Report to the Alcohol License Review Committee
The following information was presented in July 2002 to the City of Madison Alcohol License Review Committee, which met on campus to discuss campus-area alcohol issues.
Wisconsin Union Background
The Wisconsin Union is a gathering place for students, members and the university community to relax, eat and socialize as well as to enjoy various cultural, recreational and artistic programs, activities and events.
Founded in 1907 in the tradition of unions at English universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, and later adopted by Ivy League and Big Ten schools, the Wisconsin Union unites the university's social and academic life. The Union promotes personal development, meaningful human relationships and lifelong learning, creating a stronger and more inclusive campus community.
Though often viewed as a public venue, the Wisconsin Union is actually a membership organization. Students are automatically members because they fund much of the Union's programs and operations via their segregated fee. The rest of the operating funds come from revenue generating services, including food (nine restaurants and delis spread out around campus as well as in Union South and Memorial Union), two games rooms, Mini Courses, catering, conference services, the Travel Center and two retail shops. The Union receives a small amount of funds from the Chancellor's Office to program late night alcohol-free activities, but does not receive any state tax appropriations.
About 10,000 people visit both Unions daily. The Wisconsin Union offers numerous membership benefits, including various services, activities and programs, some of which require proof of membership. This includes joining Hoofer Outdoor Recreation Clubs, taking a Mini Course, renting a canoe or kayak from Outdoor Rentals, obtaining discounts on theater tickets and purchasing beer or wine - which explains why patrons are asked for Union membership as well as proof of age.
The Union also offers leadership opportunities for students as well as programming via the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD). WUD is the student program board that creates, promotes and coordinates more than 800 activities, programs and events annually.
These programs and the services the Union provide are geared toward students and members. However, many non-members from the Madison community enjoy the art galleries, restaurants and programs, including free films and concerts in the Rathskeller and on the Terrace. The Union encourages visitors to purchase annual or lifetime memberships and let them know that guest passes are available - up to three per year.
Alcohol Service at the Wisconsin Union
The Wisconsin Union is allowed to serve alcohol in accordance with Wisconsin Administrative Code UWS 18.06(13). In 1933, the Union became the first student union in the U.S. to serve beer when it began serving 3.2 beer following the repeal of Prohibition. There are currently nearly 100 college unions in the nation that serve alcohol in some form.
The Union mainly serves beer. Wine and wine coolers are also available, though the latter two make up a small amount of total sales. Union catering offers a limited bar as well as beer and wine for specific member events, but these are restricted to attendees only. Beer is sold and one bar is available at Union South prior to home football games. Alcohol Service Training
Consistent with City of Madison requirements, the Wisconsin Union has at least one licensed bartender on duty at all times and 35 staff members have been certified by completing the MATC alcohol server training course. In addition, all Union staff members who serve alcohol are mandated to undergo an extensive in-house training program, modeled on the MATC course, within 30 days of being hired.
The Union's Alcohol Server Training program has been customized to reflect specific needs. In particular, the training includes special focus on drinking among the college-age population as well as information on related issues such as sexual assault and other by-products of binge drinking.
Union servers are trained to check IDs (as well as Union membership or student ID) and refuse to serve obviously intoxicated persons. Staff members conduct random ID checks at individual tables to make sure that those who are drinking are of legal age. In addition, supervisors and building managers, in cooperation with the UW Police Department, routinely monitor activity on the Terrace and in the Rathskeller for underage drinking as well as high-risk behavior.
Enforcement of Alcohol Policies
UWPD will share statistics and anecdotal information as to the effectiveness of the Union's enforcement efforts.
Alcohol Service Policies
The Union is working closely with the Chancellor's Office, the RWJ Project, University Health Services, University Housing and other campus agencies to address high-risk drinking and its negative consequences. The Union has voluntarily adopted measures designed to ensure safe and responsible consumption of alcohol by those of legal age.
No Drink Specials: The Union has no reduced pricing, two-for-one or other drink specials. Nor does the Union serve shots of hard liquor. Full bar service is available only for catered events.
Plastic pitchers replace paper pitcher: The 46-ounce paper pitcher was introduced several years ago as a replacement for plastic pitchers. The Union made the change, in part, in response to a request from the Legislative Audit Bureau, which had difficulty reconciling deposit fees on plastic pitchers. Given recent concerns that the paper pitcher may be misconstrued as a drink special, the Union has replaced it with a translucent plastic pitcher with a spout and handle. The new pitcher is reusable and recyclable.
Patrons buy the pitcher for $1 (in addition to the cost of the contents) and can reuse it while at the Union and take it home or leave it to be recycled. If they wish, patrons can bring them back to the Union for reuse. The first batch of pitchers is plain; those in the next order will feature the Rathskeller logo. Fifteen cents from the sale of each plastic pitcher will go toward sponsoring alcohol-free programming at the Wisconsin Union. The rest covers the cost of the pitcher, along with administrative and recycling costs. Beer costs: The Union recently raised beer prices after conducting its semi-annual cost analysis. Prices now range from $6.50 to $9.75 per pitcher, (not including $1 for the pitcher).
All-age venue: The vast majority of the 800 to 1,000 events the Union holds each year do not have anything to do with alcohol. Many activities are designated smoke and alcohol-free. For example, during the MU Bash, the entire building, including the Games Room, Rathskeller and Stiftskeller, does not serve beer after 9 p.m. Other Union events that involve no alcohol include dances (swing, salsa, ballroom, etc.) films five days per week, the Distinguished Lecture Series, art exhibits, the Craftshop, Mini Courses, and many others.
Both Union buildings are large venues, totaling 300,000 square feet, with dozens of rooms and meeting spaces of all sizes. Alcohol and non-alcohol related events frequently take place at the same time in different parts of the building. Alcohol itself is never the focal point of any program, activity or event.
With nine delis and restaurants, and a four-to-one food-to-alcohol sales ratio, the Union qualifies as a restaurant, and therefore does not need to segregate its patrons according to age. Late Night Programming in the Academic Year
Impetus behind extending Union operating hours: Student leaders of the Wisconsin Union Directorate have been advocating for more late night activities. The decision to extend academic year hours was made in January 2002. This change followed a directive from Interim Provost Gary Sandefur for the Union to take the lead in developing social activities and alcohol-free entertainment, both on campus and off, as part of the UW-Madison's effort to reverse the culture of binge drinking among portions of the student population
Decision to sell alcohol during late night hours: The Union and the University believe that one key to changing the drinking culture is to provide venues where students of all ages can come together for a variety of activities, including the option for students who are 21 or older to drink responsibly. The Union has and will continue to provide a mix of programs, including alcohol-free events.
Costs involved in keeping the Union open late: Providing programs and extending buildings hours to 2 a.m. will likely exceed additional revenue that is generated from food and beverage sales. This assumption is based on current operating revenue schedules, which show a significant drop in sales after 11 p.m.
Types of programs offered: Music, games rooms (pool, bowling, ping pong, video games, etc.), Craftshop, Mini Courses, dancing, films, comedy club and more.