Wisconsin Union Common Areas

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Policy Number:
UW-2051
Responsible Office:
Wisconsin Union

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

This policy provides clarification on the use and reservation of spaces understood to primarily be common/open use throughout Wisconsin Union Facilities. Reservation and assignment of these spaces is intentionally limited to maintain open gathering spaces for Wisconsin Union members and guests to converse, study, and relax.

Definitions:
Academic Year
The period of time beginning on the first date of fall semester instruction and ending on the last class day of the spring semester (see the Academic Calendar).
Wisconsin Union Facilities
Indoor and outdoor locations under the control and responsibility of the Wisconsin Union (e.g., Memorial Union, Union South, The Terrace, Pyle Center, Fluno Center, University Club)
Scope:

All Wisconsin Union facilities, outdoor spaces, and reservable locations.

Policy:
  1. Lounges (e.g., Main, Marquee, Sunset, Varsity)
    1. Activities assigned for reserved use of lounges must meet all of the following:
      1. Have no other suitable space available.
      2. Is a one-time event and not part of a recurring reservation.
      3. During non-academic year use additional requirements may apply as determined by Wisconsin Union Event Services (WUES).
    2. The Varsity Lounge (Union South) and Marquee Lounge (Union South) must only be reserved in conjunction with full reservation of their respective event spaces.
    3. Sunset Lounge (Memorial Union) will have additional restrictions when events are being hosted in the Wisconsin Union Theater.
    4. Lakeview Lounge is only reservable for Wisconsin Union programming. Furniture must not be moved for any use of Lakeview Lounge.
  2. Decks (e.g., Badger, Main Lounge, Pavilion, Tripp Commons, Upper Sunset)
    1. Activities assigned for reserved use of decks must meet all of the following:
      1. Have no other suitable space available.
      2. Is a one-time event and not part of a recurring reservation.
    2. Space Restrictions
      1. The following spaces are not reservable during the listed times:
        1. Badger Deck (Union South)
          1. Academic Year | Before 4:00pm, Monday – Friday
          2. Home football gamedays
        2. Upper Sunset (Memorial Union)
          1. Spring Commencement – August 1 | After 4:00pm, Thursday – Saturday
          2. When Shannon Hall has a scheduled performance, unless approved by the Campus Event Services Office (CESO) and Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT)
        3. Pavilion (Union South) must be in conjunction with reservation of both Industry and Agriculture rooms.
        4. Main Lounge (Memorial Union) and Tripp Commons (Memorial Union) decks must only be reserved in conjunction with reservation of their respective indoor room spaces.
    3. Weather
      1. All decks must be reserved in conjunction with an indoor rain location.
      2. A call to move a reservation inside for weather must occur at least four hours before event start time and will not be changed once made.
    4. Sound amplification requires additional approval and is limited to 80db.
    5. If exclusive use of deck spaces is required, the event host is responsible for payment of security services coordinated through WUES.
  3. Orchard Street Mall
    1. The area on the east edge of Union South from the building to the lamp posts. Bounded by the railroad tracks to the north and drop off circle to the south.
    2. This area consists of four reservable zones, each separated by a planting box.
    3. Is only reservable by organizations associated with the university and sponsored or invited reservations as outlined in UW-6000 Use of Facilities and Land.
    4. Any reservation of the space must be open to the full campus community.
    5. All food and beverage used during events and reservations in this space must be procured through the Wisconsin Union.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Academic Calendar

External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Wisconsin Union
Policy Manager:
Deputy Director of Wisconsin Union
Contact:
Assistant Director for Facilities Management, Wisconsin Union -- Paul Broadhead, paul.broadhead@wisc.edu, (608) 263-4588
Effective Date:
01-22-2008
Date Issued:
01-22-2008
Revised Dates:

01-22-2008; 01-24-2011; 06-04-2025

Retrieved:
06-22-2025 14:15:35