CL: Date set in [USM] gaming course case - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jan 27, 2005

CL: Date set in [USM] gaming course case

Date: Jan 27, 2005

"If we have casinos and gaming-related industry here in the state, we need to provide an institution that will be able to work in the higher levels of management and not just the hourly wage aspects of it," Clark said.

Just how many "higher levels of management" positions will be available for the scores of graduates of such a program? My guess is that the graduates will be scraping for those low-wage crap table jobs or will move into other occupations. Most of the "higher levels of management" positions will, I suspect, be filled from within the organization and from outside the state. Even servicing (repairing) the slots will take skills (e.g., technical, mecanical, electrical) not normally offered within a casino management program. Further, I suspect that the accounting positions will be filled by graduates of traditional and legitimate accounting programs, and that will be also apply to other jobs within the gaming industry. Specialized skills can and will be taught "on the job" to graduates of traditional academic programs. Establishing a specialized program for each and every industry is unrealistic. There'll be quite a few disillusioned graduates of a highly specialized casino and gaming-related program. Many, when they hit the job market, will wish they had a generalized degree flexible enough to be applicable to any industry. Seems to me that this is more of an enrollment magnet.

Date: Jan 27, 2005

FWIW, Tulane's casino program is an associate's degree.

Date: Jan 27, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Curmudgeon
"FWIW, Tulane's casino program is an associate's degree."

Good for Tulane. They're doing it the right way. A highly specialized program in the casino industry is much more appropriate at the associate's degree level than at the baccalaureate level. It might even be an appropriate degree at the master's level for successful students who have a traditional undergaduate degree in, say, accounting, but who wish to continue their education in a more specialized area of business. One analogy would be the M.P.H. degree which is sometimes taken by physicians, nurses, and others in the health professions.

Date: Jan 27, 2005

This is not a degree in casino management; it is a BSBA in tourism management with an emphasis in casino/resort management, just like you can get in emphasis hotels or restaurants. I just don't know why this is a bad thing. There are many executive positions in casinos, not only on the coast, but also throughout the entire country as more and more state and reservations open up casinos. Is hotel and restaurant a bad emphasis? You don't need a college degree to run a restaurant (I know many successful managers with only a HS diploma). Why is casino/resort management worse? I imagine either 1) that you have a problem with casinos in general, 2) this is just an anti-change attitude, or 3) this is an anti-SFT thing (if this is the case, I only have one question, who asked for this emphasis and when did the discussion start? Yes I realize this whole board is an anti-SFT thing, but I am talking about this particular program.)

Date: Jan 27, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: asdf
"This is not a degree in casino management; it is a BSBA in tourism management with an emphasis in casino/resort management, just like you can get in emphasis hotels or restaurants. I just don't know why this is a bad thing. There are many executive positions in casinos, not only on the coast, but also throughout the entire country as more and more state and reservations open up casinos. Is hotel and restaurant a bad emphasis? You don't need a college degree to run a restaurant (I know many successful managers with only a HS diploma). Why is casino/resort management worse? I imagine either 1) that you have a problem with casinos in general, 2) this is just an anti-change attitude, or 3) this is an anti-SFT thing (if this is the case, I only have one question, who asked for this emphasis and when did the discussion start? Yes I realize this whole board is an anti-SFT thing, but I am talking about this particular program.)"

asdf, you're wrong on all counts. I never said any of the things you imply. Nothing anti- casino, anti- change, or anti- Thames in anything I said. My remarks were solely an academic appraisal - nothing whatsoever to do with morality, change, or politics. Who asked for this emphasis? Beats me.

Date: Jan 27, 2005

Hey, youse guys gotta' get yer priorities straight! Ain't ya intrested in soivin' us woikin' adult learner type folks?

Are da classes gonna be taught in Italian? Are dey gonna be taught on da internet where my kid brother Luigi can take da tests for me? Do I gets life experience credit?

Date: Jan 27, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: asdf
"I imagine either 1) that you have a problem with casinos in general . . . . . ."

To be fair about this matter, Occupational Outlook did commend the way Tulane is handling their casino management program at the associate degree level, and Occupational Outlook also suggested that a degree in casino management might be appropriate at the master's level. There is nothing there suggests he/she has a problem with casinos in general. I see only academic arguments.