TULANE TALK

January 10, 2003

Good Morning:

As students returned to classes this week, a Tulane University tradition quietly began to fade away. For the first time Tulane students were able to register for classes completely on-line. With 80 percent of students choosing this route, the lines and paperwork of past registrations appear to be history.

I had the opportunity this week, along with Senior Vice President for Health Sciences Paul Whelton, to visit the Tulane National Primate Research Center in Covington and welcome a group of distinguished scientists who were participating in a site visit of the center. Their visit was part of the National Institutes of Health’s renewal of funding for the center.

For me the visit was a reminder of how the primate center is intricately linked to the mission and purpose of Tulane, especially as it relates to our research agenda. The center is truly a distinctive feature of our university. Its groundbreaking research into AIDS, infectious disease and gene therapy should fill us all with pride and hope.

Another source of pride is our 2002 ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl Champion Green Wave football team. The team will be honored for their remarkable season during halftime of the Jan. 11 Tulane-Southern Miss women’s basketball game in Fogleman Arena. Tip-off for the game is 2 p.m. Green Wave fans are invited to attend the celebration dressed in their finest Hawaiian apparel. I hope to see you all there.

Have a great weekend,