Plexus

July 2008

Platteville Extending to Us

Graduation Celebration -
We want your IDEAS to make
this event even better!

Inside:
Fall Registration

Alumni Advisory Board

Becomes Recognized
Alumni Chapter

Graduation Highlights

UW-Platteville
UW-Platteville Distance
Distance Learning
Learning Center
Center
 Alumni Spotlight
Ken Wiegman said that it is not
uncommon for people to ask
him why he earned a master’s
degree in criminal justice since he
was working as an information
technology specialist. However, his
skills and work combine to help
him provide unique service and
insight to the university.
Wiegman earned his Bachelor
of Science in Criminal Justice as
an on-campus student at UW-
Platteville. He graduated and
became an officer for the Grant
County Sheriff’s Department. After
five years, he changed jobs and
became an information technology
specialist for UWP where he
provides support for the College of
Liberal Arts and Education.
After a few years of working at
UWP, he decided that he wanted
to earn his master’s degree. He did
not want to be tied down to specific
class times, so he decided to pursue
a degree using the distance learning
program. He knew any type of
master’s degree can be applied
to many jobs, so he stayed with
the focus of his undergraduate
degree and pursued his master’s in
criminal justice.
By Scott Skelly
Wiegman set a very rigorous schedule for himself by taking two classes each
semester. The flexibility of the online program allowed him to take classes
while also having a new baby in a house with an addition in progress.
“I could not have done two classes each semester if I was tied to a classroom,”
he said. “You have to have a lot of discipline to do the online program.” He
knew time management was important and sometimes he would even tape a
piece of paper to the television to remind
himself that he needed to focus on class
Alumni work.
He was also a member of the Student
Advisory Board (SAB). He said it was a
unique experience for him because he felt
closer to the campus than many of the
other students in the program. He found
that having resources, such as access to the
campus library, was different than other
students.
Wiegman also taught an on-campus
undergraduate class while working on
his degree. He now teaches an online
undergraduate class for UWP.
“I have a different insight into this program,” Wiegman says of being both
a student and a teacher in the online environment.
His technology skills help him to be more effective using the online class
structure. He hopes to continue teaching in the future. He also hopes to see
more technology based curriculum to prepare students for the high-tech
world of cyber-crime and computer aided investigation. As the distance
learning program evolves into the future, he hopes he can be a part of it.

Student Profile - Doug Ducklow By Scott Skelly

With more than 19 years of law
enforcement experience, Doug
Ducklow brings more than just text
book knowledge to the classroom.
“There is so much practical
application that can be added
from experience,” Ducklow said.
He is a detective for the Pierce
County Sheriff’s Department.
Before he started working with
investigations in February, he was
involved with almost every role in
the department, at some point in
his career.
Ducklow held roles such as a
specialist in explosive breaching
for the SWAT team. He started his
career as a patrol sergeant for nine
years and has held various jobs
since, including working dispatch
and office duties.
Ducklow attended UW-River Falls
in the 1980s and pursued a degree
in sociology after switching from
agribusiness. However, when he
was almost ready to graduate he
was hired by the department and
he dropped out of school.
At that time, higher education
was not required for officers in
Wisconsin. However, he set a goal
that one day he would earn his
college degree.
“I started my education up (again)
because it was the only thing I
never accomplished,” Ducklow
said. He said that since he is
getting closer to retirement he
wants the opportunity to do other
things. With his great amount of
experience, he hopes to continue
his education after his bachelor’s
degree and pursue his master’s
so that one day he might teach
criminal justice.
Having already completed his
general education credits during
his previous college time, Ducklow
enjoys that he can take just classes
cont. on pg. 23

2
INSIDE
july
PROGRAMS
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.........................6, 10
Master of Science in Project Management...............................8, 9, 17
Bachelor/Master of Science in Criminal Justice..................14, 18, 21

IN EVERY ISSUE
Alumni Spotlight...................................................................................2
Student Advisory Board Update.........................................................8
Online Course Listings..................................................................12-13
Ask A Librarian...................................................................................16
Alumni Advisory Board Update.......................................................22
Contact Information for Online Courses.........................................22
PLEXUS is the University of

PLUS Wisconsin-Platteville distance

learning newsletter, published every
Student profile ......................................................................................2 April, July, and November. PLEXUS
One course ends, another begins, how can I do this? .....................4 is available online at:
Now that we are here, how do we stay here? ..................................4 www.uwplatt.edu/disted/edp/plexus.

We listened, now we are making changes ........................................5 Distance Learning Center

Iowa Central signs articulation agreement with UWP ...................5 UW-Platteville
A new and improved course management system .........................7 1 University Plaza
Platteville, WI 53818-3099
“Swing, batter, batter ...” ...................................................................10
“Why Now?” ......................................................................................11 Phone: 608.342.1468
Partnering for the future ...................................................................14 Toll-free: 1.800.362.5460
Fund-raising drive for technology continues .................................15 FAX: 608.342.1071
E-mail: disted@uwplatt.edu
Announcements .................................................................................15
International short study tours available for credit ......................16
Lost alumni .........................................................................................16
Drums and Cymbals Project Update ...............................................17
Where do I want to be five years from now? ................................ 19
UW-Platteville
DLC offers a new course: “Return to Learn”.................................19
Turnitin: anti-plagiarism or educational opportunity ..................20 D L C
Distance Learning Center
Graduation highlights .......................................................................23
3
One course ends, another begins, how can I do this?
By Amy Griswold
So you just finished your first
course? Or maybe it’s your 10th
course. Are you struggling with
keeping yourself motivated to
finish your course or to get signed
up for another one? If you are,
you are not alone. Motivation
is something that all students
struggle with at some point in
time. My advice to you is to find
what drives you. Why are you
seeking to further your education?
Is it for a promotion? Or maybe
a new career? Then why not take
that job ad that you wish you
could apply for and hang it up
next to your computer, your TV,
or maybe even put it in your car?
This will be a constant reminder
of what your goal is and why you
are doing what you are doing.
Invite your family members
and colleagues to help keep you
motivated. They want to see you
succeed just as much as you want
to see yourself succeed.
If and when you find that your first
method of motivation is no longer
working for you, seek out another
Now that we are here, how do we stay here?
By Amy Griswold
That is a question that my fellow
colleague, Kim Maier, and I are
working to answer. Retention is
something that the both of us have
had on our minds. Questions like
how can we help our students that
are new to online learning, in what
ways can we be more proactive,
and are there any new tutorials
that we can implement that would
help guide our students, have come
to our minds during the past few
years. We have been working
on an overall retention plan to
answers these questions and more
for the Distance Learning Center
and we are ready to put several of
these in place.
4
form. You could even try keeping
a copy of your program plan
handy. After each semester, you
can mark off that course and your
grade so you can have a visual
reminder at how far you have
come. Although I cannot tell you
what motivates you and how to
remind yourself, my suggestion for
you is to define your goals. Take
some time to reflect on what
you are doing,
why you are
doing this,
and how
you are
going to
One of the plans that we are
currently working on is a First Year
Experience Program (FYE). We
are in the planning and initiation
phase of developing our first
online Return to Learn course
(otherwise known as an Intro
to College Life course). We are
looking forward to providing this
course to our students. Not only is
our goal to guide students through
the online learning environment,
but to teach our students long-
term learning skills. With the help
of our committee and other outside
resources (such as you) we are
looking to engage student life with
learning how to learn and working
through outside challenges. This
course is one small step to helping
get there. Knowing what you are
doing and where you are going
with this is one of the keys to
being successful.
If you ever find yourself struggling
with your motivation, please
know that there are resources
out there for you. Give your
academic advisor or student
services representative a call.
Contact an AAB (Alumni
Advisory Board) member or an
SAB (Student Advisor Board)
member. Did you know that
our blog contains articles to help
current and prospective students?
BSCJ program coordinator and
academic advisor Amy Nemmetz
just wrote a blog article about
making lists. You may find
various forms of motivation within
our blog.
As always, the Distance Learning
Center staff is here to assist you.
If you have any questions or
concerns at any time, please feel
free to contact a staff member.
our students obtain their final goal
of graduation.
So why would Kim and I be
willing to take on such a large
challenge? Like the entire DLC
staff, Kim and I are motivated to
see all of our students succeed in
their education. It is because of
our motivation to see our students
succeed that we feel that this
project is a priority for not only us,
but for the entire DLC staff as well.
If you have any questions regarding
the FYE program, or if you have
any suggestions, please feel free
to contact Kim Maier (maierk@
uwplatt.edu), or me (foleya@
uwplatt.edu) at 800.362.5460.
We listened; now we are making changes
By Shenita Ray
This spring the Distance Learning
Center sent the annual Student
Services Survey to current degree
seeking students for feedback. The
purpose of the Student Services
Survey is to gather information
about what the Distance Learning
Center (DLC) is doing right and
how the Distance Learning Center
must transform administratively,
to better serve you, our students.
Overall, the results of the survey
illustrate that the majority of
respondents are satisfied or very
satisfied with the level of service
received from the DLC. Below are
some of the positive responses we
received from students:
• Accessibility to staff has been
effective by either phone or e-mail.
• Appropriate information for
course registration and billing was
sent in a timely manner.
• The electronic resources of
the UWP library have been of
significant importance.
• I like the e-mail alerts and the
automated nature of enrollment
and billing.
• If I have a problem, I can speak
with a friendly mentor who will
guide me to the right answer.
• Prior to the last class I took I
had questions regarding some of
the technical aspects. The student
services team was able to get
answers for me in a timely manner Shenita Ray
such that I could make a good Assistant Director
decision.
extended office hours this
In addition to receiving positive
summer. From June 16 to
feedback, the information obtained
Aug. 8, the DLC will be staffed
from the survey also indicates
from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mon.
that you might like the DLC to
though Fri. So, feel free to call
reassess some of our standard
our office during these hours
operating procedures, namely
and a member of the Student
the office hours. Currently, the
Services team will be delighted
Distance Learning Center is open
to help you!
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However,
according to the majority, nearly
45 percent, of those that responded
to the survey stated that the
most convenient time for you to
Questions
contact the Distance Learning 608.342.1468
Center is between 4:30 p.m. and 800.362.5460
10 p.m. This makes sense as we disted@uwplatt.edu
also know that the preponderance
of the distance learning students
are employed full-time. Given
this information, the Distance
Learning Center is piloting new

Iowa Central signs articulation agreement with UWP

Agreement allows criminal justice students to pursue four year degree
Iowa Central Community College
criminal justice students now
have the opportunity to continue
their education at the University
of Wisconsin-Platteville through a
new articulation agreement.
UW-Platteville has approved
classes that will allow Iowa
Central students to automatically
transfer credits to UW-Platteville
without needing special transcript
evaluation. At UWP, students may
continue their studies as they work
to earn a Bachelor of Science in
criminal justice.
Credits in Introduction to Criminal
Justice and Introduction to
Corrections meet the requirements
for required classes at UW-
Platteville. Four other Iowa Central
classes will transfer as criminal
justice elective classes. Other
general education credits may
be transferred after a transcript
evaluation.
“We encourage all of our students
to go on and continue a four year
bachelor degree,” said TJ Martin,
Distance Learning director for
Iowa Central. “Our two year
associate degree helps students
get started and get their foot in the
door.”
Both on-campus and online Iowa
Central students are eligible
to transfer to UW-Platteville.
UW-Platteville offers all of the
necessary classes for the Bachelor
of Science in criminal justice
degree with the learning in an
online environment providing
flexibility for the non-traditional
student. This allows students
cont. on pg. 20
5
business administration
n w es
Early registration for online courses
By Shayla Neal
Although the weather is getting
warmer, registration for the fall
semester is already upon us. It may
be hard to accept that on June 2,
registration opened for the fall, but
many courses fill up quickly so
take advantage of registering early.
Enrollment is secured by payment
of your course fees and space
availability. Students who register
early help academic advisors and
the Distance Learning Center staff
plan accordingly and ensure you
of getting the classes you need.
This has a significant impact on
improving organizational and
individual performance and timely
feedback.
Getting registered for online
courses within the first three
weeks of the registration period
is considered early registration.
Registering for online courses
within the last two weeks of the
necessary deadline is considered
late registration. It is important
that you contact your academic
advisor beforehand. Academic
advisors can better plan for how
to meet your academic needs and
avoid disappointment. If waiting
until the last minute to register
for a class that has already closed,
you can sign up for the course
on the wait list. This allows us to
contact you if someone else drops
the class. Avoid having to contact
the Distance Learning Center to
try to get into classes after the
registration period ends. So far,
we have a few students that have
registered for fall online courses.
Classes with low registration may
be cancelled.
6
Getting registered early helps
ensure course selections and
decrease the possibility of being Shayla Neal
closed out of classes. This gives Business Administration
you the best selection of classes. Advisor
Students should routinely check
the Distance Education Calendar
on a regular basis by visiting
www.uwplatt.edu/disted and
clicking the Calendar link. Please
adhere to your particular deadlines
– that is, Financial Aid deadline,
GI Bill deadline, Mail-in Payment
deadline, and Credit Card
Payment deadline.
By registering toward the end
or after the registration period,
students may find themselves
Every
without the classes they need
because they may be full. Late
journey begins
registration leads to risks and
uncertainties such as courses not
being available; difficulty obtaining
with a
textbooks in a timely manner;
getting your course password in
single step.
timely manner; having to wait
one or more semesters to sign
up for the course again; delaying
the processing for registration
due to an organizational backlog;
possibly delaying graduation; and
technical problems that don’t allow
you to register. We know this is
discouraging, and it is certainly
something that we do not like to
have to tell a student. This would
not be a good situation for anyone.
So help us serve you better by
registering early! This would be
beneficial for all parties involved.
Students who usually register
late should reassess their values
to take the necessary steps to get
registered early.
A new and improved course management system
By Charles Christison
Desire2Learn has a new look!
Prior to the start of the summer
session, the course management
system used by all UW campuses
was upgraded to the latest version.
Besides upgrading background
processes that deal with
performance, the most outward
change is in appearance. All the
functionality that you are used to
is still there, what is different is
the interface and how you access
certain features.
There is a greater use of icons. The
icons are bigger adding a visual
component making the screens
easier to read.
After you log in, you find the
Welcome Box on the left of the
screen. This box contains links to
your profile and personal settings.
Your Welcome Box appears on the
welcome page and on the course
home page of each course in which
you are enrolled. The Welcome Box
also contains links to your locker.
The locker is a private storage
space for you to save files.
Courses that you are currently
enrolled in or have access to are
listed in the My Courses box.
Clicking on a course link will
open the home page of the course.
As before, the course home page
contain the News area where your
instructor posts announcements to
the class. The Navigation bar near
the top contains links to the major
components of the course. Two
that we will look at are the content
and discussion areas.
Clicking on Content opens the
content area. What is different is
a print icon located at the top that
allows you to select and print out
content documents. Clicking the
icon presents you with a list of
course documents, you can select
whatever pages you want to print.
This is an improved version of the
old compile for print option.
Clicking on a document link opens
the document view screen. Along
the top are a series of icons:
• The first icon on the left toggles
the table of contents located on the
left side. Hiding the sidebar gives
you a larger area for viewing the
topic document
• The second icon, Undock, causes
the topic to open in new window
• The third icon allows you
to bookmark the current topic.
When bookmarked, a link to
the document is saved in the
bookmark tool, found on the
course home page. This is a means
to save your place in the course
between your sessions
• The fourth icon is the Submit
Feedback tool. Clicking this icon
presents you with a window for
rating and giving feedback on this
topic
• And the last icon allows you to
print this topic
• On the far right on the top are
the two arrows for navigating to
the next or to the previous topic
In the discussion area, a box
located in the top left has a link
to a settings window. Here you
can customize how the discussion
area looks and behaves. With the
options you can customize how
the list is displayed, whether or
not the search tool is visible. You
can select to view the message
list in a threaded or non-threaded
view. Each of the options has a
question mark icon associated
with it that when clicked presents
help information on the option.
When you open a discussion
forum, you are presented with the
message list. Icons along the top
include Compose, for creating a
new message not associated with
an existing discussion thread. The
Refresh option updates the list
with any new posting that others
may have posted since you opened
the discussion tool. The Show
Search toggles whether or not
the search tool is visible. And the
Setting option opens the settings
tool.
Opening a posted message allows
you to reply to the posting. The
message editor has two modes: (1)
a basic mode for basic formatting
of your posting or (2) an advanced
mode giving you a larger pallet of
tools for formatting.
The new look is clean and easy
to read. Icons make tool selection
and navigation easier than in
the old version. As always let us
know what you think of the new
interface.
7
SAB reviewing policies and procedures
During the past few months,
the Distance Learning Center
has been reviewing processes
and procedures that impact
the administrative areas of
students studying at a distance
(i.e., registration, admissions,
recruitment, retention, etc.).
During the next few months, we
will also be reviewing policies
that impact these same areas. As
we move forward with reviewing
these policies and procedures, we
will be working with the Student
Advisory Board to get feedback
on potential changes and get
suggestions for the best ways to
communicate any changes to the
student body.
The SAB has already responded to
a variety of questions associated
with current policies and
procedures and given input on
some new activities to enhance
the student services available to
students at a distance. This work
will continue for the next few
Australian school recognizes UWP instructor
By Scott Skelly
UW-Platteville adjunct instructor
in project management, Tony
Munos, was selected as a co-
recipient of the first ever Master’s
of Business and Technology
(MBT) Facilitator Award for
Teaching Excellence. This award
was presented by the Australian
School of Business New South
Wales. Munos has taught online
for New South Wales in Sydney,
Australia since early 2000. He
is the instructor for its project
management course. He recently
visited the school in March so he
was unable to attend a banquet
in April to accept the award.
However, he was still recognized
by the school, along with professor
Ken Trotman.
Munos was selected for his
approaches to motivate and
8
months and the SAB will need
your help. As we continue to seek
input on changes to incorporate
into our policies and procedures,
your SAB representatives will be
asking for your input on various
aspects of the changes. If you are
contacted by an SAB member,
please be sure to respond to
them — this is your opportunity
to have an impact on the future
administrative functions of the
programs offered at a distance.
We will also be using this time
as an opportunity to educate
you on the types of changes
that we are unable to make
and why this is the case. As a
public institution, we have far
more regulations and rules to
follow than a private educational
institution. This is very similar
to the differences experienced
by a public utility, publicly held
company, or governmental body
when compared to a private
organization. However, we are
develop students, and for
contributions to the university
community and continued use of
feedback to improve his teaching.
This award was created to
recognize the contributions of
teaching staff at the school. The
award is designed to be given to
confident that any changes we will
be able to incorporate will serve
your needs.
This review and revision process
will be the focus for the remaining
year of SAB activities. However,
please continue to submit
suggestions for agenda items to
the group and we will fit them in,
if time permits. If not, we will add
them to the group’s agenda in 2009.
one individual, but the school felt
that the top quality of Munos and
Trotman deserved recognition.
Munos has a long history of
project management work.
His affiliation with Platteville
began when he was hired as
the coordinator of the Project
Management program at UW-
Platteville. Since his retirement
a few years ago, he continues to
teach online with UWP. “The
practical experience that Tony
brings to the online classroom,
along with his dedication to
helping the students learn, makes
him a fantastic instructor. He is
very deserving of this award”,
says Dawn Drake, executive
director of Distance Education.
Capstone project helps infants learn
By Scott Skelly
Shelley Ritchie wanted to do
something special for her capstone
project management project,
so she partnered with UMOS,
a non-profit organization that
provides services to under-served
populations.
Ritchie was very active educating
her own children from a very
early age. She knew this was very
important in helping children
have skills before they even start
pre-school or kindergarten. She
was familiar with many of the
programs UMOS offered, but
she noticed it did not have any
programs for children ages 0 to 3.
It is important for parents of young
children to help the children learn
basic educational skills. However,
many new parents do not know
how or do not have the needed
tools to educate their children. “A
new mother may just need a little
encouragement and a little know
how,” Ritchie said.
Ritchie proposed an idea to UMOS
to create education kits that could
be distributed to parents to help
their children learn basic reading
skills, letters, basic math, colors
and shapes. Ritchie explains that
young children have the ability to
learn to read as long as they
have larger print material since
their visual pathways are not fully
developed.
“We are using tools and techniques
that have already been proven
to increase the child’s learning,”
she said. She partnered with
Lakeshore Learning to create
items for the kits. Throughout
the program she worked as a
liaison with a number of different
organizations to make the program
successful.
The kits will be distributed to
UMOS clients in the greater
Milwaukee area. Parents that
receive the kits will first attend a
one hour training session to learn
how to best utilize the included
materials. All materials in the kit
are in both English and Spanish.
Two hundred kits will be
distributed in the initial pilot
of the project. Ritchie hopes to
continue with more kits in the
future if funding remains. “The
biggest lesson I learned was how
intensive it was to obtain and
maintain the funding for service
organizations,” she said.
After the kits are distributed,
UMOS staff will conduct follow-
up interviews with participants
to see how effective the program
is for parents. This will help the
program continue in the future.
Although her capstone
requirements are complete, she
hopes to continue to work with
the program.
“It is beneficial to step outside
your comfort zone for your
project. Project managers need to
realize they have a very valuable
skill set and they can help the
social needs of the community,”
she said. “Look around in your
community and look at what
the main services are that your
community needs.”
9
“Swing, batter, batter ... ”
By Sue Fager
Even in team sports, there comes a
moment in time when the spotlight
falls on one player. The final play
— the winning point — the final
judgment. We see it dramatized
in slow motion on the big screen.
What goes through the players’
mind when all eyes turn on him
(or her)? I can’t say for sure, but I
don’t think it is “I wonder if so and
so is here today?” or “What should
I do now?” After hours, days and
months of training, the athlete
becomes fully focused. There are
no questions; no one else is even
present. All that matters is the ball
and the bat coming together, and
even this isn’t a thought process
but only an impulse reaction or
response.
In the music arena, musicians will
often speak of becoming “one”
with their instrument. The musical
instrument is no longer a tool, but
an extension of both mind and body.
Business/accounting program gets new coordinator
UW-Platteville professor Christine
Schuldes has accepted a new role
as coordinator for the distance
Business Administration program.
A UWP professor for traditional
and online courses since 2006, her
new position will consist primarily
of program administration duties
and also involves teaching an
online business course.
Her overall goal as the new
Business Administration
coordinator is to maintain
enrollment while improving the
overall quality of the program.
Schuldes feels her background as
a student and an educator in both
distance learning and traditional
programs will greatly facilitate her
ability to enhance UWP’s program.
Schuldes earned her Bachelor’s
10
“So,” you may ask, “what does
this have to do with web design?”
We’ve all seen someone so
engaged with a computer game
that nothing else in the room
matters. The same can be true with
designing or programming — the
person can drift off into some other
dimension. I think that in some
ways computers impersonalize
art; but isn’t that only expected?
After all, the “artist” is using a
virtual medium and substrate. The
possibility of reaching the point
of perfection is so close, but at
the risk of losing all naturalism.
As in life, the harder we try to
be perfect, the less perfect we
become — ironically, the beauty
of nature is in its imperfections.
The problem then, in web design,
is to create something both
beautiful and functional using a
precision instrument. I believe
that in art, education, and even
communication, technology is only
of Science and Master of Science
in biology from the University
of Wisconsin-La Crosse and her
doctorate in business from Capella
University.
the tool. No computer can replace
the subtlety and beauty of the
human mind and soul.
Web designers and computer
programmers are all growing,
learning, and trying to create
something that is useful and also
pleasing to the eye. So, when you
look at a web page, realize that for
a brief moment, there was a union
of man and machine. However
imperfect, it is the equivalent of a
child’s refrigerator art—precious to
someone.
Having taught traditionally and
online, Schuldes believes both
methods have their strengths.
Online courses offer particular
advantages traditional courses
do not, Schuldes remarked.
Online courses present additional
convenience and flexibility not
offered by the traditional method.
This convenience and flexibility
allows individuals to attain an
education that may have otherwise
been unavailable to them.
Outside of work, Schuldes has a
strong passion for the outdoors.
She avidly engages in both
downhill and cross-country skiing.
She also enjoys spending time
with her two-year-old son, Aksel,
and letting him experience the
outdoors with his mother.
“Why now?”
It’s Never Too Late to Learn
By Dan Klein
“An investment in knowledge
always pays the best interest.”
When Benjamin Franklin wrote
this quote, he had quite a bit of
interest built up on his personal
investment of knowledge. But
notice how he doesn’t say anything
about when you should start
making that investment. In fact,
most of his work during the
American Revolution was done at
the age of 70.
Many distance education students
can relate, as they also have
decided to make an investment in
knowledge - past the traditional
years of education. These
students haven’t been deterred
by the perceived pitfalls of new
technology or online courses, either.
Donald Zurek, a Master of Science
in engineering student in his
50s, first started his education
elsewhere before deciding on
UW-Platteville’s distance education
program. He knew that he had to
get additional schooling instead of
being left behind. This is especially
true with the upcoming changes in
professional engineer’s continuing
education requirements.
“In the world of today, if you
want to enhance your career, it is
essential that you get an advanced
degree,” Zurek said.
Zurek plans on using his education
to enhance his career with his
current employer and seek other
employment opportunities as well.
“Perhaps teaching,” Zurek said.
Zurek stresses the importance
of high-quality faculty. “The
professors have all been very
knowledgeable and helpful. They
are all genuinely concerned in
that they want to see all of their
students succeed with their
educational goals.”
Another student has had a similar
experience waiting to pursue
his education until later in life.
Pete Klatt, a Master of Science in
project management student in
his 60’s, just decided earlier this
year to pursue higher education.
He learned about UWP from
a brochure he picked up at a
professional development day
“several years ago,” Klatt said.
Klatt has only finished his first
semester of courses and can
already use his education.
“I don’t need to wait until my
degree is complete to put my
education to use. I plan to use
the knowledge and experiences to
enhance the project management
coursework I teach at Waukesha
County Technical College
and my personal consulting
opportunities.”
Klatt has found UWP to be a good
fit. “Some of the
coursework has
already brought
new meaning
and new
perspective
to my
experiences.
I look forward to the challenges
that the master’s program brings to
students and the opportunities to
participate in future project work.”
Clinton Nemitz, a recruiter for
the UW-P’s Distance Learning
Center who works primarily with
prospective graduate students,
notes an increase in students
similar to Zurek and Klatt. Nemitz
says older students are looking for
a résumé boost and to make their
opportunities even better.
“They are looking to take courses
to stay up with the times and what
is new. Most of all, they aren’t
settling for what is current but rather
are looking ahead,” Nemitz said.
Regardless of age, another
Benjamin Franklin quote may
be the best advice for those who
are considering educational
opportunities: “You may delay,
but time will not.”
11
Fall 2008 online courses
Registration is now open for fall 2008 online courses. Please refer to our website www.uwplatt.edu/disted for admission
requirements, registration instructions, course descriptions, course rotation schedules, and for any changes to this course
listing and fee schedule. All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

ACCT 2010 Financial Accounting BSAD 3710 Bank Management
ACCT 2020 Management Accounting BSAD 4330 Labor-Management Relations
BSAD 1300 Global Business BSAD 4630 Marketing Management
BSAD 2330 Leadership and Management BSAD 4840 Business Policy/Strategy
BSAD 2630 Introduction to Marketing *BSAD 4950 Portfolio Development
BSAD 3030 Human Resource Management CJ 1130 Introduction to Criminal Justice
BSAD 3120 Retailing CJ 2130 The Police Function
BSAD 3130 Legal Environment of Business CJ 3130 Criminal Investigation
BSAD 3400 Personal Financial Planning CJ 3630 Juvenile Justice
BSAD 3530 Organizational Behavior CJ 4130 Police-Community Relations
BSAD 3540 Quality Management COMM 3010 Business Communication
BSAD 3620 Financial Management ECON 2130 Principles of Macroeconomics
BSAD 3650 International Financial Management

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

CJ 1130 Introduction to Criminal Justice BSAD 3030 Human Resource Management
CJ 2130 The Police Function BSAD 3120 Retailing
CJ 3130 Criminal Investigation BSAD 3130 Legal Environment of Business
CJ 3630 Juvenile Justice BSAD 3400 Personal Financial Planning
CJ 3900 Research Methods in Criminal Justice BSAD 3530 Organizational Behavior
CJ 4130 Police-Community Relations BSAD 3540 Quality Management
*CJ 4500 Directed Individual Studies (1-3 cr.) BSAD 3620 Financial Management
*CJ 4880 Internship in Criminal Justice (8 cr.) BSAD 3650 International Financial Management
*CJ 4930 Criminal Justice Seminar BSAD 4330 Labor-Management Relations
ACCT 2010 Financial Accounting BSAD 4630 Marketing Management
BSAD 1300 Global Business COMM 3010 Business Communication
BSAD 2330 Leadership and Management ECON 2130 Principles of Macroeconomics
BSAD 2630 Introduction to Marketing

You may register for undergraduate print courses for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and the Bachelor of Science in
Criminal Justice any working day of the month. Contact us for information.

Master of Science in Engineering

ENGRG 5000 Engineering Communications ENGRG 7540 Advanced Finite Element Method
ENGRG 7070 Optimization with Engineering Applications ENGRG 7820 Quality Engineering and Management
ENGRG 7220 Dynamics of Structures ENGRG 7830 Advanced Cost and Value Analysis
ENGRG 7260 Advanced Shallow Foundation Design ENGRG 7840 Systems Engineering Management
with LRFD Applications *ENGRG 7930 Special Topics in Engineering (1-3 cr.)
ENGRG 7290 Earth Retaining Structures: Design, *ENGRG 7980 Independent Study in Engineering (1-3 cr.)
Analysis, and LRFD PM 7010 Project Management Techniques I
ENGRG 7320 Modern Control Systems PM 7020 Project Management Techniques II
ENGRG 7510 Design of Experiments BSAD 7110 Management Decision Analysis

*Contact advisor for prior approval and registration instructions.

12
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
CJ 6330 Criminal Procedure and Evidence *CJ 7880 Criminal Justice Internship
CJ 7030 Criminal Justice Systems *CJ 7920 Seminar Paper Research
CJ 7120 Policing in a Democratic Society *CJ 7980 Independent Study in Criminal Justice (1-4 cr.)
CJ 7130 Criminal Justice Research and Statistical *CJ 7990 Thesis Research (3-6 cr.)
Methods BSAD 5030 Human Resource Management
CJ 7230 Criminological Theory BSAD 5530 Organizational Behavior
CJ 7430 Victimology CE 7130 At Risk Youth
CJ 7630 Contemporary Correctional Systems: PSYC 7330 Theories of Personality in the Criminal Justice System
Institutional and Community-Based *PSYC 7980 Independent Study in Psychology (1-4 cr.)
Corrections

Master of Science in Project Management

ACCT 7000 Managerial Accounting COMM 7330 Organizational Communication
BSAD 5030 Human Resource Management ENGRG 7830 Advanced Cost and Value Analysis
BSAD 5530 Organizational Behavior PM 7010 Project Management Techniques I
BSAD 5540 Quality Management PM 7020 Project Management Techniques II
BSAD 5620 Financial Management PM 7050 Project Procurement Management
BSAD 5650 International Financial Management PM 7060 Advanced Tools and Techniques for Project Management
BSAD 6330 Labor-Management Relations PM 7080 Project Scope Management
BSAD 6630 Marketing Management *PM 7840 Project Management Capstone
BSAD 7110 Management Decision Analysis *PM 7940 Special Topics in Project Management (1-3 cr.)
BSAD 7540 Advanced Quality Management *PM 7980 Independent Study in Project Management (1-4 cr.)
COMM 5010 Business Communication * PM 7990 Thesis Research

*Contact advisor for prior approval and registration instructions.

TUITION AND FEES FOR ONLINE COURSES TUITION AND FEES FOR UNDERGRADUATE PRINT-BASED COURSES
(Subject to change without prior notice.) (Effective Fall 2008) (Subject to change without prior notice.) (Effective 9/1/2007**)

Cost per Credit - (regardless of residency) Cost per Credit

Undergraduate $350* Wisconsin Resident $200.80
Graduate $595* Nonresident $516.34

*Textbook fees not included Administrative Fee (nonrefundable)

*Other course specific fees not included Wisconsin Resident $10/credit
Nonresident Student $10/credit
*Application Fee (nonrefundable) International Student $25/credit
Undergraduate $35
Graduate $45 *Application Fee (nonrefundable) $35

Transfer Application Fee: Transfer Application Fee $35

Undergraduate $35
(nonrefundable; applicable to all transfer students except those transferring
directly to UW-Platteville from one of the two-year UW colleges)
Online courses must be paid for in U.S. dollars by check, money order or
credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
(nonrefundable; applicable to all transfer students except those transferring
directly to UW-Platteville from one of the two-year UW colleges)
University Services Fee (nonrefundable; effective 11/1/07)
One course per contract enrollment plan $60
Two or more courses per contract enrollment plan $120

Course Extension Fee (nonrefundable) $30/course

Portfolio Assessment Fee (nonrefundable) $75
Portfolio Transcripting Fee $150
(for 1-9 credits) plus $50/credit for each 5 credit increment beyond 9 credits

*NOTE: Undergraduate and graduate admission applications, both domestic Print-based courses must be paid for in U.S. dollars by check, money order
and international, postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express). Textbooks are also
1, 2008, are subject to the new application fee rates (Undergraduate - $44, at the student’s expense. The cost will vary depending upon the textbook
Graduate - $56) irrespective of the applicants' starting term. and the number of textbooks.

**NOTE: Tuition for print based has not be determined for 2008.

13
U.S. Secret Service calls upon a graduate student
By Gerry Hundt
Gerry Hundt is a current student
in the criminal justice master’s
program. He started the program
in fall 2007.
I am a lieutenant with the Dane
County Sheriff’s Office in Madison,
WI, and have been employed with
them for over 22 years. I currently
serve as a precinct commander,
and am also in charge of the
Partnering for the future
By Les Hollingsworth
With another “mission
accomplished” for 100 plus
graduates this year, the marketing
group continues to move forward
with new initiatives to spread
awareness about UW-Platteville’s
distance education opportunities.
The past year we’ve been refining
our individual-prospect targeting
techniques, such as advertising
and event attendance, and we feel
pretty good about the systems we
have in place.
We’re now ready to further our
corporate marketing techniques to
advance our continuous mission
of giving people an opportunity
to go to school without giving
14
agency’s bomb squad, which
provides service to 26 counties in
the state of Wisconsin. One of the
many functions that bomb squads
in the United States perform is that
of dignitary protection. Whenever
a presidential candidate, head of
state or other foreign dignitary is
visiting in the area, bomb squads
are called upon by the U.S. Secret
Service and State Department to
up all of their work and family
commitments. Our goal is to
establish new partnerships,
new transfer agreements, and
additional credit-for-work/life/
professional training opportunities.
These opportunities allow us to
best serve organizations through
customized offerings, incentives
and more.
Graduates, students and faculty:
Please help spread the word!
If you feel that your organization
or agency could benefit from our
programs, here’s how you can help:
assist with the protection of the
dignitary. These photos were
taken recently in Madison, WI,
after visits by both Senators
Clinton and Obama. Since there
are only 2,300 bomb technicians in
the entire United States, the work
can often be very demanding and
challenging, but it is also very
rewarding.
1. Ask your director of human
resources to invite us for an on-
site information session. We’ll
come to your location to give your
colleagues information and answer
questions. No pressure and no cost
to your organization.
2. Tell your colleagues about
your UW-Platteville experience.
If you benefited from one of our
programs, most likely they will
too.
3. Contact the Distance Learning
Center staff with other ideas. Let
us know how we can best reach
your colleagues.
Fund-raising drive for technology continues
As reported in the last issue
of Plexus (www.uwplatt.edu/
disted/edp/plexus/2008-04/article.
html?fundraising), the $30,000
fund-raising drive to purchase
technology hardware, software
and services continues. To date,
we have used the funds that
have been raised to purchase the
following items:
1) microphones and web cams
for select faculty and students
to use in their classes
2) software packages to assist
faculty with developing more
visual resources for their classes
3) web conferencing services
4) tablet PCs for providing
graphical feedback to students
As you can see, there are a
number of enhancements and
communication techniques that
we can use with our students
by implementing these various
technologies. While the money
we have received has been put to
good use, we still have additional
technology needs and more
Announcements
12-Week Online Courses and
Registration Deadlines
We listened and in response to
students’ needs, the University of
Wisconsin-Platteville will offer five
online courses in an accelerated,
12-week format, during fall 2008.
Complete information on the
12-week courses and deadlines can
be found at www.uwplatt.edu/
disted/pdfs/12-week-courses.pdf.
Students may choose to take a
12-week online course(s), or they
may register for both 16-week and
12-week online courses. Please
note that some of the dates and
students to reach. The majority of
these technologies are being used
in our courses that are following
the “Drums and Cymbals”
implementation plan (see article on
pg. 17).
There are several ways you can
donate toward the fund-raising
drive:
deadlines vary for the 16 and
12-week courses.
Note: Anyone registering for both
a 16-week and a 12-week course
must follow all of the payment
deadlines for the 16-week courses.
If you are planning to graduate
in December 2008, you should
be contacting your advisor NOW
to complete the appropriate
paperwork to apply for graduation
and have a credit check completed.
New deadline for online grades
of incomplete: Effective with the
spring 2008 semester, any student
1) Submit a check to the DLC,
made payable to the UW-
Platteville Foundation, and
indicate that you want the
money to go toward the Distance
Education fund-raising campaign.
2) Donate online at http://alumni.
uwplatt.edu. Click on donate
now, then scroll to the bottom of
the page and click on “Write in
Fund.” Complete the form and
indicate distance education as the
fund-raising campaign to which
you are donating.
3) Use an electronic transfer of
funds to donate. Contact Kim
Govier at 877.395.1000 or carlk@
uwplatt.edu.
Be sure to check with your company
to see if they provide matching
gifts for any donations you make
to this fund-raising drive. Please
consider a gift to support the
continued growth of distance
education opportunities at UWP!
If you have questions or would
like to discuss this fund-raising
drive in more detail, please contact
Dawn Drake at 800.362.5460 or
e-mail drake@uwplatt.edu.
getting an incomplete in an online
class, has a maximum of one
year from the getting this grade
to complete the requirements
for the course. Any student not
completing the requirements by
this time, will receive an “F” in
the course.
Attention Undergraduate
Students: If you are planning
to take online classes with
UW Colleges, please note that
the registration and financial
aid deadlines are earlier than
the deadlines posted for UW-
Platteville. Contact your advisor
and get registered early.
15
Ask a librarian
By John Leonard-Berg
Over the information needs. Together we
past several have always been able to locate the
years, I required materials or commiserate
have been about project expectations. Your
writing responses have always been
about new positive and many students
electronic comment on the libraries vast
resources array of electronic resources.
and new
library Now I would like you to take the
services time to help me serve you better!
that At your convenience, during these
benefit summer days, I would sincerely
distance education appreciate hearing from you
students. Today I would like to and solicit your comments about
pause from introducing any new library resources and service.
resources and services and solicit Comments can address both
your comments and experiences your positive encounters with
about using the electronic library. the library in general and areas
where we need to expand student
I have had the privilege of support. My goal is to offer you
working with many distance the best research experience that
learning students via e-mail and supports your course assignments
on the telephone. I have enjoyed and general educational
learning about your projects and needs. Your insights and
recommendations may improve
your next library encounter and
the experiences of future students.
The responses that I receive will
be the subject of future Ask-A-
Librarian columns. A short e-mail
detailing your recommendations
or commendations may be
sent to bergjo@uwplatt.edu.
Alternatively, you may call me
directly at 608.342.1355 with your
thoughts. I will not use your name
or personal information when
writing my articles in future issues
of PLEXUS. Again, please know
that your ideas are extremely
valuable to me as I assess my
library goals.
Please, if you have any additional
questions about library services or
if you want additional clarification,
do not hesitate to use our toll-free
line at 888.450.4632 for library
assistance.

International short study tours available for credit

Have you ever wished that you
could study abroad while in
college, but have been unable to
quit your job and take the time to
do this? Perhaps your answer to
this dilemma could be answered
by participating in International
Short Study Tours that UW-
Platteville has begun offering.
The next tour to be offered will be
Jan. 2-17, 2009, and is scheduled
to visit several cities in Nigeria
and Ghana, Africa. Student
participants will earn three credits
by completing this trip and the
accompanying coursework. In
May of 2009, a trip to Guatemala
is being planned, and a trip
to China is being planned for
summer 2009. While details are
still being finalized for these trips,
it is important to determine if
this is something that you can
accommodate in your schedule,
by planning ahead. If you are
interested in learning more about
these trips, contact Dawn Drake at
drake@uwplatt.edu.

Lost alumni
If you have an address or contact information on any of the alumni listed below, please contact the
Distance Learning Center at 800.362.5460 or disted@uwplatt.edu.

Susan Case, ‘88, BSAD Jody O’Kane, ‘04, BSAD

Paul Czarapata, ‘01, BSAD
Barbara Decker, ‘88, BSAD
Jennifer Diener, ‘05, CJ
Brenda Hart, ‘97, BSAD
Lisa Larson (Schwarze in PS), ‘98, BSAD
Jeffrey Nabarek, ’93, BSAD
Alice Rosenthal, ‘91, BSAD
Rajesh Sankaralingom, ‘04, PM
Kenneth Seidner, ‘86, BSAD
Joan Shutter, ‘99, BSAD
Allyn Watson, ‘97, BSAD

16
Drums and cymbals project update
During the past year, we have
been updating you on the testing
of a variety of technologies in our
online courses. Technologies
were selected based upon the
probability of impact on an area of
challenge in each of the courses.
Technologies tested included flash
presentations, screen captures,
audio and video, whiteboarding,
blogging, collaborative writing,
and learning objects. Each of these
technologies was evaluated on
the basis of student performance,
student and instructor satisfaction,
and time/cost efficiencies. We
will close out the testing of
technologies for Phase I of this
project this summer and will come
away with a recommendation
for future implementation. Stay
tuned for our announcement in the
November 2008 PLEXUS.
Phase I of the project also included
a mentoring component. Each
instructor participating in Phase
I of the project mentored faculty
who will in turn assess technology
enhancements in Phase II of the
project. Plans for technology
enhancements for 2008-2009 are
already well underway.
tested include many of those It is imperative to the success of
listed above, but with varied this project that students enrolled
application and increased depth of in these courses utilize the
engagement. technology and provide feedback.
The results of this project will
Assessments will be ongoing drive the future direction of online
as we seek to improve learning course design.
outcomes and increase student
satisfaction in online courses. By Please stay “tuned” to the next
now, many of you have utilized edition of the PLEXUS for
these new technologies and conclusions from Phase I and
many more of you will have an updates on Phase 2. Together we
opportunity during the next year. can make beautiful music.
FALL 2008
Cheryl Banachowski Fuller CJ 7130 Research and Statistical Methods
CJ Walker Waite PM 7010 Project Management Techniques I
Gary Apperson CJ 4130 Police-Community Relations
Syed Moiz ACCT 2020 Management Accounting
John Hammermeister BsAd 3710 Commercial Bank Management
SPRING 2009
Barb Barnet ENGRG 6050 Applied Statistics
Ken Wiegman CJ 1130 Intro to CJ
Marge Karsten BsAd 3340/5340 Management Gender and Race
Steve Kleisath BsAd 4840 Business Policy and Strategy
Wendy Brooke BsAd 7540 Advanced Quality Management

The courses and instructors SUMMER 2009

participating in Phase II are listed
Kim Tuescher CE 7130 At Risk Youth
(see chart). Technologies to be

PM program develops waiver exam for bus comm

Most students in the Project
Management Program are required
to take some business foundation
courses as part of their degree
plan. The Business Communication
requirement (COMM 5010) is
one such course. Because some
students may already have
prior business experience and
communication training that
provides them with adequate skill
in this important competency, we
commissioned UW-Platteville’s
Communication Department to
develop a waiver exam for COMM
5010. Passing the exam releases
students from the obligation to
take COMM 5010 as part of the
MSPM degree requirements.
The exam is administered online
by UW-Platteville’s Distance
Learning Center, in seven sections
or quizzes, and is open-book. It is
pass/fail only, with a passing grade
equal to 85 percent or more of
the available points. Students are
allowed up to an hour to complete
each section/quiz, each of which
are administered via a dedicated
site on UW-Platteville’s online
course management system (D2L).
No credit is awarded for a passing
grade; the exam simply exempts
you from taking the course. (The
waiver may have the effect of
reducing the total credits required
for you to earn your degree,
however.) The DLC charges an
exam fee of $150 to recover the
administrative costs. You must
consult with your advisor before
requesting to take this exam.
Further information regarding the
waiver exam is available at the
MSPM program website at www.
uwplatt.edu/disted/degrees/pm.
17
criminal justice
n w es
New training partnership with Washington State
A few years ago, the criminal online in the state of Washington.
justice department and the This wonderful career development
Distance Learning Center formed initiative will be available to
a partnership with the Wisconsin Washington police officers as they
Department of Justice (training advance to first line supervisors
and standards division) to offer and leadership positions in law
online training opportunities enforcement agencies. And
to police officers in the state of better yet, the instructional
Wisconsin in the area of leadership expense (tuition) will be funded Dawn Drake, executive director
and supervision. This has been by the WSCJTC. What a great of alternative delivery systems
a very successful partnership opportunity these online training at UW-Platteville, said, “We are
and each semester many law courses will provide for the hard- thrilled to be able to serve the
enforcement professionals working law enforcement officers law enforcement professionals
complete these classes. in the state of Washington!” from Washington State. The
staff that we have worked with to
Recently, these training develop this partnership have been
opportunities have been expanded wonderful. We are hopeful that
to the Washington State Criminal this will lead to many mutually
Justice Training Commission. beneficial opportunities for both
Online classes will be made of our organizations. The online
available to law enforcement environment is a natural way for
professionals in Washington, law enforcement professionals
beginning this fall. Currently, the to obtain training, given their
classes available online will be sporadic work schedules.”
the same as what is offered to the
Wisconsin participants. However, Our hope would be that we will
discussions are underway be able to establish additional
regarding developing additional training partnerships with
online training opportunities for other states to help meet the
Washington State. needs of their law
enforcement
Dr. Cheryl Banachowski-Fuller, professionals.
director of UW-Platteville’s online
Criminal Justice Program, said,
“It has been such a pleasure
working with the folks at
the Washington State
Criminal Justice Training
Commission (WSCJTC),
especially Steve Lettic
and Tony Anderman,
in partnership
development and
promotion of both
the first line
supervisory course
and leadership
courses to be offered
for the first time
18
Where do I want to be five years from now?
This is a question that many
individuals ask themselves at
various times throughout their
lives. In fact, perhaps one of the
reasons that you are now taking
classes is because you need the
knowledge that you will gain from
your education to prepare for a
future job or other opportunity.
Perhaps you are at a stage in your
life where you need a change and
you must determine what activities
you need to complete to make that
change occur. Or maybe you have
children that will be graduating
from high school in five years
(or less) and need to
make plans for how
that will change your
family structure and
finances.
Most research in
this area suggests
that people who plan for
the future, as opposed to “letting
it happen,” achieve more success
and security in their lives. The
same is true for an organization.
If an organization does not look
to the future and make plans for
how to handle various aspects of
their business, it is much more
likely that they will fail or not be
as successful as is possible.
As individuals or organizations
plan for their future, it is
important to get input from a
DLC offers a new course: “Return to Learn”
With registration for spring classes
right around the corner, the
DLC would like to issue an open
invitation for our Return to Learn
course that is due to launch in
January 2009. This new course is
scheduled to run for eight weeks
as a non credit course.
While the course is in development
the content is going to focus
on the returning adult learner.
Navigation, time management,
variety of different sources. As an
individual, you may look for input
from your family, friends, business
associates, career counselors, etc.
to help you determine where
you want to be five years from
now. An organization also
needs to gather input from many
places, which could include:
stakeholders, historical records,
economic forecasts, industry
trends, etc. After the information
has been gathered, the difficult
portion begins: sifting through all
of the “data” to determine what to
keep, what actions to take (based
on the info), and what to do with
conflicting information.
This is the stage that distance
education is facing at UWP. We
have 30 years of experience in
distance education, but given all
of the technological advances,
changes in people’s need for
additional education in convenient
formats, and various economic/
study skills, life skills are a few
topics that will be covered. From
undergraduate to graduate to a
new student to a veteran student,
this course will have something to
offer you.
“We are very excited to offer
such an amazing resource to our
students. When students have
made the effort and commitment
to further their education, it is up
to us to provide them with the
geographic influences, we need to
determine how we will position
ourselves for the next five years.
So, this is where YOU come in ...
We are gathering input from
a variety of our stakeholders
(students being the most important)
to help us answer the question:
“Where do we want distance
education to be five years from
now?” Please let us know your
ideas ...
--What trends do you see
occurring in distance education?
--What classes, degrees
and certificates
should we consider
developing?
--What roadblocks do we
need to be watching for?
--What services should we
be adding or deleting?
--What technologies should we be
implementing?
It is important that we hear from
you. Please e-mail any and all
suggestions to Dawn Drake at
drake@uwplatt.edu. Together, we
can plan for the future and make
distance education opportunities
available to a wide variety of
people.
resources and tools to help them
succeed,” said Amy Griswold.
Kim Maier added, “We are very
excited to offer this newly created
course that is designed for the
student who will find our many
useful resources helpful.”
If you are interested in this course,
please contact Griswold (foleya@
uwplatt.edu) or Maier (maierk@
uwplatt.edu) at 800.362.5460.
19
Turnitin: anti-plagiarism or educational opportunity
By Bob Streff
The Distance Learning Center is
about to start its second year using
the Turnitin service. There has
been much discussion about using
this service, both from students
and faculty, inside and outside of
this university.
First, there is the issue of
academic misconduct, which is
the responsibility of the student
to avoid and the instructor to
monitor. In conversations with
instructors, most that I have talked
with on the subject feel that their
main responsibility is education,
not policy enforcement. They
also feel that most of what can
be construed as plagiarism is
really a lack of good citation and
paraphrasing knowledge. For
purposes here, I prefer to use the
phrase “incorrect citation and
writing methods.” The writing
portion would be
inserting large
parts of a
document into
cont. from pg. 5
in the Iowa Central Area, or
anywhere else in the world, to
take classes without ever needing
to step foot on the UW-Platteville
campus.
“The online Bachelor of Science
program at UW-Platteville offers
students many of the same benefits
as being on-campus including one
on one advising, an opportunity
to be a part of an advisory board,
small instructor-student classroom
20
one’s own work instead of writing,
which, is where the misconduct
comes in.
Second, the issue of the papers
being submitted is the individual
student’s intellectual property and
is being used by a company for
profit. While student papers are
used, the student retains the paper
as their intellectual property and
if there is ever a question over
copyright, the student now has an
impartial third party to verify the
date of their original document.
Third, is the question of the
accuracy of the results and how to
read them. Not every document
ever written has been digitized
and entered into their database
and it is quite likely that local
libraries contain local information
(newspapers, regional books, etc.)
that may never be digitized.
So why use it? The Distance
Learning Center is in the process
of developing a scenario in which
faculty are invited to use but not
required to use Turnitin. It goes
like this: The faculty member has
assignments set up in Turnitin.
When the assignments are set up,
the students are allowed to upload
the document multiple times and
to review the results of the pattern
match. The individual students
ratios, financial aid and many
other great opportunities,”
said Amy Nemmetz, program
coordinator for the Bachelor of
Science program at UW-Platteville.
“Most students are elated to
complete their degree entirely
at a distance. We look forward
to assisting students on their
academic journey to reach their
educational goals.”
“We are excited about this
agreement,” Martin said. “Anytime
we can set up an articulation
login to Turnitin and upload their
work to the assignment. After a
short time, they will be able to see
the results of the pattern matches,
the same as the instructor, and
then correct any citation errors
before the final due date. Using
this method puts control of the
entire process with the student
and gives them one more tool to
provide a quality paper that they
know is their own work.
There is also the ability within
the service to have papers peer
reviewed. This gives our students
an opportunity for an extra set of
eyes to look over the papers and
give feedback on content and style.
At present, we are working with
faculty members to develop
procedures to further ensure the
intellectual property rights of the
students for the time the students’
papers are considered the source
document.
So although Turnitin has been
touted as an anti-plagiarism
service, the Distance Learning
Center staff feel that it can be used
as an educational tool to assist
the students in creating more
professional papers and create a
positive atmosphere instead of a
tool for “catching the student” in
misconduct.
agreement with a four year
college, it is a win-win situation
for the students and the school.”
UW-Platteville’s Distance Learning
Center provides college degree
opportunities for students around
the world in two undergraduate
and three graduate degrees
through print and online
classes. Prospective students
can learn more by visiting www.
uwplatt.edu/disted or by calling
800.362.5460.
“Oh, the people you’ll meet ...”
By Amy Nemmetz
As the undergraduate CJ program
continues to grow, so does the
number of faculty who are involved
with the program. Below is
information about a few of the
faculty that are teaching in the
criminal justice program.
Instructor Daniel Avenarius,
Teaching CJ 2130 Police Function
and CJ 3330 Police Administration
Avenarius graduated from Loras
College in Dubuque, Iowa, with a
Bachelor of Arts in sociology and
from UW-Platteville with a Master
of Science in Criminal Justice.
Avenarius recently retired from the
Dubuque Police Department after
30 years of service! While with
the Dubuque Police Department,
he had an opportunity to work
in several facets of policing –
from patrol to patrol investigator
with the criminal investigations
division, to corporal with the
staff bureau division, and as
a lieutenant assigned to staff
bureau as the training supervisor.
Avenarius also completed
specialized training in the areas of
arson investigator, field training
officer, gang crimes specialist,
and CPR instructor. Along the
way, he was also a certified
DARE instructor, in addition to
being responsible for recruiting
and training all new officers.
Avenarius has also been a member
of the Midwest Gang Investigators
Association (MGIA), serving as
the chairman and membership
director for the 1,200-member
organization. Avenarius truly got
involved in his passion for gang
investigations. He has conducted
more than 400 “gang awareness”
training sessions for the public in
the Midwest!
Instructor Thomas Jonas,
Teaching CJ 4030 Criminal Law
and CJ 4330 Criminal Procedures
and Evidence
Dr. Tom Jonas obtained his J.D.
from the University of Wisconsin
Law School and his Ph.D. from
Bowling Green State University
in speech-communication. Jonas
has 20 years of college teaching
experience at both the graduate
and undergraduate levels. He
has been licensed as an attorney
in Wisconsin and recently closed
his practice after 20 years. He is a
certified mediator in both caucus
and conference formats, and has
mediated more than 100 cases
over the last five years, primarily
in court-ordered mediation in
family law and civil cases. Jonas
is currently overseas via the China
Study Abroad Program. Jonas will
be the first to tell you that one of
the best titles he has added to his
list is “grandpa.”
Instructor Janice Lawton,
Teaching CJ 3900 Research
Methods in Criminal Justice
Lawton completed her Bachelor
of Science in criminal justice
from Ball State University and
her Master of Science in criminal
justice from UW-Platteville.
Lawton is currently employed
with the United States Courts as a
probation/pretrial services officer
in the Northern District of Indiana.
Her duties range from bond
investigations, to supervision of
offenders, to field contacts, to pre-
sentence investigations, to drug
testing, to preparing pre-release
reports for institutional clients.
Like several criminal justice
professions, there seems to be “job
security” every day for Lawton!
Instructor Amy Nemmetz,
Teaching CJ4230 Community
Based Corrections
Nemmetz completed her Bachelor
and Master of Science degrees
from UW-Platteville. Nemmetz
has worked in several entities of
the criminal justice field – from
the Southwest M.E.G. Drug Unit,
to UW-Platteville and city of
Platteville police departments,
to Wisconsin Department of
Corrections, to Dane County
Courts, to Dane County Human
Services. Nemmetz has had
an opportunity to work with
troubled youth, child victims of
maltreatment, jail diversion clients,
the juvenile and adult court
systems, and correction clients.
Although it had been a wonderful
adventure to be working full-time
“in the system,” Nemmetz decided
to pursue her dream of teaching
full-time for UW-Platteville and
was hired as the coordinator of
the online Bachelor of Science in
Criminal Justice Program. She is
ecstatic to join students on their
academic journey!
21
Alumni advisory board becomes official alumni chapter
The Distance Education Alumni
Advisory Board began three years
ago, based on a recommendation
from the Distance Education
Student Advisory Board. The first
year the group was in existence,
the focus was on establishing
processes and developing projects
on which to work. During the
second year, the focus was on
completing the projects that
had been identified. One of
the goals that was established
for year three was to become a
recognized constituent chapter of
the UW-Platteville parent Alumni
Association.
The group started working on a set
of bylaws and constitution in late
2007. This work was completed
in April of 2008 and in early May,
a presentation was made to the
Alumni Association to become a
recognized alumni chapter. I’m
pleased to report that this proposal
passed and we are now the
Distance Education Constituent
Alumni Chapter. So, what does
this mean?
The basic functioning of the board
will remain the same as it has been
for the past three years because
it fit so well with the purpose of
a constituent chapter. The three
main differences are as follows:
1) We will be recognized in official
Alumni Association literature
and represented on the Alumni
Association board of directors.
2) Officers will be elected for the
chapter.
3) A portion of the dues that are
paid from distance education
alumni will go toward the
operation of the chapter.
The group looks forward to
continuing to work on developing
information, services and activities
that will keep the alumni of the
programs offered at a distance
connected to UWP. To obtain
information about the Alumni
Advisory Board, please go to their
website located at www.uwplatt.
edu/disted/alumni/aab. If you
would like to become involved
with this group or one of the sub-
committees that will be forming
in 2009, e-mail Dawn Drake at
drake@uwplatt.edu.

UW-Platteville Program
Contact Information for Coordinators

Online Courses Business Administration

Chris Schuldes
Phone: 608.342.1980
Technical Support - UW Learning Innovations E-mail: schuldesc@uwplatt.edu
Direct questions that relate to problems getting access to the course (e.g., passwords,
login name) and/or other hardware/software problems that you encounter when Project Management
navigating through the course. Bill Haskins
Toll-free: 877.724.7883 Phone: 608.342.1961
E-mail: techsupport@learn.uwsa.edu E-mail: haskinsd@uwplatt.edu

Learner Services - UW Learning Innovations Criminal Justice (undergraduate)

Direct questions that relate to billing, registering in an online course, ordering exams, Amy Nemmetz
nominating proctors, refunds and problems with receiving textbooks from the online Phone: 608.342.1494
bookstore. E-mail: nemmetza@uwplatt.edu
Toll-free: 877.895.3276
E-mail: info@learn.uwsa.edu Criminal Justice (graduate)
Cheryl Banachowski-Fuller
Student Services - UW-Platteville Distance Learning Center Phone: 608.342.1652
Direct questions that relate to admissions information and status, course grades, E-mail: banchoc@uwplatt.edu
financial aid, transfer of credits, general questions about programs offered at a distance
from UWP, information about policies and procedures associated with each online Engineering
program. Lisa Riedle
Toll-free: 800.362.5460 Phone: 608.342.1686
E-mail: disted@uwplatt.edu E-mail: riedle@uwplatt.edu

22
Graduation Highlights
Another successful commencement
year has passed, and we’re proud
to congratulate our newest
distance learning graduates!
In May 2008, the UW-Platteville
Distance Learning Center held a
weekend of celebration to honor
graduates of our distance learning
programs. For those unable to
physically attend, the Distance
Learning Center hosts a virtual
graduation website at www.
uwplatt.edu/disted/distedgrad/
grad2008. Visit the site to see
photos and video of the events
and to help the graduates celebrate
their success!
The weekend began with our
annual celebration banquet on
Friday, May 9, in the newly
renovated Velzy Commons of
the Ullsvik Hall. UWP faculty,
staff and administrators greeted
distance learning graduates and
students as the banquet program
opened with welcome messages
from Carol Sue Butts, provost
and Dawn Drake, executive
director of alternative delivery
systems. Les Hollingsworth,
corporate marketing director,
served as emcee of the program.
Other presenters included the
coordinators of each of the distance
learning programs: Pat Bromley,
education; Amy Nemmetz,
Bachelor of Science-criminal
justice; Cheryl Banachowski-
Fuller, Master of Science-criminal
justice; Lisa Riedle, engineering;
Bill Haskins, project management;
and Marge Karsten, business
administration. The coordinators
announced each graduate’s name
and presented those in attendance
with a token of appreciation and
congratulations.
At this year’s banquet, more than
110 graduates were honored
from the five distance learning
programs (Bachelor of Science in
Business Administration, Master of
Science in Criminal Justice, Master
of Science in Adult Education,
Master of Science in Engineering,
and Master of Science in Project
Management). Also, more than
50 graduates of the online UWP/
DOJ First Line Supervisory
Training and Leadership in
Police Organizations for Criminal
Justice Professionals program
were honored by Wisconsin Law
Enforcement Education director,
Ken Hammond.
Students, faculty and staff finally
had the chance to put faces to the
names they’ve heard and spoken
to so many times and enjoyed
sharing stories of their experiences
in person. For most, this was the
first physical meeting they have had.
Each year we are able to recognize
the academic excellence of
more and more of our students
through the presentation of
distance education scholarships.
Scholarship recipients at this
year’s banquet program included
Katie Wick, the Walter Longacre
Memorial Scholarship; Donna
Gestel, the Dawn Drake Excellence
in Distance Education Scholarship;
Donta Magee, Dawn Wheeler and
Jennifer McNeil, the College of
Business, Industry Life Science
and Agriculture’s Distance
Learning Scholarship; and Glen
Amundsen, the Distance Learning
Center and GetEducated.com
Distance Education Scholarship.
The department of business and
accounting also named Elizabeth
Sammis as the recipient of the
Portfolio Development Award and
Madelyn Kennedy as winner of the
Outstanding Business Award.
On Saturday, May 10, the formal
commencement ceremony took
place at the UWP Williams
Fieldhouse and was followed with
a brunch reception in the Nohr
Gallery of Ullsvik Hall. Graduates
and their families had a chance to
sit back and relax as they chatted
with each other, faculty and staff.
We look forward to celebrating
By Travis Courtney
with future graduates and hope all
alumni will become an active part
of the UWP AluMnation. To find
out more about the weekend, or
for those graduates and families
who were not able to travel to
Platteville, please visit the UWP
Distance Education Virtual
Graduation site at www.uwplatt.
edu/disted/distedgrad/grad2008.
Feel free to post a message for
one of the graduates, watch
their interviews or those of the
faculty, or view the entire banquet
ceremony.
The Distance Learning Center
staff would like to extend
congratulations to all the graduates
of the 2007-2008 academic year.
You’ve reached an incredible goal.
Best wishes with all your future
endeavors!
cont. from pg. 2
that focus on criminal justice.
He is also able to add insight
to his classes from his years of
experience.
“It’s interesting to learn the theory
and see the practical use,” he said.
Ducklow convinced friend and
fellow officer Tom Gunderson
to also come to UWP to earn a
bachelor’s degree. Gunderson and
Ducklow help to encourage and
support each other in the program.
Ducklow was selected this past
May to attend an intensive training
school on death investigation. He
was one of a select few officers in
the state to attend this school. He
used the flexibility of the online
college classes to work ahead
for this and other events that
would otherwise hold him up in a
traditional classroom.
Whether Ducklow is investigating
a recent crime or studying for his
next exam, his experience and
knowledge not only benefits his
force, but also his fellow students.
23
 What our graduates are saying!
Pictured in the back, left to right are Kari
Peters’ husband, Gary; Kari; and sons, Jared,
17 and Kyle, 21. In the front, left to right, are
daughter, Morgan, 9; and grams, 94.
Graduation Photos
“After losing my job of 25 years with the airlines because
of 911 and all the airline turmoil, I needed to find a new
profession and UW-Platteville gave me this chance to start
over. The entire staff was very motivating and supportive.
With a family of five, I could not have done it without my
husband and the professional staff who guided me through
the hurdles. Of coarse, I had a little help with Gingko Biloba
and Tea to help boost the memory! A very big thank you to
all the staff who helped me accomplish my life long dream!
On to the next chapter of my life!”
Kari Peters, 2007 Graduate
UW-Platteville
D L C
Distance Learning Center