Tulane Talk January 16, 2009
TULANE TALK
January 16, 2009
Good Morning:
Today kicks off the 23rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week for Peace, a time in which we join Dillard, Loyola and Xavier universities to celebrate the life and carry forth the mission of Dr. Martin Luther King.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today there will be an MLK exhibit and free cake and punch offered in the Lavin Bernick Center’s (LBC) McNulty Commons. This will also be a time for you to register for Saturday’s Day of Service, one of the main events of the Week for Peace. More than 20 projects have been selected for this special day ranging from rebuilding homes for the elderly to restoring our wetlands. Volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. at the LBC and then be brought to sites throughout the city, returning at 3 p.m. Meals will be provided. If you don’t make it to the LBC today, you can always register online at http://mlkoutreachnola.tulane.edu.
Since no Week for Peace events are planned for Sunday, Jan. 18, this is a great day to welcome back the women’s tennis program (reinstated for the first time since Katrina) as the Green Wave take on North Texas at the Goldring Tennis Complex at 11 a.m. This historic event features free admission and free hot dogs.
Then at 1 p.m. on Sunday the Green Wave women’s basketball team will tip off against UTEP at Fogelman Arena. We want a packed house for this game, which will be broadcast nationally on ESPN-2. Fans who wear Tulane gear, paint their faces, bring signs or other visual displays of their Green Wave pride will be admitted for $1.
The Week for Peace continues Monday, Jan. 19, at 4 p.m. with a candlelight vigil and Interfaith Gospel Celebration at Dillard. Buses taking Tulane and Loyola students to Dillard will depart from McAlister Drive and Freret starting at 3:30 p.m.
On Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m., comedian and activist Dick Gregory will host the 2009 MLK Convocation at Xavier University. A reception will be held before the convocation at 5:30 p.m. in the foyer of the University Center Ballroom. Buses taking Tulane and Loyola students to Xavier will depart from McAlister Drive and Freret at 5 p.m. The Week for Peace will conclude Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. with the Expressions of Unity event at Loyola’s Nunemaker Auditorium. Students from the various campuses will dance, sing and perform spoken word and a unity step in celebration of the life of Dr. King.
Please try to take part in as many of these events as possible. In the words of Dr. King, the only requirement is “a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
This weekend also kicks off the events leading up to Tuesday’s Presidential Inauguration, one of our nation’s defining traditions. This year’s ceremony is even more poignant, offering proof in the midst of the annual commemoration of Dr. King’s life that his dream can come true.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk January 09, 2009
TULANE TALK
January 9, 2009
Good Morning:
I am pleased to announce that Charlie McMahon will become Tulane University’s new vice president for information technology and chief technology officer effective February 1. Charlie is a well-known and respected figure throughout the information technology community because of his roles at LSU where he currently serves as chief technology officer at the Center for Computation and Technology, deputy CIO of Information Technology and executive director of the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative (LONI), one of the country’s most advanced optical networks.
Charlie was largely responsible for securing the $40 million in funding needed to build and operate LONI, which enables Louisiana researchers to exchange large amounts of data instantaneously with fellow researchers throughout the country.
This kind of broad vision and leadership is what made Charlie such an attractive candidate for a position that, among other duties, is responsible for protecting and enhancing our ability to communicate and conduct research via e-mail and websites, to maintain student records and pay employees electronically, to post lecture notes, assignments and discussions on Blackboard and to perform such basic tasks as conducting business over the phone. These and other information technology resources are vital to carrying out the mission of Tulane.
Charlie replaces Paul Barron, who has been the vice president for information technology and CIO at Tulane since January 2006. Paul’s dedication to Tulane during the last 30 years is well-known. Among other roles, he has served twice as the interim senior vice president for academic affairs and provost and was enlisted as a senior officer-at-large in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I want to thank Paul for his long and distinguished service and look forward to his future contributions as he returns to the Tulane Law School, where he has been a faculty member since 1976.
I also want to thank Lance Query, dean of libraries and academic information resources, members of the search committee and Yvette Jones, chief operating officer and senior vice president for external affairs, for their hard work in leading the search that brought us such a qualified candidate. Welcome to Tulane, Charlie.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk January 05, 2009
TULANE TALK
January 5, 2009
Good Morning:
I want to welcome everyone back from Winter Recess. I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday and are ready for another successful year.
As we begin the New Year, I thought it would be useful to update you on the economy and its likely impact on Tulane over the course of the next fiscal year.
As you all know, the global economic downturn continues to be problematic on a scale unseen in decades. The downturnís duration and its adverse impact are predicted to continue this year and into 2010. No sectors of the economy are immune to the recession, including higher education.
Despite the weakened economy, I remain optimistic that Tulane University will weather this chaotic period better than most of our peers. My optimism remains rooted in the same factors I mentioned to you two months ago. These factors include the success of our post-Katrina academic and administrative strategies, which have led to a ìleanî organization, a strengthened financial position, and unprecedented levels of student interest and quality. These bright spots, combined with the stability and performance of our faculty and staff and the continued support of our alumni and friends, bode well for the future.
Nevertheless, Tulane, like other higher education institutions, is facing the realities of a smaller endowment, lower endowment income, decreases in major fund raising, an increased need for student financial aid, and lower federal and state support. In an uncertain time like this, institutions need to be strategically focused on a few key priorities while protecting their core strengths and prudently managing their financial resources.
As we begin to prepare the fiscal year 2010 budget and based on recent discussions with the Tulane Board, members of the University Senate, and other university leaders, the administration has made a few modifications to next yearís institutional priorities. The universityís primary priorities are to:
- ensure the job stability and well being of our existing faculty and staff,
- provide financial assistance to meritorious students so they can continue to have access to a Tulane education,
- continue to diversify the student body, and
- continue to support on-going key academic, student and administrative initiatives emanating from the post- Katrina Renewal Plan.
In addition, there are a few other initiatives that might be undertaken if funds become available. They include the:
- expansion and strengthening of doctoral programs consistent with the framework developed by the Provost and Office of Academic Affairs,
- phased implementation of the faculty and staff compensation enhancement program, and
- support of Project 2020, which focuses on growing interdisciplinary research programs in the sciences and engineering.
As a prudent first step to ensure our financial stability and future success, we have now decided to implement the Faculty and Staff Headcount Stabilization Plan alluded to in my http 31, 2008 Tulane Talk. The planís purpose is to set our employment base at current levels and to ensure that those who are with Tulane today are secure in their positions into the future. A description of this program will be sent to Deans, Directors and Department Heads today. It is effective immediately.
We also continue to pursue the other actions outlined in my October 31, 2008 Tulane Talk. In particular, we will explore options regarding possible salary increases for next year. However, a final decision about increases will remain deferred until we get further into the detailed budgeting process and have more time to assess the economyís evolving impact on the university.
I will continue to periodically update you on these important topics during the semester. To be sure, 2009 will pose certain challenges for us, but I am very optimistic that it will be on balance a very rewarding and productive year for Tulane.
I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year.
Tulane Talk December 23, 2008
TULANE TALK
December 23, 2008
Good Morning:
Yesterday, I had the great honor and pleasure of giving a holiday surprise to some folks who give of themselves all year long. I’m talking, of course, about the winners of this year’s Staff Excellence Awards.
These 10 staff members represent a wide variety of jobs and responsibilities but are united in their common goal to give their best every day to advance the mission of Tulane University. As you know, the winners are nominated on the basis of four criteria: increased productivity, enhanced objectives, cost savings and humanitarianism.
And this year’s winners are: Kathryn Ball, director, Career Services Center, Admissions-School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, for increased productivity; Jake Calamusa, operations assistant, School of Continuing Studies, for humanitarianism; Candy Guedry, senior program coordinator, School of Science and Engineering, for enhanced objectives; Nick Jenisch, architectural assistant, School of Architecture, for increased productivity; Jeanne Johnson, section administrator, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, for cost savings; Sheila Norris, senior accountant, Department of Medicine, for increased productivity; Robin Rodriguez, media/communications specialist, Information Technology/Primate Center, for enhanced objectives; Emelina Sanchez, office manager, Chemistry Department, for humanitarianism; Lawrence Smith, senior executive secretary, Center for Public Service for increased productivity; Adine Stoulig, nurse manager, Student Health Center for humanitarianism.
Award recipients received a $1,000 cash prize and will be honored at a dinner hosted by Margie and me at our home. Best of all, these winners now have the knowledge of the esteem in which you, their fellow staff members, hold them.
Have a great holiday,
Tulane Talk December 19, 2008
TULANE TALK
December 19, 2008
Good Morning:
We hope you enjoy this http message Marjorie and I have prepared for you. May its images and words convey our gratitude and best wishes during this special season.
Scott and Marjorie Cowen
Tulane Talk December 12, 2008
TULANE TALK
December 12, 2008
Good Morning:
I thought you might like these photos of Tulanians enjoying our rare http wonderland. While the snow helped, the Tulane community was already in the holiday spirit. Below are just a few of the many ways we are spreading goodwill during this special time.
Today, The Book Giving Tree, a student-run project that provides Orleans Parish public school students with new books for the holidays, will begin delivering the purchases so many of you have made for this purpose. If you would like to help with the distribution of these gifts, please contact Laura Cox at (847) 644-0004 or http@gmail.com.
The Tulane Cancer Center’s Patient Relief Fund is stepping up its yearlong efforts to raise money to assist cancer patients with financial help for transportation, meals, housing and prescriptions. To make your donation, visit http://www.som.tulane.edu/cancer/.
Once again Louisiana State Police Troop B will sponsor this year’s Christmas Party for Tulane’s pediatric patients and their families. The troopers will bring plenty of toys, cards and joy to the children under our care, as well as gifts for their brothers and sisters.
The Tulane Staff Advisory Council and the Black Faculty and Staff Association have collected thousands of dollars and lots of toys this holiday season for CASA, which promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in safe, permanent homes. Toys will be given to children in foster homes, group homes and hospitals.
Many Tulanians also are adding to their holiday list The HelpNOLA program, which identifies opportunities for universities, organizations and individuals to help rebuild New Orleans. To find out how you can help, visit http://tulane.edu/cps/students/community-service-helpnola.cfm.
Again, these are just a few of our many efforts. I also know of one department that, in lieu of exchanging gifts, is making donations to the St. Francis Animal Sanctuary, which cares for abused, starving and neglected animals.
Each of us celebrates the holidays in our own way, but I think we can all agree that the true spirit of the season involves reaching out to those who are in most need of cheer. By that measure, Tulane University is definitely in the holiday mood.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk December 05, 2008
TULANE TALK
December 5, 2008
Good Morning:
This morning I am in Covington for the dedication of our National Primate Research Center’s new $27.5 million Regional Biosafety Laboratory. This 38,800-square-foot, state-of-the-art research lab, built to strict national safety standards, will greatly expand our ability to diagnose, treat and create vaccines for emerging infectious diseases and agents that could be used for bioterrorism.
Besides these life-saving efforts, the Regional Biosafety Lab, coupled with the completion of a $9.5 million animal research facility, will create approximately 60 new jobs with $2.2 million in annual payroll resulting in a $42 million economic impact on our region during the next five years.
While we are at it, here are a few other items of interest:
- For the first time in Tulane history the Conference USA Champion Green Wave Volleyball team (27-5) will play in the NCAA Tournament, taking on Tennessee Tech today at 4 p.m. in the Frericks Center in Dayton, Ohio. http it live.
- Today is the last day of regular classes.
- Our newest professor, James Carville, is demonstrating his university spirit and commitment by having the Tulane University logo featured behind him when he offers his frequent political commentary on CNN.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk November 26, 2008
TULANE TALK
November 26, 2008
Good Morning:
This Tulane Talk will be short because I am sure your mailbox does not have enough space to hold all the things for which I am most thankful: the names of all Tulane University students (including our Conference USA Champion volleyball team that is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history), the names of every one of our faculty, staff, parents, alumni and donors plus, of course, my wonderful wife, children, grandchildren, extended family, friends and, last but not least, Gibson.
I hope you, and those for whom you are most thankful, have a memorable and happy Thanksgiving.
Tulane Talk November 21, 2008
TULANE TALK
November 21, 2008
Good Morning:
Back in November 2001, Tulane’s faculty and administrative leaders discussed the importance of making the university’s wealth of knowledge and expertise more accessible to the general public in order to enhance and improve people’s lives. From these discussions the Presidential Symposium was born, evolving into a biannual series whose panelists would include experts not only from Tulane but from around the world.
The theme of the first symposium, which took place just two months after the 9/11 attacks, was “Bioterrorism: What You Need To Know.” This year’s symposium, “Emerging Infectious Diseases and Global Risks,” will tackle another subject that has made headlines recently: the threat of various strains of influenza, SARS, HIV, antibiotic-resistant microorganisms and other infectious diseases engulfing our increasingly interconnected world.
The symposium will feature a free public session by prize-winning author John Barry, whose New York Times best-seller “The Great Influenza” chronicles the 1918 flu pandemic. John’s talk will take place at 6 p.m., Dec. 4, in the Freeman Auditorium of the Woldenberg Art Center. The symposium will also feature a series of discussions for the scientific community by leading national experts. For more information visit the http website.
This year’s symposium coincides with the Dec. 5 dedication of Tulane’s new Regional Biosafety Laboratory, a $27.5 million, state-of-the-art research lab within the Tulane National Primate Research Center. This laboratory is dedicated to reducing the threat posed by infectious diseases by developing treatments, vaccines and diagnostics both for those infectious diseases that occur naturally as well as infectious agents that may be used by terrorists. The facility is one of only 13 National Institutes of Health-supported Biosafety Level 3 laboratories in the country. Biosafety Level 3 is a designation for labs built with strict safety standards to study airborne contaminants and infectious diseases.
I urge as many of you as possible to attend this year’s Presidential Symposium. Arming ourselves with the facts (not fear) and enlisting Tulane’s formidable research assets in the fight, offer us the best defense against any threat to our community’s health.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk November 14, 2008
TULANE TALK
November 14, 2008
Good Morning:
Tulane University is preparing for its 2011 reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the primary sanctioning body for higher education in the Southern states. This reaffirmation process occurs every 10 years.
To maintain accreditation, universities must develop a Quality Enhancement Plan for improving student learning. As students, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees and supporters of Tulane University, I believe you are a wonderful source for new ideas and approaches to enhance student learning both at the undergraduate and graduate level. Now is the time to see one of your great ideas possibly come to fruition in a way that could make a significant difference for years to come.
Visit http.tulane.edu or e-mail http@tulane.edu to submit your idea. Ideas should be as original and as bold as Tulane itself and should be university-wide in scope. Our TIDES classes and our public service requirement are examples of the type of innovative suggestions we seek. But, remember, we need NEW ideas and not simply a rehash of what we already do.
Once we receive your ideas, our Quality Enhancement Plan Task Force, which includes students, faculty and staff, will take the best ideas and, working with their originators, further develop them into actual proposals, including methods to evaluate their potential success.
In February, we will hold a community forum in which we will examine and discuss the pros and cons of the selected ideas. In the meantime we will present various campus events to encourage as much participation as possible. By the end of next semester we will select the final idea(s) for implementation.
Given the depth of your knowledge, your experience, your innovative spirit and commitment to Tulane, I know your ideas will lead us to a very positive outcome for our students.
Have a great weekend,