The Wisconsin Union team will begin selling a limited-edition purple, mini Terrace chair on Oct. 1, with a portion of proceeds from each sale donated to University Health Services’ (UHS’) Survivor Empowerment Fund, which supports University of Wisconsin–Madison student survivors of sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and stalking.
The Wisconsin Union team has about 720 mini chairs available and does not currently anticipate producing additional limited-edition purple chairs. Oct. 1, the date the chairs will become available for purchase, also marks the start of national Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The chairs will be available while supplies last through the Wisconsin Union's Badger Markets at Union South and Memorial Union and the online Terrace Store. Each chair will cost $16.99.
Developed by Wisconsin Union Graphic Designer Megan Breene, the chair features a vivid purple paint, called signal violet. Purple is the nationally recognized color associated with domestic violence awareness and represents courage, peace and dedication to ending violence. The signal violet hue was chosen, in part, to serve as a beacon of support for survivors.
“The Wisconsin Union team is proud to partner with the University Health Services team on a mini chair that supports students during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” said Mark Guthier, executive director of the Wisconsin Union and associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs. “We hope these chairs not only support survivors but also raise awareness of resources for UW–Madison students impacted by sexual and relationship violence.”
The Survivor Empowerment Fund provides UW–Madison students with crisis funds for expenses resulting from intimate partner violence, such as relocation, home security systems and transportation to legal proceedings. In addition to stewarding this fund, UHS Survivor Services offers free, confidential victim advocacy, counseling and post-assault medical care to student survivors of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, sexual harassment and exploitation, or stalking.
“Our campus traditions must reflect our campus values,” said Director of UHS Survivor Services Molly Caradonna, Psy.D. “In supporting the Survivor Empowerment Fund through this year’s limited-edition mini Terrace chair, we are connecting an iconic Badger symbol with a critical mission: ending dating violence and supporting student survivors on our campus. Purchasing a chair demonstrates a commitment to ensuring every student has a safe, healthy environment in which to learn and thrive.”
In addition to purchasing the limited-edition mini chair, those interested in supporting Survivor Services for students can make donations directly to the Survivor Empowerment Fund.
The Wisconsin Union's limited-edition mini chairs have supported a variety of UW–Madison initiatives and causes. Limited-edition chairs have included a cow-print chair in 2019, which supports the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine's building expansion project; an Earth-themed chair in 2020, which benefited the UW–Madison Green Fund; a purple-and-teal chair in 2023, which supported suicide prevention efforts and mental health resources for students; a multi-hued chair in 2024, which supports the Multicultural Student Center’s food insecurity initiatives; a red chair with “175” in the center of the sunburst chairback in 2024, which supports the Chancellor’s Annual Fund; and a red chair with the word “open” in the center of the sunburst chairback in 2025, which supports the UW–Madison food pantry, The Open Seat.
Customers can purchase mini red, green, yellow and orange Terrace chairs and tables in the Badger Markets at Memorial Union and Union South as well as in the online Terrace Store on an ongoing basis. A limited number of previously released cow-print chairs, multi-hued chairs and red "open" and 175th UW–Madison anniversary chairs remain available for purchase, while supplies last. Patrons can purchase full-size red or white Terrace chairs and tables exclusively in the online Terrace Store.
Yellow, orange and green Terrace chairs have become recognizable symbols of Madison from their presence at the Wisconsin Union's outdoor dining and entertainment space, called the Memorial Union Terrace. About 2,000 full-size Terrace chairs sit on the Memorial Union Terrace from early spring to late fall each year and have come to mark the start of summer in Madison and a time of outdoor gathering.
The Wisconsin Union and University Health Services will host a Domestic Violence Awareness Month gathering at Library Mall on Oct. 1 from 3:30–5 p.m. Attendees can expect brief remarks from UW–Madison staff and students engaged in violence prevention and response work, a resource fair to learn more about support available to student survivors, and the opportunity to purchase the limited-edition mini Terrace chair while supplies last.
To purchase the limited-edition mini purple Terrace chair, patrons can also visit Wisconsin Union Badger Markets and the online Terrace Store beginning Oct. 1.