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Faculty, staff urge stronger CSU oversight on generative AI and faculty‑led policy
Summary
Faculty speakers told trustees that CSU guidance on generative artificial intelligence should mandate data safeguards, bias filtering in procurement and faculty‑led governance rather than leave major responsibilities to individual users.
Faculty from across the system urged the California State University Board of Trustees on Jan. 23 to adopt stronger, faculty‑centered policies on the procurement and classroom use of generative artificial intelligence.
Connie Stone, a chemistry professor at California State University, Stanislaus, said the CSU working group report on AI should be strengthened and move from recommendations to requirements. "For example, the report says individuals should safeguard personal data. In fact, individuals must safeguard personal data," Stone said, urging mandatory protections and procurement standards that require vendors to filter bias and toxic outputs.
Patrick Oberle, a faculty member at Sacramento State, said AI "carries enormous potential to improve the learning environment. It also presents huge risks to job security and intellectual property rights." Oberle urged a "collaborative and faculty‑led process to develop guidelines and policy on the use of AI in the classroom that encourages innovation while protecting faculty rights, intellectual property, and quality instruction."
Why it matters: Trustees oversee systemwide academic policy and large procurement contracts; faculty speakers said the current report and any vendor relationships must preserve student and faculty data privacy, protect intellectual property, and include guardrails against biased or unsafe outputs.
Speakers recommended that the CSU require technical and contractual protections from vendors and create a systemwide, faculty‑led governance body to produce enforceable standards rather than advisory guidance. Several commenters emphasized that procurement agreements should include language requiring vendors to mitigate bias and toxic outputs up front rather than leaving mitigation to end users.
No formal policy action or vote occurred during the session; trustees received the public comments and will hear related items in committee and plenary sessions scheduled for the meeting’s agenda.
