UWM Official Warns Students Not to Sell Homework on Facebook

The pressures of finals this December earned some students a warning from the UW-Milwaukee dean of students when a group Facebook page for the freshman class suddenly became an impromptu forum for selling homework – especially math homework.

The warning highlights how students are increasingly turning to social media to adapt to college life, and how university administrators are engaging with them on it.

On the Class of 2018 page, many students asked others to do their ALEKS homework in exchange for money.  Since the beginning of this school year, freshmen have been complaining about the “artificially intelligent” college math program ALEKS, which, for the first year, is now used in most math classes at UW-Milwaukee.

“Is anyone willing to do my ALEKS?  I have 40 topics,” one student wrote.

Another student posted that they “will do unfinished ALEKS for $$$ kids!”

These offers caught the attention of Dean of Students Timothy Gordon, who posted a status saying:

“Everyone.  I have tried to remain quiet on the matter, but I need to share that having someone write your papers and complete your ALEKS assignment is considered academic misconduct.  If you are found to have committed misconduct you can fail the assignment or course and have further sanctions imposed.  If you need help the tutors at [Panther Academic Support Services] and Writing Center are great resources.”

ALEKS stands for Assessment and Learning Knowledge Spaces.  According to its website, ALEKS is an “artificially intelligent assessment and learning system.” Students spend time in classes and labs working online through ALEKS. The Math Department’s website says students can finish two basic math courses in one semester if they proceed through ALEKS fast enough. In some classes, all student homework and assessment is done through ALEKS, which students proceed through at their own pace. In some of the classes, there is also instruction from teachers.However, other students found better strategies for dealing with finals’ stress.

However, not all students tried to barter for their homework. Others found traditional and ethical ways to cope – or turned to some of the resources Gordon mentioned.

Many students were scattered all over campus with their eyes glued to their textbooks or laptops finishing up last-minute homework or studying for finals before the first semester drew to a close. It’s normal for students to procrastinate working on things such as these.  Students like junior Maddy Smith, who is an art education major, prefers to “marathon it.”

When asked how she studies, she commented on how she drinks a lot of energy drinks and stays up really late studying and finishing art projects.  She says that supportive friends has helped her through her studies.

Freshman Erin Foster also had help from close ones during her first semester at UW-Milwaukee.

“I was very, very nervous but I calmed down after my parents reassured me that it’s alright,” she said on the UW-Milwaukee Class of 2018 Facebook page.

But students do use social media to seek assistance and support from others.  Many students asked if anyone wanted to study together.

There are many things on campus that can provide help for those that are struggling with studying and homework.  There are tutors and the Writing Center is helpful, Gordon said.

Smith for example took part in a D2L study group session for her public speaking class.

“It helped me prepare myself and let me know that I was on the right track.”

One the PASS website, Director of the program Johanna Dvorak welcomes students saying that PASS is to “help improve your academic performance and college success.”

“…learn more about our wide range of services: tutoring, Supplemental Instructions, study groups, and academic resources.”

On their website, they have a schedule of Final Exams Review Sessions provided for many different courses.

Foster said, “I kind of studied on my own.  I didn’t use any of the PASS services aside from my weekly tutoring for my Japanese class.  But, overall, I feel somewhat prepared.”

Last Friday was Study Day where there were no classes that day and students could quietly get some studying done.

The Resident Assistant of the JAMS LLC Danielle Stobb of North Tower held a small get together that provided snacks for studying that day.

For more information on PASS, search www4.uwm.edu/pass/.