When one of the leaders of Mississippi's Choctaw Tribe enrolled more than a year ago in an online casino marketing course offered by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he developed a rapport with his professor that is now helping Tulane University expand its casino-industry curriculum.
Tulane this fall will begin teaching casino management courses at the Pearl River Resort, a giant casino complex developed by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians at the edge of Philadelphia.
Tulane launched the plan as a result of ties between Tim Ben, education manager for the Mississippi Choctaws, and Alan Silver, a New York native hired to direct Tulane's casino and resort management program.
Tulane's partnership with the tribe mimics its efforts elsewhere. The university has offered as many as eight casino management classes since late 2003 at a branch in Edgewater Mall in Biloxi and holds several such courses in the New Orleans Shopping Centre mall next to the Superdome or in the Elmwood office park in Jefferson Parish.
Mississippi-based colleges have yet to offer such classes, in part because of political resistance to the gambling industry.
However, Hinds County Chancery Judge Patricia Wise ruled earlier this month that the College Board has "the authority to manage and control the state's 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.
The University of Southern Mississippi's planned casino management classes "will be a solid program," said President Shelby Thames. With the Gulf Coast home to a dozen casinos, "there will be growth" in USM's 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 USM's 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 bachelor's in business administration.
Mississippi Valley President Lester Newman said of his Itta Bena school's plans, "It is a natural fit for us. We are 40 miles from a casino.
"It will take us some time to get the courses in place."
Newman said Valley administrators will determine costs and look at other factors as they develop their proposal.
Though the number of students enrolled in Tulane's program tends to hover around 150 students, the university sees potential to significantly expand the program.
Other casino locations may be considered for Tulane classes if the program in Neshoba County meets expectations, and Tulane has plans for online classes for casino managers across the United States and in other countries, university officials said.
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| Source:
SunHerald.com
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Monday, 25 July 2005 |
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