FAQ

Why A New Union?
What Do We Get?
How Do We Vote?

Why a new union?

You may have noticed signs around the Union with years on them – 1956, 1963, 1972 and 1987. Those years correspond with the 4 phases of the UWM Student Union and the year they were built (or added on to the building.) So the oldest part of the Union is currently over 60 years old and the youngest is 30 years old.

Well sort of, the Memorial Union at UW-Madison is the “grand-daddy” of all student unions across the UW System but it was completely renovated with two projects over the last 5 years. All the other 4 year schools in the UW System have built new student unions or done major renovations of their facilities over the last 15 years. In fact, the newest portion of our student union (the atrium area where the Grind is located) is older than all the other new or renovated student unions in the UW System.

As you might imagine, a building where some parts are over 60 years old is simply wearing out. In 2014, architects and engineers found over $34 million in urgent/emergency repairs will be needed in the short run just to keep operating the facility.

  • They found failures (or anticipated problems) in plumbing and electrical systems.
  • They described the heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems as inefficient and “beyond their useful life.”
  • While built at the applicable codes in place at the time of the various phases, the building today no longer meets current ADA or fire safety codes.
  • The current Union with minimal wall/roof insulation and single pane windows is not energy efficient.

Addressing any/all of these issues would be just about maintaining the status quo and would not significantly improve the amenities or atmosphere of the building that students experience every day.

What do we get?

If the project is ultimately approved as part of the State Budget, the State will issue bonds which we will repay with the funds you (and future students) pay through this fee. It is a lot like a mortgage/loan your family may take out to buy a house or car.

The UW System Board of Regents want to see a high level of participation in student referendums for campus building projects. They believe that a large number of students should be voting in order for them to consider that vote truly representative of student opinion. We agree with them and believe that to commit all students to paying a fee well into the future, we need to involve as many students as possible – to vote their own opinion but also “in the shoes” of those students who will be attending UWM in the future. Every student wishing to continue at UWM needs to register for class. We felt tying this Referendum to the class registration process was the best method for getting a large level of participation and ensuring the broadest student voice being heard through this vote.

Isn’t it like other campus buildings that are paid for by the taxpayers? It is both a matter of law and tradition in the State of Wisconsin. UW System Policy specifies that buildings like student unions, recreation facilities, and residence halls cannot be paid for with taxpayer funding. The acceptable sources of funding for this kind of facilities are user fees (think what you pay when you buy a cheeseburger or go bowling in our Recreation Center) or student segregated fees. As you can imagine, we don’t sell enough cheeseburgers nor do enough people bowl for us to pay for such a large project. More importantly, students have always been the drivers across the state in the funding of student union facilities. From the student fundraising and student fees that paid to build the original Memorial Union at Madison to the student union building boom across the UW System in the 1950s/60s through the recent projects at our sister institutions in the System, all have been funded by students through segregated fees.

A building committee made up of students and campus staff will work with architects to design the building. As this building impacts so many students, student input will be sought via surveys, focus groups and info sessions as well during the design process.

The UW System Board of Regents views the results of a referendum as input into their decision to support or not support a building project such as this. The project will ultimately need to be included in a future State Budget and receive the approval of the Assembly, Senate and Governor before it will move forward.

No, student fees will only increase if a project is ultimately approved by the State. And the timing of the fee being phased in could be later than Fall 2019 if State approval comes farther down the road.

The earliest construction could start would be 2020. Because the project will be phased, it may take 3-4 years to complete.

The plan at this point is to have a phased project where there will always be a portion of the Union open and serving students. So, while parts of the building will be closed at different points during the project, it is hoped that you will always have at least a portion of your student union available.

A project goal is that the Union Parking Garage will continue operations during the construction.

It is hoped the building would have:

  • comfortable spaces for students to hang out (filled with natural light)
  • improved meeting and event spaces with up-to-date technology
  • collaborative space to bring students together
  • improved restaurants and food options
  • more natural way finding (less like a maze)
  • improved energy efficiency and sustainable/green building features

Any project will address the major maintenance and code issues that exist in the current building. Students will likely see a building that appears mostly new, even though portions may be renovated rather than built new. If the renovation referendum is passed, many of the questions will be answered when we engage with an architect and work collaboratively with students.

How do we vote?

All UWM Students not graduating in December, 2017 will be required to vote.

Beginning November 6, the referendum will appear as a “to-do” list item on PAWS. You can then vote early (and clear the “hold” you’ll have) or at the time you are eligible to register for Spring 2018 classes. You will not be able to register until you vote in the referendum. You may abstain from voting if you don’t want your opinion to be counted in the referendum.