A petition containing 1,092 signatures as of Monday will be presented to Union Administration in response to the closing of the Travel Center in Memorial Union last semester, according to Center employee and UW-Madison junior Jesse Allhands.
The petition contains a proposal to relocate—rather than shut down—the Center.
The Center, which had been experiencing financial difficulties before its closing, offered services for students interested in working, volunteering and studying abroad. Now, students are encouraged to get information from International Academic Programs or the Office of Admissions.
Emily Theisen, Matt Albrecht and Allhands, members of the new organization, the Student Initiative for the Travel Center, proposed the plan to Union administrators the first week of winter break.
Under the proposal, the Center would move to a new area in Memorial Union called Union Junction and would occupy the second-floor Annex. The same services would be available at Union Junction as the old Center, such as Eurail passes, international student IDs, passport photos and bus tickets. The Junction would also reintroduce tours for students and Union members to promote group travel.
Wisconsin Union Director Mark Guthier said the Union would have an answer to the proposal by spring break, which begins March 30.
