Hearing on casino courses set in Mississippi
A Mississippi judge has scheduled a hearing for today on whether casino management courses will be allowed at the University of Southern Mississippi.John Maxey, an attorney for the state College Board, has asked for a bench trial.
“Specialized higher education in casino and resort management at Mississippi colleges and universities is not only consistent with Mississippi’s public policy, but necessary to provide the state’s citizens equality of opportunity with those in other states and around the world,� the College Board has argued in its court filings.
The College Board began discussing classes in casino management in the fall of 2003 after Tulane University College in Biloxi announced plans to offer a similar program, which began in January 2004.Locally, the University of Nevada, Reno, established The Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming in 1989.
In November 2003, the Mississippi attorney general’s office said the College Board had the right to decide what courses are offered at state universities.University of Southern Mississippi officials developed a tourism curriculum in the College of Business and Economic Development that includes casino/resort management, hotel management and restaurant management.None of the courses teach gaming.
2005-05-12
