WITS
Artificial Intelligence at Willamette University
Artificial intelligence capabilities are becoming part of many of the tools and platforms used across higher education. This page serves as a shared reference for the Willamette community, outlining the AI tools currently provided, the policies that apply when AI features are present, and the resources available for learning more. The content here will be updated over time as guidance and support continue to take shape.
Guiding Principles
Human Review and Responsibility
AI may be present in tools that support everyday work, but people remain responsible for the content they produce and the decisions they make. AI-generated or AI-assisted outputs should be reviewed and considered in the same way as any other work product before being shared, relied upon, or used to inform decisions.
Care for Institutional Data
Using AI involves the same expectations around handling university information that apply to other digital tools. Being thoughtful about what information is shared, stored, or processed helps protect individuals, departments, and the institution as a whole.
Purposeful Use in Daily Work
AI should be used in ways that align with the purpose of the task and how the results will be used. Considering why AI is being used helps ensure it supports work appropriately and avoids unintended consequences.
Ongoing Learning and Adaptation
AI-related tools and practices are approached with an understanding that they will continue to change over time, and that shared understanding will evolve as experience and use develop.
Policies That Apply to AI
- Technology Purchase Policy
This policy governs how technology is acquired using university funds. It has been updated to include AI-related considerations, clarifying when coordination with WITS is required to ensure appropriate security review, licensing alignment, and institutional visibility. The update is intended to formalize existing practices and reduce ambiguity as AI tools become more common in vendor offerings and technology purchases. - Enterprise Application Administration Policy
This policy provides guidance for administering enterprise and departmentally managed applications. It has been updated to address the introduction of AI functionality within these platforms, clarifying when review is appropriate before enabling new features that may affect data use, integrations, or institutional systems. The update supports consistency and risk awareness across the application ecosystem without centralizing application ownership. - Responsible Use of Information Technology Resources
This policy establishes expectations for responsible and appropriate use of university technology resources. It has been updated to clarify how those same expectations apply when AI tools are used, emphasizing accountability for outputs, appropriate judgment, and care in handling information. The update reinforces that existing restrictions on the use of protected or sensitive data remain in effect, regardless of whether AI tools are involved. - Information Security Policy
This policy defines how the university protects its systems and information. It has been updated to explicitly address how existing data classification and security requirements apply in the context of AI. The intent is to ensure that AI tools do not introduce new pathways for exposing protected or confidential institutional data, rather than to create new security standards.
Generative AI Tools at Willamette
- Willamette University offers access to Google’s generative AI tools through its Google Education Workspace, including Gemini and Notebook LM. These tools are available to anyone signed in with a willamette.edu account and are intended to support everyday exploration and work within familiar Google tools.
Support & Training
- AI-related support and learning opportunities are shared through existing university channels. WITS Wednesdays periodically include sessions focused on AI topics, and the AI Elephant in the Room newsletter, developed by Digital Learning Services (DLS), highlights perspectives and resources related to AI in teaching and learning. Additional training opportunities and events will be communicated through MyWillamette as they become available.