Looking back: Historic Reflections from the 1980S

While serving on the Stakeholder Engagement Committee, working to gather memories of past presidents as part of ICHRIE’s (International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education) 75th anniversary celebration in 2021, I searched through a long-ignored home file cabinet in an effort to find some kind of information that might better remind me of my own year as president. Luckily, tucked away in a dog-eared manilla folder, I uncovered yellowed notes outlining goals stated during my inaugural address near the end of the August 1985 CHRIE Annual Conference and my report to attendees on conclusion of my term in August 1986. Even better, I had saved a two-page typed “Who’s Who” document that lists not only 1985-1986 members of the Board of Directors but also complete CHRIE committee assignments for each of the 12 committees that functioned within a brand-new organizational structure that was instituted that year (see Figure 1). Sometimes it pays to be a pack rat!

The revised organizational structure was based on a plan initially led by Steve Fletcher, University of Massachusetts, 1983-1984 president, with the purpose of involving more members in the workings and progress of CHRIE and moving the overall organization forward. It was developed over a 2-year period and was accepted by an all-member vote to amend the bylaws in November 1984. Space does not allow in-depth functions of the 12 committees, so I will focus on those most likely to be of interest to both current and earlier ICHRIE members.

With each of the nine regional chapter presidents serving on a new Regional Council Committee, it ensured an ongoing relationship and communication between the regional chapters, Board of Directors, and CHRIE office staff. Michael Piccinino, Shasta Community College, chaired the committee that consisted of the following chapter presidents: Abraham Pizam, Florida CHRIE; Frank Latucca, NER-CHRIE; Andy Schwarz, HEMAR; Fred McLeod, SE-CHRIE; Jay Schrock, SC-CHRIE; Carol Wilson, NC-CHRIE; Jerry Vincent, PAC-CHRIE; Anthony Hall, Bahamas CHRIE, and Rob Heiman, Ohio CHRIE.

A new 10-member Technical Council Committee chaired by Frank Borsenik, University of Nevada, 1988-1989 president, was charged with recruiting CHRIE members to form and lead subject matter “Technical Committees” that would provide opportunities for information sharing and problem solving with others of like interest. Computer Users, Culinary, and Graduate Programs were the first three committees established and convened during the 1986 Annual Conference. This endeavor continues its important role in providing member educator professional development and mentorship.

Interest in expanding CHRIE internationally was growing and began with a new International Programs Committee. In these early stages, it was a small committee with just four members—and only one non-USA member, Brian Cooper, George Brown College in Toronto. Brian was also a CHRIE Board member in his role as International Programs Director. We had a long way to go in furthering efforts toward building international program memberships within CHRIE!

In January 1986, a CHRIE survey was completed to identify the needs of hospitality educators from a professional society. It came through loud and clear that educators wanted interaction with hospitality industry professionals to enhance their own professional development and help them better serve their students. To this end, Peter Manning, University of Massachusetts, held a Board position as Liaison Director, and a CHRIE/HSMA Liaison Study Committee chaired by Andrew Schwarz, Sullivan County Community College, was created. Along with other CHRIE members, considerable progress was made to develop liaison relationships as industry professionals were invited to full membership for the first time that year, complete with voting rights and active committee participation. Reciprocal membership relationships were established with eight allied organizations to provide increasing educator/industry interactions. CHRIE committed to joining several other hospitality organizations as an active partner in an industry image upgrade campaign. That particular effort was spearheaded by Abe Pizam, University of Central Florida, and called for involvement from all CHRIE members.

One more milestone during the mid to late 1980s that bears particular mention is the five years of work leading to the 1989 official recognition of the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA) that accredited its first group of programs granting baccalaureate degrees in hospitality administration in 1991. This effort was led by a group of hospitality educators and others who believed in the value of accreditation to assure academic quality and better serve the needs of their students. It all began through the CHRIE Accreditation Committee that was led by Cochairmen Mary Tanke, Florida International University, and Michael Olsen, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1981-1982 president. Committee members were Tony Marshall, Florida International University; Steve Fletcher, University of Massachusetts, 1983-1984 CHRIE president; Frank Borsenik, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1988-1999 president, and Don Rose, Oklahoma State University. Frank admitted to me recently that Mary and Mike were the real doers—the others were the talkers!

Mary’s work on this committee and her doctoral dissertation led directly to the formation of ACPHA where she served two terms as the founding chair. Developing standards and establishing policies and procedures were guided by Dr. William “Mac” McCloud, a consultant with extensive experience in COPA. Initial funding was supported by a $100,000 grant from the National Restaurant Association, foundation grants, and industry matching funds.

While ACPHA continues to accredit 4-year baccalaureate programs today, the Commission added accreditation for two-year hospitality programs in 2008 through a merger with the Commission on Accreditation of Hospitality Management that had been established by CHRIE in 1996 with parallel organization, policies, and standards. That new Commission retained the ACPHA title.

CHRIE’s mid-1980s reorganizational structure did not lose sight of the previous educational program categories themselves. The Board of Directors and Executive Committee continued to include Chairman of the Board, President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. Secondary schools, 2-year, and 4-year programs were represented by Directors who assured a networking system within their respective constituencies. The Regional, Technical, Liaison, and International Director positions rounded out the Board and are described within the above narrative.

Supplemental Material

sj-jpg-1-jht-10.1177_10963480211012460 – Supplemental material for Looking back: Historic Reflections from the 1980S

Supplemental material, sj-jpg-1-jht-10.1177_10963480211012460 for Looking back: Historic Reflections from the 1980S by Carol Kizer in Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research

Supplemental Material

sj-jpg-2-jht-10.1177_10963480211012460 – Supplemental material for Looking back: Historic Reflections from the 1980S

Supplemental material, sj-jpg-2-jht-10.1177_10963480211012460 for Looking back: Historic Reflections from the 1980S by Carol Kizer in Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research