Policies

AI Statement

The Learning Center recognizes that learning is an effortful process essential to human development. Academic growth involves active engagement and the deliberate application of evidence-based learning strategies—all of which take time and practice. The Learning Center believes that these cognitive and metacognitive processes are foundational to deep, lasting learning and skill building.

The Learning Center also values peer-to-peer support and collaborative engagement as vital components that enrich the university learning experience and foster community.

We are committed to supporting the educational and professional development of students and recognize that Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more integrated into schools and the workplace.

The Learning Center sees AI as a tool that should augment—rather than replace—core human capacities. We acknowledge our responsibility to help students develop the necessary AI skills and literacies to apply these tools in a rapidly changing world.

To this end, the Learning Center aims to support Humboldt students in the following areas as appropriate:

Critically analyze AI use and AI-generated content
Make informed and ethical decisions about when and how to use (and not use) AI in their learning
Navigate diverse course policies and approaches to AI across campus

Please see AI Use Policy for specific policies and guidelines regarding the use of AI in the Learning Center.

AI Use Policy

Provide AI Literacy Education

To support the development of AI literacy, Learning Center Peer educators will receive training on the following topics:

Ethical AI use and academic honesty.
Interpreting faculty policies and syllabi regarding AI.
Guiding students to verify AI outputs against course materials.
Techniques for integrating AI tools into sessions while maintaining student agency and critical thinking.
Building AI use skillsets for their studies and roles.

All AI-related education aims to promote AI literacy in the Learning Center and across campus as a whole.

Verify Policies and Address Concerns

Before supporting AI use in a session, peer educators will help students refer to the course syllabus and Cal Poly Humboldt’s Academic Honesty Policy.
When unclear, peer educators will refer students to the instructor for clarity.
Peer educators are not responsible for detecting inappropriate AI use in student work. If a student informs a peer educator that they are using AI in ways that might violate course policies, the peer educator will talk with the student about ethical AI use and direct the student to their syllabus or instructor.
Peer educators with specific concerns should speak with their supervisors.

Maintain Transparency and Receive Consent

Use of AI tools in academic support sessions must be done with the consent of the student.
Peer Educators will explain how and why an AI tool is being used before introducing it into a session.
Peer Educators will support the use of AI in sessions when the tool is conducive to the students’ learning and is requested by students.
Students receiving support have the right to decline the use of AI tools at any point during an academic support session.
Staff will cite AI use when publishing resources, guides, reports, etc.

Protect Privacy and Ensure Security

Personal, academic, or identifying level I or II data will not be entered into unsecured or unapproved AI platforms.
Student and professional staff are expected to uphold student data confidentiality and to model secure digital practices.
University-approved platforms will be prioritized when available to ensure equity and security.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This policy will be reviewed annually (or sooner if needed) to reflect updates in AI technology, university policies, and student needs.
Peer educators and students are encouraged to share feedback about AI tools and experiences so we can continue to refine our approach.

We welcome questions and feedback about our policy.