Who Benefits from the Student Union Initiative

A successful Student Union Initiative vote benefits the entire UW-Madison campus, including student organizations and clubs as well as every student looking to enrich their college experience.

Registered Student Organizations

With a shortage of meeting rooms available at Memorial Union and Union South, the Wisconsin Union does not adequately meet the needs of the University's student organizations. The Central Reservations Office was forced to turn away over 1,300 requests for meeting space last year due to lack of available rooms. Additionally, Union South does not have a welcoming atmosphere, which has led some organizations to cancel their event rather than hold themthere.

The Student Union Initiative will solve these issues by providing:

• Increased meeting space – including a much-improved south campus facility
• Technological upgrades to rooms (Internet access, audio/visual equipment)
• An additional large event space for student dances, conferences and more
• Meeting spaces that are welcoming – creating a better forum for student involvement

Hoofers

To keep these historic student clubs strong, the Student Union Initiative calls for improvements. While many of the plans have yet to be decided upon, here are just a few of the proposed improvements Hoofers will see from a successful Student Union Initiative:

• Additional storage space
• Expanded lakefront presence
• Improved program, activity and meeting space
• Air conditioning in program areas
• Locker rooms with showers
• New piers
• Access for people with disabilities
• Climbing wall

All Students

The Student Union Initiative was developed by UW students. The proposed improvements to Wisconsin Union will benefit everyone on campus. Just a few of the benefits include:

• Improved place to eat
• More energy efficient and environmentally-friendly facilities
• Memorial Union brought up to peak safety standards while historic environment is preserved
• Potential for new activities to be held in revamped spaces
• Enhanced theater and performing arts venues
• Better access for students with special needs
• New places for studying, socializing and eating at a new south campus union
• Communications technology