Rebecca M. Blank Student Commons
An “uncommon space” on campus
Located on the second floor of Morgridge Hall, the Rebecca M. Blank Student Commons, also known as “the Blank Space,” was created to spark interdisciplinary collaboration among students from across campus.
Guided by a mission to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere in Morgridge Hall, the Blank Space offers thoughtful programming that invites student, faculty, and community involvement to inspire innovation and belonging.
CAI Student Welcome
Join the College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence for a welcome back ice cream social, organized by academic advisors and the Student Commons.
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Location: First Floor Courtyard, Morgridge Hall
Come for the free tee-shirts, stay for the free ice cream.
Commons services
Information desk
Trained reference librarians can help you find articles, connect with academic resources, and navigate Morgridge Hall.
Laboratory library
The CAI Library is managed and staffed by Information School students who provide services and locate materials for users.
Open study space
Most of the Student Commons is dedicated to communal areas for coworking or independent study.
Printing support
There are dozens of printers in Morgridge Hall, and most are available for student use. Print online or get help at the information desk.
Space reservations
Book a room in the Student Commons for meetings, coworking, or deep focus, or reserve space in person using meeting room screens.
Student org support
The Student Commons is home to CAI’s student organization suite, offering 40+ student clubs access to space, storage, and other resources.
Events in the Commons
AI x Pop Culture Film Series
Address the biggest questions in AI through the lens of contemporary film. With introductions from faculty, we’ll look at larger themes, easter eggs, and what the filmmakers got wrong.
All-School Read
CAI’s book-club-but-bigger brings students around a shared reading experience. Get a free copy of this year’s book, read along with peers, and finish with a talk led by the author.
Badgers for Good
The Badgers for Good design-a-thon invites student teams to use human-centered design methods, explore common problems, and conceptualize practical digital solutions.
Career Week and Fair
Hosted twice a year in the spring and fall, the CAI Career Fair is the perfect opportunity for students to connect with Wisconsin’s top tech employers — and vice versa.
Long Night Against Procrastination
Hosted each semester, the Long Night Against Procrastination helps students tackle end-of-semester assignments and manage exam anxiety.
Prep Rally
Kick off finals week with healthy snacks, lucky pencils from Founding Dean Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, and additional CAI merch.
Student Org Fair
Hosted by the Student Commons and CAI student organizations, the student org fair is a great way to find community and explore extracurricular opportunities.
World Usability Day
Morgridge Hall’s World Usability Day celebration turns the global movement for accessibility and human-centered design into a day of learning and connection.
Common(s) questions
Students can make use of Morgridge Hall printers through the online printing system. For additional support, refer to the student printing guide in the Morgridge Hall KnowledgeBase, or ask a librarian at the Morgridge Hall information desk located in the Student Commons.
Yes, student events that meet certain criteria can be hosted in Morgridge Hall. To learn more about hosting a student event with the Student Commons, reach out to commons@cai.wisc.edu.
Student organizations can be registered at the start of each semester. To initiate the process, reach out to commons@cai.wisc.edu.
Technology rentals are managed by the CAI Library. Refer to the equipment checkout guide in the Morgridge Hall KnowledgeBase for more information, or ask a librarian at the Morgridge Hall information desk located in the Student Commons.
There are plenty of ways to stay in the know:
- Bookmark the CAI student calendar. The student events calendar, also available on the Student Experience page, filters events from registered student organizations, the Student Commons, advisors, the Gross Learning Center, and beyond.
- Check out Morgridge Hall events. The Morgridge Hall events calendar, also available on the Morgridge Hall page, consolidates events happening in Morgridge Hall.
- Read advising emails. Academic advisors within Computer Sciences, Statistics, and the Information School send regular missives with department-specific events, reminders, and information.
- Subscribe to Commons Knowledge. This newsletter from the Student Commons compiles helpful information, resources, and upcoming events for students.
- Follow CAI on social media. Never miss a thing when you follow CAI on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.
- Track campus news in The Weekly. Each week during the semester, UW–Madison publishes a weekly student newsletter covering events, news, student stories, and opportunities.
Hours
Mon-Thu: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Fri: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Sat: 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM*
Sun: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
*Morgridge Hall is closed on Badger game days.
Questions?
Get in touch with the Commons at commons@cai.wisc.edu.
Stay in the loop
Sign up for Commons Knowledge, a twice-monthly newsletter for students.
