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Nicholls State University Grants Students Access to Google AI Amid State AI Policy
On August 14, 2026, Nicholls State University announced that students can now tap into Google’s artificial‑intelligence services through their university email accounts. The campus will provide access to Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, and Gemini Notebook, a research‑ and note‑taking tool powered by the same technology.
The move comes after the Louisiana Board of Regents adopted a statewide AI policy that applies to all public post‑secondary institutions, including the Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges System, the Louisiana State University System and the University of Louisiana System. The policy, linked to Governor Jeff Landry’s Executive Order JML 25‑103, sets ethical guidelines for AI use and aims to prevent misuse that could compromise data system security.
In a press release, the Board said the policy “seeks both to prohibit the misuse of AI that undermines data system security and integrity and to encourage appropriate standards for AI use for education and research in public post‑secondary education in Louisiana.”
Nicholls chose Google’s AI services because of an existing contract and a thorough cybersecurity review. Jerad David, the university’s director of communications and legislative affairs, explained, “As a ‘Google school,’ there are certain benefits to utilizing Gemini as that preferred platform. Our IT department conducted extensive research to determine what was the best platform from a cybersecurity standpoint.”
David added that using an open‑language AI platform could expose faculty and student intellectual property to the platform’s training data. “By using one platform that the university already has a contract with, that information is now closed, and not used to build its intelligence,” he said.
The university’s email also outlines a three‑tiered guideline system from the Office of Academic Affairs:
Green – AI is fully integrated into coursework to build critical AI‑literacy skills. Students are expected to understand how to use AI appropriately in different applications. Yellow – AI use is limited to tasks designated by the instructor. * Red – AI is prohibited, including the use of generative‑AI features in tools such as Grammarly, Microsoft Copilot, Apple Writing Tools, and similar assistants.
David noted that many students may not realize that Grammarly and other writing tools employ generative AI unless the feature is disabled. In red‑level classes, students will be required to learn editing and rewriting skills without generative AI.
The email reminds students that any AI‑generated work must be properly cited and that the AI assistant used should be disclosed to avoid violating the Nicholls Student Code of Conduct. Inappropriate AI use may result in assignment re‑takes or disciplinary action.
Students are instructed to “verify everything,” protect privacy, and assume a red level until they have consulted their instructor for clarification.
The policy reflects a broader trend in Louisiana higher education to balance the benefits of AI tools with concerns about data security, intellectual property, and academic integrity. By limiting AI use to a single, contracted platform, Nicholls aims to reduce the risk of data leakage while still providing students with advanced AI capabilities.
The announcement comes as other Louisiana institutions prepare to comply with the Board’s AI policy. The emphasis on ethical use and cybersecurity is expected to shape how universities integrate AI into teaching, research, and administrative processes in the coming academic year.
Nicholls’ decision to adopt Google Gemini is a concrete example of how state‑level policy can influence the adoption of specific AI platforms in higher education, setting a precedent for other public institutions in Louisiana and potentially beyond.
Implementation will be monitored by the Board of Regents and the Office of Academic Affairs, which will provide guidance and oversight to ensure compliance with the new AI standards.
As AI tools become increasingly common in classrooms, the balance between innovation and regulation will remain a key issue for educators, students, and policymakers alike.
The move comes after the Louisiana Board of Regents adopted a statewide AI policy that applies to all public post‑secondary institutions, including the Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges System, the Louisiana State University System and the University of Louisiana System. The policy, linked to Governor Jeff Landry’s Executive Order JML 25‑103, sets ethical guidelines for AI use and aims to prevent misuse that could compromise data system security.
In a press release, the Board said the policy “seeks both to prohibit the misuse of AI that undermines data system security and integrity and to encourage appropriate standards for AI use for education and research in public post‑secondary education in Louisiana.”
Nicholls chose Google’s AI services because of an existing contract and a thorough cybersecurity review. Jerad David, the university’s director of communications and legislative affairs, explained, “As a ‘Google school,’ there are certain benefits to utilizing Gemini as that preferred platform. Our IT department conducted extensive research to determine what was the best platform from a cybersecurity standpoint.”
David added that using an open‑language AI platform could expose faculty and student intellectual property to the platform’s training data. “By using one platform that the university already has a contract with, that information is now closed, and not used to build its intelligence,” he said.
The university’s email also outlines a three‑tiered guideline system from the Office of Academic Affairs:
Green – AI is fully integrated into coursework to build critical AI‑literacy skills. Students are expected to understand how to use AI appropriately in different applications. Yellow – AI use is limited to tasks designated by the instructor. * Red – AI is prohibited, including the use of generative‑AI features in tools such as Grammarly, Microsoft Copilot, Apple Writing Tools, and similar assistants.
David noted that many students may not realize that Grammarly and other writing tools employ generative AI unless the feature is disabled. In red‑level classes, students will be required to learn editing and rewriting skills without generative AI.
The email reminds students that any AI‑generated work must be properly cited and that the AI assistant used should be disclosed to avoid violating the Nicholls Student Code of Conduct. Inappropriate AI use may result in assignment re‑takes or disciplinary action.
Students are instructed to “verify everything,” protect privacy, and assume a red level until they have consulted their instructor for clarification.
The policy reflects a broader trend in Louisiana higher education to balance the benefits of AI tools with concerns about data security, intellectual property, and academic integrity. By limiting AI use to a single, contracted platform, Nicholls aims to reduce the risk of data leakage while still providing students with advanced AI capabilities.
The announcement comes as other Louisiana institutions prepare to comply with the Board’s AI policy. The emphasis on ethical use and cybersecurity is expected to shape how universities integrate AI into teaching, research, and administrative processes in the coming academic year.
Nicholls’ decision to adopt Google Gemini is a concrete example of how state‑level policy can influence the adoption of specific AI platforms in higher education, setting a precedent for other public institutions in Louisiana and potentially beyond.
Implementation will be monitored by the Board of Regents and the Office of Academic Affairs, which will provide guidance and oversight to ensure compliance with the new AI standards.
As AI tools become increasingly common in classrooms, the balance between innovation and regulation will remain a key issue for educators, students, and policymakers alike.
