Dining Services Programming Spaces Guidelines

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Policy Number:

UW-2050

Old Policy Number:

FM3-0g

Responsible Office:

Wisconsin Union

University Policy

Definitions:

Der Rathskeller

The indoor dining space bounded to the east by the food servery and grill area, to the west by der Stiftskeller bar area, to the north by the exterior windowed wall, and to the south by the main indoor hallway and Trophy Room. Der Rathskeller stage is the only area available to request for events.

Lakefront on Langdon

The indoor dining space attached to the Lakefront on Langdon food service area, in the Northeast corner of Memorial Union.

The Memorial Union Terrace

Bounded on the south by the exterior walls of Memorial Union, to the east by parking lot #1, to the north by the Lakeshore Path, and to the west by Park Street. The Terrace boundaries include the areas otherwise known as Upper Terrace, Lower Terrace, Terrace Stage, Class of 1936 Plaza, and the Theater Plaza. Tripp Deck and Theater Deck are excluded from this definition. The Terrace Stage is the only area available to request for events.

The Sett

A three-level dining and recreation experience at Union South. It includes a first-floor club and dining area and a second-floor balcony area. The Sett Club Stage is the only area available to request for events, though reservations for private group events may be arranged in the Sett recreation level.

Policy:

Introduction

The Memorial Union Terrace, der Rathskeller, Lakefront on Langdon, and The Sett are integral parts of the Wisconsin Union’s public image and are primarily dining service facilities that are vital to the Union’s fiscal integrity. These facilities are subject to all UW–Madison and Wisconsin Union facility use policies and guidelines. However, to preserve each venue’s special character and importance to the Wisconsin Union, the following criteria should be adhered to when approving events in major Dining Services Programming Spaces.

Event Approval Criteria

Events proposed for the Wisconsin Union Terrace, der Rathskeller, Lakefront on Langdon, and the Sett stages must fit all of the following criteria to be considered for approval. Events must:

1. Be free, open to the University community, and not subject to private/exclusive use. Events may not be advertised as open to the general public (without prior approval) and areas of the venue may not be roped off for private use. (Sett programming events may be ticketed.)
2. Be sponsored by a University department, Registered Student Organization, or governmental agency. Union Members may not reserve these programming spaces.
3. Be consistent with the mission of the University and the Wisconsin Union.
4. Be of a performance/film/music/entertainment program nature, be of interest to the greater University community and be limited to the stage space only in each facility.
5. Not interfere with other events and activities already scheduled in, nor interfere with normal operations at, the Wisconsin Union. Note that our dining services facilities do serve alcoholic beverages to patrons of legal drinking age as a part of their normal operations—events that require cessation of alcohol service will not generally be considered for dining services programming spaces. All patrons and event participants (including performers) are subject to applicable drinking age laws and age verification checks as needed. Events that require cessation of alcohol service may be charged a fee determined by Dining Services.
6. Not begin prior to 5 pm on weekdays, including sound checks, unless the event is a Wisconsin Union Directorate program that is approved to start early.
7. Not be scheduled in conflict with regular WUD series programming in Dining Services Programming Spaces. Requests to program on regular WUD series nights should be first made directly with the appropriate Wisconsin Union Directorate committee for consideration. If Wisconsin Union Directorate is interested in co-programming the date, they will contact Cooperative Programming Committee for event permission.
8. Be of an appropriate size for the facility requested.
9. Reserve an adequate rain location. In case of rain, the event will be canceled without an adequate rain location. Der Rathskeller is NOT automatically considered the rain location for Terrace events (except regularly scheduled Wisconsin Union Directorate series programming). The use of Der Rathskeller as a rain location must be preapproved by Cooperative Programming Committee.

To Request Use of a Dining Services Programming Facility

Completely fill out a Dining Services Programming Facility request form, available from the Wisconsin Union Event Services Office, with all requested information and submit it to the Wisconsin Union Event Services Office at least 6 weeks in advance of your event. If submitted less than 6 weeks in advance, it may affect the approval status of your event.

Your request will be reviewed by the Cooperative Programming Committee at their next regularly scheduled meeting following the submission of your form. This committee meets every two weeks during the academic year and as needed during the summer term.

A Note About Sound Amplification

Events requiring sound amplification may bring their own equipment or request to rent the Union’s equipment with a sound and light technician. The cost of all sound equipment, band backline, or other production needs is the sole responsibility of the group requesting use of the space. Groups must work with the Wisconsin Union Events Services Office on sound needs and restrictions in advance of the event, regardless of equipment provider. The event organizer must read, agree to, and sign the “Standard Rules for Music Venues At The Wisconsin Union.”

Performers will not exceed a maximum sound pressure level of:

• Terrace outdoor 102 db at C weighting
• Rathskeller and Lakefront 104 db at C weighting
• Sett 105 dbat A weighting at the Front of House mix location with a professional decibel meter set on fast response.

These levels only dictate the maximum level you may be allowed to amplify at—sound levels may be reduced below this maximum level at the discretion of the appropriate Wisconsin Union representative, based on operational needs at the time of performance. Level checks will be made throughout the performance including sound checks. Performers must be prepared to lower the level of stage amps in order to ascertain a good overall mix and stay within the limits set. Sound amplification must end at or before midnight on the Terrace.

Wisconsin Union Staff and their designated representatives have the right to direct event sponsor/performer to discontinue any activity, including sound amplification level, which disrupts the normal operations of the Wisconsin Union or constitutes a violation of university policy, as well as any federal, state, or local laws.

For interpretations, resolution of problems, and special situations contact: Wisconsin Union Assistant Director-Facilities Management

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:

Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Wisconsin Union

Policy Manager:

Assistant Director for Facilities Management, Wisconsin Union

Contact:

Assistant Director for Facilities Management, Wisconsin Union -- Paul Broadhead, paul.broadhead@wisc.edu, (608) 263-4588

Effective Date:

05-18-2009

Revised Dates:

05-18-2009, 03-08-2012, 01-16-2013

Reviewed Dates:

05/18/2009; 03/08/2012; 01/16/2013

Retrieved:

07-04-2025 12:17:48