As a member of the Blue Ribbon Panel for this report, Suzanne emphasizes that ethics and integrity are a universal concept, regardless of the industry:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt the end of the day, we\u2019re all humans first \u2013 and all deserve to be treated with respect and integrity. Our goal is to make sure those values aren’t just an afterthought, but are woven into both the structure and the culture of everything we do.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n -Suzanne Milton, Chief Audit and Compliance Executive at VCU<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A Standard, Not a Scorecard \u201cPeople will inevitably make mistakes,\u201d says Suzanne. \u201cThe sign of a high-quality program isn’t just a scorecard for violations, it\u2019s a set of habits and systems that help us learn and pivot from those moments.\u201d Similar to brushing your teeth: it\u2019s much easier to prevent a cavity today than it is to deal with a root canal later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is a High-Quality Program?<\/strong> The data is clear: When integrity is embedded into a program\u2019s culture, they succeed. High-Quality Programs can reduce misconduct by as much as 66%<\/strong> and increase reporting to management by 88%<\/strong>. But beyond the numbers, it\u2019s about strategic value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Instead of seeing compliance as a ‘police’ function, the report reframes it as a partner,” Milton explains. \u201cThis partnership ensures that VCU isn’t just following rules, but also building a culture of trust and collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Blue Ribbon Report is a living document meant to stand the test of time. At VCU, we want to go beyond the bare minimum, and make integrity a fundamental part of who we are \u2013 empowering everyone to lead with honesty and heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When you hear the words \u201cIntegrity and Compliance,\u201d you\u2019ll likely think of a long set of rules, a “check-the-box” training or a ‘policing’ mindset. At VCU, we\u2019re changing that narrative. We recently sat down with our Chief Audit and Compliance Executive, Suzanne Milton, to discuss a major industry piece:The Principles and Practices of High Quality […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2325,"featured_media":917,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/916","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2325"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=916"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/916\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/917"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":898,"date":"2026-03-13T19:29:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T19:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/?p=898"},"modified":"2026-03-13T19:29:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T19:29:25","slug":"understanding-vcus-generative-ai-policy-responsible-ethical-and-safe-use-of-ai-on-campus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/2026\/03\/13\/understanding-vcus-generative-ai-policy-responsible-ethical-and-safe-use-of-ai-on-campus\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding VCU\u2019s Generative AI Policy: Responsible, Ethical and Safe Use of AI on Campus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n Artificial intelligence tools are quickly transforming the way we learn, teach, research and work. As an institution that leads with integrity, VCU is committed to embracing these powerful technologies responsibly and ethically. On November 12, 2025, VCU adopted the Acceptable Use of Generative AI Technology<\/em><\/strong><\/a> policy to establish clear expectations and guidelines for how AI should be used across the university community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n AI is like the wild west \u2013 there\u2019s a lot of unknown still. But we\u2019ll tell you what we do know \u2013 like why this policy matters, what it means for VCU students, staff and faculty, and how embracing these best practices will help VCU remain a leader in academic excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generative AI (GenAI) is technology that can create new content, including text, images, code and more based on patterns learned from large datasets. Members of the VCU community are already using tools like Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot and Adobe Firefly. While these tools offer tremendous potential for creativity and efficiency, they also raise new ethical and compliance questions around data privacy, academic integrity, copyright and accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n VCU\u2019s Acceptable Use of Generative AI Technology<\/em><\/strong><\/a> policy sets <\/strong>baseline boundaries to ensure that AI technologies are used in a way that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key Policy Points<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Protecting Data & Privacy:<\/strong> One of the core expectations is that usersdo not enter confidential or sensitive data \u2014 such as personal student records, research data, financial or health information \u2014 into GenAI tools unless the tool has been approved for that level of data. 2. Using AI with Academic Integrity<\/strong>: For students and educators, the policy notes classroom-specific guidelines<\/strong><\/a> on academic integrity. AI tools should not replace a student\u2019s own work or original thinking. 3. Upholding Transparency and Accuracy<\/strong>: It\u2019s important to understand the limitations and risks associated with AI-generated content. GenAI can produce outputs that appear factual but are inaccurate, biased, or misleading. Cross-checking AI-generated content against trusted sources is a must. 4. Keeping Freedom of Information Laws in Mind<\/strong>: Conversations with AI that involve VCU-related business may be available for public record requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This means that even chats generated on personal accounts or devices could be accessed if they pertain to university operations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Balancing Innovation with Accountability<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n VCU\u2019s commitment to responsible AI use goes beyond policy. The university offers guidelines, resources, training and approved tools<\/strong><\/a> via the CIO\u2019s office and academic partners. These materials help community members stay informed about secure and effective ways to leverage GenAI in their work. Whether you\u2019re a student using AI for research, an educator exploring innovative learning approaches or a staff member incorporating AI into administrative work, these policies aim to balance <\/strong>innovation with accountability.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Always Moving Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as AI technology is quickly evolving, so is VCU\u2019s approach to its regulation. These initial policies are a thoughtful step toward integrating AI into VCU\u2019s ecosystem with the goal of respecting individual rights, preserving academic standards and strengthening our integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Artificial intelligence tools are quickly transforming the way we learn, teach, research and work. As an institution that leads with integrity, VCU is committed to embracing these powerful technologies responsibly and ethically. On November 12, 2025, VCU adopted the Acceptable Use of Generative AI Technology policy to establish clear expectations and guidelines for how AI […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2325,"featured_media":899,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-898","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/898","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2325"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=898"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/898\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=898"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=898"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=898"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":877,"date":"2026-02-10T17:56:30","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T17:56:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/?p=877"},"modified":"2026-02-10T18:57:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T18:57:33","slug":"keeping-the-love-and-learning-conflict-free-this-valentines-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/2026\/02\/10\/keeping-the-love-and-learning-conflict-free-this-valentines-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping the Love (and Learning) Conflict-Free this Valentine\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n Valentine\u2019s Day is just around the corner. While the chocolate and flowers fly off the shelves and dinner reservations are being made, it\u2019s also a great time to talk about how we keep our campus a fair, supportive and professional place for everyone to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We celebrate the connections made on campus, yet we also have a responsibility to maintain professional boundaries. VCU\u2019s Consensual Relationships Policy<\/a> isn’t just a set of rules, it\u2019s a commitment to protecting the integrity of our academic mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We all know that relationships can be complicated, but at VCU we want to make sure they never get in the way of your success. Keep scrolling down for a quick, no-stress guide to our Consensual Relationships Policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n VCU is committed to a learning environment free from favoritism or conflicts of interest. When there are power discrepancies \u2014 for example between a professor and their student \u2014 it can get tricky to stay objective. Our goal is to protect the integrity of the student-teacher relationship, which is the heart of what we do here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Life is unpredictable! If a consensual relationship does develop between someone in authority and a student, the most important step is disclosure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why report it?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reporting is necessary so that we can create a plan to resolve any conflict of interest.This usually involves making new arrangements for grading or supervision to ensure the student is evaluated fairly and objectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We know these are personal matters. To the extent possible, all reports and resolution plans are kept confidential to protect everyone involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have questions or just want to chat about how this applies to you, there are plenty of friendly faces ready to help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read the full policy here.<\/a> Let\u2019s keep our focus on what makes VCU great: mutual respect, fair opportunities and a community that looks out for one another!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Happy Valentine\u2019s Day, Rams! \ud83d\udc11\u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Valentine\u2019s Day is just around the corner. While the chocolate and flowers fly off the shelves and dinner reservations are being made, it\u2019s also a great time to talk about how we keep our campus a fair, supportive and professional place for everyone to thrive. We celebrate the connections made on campus, yet we also […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2325,"featured_media":878,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-877","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/877","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2325"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=877"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/877\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/878"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=877"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=877"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":873,"date":"2026-02-03T16:43:48","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T16:43:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/?p=873"},"modified":"2026-02-03T16:48:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T16:48:26","slug":"new-platform-same-mission-navigating-coi-disclosures-with-lextegrity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/2026\/02\/03\/new-platform-same-mission-navigating-coi-disclosures-with-lextegrity\/","title":{"rendered":"New Platform, Same Mission: Navigating COI Disclosures with Lextegrity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n By now, you\u2019ve probably seen the various emails about Lextegrity, our new platform for the Conflict of Interest and (COI) Commitment Disclosure process.<\/a> We\u2019re officially waving goodbye to our old system, Convercent, and moving over to a sleeker, more user-friendly platform. Getting into the new system<\/a> is easy as long as you remember these tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Need more help?<\/strong> If you want to see the platform in action before you dive in, the ICO Website<\/strong><\/a> has a full library of training videos and resource guides to walk you through the process step-by-step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A COI disclosure is a transparency check-in where you report any outside financial interests or professional activities that might overlap with your roles at the university. Most faculty and staff in positions of trust are required to complete a disclosure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In short, it\u2019s a way for us to keep things transparent. It\u2019s just a check-in to ensure that outside activities or financial interests don’t overlap (or conflict) with your primary responsibilities here at VCU. It\u2019s all about maintaining the integrity of the awesome work we do on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When in doubt, disclose. We encourage you to submit a disclosure even if you’re unsure. If no conflict is found, the entry will simply be cleared and marked as ‘no conflict’ with no further action required. If a conflict is flagged your supervisor or in the case of a significant conflict, someone from the ICO will speak with you about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We all know new software can have its quirks! Here is the “inside scoop” on what\u2019s happening right now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re Halfway There! By now, you\u2019ve probably seen the various emails about Lextegrity, our new platform for the Conflict of Interest and (COI) Commitment Disclosure process. We\u2019re officially waving goodbye to our old system, Convercent, and moving over to a sleeker, more user-friendly platform. The policy and requirements haven’t changed, just the platform we\u2019re using. Whether you\u2019re tackling […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2325,"featured_media":875,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2325"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=873"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":862,"date":"2026-01-15T15:06:51","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T15:06:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/?p=862"},"modified":"2026-01-15T15:12:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T15:12:17","slug":"new-year-new-code-of-conduct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/2026\/01\/15\/new-year-new-code-of-conduct\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year, New Code of Conduct"},"content":{"rendered":"\n Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, VCU is poised for a year of growth and renewed purpose. Central to this journey is our updated Code of Conduct, which serves as a roadmap for our shared values. To introduce these standards, Jason Block, VCU\u2019s Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer<\/strong>, shares his perspective:<\/p>\n\n\n\n VCU\u2019s \u201cnew\u201d Code of Conduct<\/a> isn\u2019t really that new at all. We\u2019ve kept the best parts of the version we\u2019ve used since the late 2010s, and reorganized it into 3 easy-to-follow themes:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n This refreshed Code of Conduct also reinforces our goal to have a \u201cSpeak Up\u201d culture at VCU. If you see something you think is unethical, potentially illegal or against policy, please say something. The university has several reporting options, and employees who make good faith reports are protected from retaliation.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Another important refresh contained in this Code is a restatement of VCU\u2019s core values. More on that below!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We don’t just show up for work, we show up for each other. We stay grounded in our values:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether it\u2019s researchers in the lab or the crews keeping our facilities running, we are connected by a collective responsibility to one another. This is called our \u201cCulture of Care,\u201d a common awareness to create an environment where we can all be our best physical, mental, social, and emotional selves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n VCU collaborates with a large network of vendors, contractors, and global researchers. Being a partner with VCU means more than signing a contract, it means acting with honesty and fairness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At VCU, our reach goes far beyond Richmond. We balance our lives with our public roles by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are a community that values the courage it takes to speak up, and we provide the safety net to make sure you can do so safely & securely. Before making a decision, ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Navigating the decision of when to speak up can be challenging. Here are some things to remember that might be worth sharing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, VCU is poised for a year of growth and renewed purpose. Central to this journey is our updated Code of Conduct, which serves as a roadmap for our shared values. To introduce these standards, Jason Block, VCU\u2019s Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, shares his perspective: VCU\u2019s \u201cnew\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2325,"featured_media":871,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/862","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2325"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=862"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/862\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":852,"date":"2025-12-15T23:55:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T23:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/?p=852"},"modified":"2026-02-19T17:01:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T17:01:37","slug":"compliance-corner-3-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/2025\/12\/15\/compliance-corner-3-14\/","title":{"rendered":"Compliance Corner – Issue 3.14"},"content":{"rendered":"\n Policy Updates: What You Need To Know<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n December 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At VCU, we\u2019re always working to create a safer and smarter campus. We continuously update our policies with current events, laws and changes in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From AI usage and campus safety to accessibility, we\u2019ve recently updated these policies to be the best version of ourselves. Take a look at our below policy updates to learn your role in keeping our campus safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Acceptable Use of AI<\/strong><\/a> This new policy establishes baseline requirements for the ethical and secure use of Generative AI (GenAI) technologies by VCU employees and affiliates. It supports VCU\u2019s mission by promoting responsible adoption of GenAI tools in learning, research, and community engagement. The policy introduces key safeguards around data and security, ensuring a safe environment for GenAI use. In order to implement this policy Technology Services will raise awareness through its AI blog, newsletter, and Telegram channel, and will collaborate with TAC, Academic Affairs, Libraries, and other units to provide training. Compliance monitoring will be integrated into existing IT Governance and Information Security processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Suzanne](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/899\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-23-at-5.35.17-PM-1024x685.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>One of the biggest misconceptions this report puts to rest is the idea that compliance is a “zero-sum game”\u2014that you either get everything 100% right or you\u2019ve failed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/899\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-23-at-5.39.31-PM-1024x681.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>A High-Quality Ethics and Compliance Program, like VCU, goes beyond their organization\u2019s required legal and regulatory expectations. These programs aim for a more profound purpose, keeping a high standard of ethics that becomes an integral part of the organization\u2019s DNA. This report details the following principles that are foundational to a High-Quality Program.
Five Principles of a High-Quality Program (HQP)<\/strong>
<\/strong>Rules and regulations offer a helpful framework, but true integrity goes deeper. It\u2019s about how we treat each other and the small, quiet choices we make in every moment. To foster this at VCU, we look at The Blue Ribbon Report\u2019s five key pillars, turning ethics into a central part of our community:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/899\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-23-at-5.42.13-PM-1024x678.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Impact of Integrity<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Why Does This Policy Matter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"data](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/899\/2026\/03\/1-1-1-1024x51-12.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
GenAI systems do not inherently guarantee privacy and content entered into public models that can be accessed or reviewed by others \u2013 interfering with regulations like FERPA, HIPAA and institutional data classification standards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"integrity\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/899\/2026\/03\/2-1-102-14x512-1.jpg\")
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Faculty are encouraged to provide clear guidance in syllabi about how, and if,<\/strong> GenAI tools may be used for coursework. Students must remain accountable for the content they submit, and any AI-assisted work should be verified for accuracy and properly attributed. Using AI tools in ways that are dishonest, or misrepresent student effort, is considered academic misconduct.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"transparency\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/899\/2026\/03\/3-1024x512.jpg\")
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The policy also underscores the importance of respecting copyright and intellectual property rights, meaning users should not use AI tools that might infringe upon the rights of third parties.
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"foia\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/899\/2026\/03\/4-1024x512.jpg\")
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy do we have this policy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What you need to know:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhat if a relationship happens?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Keeping it Confidential<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Need Advice?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The policy and requirements haven’t changed, just the platform we\u2019re using. Whether you\u2019re tackling the annual questionnaire or submitting an ad hoc update, Lextegrity is where the magic happens now.
*** Disclosures are due by March 31, 2026. <\/strong>Please submit your disclosure at your earliest ability. Early submissions help ensure compliance and gives you ample time to resolve any questions before the deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\nQuick Start: How to Log In<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What\u2019s a COI Disclosure Anyway?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why do I need to complete a COI Disclosure?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How do I know if something needs to be disclosed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nNeed-To-Know-Updates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/strong>As of January 27, we are officially at a 66% completion rate<\/strong> for the 2025 COI Campaign. Let\u2019s keep that momentum going!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOur Core Values<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAT VCU
How we treat eachother<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
WITH VCU
How we work with external partners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
BEYOND VCU
How we engage with the larger community <\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
A CULTURE OF SPEAKING UP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When do I speak up?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/ico\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/899\/2025\/12\/Whether-you-are-working-AT-VCU-with-partners-who-work-WITH-VCU-or-BEYOND-VCU-the-way-you-behave-should-reflect-our-VCU-Values.-1-1024x512.jpg\")
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Policy Owning Office: Technology Services<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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