The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents will hear a proposal to increase the Memorial Union Reinvestment budget at its April meeting following a $2 million donation.
The donation, which came from an anonymous donor, would fund the addition of the Sunset Lounge to Phase I of the construction on Memorial Union. The plans for the lounge were included in the original budget but were dropped due to insufficient funding.
The lounge was originally designed as a lakefront addition to the Union Theater, but a slight majority of students voted against the design on a 2011 referendum. The design committee decided to adjust the plans to accommodate student concerns.
The lounge was originally placed in the budget as an “add alternate,” which meant if extra funding was made available, the lounge would be built.
The donation covers the entire cost of the lounge, meaning student segregated fees and tax dollars will not be used to fund the project.
If the board approves the budget adjustment, the plans will then go to the State Building Commission for final approval.
