Acceptable documents for identification cards are Wisconsin state drivers licenses, Wisconsin state identification cards, US passports and UW-Platteville issued voter identification cards.

The Pioneer Passport is not an acceptable form of identification for students. School ID cards must have a signature, picture and expiration date of two years.

The first UW-Platteville voter ID card is free and can be issued at the Passport Office in the Markee Pioneer Student Center.  The campus ID card has an advantage over Wisconsin State ID cards. Voters who have been issued a state drivers license cannot receive a Wisconsin ID, according to Interim Assistant Chancellor for Student Affairs D. Joanne Wilson.

However, if students are using a campus issued voter ID card, a enrollment verification form will also be needed upon voting.  The form can be accessed on PASS. Before printing the form, students need to update their current address.

“The form was created to provide proof of residency for on-campus residents and off-campus residents who do not have utility bills in their name,” Registrar David Kieckhafer said.

Finding a way to allow non-local students the right to vote at UW-P has been a process for Student Affairs.

“Only four other states have a similar voting system,” Executive Director of Auxilary Services James Mueller said. “It’s been like reinventing the wheel to figure out how to deal with this new law.”

Proof of residency is needed to register for voting. University employees will not be able to register to vote in Wisconsin without proof of residency and a state ID.

There has been discussion throughout Wisconsin as to whether or not the voter ID law is constitutional. The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit in Dane Country back in October claiming that the new law violates the state constitution by creating a third class of ineligible voters- people without an ID.  Under the state constitution, only felons and people deemed incompetent cannot vote.

If a recall election is held for Gov. Walker in August, Student Affairs may have to make changes to the wording on the enrollment verification form for students staying in Platteville over summer recess.

The System will launch a website later this week to provide students more information on voting regulations. Access it at wisconsin.edu/vote.

The Stage and Screen Workshops is a week where anyone 16 years and older can learn about acting, directing, stage combat, video production, web-series creation, screen writing, set and costume design, and a variety of other stage and screen elements.

“This is a unique opportunity to study with a talented and respected group of actors, directors, choreographers, writers, and set and costume designers who have years of experience working successfully in film, television and theater,” said Sandra Scott, Stage and Screen organizer. “It’s their way of giving back to the business they love.”

“The acting classes I’ve attended at Shake Rag Alley were amazing learning opportunities,” said Liz Palzkill, New York University theater arts major and Mineral Point High School graduate. “I am much more prepared and confident to pursue my career as an actress because I now have the knowledge to begin.”

All skill levels are encouraged to attend, from beginner to advanced. Attendees in the past included graduate and undergraduate students, high school students and faculty, drama and writing students, and anyone who was looking to open their eyes to the world of the performing and written arts.

“It was great to work with people who really knew what they were talking about,” said writer, independent film producer and adult educator Fran Kaplan.

This kind of opportunity does not often present itself to small communities.

“It’s very unusual to find this level of instruction at one time, in one place, especially in rural Southwest Wisconsin,” said Scott.

An added benefit for UW-Platteville students who take one or more workshops is that they can receive one or two graduate or undergraduate credits for the week. Each credit requires 15 hours of study and possibly a follow up report. The course fee and the fee for university credit must be paid, but once the work is complete a refund is rewarded, depending on the amount of credits taken. To learn more about receiving credit and the fees included, contact Diane Sterba at 987-3292.

The workshops will take place at the Shake Rag Alley School for the Arts in Mineral Point from July 30 to Aug. 5. Prices vary based on the individual workshops and range from $60-$240. For more information on the workshops, instructors and prices, visit shakeragalley.com/classes/stage-screen.html.