By Kaya McCory/ Staff Writer

AI has reached Missouri Valley College and a policy is in the works. Students and faculty will learn to navigate a possible change in the use of AI on campus next fall. 

The administration at MVC has been developing a plan that will fit the needs of faculty, students and institutional values. They have sent the policy through the final stages, said Cynthia Bice, Vice President of Academic Affairs.

“Most recently, the policy underwent review by the Faculty Senate and has now been fully approved to be officially included in the next academic year’s catalog,” she said.

Although a new policy will be implemented in the fall, some faculty members enjoy the freedom. 

“In my opinion, I think Al policies should really be up to individual instructors, as I see the benefit of using AI in some courses but not others,” Dr. Katherine Armstrong, professor of communications, said.

Students vary in opinion about AI and its use in school. MoVal student Kyleigh Browning has mixed feelings about AI. 

“I like it, but at the same time, I don’t,” she said. “I think there are some students who overuse AI, and end up not learning or retaining any information from classes. It’s nice for professors to decide, but I also feel like schools should be setting guidelines.” 

The schoolwide policy is on its way, however. Bice said that professors will still have the option to choose whether or not to use AI. 

Bice said the administration will provide the faculty with “Teaching With AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning” by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson. The book will give professors practical strategies to help integrate AI into their teaching. 

The library is also offering an AI training seminar from 8 to 9:45 a.m. on Friday, April 11 in the Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning in Murrell Library & Academic Support Center. It will cover what AI is, how it works, how to use it in business, and a session using ChatGPT.