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2019 - 2020 Academic Catalog

Resort and Casino Management

The Lasell University Resort and Casino Management program is designed to prepare students for management and executive level positions within this complex and challenging industry. Through a multidisciplinary approach, students majoring in Resort and Casino Management will gain the expertise, commitment, and skills for management positions in this expanding industry that provides food and beverage, lodging, tourism and entertainment experiences to people around the world. Students are given a comprehensive background in the business world including accounting, human resources, organizational behavior, technology, marketing and more, all while learning about the inner workings of the resort and casino industry including lodging, food and beverage, service quality, facility operations, casino regulations, security, gaming operations, resort development and technology. Throughout their coursework, students learn about service quality, brand management and the operations of diverse organizations such as resorts, casinos, cruise ships and the related segments of the industry.

Students participate in valuable connected learning experiences both on campus and at site visits throughout New England (Stowe Mountain Resort, Killington Resort, Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino, MGM Springfield, etc.)

Students in this major also go on a field trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they meet with top industry executives, go on multiple site visits and complete projects based on current industry trends and issues. This program has a unique and exciting partnership with Encore Boston Harbor Resort and Casino. The partnership will entitle students to complete internships, take classes, and work one on one with executives, department managers and supervisors at the resort. On campus, students have the opportunity to listen to and meet with relevant speakers from the industry, including members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, members of the local Gamblers Anonymous chapters, and top-level resorts and casino executives. In addition, students are required to complete two internships so that they graduate with a full resume of both academic accomplishments and real world experiences.  

Our Hospitality Advisory Board connects students with industry professionals, providing them with networking opportunities, site visit experiences, professional feedback, and opportunities for community service, volunteer experiences, internships and post-graduation employment. Students in the hospitality management programs are given many additional opportunities to make connections, gain experience, and prepare themselves for successful careers upon graduation. Some examples include visiting resort/casino properties in Las Vegas, attending the International Hotel Experience in New York City and taking part in site visits where they meet with executives at major resorts all around New England. Double majoring is not allowed among the three hospitality majors (Hospitality Management, Event Management, and Resort and Casino Management), however minoring in Event Management is allowed. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Resort & Casino Management.

By planning early, in consultation with an academic advisor, students may be able to reduce the time it takes to complete a bachelor’s degree in Resort and Casino Management to 3 or 3½ years.
The following goals and associated learning outcomes delineate what we strive for students to achieve when they complete the major program of study in Resort & Casino Management:

Goal 1: Application of Principles of Resort and Casino Management
Upon completion of the major program of study in Resort and Casino Management students will be able to

  1. demonstrate a comprehensive level of knowledge in the area of organizational behavior
  2. demonstrate a comprehensive level of knowledge in the area of human resource management
  3. demonstrate a comprehensive level of knowledge in the area of information technology
  4. demonstrate a comprehensive level of knowledge in the area of the global economy
  5. demonstrate a comprehensive level of knowledge in all sectors within the resort and casino industry
  6. demonstrate a comprehensive level of knowledge in the area of operations strategies within the hospitality industry

Goal 2: Application of Business Information
Upon completion of the major program of study in Resort and Casino Management students will be able to

  1. apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to various challenges faced by organizations within the resort and casino industry
  2. integrate business information into effective decision making skills

Goal 3: Legal and Ethical Decision-making
Upon completion of the major program of study in Resort and Casino Management students will be able to

  1. identify legal and ethical issues implicit in all aspects of the hospitality industry
  2. evaluate and decide among alternative solutions to ethical problems
  3. understand the underpinning issues behind laws and regulations related to the resort and casino industry

Goal 4: Professional skills
Upon completion of the major program of study in Resort and Casino Management students will be able to

  1. communicate effectively in both professional and technical writing for the hospitality industry
  2. work effectively in teams
  3. communicate effectively in both large presentation and face-to-face situations

BUSS104X - Professional Development in Business

For freshman only. This is a comprehensive course that introduces students to the skills they need to develop themselves professionally. It cultivates and hones the skills necessary for students to communicate effectively and professionally in a business environment. This course provides students with the skills necessary to engage in field experience, internship and post-graduate employment searches as well as for the general business world around them. Using myriad methods, students will develop the necessary professional skills for professional presentation, professional communication, negotiation, personal branding, networking and team building. Students will also be introduced to the concept of emotional intelligence and its impact on overall career and academic outcomes. Students will complete a minimum of three professional presentations as part of this course.Prerequisites: None

BUSS105 - Excel for Business

This course introduces students to basic Microsoft Excel skills. Excel is an electronic spreadsheet program used for storing, organizing and manipulating data. It is critical to the business world today as the volume data generated has exploded. This introductory course will provide students with information and skills needed to create basic workbooks and worksheets, create simple formulas, copy and move data, format data and cells, work in large spreadsheets and with data series, create pivot tables, and more. As part of this course, all students will have the opportunity to become certified in Microsoft Excel through the professional certification called Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel 2016 – Core Data Analysis, Manipulation, and Presentation. The certification also comes with an electronic badge. Students are also introduced to Income Statements, Balance Sheets, Statement of Cash Flows, Ratios, and the Basic Accounting Cycle

BUSS205 - Business Law

This course provides a working knowledge of everyday law as it applies to both business and personal needs. The primary focus is on contract law and property law. Different sections offered are specific to majors and/or interests (Section A – General Business, Section B – Sport Management, Section C – Hospitality Management). Students can choose any section that they prefer, regardless of major

BUSS220 - Principles of Marketing

In this course, the fundamentals of marketing are explored for practical application in today's business environment. The process of creating value for customers by utilizing the tools of marketing -- market segmentation, targeting and positioning, marketing research and communications, product development, channels of distribution, and pricing -- are explored with a project-based, interactive approach. Additionally, there is a service learning component included in this course that enables students to further apply the course concepts while working to advance a participating non-profit organization. Prerequisites: BUSS101, HEM101, HEM102, FASH101, or SMGT102 AND ENG102 OR WRT102.

BUSS227 - Managerial Accounting

In this course, students gain experience in the development and use of information within an organization. Course topics include: cost terms; production costing; cost allocation for planning and control; cost behavior patterns; cost-volume-profit relationships; budgeting; inventory planning and control; pricing decisions; and aspects of investment decisions.

BUSS440 - Business Capstone

This capstone course requires students to apply a broad knowledge of management and administrative techniques to specific situations. An emphasis is placed on strategy formulation and implementation. This is a writing intensive course. Different sections offered are specific to majors and/or interests (Section A – General Business, Section B – Sport Management, Section C – Hospitality Management). Students can choose any section that they prefer, regardless of major. Prerequisite: Senior standing, Major within the School of Business

BUSS497 - Business Internship Seminar

This internship for students within the School of Business is scheduled to take place during the student's senior year (juniors are permitted with permission). Students serve as interns for a total of 150 hours in a position related to their field of study. The hours are completed concurrently with weekly class meetings and course work. Detailed reports, reflective exercises, weekly journal entries, a final comprehensive project, and other written requirements are completed throughout the internship process. The internship supervisor monitors each student's performance and visits each internship site as needed. Different sections offered are specific to majors and/or interests (Section A – General Business, Section B – Sport Management, Section C – Hospitality Management). Students can choose any section that they prefer, regardless of major. Prerequisite: Senior Standing, Major within the School of Business

ECON101 - Principles of Econ-Micro

This course is an introduction to the principles of the economic behavior of individuals, firms, and industries in the mixed economic system. Topics include consumer demand; elasticity; supply and costs of production; the allocation of economic resources; international trade; and the role of government in promoting economic welfare.

INTC202 - Data Analytics 

This course provides the conceptual and technical foundations of various aspects of Big Data Analytics. The purpose is to help students acquire foundation skills in Big Data – which can be used to further their specialization in a niche within Big Data. Upon completion of the course students should be able to:•Understand what is Big Data, Cloud Computing and NoSQL Databases.•Various components and architecture of Big Data Analytics.•Different types of Analytics: Text, Descriptive, Predictive and Prescriptive.•How Big Data Analytics is used in different contexts.•Using Analytics and Dashboards to present Actionable Insights.Prerequisite: MATH208

MATH209 - Business Statistics

This is an introductory course in descriptive and inferential statistics focused on applications in business. Topics include: data analysis, and graphical methods of describing data, measures of central tendency and variability, time-series analysis, trend and seasonality analysis, simple and multiple correlation and regression analysis, sales and cost forecasting, probability, expected monetary value, and the Normal distribution. Prerequisites: MATH 106 with a grade of C or better or demonstrated competency through placement testing and ENG 102. With permission of the instructor only.

HEM101 - Hospitality Management

This course examines the Hospitality and Tourism industry with emphasis on individual sectors of the industry and their business functions. The infrastructure and interrelationships of lodging, tourism, food service, events, and entertainment organizations are examined. Career opportunities, current operational issues, and emerging trends in the hospitality industry are also explored. Students will have the opportunity to become Certified Guest Service Providers (CGSP) as part of the course.

HEM206 - Lodging Management

This course provides an in-depth view of the various aspects and departments that fall under what is commonly known as Lodging Management or Lodging Operations. Some of the specific departments this course explores are - Front Office, Housekeeping, Human Resources, Security, Engineering, Maintenance, Food and Beverage, Recreation, and Accounting and Finance. Aside from the various operational procedures utilized, the course also addresses service philosophies, best practices, revenue management, and technology. Prerequisite: HEM 101 with a grade of C or better

HEM207 - Resort & Casino Management

This course provides students with an introduction to the hospitality management specialization of Resort and Casino Management. Subjects covered include operational infrastructures of resorts and casinos, organizational structures, service in resort and casino environments, securities, technologies, and revenue management and tourism. This course includes guest speakers and site visits. Prerequisite: HEM101 with a grade of C or better

HEM208 - Human Resources in Hospitality

This course examines management considerations for the successful operation of a major hospitality organization. Emphases is placed on the various departments and how each contributes to the recreation, ancillary and lodging areas including service experiences. This includes recreation development, risk management, visitor education, rental and retail operations, lodging, guest services, and human resources management. Students will learn how each of these departments function, along with the many skills required to address the issues and challenges faced in everyday operations. Course assignments focus on human resources operations, industry regulations and certification, risk management, guest service, and dealing with seasonality. These particular areas are studied in relation to resorts of different sizes and scales from all over the world so that comparisons can be made regarding different management and operational procedures, regulations, and guest expectations. Prerequisite: BUSS224.

HEM209 - Expl of the Las Vegas Casino Industry

Students in this course will study materials and case studies related to specific components of major casino markets as well as take part in both a day-long visit to the limited casino market in Connecticut and a 4-5 day site visit to Las Vegas during the college’s spring recess. The course will provide students who are interested specifically in the resort and casino segment of the hospitality industry direct exposure to the industry in the country’s largest casino market. Focus will be placed on current issues and events affecting the industry and, in particular, the companies that will be visited during the site visits. Students will study and meet with executives from different resort and casino departments at major resort/casino operations including Slots and Table Games Operations, Human Resources, Marketing, Security, Surveillance, Food and Beverage, and more. Prerequisite: HEM207 with a grade of C or better

HEM299 - Field Experience I

This course provides a supervised work experience in the hospitality or event management industry as a complement to academic coursework. Students earn 150 hours in the field, gain practical skills in a business environment, and begin to view the workplace from a management perspective. During the course of the field experience, students keep a personal reflective journal of critical incidents. In addition, they complete a detailed profile of the management systems and policies at their workplace for submission at the end of the field experience. Students participate in weekly discussion groups during the course of the semester to evaluate and compare their experiences. No Prerequisite.

HEM302 - Casino Regulation & Security

This course is designed to give an in-depth overview of the regulatory, legal, and security aspects of the casino industry including federal and local gaming laws and regulations, difficulties and liabilities surrounding those regulations, casino cage operations, surveillance operations, and security technologies. Prerequisite: HEM207 with a grade of C or better

HEM305 - Resort Management & Development

This course examines management considerations for the successful operation of a major resort. Emphases is placed on the various departments and how each contributes to the recreation, ancillary and lodging areas including service experiences. This includes recreation development, risk management, visitor education, rental and retail operations, lodging, guest services, and human resources management. Students will learn how each of these departments function, along with the many skills required to address the issues and challenges faced in everyday operations. Course assignments focus on human resources operations, industry regulations and certification, risk management, guest service, and dealing with seasonality. These particular areas are studied in relation to resorts of different sizes and scales from all over the world so that comparisons can be made regarding different management and operational procedures, regulations, and guest expectations. Prerequisite: HEM207 with a grade of C or better

HEM307 - Tech for Resort & Casino Management

This course explores principles of executive casino operations as they relate to technology. The course also provides hands-on opportunities for students to both observe and work within real programs including, but not limited to, casino operations business assessments, casino floor operations financial integrations, pit and floor statistics analysis, casino credit authorizer development, cage operations management software, casino accounting programs, table games accounting audits, currency transaction reporting, and surveillance technology. Students must be 21 years of age by April 1st of the year the course is running in order to enroll. Prerequisite: HEM207 with a grade of C or better and Permission of the Instructor.

HEM321 - Revenue Management & Technology

This course provides an advanced overview of the revenue management function in the hospitality industry. Revenue management is a method for managing capacity profitability. This course offers an integrated approach to maximizing revenue that includes capacity analysis, demand forecasting, differential pricing, and distribution technology. The objective of this course is to help students learn how to apply the principles of revenue management to maximize profitability in the hospitality industry. Topics to be covered include demand forecasting, competitive analysis, overbooking, distribution channels, reservations systems, information technology, process design, differential pricing, inventory control, performance measurement and related management and marketing issues. An academic certificate of completion in Revenue Management from American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute is also embedded in this course. Students learn to distinguish between tactical and strategic revenue management, addresses the proper use and importance of revenue management in hospitality operations, and describes a wide range of elements that must be considered in order to use revenue management effectively. Prerequisite BUSS201

HEM401 - Managing Quality in Hospitality

This course explores the application of customer service quality as well as management theories and techniques in the hospitality industry with a focus on organizational effectiveness. Case studies and major projects with real hospitality companies facilitate students’ synthesis of previous knowledge with the principles of service quality and excellence. This is a research project driven course. Prerequisites: BUSS 224 & MATH 208.

HEM402 - Casino & Gaming Operations

This course provides students with an advanced look into the hospitality management specialization of Resort and Casino Management. Students learn advanced strategic management skills and theory as they relate to both resorts and casinos. Key topics include how to responsibly overcome common challenges in the industry, managerial and human resource challenges, marketing strategies, labor laws and disputes, operations strategies, and resort realestate development and planning. The goal of this course is to aid students in developing decision-making, financial, and strategic management skills appropriate for careers in the casino and resort industries. Students develop an advanced understanding of the stakeholders and industry practices necessary for success in managerial and executive positions. Prerequisite: HEM207 with a grade of C or better