Duquesne University to oppose casino plan near Mellon Arena

[MWB]

Gotta wonder if Dougherty has any relationship with Rendell. Otherwise why would the university protest so much when the casino will be built one way or another within 3 miles of the campus?

[spoon]

From the trib this morning:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_420125.html

Dougherty said he had made his decision in consultation with his staff and the executive committee of Duquesne's board of directors. He said board member Glenn Mahone -- who owns a minority stake in the Station Square casino proposal -- was not part of those discussions.


Yeah, sure Dougherty, nice try to cover your arse

[MWB]

Dougherty said he had made his decision in consultation with his staff and the executive committee of Duquesne's board of directors. He said board member Glenn Mahone -- who owns a minority stake in the Station Square casino proposal -- was not part of those discussions.

Why is this not surprising in any way? I get the feeling that more and more of these stances are going to come out from people with some indirect connection to Station Square, Rendell, and others.

[Judy]

Ill bet underage drinking at that campus is a much bigger problem than gambling is.

Thank you for that point! I wonder what studies show for death rates of college students due to drinking/hazing, etc? At least gambling (if anyone could legally get in to do so from the college) can't kill you! Unless you owe some big guy named Guido some loot. Then it might.

[spoon]

If they're so concerned about gambling then they better nix out BINGO also.

Bingo Night

Tues

2/7/06

Union NiteSpot

9:00 PM

[pens9192]

From the trib this morning:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_420125.html

Dougherty said he had made his decision in consultation with his staff and the executive committee of Duquesne's board of directors. He said board member Glenn Mahone -- who owns a minority stake in the Station Square casino proposal -- was not part of those discussions.

Hah, not surprising. Wonder how many students have declined to go there based on the conditions of the surrounding Hill District? Maybe they are afraid that if prospective conservative families see a nearby casino, they won't enroll? Other than that, I don't see a reason for them to reject a proposal that would ultimatley make that area look better. At least they support the arena. If they think that more students gamble than underage drink there, then they need their heads out of the sand.

With the (usually) little money college kids have, they have to be choosy on what they spend it out. I'd bet more would spend it on Captain Morgan rather than a slot machine.

[spoon]

Charles J. Dougherty, Ph.D.
Duquesne University President
president@duq.edu

[Scott]

"We just don't think it makes sense and don't think it's fair to our students to put that kind of a temptation within a three-minute walk from campus," he said.

Mr. Dougherty cited studies that have shown that 3 to 5 percent of the population with easy access to casinos will develop gambling problems. He said the percentage is higher among young adults.



But they can blow their wad at the convenient store on the PA LOTTO...that is fine.

What a *******.

[plasticbratt]

The newest issue of the Duquesne newspaper had a big article about how crappy the Hill District is, and what a shame all that culture is lost to a slum, etc. The article cited the construction of Mellon Arena as a part of the problem.

This is all highly ironic, of course, given this newly announced university stance. The Penguins plan would come complete with a lot of business with it, like the Columbus model and--coupled with the attraction of a slots parlor--that poor, depleted Hill District area would get a nice shot in the arm.

But no one seems able to put two and two together.

The admin is more interested in parenting their students, as they do with the dorm setup.

[Pitts]

Or, they could simply hop a bus to Station Square. What's the difference?