|
Date 3-28-06
Contact Shelia White 228.865.4573
Gulfport—In
the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the University of Southern Mississippi
has decided to suspend its Culinary Arts Academy (CAA) program on
the Gulf Coast for the next two academic years.
The program’s
facility on the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach was destroyed by
the hurricane, and the CAA has been temporarily operating from an
elementary school in Biloxi. Student enrollment in the program has
substantially declined since the fall. This decline, coupled with
the industry’s recovery, led the Southern Miss administration to
the decision.
With tight financial
resources for all institutions of higher education in the state
of Mississippi, officials believe that an existing culinary program
at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College will be able to meet
the current needs in the community. University officials look for
a prosperous recovery during the next two-year period. At that time
a two-year review of the suspension will be conducted.
Students currently
enrolled will finish the certificate program as scheduled this August.
The decision results in three university positions being phased
out. CAA’s director, Ernie Wilson, has made the decision to retire
at the end of this fiscal year. Wilson, whose home was destroyed
in the hurricane, plans to relocate to his native Hawaii and pursue
consulting in the tourism and travel industry.
For more information
on all programs offered at Southern Miss Gulf Coast, call 228.865.4500
or visit www.usm.edu/gulfcoast.
|
