📚 AI Guidelines Builder

User Guide for Faculty

Welcome to the AI Guidelines Builder! This tool helps faculty create clear, customized AI use guidelines for their courses and assignments.

Getting Started

Step 1: Log In

  1. Go to https://aiguidelinesbuilder.lemiscatemind.com
  2. Enter your @cua.edu email address
  3. Click "Send Code"
  4. Check your email inbox for a 6-digit verification code
  5. Enter the code in the login screen
  6. Click "Verify"
Note: The verification code expires after 5 minutes. If you don't receive it, check your spam folder or request a new code.

Creating Guidelines

Choose Your Type

You can create two types of guidelines:

Click the appropriate button to begin.

Step 1: Select Your AI Use Tier

The builder offers 5 tiers of AI restriction, from fully prohibited to fully open. Choose the tier that best matches your learning objectives:

🚫 Tier 1: Fully Prohibited

Best for foundational skills, assessments of individual mastery, or high-stakes evaluations.

When to use:

  • Introductory courses where students are learning fundamental concepts
  • Final exams or certification assessments
  • Writing assignments focused on developing core composition skills
  • Any work where you need to assess unaided student capability
Example: "In this course, all assignments must represent your own independent work without the use of AI tools."

⚠️ Tier 2: Restricted Use

Best for courses where you want students to develop core skills first, with limited AI assistance.

When to use:

  • Courses where students are building proficiency in a skill
  • Assignments where you want to see student thinking process
  • Work that requires demonstrating understanding of methodology
  • Projects where AI can help with research but not primary work
Example: "AI tools may only be used for background research and literature review. All analysis, writing, and conclusions must be your own work."

⚖️ Tier 3: Balanced/Structured Use

Best for intermediate courses where students have foundational skills and can benefit from AI as a learning tool.

When to use:

  • Upper-level undergraduate courses
  • Assignments that involve iteration and revision
  • Projects where you want students to learn from AI feedback
  • Work that emphasizes critical thinking about AI outputs
Example: "You may use AI tools for brainstorming, research, and drafting. However, you must critically evaluate all AI outputs, cite AI use, and demonstrate your own analysis and insights."

🤝 Tier 4: Collaborative/Encouraged Use

Best for advanced courses, professional development, or project-based learning where AI is a workplace tool.

When to use:

  • Graduate courses or capstone projects
  • Professional skills courses (business writing, coding, design)
  • Collaborative projects mirroring real-world work
  • Assignments focused on outputs rather than process
Example: "You are encouraged to use AI tools as collaborative partners. Focus on producing high-quality work and clearly document your process and how you used AI assistance."

✅ Tier 5: Fully Open

Best for advanced courses, professional programs, or when learning outcomes are tool-agnostic.

When to use:

  • Graduate professional programs
  • Courses focused on real-time application or performance
  • Projects where the final product matters most
  • Courses teaching AI literacy and tool mastery
Example: "You may use any resources, including AI tools, in whatever way you find most effective for your learning. All uses are subject to the University's Generative AI Policy."

Step 2: Customize Your Guidelines

After selecting your tier, you'll see customization options based on your choice. The builder will guide you through:

Common Customization Options

Context & Purpose (All Tiers)

Permitted Uses (Tiers 2-4)

Citation Requirements (Tiers 3-4)

Reflection Questions (Tiers 3-4)

Assessment Considerations (Tiers 4-5)

Step 3: Additional Sections (Optional)

University Policy Reference (Recommended - Checked by Default)

Adds a section reminding students that your course/assignment guidelines operate under the University's broader Generative AI Policy.

Why include it? Establishes the hierarchical relationship between university policy and your specific guidelines.

Consequences/Enforcement

Add clear consequences for violating your AI guidelines. Choose from:

Tip: Select multiple options if you have a progressive discipline approach (e.g., warning for first offense, zero for second offense).

Student Acknowledgment

Adds a signature section where students confirm they've read and understand the guidelines.

When to use:

Step 4: Review and Export

Preview Panel

The right side of the screen shows a live preview of your guidelines as you customize them. This is exactly what your students will see.

Note: While you can lightly edit the generated guidelines after export, we recommend minimizing edits to preserve common language across campus. Consistent terminology helps students understand AI policies across different courses.

Student Examples Section

Below your guidelines, you'll see "What This Means for Students" examples showing:

These examples help students understand the practical application of your rules.

Exporting Your Guidelines

Once you're satisfied with your guidelines, you have several options:

Option 1: Copy to Clipboard

  1. Click "Copy to Clipboard"
  2. Paste into your syllabus, Learning Management System, or assignment instructions

Option 2: Download as Text

  1. Click "Download as Text"
  2. Downloads a plain text file you can edit
  3. Easy to paste into any document or LMS

Option 3: Download as HTML

  1. Click "Download as HTML"
  2. Downloads a formatted HTML file
  3. Can be opened in browser or uploaded to web platforms

Best Practices

📋 Start Broad, Then Specific

  1. Create course-level guidelines first (sets overall policy)
  2. Create assignment-specific guidelines for individual projects
  3. Assignment guidelines can be more or less restrictive than course policy

🎯 Align Guidelines with Learning Objectives

Ask yourself:

💬 Communicate Clearly

🔄 Iterate and Adjust

📚 Provide Examples

Tips for Different Disciplines

Writing-Intensive Courses

STEM Courses

Professional Programs

Creative Courses

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which tier to choose?

Ask yourself: "Am I assessing the student's independent capability, or the quality of their final work?"

Can I use different tiers for different assignments?

Yes! It's common to have:

What if a student violates my guidelines?

  1. Refer to the consequences you selected in Step 3
  2. Document the violation
  3. Follow your institution's academic integrity procedures
  4. Consider if the violation was intentional or a misunderstanding

Can I edit the guidelines after downloading?

Yes! All export formats (copy, text, HTML) can be edited. The builder creates a starting point—you can customize further to fit your needs.

Do I need to create new guidelines every semester?

No! Save your guidelines and reuse them. You may want to:

How do I enforce citation requirements?

Getting Help

Technical Issues

Pedagogical Questions

Staying Current

AI tools and best practices are evolving rapidly. Consider:

Quick Start Checklist

  • Log in with your @cua.edu email
  • Choose Course Guidelines or Assignment Guidelines
  • Select your AI use tier (1-5)
  • Customize options based on your learning objectives
  • Add University Policy Reference (recommended)
  • Add consequences/enforcement section
  • Review the live preview
  • Check student examples for clarity
  • Export guidelines (copy, text, or HTML)
  • Add guidelines to your syllabus or assignment instructions
  • Communicate guidelines clearly to students
  • Be prepared to answer student questions

Ready to create your first set of guidelines?
Log in at https://aiguidelinesbuilder.lemiscatemind.com and get started!

Questions or feedback? Send an email to [email protected]

Last Updated: December 17, 2025