Game Night at Union South

On Sunday evenings at Union South, students gather to roll dice, cut decks, and make friends. What started as a way for them to connect virtually during COVID-19 has turned into a weekly in-person event hosted by students for students.

“It started in the midst of the pandemic, with people looking to find connections and a lot of that being done through online spaces,” says Safyr Barlow x’27, director of the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Games Committee.

The committee initially hosted events in online spaces, but students liked the game nights so much that when they returned to campus, they wanted to continue the events in person. Today the Sett — the term for a badger’s den — is a hub for student recreation at Union South.

Barlow says game nights are about more than friendly competition with peers — they’re about creating an inclusive environment, a space where anyone can try new games for free.

“There are a lot of barriers within the game space,” Barlow says. “The goal has always been to create a community where everyone is welcome, regardless of financial ability, regardless of skill level.”

With more than 100 options in its collection, WUD features video games, virtual reality games, and board games, with new additions arriving each month. The event is staffed with students ready to explain rules and guide groups along the way. Although attendance varies, some 50 students turn out for the event each week.

“You don’t have to know games, and you don’t have to have been in gaming spaces before. You don’t have to have friends that you’re coming with,” Barlow says. “It’s open to anyone who just wants to try a game out, or take a break, or just have fun.”