Students gave input on plans for creating a new Union South and renovating aspects of the Memorial Union during the Wisconsin Union Facilities Improvement Plan 2005 Student Open Forum Wednesday.
'There were former thoughts about renovating Union South. We've kind of moved in a separate direction. Now we're looking at coming up with a concept for a brand new Union South,' said Wisconsin Union Council President Janelle Wise.
Wisconsin Union Director Mark Guthier said the university has undergone an immense amount of planning in the past year and a half.
'The campus itself has gone through an extensive planning process for the future and the Union is right on the heels of that, trying to respond to that, and position itself within the context of that larger campus master plan,' Guthier said.
Architect J. Eric Moss, principal of the architecture planning company Ayers Saint Gross, spoke of the future of Memorial Union and Union South.
Moss divulged the preliminary plans for the two unions, based on feedback received through workshops and an online survey of students. The chief problem with the unions, according to Moss's data, is that they need more space.
Moss described the plans as a 'clump of clay,' beginning to take shape.
The plans that were presented at the forum included modest additions to Memorial Union, such as an expanded upper level terrace, student lounge, and an accessible entry court, all while maintaining its iconic structure.
As for Union South, Moss expressed a desire to create something new but distinct from Memorial Union, something that will draw people to the south side of the campus.
Such beginning plans for this new union include a 500 person theater, a large event space that could house 1,000 people, guest rooms, and various forms of entertainment.
'We are committed to providing the campus with the absolute best services and facilities we can,' Guthier said. 'We are aware that in a lot of respects Union South doesn't do that. It's not really giving you what you need and what you deserve as a student body.'
