The Wisconsin Union unites the university’s social and academic lives, fostering the personal growth and relationships that are at the heart of a great education. The Wisconsin Union operates two buildings on the UW-Madison campus, the Memorial Union and Union South.  Approximately 20,000 people use the Union buildings each day. The Wisconsin Union is a financially self-supporting division of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Financial support for the organization is provided by income earned by twenty-two food service units and a variety of non-food units such as games, guest rooms, space rentals and campus vending.  Substantial support is also provided by student fees.  Additionally, each year, the Union’s student volunteers and their educational staff advisors, through the Wisconsin Union Directorate, produce hundreds of social, cultural and recreational programs or events for the Madison campus community.

The Wisconsin Union’s Outdoor Recreation Unit, Outdoor UW, enhances the Union’s social education mission by providing members of the University of Wisconsin-Madison community with a variety of out-of-class learning experiences in various outdoor activities. Participants in outdoor recreation programs gain valuable leadership skills and real-life experiences that will last a lifetime. Opportunities include part-time employment as instructors or office/retail staff to volunteer trip leaders and club leaders.