Washington State University will break ground tomorrow on a new visitor center during a public ceremony.

Two-story tall letters spelling out W-S-U will decorate the outside of the new center as well as an lighted tower sculpture. Inside, visitors will be able to to view displays that highlight research, students and donors. The center will be 4,224 square feet. 

The facility is being designed and constructed by Olson Kundig Architects and Sellen Construction. The WSU president, regents and mayor of Pullman will participate in the ceremonial ground breaking. 

Ground breaking for the new WSU visitors center is Friday, May 3rd, 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. at the corner of Main and NE Spring streets.

Many college campuses offer stress reducing activities for students during finals week. WSU has come up with a new way to relax and take a break from the pressure of projects and exams. During finals week, animals will be available so that students can pet away the stress.

The Office of the Dean of Students has arranged for staff at the Whitman County Humane Society to bring dogs and cats to campus to comfort students.

"Many students miss their pets at home and would like the opportunity to interact with animals on a regular basis" said Rebecca Liao of the Dean of Students office. 

More than 400 students came to spend time with the animals when they made a campus visit during midterms this semester. 

"The students were chatting, laughing and connecting with their fellow students as well as the animals." Liao said of the mid term visit, "They walked away with smiles on their faces."

The cats and dogs will be on campus Monday, April 22, from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. on the Terrell Library Plaza.

WSU Spokane's campus goal to use more efficient lighting has earned them $20,000.

The effort to lower energy costs at their Innovate Washington building qualified them for the Avista energy rebate. WSU installed more efficient ballasts and lamps in the building.

"This is really the right work for the university to be doing,” campus facilities operations director Jon Schad said. "It’s great that Avista provides the cash incentive to help us make it happen.”

According to WSU News, Schad said the project is part of a bigger effort to increase the energy efficiency of buildings on campus. The university partnered with McKinstry in 2010 and 2011 to upgrade lighting, heating and air conditioning systems.

Other buildings on WSU's Spokane campus are also getting the new lighting. Both the pharmacology and medical education building under construction are getting the upgrades. WSU Spokane hopes the two new buildings will get LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building efficiency certification and will get them more rebates from Avista after construction is finished.