The CSU Writing Center Philosophy

We support students in their journey to become better writers so they can more effectively learn, think, feel, and explore ideas. In accordance with our pedagogical purpose, we work with all writers who are using generative AI as part of their writing process. It is important that the center remain a place that focuses on the process of writing, and that process can include mistakes, rewrites, ineffective source use, reorganization, and other changes.

We view generative AI as a tool with potential for assisting with those tasks and believe that generative AI reinforces the necessity of students’ need to think critically, analyze, and investigate the use of all sources as they write. Our goal is to help writers achieve the complex task of using writing to develop their own ideas, meet the demands and expectations of audience, and consider the ethical concerns of proper source use and attribution.

Generative AI Practices in the CSU Writing Center

  1. We will ask writers about their generative AI usage. This will help consultants better understand the writer’s process and gives us an opportunity to steer them away from questionable or unauthorized use of AI.
  2. We support students as they navigate varying technologies and policies by asking them questions, referring to assignment sheets, requirements, and getting a better understanding of their writing process. We support learners’ efforts to improve their information, digital, and AI literacy.
  3. So long as it is allowed by the professor, assignment requirements, and writing situation, the Writing Center will help students to critically compare, analyze, and evaluate any assistance that they receive from GAI.
  4. Visitors to the Writing Center can expect that the discussion held between them and their consultant will remain between them, unless otherwise requested by the writer. The CSU Writing Center will not report students to any university organizations, authorities, or their instructor for use of GAI.
  5. Consultants receive training on various GAI technologies, including ethics, bias, and how to use it effectively. We regularly discuss comparison, analysis, and critical usage of generative AI tools.

The discussion of generative AI is more complex than this statement can address. Below, you will find a list of resources on other concerns regarding its widespread use:

This statement will evolve as the technology and our understanding of its impact on learning evolve. If you have questions about how we approach generative AI in the Writing Center or would like help creating writing assignments with AI in mind, contact Leslie Davis.