Why does Memorial Union attract so much construction controversy? The answer is plain and simple: People really care about the place. The Wisconsin Union has always followed a strict “shared governance” policy in which students comprise the majority in most committees. It is impossible to name another construction project with such complex decision-making, oversight and student power. One downside is that, because of all the approval hurdles, changing any one thing after it is approved can become a large issue – a case of parliamentary procedure and budget-approval deadlines to the nth degree.
Associated Students of Madison first had to approve taking student fees ($96/semester) to pay over 30 years the $126 million in Wisconsin state debt that was issued for the construction of Union South and renovation of Memorial Union, which includes the new “Glass Box.” Over the last five years during the design process, every interest group at the Union was asked how much more square footage they needed, and for the most part, they got it. Unfortunately, there was no interest group formed at the start of the design process that was speaking on behalf of the Terrace users. It wasn’t until the Design Committee realized they were $5 million over budget and had to scale back were any major changes debated (which then had to go through Union Council, the Board of Regents, the Historical Society, an environmental assessment, the State Building Commission and the city of Madison).
There are some financial questions being raised about the project. The new Union South ended up costing $95 million instead of the $67 million estimated in 2006 because very low interest rates encouraged an increased budget. Now, phase one (West Wing) of the Memorial Union renovation is consuming the entire remainder of the student-fee money. That leaves phase two (East Wing and interfacing with the new Alumni Park) in need of at least $30 million in “donor funds.” Since the Union operates mostly at a loss (made up by another chunk of yearly student seg fees), there is a fear that it will have to raise user fees or make cuts like offering fewer free shows if it can’t fundraise enough by other means. The millions it makes selling beer and brats can only go so far, and strong leadership will be needed to guide the Union through this difficult phase.
Because student leaders leave yearly, the strongest and most constant power is held by the Union director. The Union has only had three directors in its entire history, and they seem to have liked their jobs, although perhaps less so during major construction projects.
The current director, Mark Guthier, was hired in 2001. He did not have the same UW and Union background as the first two directors, and that was seen as a way to bring a new vision to the Wisconsin Union. Some Union members will always worry about whether Madison’s Union will someday also have a Burger King, Pizza Hut, Starbucks and other fast food chain restaurants like at Guthier’s home in Indiana. The introduction of a Peet’s Coffee-branded shop instead of using a home-grown coffee supplier is not necessarily the start. Yet corporate sponsorship and the outsourcing some of the fast food options will likely become a future debate if budgeting becomes a bigger issue during a later phase of the construction.
Mr. Guthier will have a very difficult time balancing all the needs of the Union. Extra debt will probably be necessary for phase two that will have to be paid from Union profit, not student fees. And there are other things to worry about: competition from the new arts district in downtown Madison, a new concert hall planned for construction on campus when the new music department building is finished and the potential of fewer students enrolling and paying seg fees. It will be especially hard at Memorial Union for the next five years with all the construction happening. Union South is expected to carry the weight, hopefully not with increased fees.
With all this controversy, how does the Union still thrive? It is exactly because the controversy is public and little is hidden from the investigating eye that the Union continues to have Madison’s love and trust. It is still, as originally envisioned, Madison’s public lakefront living room and backyard, with all the family disputes that come with sharing a home.
The Union has always intended to encourage involvement. The experiment in “social education” and “student leadership” as well as “community involvement” is alive and thriving at the Union. Students will for the most part (and if they utilize their power) still make the final decisions – from what gets built to what band plays on Saturday night at the Terrace. Once again, there will be harder times in the face of new construction, a need for donations and the threat of overbuilding. But considering its glorious history, it is reasonable to be hopeful that the right compromises will be made to preserve this unique institution.
John Feith ([email protected]) is a graduate of the UW in Electrical Engineering and a sailing instructor at Hoofer Sailing Club.
The original version of this story was published under the headline, “Glass box will put plans over budget.” It has been changed to reflect the author’s desired title.
