NCC, Las Vegas Sands propose deal that would make college primary employee training center for planned casino

A partnership is in the works between Nassau Community College and the developers of a proposed Uniondale casino.Under the deal, the college would have a training center for workers at the casino and entertainment resort.In exchange, Las Vegas Sands would provide internships and possible job opportunities for students.Officials at Hofstra University, which is close to Nassau Community College, say they would not be part of the partnership. Administrators at Hofstra have previously publicly spoken out against the casino project, saying students could become addicted to gambling."They could easily lose money that they have worked hard for," said Hofstra University President Dr. Susan Poser. "So, it could have a real snowballing effect on their education and their ability to move forward in life."Former New York Gov. David Paterson, who is now a senior vice president with Las Vegas Sands, says Hofstra's concerns are misguided.He says the casino would only occupy about 10% of the space."The whole industry changed by the Sands and other companies who basically made the whole environment family-friendly," Paterson says. that the casino and school could coexist.It is still unclear if Las Vegas Sands is awarded one of three available downstate casino licenses.Paterson told it is unclear what would happen to the Nassau Coliseum if the casino project goes through and that it would require a lot of input from the community.