November 22,2003
College students in Mississippi could learn about casino management at universities throughout the state if the College Board has its way.
Members are unhappy that New Orleans-based Tulane University is offering such courses at its Biloxi campus, which they believe takes students away from state schools.
Despite a state statute prohibiting gambling courses from being taught on public property, the board believes it has the power to determine what subjects are taught at state schools.
"We have the authority to do this without legislative action," board member Ricki Garrett said. "I'm concerned that Tulane is coming in and doing what we should be doing."
Chuck Rubisoff, who is the state attorney general's representative to the board, said he believes the board has the right to decide what courses will be offered.
"What gets taught at the university is the purpose of this board," he said.
The board told university presidents at Thursday's meeting that if the schools are interested in teaching gambling courses, they should put together proposals and bring them to the board, if possible in time for the January meeting.
All board members expressed interest in offering the courses, saying they had always believed they didn't have the power once the state statute was put in place.
"I'm 100 percent behind it," member Carl Nicholson Jr. said. "I'm sorry we haven't done something before."
The board will get its lawyers to research the issue before making any decisions, but members believe their constitution gives them the authority.QQ
College students in Mississippi could learn about casino management at universities throughout the state if the College Board has its way.
Members are unhappy that New Orleans-based Tulane University is offering such courses at its Biloxi campus, which they believe takes students away from state schools.
Despite a state statute prohibiting gambling courses from being taught on public property, the board believes it has the power to determine what subjects are taught at state schools.
"We have the authority to do this without legislative action," board member Ricki Garrett said. "I'm concerned that Tulane is coming in and doing what we should be doing."
Chuck Rubisoff, who is the state attorney general's representative to the board, said he believes the board has the right to decide what courses will be offered.
"What gets taught at the university is the purpose of this board," he said.
The board told university presidents at Thursday's meeting that if the schools are interested in teaching gambling courses, they should put together proposals and bring them to the board, if possible in time for the January meeting.
All board members expressed interest in offering the courses, saying they had always believed they didn't have the power once the state statute was put in place.
"I'm 100 percent behind it," member Carl Nicholson Jr. said. "I'm sorry we haven't done something before."
The board will get its lawyers to research the issue before making any decisions, but members believe their constitution gives them the authority.QQ
