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As a driver of progress and innovation within the community, Tri-C faculty, staff and students — regardless of their field of study or expertise — must have a foundational understanding of AI, including its capabilities, limitations and ethical implications. By promoting AI literacy — which is distinct from AI adoption — the institution ensures that its students are prepared to navigate the academic, professional and personal environments increasingly influenced by these technologies.

Tri-C believes that academic freedom is the cornerstone of academic inquiry, intellectual independence and critical thinking. The College recognizes the talent and expertise of its faculty and is committed to honoring their decisions regarding the use of AI in their courses. While Tri-C encourages ongoing faculty reflection and reinvention in the classroom with an eye toward student learning and outcomes, final AI-related decisions reside solely with the faculty member.

As a vibrant and multicultural institution, Tri-C recognizes its students’ rich diversity but also the various socioeconomic and personal barriers that many of them face. Therefore, no adoption of AI technology will marginalize or disadvantage Tri-C students. To ensure this, the College further commits to listening to concerns and maintaining an open dialogue among students, faculty and support staff. Academic freedom necessitates clarity in terms of the expectations and acceptable parameters of AI use.

Tri-C believes in the power of transformational learning and is responsible for upholding academic integrity. The institution recognizes the power of generative AI to solve problems and respond to writing prompts, but the College is committed to delivering authentic learning experiences that develop honest and ethical behaviors. While reimagining its assessments within the context of AI may be necessary, the College contends that essay or exam questions are not the point of its assessments. However, in the spirit of applying new knowledge, thinking through problems and creating new and authentic work, Tri-C will explore necessary and responsible assessment strategies to keep pace with technological advancements. These robust testing options are equitable and supportive of the diverse needs of students and faculty.