Statement permitting AI use for specific purposes

Zara Rafferty, Recreation and Leisure Studies

  • Faculty of Health
  • Permit AI Use
  • Sample Wording
Summary

Summary: Adapt this example of an assessment policy from REC 100 which includes instructions and examples for students to document and cite their AI use.

Sample wording

Rationale for Course Policy

GenAI is a technology that, among other things, can help you streamline and strengthen your work. Knowing how to effectively and ethically leverage GenAI tools is an important part of the current technological landscape, both in leisure and at work.  

As an undergraduate student, you are still building your subject matter knowledge and refining your skills for things like reading and writing effectively, critically assessing sources, and synthesizing ideas; GenAI is not a replacement for this work. 

In fact, I would argue that it is not possible for you to use GenAI effectively and ethically without information literacy and critical thinking skills, both of which you are still developing. As such, you are limited in terms of how you may use GenAI in this course in order to ensure your use is appropriately aligned with your current knowledge and abilities.

Permitted Uses of GenAI

  • Brainstorming or generating prompts/examples that encourage reflection
  • Refining your original idea
  • Supporting your editing process (e.g., by using Grammarly or Quillbot to make editorial suggestions as you write or to edit your original work after it’s complete)

Ensure that you create an account and are logged in to your GenAI tool/account so that you are able to access the editing/conversation history to provide evidence of your use.  

If you use GenAI to brainstorm, generate prompts or examples, or refine your original idea, you must cite your use of GenAI both in-text and within the reference page as follows:  

  • In-text example: I would suggest that Kira explore a service-related pursuit, such as volunteering; a group painting class with other beginner artists (ChatGPT, 2025); or a recreation sport team.   
  • Reference page format: Name of GenAI platform. Date that GenAI was used. Prompt that student used. GenAI response (or a summary of response). Action.  
  • Reference page example: ChatGPT. (January 27, 2025). My prompt: “Brainstorm some leisure-related strategies for improving social connection.” ChatGPT action: A list of leisure activities was generated. I used several of the ideas within my assignment and they are cited within.  

You should also document your AI use in detail. This documentation will not be submitted with your assignment but should be maintained in case the course instructor or Associate Dean requests to see evidence of your work process. The AI and Writing Process–Documenting and Citing resource provides details on how to document your GenAI use (see item 2: Documentation of GenAI and the example documentation table).   

If you use a GenAI tool to support your editing process, a brief statement on the Reference page is appropriate (e.g., “My original work was edited using the tool Grammarly.”).  

It’s also important to keep a copy of the original paper before you run it through an editing tool, or maintain a record of the tool’s editing history, in case you are asked to produce it for an academic misconduct investigation. 

Prohibited Uses of GenAI 

  • Representing content generated or edited by GenAI as your own without proper attribution. 
  • Using GenAI without documenting your process or proper attribution. This includes using it for editing your original work. 
  • Sharing copyright-protected materials with open access GenAI (e.g., inputting any course materials, such as lecture content or assignment prompts, into a GenAI tool).

How to Use GenAI in this Course

If you choose to use GenAI in this course, you must ensure you:  

  • Log into your GenAI tool/account so that you are able to access the editing/conversation history to provide evidence of your use.  
  • Maintain primary authorship and your own voice throughout your work. 
  • Critically assess and evaluate whether output from GenAI is factual, verifiable, and relevant. 
  • Do not rely on GenAI as your primary or sole source of information. 
  • Attribute GenAI use properly using APA for all submissions. 
  • Maintain documentation of where/how you’ve used GenAI in case proof is requested by the course instructor or Associate Dean (e.g., outlines, drafts, rough notes, GenAI prompts used, references generated, editing history, etc.). This resource provides details on how to document your GenAI use (see item 2: Documentation of GenAI and the example documentation table).
  • Remember that you remain responsible for ensuring that your use of AI tools complies with copyright and intellectual property laws. 

Before you submit an assignment, ask yourself...

  • Have I utilized GenAI for approved uses only? 
  • Have I cited GenAI in-text where required? 
  • Have I cited GenAI in the reference page where required? 
  • Have I maintained clear, detailed documentation of my GenAI use in case I am asked to provide evidence of my work process? 
  • Have I maintained clear, detailed documentation of my GenAI edits in case I am asked to provide evidence of how my original work was refined by a GenAI editing tool?  

If you have answered “no” or “I don’t know” to any of these questions, you’re not yet ready to submit! Refer to the resources in the following section or connect with the teaching team for support. 

Resources for Using GenAI