Editing Herzing Issues: Academic Integrity (section)

=== HU-027: Pervasive ChatGPT use in nursing discussion posts reported with forensic evidence ===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! style="width:14em" | Severity
| Medium
! style="width:14em" | Status
| CONFIRMED
|-
! Issue type
| Program-Level Concern / AI Policy Enforcement Gap
! Date added
| 2026-04-30 (Updated 2026-05-05)
|-
! Owner
| colspan="3" | Senior Director Academic Operations / Program Chair
|}
'''Finding.''' The reporting student filed an EthicsPoint report on December 3, 2025 documenting AI use in student discussion posts with specific forensic indicators: ChatGPT tracking parameters in citation URLs (ref=chatgpt, utm_source=chatgpt) and hallucinated or dead-link citations across multiple courses over several months. Thirteen screenshots were uploaded as evidence. The university acknowledged the evidence but closed the investigation in five days with no individual enforcement actions, stating AI use is intensifying and that not every case gets caught.

'''Evidence.''' EthicsPoint Report (Dec 3, 2025), filed by the reporting student. Filed against: Multiple. Location: Online, W140 N8917 Lilly Road, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. Alleged violations: Academic Misconduct (ChatGPT to complete discussion posts) and Dishonesty (falsification). Thirteen screenshots uploaded (Nov 27, 2025). Organization response (Dec 8, 2025) called the submissions questionable citations submitted in various courses over the past several months, and stated that AI use is intensifying and the university has taken steps to help students learn how to use it ethically and responsibly. Supplemented by ADA/Title IX Coordinator Emilie Thompson to student (2025-12-02) and student reply (2025-12-03). Source Group: Prelicensure Student Handbook 2026 (SICCED09255468); Defense Bundles 2026-04-29 / 2026-04-30.

'''Reported statement.''' <blockquote>Faculty address the use of AI individually with students when it is recognized, though it is acknowledged not every case gets caught. AI use is intensifying. I uploaded 10+ examples of the ChatGPT referral links in the discussion posts as well as the hallucinated url links.</blockquote>

'''Standards.''' Herzing AI Policy (Handbook p.12); student code of conduct; ACEN Standard 4.6 (academic integrity policies must be enforced consistently). The university's response explicitly acknowledges that AI cheating is ongoing and that enforcement is incomplete, constituting institutional knowledge of an unresolved systemic integrity failure. 34 CFR §602.16(a)(1)(ix): accrediting agencies evaluate whether an institution has adequate policies and procedures for student academic integrity.

'''Impact.''' If AI-generated content in discussion posts is widespread and unaddressed, it compromises the integrity of student learning assessments that form part of program outcome measurement. Students who complete assignments independently are disadvantaged relative to AI users. For a nursing program, AI-generated posts mean students are not engaging with clinical concepts at the depth required for patient safety competency. Accreditation risk.

'''Notes.''' Investigation closed December 8, 2025 (5 days after filing). No individual enforcement actions documented against any specific students despite thirteen screenshots of specific forensic evidence. The university's response confirms systemic non-enforcement while simultaneously acknowledging the problem. Cross-reference: {{HU|HU-068}} (investigation adequacy); {{HU|HU-037}} and {{HU|HU-051}} (broader academic integrity patterns).

<span id="HU-037"></span>