It is important for students to know that their fellow students play an important role in selecting the art displayed at our Wisconsin Union. Also, students have produced a vast number of the art we hold in our collections. I regret to report that there has been a recent string of vandalism in our Memorial Union and Union South that has destroyed pieces of our art collection. Whoever is coming into the Union and vandalizing these works is disrespecting every student on this campus. This is our collection as a collective campus and one that we as students should be extremely proud of. It is disappointing to think that such selfish acts of vandalism can rob everyone of the opportunity to enjoy, learn from or be challenged by works of art in our collection.

Please take ownership over your Union. If you see someone vandalizing artwork or otherwise degrading the facility, please do something or at least tell someone!

Students have always been the main focus of the Wisconsin Union, and this continues as the institution celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The Union is still considered the "living room of campus," and it is our mission to be the "Heart and Soul" of this great university. So please keep your eyes open when you are in either Union building and help protect the art collection as well as other facets of the Wisconsin Union that have and will continue to offer so much to students at the University of Wisconsin. Thanks for listening.

John A Barnhardt

Wisconsin Union President

[email protected]