TULANE TALK

September 21, 2012

Good Morning:

Each fall I visit with various internal and external audiences to discuss the state of the university and to share our institutional goals for the year.

Our primary goals this year are rooted in our vision for the university and our core academic mission. They include developing plans for the university and each academic unit for the next decade; exploring ways to make a Tulane education more affordable, accessible, global and digital; continuing to improve Tulane’s retention and graduation rates and securing the School of Medicine’s position as one of the country’s best.

Other goals are headline-grabbing and highly visible, such as breaking ground on the new Tulane stadium and Residential College III. While some goals, such as meeting our financial projections or completing our debt restructuring and bond offering, are less exciting but equally important.

There are goals that will bring new faces to Tulane, such as filling the Sacks Distinguished Chair in Social Innovation and Community Engagement and the vice president for Facilities Services positions. Goals such as the renovation of the Central Building, the game day venue for our basketball teams, and the JBJ building and Howard-Tilton Memorial Library will give new vitality to old friends. And a substantial, multi-year financial commitment will upgrade and strengthen our information technology capabilities.

Meeting goals such as completing the construction of Flower Hall will enhance the research capacity of the university, especially in the School of Science and Engineering, while planning for a new dining and residence hall promises to increase our student amenities. Our fundraising goals include continuing to raise private funds to historic levels and laying the groundwork for a new major capital campaign. We also plan to continue partnering with national, state and local public officials in the areas of youth development, health care, the arts and the physical revitalization of New Orleans.

Establishing and reviewing these goals keeps us focused and energizes us for the new academic year. I know with the dedication and hard work of you – the world’s most extraordinary students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and supporters – we will achieve all of these goals and more.

Have a great weekend and remember to support Devon and the Green Wave at 11 a.m. tomorrow as we face Ole Miss at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.