Chat GPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot that became widely used after its November 30, 2022 release. Realizing how popular this chatbot had become, the English department became concerned that students may begin using this chatbot to write their essays for them. This concern led to the English department’s new rule regarding essay writing this year. All students must write their essays in class rather than at home. The rule allows (after some discussions) students to use computers to write in class, and does permit students some (limited) time to edit and revise at home.

Most of the student population seems to have a negative opinion about this new rule, such as Annie Malkin ’26, who says, “I think that the new rules regarding essays restrict students from accurately writing what they’re trying to say. Having in-class essays does not show the full potential of students writing as they are limited to certain time restrictions that they cannot overcome.” Eleanor Goldfarb ’27 expresses a similar opinion, focusing on the time aspect of these essays: “I don’t think there’s enough time because for some people it takes a little bit more time for them to write and get their ideas down.” Hannah Katz, ’27 has a different reasoning as to why she dislikes this rule and argues, “I think teachers should have more trust in their students and that if you’re going to use Chat GPT that’s your loss because you’re not going to learn from it.” However, other students appreciate this new rule, such as Noa Sofer ’26. Noa explains, “Students are becoming too reliant on Chat GPT, and by enforcing in-class essays it shows them that they have to rely on their own intellect and not a robot.”