By: Santiago Torres
Dominican University will adopt a new AI policy aimed at balancing innovation with ethical concerns across academic, administrative, and research operations. A draft of the policy was distributed by Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Todd D. Kleine on Aug. 20, 2026, via memorandum to Faculty Collegium, Staff Assembly, and the Student Government Association.
This proposal comes as colleges across the country deal with the rapid advances in artificial intelligence tools and their societal impact. Kleine emphasizes the need for a single standard to guide faculty, staff, and students.
“At Dominican, it was clear that our community needed a university-wide policy that supports our mission and strikes the balance between allowing for flexibility and utilizing AI and ensuring guardrails,” Kleine said.
The proposed policy prohibits uploading confidential or restricted information–such as FERPA-protected student records, Social Security numbers, financial data, and medical information–into unapproved public AI platforms.
“Currently, Dominican University does not have a data security agreement with ChatGPT,” Kleine said, explaining that sensitive data may be used to train AI models.
“However, Copilot, a Microsoft product, is under contract with DU and has data security assurances”
The policy says that faculty members maintain direct authority over how AI is integrated in their individual curriculums. Students are required to follow AI guidelines on their course syllabus. Undisclosed or unauthorized AI usage on assignments that restrict it may trigger academic misconduct reviews.
While acknowledging that cheating is a concern, “this policy attempts to ‘zoom out’ and provide general guide rails,” Kleine stated.
The proposed policy also prohibits using AI to serve as the sole basis for decisions with large consequences like student admissions, grading, financial aid, staff hiring, performance evaluations, and tenure decisions. Additionally, the framework bans the creation of deepfakes and misleading media featuring community members. This is applicable to all university members, staff and students alike.
Kleine also highlights both the benefits and risks associated with emerging technology.
“Personally, I feel that, if used properly, AI is a game changer. However, if created and used improperly, AI can inflict great harm,” he said.
While the policy is written out, it has not yet been finalized. Leaders in the university community have been invited to review and submit feedback on the draft before Sept. 30, before it is officially adopted.
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