Maryland

How AI misconduct cases are handled across Maryland campuses

Published

2 months ago

April 30, 2026

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How AI misconduct cases are handled across Maryland campuses

By TIASIA SAUNDERS

Capital News Service

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technologies has prompted universities across Maryland to adopt AI policies quickly. An examination of academic integrity policies shows that enforcement may be inconsistent, with instructors given significant discretion in applying these guidelines, according to experts.

While many universities acknowledge that AI detection tools are unreliable, fewer clearly define what constitutes evidence of AI misconduct, interviews with campus officials show.

“Because AI is a new and evolving technology, the larger challenge we have experienced has been when faculty have been unclear or vague in their messages around usage of AI tools, leading to a gray area where students may have needed to make assumptions,” Pavan Purswani, interim assistant dean of students at the University of Baltimore, said.

At several Maryland Universities, including the University of Maryland, University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Loyola University Maryland, University of Baltimore and Morgan State University, guidelines caution against relying on AI detection tools as definitive proof of misconduct, according to guidelines and policies reviewed by CNS.

Instead, the universities advise that such tools be used only as indicators and not as the sole basis for disciplinary decisions, emphasizing that instructors should consider additional context and communicate clearly with students about how AI tools are evaluated.

Across the Maryland university policies reviewed, AI-related cases are generally addressed under broader academic integrity frameworks rather than AI-specific standards, with determinations about sufficient evidence often left to faculty judgment.

As a result, the type and threshold of evidence can vary significantly from case to case

“We found it was really kind of a losing battle to define what constituted AI misconduct, and that what we needed was a much broader reckoning of how we define misconduct to begin with,” Katie Grantz, the provost and dean of faculty at St Mary’s College of Maryland, said.

She added that St. Mary’s now requires every syllabus to include an AI policy, emphasizing that expectations may vary by instructor and discipline, but that students must be clearly informed of those rules in advance.

By: Tiasia Saunders. Source: CNS review of university policies.

The reliance on instructor discretion is reflected across multiple Maryland universities, where policies often grant professors broad authority to define acceptable AI use and determine whether a violation has occurred.

A review of academic integrity policies across Maryland universities shows that in some cases, faculty may resolve concerns informally with students; in other cases, they may be escalated through formal misconduct processes, creating a system where similar behavior can result in different outcomes.

Craig Farmer, the assistant director of student conduct at Johns Hopkins University, explained that when students engage in similar behavior, how a case is initially handled can vary widely depending on the instructor. Some faculty may treat a violation as minor and assign a single charge, while others may pursue multiple charges or formal action.

“It’s quite possible that if two students do the same thing, one might receive one charge while another receives three,” Farmer said, adding that their office works to ensure outcomes are ultimately consistent.

At St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Loyola University Maryland and Johns Hopkins University, faculty are generally expected to report or initiate misconduct proceedings when violations are identified formally. In contrast, at Towson University, Bowie State University, and Frostburg State University, policies allow instructors greater discretion, enabling them to address concerns directly with students or to decide whether to escalate cases to formal misconduct processes.

All of the schools reviewed have published AI guidelines to provide suggestions on how to navigate using generative AI for schoolwork.

The University of Maryland requires instructors to define how AI can be used in their courses, and students are expected to cite the use of AI tools properly. The university also emphasizes transparency and human oversight when using generative AI tools.

“Our code of academic integrity does not have a rule saying that AI use is prohibited,” said James Bond, assistant dean of students and director of student conduct. “Our code speaks to five different types of violations: cheating, facilitation of academic misconduct, fabrication, plagiarism and self-plagiarism.”

Inconsistent classroom policies can create uncertainty for students about what is permitted across courses and may lead to different interpretations of similar behavior, said Jessica Stansbury, founding director of the Center for AI Learning and Community-Engaged Innovation at the University of Baltimore.

“This inconsistency creates confusion of expectations for students, and more importantly, a stigma of AI use,” she said, adding that conflicting classroom rules can discourage open discussion about how students use the tools.

At some Maryland colleges, such as St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Salisbury University, faculty have discussed creating standardized frameworks to define and evaluate AI use in academic work.

These approaches include developing universal scales to distinguish between acceptable use and misconduct, aiming to reduce ambiguity across courses.

“We’re looking at adopting a universal AI scale—like a zero-to-six or red-to-green system—that would be task-specific and allow instructors to choose different levels of use,” Grantz said.

These conversations reflect a broader shift in how colleges are approaching AI in education, moving away from rigid prohibitions and toward more adaptive, guidance-based systems. As AI tools become increasingly embedded in everyday academic work, universities are being pushed to rethink not only how misconduct is defined, but how learning itself is assessed.

“We as universities should accept the fact that now AI tools are ubiquitous. They’re everywhere. I believe we should be teaching students how to use AI responsibly. We should be finding different ways to integrate AI into the lesson planned while also being creative and strategic with how we are challenging our students to think critically as well,” Farmer said.

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Hutzell: The best, worst and just plain weird of Maryland’s weak primary

Published

2 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Press Room

Hutzell: The best, worst and just plain weird of Maryland’s weak primary

Maryland’s 2026 primary election is almost in the books, so it’s time to recognize the –ests among the results — best, worst and weirdest.

Hear me roar

Tie: Vanessa Atterbeary, Aisha Braveboy, Allison Pickard

If these Democrats win in November — almost a sure thing given the weakness of their opponents — women will be the executives of Howard, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties. That’s a first.

If incumbents Julie Giordano in Wicomico and Jessica Fitzwater in Frederick also win in November, at least five of the nine county executives will be women. That’s another first.

The results also put Black women and men — Braveboy, Atterbeary, Will Jawando in Montgomery County and Julian Jones in Baltimore County — in four of the executive offices, one more first.

The results set up an interesting tier of possible candidates for governor in 2030, the highest office in the state that’s still male-only territory.

Runner-up: Pam Beidle. The retiring state senator funded a slate of candidates that almost swept the Anne Arundel primary.

Small fortune

David Trone

Ever hear the one about the best way to make a small fortune? Start with a big one and then run for office.

Trone, the liquor store magnate, loaned himself $25 million for his Democratic campaign to win back the 6th Congressional District seat. He lost to his successor, Rep. April McClain-Delaney.

That’s on top of $57 million he loaned to his campaign for the U.S Senate seat in 2024. He lost that one to U.S. Sen Angela Alsobrooks.

It’s proof of many things. Most notably, the liquor business is very profitable.

Runner-up: Quincy Bareebe. The business owner loaned her 5th Congressional District campaign $8 million.

Clout and about

Wes Moore

The governor’s campaign says 93% of the candidates he endorsed won, and this election solidifies his leadership of the Maryland Democratic Party.

In an email titled “Wes Moore is Maryland’s Kingmaker,” spokesman Carter Elliott said the governor pushed candidates over the top across the state. In some cases, he wrote, the winners were lagging in polls until Moore’s boost.

Among the 200 endorsements, the campaign highlighted Del. Adrian Boafo in the 5th Congressional District primary, McClain-Delaney in the 6th, and Atterbeary, Jawando and Jones in county executive races.

Others he mentioned include Sarah David’s win for the Baltimore County prosecutor’s office, Malcolm Ruff in a Baltimore state Senate race and Tara Jackson in the Democratic primary for Prince George’s state’s attorney

Runners up: Cryptocurrency and pro-Israel super PACS. They spent $8.8 million to elect Boafo.

Nonliving candidate

Nancy Jane Taylor

The Republican candidate for governor was one of nine in the primary that 2022 candidate Dan Cox won.

Taylor passed away May 23, but her family used her obituary for one final pitch, asking friends and loved ones to remember her by voting for her.

The Hagerstown woman and her running mate, daughter Rachel Hannah “Mohawk” Swift, earned 2,618 votes. That was good enough to beat one other candidate.

Runner-up: Ralph Jaffe. The Baltimore County perennial candidate died in February.

Best for everyone

Dalya Attar

Whatever the outcome of salacious charges involving alleged sex tapes and blackmail facing the state senator from Baltimore, voters shouldn’t be dragged into it.

Ruff defeated Attar in a contentious Democratic primary that included accusations of antisemitism.

Now she can focus on her defense.

Runner-up: Marc Knapp. Removed from the Anne Arundel Orphans Court for misconduct, voters rejected his bid to regain his seat.

Public financing

Will Jawando

Jawando won the Montgomery County executive Democratic primary, tantamount to taking the office, on a publicly financed campaign. It’s the biggest victory this year for a candidate using the system.

The state and five counties now offer this option.

Runner-up: Gavin Buckley. The former Annapolis mayor was one of two candidates in Anne Arundel’s new system, and the only one to win.

Stuntastic

Bobby LaPin

The social media phenom’s campaign was in some ways a stunt, although one good enough to make Senate President Bill Ferguson change his approach to the election and, maybe, his job.

Runner-up: Mark Conway. The Baltimore councilman used guerrilla tactics in his unsuccessful challenge to Rep. Kweisi Mfume, notably an April debate challenge at the congressman’s office.

See you in court

Gabriel Acevero

The Montgomery County delegate won likely reelection to the General Assembly, but he’s got to go to court first.

The delegate exchanged punches with local union leader Gino Renne at an early voting site in Gaithersburg. Both men say the other started it, and both said they would file assault charges.

Runner-up: Jared DeMarinis. The state elections director blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to seize Maryland voter rolls, but now faces a Republican lawsuit to block certification of primary results.

Political toast

Ed Hale

Party switching, delusions of grandeur and ethically gray AI ads do not a statesman make. The former banker should take his Republican primary loss to Cox in the governor’s race as an invitation to exit stage right.

Runner-up: Nancy King. The 76-year-old Senate majority leader from Montgomery County lost a surprise squeaker to Amar Mukunda, 33.

Runner-runner-up: Harry Dunn. A hero of Jan. 6 to be sure, but twice defeated in runs for Congress is a sign that maybe it’s time to move on.

Biggest loser

Independent voters

Many winners in the Democratic primaries now go on to almost certain election in November.

Maryland has closed primaries, so all taxpayers fund elections that only party members decide. In races where one party has an unbreakable majority, primaries serve as the general election.

So when turnout sinks to an anemic 20% as it did in this primary, a teensy portion of the electorate is calling the shots. If you’re an unaffiliated voter, you’re silenced.

If it sounds like taxation without representation, it’s not. It just sounds like it.

Runner-up: Republicans. Maryland’s perennial runner-up is on a path to finish second, again.

Did I miss something? Absolutely.

Now it’s your turn. Look forward to your comments below.

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Maryland

Maryland man sentenced for making online threats toward Black and Muslim communities

Published

12 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Press Room

Maryland man sentenced for making online threats toward Black and Muslim communities

Updated on: June 29, 2026 / 8:19 PM EDT
/ CBS Baltimore

A Maryland man was sentenced to 15 months in prison for making online threats toward Black and Muslim communities and politicians.

Raymond Pumphrey, 47, from Brooklyn, Maryland, pleaded guilty to making threats transmitted by interstate communication with the cybercrime, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland announced.

Social media sites used for hateful comments

Pumphrey made threatening posts on the social media platform YouTube and other social media sites, according to the guilty plea. He commented primarily on news stories.

According to court records, he used the social media platforms for hateful rhetoric, particularly attacking Black and Muslim communities. He threatened to participate in the killing of Black multiple large cities across the country.

Pumphrey also threatened to kill multiple politicians and members of their families.

CAIR Maryland responds to sentencing

The Maryland Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR Maryland) applauded the court’s sentencing. The organization condemned the threats, saying that “threats of violence targeting minority communities would not be tolerated.”

“We welcome today’s sentence as another important step toward accountability for those who use online platforms to target Black, Muslim, and other vulnerable communities,” CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry stated. “Hate-filled threats are not protected expressions of opinion. They are criminal acts that inflict real fear, undermine public safety, and can inspire acts of violence.

Chaudry continued, “We thank federal prosecutors and law enforcement agencies for pursuing this case and demonstrating that those who target minority communities with threats of violence will face serious consequences. At a time when hate incidents continue to impact communities across our nation, it is essential that authorities respond swiftly and decisively.”

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Maryland

Southern Maryland Cooling Centers Open As Dangerous Heat Builds Ahead Of July 4 Weekend – The BayNet

Published

22 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Press Room

Southern Maryland Cooling Centers Open As Dangerous Heat Builds Ahead Of July 4 Weekend – The BayNet

SOUTHERN MARYLAND — Cooling centers are available across Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties as Southern Maryland prepares for several days of dangerous heat and humidity heading into the July 4 weekend.

Forecasters are calling for temperatures to climb sharply by midweek, with the hottest stretch expected Wednesday through Saturday. Highs are forecast to reach the mid-90s to near 100 degrees in Calvert County, upper 90s to 105 degrees in Charles County and upper 90s to near 102 degrees in St. Mary’s County. Thunderstorms are possible over the holiday weekend, but dangerous heat remains the primary concern.

Residents are urged to drink water frequently, spend time in air-conditioned spaces, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the afternoon, check on seniors and neighbors and never leave children or pets in vehicles.

Anyone experiencing signs of heat illness, including confusion, fainting, chest pain, difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness, should call 911.

Calvert County Cooling Centers

Calvert Library locations listed as cooling centers include:

Calvert Library Prince Frederick, 850 Costley Way, Prince Frederick

Fairview Branch, 8120 Southern Maryland Boulevard, Owings

Twin Beaches Branch, 4100 5th Street, North Beach

Southern Branch, 13920 H.G. Trueman Road, Solomons

Community centers listed include:

Northeast Community Center, 4075 Gordon Stinnett Avenue, Chesapeake Beach

Mt. Hope Community Center, 104 Pushaw Station Road, Sunderland

Harriet E. Brown Community Center, 901 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick

Southern Community Center, 20 Appeal Lane, Lusby

Water is available at all listed Calvert locations.

Charles County Cooling Centers

Charles County cooling locations include:

Department of Community Services, 8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco

Nanjemoy Community Center, 4375 Port Tobacco Road, Nanjemoy

Richard R. Clark Senior Center, 1210 Charles Street, La Plata

Lifestyles Center, 10453 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains

Charles County library locations listed as cooling centers include La Plata, P.D. Brown, Potomac and Waldorf West branches.

The Lifestyles Center is listed as open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

St. Mary’s County Cooling Centers

St. Mary’s County library locations listed as cooling centers include Charlotte Hall, Leonardtown and Lexington Park branches.

Senior centers listed include:

Garvey Senior Activity Center

Loffler Senior Activity Center

Northern Senior Activity Center

Additional St. Mary’s County cooling locations include:

St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen, 20331 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills

Three Oaks Center, 46905 Lei Drive, Lexington Park

Robert Myers Center, Sheriff Miedzinski Way, Lexington Park

St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen and Three Oaks Center are listed as open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Robert Myers Center is listed as open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Residents should check local government websites and social media pages for updated cooling center hours and availability before traveling. The Local Homelessness Coalition also advises residents seeking shelter assistance to contact their local coordinated entry access point.

Residents can also check the latest local forecast anytime at TheBayNet.com/weather before heading out, especially as heat, humidity and storm chances change throughout the week.