Regents reverse course, approve reshuffling of UNLV’s hospitality program

UNLV’s hotel college has reversed course on an unpopular decision to lump classes into a single area of study, bringing luster of sorts back to a prominent academic program that had been grappling with low morale.

The state’s higher education board on Friday approved a plan to create three concentrations at the hospitality school, a reshuffling that could begin as early as this summer. The changes come about a year after faculty demanded the overhaul in a workplace mood survey that revealed widespread discontent and clashes with leadership at the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.

“I think it’s great to see one of our institutions apparently learn from a mistake,” Regent Trevor Hayes told Chase. “This was trial and error and resolution, and I commend (UNLV) for coming back to rectify the error.”

The hotel college can now create specialties in hospitality management; dining and events management; and resort, gaming and golf management. The move reverses a 2010 directive by former Dean Don Snyder to funnel all classes into a single course of study. Administrators said the consolidation — which followed a nationwide trend — shaved millions in costs as UNLV shielded itself from the recent economic downturn.

“We really believe this is an important tool to manage our school appropriately,” said Diane Chase, who became UNLV’s provost last month.

Last year’s survey revealed turmoil within the program and led to damage control efforts from top university officials. The survey of faculty and staff was conducted in May 2015 at the request of professors who were displeased with leadership. An employee then shared the document with the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

To soothe discontent, administrators followed faculty’s requests to break the school into departments. They also created a position for a second-in-command to work under Dean Stowe Shoemaker.

“I thought it was appropriate to have departments when we did,” said Sam Lieberman, who sits on the state’s Board of Regents overseeing Nevada’s public colleges. “I think we should have them now.”

Contact Ana Ley at aley@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512. Find her on Twitter@la__ley