’s office

  • Key Point: None of these communications addressed the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, a significant development impacting higher education.

Current State of AI Use Among Students

  • Observations from Owen Kichizo Terry:

    • AI usage in classrooms, with students often consulting ChatGPT during homework.

  • Graduate student feedback suggests:

    • Instances of students submitting essays generated entirely by AI.

    • Students also modify AI-generated responses for submission.

  • Graduate instructors noted:

    • Student work reflecting signs of AI generation leading to academic integrity concerns.

    • Authors faced challenges as traditional essay writing was often substituted by in-class assessments.

    • Concerns arose about retention of misinformation as students use AI-generated answers.

  • Adaptation of Accommodations:

    • A professor expressed worries about modifying disability accommodations (e.g., extra time, typing allowances) amidst new AI challenges.

Administrative Silence and Its Implications

  • Analysis of administrative silence regarding the pressing issue of AI in education:

    • Many college administrations fail to address AI-related challenges while speaking out on various other issues (e.g., racism, climate change).

    • Notable absence of guidance on how to deal with the integration of AI into academic integrity protocols, leaving faculty members underprepared.

  • Impact of Cheating Technology:

    • Reference to a statistic from the International Center for Academic Integrity highlighting that over 60% of college students admit to cheating.

    • Concerns that ChatGPT represents a low-cost and highly accessible cheating tool, thus amplifying cheating behaviors among students.

Educational Philosophy and Integrity

  • Core Educational Values:

    • The essence of meaningful education encompasses individual work and ownership of one’s outputs.

  • Plagiarism as a perennial threat:

    • Bypassing personal effort undermines educational integrity.

  • Transition from educational institutions to credentialing bodies:

    • Motivation to avoid plagiarism is often rooted in fear of punishment rather than an intrinsic value for learning and responsibility.

  • Role of Administrators:

    • The lack of proactive engagement on pressing issues raises questions about leadership and responsibility in guiding academic integrity standards.

Recommendations for College Administrators

  • Strategies for Action:

    • Engage with faculty (especially junior and contingent members) regarding observed student behavior and writing quality amidst the rise of AI like ChatGPT.

    • Explore student perspectives to discern their frustrations with academic dishonesty.

    • Assess the problem scale through feedback from paper-graders who witness firsthand the challenges posed by AI technology in academic submissions.

  • Varied Perspectives on AI:

    • Departments might consider recognizing AI as a research tool rather than solely as a plagiarism instrument if used appropriately.

    • Importance of aligning faculty perspectives while maintaining a strong stance against plagiarism.