Feb. 10--The University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved on Tuesday a new associate's degree in hospitality management at the College of Coastal Georgia.

The Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Management will have two tracks, culinary arts and hotel operations, the college said in a release.

Coastal Georgia requested the degree option to meet the needs of the hospitality industry in coastal and nearby counties, the college said.

At their meeting in Atlanta, the Board of Regents considered and voted on a number of requests.

Chef Steve Ingersoll will continue to lead the culinary arts program at the teaching kitchen and demonstration dining room at the college's Camden Center in Kingsland.

Upon earning the degrees, graduates will be eligible for entry-level supervisory positions in their specialty.

Courses will include the History of Food and Cuisine, Hospitality Marketing, Hotel Management, Menu Planning & Design, Catering & Events Management, Purchasing & Receiving, and Food Service Sanitation.

The regents also approved the construction of a plaza for University of Georgia football fans outside Sanford Stadium.

The UGa Athletic Foundation will pay $21 million for the project with the university's maintenance fund supplying $2 million. The goal is to provide restrooms, concession booths and generally improve fans' experience as they walk toward the stadium. The project will include renovations of Stegeman Coliseum, adding approximately 10,000 square feet for new lobbies and ******** of a 7,000 square-foot concession stand.

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