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About

The Living Room of Campus

The Wisconsin Union, often referred to as "the heart and soul" of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has enhanced the lives of members and visitors since it was founded in 1907.

Yellow Wisconsin Union Terrace chair with the sky in the background

Since 1928, when the doors to Memorial Union opened, the Wisconsin Union has served as the living room of the UW-Madison campus. The Union connects students, faculty, staff, members and visitors through shared cultural, social and recreational events and experiences.

Social Education

In 1935, the Board of Regents designated the Union as the University’s Division of Social Education. As such, it continues to have responsibility for:

  • The social, recreational, and cultural welfare of the student body
  • Instructing students in the importance of serving their community
  • Utilizing its programs and spaces for out-of-classroom learning

The Union is based on the principle that the University of Wisconsin-Madison experience should involve learning outside of the classroom.

UW students, faculty, staff, Union members and guests eat, meet, learn and relax in the two Union locations daily—Memorial Union on the shore of beautiful Lake Mendota, and Union South in the heart of campus near Camp Randall Stadium.