Aligning Generative AI with Mission and Values

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Principles for the Mission-Centered and Ethical Use of AI at the University of Puget Sound

The university’s use of AI must support our mission and reflect our core values of Excellence, Justice, Leadership, Creativity, Respect, Courage, and Inclusion. As AI use becomes more widespread, we recognize both the opportunities and the possible dangers of its use. The principles below are meant to guide the use of AI on our campus so that it aligns with our core values.

 

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Human-Centered Focus

The use of AI should focus on ways to integrate AI in human centered and value guided pursuits. We recognize the potential dangers of AI replacing human expertise and commit to using AI to elevate–not replace–human excellence.
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Accountability

We should use AI responsibly and always maintain a human that is accountable for the outputs of AI on campus.
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Transparency

We should disclose the use of AI and make sure that decision-making that relies on AI is transparent to relevant stake-holders. In selection of AI tools, we prefer more transparent and accountable models.
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Privacy and Security

We should safeguard the privacy of our campus community and not make personal data or sensitive records available without consent. AI access to university data must align with existing university policy and practices.
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Bias and Unequal Access

We commit ourselves to oversee the use of AI on campus so as to mitigate the potential for ethically problematic biases that AI models can reproduce. We commit to mitigating unequal access to AI tools and resources within our community.
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Social and Environmental Impact

We take seriously the social and environmental impacts of the use of AI and commit to mitigating negative impacts when possible.
Why these principles matter
Generative AI expands how we study, teach, and work; it also amplifies risks such as data exposure, bias, hallucination, and over‑reliance on automated output. The principles anchor every recommendation on this site, ensuring that Puget Sound’s engagement with AI supports student learning, effective administration, and the university’s mission.
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About AI at Puget Sound

This site is Puget Sound’s central resource on generative AI. It explains what the technology can and cannot do in an academic setting, guides the campus community through responsible practice, and points to tools the university has vetted. Whether you need quick syllabus language, a student‑friendly primer, or a form to request a new application, you have come to the right place. The guidance presented here grows out of the AI Working Group’s year‑long inquiry, launched in late 2024, which drew input from students, staff, and faculty. The group developed the ethical principles that anchor the site and curated the materials collected on the following pages.

AI Working Group Membership:
Executive Sponsors: Drew Kerkhoff (Provost) and Kim Kvaal (CFO)
Project Leads: Gareth Barkin (Dean of Operations & Technology), Francisco Chavez (CIO)
Faculty Members: America Chambers, Siddharth Ramakrishnan, Ariela Tubert
Administrative Representatives: Janet Hallman, Stacy Kelly, Kevin Riordan
Technology Services: Faithlina Abeshima, Aaron Tran
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Lorna Hernandez Jarvis (VP OIED)