AI Guidelines for Students
Academic Integrity
Students may use AI tools as a learning aid or support tool when permitted by the instructor, as stated in either the instructor's syllabi or in the assignment directions. Students must also adhere to the following:
- AI-generated content must be properly cited. Review the MLA and APA guides for proper citation formats.
- Students are fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and ethical use of AI-assisted work.
- Use of AI must comply with the institution’s academic integrity policies and any course-specific guidelines set by faculty.
- Students must avoid entering personal or confidential information, images, or likeness into AI programs without individual permission.
Ava Powered By AI
At Tallahassee State College, we’re excited to introduce Ava, our new AI-powered student assistant. Ava is here to make getting help easier, faster, and more convenient than ever. It’s part of our commitment to helping you succeed while using technology in smart and responsible ways.
You can connect with Ava however you prefer, by typing or by speaking. Whether you’re chatting online or calling in, you’ll get the same reliable support experience. This means you can get help anytime, anywhere, in the way that works best for you.
Ava brings everything together in one place, so your questions, support services, and helpful information are all connected. This allows us to provide better, more consistent answers while keeping your information safe and secure.
But Ava does more than just answer general questions. In addition to helping with things you’d normally look up, like deadlines, policies, or course info, Ava can also give you personalized support. Once you’re securely logged in, Ava can help you check holds or balances, view your schedule, reset your password, navigate multi-factor authentication, and more. Tasks that used to take extra steps or staff assistance can now be done quickly and easily.
By handling common questions and routine tasks, Ava helps free up our staff to focus on more complex situations and provide deeper support when you need it. Plus, Ava is available 24/7, so you’re not limited to office hours. It can also communicate in multiple languages, starting with English and Spanish, so more students can get help in the language they’re most comfortable with.
If you ever need to speak with a real person, Ava makes that transition smooth. It passes along important details, like your question and previous steps, so you don’t have to repeat yourself. This saves time and helps you get answers faster.
Ava isn’t here to replace people; it’s here to support them. By taking care of routine tasks and guiding you quickly to the right resources, Ava helps create more meaningful interactions when you do connect with staff.
With Ava, TSC uses AI thoughtfully to improve your experience while staying focused on what matters most: your success.
AI Evaluation and Risks
Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool, but it must be used safely and responsibly. Before you use an AI tool for institutional work or research, please review these key requirements.
Key Highlights
- Get Approval First: You must have IT approval before using any AI tool that processes institutional data, uses your institutional credentials, or integrates with college systems.
- Protect Your Data: Never input sensitive information, such as personally identifiable information (PII) or financial data, into AI tools without explicit IT authorization.
- Avoid Personal Accounts: Do not use your personal accounts to access AI tools for class work.
- Verify Everything: AI can produce errors or fabricated information. Always use your own academic judgment to verify AI-generated content before using it.
- Be Transparent: Disclose the use of AI in your academic or research outputs as required by your specific course guidelines and college policy.
What to Do If You Make a Mistake?
We maintain a "no-fault" reporting culture for accidental data exposure. If you accidentally upload restricted data (like your personal identification or grade information) or notice an AI tool behaving unexpectedly, report it to the IT Help Desk immediately.
Why report? Your quick action allows the IT team to contain the risk and protect the community’s data.