LONG BEACH, Miss. (AP) — The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus has the potential to draw students, filmmakers and tourists from all over the world, a benefit not just to the city, but the entire region.

For that to happen, the university will have to work with political leaders and developers to design the campus in the right way and form partnerships with private businesses.

About 35 people, including USM employees, city officials and representatives from the state film office gathered at Gulf Park on Tuesday to talk about ideas for the campus, including course offerings, campus design and connections to Long Beach.

“Our purpose today is to think about the possibilities for the campus we’re on,” said Denise VonHerrmann, dean of the College of Arts and Letters. “This is a unique site, and it’s a beautiful site.”

Last fall university officials moved the film program to the Gulfport site and announced plans for an entertainment-industry complex at the Gulf Park campus. Some of the programs that might be housed there, in addition to basic academic classes, include music production and business, computer graphics and design and traditional performing arts.

After the university decides which programs it wants to offer, the curriculum will have to be approved by the state College Board. Those who choose the programs likely will consider what will be offered at Cross Creek, USM’s additional campus slated to be built in western Harrison County.

Besides courses, those involved also need to decide on a particular design for the campus, said Ann Daigle, a consultant working for the College Board.

“Campuses used to have a central meeting space, but recently we’ve focused more on parking and what individual buildings look like,” she said. “We want to reclaim the American tradition and have campuses of inspiration.

“It doesn’t cost a whole lot of money,” Daigle added. “You just have to think about where the buildings are and the relationship between them.”

Ward Emling with the state film office said the opportunities for tourism are endless on the Gulf Park campus and the entire Coast.

“What has always intrigued me is the opportunity here to create an interconnected college town and to become a destination,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to bring a lot of people together in one place and rebuild at the same time you’re rebuilding the city.”