TULANE TALK

October 31, 2008

Good Morning:

The economic events of the past few months have affected all of us, and we all now know that we are in the midst of a serious and likely prolonged global economic downturn. The consequences of this downturn are still unfolding, and it is becoming apparent that there are no quick fixes for the current economic problems.

In recent weeks, I have been asked two questions over and over again: how long will the downturn last, and what impact will it have on Tulane University? The response to the first question I will leave to the new President of the United States and his administration. However, I thought I would share my response to the second question with all of you today.

Fortunately, Tulane University’s future remains bright and our current financial position, despite the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina, is solid and improving at a faster rate than originally anticipated. Student interest and quality are at an all time high, and are expected to remain so because weaker economic conditions normally lead to increased university enrollments. We successfully completed our “Promise and Distinction” campaign in June, and external research funding is strong. Thanks to our recovery success, we have sufficient liquidity to cover our normal operating cash flow needs for the foreseeable future. We have also significantly reduced our post-Katrina debt load in the last two years and have no need to access the credit markets.

Since September, the value of our endowment has decreased as a result of the stock market decline. Despite this decrease, income from the endowment (i.e. the payout) will remain stable this year and is not expected to decrease next year. Tulane is fortunate because the endowment payout represents about five percent of our revenue base and we are not as dependent on this source of income as are many of our peer institutions. It is likely that fund raising, especially for major gifts, will be challenging in this environment but I expect that our annual giving program should remain stable. I am also concerned that some of our students, especially those who are most in need of financial aid, may have a difficult time financing their education.

Considering all factors, the university is well positioned to weather rough economic times. However, to ensure our continued stability and progress, we will have to be particularly careful in how we use and allocate resources.

As we look at the remainder of this year and begin to prepare next year’s budget, we will continue to focus on achieving the same short and long-term objectives I have shared with you in meetings and in writing. Our five highest priorities are to:

ï continue the phased implementation of the faculty and staff compensation enhancement program;

ï invest in the growth of our doctoral programs consistent with the framework developed by the provost and Office of Academic Affairs;

ï invest in our research enterprise, especially in the biological and medical sciences, and engineering;

ï further diversify our student body; and

ï provide financial assistance to meritorious students so they have access to a Tulane education.

We will continue to focus on these priorities while carefully monitoring the impact the economic downturn could have on the university’s operations going forward.

As we begin to prepare the fiscal year 2010 budget, we will take into consideration many precautionary measures, among them the following:

ï Faculty and staff hiring: We will modulate the pace of our hiring until we get a better feel for the impact that the economic turmoil might have on Tulane.

ï Capital improvements and expansions: We will defer all projects where total funding is not currently in place.

ï Non-salary expenses: To the extent possible, we will keep non-salary increases to an absolute minimum. In the meantime, we ask you to be as prudent and careful as possible when committing university funds.

ï New or expanded academic and administrative initiatives: We will defer significant investments in any new or expanded programs that have not already been identified as a high institutional priority.

Tulane University is in a strong position, academically and financially, and we are better prepared than most major universities to cope with this economic downturn. We have dedicated and talented faculty and staff, and a student body that is the envy of most colleges and universities. Our alumni are loyal to the university and the university’s Board continues to provide courageous and enlightened leadership. Collectively, we are prepared to adapt to any challenge. We will successfully manage ourselves through these troubled economic times and prove once again that we can overcome any adversity no matter the odds.

TULANE TALK

October 21, 2008

To the Tulane Community:

I wanted to give you an update on this past Sunday’s sexual assault of a Tulane student and the subsequent arrest of the alleged perpetrator. Attacks against our students such as this and those that occurred on Sept. 28 and Oct.12 are the worst possible news a university community can hear. Please be assured that we are protecting the privacy of these victims while assisting them in every way possible.

As president and a parent, I am deeply upset and saddened about what has occurred and I am going to make sure we continue to do whatever we can to protect our community. In the past, we have taken pride in our safety record but these recent tragic incidents indicate we must do more and we will.

Our one solace is that the alleged perpetrator in Sunday’s attack is now in jail thanks to the efforts of the victim, the Tulane Police Department, the New Orleans Police Department and, most importantly, a few fellow Tulane students who witnessed the attack, chased the suspect away and provided his license plate number and vehicle description to police who were patrolling the area.

Although we are relieved that a suspect in these attacks is now behind bars, this is no time to let our guard down. Police are still investigating whether this suspect is also responsible for the previous two attacks. At this time, we cannot assume that the current suspect in jail is responsible for all three assaults.

Regardless of the outcome of the current investigations, Tulane is increasing security in a number of ways to ensure the continued safety of our community. We are increasing the number of perimeter patrols on the streets surrounding campus. We have also increased the operating hours of our free shuttle services and, as always, the Tulane Police are available 24 hours a day to escort any Tulane community member who feels unsafe. In addition we are also adding 19 crime cameras in and around campus and are placing yard signs containing crime prevention tips throughout campus. Our Rape Aggression Defense classes, taught by trained TUPD officers, are also seeing an increase in participants.

However, despite these enhancements, the best deterrent to crime is still a vigilant university community. No amount of actions by any university can eliminate crime; therefore, we need the assistance of everyone in the Tulane community. The number one way to avoid being a crime victim is to avoid walking alone after dark, especially late at night or in the early morning. While weekend nights are a time of socializing for most of us, predators view them as an opportunity to catch victims unaware.

As the students in Sunday’s attack so heroically demonstrated, look out for one another. Know the whereabouts of every member of your party. Make sure no one ever walks alone. Be accountable to yourselves and others and make sure they are accountable to you. Read and follow the safety tips that are displayed around campus. If you see any suspicious activity call the Tulane Police immediately at 865-5200 or the New Orleans Police at 821-2222 or 911.

Finally, please officially report any possible crimes that you become aware of so we have the information needed to take immediate action. Without you coming forward with knowledge of possible crimes, the university’s efforts are hampered to protect its community.

Scott Cowen

TULANE TALK

October 10, 2008

Good Morning:

I have some exciting news about a partnership Tulane University recently formed with The Posse Foundation that promises (along with our increasing recruiting efforts in Louisiana high schools) to enhance the diversity and quality of our undergraduate student body.

The Posse Foundation was founded in 1989 after a young educator named Deborah Bial was told by a student that he would never have dropped out of college if he had had his “posse” with him. Bial recognized in that remark the fact that capable students from multicultural backgrounds can often become adrift at the university level when they lose the social networks that sustained them during their adolescence and they find themselves in an environment with little opportunity for interaction.

So Bial formed the Posse Foundation to identify, recruit and train dynamic urban public high school students and send them to elite colleges and universities in multicultural teams or “posses.” Posse Scholars are awarded scholarships from Posse partner colleges and universities.

So far the foundation has placed nearly 2,000 students at 28 schools such as Brandeis University, Vanderbilt University, Carleton College, Middlebury College, Oberlin College and other highly sought-after institutions. Each Posse team undergoes an intensive eight month Pre-Collegiate Training Program, which obviously works. Posse Scholars are currently graduating at a rate of more than 90 percent, well above the national average.

The Posse program is a win-win for everyone. Universities benefit from having a larger pool of top students from diverse backgrounds. Posse Scholars benefit by receiving an education at some of the nation’s best schools and society benefits by more cross-cultural communication and increased diversity among tomorrow’s leaders.

Tulane will welcome its first set of Posse Scholars in the fall of 2009. The Posse Foundation requires that partner universities select their Posse Scholars from outside their geographic area. Our first set of between 10 and 12 Posse Scholars will come from the Los Angeles area. I can’t wait for you to meet them.

Have a great weekend,

TULANE TALK

September 26, 2008

Good Morning:

In March I signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, pledging that Tulane would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and work toward the goal of climate neutrality. Through this commitment Tulane also agreed to conduct research and produce graduates ready to address climate change for future generations.

Now, through our newly formed Climate Commitment Advisory Committee, which consists of faculty, staff and students from throughout the university, we have identified several major areas in which we are taking concrete actions to honor this pledge.

We are making energy-efficient improvements across the university. In our residence halls we have replaced more than 4,000 light fixtures with occupancy sensors that automatically shut off lights when a room is empty.

Also, as we begin new construction on our campuses and assist in rebuilding New Orleans we are doing so in an energy efficient, sustainable way following the guidance of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building program.

We have also expanded our shuttle bus service between campuses and around town in order to reduce automobile traffic and are in the early stages of a major effort to remove vehicle traffic from the center of the Uptown campus, improving bicycle travel, walking and connections to public transportation. We are also seeking out partners and opportunities to support alternatives to driving in our community. In addition we are working on expanding our recycling efforts.

While we have a good start, we need your help to honor our commitment. Climate change is a problem that affects each of us regardless of race, gender or socio-economic status. While it is an issue of sweeping and complex nature with long-range consequences of great magnitude, it is also a problem that can be significantly ameliorated by each person through our individual choices and lifestyles. As a university community, we also have a responsibility through our research to contribute to the development of longer term, major responses to the challenge of climate change. We are making these commitments because they are the right thing to do for our community.

That’s why I urge you to make your own commitment and submit your ideas for reducing the university’s energy use, waste and greenhouse gas emissions to our Climate Commitment Advisory Committee at ldavey@tulane.edu. Together we can ensure that the footprint we leave behind is solid green. On a personal note, Margie and I now own a hybrid car and I traded in my other car for a more gas-efficient model. We are also exploring how we can make the president’s home more energy efficient.

Have a great weekend,