The Upson Room
The Arthur Upson Room was an endowed gift to the University of Minnesota as a memorial to Arthur Upson, an alumnus of the University and a lecturer in the English Department.
About the room
The room and its original reading collection were to provide a place for reading for the sheer pleasure of intellectual discovery. In keeping with the original purpose of the donor, the Arthur Upson Room is available for events that highlight the academic mission of the University and celebrate the spirit of intellectual curiosity and discovery.
The room has seating capacity for 32 in the Standard layout. The high-backed chairs adjacent to the fireplace are intended for display only. Rearrangement of Upson Room furniture is not permitted by guests.
Other than limited electrical service, the room does not have built in equipment for presentations. Wireless internet access is available.
Availability
The Upson Room is available 7 days a week, 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM excluding federal, state, and University holidays. The room is available on weekends.
University Departments or University Campus Life Program Student Groups must be scheduled with the Walter Library Building Manager at least 14 (or other) days in advance.
Conditions of use
All requests for Upson Room reservations are reviewed for approval by the University Librarian.
Events including food and beverages are permitted in the room. All arrangements for caterers, equipment rental, etc. must be coordinated by renter when making reservation requests.
Users of the room will take responsibility for leaving the room in the same condition as it was when the reservation began. Any after-use cleaning beyond the normal custodial routines will be charged to the EFS number provided with the reservation request.
The Upson Room must be locked when not in use and should not be left unattended during an event.
No open flames are allowed in the Upson Room. This includes candles and fuel for chafers.
Any use of alcoholic beverages requires an approved alcohol permit from the Office of Risk Management. Applications must be submitted to ORM not less than fifteen (15) days prior to event.
Catered events in the Upson Room require a University food permit submitted to the University Environmental Hygiene Officer (EHO) or designated person. Depending on the nature of the event and food to be served, it may be required that the applicant meet with and discuss event requirements with the University's EHO 5–10 days prior to the event. Additional information can be found on the food safety page under Special Events Serving Food.
Conditions that do not require a food permit
- Events where 25 or less individuals attend
- Internal University faculty, staff, service unit or office events to which the general campus community is not invited (Events open to an entire academic school, department or college are not considered an internal event)
- Private events, which must be contracted according to Administrative Policy: Using and Leasing University Real Estate.
- Events for which all food is prepared entirely by the University Dining Service
- Events where the only foods served are prepackaged and considered non-potentially hazardous by MN Food Code (canned /bottled beverages, dry baked goods, bagels, breads, cookies, chips, jams, preserves, honey, nuts, dried herbs, packaged spices and spice mixes, dry cookie, cake, bread mixes)
Reserve the room
To submit an event reservation request, please use the online Upson Room reservation form. Call the Walter Library Building Office 612-624-6335 if you have additional questions.
In keeping with the original purpose of the donor, the Arthur Upson Room is available to University departments for events that highlight the academic mission of the University and celebrate the spirit of intellectual curiosity and discovery.
All requests for reservations must be reviewed and approved by the University Librarian.
An EFS number and contact name are also required for all requests.
Please see the chart below for charges related to evening and weekend events and fees for special room arrangements. All arrangements for caterers, equipment rental, etc. must be coordinated when making reservation requests.
Note: All rentals that occur after 5 p.m. in Walter Library must start their rental at 5 p.m. See the building hours for specific hours. For example, rental for a 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. event must start at 5 p.m.
Access the Upson Room's facilities use policy for more information.
Rental fees
| Hours | University and Campus Life groups (per hour) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday (excluding University holidays) | $60 | Charged in half hour increments |
| 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Monday - Friday, or 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday - Sunday | $90 | See Note above for evening rentals; Charged in half hour increments; Minimum reservation of four hours Saturday - Sunday |
| After 5:00 PM Saturday - Sunday | $150 | See note above for evening rentals; Charged in half hour increments; Minimum reservation of four hours Saturday - Sunday |
Special room arrangements and clean-up
Fee and notice
One week's notice is required. The fee for rearrangment of the furniture in the room beyond the standard layout is $75 per hour including returning the room to the standard layout and any required cleaning.
About room arrangements and reset
The rearrangement of tables and chairs from the standard layout (adding additional seating, arranging for security staff, and returning room to standard layout). Examine the Upson Room layout options for additional details.
Food and beverage is permitted in the room (see above food permit requirements). It is the renter's responsibility to meet catering staff for delivery and to stay in the room until catering staff have cleared food and equipment from the room at the end of reservation time.
Amenities
Room amenities include: portable projection screen, sound system with microphones (hand held and lavalier) and lectern (with microphone and lighting).
Cancellations
| Notice | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Two weeks or more | No fee | |
| Less than two weeks, but more than 24 hours | $50 | |
| Less than 24 hours, or no-show | Full rental fee | |
| Saturday - Sunday cleaning fee | $282 | All events held on weekends will be charged this fee each day. |