University students back to Palouse this week

Thousands of students and faculty return to spring semester classes at Washington State University today and the University of Idaho on Wednesday.

Here's a look at what to expect in the coming days, from a new Moscow Food Co-op extension, to construction, to the effects of budget cuts at WSU.

Co-op expanding

The Moscow Food Co-op has officially expanded to the UI campus, with an opening ceremony scheduled for Thursday.

Located on the main floor of the UI Campus Christian Center on 822 Elm St., the event goes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will include giveaways, coupons and free food and drinks. An official Moscow Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for noon.

The first 100 guests will receive a gift bag from the Moscow Food Co-op, Alycia Rock, marketing manager for the co-op, said.

"It would be an awesome opportunity if students just wanted to come through," Rock said.

Admin restoration continues

Students will return to see construction still blocking entrances to the UI's Administration Building this month as a $2.3 million restoration project continues at the 110-year-old building.

Brad Gary, UI communications coordinator, said the building's north entrance will remain closed through Jan. 17, while the main east entrance is expected to remain closed until Jan. 31.

Last shows for WSU Performing Arts

Despite pleas from WSU employees seeking to keep the program running and a petition that sought administrative salary cuts as the answer, the WSU Performing Arts program is still expected to close by the end of performance season this spring, Director Gail Siegel said.

WSU President Kirk Schulz announced the closure of the program in October, at the same time announcing sweeping, department-wide budget cuts would go into effect to curb the university's $30 million deficit.

In the meantime, five performances are scheduled at Jones Theatre this semester, including two performances of "The Mountaintop," by L.A. Theatre Works this month. Show times can be found here: performingarts.wsu.edu/performances/

"My goal is to fill our house for every show," Siegel said.

Daily Evergreen faces cuts

Other organizations also must face budget cuts this semester, including The Daily Evergreen, WSU's student-run newspaper.

The paper reported last month it could be cut to two days a week following cuts in advertising revenue from campus programs and projected expense increases that outweigh the paper's reserves.

According to the report, the Evergreen plans to propose a referendum for a $5 student fee to the Associated Students of WSU, which will meet for the first time this year Wednesday. It is unclear if ASWSU will consider the referendum at the meeting. The Evergreen also plans to seek voluntary subscriptions from faculty and staff.

Taylor Nadauld can be reached at (208) 883-4630, by email to tnadauld@dnews.com and on Twitter @tnadauldarg.