The University of Las Vegas’ William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration has eliminated its Meetings & Events major, which is the fastest-growing major at UNLV, according to Professor Patti Shock, who helped to develop the program.
The University is also ending its Gaming major and Culinary major, along with the Entertainment minor and Recreation and Leisure degree. The proposed cuts will be made if the Governor’s budget passes.
The moves come amid major budget cuts at the school, which total $32.6 million in themost recent budget and include the loss of 315 faculty and staff positions, to be eliminated by July 1, 2012. As of fall 2010, 240 students were declared Meetings & Events majors and the Harrah Hotel College counted 2,813 undergraduates.
According to Afsha Bawany, from the University’s office of public affairs, most Meetings & Events related classes will continue to be offered, and students can declare a major in Hospitality Management, with a concentration in Meetings& Events, but the Meetings & Events major itself will no longer be offered. Bawany likened this to a student electing to major in Journalism, with a concentration in Print Journalism.
UNLV President Neal J. Smatresk did not take the cuts lightly, noting in a March 8 email to colleagues, “These cuts will significantly reduce our ability to educate our students, maintain our campus and serve the community. I believe this is a tragic loss and a giant step backward for Nevada as we attempt to build a globally competitive and highly educated workforce that can attract new industries and build a more diversified economy.”
As for affected students, Smatresk said, “In the weeks to come, we will consider reorganizations at the college level that could ameliorate these cuts. We will work with our Faculty Senate, the Board of Regents and Chancellor to determine how we will notice those impacted and how we will support students attempting to complete their degrees in eliminated programs.”
As for students who have already declared a Meetings & Events major, it is notcertain what happens next, although Shock was told at a faculty meeting that students will have until June 2012 to complete the major.
Smatresk added that the cuts are not final, but also that the school has not yet reached its target for a reduced budget. "I don't think it is over, although the chances of changing their minds is slim to none," says Shock.
Members of the meetings industry have expressed concern and confusion over the move. Eli Gorin, vice president of global client relations for ABTS Convention Services in Bay Harbor Islands, FL, says, “It seems pretty counterintuitive that of all places, UNLV, located in the meetings and gaming capital of the US would cut the two majors that almost have helped define the growth of the city!”
Karla Washington, who created the group, lauded the “fabulous faculty [and] staff that have groomed, supported, and invited me into their world. Patti Shock, Curtis Love, Carl Braunlich, and countless others have more than given me what I have been looking for.” She added that the fact that meetings-related courses will remain available is not enough. “I know I will get a degree, but I feel that every student that is concentrating on Meetings and Events should have their degree say that and not Hotel Administration.”