Parkersburg News and Sentinel. June 26, 2024.
Editorial: Right-sized: WVU cuts must be effective, not damaging WVU cuts must be effective, not damaging
West Virginia University’s board of governors appears to be continuing the cost-savings and right-sizing measures that are meant to stabilize the financial position of the state’s flagship institution of higher learning.
Meanwhile, they’re raising tuition again — 5% this year after the 3% increase approved last year.
The board decided to cut bachelor’s degree programs in chemistry, math and aviation management at West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Beckley and cut bachelor’s programs in recreation, parks, and tourism resources and wood science and technology at WVU Potomac State College in Keyser.
We must hope the board has ensured students will still be able to pursue those degree programs in Morgantown.
Speaking of Morgantown, the board also voted in a new mine safety practices and health undergraduate certificate program. So, it’s not all slash and burn. In fact, the university claims student aid will grow proportionately with the tuition increases. Good. University officials must do all in their power to ensure students are not priced out of receiving a quality education at WVU.
As these changes continue, the board of governors must also consider whether it has taken an honest look at ALL the ways in which money could be saved without sacrificing education. Perhaps they could take a cue from just about anyone in private business who has had to cut items such as the all-expenses-paid conference trips at which very little is accomplished to benefit the university or students, or multiple layers of management (administration).
Good things are happening. The board of governors has made important decisions. But it will take courage to take those last few steps — make those last few cuts — that disrupt those who only get more comfortable while students face tuition increases and curriculum turmoil.
Perhaps they are warming up to it. Surely, they’ve got it in them.
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The Intelligencer. June 25, 2024.
Editorial: Ag Lab Partnership a Win-Win for W.Va.
West Virginia is more than coal mines, timber operations and chemical plants. We are a state of farms, too — feeding our families, neighbors and communities for generations. But until recently, the Mountain State included the only land-grant school in the country not to have a school of agriculture.
Fortunately, West Virginia State University no longer bears that distinction.
This week, officials gathered in Institute, W.Va., to celebrate lawmakers’ passage of a bill that will provide $50 million to build a new lab that will then hold the state Agriculture Department lab.
According to a report by WV MetroNews, WVSU President Ericke Cage talked during the celebration about the need to focus on agriculture and food security.
“West Virginia State University is prepared to help meet those challenges and I believe this project represents a win-win for West Virginia,” Cage said.
In working with the state Department of Agriculture, the school will be able to give students training that combines 134 years of academic experience with the real-world problems tackled at the Department of Agriculture.
“This is really a good idea being able to partner the school with the labs so the students can come through and be part of the laboratory — a team — this is what we’ve been designing for all along,” State Sen. President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, said during the ceremony, according to MetroNews.
It sounds as though good news for WVSU will be good news for the state, and perhaps the world. Congratulations, on what promises to be the start of a beautiful partnership.
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