By Michelle King
Many students know the Campus House as the former president house until 2002, when a renovation costing over a million dollars changed everything. Now it provides valuable experience for hospitality and tourism majors.
It all started with an idea and grew into a reality when Kathleen O’Brien, Campus House director, initiated a graduate project with the building. O’Brien wanted the hospitality and tourism majors to have sufficient lab space and saw potential with the area.
After much work and planning with Buffalo State College, Campus House was completed with donations provided by state funds and alumni. Now, it is a state of the art facility for the majors and a fine dining experience for faculty at BSC.
The menu ranges from filet mignon to a chicken sandwich all made from fresh ingredients and prepared by BSC students. The dynamics provide a real working environment to give the students the experience of an internship.
Stephen Burgeson, academic liaison who oversees the academic criteria, said the students enrolled in the Campus House course learn about the profession from all aspects.
He said some of the roles students can participate in hospitality and tourism 300 is:
- Line cook
- Cold station preparations such as salads
- Sanitation and safety
- Kitchen manager
- Server
Burgeson has seen students become networked to careers through the first-hand experience from the house.
“The club managers this year are going to Honolulu to make contacts to get jobs,” he said. “It enables us to place students for internships and often lead to careers.”
Zachary Korzelius, a hospitality and tourism major at BSC, said he learned valuable experience after enrolling in the course.
“I want to work for a country club and special events,” he said. “I think it’s great because it’s very hands-on and it forces you to learn the facility.”
To become a member at the house one must be a faculty member, staff, emeriti/retirees, alumni or select friends of the college. An application for the membership can be completed online and costs $100 every 10 months. For more information about the Campus House or their services, go to their Web site at www.buffalostate.edu/campushouse/.
Michelle King can be contacted at kingmk23@mail.buffalostate.edu
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