University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Union

Functionally and efficiently, this building is lacking in so many ways. It is in need of an upgrade. When your favorite part of the building is the connection walkway outside because its hidden, that says something! Right after that, I would say the ATMs are my next because they disperse $ 5s and have no fee! The selection of food in the food court is not that great but it has gotten more nutritional.

One of the ugliest buildings on the UWM campus. But for those of you who don’t know, the students voted last year in favor of building a new Union! Pretty exciting for those of us who visit it every day.
In the meantime, the services available inside are… adequate. Food options range from «meh» to «…i guess?» The UWM Bookstore is ridiculously overpriced. Get your textbooks anywhere else you possibly can. If you need to buy UWM-​themed merchandise, I think they’ve finally stopped having their stuff made by 6 year-​olds in China, so that’s a plus.
Union events are pretty solid, for the most part. They bring in interesting speakers and musical acts. Rec Center… gotta get in on that if you’re a student or staff. You can rent just about any type of outdoorsy equipment! Can’t wait to rent snowshoes and skis, assuming it ever snows again! And in summer, kayak time!

The UWM student union and I had/​have a very complicated relationship full of ups, downs, twists and turns. While we don’t have an active relationship currently, I found myself visiting last night as a result of a business symposium I was to speak at. The memories, the feelings, the context… as expected, it all flooded back. For this reason, I’ll do my best to focus here on the review itself and not all of the surrounding context… but stick with me folks. It may take a second.
2002: A very eager, bright-​eyed, bushy-​tailed 18-​year-​old Rachel gets her first taste of freedom, liberty, urban existence and true young-​adulthood with a class schedule shored up and a keys in hand to an apartment on Kenwood. You all know the drill. It’s really a magical time, isn’t it? It is. So the union — across the street from my tiny little apartment, a bastien of social interaction, a place to buy books or gum or a Hello Kitty alarm clock in the overpriced bookstore, a place to eat too much Taco Bell, a place to utilize the computer lab printers, a place to hide and study between classes, a place to lounge outside in the various grassy patches, a place to protest in the square, and at that time, a place to meet new friends at the Eighth Note coffeeshop. They used to have really good shows actually, and also, you could smoke in there. I used to smoke Camel Lights. So 2002 – 2004? Union love.
It’s not the union’s fault that I fell out of love with higher education. It wasn’t the union’s fault that I took some time off of school and had serious anxiety issues about returning in order to start up the process to finish my degree. It’s not the union’s fault that I developed a quarter-​life crisis in which I found myself submerged in a depressive state and serious existential angst. It is, however, the union’s fault that that parking garage sucks, and that sometimes you might get sick if you eat at Pacific Wraps. I still ate there a lot, though. The Gasthaus in the basement is pretty dang okay for a grilled cheese and a beer… friends and I used to congregate here even before we were 21 to hang. You can bowl, play pool, etc., in the adjoining whatever the heck it’s called… (rec center, I think?)
Overall, the UWM student union is a pretty solid one. They offer tons of student services (many of which I did not take advantage of, again, see quarter-​life crisis issues), BOSS, a better amount of dining options than you’d think, copy/​print services, The Grind… I’m sure I’m missing a bunch of stuff. At this point, the ups and downs long past, I find the union to be a great place for folks taking on the challenge of securing their undergrad/​grad/​Ph-​Dizzle-​izzle at U-​Dubs; and surprisingly, I also found myself a bit nostalgic for it, too.

I’m not sure if I should review the building structure or the places in the building or what.
I love 8^th Note, it has a special part in my heart, but since the union is being demolished and recreated, this doesn’t mean anything. There are no intentions to bring it back, and it isn’t their fault. Certain student orgs have been looking to get rid of it for many, many years now.
Other than that, the building is bland. It’s a standard, sad student union. Same crappy fast food restaurants, forceful advertising, and over usage of lights. And no new structure will make any of those things any better.

Well what can I say here– I am a current student at UWM and I just love it overall. The union is a great place to go and hang out, grab some food, and find out what events are going on. There are also great resource centers here that I would suggest to people also in the community because they are very knowledgeable. I will start from the bottom up– In the basement there is the adventure center where they provide trips like rock climbing, boating, bicycle renting etc. There is the Gasthaus which is a restaurant/​bar. They have tons of screens everywhere to watch TV, a full bar, and also offer quick food options at night. Anyone can come, not just students. They also have a bowling alley, pool tables, and a ping pong room. On the ground floor is where all the resource centers are located, the transportation office, information booth, and the Terrace Café. This place has plenty of seating and also decent food options. On the first floor there are computers, and different fast food restaurants. The layout here is okay, there are a lot of tables scattered everywhere. Definitely not as many for all of the students and community that come here. Also, there is the Grind coffee shop and the University Credit Union (which has GREAT rates and fabulous staff). The second floor of the union has a bunch of space for meetings, events etc. Also a decent seating area with comfy chairs. Additionally is the UWM theater. Check it out, they have some great movies, along with documentaries that play here. The third floor has the administrative offices, conference rooms, student organization offices, and the best… the Kenwood Inn! This place is only open 11 – 2 which is difficult but there food is AMAZING. I would definitely check it out… especially there tomato tortellini soup. It’s seriously out of this world. your taste buds will be amazed.
Overall great place! They are planning a Union Renovation which is going to add a lot more space, seating, and definitely more options to benefit the students and the community.

While this may not entirely be a review for just the union, I suppose has to boil down that. I originally came here to review the Gasthaus, the student-​run bar in the basement.
Having only been here once as a freshman before turning 21, I couldnt really experience the full ambiance of a bar in the basement of a student union. With that said, the décor provides little ambiance at all. Its a low-​ceilinged, white and light brown tones and is HUGE. enough seating for over 200 people, judging from my last time being there.
The food itself is effing awesome, and for the price, you can’t go wrong. Patty Melt anyone?! Deep fried cheese curds are also amazing, and if you sit on one side of the bar, you can peer right back into the kitchen (though you may not want to, lol).
Clientele? Mostly sausage. Testosterone pumped male students who came to down some beers and watch the game, while eating good food. I can’t really complain there, its normally I sight I’d welcome and don’t get to see in class. Besides, what’s better than sausage? Unfortunately, their female companions who stroll in are usually the ditzy broads who don’t know the difference between their hair straightener pamphlet and the business law paper due next week. They also can’t see much due to the abundance of eyeliner penciled over their fake orange skin. Yeah, I’d take the sausage too.
Beer list is actually decent for a student bar; lots of Lakefront, your standard domestics, and a fair amount of other microbrews. Most are $ 4 each, but eh, what do you want?
Great place to chill out and down a few cold ones while working on that paper you have due the next day at 9 am. Cheers Gasthaus, Cheers!

I love the UWM Union.
I am a graduate student at UWM and every Tuesday and Thursday I am at the Union studying for at least 4 hours, every single week.
I love the hidden study spots, like the comfy chair and table on the 2^nd floor, behind the staircase and overlooking the cafeteria. Yeah, it is quiet and cozy AND I get to look down on people who have no idea they are being watched. Luvvit… I guess that makes me a voyeur… eek!
The food at some of the «non fast food» spots is pretty meh, and pretty expensive. I had a stale bagel and 5 potstickers for 5 bux! Damn, that is just too much money… I’ve learned to stick to the tried and true, which unfortunately means unhealthy… Which also means I walk the 45 minutes home after class so I can still feel like I am not a lard ass after eating Burger King and Taco Bell for 2 weeks in a row…
Bring your own lunch, they have microwaves and toasters spotted throughout the union which I am now taking advantage of.
I also love playing pool in the basement rec center, and bowling. I hit my highest score of 125 there! I was bowling 65 before so you can see 125 is spectacular for someone of my caliber.
Finally, they have the UW Credit Union, which I love because that is Mah Bank, and they have computers dotted all around the place so I can print off my homework right before it is due.

The student union here at UWM is a building of mystery. I learn new things about it everyday! Now there is a lot to this place so i’ll try to get as much as I can…
Starting at the upper levels, there are Offices for administration and for Student Organizations that is the third level. Also, there is a nice restaurant type place called the Kenwood Inn up there! Waiters and Waitresses and all!
Coming down to the second level there are lots of meeting rooms, a theatre and some computers and study areas.
Now down to the «first» floor this is the main area where there is a taco bell, burger king, a couple of generic places respective to the UWM and even our own coffee place! It’s called Grind… it’s pretty much amazing… There are some more meeting rooms around on the first floor and a computer lab. On this level there are also main connections to both Bolton Hall and the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business building.
Down stairs on the «Ground floor» There is the desk for B.O.S.S. or (Be On the Safe Side) which is sort of a free taxi or shuttle service offered to UWM students in case it gets too late and you don’t want to walk home in the dark! Near that is the General Information desk. Also on the first floor you will find the Parking and Transit office so you can pay those pesky UWM parking tickets, find a bus route, and get your free UPASS which allows UWM students to ride the bus for free (included in tuition). Also you will find the Union Station which is a small convenience store we have here and it is actually well stocked with the essentials for college living. TP, PT, medicine… snacks, pizza etc. There are also a few offices etc in the back areas… OH! I might add that there is a parking structure connected to the Union which can be accessed on the Ground and basement levels.
In the basement of the Union (which is the coolest part!) We have another restaraunt called the Gasthaus which is also a student run bar! They have tons of TV’s and HUGE projector television so head down there to grab a beer, burger, and watch a game! Also there is a bowling alley on the basement level along with a huge pool room! Also down there is the Recreational Travel office!
And that pretty much does it in a brief explanation on the Student Union of UWM! Just to give a reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because for 30,000 active students here at UWM? The union is WAY too small… UW-​Madison has MULTIPLE unions… But I digress it gets crowded and thats the only down side.