A senior student at Northeastern University sparked campus-wide discussion after demanding a tuition refund when she discovered her professor was using AI tools, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, to create lecture notes. Ella Stapleton, who recently graduated, filed a formal complaint with the university’s business school, citing ethical concerns and a lack of transparency in her professor’s teaching practices.
Stapleton said her suspicions were raised when she noticed strange anomalies in the course materials, including a “ChatGPT” citation in the bibliography, consistent formatting errors resembling AI-generated text, and AI-generated images with unrealistic features like extra limbs. “He’s telling us not to use it, and then he’s using it himself,” she said in an interview, expressing her frustration at the apparent double standard.
The complaint targeted both the professor’s undisclosed use of AI and broader dissatisfaction with his teaching methods. Stapleton’s refund request totaled over $8,000—the cost of the course—but was ultimately denied by the university following internal discussions.
Professor Acknowledges Use of Multiple AI Tools
Rick Arrowood, the professor at the center of the complaint, later admitted in an interview that he had used multiple AI tools, including ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, and presentation software Gamma, to prepare lecture materials. Arrowood acknowledged he had not been sufficiently cautious in vetting the AI-generated content before using it in class.
“In hindsight… I wish I would have looked at it more closely,” he said, adding that educators should be transparent with students about AI usage in the classroom. He emphasized the importance of responsible integration, noting that his experience could serve as a learning opportunity for others navigating AI in academia. “If my experience can be something people can learn from,” he said, “then, OK, that’s my happy spot.”
Northeastern University ‘s Vice President for Communications, Renata Nyul, issued a statement affirming the school’s commitment to integrating AI appropriately. “Northeastern embraces the use of artificial intelligence to enhance all aspects of its teaching, research, and operations,” Nyul said. She also highlighted that the university provides ample resources and maintains updated policies to support proper AI usage.
Changing Dynamics Around AI in Education
The incident reflects a shifting dynamic on college campuses, where concerns over AI use are no longer limited to student cheating. Once wary of students using ChatGPT to complete essays and assignments, professors are now facing scrutiny from students who expect a more human-centered learning experience.
Online forums like Rate My Professors have seen a rise in student complaints about educators who lean too heavily on AI tools, with some arguing that such reliance undermines the value of expensive tuition fees. Students argue they pay to be taught by experienced professionals, not by content generated by free online tools.
According to Northeastern University’s AI policy, both faculty and students must give proper credit when using AI to generate content and are expected to verify the output for accuracy and relevance. The policy underlines the importance of human oversight and ethical practices as AI becomes increasingly embedded in academic environments.
