Wisconsin Union Member Discipline Process

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Policy Number:

UW-2067

Old Policy Number:

WU-3-8

Responsible Office:

Wisconsin Union

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

The Wisconsin Union constitution states:

"All groups or individuals having jurisdiction in the Wisconsin Union buildings, or using the buildings, shall be responsible to the Union Council. The Council shall have the power, provided it does not supersede University rules, to govern the activities of members, guests, and organizations in the buildings, and may suspend membership, deny the privileges of the buildings, and (or) impose fines or restrictions to maintain discipline."

The Union Director is charged with coordinating the various functions of the building and the interests of all the various groups and individuals using the building. The Director is also responsible for acting for the Council, discharging the functions of the Council, and reporting to the Council on action taken. 

Scope:

This policy applies to UW–Madison students, Wisconsin Union Association lifetime members, Wisconsin Union annual members, and UW–Madison faculty and staff and university guests over the age of 18.

Policy:

1. Policy Detail 

   1. Members and guests, listed above, are expected to abide by the Wisconsin Union’s Patron Code of Conduct. When members do not comply with expected standards of behavior or commit or attempt to commit non-allowable behaviors, they are subject to the Union’s disciplinary process.
   2. All misconduct will be evaluated to determine what level of discipline will be invoked. A group of staff members representing Membership, Facilities, and the unit where the misconduct occurred will participate in the evaluation process. UW Police may also be consulted during this process. In egregious cases, however, the Assistant Director for Facilities can issue an emergency ban that will be in place until the above-mentioned group is able to meet and determine appropriate discipline. UW Police also have the ability to ban individuals or groups from Union facilities. Anyone banned from campus will automatically be banned from Union facilities.
   3. The group will forward their recommendation to the Assistant Director for Facilities for approval and member notification. In the event of revocation of membership, the group will notify the Union Director of their recommendation for approval and member notification. Discipline may include any of the following (depending on the severity of the incident):
      1. Immediate ban from premises for a minimum of 24 hours
      2. Letter of Warning.
      3. Three-month to a one-year suspension of membership rights.
      4. Inability to obtain membership
      5. Revocation of membership
      6. Lifetime ban from the Wisconsin Union
   4. In especially egregious or urgent situations, the Union Director or designee can recommend immediate suspension, denial of use, or termination of membership. Depending on the circumstances and the prior history, the Director or designee can either schedule a personal conversation or write a letter informing the individual of the suspension, termination, or denial of use privileges.
   5. Members will have the right to appeal the decision to the Assistant Director for Facilities. Further appeal can be made to the Union Director and from there to the Chancellor which is the final level of appeal for matters regarding Union membership.

2. Potential Problem Patrons Who Ask to Join the Union

   1. On rare occasions, an individual who has built a record of being identified as a problem patron may seek membership in the Union. An individual who would normally be entitled to membership via student or employee status but whose membership has previously been revoked will be brought to the Membership Office’s attention. In such cases, building use records are checked and University Police may be asked to aid in the evaluation of the individual’s eligibility for membership. If membership is denied, the individual is notified and provided an explanation for denying membership via a meeting and/or letter.
   2. In the case where membership is denied to a student or employee or if a student’s or employee’s membership is suspended or revoked, the Union Director shall make arrangements to permit the individual limited access to Union facilities to access any necessary student or employee services provided in Union facilities, such as the distribution of bus passes or identification cards.
   3. In some cases, a provisional membership may be issued, with such membership being contingent upon abiding by expected accepted standards of conduct and behavior.

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:

Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Wisconsin Union

Policy Manager:

Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Wisconsin Union

Contact:

Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Wisconsin Union -- Mark Guthier, mcguthier@wisc.edu, (608) 263-4463

Revised Dates:

05-06-1987, 11-28-1988, 04-19-2007, 04-18-2017

Reviewed Dates:

05/06/1987; 11/28/1988; 04/19/2007; 04/18/2017

Retrieved:

01-22-2025 03:05:30