College of the Redwoods Adopts Guidance for Responsible AI Use

Published on Aug 12 2026

College of the Redwoods has adopted a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Guidance Report that establishes a framework for the responsible use of artificial intelligence across teaching, learning, student services, and college operations.

Developed over the past year through a collaborative effort involving faculty, classified professionals, managers, and administrators, the report outlines 8 guiding principles and 15 recommendations to help the College integrate AI responsibly while protecting academic freedom, privacy, accessibility, and the human relationships at the heart of education.

The report builds on the work of the College's original AI Task Force and subsequent AI Ad Hoc Committee, whose members researched emerging higher education practices and developed recommendations designed to help College of the Redwoods proactively shape its future use of artificial intelligence rather than react to it. The recommendations have now been accepted by the College and implementation has begun.

"This report reflects a year of sustained engagement by the College of the Redwoods community," said Dr. Rebecca Robertson, Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and lead author of the report. "Participants from across the College helped identify the need for consistency, clarity, and direction as AI becomes increasingly present in teaching, learning, student support, and college operations. AI is among the most consequential issues facing higher education, and CR is approaching this work with intention, collaboration, and a clear commitment to our mission as a community college." 

As one of its first implementation steps, CR has established a standing AI Advisory and Planning Committee that will guide implementation of the recommendations, coordinate ongoing campus conversations, monitor emerging developments, and recommend updates as technologies and institutional needs evolve.

The College also views the report as a living document. During the coming academic year, the guidance will be shared with constituent groups across campus to encourage discussion, gather feedback, and refine recommendations as implementation progresses. College leaders expect the framework to evolve through these conversations as new AI tools emerge, and the higher education landscape continues to change.

"The College has identified artificial intelligence as a key strategic priority for the coming years," said President Dr. Keith Flamer." As AI rapidly transforms the world and changes large parts of our economy, it is crucial that College of the Redwoods positions itself as a leader in developing innovative and responsible guidelines for the use of AI inside and outside of our classrooms while increasing our students’ chances of achieving the future they want."

The report acknowledges both the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence. Its guiding principles emphasize innovation and student preparation, human-centered use, academic freedom, transparency, ethical practice, equity and accessibility, privacy and data protection, and continuous learning.

"Defining our core principles and recommendations was a truly collaborative effort, bringing together voices from students, faculty, staff, and committee members," said CR’s Faculty AI Liaison Dr. Tatum Loso, "As we look ahead, this consensus framework will guide our ongoing work to ensure that AI is integrated responsibly across both the instructional and operational areas of the college, while keeping integrity and equity at the center." 

College leaders also emphasized that the collaborative process was one of the project's greatest strengths. Faculty, staff, administrators, and technology leaders contributed throughout the process, recognizing that artificial intelligence raises important questions with no single right answer. The resulting guidance reflects a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement rather than a one-time solution.

The College extends its appreciation to everyone who contributed to the effort, from the original AI Task Force through the AI Ad Hoc Committee. Special recognition goes to Dr. Tatum Loso, Dr. Rebecca Robertson, Clifford LaMastus, Sheila Hall, Giselle Cabrero, Marcel van Dissel, Leigh Dooley, and Karyn-Lynn Fisette for their leadership in developing the report.