Graduates to Have Their Day on the Terrace

05/03/16

Wisconsin Union to Temporarily Open Part of Terrace for Graduation Weekend

MADISON – Most of the Memorial Union Terrace will temporarily reopen May 12-15, 2016, to ensure graduating University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) students have the opportunity to make irreplaceable graduation weekend memories.

During this Terrace preview, all but a small portion of the Terrace in front of der Rathskeller will open for UW-Madison graduating seniors, Wisconsin Union members, members’ guests, and UW-Madison students, faculty and staff. The reopened part of the Terrace will close Sunday, May 15 at midnight to allow construction to resume.

“We had a goal of opening the Terrace this summer but always hoped to open more of the Terrace for graduation weekend,” Wisconsin Union Director Mark Guthier said. “We are grateful to the people who have made this special weekend possible.”

As part of this preview weekend, the Wisconsin Union invites graduates to meet at the N. Park Street entrance to the Terrace to participate in the tradition of returning sunburst chairs to the Terrace Thursday, May 12. The graduates will place the chairs on the Terrace beginning at 3:30 p.m.

The Wisconsin Union team will serve Terrace food and beverage staples from the Brat Stand on the Terrace and from der Stiftskeller. Famous Babcock Hall Ice Cream will also be available in the Paul Bunyan Room along with assorted beverages and grab-n-go food items.

Plus, the Shannon Sunset Lounge will feature a variety of tapas and beverages Friday and Saturday.

Guests will have access to the Terrace during this limited-time preview from the N. Park Street entrance, the N. Lake Street entrance, and from the west end of Lakeshore Path.

As a new service this year, Terrace patrons can access real-time capacity and weather-related updates through Twitter.com/terraceupdates.

The Wisconsin Union team anticipates the Terrace space will reopen May 20, 2016. Weather will continue to play a significant role in the opening date.

Remaining portions of the first floor will likely open in fall 2016. The Memorial Union’s second, third and fourth floors are expected to open in fall 2017.

The Union will announce additional graduation weekend photo opportunities, live music and other events soon. For more information about summer at the Terrace, visit Terracesummer.com.

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