Education: Off Again, On Again

In January, Republican Governor Arch Moore declared 1987 the Year of Education in West Virginia. Some year. Last week 67,000 state college and university students, as well as 8,300 faculty and other employees, learned that most spring classes would be cut by a week and one college summer semester would be dropped. Reason: a Moore order, prompted by an economic slump, for 20% cuts in state-agency expenditures. Asked Ray Bauer, 21, president of the West Virginia University student body: “Are we supposed to put our lives on hold while these clowns figure out what to do?” Apparently not. After two days of public outrage, an abashed Moore revoked the closings, determined to lop no vital parts from his education year. Said he: “That dog won’t hunt.”