Hospitality Management Major to Focus on Business

SUNY Plattsburgh's hospitality management program is placing a greater emphasis on the business aspects of the industry, strengthening the major in a competitive marketplace and giving students a strong grounding before graduation.

The revised curriculum will emphasize human resource management and put greater emphasis on business in some current offerings such as food service systems management, lodging operations management, event management and hotel asset management. With the changes, hospitality management faculty have moved from Sibley Hall to Au Sable Hall, home to the college's School of Business and Economics.

"Moving the hospitality management to program to SBE's Management Department strengthens the core identity of the major and potentially serves as a preferred quality to attract more students." said Dr. Mark Gultek, chair and professor of hospitality management. "The program was originally designed as a management program."

Students will still have the option of working as interns in the Samuel D's facility in Sibley Hall, though the restaurant will not host weekly public dinners as it has in the past during fall and spring semesters. The facility will still be open as it has for morning and lunch coffee and counter service.

"By making the culinary experience an option with the curriculum redesign, and reemphasizing the management aspects of the major, we are positioning for growth," Gultek said.

A culinary direction for the program was set out in 2005, modeled after the now-closed New England Culinary Institute in Burlington, Vt. Enrollment in the SUNY Plattsburgh program with the culinary emphasis has declined fairly steadily over the years.

The program will host a by-invitation holiday party at Samuel D’s on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. Longtime supporters and college community members are encouraged to bring a toy for the Christmas Bureau of Clinton County.

"It is appropriate that we share our appreciation and sincere thank you to some of the many individuals who have been so supportive of this component of our program over the past 15 years," said Dr. Rowena Ortiz-Walters, dean of the School of Business and Economics.

Learn more about the hospitality management program under the Academics tab at plattsburgh.edu. For more information, contact Admissions at 518-564-2040 or email [email protected].