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| The food and retail operations encompass numerous restaurant and deli locations throughout the campus, two gift shops, a bar in der Rathskeller, games room, outdoor equipment rental, and full-service catering. Conditions are generally favorable, although there are occasional health violations. In a controversial move, one long-time Union resident, popular STA Travel, recently was forced out to make room for a coffee shop that will compete with a plethora of nearby coffee shops. The move ostensibly was based on a 2005 survey that asked students what they would like to see added to the Union; little did students realize that <i>they</i> would be the ones paying for constuction of the new coffee shop. | The food and retail operations encompass numerous restaurant and deli locations throughout the campus, two gift shops, a bar in der Rathskeller, games room, outdoor equipment rental, and full-service catering. Conditions are generally favorable, although there are occasional health violations. In a controversial move, one long-time Union resident, popular STA Travel, recently was forced out to make room for a coffee shop that will compete with a plethora of nearby coffee shops. The move ostensibly was based on a 2005 survey that asked students what they would like to see added to the Union; little did students realize that <i>they</i> would be the ones paying for constuction of the new coffee shop. | ||
| == |
==Controversy== | ||
| Controversy has surrounded the Union in recent years. In 2006, Union staff and University police made headlines when they pepper sprayed and arrested U.S. Senate candidate Ben Masel after he declined to leave a public event at the Memorial Union Terrace. | Controversy has surrounded the Union in recent years. In 2006, Union staff and University police made headlines when they pepper sprayed and arrested U.S. Senate candidate Ben Masel after he declined to leave a public event at the Memorial Union Terrace. | ||
| Also in 2006, |
Also in 2006, a controversial $240 million segregated fee increase for students was passed. These fees are to collected as $192/year per student over the next 30 years. Some of the fee controversy is linked to the steadily increasing tuition rates, which are growing at around twice the rate of inflation as of 2005. | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 04:56, 12 March 2008
The Wisconsin Union is a membership organization at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It operates the Memorial Union, Union South, the Morgridge Center for Public Service, the Hoofer Equestrian Center, Bernie's Place Child Care Center, and a number of food outlets on campus in order to "to provide a common life and cultivated social program for its members." Anyone who is approved can join the Wisconsin Union by paying a membership fee, and recent UW-Madison graduates are offered a discount. Members receive certain benefits and privileges not accorded the general public. The services and activities provided fall roughly into the three categories of social education, facilities, and retail services.
Social Education
As the UW-Madison's Division of Social Education, the Wisconsin Union serves as the "living room of the campus" where students, faculty, staff, and community members can meet, interact, and learn from each other outside of the classroom. The Craftshop offers tools, supplies, and space for crafts such as pottery, photography, and woodworking. The Wisconsin Hoofers outdoor recreation clubs offer instruction, equipment, and opportunities to participate in a wide variety of outdoor activities. The Union Theater hosts concerts, lectures, and movies. Mini-Courses offers a variety of general-interest enrichment classes. Students can learn leadership and governance by serving in one of the committees of the Union Directorate, the student programming board. The music committee brings a full schedule of live acts to the Union Terrace, der Rathskeller, and Union South. The art committee gives students a chance to showcase their work in Union galleries and around the buildings.
Facilities
Student groups, faculty, departments and members can reserve rooms within the two Union buildings and selected sites in other campus buildings through the Central Reservations Office for meetings, conferences, dances, dinners, weddings, or many other events. Organizations such as the Associated Students of Madison student government and the Campus Women's Center have permanent office space in the Memorial Union (Wisconsin). For large presentations and shows, the Wisconsin Union Theater can be rented.
Food and Retail
The food and retail operations encompass numerous restaurant and deli locations throughout the campus, two gift shops, a bar in der Rathskeller, games room, outdoor equipment rental, and full-service catering. Conditions are generally favorable, although there are occasional health violations. In a controversial move, one long-time Union resident, popular STA Travel, recently was forced out to make room for a coffee shop that will compete with a plethora of nearby coffee shops. The move ostensibly was based on a 2005 survey that asked students what they would like to see added to the Union; little did students realize that they would be the ones paying for constuction of the new coffee shop.
Controversy
Controversy has surrounded the Union in recent years. In 2006, Union staff and University police made headlines when they pepper sprayed and arrested U.S. Senate candidate Ben Masel after he declined to leave a public event at the Memorial Union Terrace. Also in 2006, a controversial $240 million segregated fee increase for students was passed. These fees are to collected as $192/year per student over the next 30 years. Some of the fee controversy is linked to the steadily increasing tuition rates, which are growing at around twice the rate of inflation as of 2005.
External links
- Wisconsin Union website
- The Wisconsin Union—The First 75 Years (1904-79), interviews with Wisconsin Union Director Porter F. Butts
- Constitution of the Wisconsin Union
- Bylaws of the Wisconsin Union
