Memorial Union

View of the Memorial Union from the north side (2004).

The Memorial Union is one of the main buildings on UC Davis Campus, and arguably the most publicly traveled building. Often dubbed "the MU", it contains a variety of interesting places and things. Students pay a yearly "Memorial Union Fee" of $85.50. Open 24 Hours during the week of finals as to provide students space to study.

According to the UCD V-tour, it was "dedicated in 1955 to honor UC Davis students who lost their lives in military service." At least part of the $1 million cost was raised by the then-new Cal Aggie Alumni Assocation (CAAA). It was built on the site of West Hall, which was constructed in 1917 and housed 67 men until 1955. When originally built the MU was only a single story building, but fund raising campaigns from 1961 to 1968 added the second, third and fourth stories along with the MU Games Area and the UC Davis Bookstore. It was last renovated in 1996 to bring the seismic safety rating from "poor" to "good", at a cost of $8.4 million. The 4 story concrete lattice that is visible from the south side of the MU was added at that time to reinforce the building.

In spring of 2007, one of the largest flashmobs in US history occurred at the ATM machines.

View of the Memorial Union from the east side (2010).

The MU hosst to several commercial operations, some owned and operated by UC Davis itself, other private businesses that lease space from UC Davis via the MU Auxillary Services department (homepage: http://www-muas.ucdavis.edu/). Other space in the union is devoted to University administrative offices related to students, student government, and various meeting rooms.

The Memorial Union's flags and seal are prominent on the north side (2005).

• UC Davis Bookstore. We wouldn't be a campus without a place to gouge the hell out of us on textbook prices, right?
  

• ASUCD Coffee House. The CoHo is the place to get some yums (cookies, cakes, etc). (I guess it used to be in East Hall!) CoHo website.
  

• Aggie Card Office. This is the place to get an Aggie Card. The Registrar does not issue cards.
  

• Aggie Student Store. Affectionately known as the ASS. Sells candy and, more importantly, $1 Icees.
  

• Classical Notes/Campus Copies
  

• MU Information Center. A place for general information, maps, pamphlets and the Lost and Found
  

• Post Office. A small post office which recently moved from an even smaller location in the MU.
  

• STA Travel. A corporate travel agency that caters to students. Company home page: http://www.statravel.com/
  

• ASUCD Student Center
  

• The Corral - A store selling stamps, scantrons, blue books an other knick-knacks.
  

• Griffin Lounge - A nice place to relax amidst the hustle and bustle.
  

• Memorial Union Early Polling Station A polling station open a week before most elections.
  

• ASUCD Bike Hub. This small store sells various bike accessories.
  

• Aggie ReStore. Here you can find a variety of things that have been donated or found throughout campus.
  

• DeCarli Room

• Garrison Room
  

• Memorial Union Art Gallery
  

• Fielder Room
  

• Smith room
  

• MU II
  

• King Lounge
  

• Campus Unions Operations
  

• Student Affairs Event Services

• Offices of the ASUCD President (ASUCD President, ASUCD Vice President, ASUCD Controller and Executive Office Staff)
  

• ASUCD Senate Office
  

• Angelina Malfitano Conference Room
  

• ASUCD Student Government Advisor's Office
  

• ASUCD Student Government Administration Office
  

• ASUCD Student Services Office (Payroll, Accounts Payable & Receivable, ASUCD Business Manager)
  

• Mee Room
  

• Moss Room
  

• CalPIRG Office
  

• ASUCD Advocacy Units Office (City/County Affairs, Lobby Corp, Pathfinder, University Affairs)

• Center for Student Involvement
  

• Campus Events & Visitor Services
  

• Campus Unions

• Sky Room

Note: the MU Basement connects with Lower Freeborn Hall

• MU Games Area. Arcade, bowling and pool tables.

• The Flagpole
  

• The MU Patio
  

These are the default meeting places for many students, as they are more or less centrally located on campus and are well known to students by their first week at UCD.

• The Cleanest Bathrooms in the building are on the second floor and up. Avoid the first floor bathrooms if you can.
  

• There is a bike pump located on the west side of the Catering trailer near the bike racks.
  

• The elevators and stairs can connect you to Lower Freeborn, and vice versa.
  

• The wind chimes on the north side are nice to listen to, particularly during the spring.

On April 5, 2007, Campus Unions installed a number of surveillance cameras in the Memorial Union sending a strong message to everyone who enters the building, "You are being watched."

In front of The Corral Between the bookstore and the Info Desk North-west hallway Post Office Entrance

On the North West corner outside the Griffin Lounge

By the telescreen Across from the CoHo grill, south of the main entrance to the Griffin Lounge South of the entrance to the CoHo grill

By the main south-facing entrance

By the elevators On November 29, 2006, construction workers were seen removing the tiles on the first floor. The MU's "chimes". You win this round, Cal.