The Carolina Union is an organization of students, faculty and staff housed in the Frank Porter Graham Student Union building.

The Union building provides services and amenities that members of the campus community need daily. The Union also provides spaces and support for programs and activities presented by student groups, the Carolina Union Activities Board, and other campus organizations. Meeting rooms can accommodate groups of from 4-5 individuals to more than 600. The Production Services department supports programs and meetings with technical equipment and operators for sound systems, lighting, projectors and other audio-visual aids. As the campus "living room," the Union provides lounges and outdoor areas for students to talk, study or relax.

Completed in 1969, the building replaced the Graham Memorial Union named after another former President, Edward K. Graham. In 1981, the building was expanded for use by the student newspaper, the Daily Tar Heel, student radio station WXYC, the Yackety Yack, Student Legal Services, and other student organization offices. In 1994, the Union's Board of Directors approved seed money for another expansion, which was approved by the student body. Construction began in 2000. The expansion adds an additional 42,000 sq. ft. to the existing 128,561 sq. ft.

The new Union will offer 24-hour services to students. The ground floor will house a Copy Center, Computer Center, and a multi-purpose room equipped with video production capabilities, Student Government Offices, mailboxes, the temporary home of the Sonja Haynes Stone Black Cultural Center and conference and meeting rooms. The top floor provides offices for student organizations as well as conference and meeting rooms and a lounge named after the Class of 2000. Then, an extensive renovation of the current building will add a new food service operation, meeting rooms, information services, and consolidated services in an administrative office complex.