Sustainability Center hosts ‘Green Lunches’
The University of Idaho Sustainability Center will sponsor several “Green Lunches” through the rest of the semester in an effort to raise awareness about what sustainable food means from different perspectives.
Tessa Jilot, recycling coordinator at the Office of Community Partnerships, said the Green Lunches provide an excellent opportunity for students to discuss different sustainability issues on campus and in the Moscow community.
The first Green Lunch is from 12:30-1:30 p.m. March 6 in the Crest Room in the Idaho Commons. ASUI and the Sustainability Center partnered to invite a guest speaker, Josiah Pinkham, from the Nez Perce tribe. Pinkham will give his perspective on sustainable food, Jilot said.
The second Green Lunch is April 3 and will feature Donna Mills from the Soil Stewards Organic Farm Club on campus. Mills will speak about sustainable agriculture at UI in the Wellspring Room in the Idaho Commons.
The third and final Green Lunch will host a sustainable economics panel, moderated by Mayor Nancy Chaney. Professors and students alike will discuss the role of short-term decision making on long-term sustainability. The present professors will specialize in psychology, economics and ecosystem functions, offering diverse perspectives on suitability issues. Students are encouraged to come with questions, Jilot said. This lunch will take place on from 12-2 p.m. April 24 in the Idaho Commons Clearwater Room.
Senate postpones action on S13-02 until next meeting
After voting to send a resolution concerning the Idaho Human Rights Act to the state legislature, the ASUI Senate decided to postpone action pending further amendments after their Feb. 20 meeting.
The resolution, S13-02, calls for an amendment to the Idaho Human Rights Act to include the terms “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in order to prevent discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in the state of Idaho.
The discussion on the resolution was divided. Sen. Bruno Arama spoke against the resolution because he considered it dead on arrival in the Idaho legislature, and he was worried lawmakers might look down on future ASUI resolutions. He also said students at the University of Idaho are already protected from discrimination.
Senate Pro Tempore Allison Fuller said while students on campus are protected, those who live off campus are not. She also said alumni who live in Idaho are not protected.
“While it may not pass the legislature for some time, we need to take a stand to start protecting our fellow Vandals starting now,” Fuller said.
During the discussion, several senators voiced concern about the tone of the resolution being construed as condescending to the legislature. These concerns prompted the senate to postpone action until the resolution can be amended at Wednesday’s meeting.
Real Life on the Palouse looks to buy Eastside Marketplace
The Eastside Marketplace is under contract to sell to Real Life on the Palouse, a non-denominational church. The marketplace includes the 15-acre facility and the 150,000 square-foot shopping center.
The church intends to create an LLC to own the marketplace and plans to honor all current tenant leases.
Real Life on the Palouse will renovate the 20,000 square-foot event space in the shopping center to serve as their Moscow campus. An official date for renovation has not been set but the transaction is expected to be closed before summer.
Church Solutions Group, a design group based in Chicago, will head the renovation of the event space.