As artificial intelligence continues to reshape education, Emporia State University is working to keep pace, not only by establishing policy but also by reimagining what it means to teach, learn, and communicate in the age of generative technology.
The University’s current AI policy is listed as Policy 6.33 in the University’s Policy Manual and was implemented earlier this semester in accordance with state mandates. This policy is based on guidelines from the Kansas Board of Regents and the Department of Information Technology Services (ITECH) and outlines appropriate and ethical uses of AI, with an emphasis on protecting privacy and intellectual property.
“We are in the midst of massive change,” he said. amy sage webb bazahead of ESU’s AI Task Force. “Artificial intelligence is changing everything, and we are working together to keep up and ensure that our policies evolve with it.”
At this time, there are no university-wide restrictions or approvals on the use of AI tools in the classroom. Instead, the emphasis is on open communication and ethical awareness. Instructors are encouraged to define appropriate usage within their courses, discuss expectations with students, and adapt as technology evolves.
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“Teacher guidance is not about police enforcement,” Webb-Baza explained. “Tools to detect the use of AI are not very good right now, and we are focused on helping faculty and students understand and use AI responsibly.”
ESU is working to keep pace with state mandates and technology evolution, and the policy environment for AI use is still taking shape. To this end, the AI Taskforce has organized training, forums, and the creation of a central resource repository for both students and faculty. The October training session will introduce basic concepts and considerations for using AI, and future sessions, including the December session, will focus on effective prompts and practical classroom integration.
By the end of the semester, the task force plans to release templates and best practice materials that will make the guidance clearer and more accessible. The faculty forum will also highlight ways faculty are already productively incorporating AI into their coursework.
According to Webb Baza, one of the biggest challenges lies in rethinking traditional assumptions about education and assessment.
“A lot of the ways we teach and communicate were built in a pre-AI world,” she said. “Now we need to reconsider those assumptions.”
The structure of the task force also incorporated student representation to ensure the university’s evolving AI strategy reflected the voices of those most directly affected. Some trainings are designed for both students and faculty to encourage collaboration rather than division.
Still, the university acknowledges that recognition remains a challenge. Policies exist across multiple documents and platforms, from syllabi to student handbooks. One of the task force’s current goals is to consolidate these “policy pockets” into a clearer and more accessible map of procedures and responsibilities.
“Our biggest concern is helping people understand, ‘Where am I on this map? What’s going to happen next?'” Webb-Baza said. “We’re trying to make it a little more transparent.”
