Texas A&M University Plagiarism and AI Policy
Last verified October 24, 2026 · AI-assisted research and drafting · Maintained by Plagiarism Checker Online, operated by Markus Nick
The short answer: According to the published guidance checked October 24, 2026: Student Rule 20 says generative AI should not be used to complete course assignments unless that course's instructor specifically authorizes it. Permission must be explicit and clear, and use must remain within the ways the instructor allows. This describes assignment use, not a general ban on AI technology.
Key facts, with sources
| Topic | What the school publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| School | Public, four-year institution in College Station, TX | Source |
| Official policy | Academic integrity policy | Source |
| Honor code | Aggie Code of Honor and Honor System Rules | Source |
| Plagiarism definition | Student Rule 20 includes appropriating another entity's ideas, processes, results or words without credit, including careless presentation as one's own. Direct quotations require quotation marks or indentation and acknowledgment; paraphrases also need attribution. | Source |
| Generative AI | Restricted by default. Student Rule 20 says generative AI should not be used to complete course assignments unless that course's instructor specifically authorizes it. Permission must be explicit and clear, and use must remain within the ways the instructor allows. This describes assignment use, not a general ban on AI technology. | Source |
| Sanctions | Published options, not a mandatory sequence or an individual outcome; see the linked policy. | Source |
| Citation styles | APA, MLA Rule20 gives these as examples and makes the instructor responsible for the course's style/format requirements; neither is presented as the single university-wide style. | Source |
| Writing center | University Writing Center (help referenced in Rule20) | Source |
| Appeals | The current web Rule20 describes appeals for administrative conferences and Honor Council proceedings, not informal resolution. It lists qualifying new information, due-process concerns or a disproportionate sanction as grounds. Separation has its own panel route. Students have one appeal per case and must support a stated ground; contact AHSO if the appeal form is inaccessible. Deadline stated: five university business days from notification of the sanction; the Director may extend a deadline for extenuating circumstances as described in the separation-appeal section. | Source |
| Reporting office | Aggie Honor System Office (AHSO) | Source |
| Summary scope | Independent AI-assisted summary of the live Rule20 web text read October24,2026, not affiliated with Texas A&M. AHSO says its website is being updated; confirm the governing version and case route with AHSO. Cached or separately indexed PDFs are not silently substituted for this source. | Source |
In the school's own words
“without giving appropriate credit”
Plagiarism definition: source, checked October 24, 2026.
“unless an instructor for a given course specifically authorizes their use”
Generative AI policy: source, checked October 24, 2026.
Published outcomes and review levels
These are the published options or review limits below, not a predicted outcome or an automatic sequence. Follow the linked policy for the applicable process.
- Academic and educational options. Published examples include course-grade reduction, assignment zero, added course requirements, the Academic Integrity Development Program, Honor Violation Probation and F* with probation. Options can be combined; this is not a mandatory sequence.
- Separation considered by Honor Council. The Honor Council, not an instructor or AHSO administrator, can impose suspension or expulsion under the rule's limits. Serious first violations may warrant separation; repeat cases go to the Council but separation is not automatic.
What students at Texas A&M University should know
Texas A&M's Student Rule 20 directly addresses generative AI: completion of course assignments with these tools requires the individual instructor's explicit permission, and only the authorized uses are allowed. Asking early is safer than treating a general teaching resource as permission for your own submission. The rule also distinguishes acceptable help from substituted authorship. Tutors, editors and the University Writing Center may assist unless the instructor prohibits it, but the finished product must remain your original work. Borrowed wording requires quotation marks or appropriate indentation plus acknowledgment; a bibliography alone does not identify a direct quotation. If a misconduct case arises, ask which resolution route is being used before relying on an appeal rule. The published web text says informal resolution has no appeal basis, while administrative conferences and Honor Council proceedings have stated grounds and a five-university-business-day filing period after notification of sanctions. Separation cases have a distinct review route. A first finding does not guarantee a minor penalty: the rule says the response must fit the violation and allows the Honor Council to consider separation where warranted. Conversely, a repeat finding is not described as automatic expulsion. Keep the actual notice, assignment instructions and work history available, and use AHSO for clarification rather than predicting your outcome from another student's case.
Frequently asked questions
Rule20 says generative AI should not be used to complete course assignments unless the individual instructor specifically authorizes it. Ask for explicit clarification and follow the permitted scope rather than assuming silence is permission.
No. Rule20 says the penalty must be commensurate with the violation and allows the Honor Council to consider separation where warranted. It also lists academic and educational options. None of these examples predicts the outcome of your individual case.
The web Rule20 says there is no basis for an appeal in the informal-resolution process. It describes stated appeal grounds for administrative conferences and Honor Council proceedings, with five university business days from notification of the sanction. Ask AHSO which resolution and appeal provisions apply to your notice.
Every row links to its source. Independent summary, not affiliated with Texas A&M University. Found a mistake? Report a correction.
To go further, continue with the overview of university AI policies.
For background, read our guide to false AI accusations.
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