Skip to main content

Union South: 15th Anniversary

Union South
Undergraduate symposium, with many students standing by their research posters.
Students sitting at tables and playing board games and video games together.
A slightly ariel image of students sitting at tables in the Sun Garden at Union South.
People in a movie theater space watching a presentation on space.
Students playing guitar hero, and pool at Union South Sett Recreation.
Students playing ping pong, bags, and other games in the Sun Garden at Union South.
Students dancing at a silent disco with headphones on.
Corey Pompey standing up on stage at Badger Bash, with UW Marching Band behind him.
-
Union South

Celebrate the 15th Anniversary, All April Long!

Come and enjoy moments at Union South all month long, as we celebrate 15 years of the newest Union South building. It is a space for everyone, from Student Orientation, Distinguished Lecture series, and just a space to study Union South has truly been a space for students and the community.

Enjoy special celebrations all month long from a cake celebration, to bowling night it is a great month to celebrate 15 years of the newest Union South. Please enjoy a little history of Union South below.


 

Discover More

Here are 15 Fun Facts & Things You Might Not Know About Union South:

  1. Opened April 15, 2011 (grand opening weekend followed). 
  2. The original Union South opened in 1971 under the theme "Fewer Walls, More Bridges"
  3. Construction on the new building began in 2009.
  4. The project was designed to nearly double the Union's programming/event space capacity.
  5. The new facility cost $94.8 million (reported during construction).
  6. Union South is 276,664 square feet (reported at opening). 
  7. It includes the Marquee Cinema, a 350-seat movie theater. 
  8. The building earned LEED Gold recognition for sustainability.
  9. Sustainability includes features like an integrated green roof and a rainwater-supplied outdoor water feature (featured as part of its green design story).
  10. The outdoor water feature was designed by alum Peder Blomker ('05) and uses rainwater from the rooftop. 
  11. Thousands of students helped shape the project through committees, focus groups, forums and surveys. 
  12. Students influenced choices down to stone selection and furniture (a truly rare level of student design input). 
  13. Union South was built to include dining, recreation, meeting, and lodging, creating a true campus hub.
  14. It's the home base for Badger Bash, a beloved game-day tradition tied to Union South history.
  15. Union South's art program includes major permanent installations and student-curated spaces like Gallery 1308.