Wisconsin Union Conduct and Use

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Policy Number:
UW-2058
Responsible Office:
Wisconsin Union

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

This policy implements UW-Madison’s authority under Wis. Admin. Code UWS § 18 Conduct on University Lands and Wis. Admin. Code UWS § 21 Use of University Facilities to govern use of the buildings and grounds constituting Wisconsin Union Facilities in order to provide a safe, respectful environment for the Wisconsin Union’s members, their guests, and the university community.

Definitions:
Event
Any performance, ceremony, festival, reception, presentation, meeting, picket, rally, parade, demonstration, or similar activity that takes place within or upon Wisconsin Union facilities.
Inclement Weather
Conditions such as heavy rain, high winds, snow, ice, extreme temperatures, or thunderstorms that could pose safety risks.
Leafletting
In-person distribution of leaflets, flyers, handbills, free publications, and other free printed or electronic material (including asking patrons to scan QR codes or otherwise directing patrons to online materials).
Petition Drive
Collecting signatures from persons in support of, or in opposition to, an issue.
Publications
Newspapers, magazines, periodicals, newsletters, and similar material.
Survey
Soliciting input from persons for the purpose of collecting data for analysis.
Wisconsin Union Facility
Indoor and outdoor locations under the control and management of the Wisconsin Union (e.g., Memorial Union, Union South, The Terrace, Pyle Center, Fluno Center, University Club)
Wisconsin Union Terrace (The Terrace)
The outdoor space bounded by the Memorial Union to the south, Alumni Park to the east, Park Street to the west, and Lake Mendota to the north.
Scope:

All Wisconsin Union facilities, outdoor spaces, and reservable locations. Patrons and guests using Wisconsin Union facilities.

Policy:
  1. Use of Wisconsin Union Facilities
    1. The Wisconsin Union (Union) is a membership organization. In compliance with Wis. Admin. Code UWS § 18.07 only Union members, university faculty and staff, invited guests, and university-sponsored conference groups, may use Wisconsin Union facilities. Unless the time and space is designated as being open to the general public.
    2. Pyle and Fluno Centers
      1. The Pyle and Fluno Centers are managed by the Wisconsin Union and are financially self-sustaining through revenue generated by their continuing education programing and other revenue generating services. These facilities do not receive segregated student fee support and are therefore not “student centers” or “unions” for purposes of Wis. Admin, Code UWS § 18.07(6).
      2. Patrons of the Pyle and Fluno Centers are required to adhere to this policy. However, who may use them is determined by the discretion of the Wisconsin Union and is not governed by this policy.
  2. Rules for Patrons

    All visitors to the Wisconsin Union facilities must:

    1. Comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
    2. Comply with applicable Union, UW-Madison, and University of Wisconsin Board of Regents policies and procedures (see Related UW-Madison Policies and External References).
    3. When requested by Union staff, present identification (e.g., State Issued ID, UW ID) and other documentation (e.g., Membership card, Theater ticket, conference badge, Union Day Pass) for the purpose of establishing eligibility to:
      1. Be present at a Wisconsin Union facility
      2. Participate in events or activities taking place at a Wisconsin Union facility
      3. Verify the visitor’s age where a person’s participation in an activity is age-restricted (e.g., purchasing or consuming alcohol beverages – which may require a second form of identification)
    4. Only use areas of Wisconsin Union facilities where authorized and permitted.
    5. Be respectful to Union staff and other visitors.
  3. Prohibited Conduct

    No person may engage in the following within Wisconsin Union facilities:

    1. Violent, threatening, abusive, or otherwise disorderly conduct.
    2. Intimidating or harassing behavior that tends to provoke a disturbance or incite violence.
    3. Obstructing or impairing Union or university activities.
    4. Interfering with or impeding the ability of another patron to participate in Union or university activities.
    5. Creating a public health nuisance (e.g., feeding wildlife) or a health risk to oneself or others.
    6. Refusing to comply with lawful directions of Union staff.
    7. Misusing, misappropriating, damaging, stealing, or tampering with building equipment, furniture, facilities, grounds, or resources, including reserving common area tables.
    8. Using restroom facilities for purposes other than for which they are intended.
    9. Allowing other persons to use their identification or other documentation for the purpose of establishing eligibility to be present at Wisconsin Union Facilities, as outlined in this policy.
    10. Fishing on the Lakeshore Path in front of the Memorial Union Terrace or from the piers in front of the Memorial Union and Alumni Park (e.g. Outdoor UW, Hoofer, swimming). Fishing is permitted on the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association’s Goodspeed Family pier during posted open hours.
    11. Removing items from trash receptacles, consuming food/beverages left on tables, or consuming food/beverages from events where the patron was not invited or eligible to participate.
    12. Leaving items unattended (e.g., bags, backpacks).
    13. Any form of smoking, tobacco, or cannabis use (e.g., chewing tobacco, hookahs, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, cartridges, other electronic smoking devices).
    14. Use of sound amplification, as defined in UW-6013 Expressive Activity, outside of designated or reserved spaces.
    15. Engaging in commercial photography without written authorization from the Wisconsin Union, in compliance with UW-202 Film, Television, and Commercial Production on Campus.
    16. Operating unmanned aerial vehicles (e.g., drones) without authorization, in compliance with UW-4005 Research Vehicle Safety Oversight (Autonomous Vehicles).
    17. Storing supplies, goods, or materials in corridors or throughways of Wisconsin Union facilities.
  4. Prohibited Items

    No person may bring any of the following into or on Wisconsin Union facilities:

    1. Dangerous weapons, as defined in Wis. Stat. § 939.22(10), or any object that resembles a dangerous weapon.
    2. Animals except as allowed in UW-145 Service Animals.
    3. Balloons, flags, or signs not approved as part of a reservation.
    4. Bicycles/unicycles (except in racks), roller blades, skateboards, electric scooters, Segways, hoverboards, or other similar means of conveyance.
    5. Thrown objects (e.g., balls, discs).
    6. Carry-in food (personal meal is allowed) and alcohol or coolers of any size.
    7. Items that pose a hazard to the life, health, safety, or welfare of Wisconsin Union facilities patrons or Union staff, including the following:
      1. Items, other than small personal devices (e.g. cell phones, laptops), requiring electrical, water, or other utility service
      2. Equipment that causes interference to electrical or mechanical systems in Wisconsin Union facilities
  5. Distribution of Free Publications
    1. Limited to:
      1. Available space on racks provided on the first floor of Memorial Union and Union South
      2. Reserved meeting spaces when authorized by the reserving group
      3. Non-commercial publications
    2. Publications must:
      1. Be dated
      2. Only be provided in a quantity that is reasonable for distribution until the next issue
      3. Not exceed 30 days of availability (remaining copies will be removed by the Wisconsin Union)
    3. No person other than Wisconsin Union staff may remove publications for the purpose of making room for delivery of other publications.
  6. Free Expression
    1. Groups or individuals engaged in free expression activities (e.g., leafletting, surveying, petitioning) must be UW-Madison students, staff, or faculty and are responsible for the content of the expression.
    2. Activity must maintain a minimum of 25 feet distance from any stairs, entrance/exit, or point of service (e.g., shop, kiosk, desk).
    3. Areas of Free Expression
      1. Outdoor
        1. Memorial Union
          1. East - Paved area adjacent to Langdon Street (not including the city sidewalk) between Alumni Fountain and East Entrance approach
          2. West - Paved offset patio bounded by the stairs heading up to Park Street, West Entrance approach, and planters
          3. Theater - Sidewalk along Park Street, south of west Theater exterior doors to load in door
        2. Union South - Paved areas adjacent to Northwest Entrance approach on Randall Avenue (not including sidewalk or grass areas)
      2. Indoor
        1. Must only be used in the case of inclement weather, as determined by Wisconsin Union staff.
        2. Limited to leafleting, petitioning, and surveying.
        3. Must not involve more than five individuals participating in the free expression activity at any single point in time.
        4. Memorial Union - West Wing Lobby (area bound by the Information Desk, staircase leading down to 1R, and the Box Office).
        5. Union South - Randall Avenue Lobby (area bounded by stairs up to the Roost and the entrance to the Badger Market)
      3. A reserved space via the Wisconsin Union Event Services (WUES).
  7. Consequences for Non-Compliance

    The Wisconsin Union reserves the right to take appropriate action for non-compliance with this policy, including, but not limited to: the imposition of penalties specified in Wis. Admin. Code UWS § 18.13; removal from Wisconsin Union facilities; revocation of reservations; termination of scheduled events; disciplinary action under applicable student, employee, or Wisconsin Union member disciplinary processes; or referral to UW-Madison Police Department.

Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Wisconsin Union Photo/Video Approval Request

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:
04-18-2017
Revised Dates:

04-18-2017; 06-03-2025

Retrieved:
06-12-2025 04:55:02