3 more universities may offer gaming courses
Mississippi Valley State University anticipates teaching hotel, motel and gaming management to casino workers in Greenville, Tunica and other Delta towns.
Alcorn State University is preparing to submit a request to the state College Board for a masters level program in a casino-related field. And Delta State University in Cleveland is trying to reach a decision on whether to capitalize on its proximity to casinos by offering gaming-related courses.
The impetus is a recent chancery judge ruling giving the College Board the OK to allow such courses at the states eight universities.
"It is a natural fit for us. We are 40 miles from a casino," Mississippi Valley President Lester Newman said of his schools plans. "It will take us some time to get the courses in place."
Newman said Valley administrators will determine costs and look at other details as they develop their proposal.
The University of Southern Mississippi has a head start on Valley and other institutions and plans to teach casino management at its Gulf Park campus in Long Beach in August.
For years, USM has wanted to offer casino management in Long Beach, but a state law prohibited Mississippi universities and community and junior colleges from offering them. Despite more than 29,000 people being employed in casinos in Mississippi, efforts to change the law failed year after year.
The state College Board filed suit against the state in September over whether USMs Gulf Park campus could offer a bachelors degree in business administration in tourism with an emphasis in casino and resort management.
Hinds County Chancery Judge Patricia Wise ruled earlier this month, saying the board has "the authority to manage and control the states colleges and universities ... and such authority includes the approval of academic programs offered in those institutions."
The only holdup would be an appeal; the deadline is Aug. 17. Attorney General Jim Hood is conferring with legislative leaders, said his spokesman, Jacob Ray.
School leaders are not waiting.
Last week, Alcorn President Clinton Bristow Jr. said he will submit a request to the state College Board to offer a masters degree in tourism and gaming management.
Alcorn hopes to offer the classes in Vicksburg to make it convenient for nearby casino workers. "Ameristar is expanding. We want to service these employees," Bristow said.
The state Gaming Commission recently gave Ameristar approval to build a new hotel and parking garage. Vicksburg is home to four casinos and the market is growing, said Alcorn National Alumni Association President John E. Walls Jr., an assistant superintendent for Vicksburg-Warren County schools.
"We need to make sure the citizens of our community get jobs. We ought to teach these courses," Walls said. "A lot will sign up."
Ray Neilsen, general manager at the Ameristar Casino Hotel, said he supports the classes at Alcorn.
"It is to the gaming industrys advantage to train a work force in our own backyard," Neilsen said.
With the nearest casino 40 minutes away in Greenville, Delta State is studying whether to offer casino management, said Michelle Roberts, executive assistant to DSU President John Hilpert.
Delta State is about 90 minutes away from Tunica. It already offers hospitality management as part of its business program.
Southern Mississippis planned casino management classes "will be a solid program," said USM President Shelby Thames. With the Gulf Coast home to a dozen casinos, "there will be growth," in USMs casino management degree program, Thames said.
Because of potential appeals, "we are using due caution until Aug. 17" regarding advertising of the program and recruitment of students, said Harold Doty, dean of USMs College of Business. He said he hopes 25 to 30 students sign up for August classes. The program would be an emphasis in its tourism major, part of its bachelors in business administration.
Private Tulane University, which is based in New Orleans, enrolls 75 in casino management courses on its Biloxi campus, said director Alan Silver. "There are thousands of employees on the coast and more than enough to participate in the two programs," he said.
Tulane is offering similar classes in Philadelphia starting Aug. 31. The classes will be at the Mississippi Band of Choctaws Pearl River Hospitality Institute.
About 30 students, mainly workers at two nearby casinos run by the Choctaws, are expected to enroll, Silver said. Tulane will charge $750 per course plus a $25 registration fee. The 12-week classes end in mid-December.
East Central Community College also will offer hospitality classes this fall at the Pearl River Hospitality Institute.
2005-07-12
