University of Texas at Austin 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: For Fall 2026, the Provost requires a Course AI Policy Statement saying whether generative AI is permitted, partially permitted or prohibited. Faculty decide the course rules; if the syllabus is silent, Libraries guidance says to ask the professor or TA before using AI.
Key facts, with sources
| Topic | What the school publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| School | Public, four-year institution in Austin, TX | Source |
| Official policy | Academic integrity policy | Source |
| Honor code | Chapter 11 Honor Code and Institutional Rules | Source |
| Plagiarism definition | Chapter 11 includes representing another person's material as one's own without attribution, misrepresenting citation for academic advantage and submitting essentially the same work for two assignments without faculty permission. | Source |
| Generative AI | Instructor decides. For Fall 2026, the Provost requires a Course AI Policy Statement saying whether generative AI is permitted, partially permitted or prohibited. Faculty decide the course rules; if the syllabus is silent, Libraries guidance says to ask the professor or TA before using AI. Instructor syllabus statements. | Source |
| Sanctions | Published options, not a mandatory sequence or an individual outcome; see the linked policy. | Source |
| Citation styles | APA, Chicago, MLA Libraries offers AI citation resources in these styles, not one mandatory style for every course. It advises locating and reading original sources behind AI-generated references. | Source |
| Writing center | University Writing Center | Source |
| Appeals | Hearing decisions and eligible administrative dispositions have distinct written-appeal routes to the Appellate Officer. A disposition agreeing to both responsibility and sanctions is final and not appealable. Eligible sanction-only appeals are limited to disproportionate sanctions. Apply Chapter 11's day definition, which excludes weekends, university holidays and specified emergency class suspensions; specified nonworking-day deadlines move to the next day. Deadline stated: Hearing decision: five Chapter-11 days from notification. Eligible administrative disposition: five Chapter-11 days from signing. After-5-p.m. submissions are received the next day. Consult Sections 11-801 to 11-803 for applicable grounds and limits.. | Source |
| Reporting office | Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, Office of the Dean of Students | Source |
| Summary scope | Independent AI-assisted summary of UT Austin's 2026-27 Chapter 11, Fall 2026 syllabus requirements and cited support guidance. Not affiliated with the institution, not legal advice and not a determination of an individual case. | Source |
In the school's own words
“represents another's material as their own work without attribution”
Plagiarism definition: source, checked October 24, 2026.
“Faculty have discretion to determine how generative AI tools are used in their courses.”
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 options. Section 11-702 permits academic integrity probation, no or reduced assessment credit, an examination retake or assignment resubmission, or a failing or reduced course grade after responsibility is established.
- Additional disciplinary options. Student Conduct or the Dean may also impose disciplinary sanctions listed in Section 11-701. This is not a mandatory progression or prediction for an individual case.
What students at University of Texas at Austin should know
At UT Austin, start with your course's AI statement, not a general claim that the university either permits or bans chatbots. For Fall 2026 the Provost requires syllabi to identify whether generative AI is permitted, partially permitted or prohibited. The Libraries advise asking the professor or TA before using AI when the syllabus is silent. Citation is a separate obligation: borrowed wording, paraphrases and ideas still need acknowledgment, and an AI-generated reference should be located and read rather than trusted on appearance. Chapter 11 also places unapproved reuse of essentially the same work for two assignments within its plagiarism rule. For an integrity allegation, distinguish a hearing decision from an administrative disposition before calculating any appeal deadline. A hearing appeal runs from notice of the disciplinary decision, while eligible administrative-disposition appeals run from signing. The Chapter's definition of a day excludes weekends, university holidays and specified emergency class suspensions; after-5-p.m. submissions count as received the next day. Agreeing to both responsibility and sanctions in an administrative disposition makes it final and not appealable under that route. Ask Student Conduct and Academic Integrity which provision governs your case. Published academic sanctions are options, not an automatic staircase; the Writing Center offers a separate route for help with the work itself.
Frequently asked questions
The Provost requires a Course AI Policy Statement identifying generative AI as permitted, partially permitted or prohibited. Faculty determine the course rules. Libraries guidance advises asking the professor or TA before using AI if the syllabus has no statement.
Use Chapter 11's own definition: it excludes weekends, university holidays and days when regularly scheduled classes are suspended for emergencies. Submissions after 5 p.m. count as received the next day. The triggering event also differs: notice for hearing decisions, signing for eligible administrative dispositions. Check the applicable provision with Student Conduct.
No. An administrative disposition in which the student accepts both responsibility and assessed sanctions is final and not eligible for appeal under Chapter 11. Other administrative-disposition routes have specified eligibility, grounds and deadlines; a sanction-only appeal is limited to disproportionate sanctions.
Every row links to its source. Independent summary, not affiliated with University of Texas at Austin. Found a mistake? Report a correction.
To go further, continue with the overview of university AI policies.
If you want the wider context, see the guide to using AI in papers.
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