Everyone on campus has struggled at one time or another with feeling lonely or making friends. | More than half of the students (51.5%) in the 2023 National College Health Assessment reported feeling lonely. | Loneliness is complex. It's a factor of the Pandemic, this Era of Uncertainty we are in, and Social Anxiety. |
Feeling connected to other people helps our bodies respond and handle stress. But reaching out can feel scary or awkward at first. | Many people struggle with knowing when to reach out and seek resources, advice, and strategies to make friends. | Showing up at a campus event alone might feel weird. Know others are feeling weird too and waiting for someone to talk to them. |
Be Kind and Smile | 
Take the First Step | 
Say YES! |
Get Involved | 
Take a Chance | 
Be Yourself |
Grant Application: https://win.wisc.edu/submitter/form/start/700562
Questions about the FYP Grant can be directed to: soli@union.wisc.edu
The purpose of the Find Your People Event Grant is to:
- Support the intentional design of events to promote connection, belonging and friendship making
- Normalize connecting with others without the presence of alcohol or other substances
- Provide opportunities for students to have fun and meet others
Here are qualification criteria:
- Up to $400 may be requested
- Funds must be used for free, student-oriented, alcohol-free activities
- Events must be open, promoted to, and potentially of interest to all members of the UW community
- Events must include an interactive element so that students can meet one another
- Events must be listed on the UW Madison calendar and tagged as a “Find Your People” event. You can submit an event here: https://admin.today.wisc.edu/events/new
- Upon approval, events will also be listed on the Find Your People calendar
- Events are strongly encouraged to use the Find Your People Event tagline and mark
- Attendee contact information must be submitted so that a FYP Survey can be sent to participants
Preference is given to events that:
- Occur in the Wisconsin Union
- Are submitted at least two weeks before the event to give enough time for promotion
- Are seeking direct payment (s) to a campus unit
Funding from the RSO Find Your People Event Grant can be applied to:
- Expenses paid directly to the Wisconsin Union or any UW campus unit for
- Space/room rental
- Equipment rental
- Food
- External expenses, via reimbursement upon receipt submission, for:
- Equipment critical to the execution of the event
Please visit The Well in Room 233 Union South to study and connect with others seeking an alcohol-free environment focused on wellbeing.
The Well Schedule
Google Calendar
Open Study Times
*your Wiscard will get you in the door if it is closed
Monday 12/1 | 8 am - 5 pm | 6:30 pm - 10 pm
Tuesday 12/2 | 8 am - 10 pm
Wednesday 12/3 | 8 am - 10 am | 1:30 pm - 6:30 pm | 8 pm - 10 pm
Thursday 12/4 | 8 am - 10 pm
Friday 12/5 | 8 am - 4 pm | 7 pm - 10 pm
Saturday 12/6 | 8 am - 10 pm
Sunday 12/7 | 8 am - 10 pm
*Note: The Well will be available for study when not scheduled for events. Scheduled events in The Well can be found below OR on the Event Calendar.
Purpose & Intent
The Well exists to foster a healthy campus culture by offering a dedicated, alcohol-free space for students to connect, study, relax, and participate in wellness-related programs. It is designed to promote mental health, meaningful connection, and a sense of belonging for all UW–Madison students.
Who Can Use the Space
- All currently enrolled UW–Madison students are welcome.
- Groups and individuals may use the space for study, conversation, or participation in scheduled programs.
Guidelines for Use
- Alcohol-Free Zone: No alcohol, drugs, or paraphernalia are permitted.
- Respect the Space: Maintain an environment that is inclusive, welcoming, and conducive to both connection and study.
- Shared Responsibility: Clean up after yourself and leave the space ready for the next person or event.
- Programming Priority: Scheduled wellness-related programs have priority use. When not reserved, the space is open for individual and small group use.
Concept
- Promote friendship making
- Normalize the uncertainty around making connections
- Provide opportunities to have fun and meet others
- Intentionally designed events and messaging
Why this is needed
- Almost 40% of college students reported feeling loneliness the previous day
- More than half of the students (51.5%) in the 2023 National College Health Assessment by the American College Health Association, reported feeling lonely
- Rising social anxiety rates contribute to and result from loneliness and can lead to a spiral of isolation. Loneliness is associated with both mental and physical health risks
What is Being Created
- Calendar of “Find Your People” branded events and experiences
- Messaging to students
- An invitation to students emphasizing it is okay to attend alone
How You Can Support
- Submit events and experiences to the “Find Your People” Calendar (by sending event details to heidi.lang@wisc.edu)
- Assist with monthly message creation to students
- Develop talking points for your events
- Use the provided flyer template and/or “Find Your People” circle mark on your promotions
These listed events have been designed to help you make connections:
WUD Games: Game Nights
WUD DLS Committee Meeting
Since 1987, Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) has contributed to broadening the educational experience of UW–Madison students and the community by bringing the smartest, most engaging, and influential people to campus, to encourage thought-provoking conversations and ideas. Through DLS-sponsored lectures and collaborations, we strive to achieve our mission of seeking and spreading powerful ideas, while also allowing the passionate and dedicated students on our committee to be exposed to a diverse and vibrant array of people, backgrounds, and ideas.
WUD Games: Game Nights
WUD DLS Committee Meeting
Since 1987, Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) has contributed to broadening the educational experience of UW–Madison students and the community by bringing the smartest, most engaging, and influential people to campus, to encourage thought-provoking conversations and ideas. Through DLS-sponsored lectures and collaborations, we strive to achieve our mission of seeking and spreading powerful ideas, while also allowing the passionate and dedicated students on our committee to be exposed to a diverse and vibrant array of people, backgrounds, and ideas.
WUD Games: Game Nights
WUD DLS Committee Meeting
Since 1987, Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) has contributed to broadening the educational experience of UW–Madison students and the community by bringing the smartest, most engaging, and influential people to campus, to encourage thought-provoking conversations and ideas. Through DLS-sponsored lectures and collaborations, we strive to achieve our mission of seeking and spreading powerful ideas, while also allowing the passionate and dedicated students on our committee to be exposed to a diverse and vibrant array of people, backgrounds, and ideas.
WUD Games: Game Nights