TULANE TALK

December 1, 2006

Good Morning:

Next week we will celebrate a landmark event in the history of Tulane with the dedication of the new Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life. This beautiful building will serve as the hub of university life, providing approximately 142,000 square feet (nearly 50 percent more than the original University Center) of meeting spaces, dining options, banking, bookstore services, a barbershop and more.

The building’s open design includes environmentally-friendly features such as four water walls which will help cool the building when air coming through the doors is blown across them by fans. The building’s many windows will maximize natural illumination and electric lights within the building will automatically adjust depending on the amount of outside light.

Construction of the new building was funded by donations from alumni and other members of the Tulane community, most notably the Lavin and Bernick families, for whom the center is named and to whom we are all indebted.

While the buildingís progressive design is captivating, its most important feature is the opportunity it will give us to gather, meet, dine, live and learn together as a community. With that in mind, please attend the dedication ceremony Dec. 6 at 3:30 p.m. on McAlister Drive. This event will include a reception and tours of the Lavin-Bernick Center, along with individual room dedications.

In addition to the dedication ceremony we are also hosting a free concert for students by the New Orleans-based alternative rock trio ìBetter than Ezraî Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in McAlister Auditorium.

Soon after these opening celebrations, the former tenants of the old UC will begin to move back where they belong. I know you will be as excited as I am to welcome them home.

Our dedication ceremonies had originally included an address by Andrea Mitchell, chief foreign affairs correspondent for NBC News, scheduled for Dec. 5. Unfortunately, Ms. Mitchell was forced to cancel her appearance due to the coverage required of the upcoming release of the Iraq Study Groupís report. Ms. Mitchell has indicated that she would like to reschedule a Tulane appearance at a later date. Iíll keep you informed about that.

Have a great weekend,