Help From Another Quarter

Dean Fox may have found the answer to his problems with the limited breakfast plan; if he has, the help will have come from an unexpected quarter.

The Massachusetts Legislature is usually far more willing to slap taxes on than take them off again, but last week it voted to reduce the state meals tax from 8 to 6 per cent.

The act may just give Fox the funds he needs to return hot breakfasts to the eight Houses that now serve only coffee, cereal and orange juice.

When Food Service decided it had to limit breakfasts if it were to open the Freshman Union on weekends--thus reducing crowding at the upperclass Houses--it counted on having to fork over an 8 per cent meals tax.

Now that the tax will be reduced in January, Fiscal Services finds it has extra money on its hands--about $15.50 per student on board.

The question facing Fox in his decision is two-fold. First, he has to decide whether the demand for hot breakfasts is sufficient to try and return to the old system. Second, he has to decide whether converting the charge from tax to breakfast funds is legal.

It will probably be a while before the College administration makes its decision, because this time--perhaps in recognition that students were unhappy with the abrupt way he announced the limited breakfast plan last spring--Fox plans to consult with everyone involved.

And in a community as large and diverse as this one, that could take a while.