Welcome to the first edition of Read This for the 2023–24 academic year! The weekly newsletter, produced by the College Dean’s office and University Communications, includes updates and deadlines that you need to know to navigate the week ahead. And be sure to check the University’s @Rochester e-newsletter every weekday morning for news, updates, events, and more.

If your instructors don’t clarify expectations about when, how, and whether artificial intelligence/large language model tools such as GPT-4, ChatGPT, Dall-E, Photomath, or similar should be used in their courses—you should ask them. The academic honesty policy requires students to declare and fully cite the use of all sources and source technologies. Instructors could report you for unauthorized use of resources if you use AI/LLM tools without permission.

While there is no campus-wide ban on using AI/LLM tools, each department (sometimes even each course or each assignment) may set its own rules for what ethical and responsible use looks like in practice. To ensure you are completing coursework according to the spirit and letter of AS&E’s academic honesty policy, the Honesty Liaisons urge you to review:

• The academic honesty policy itself (especially the rules on authorized versus unauthorized use of resources, as well as the importance of clear and accurate attribution);
• Additional academic honesty guidelines given in the syllabus and other documents for each class you take (instructors can and will specify their own additional guidelines beyond what is in the policy);
• The Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program’s Academic Honesty with Online Learning Tools resource, and other resources posted on the academic honesty website.

The liaisons also recommend asking yourself: Is a tool doing something for me that will be assessed as part of course learning outcomes? If it is, don’t use it. Do I know if a tool is permitted or encouraged by my instructor? If not, or if you’re not sure, don’t use it. You can also contact AS&E Honesty Liaisons via email for general inquiries or at mywco.com/honesty for confidential appointments.

The deadline to enroll in optional dental and vision coverage for students through Aetna is September 15. Students may enroll in these plans even if they waive the Aetna student health medical coverage. This support is more comprehensive and predictable for dental or vision emergencies or concerns than funding through other support resources such as the Basic Needs Hub.

Kick off the semester with Yellowjacket Weekend, the first Community Weekend of the academic year. Join Wilson Commons Student Activities August 31 through September 5 for an end-of-summer celebration featuring inflatables, carnival games, creative crafts, giveaways, food trucks, and more. The signature event will be an evening with speaker Brenda Song. From giveaways to poster sales to movie nights and athletic events, there will be plenty of opportunities to connect with the campus community during this Rochester Tradition. Follow WCSA on Instagram or Facebook for announcements and updates.

As part of Yellowjacket Weekend, students can explore their passions and get involved by attending the Activities Fair on Friday, September 1, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Wilson Quad. Students can learn about and interact with members of over 250 student organizations, visit booths, chat with student leaders, watch performances, and explore opportunities to engage. Browse CCC ahead of time to find out about the organizations you can expect to encounter.

And, in case you missed it, registration is open for the University’s annual Meliora Weekend, October 5–8. Weekend headliners include Judy Woodruff (PBS NewsHour); Tony Award-winning star of Broadway’s Hamilton, Renée Elise Goldsberry; two-time Peabody Award-winning comedian Hasan Minhaj (“Homecoming King,” “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj,” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”), critically acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (We Should All Be Feminists) and Fleetwood Mac tribute band, the Seven Wonders. Check out the full weekend event schedule and register now.