How do we engage the campus community in the design process?
Input from students, Union members and the community have been a top priority and have been vital to the MUR design process. Students and members of the campus community have voiced their opinions and have directly influenced the design of the project through a variety of avenues including open forums, committees, workshops, benchmarking trips, emails and social media. Even though the design development phase is nearly complete we...
How do we work with the Wisconsin State Historical Society?
The Memorial Union is a part of the Bascom Hill Historic District, and is thus considered a historic building. In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin State Historical Society (WSHS) has review authority under state and federal historic preservation laws over changes to historic buildings. Renovations to historic buildings are governed by the standards set by the United States Secretary of the Interior. Those guidelines dictate that additions to...
Notes on Terrace oak tree study
Professional Arborist R. Bruce Allison, PHD. has employed visual examination and various high technology tools to determine, as accurately as reasonable, the current structural condition of the tree trunks of the trees on the Terrace. The large oak tree to the east of the Union Theater has been a major concern. Using these high technology tools, Dr. Allison has found that this large oak tree has a significant amount of internal decay...
How will the project improve accessibility?
Improving accessibility of Memorial Union is a priority of the renovation project. The central and east wings of Memorial Union opened in 1928 and the Theater Wing 11 years later. This was many decades before the Americans with Disability (ADA) Act was passed and so the design at that time was not based on accommodating patrons with varying needs. Over the years, there have been a few additions and transformations made to the...
Get the facts: on seg fees
FICTION: The Union will ask for an increase in student fees to support Phase 2 of the building project. FACT: The referendum approved in 2006 covers both constructing Union South and renovating Memorial Union. If there was a need to increase student fees for a Union building project that would have to go to vote on an ASM ballot. See the original referendum language here. Read more about student segregated fees here. Read the entire...
Get the facts: on how the student/Theater lounge will be used
FICTION: The Theater lounge and sunset deck are designed to be corporate skyboxes for weddings and private events. FACT: The student/Theater lounge addition is designed to serve two functions: student lounge space and Theater lobby and concession space. It will be used for concessions only immediately before, during and after Theater events. In fact, Union Council, the student-majority governing board of the Union, voted on an...