Opinion

Extended hours at the union create drinking alternatives

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The Wisconsin Union Directorate, affectionately known as WUD (pronounced “wood”) is the student programming board for the University of Wisconsin campus. Comprised of 11 different committees and clubs, WUD plans, promotes and implements programs for our entire campus.

It is through WUD that the initiative for Late Night hours at both Memorial Union and Union South began. The new closing hours, which were kicked off Sept. 1 at the Directorate-run MU Bash, are Sunday through Wednesday until 12 a.m. and Thursday through Saturday until 2 a.m.

Our late-night hours provide an all-age alternative for students and provide additional options to drinking. Although our venue does serve beer, it is an all-age venue. This means that it is acceptable for underagers to come in with their of-age friends and have a soda and popcorn while participating in our events. The fact that the union serves beer was of no influence to the decision to implement later hours. Rather, it is so the WUD can provide more alternatives on campus that are not centered on alcohol.

The events found at the Memorial Union and Union South already include concerts, dances, games rooms, activities and programs created by students, for students. We are also excited by the challenge and opportunity of filling the extended hours with a variety of programs that will pique the interests of students across campus. Please share with us your ideas and view our events at www.union.wisc.edu.

I believe that the presence of late-night hours will complement the campus atmosphere. Perhaps it means coming to a dance in Great Hall or Concert on the Terrace instead of spending the whole night drinking. Although later hours at the Union will not provide the solution to everyone all of the time, it will provide additional opportunities for a campus in need of those options.

Whether or not you think that binge-drinking is a major issue on campus, it is hard to disagree that the lack of alternatives is a problem. The Wisconsin Union Directorate is not accepting this status quo. Rather, we are working to implement exciting and effective means to do something other than drinking while on campus.

Our initiatives are important, but they are nothing without your involvement and input. Whether you want to participate in the activities that we offer, or would like to make recommendations on what we can do better, please get involved. We are here to serve your better.

For more information on the Wisconsin Union Directorate, visit the WUD website at www.union.wisc.edu/wud

Rob Staude (rstaude@students.wisc.edu) is a senior majoring in sociology and political science. He is the president of the Wisconsin Union Directorate.