Going back to school can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It isn't just a chance to improve your resume or maybe move up at work, though those things are important. Earning a continuing education degree or certificate is an opportunity to prove to yourself that you still have the capacity to grow and learn.
Like anything worthwhile, though, CE programs can be hard work. Of course, you'll have to get back into “student shape”—that means adjusting to taking classes again and meeting instructor expectations. You'll also be subject to the University of Wisconsin's disciplinary code of conduct, the academic integrity policy, and federal laws like Title IX. And maybe most importantly, you won't just be a student this time around. You've got a family now, a mortgage, and responsibilities. Going back to school is as much about learning to juggle all the demands on your time as it is about studying, writing papers, and taking exams.
It's a good idea, then, to take the time now, while you're still in the early stages of this new adventure, to think about what kinds of problems you might face and to map out a few strategies for how you'll deal with them should they come up.
As a starting point, you'll be dealing with two categories of issues as a CE student.
- First, you're a student, and you have to face all the normal challenges that come with that. For instance, you want to do the best you possibly can in all your classes. That means going to class, studying, and making sure your assignments get in on time. It also means following the University of Wisconsin's policies on academic integrity.
- You're not just a student, though. While you're in the CE program, you're also a member of the campus community. UW expects you to contribute to that community and to treat others in that community with respect.
In what follows, you'll find useful strategies for how to handle problems in both areas. Before you get into all the fine details, though, you should know: you're not alone on this journey. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are here when you need them, no matter what kind of problems may arise. They've helped hundreds of students just like you navigate the often confusing bureaucracy of university campuses. They know who to talk to when you have a problem and what to say. Most of all, though, they believe in what you're doing; they're fully committed to making sure you're treated fairly and that you get the very best opportunity to succeed.
Academics
You're going back to school to learn, so let's start by looking at that component of your experience. What are the educational possibilities at UW, and how can you make the most of them?
One of the best things about enrolling in UW's CE program is that your options aren't limited to what's available at a single school. The University of Wisconsin system comprises thirteen different schools and 26 different campuses. That means your choices in terms of what credentials you're seeking and what subjects you're interested in are almost limitless.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison: UW's flagship institution offers seven different CE bachelor's degrees, 59 master's degrees, and 5 PhDs in subjects ranging from applied biotechnology to sports leadership. That's in addition to the 42 different CE certificates you can earn and 19 different skill development programs you can participate in.
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: UWM offers certificates as well in a wide range of specific subjects in the fields of business, digital marketing, engineering, human services, languages, nonprofit work, and project management.
- University of Wisconsin-Parkside: Here, you'll find programs in subjects like human resources, health and human services, and leadership, as well as opportunities to complete a degree you started in the past.
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls: UWRF offers several teacher licensing programs as well as degree completion programs in applied computing, childhood development, and sustainable management.
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh: In addition to certification programs, UWO features many innovative youth programs, such as the Grandparents University, where older adults can learn and explore alongside their grandchildren.
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater: UWW offers a number of stand-alone courses and seminars, such as a police cyclist course and professional development in education counseling. These are designed to improve your skill set without requiring a long-term commitment.
Of course, no matter where you enroll or what courses you ultimately take, you should keep in mind that there will be academic standards to meet. These can vary depending on what sort of qualification you're seeking. Most undergraduate degrees, such as UWM's Human Resources business administration degree, require that you maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. For graduate programs, that minimum GPA is typically 3.0. Even in certification programs and one-day seminars, though, you can expect your instructors to set clear goals and hold you responsible for meeting educational objectives. UWM's Certified Professional Coach program, for example, requires a nine-month commitment that includes a minimum of fifteen CE credits and 125 instructional hours.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
If you receive any type of financial aid to pursue your continuing education credentials, you may be subject to an additional set of academic standards. The federal government requires all colleges and universities to implement a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. Such policies are in place to ensure that no one can take undue advantage of the financial aid system.
The University of Wisconsin system's SAP policy involves three requirements.
- Cumulative Grade Point Average: You must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average. For undergraduates, that minimum number is usually 2.0.
- Completion Percentage: You must complete at least 67 percent of the courses you attempt. It's important to keep in mind that “completion” doesn't just mean finishing the course but also earning a passing grade.
- Maximum Time Frame: You must also complete your degree or certificate within 150 percent of the published length of the program. If your program requires 30 hours, for example, you must be done within 45 hours in order to remain eligible for financial aid.
UW evaluates SAP in May, at the end of each academic year. Should you fail to meet any of these criteria, you immediately become ineligible for continued aid. Normally, the loss of aid is permanent. UW does offer an appeals process for those students whose academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances. This involves submitting an official appeal form and providing documentation of your particular circumstances.
Of course, you can continue your studies at UW even if you aren't meeting SAP standards, assuming you are meeting your academic program's requirements. Many students, though, find it difficult to complete their academic programs after they've lost funding.
Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team have a wealth of experience filing SAP appeals. However, these appeals can be time-sensitive, and should you regain your financial aid, it is not retroactive to terms you've already completed. In short, you want to contact the Lento Law Firm at the first sign of trouble so you can be sure your aid remains in place.
Academic Misconduct
The University of Wisconsin Continuing Education program doesn't just expect you to meet academic standards. It expects you to do so, honestly. UW's policy on academic misconduct lists several examples of violations, including
- Plagiarism
- Cheating
- Copying homework
- Stealing exam materials
The bottom line is that any activity that could potentially give you an unfair advantage in completing your coursework would qualify as an offense.
As you might expect, instructors themselves have primary responsibility for identifying and responding to academic misconduct. First offenses typically receive in-class penalties such as
- Verbal or written warnings
- Makeup assignments or resubmissions
- Extra assignments on the nature of academic integrity
- Lowered grades on the assignments, up to a 0
- Lowered grades in the courses, up to an F
However, all offenses are reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, and this office has the authority to punish repeat offenses with harsher penalties, including probation, suspension, and even expulsion.
The University of Wisconsin gives you the right to challenge accusations of misconduct, or you can accept responsibility and challenge just the sanction. Rules and procedures in these cases can be difficult to follow, though. In most cases, you need a strong argument, documentary evidence, and witness testimony. You are always better off having someone from the Lento Law Film on your side to help you gather these materials and advise you on presenting your case.
Academics: What Could Go Wrong?
You may be surprised by the notion that an attorney could help you with academics. After all, no one from the Lento Law Firm can take your courses for you, write your papers, or take your exams. They can't tutor you in calculus or peer review your English lit essay.
College is often as much about navigating bureaucracy, though, as it is about how much you study. Raising your GPA or hanging on to your financial package sometimes comes down to knowing the right people to talk to and the right things to say. Those are exactly the sorts of skills lawyers have.
And, when it comes to working with educational bureaucracy, no one has more training or experience than Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team. Whether you're facing a serious charge like plagiarism or you're simply looking to negotiate a higher grade with an instructor, you can count on them to come up with a workable plan and help you put that plan into action.
Disciplinary Misconduct
It's easy to get caught up in your coursework when you're a student and forget that you're also a member of the larger campus community. The truth is, though, that all your behaviors—both inside and outside the classroom—are subject to scrutiny. Almost as much as students are dismissed from UW schools each term for disciplinary infractions and for low GPAs. The University of Wisconsin's list of nonacademic misconduct is far longer, in fact than its list of academic misconduct. It includes
- Dangerous conduct
- Harassment
- Hazing
- Illegal use of alcohol and other controlled substances
- Property damage
- Disruption of university activities
- Forgery
- Misuse of computing resources
- Providing false statements
- Violating fire safety provisions
- Non-compliance with sanctions
- Retaliation
You should also be aware that your off-campus activities can get you into trouble as well. The conduct policy “violations of criminal law” are treated as violations of university rules. In other words, a DUI or a domestic violence conviction could result in dismissal from the university.
Finally, it's important to keep in mind that your “behaviors” are just defined by your real-world actions. Many of UW's continuing education courses take place in online environments. Here too, you're held accountable for what you do and say. You're expected to
- Behave professionally
- Treat others with respect
- Avoid profanity and socially-offensive language
- Dress appropriately when others can see you
- Avoid inappropriate surroundings
In today's political climate, colleges and universities are especially concerned with sexual misconduct, including everything from simple verbal harassment to stalking, dating violence, and rape. In fact, such offenses are serious enough that they are regulated by federal law under Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments. As a result, the minimum sanction in such cases is usually suspension, but expulsion is more likely.
Joseph D. Lento: Continuing Education Student Attorney-Advisor
If you've been out of school for a few years, you need to know that things have changed in education.
- Cheating is on the rise, so professors are more hyper-vigilant.
- Academic expectations grow higher every year.
- In today's political climate, no school can afford to be seen as soft on discipline, and every school conducts rigorous investigations and doles out stiff penalties.
It's worth recognizing, though, that you've changed too. Sure, you care about passing your courses and getting your degree, but that's not the highest priority in your life anymore. You've got a partner, a mortgage, and kids to worry about. Satisfying your boss's demands is probably far more important to you than pleasing your professor.
Most continuing education faculty understand the particular kinds of stresses you're under, and most are willing to work with you to make your educational experience rewarding. If you should find, though, that an instructor won't let you make up an exam you missed because one of your kids was down with the flu or an administrator wants to dismiss you from your program because you didn't put a quotation mark in the right spot, know that you have options.
Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team have helped hundreds of students just like you deal with school-based issues. They know the law as it applies to education and their practice in dealing with faculty and administrators. Whatever problem you might be facing, from issues with technology to accusations of sexual misconduct, don't wait to see what will happen. If you're in trouble, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
