TULANE TALK

May 14, 2004

Good Morning:

Monday marks the 50th anniversary of Brown vs. the Board of Education, the Supreme Court decision that outlawed segregation in public schools and helped spark the Civil Rights movement. While the changes wrought by Brown have been profound, much still needs to be done to ensure equal education and opportunity for all. Since efforts to desegregate schools began at the university level some 20 years before the Brown decision, I believe that universities again need to take the lead in making the aims of that decision a reality.

With that in mind, Tulane University formed the Special Task Force on Undergraduate Student Body Diversity in January. The task force has drafted a statement outlining Tulane’s commitment to undergraduate student diversity, analyzed a broad range of recommended race-neutral alternatives to increase student diversity and completed a thorough study of Tulane’s recruitment, admissions and financial aid procedures. The task force plans to produce by the fall semester a set of recommendations to realign our recruitment, admissions and financial aid practices to achieve greater diversity in the undergraduate student body consistent with the findings of the University of Michigan Supreme Court case.

Tulane also continues efforts to encourage minorities to attend and succeed in college through programs such as Upward Bound, the Graduate Alliance for Education in Louisiana and numerous others. We are also committed to increasing diversity of all kinds among our faculty and staff. An exhaustive report on the university’s level of diversity and equity, with recommendations to increase both, is currently under review.

For an historical perspective on some of the broad issues implicated by the Brown decision, the Deep South Regional Humanities Center at Tulane is hosting “Unsettling Memories,” a conference that will examine the great written, musical and visual art the South has created in response to its troubled racial history. Participants at the conference, which will take place June 15 to June 21 in Jackson, Mississippi, include author Alice Walker, musician Otis Taylor, artist William Christenberry and many others, including those whose family members were victims of racial violence. I will attend this conference and hope many of you will be able to do the same. For more information visit http://www.tulane.edu/%7Ememories/

This conference and our other ongoing efforts demonstrate that while the full impact of Brown has yet to be realized, Tulane, as an institution and community, is committed to its longed for realization.

Have a great weekend,

TULANE TALK

April 30, 2004

Good Morning:

This past week I heard someone (not at Tulane) lament about the state of our youth today, especially in comparison to those of decades ago. Of course, I have a different view based on the many talented, motivated and selfless Tulane University students I have encountered.

I think about the hundreds of students who volunteer countless hours through the Community Action Council of Tulane University Students (CACTUS) or other student-led organizations. These students tutor kids, refurbish schools, visit the elderly and sick, build homes for the homeless, defend the indigent and reach out in numerous other ways to those in need both here and abroad.

I think of the students whose talents enhance the local arts and performance scene, such as those who recently presented the environmentally-themed “River Run” performance, the Civil War drama “Hallowed Ground” and the student photographers whose works will be spotlighted at Radici Art Gallery on Julia Street from May 1 through June 5.

I also think of the many Tulane student-athletes who excel in their studies while representing us all through their athletic achievements. This includes our nationally ranked baseball team, who continues to be one of the premier squads in the country, and our nationally ranked men’s and women’s tennis teams and women’s golf team, each of whom won C-USA Championships this season.

I think, too, of Tulane track and field standout Jillian Green, who received the 2004 Wilma Rudolph Award which honors student-athletes who overcome great personal, academic or emotional obstacles to achieve academic success while participating in intercollegiate sports. Jillian was involved in a serious automobile accident in the fall of 2001. Although doctors told her she might never walk again Jillian believed otherwise. By the spring of 2002 she was back competing for the Green Wave and this year has nearly matched her pre-accident statistics.

I can’t say I am never disappointed or saddened by the actions of one or more of our students but I will say that when I think of placing the future in the hands of our young Tulanians I am filled with confidence and hope.

Have a great weekend,

TULANE TALK

April 16, 2004

Good Morning:

Yesterday the New Orleans City Council approved Tulane University’s plan for the development of University Square. The approval process was a long and arduous one requiring compromise, team work and sensitivity to the issues and concerns raised by various groups opposing our plans. The process was superbly led and managed by Yvette Jones and Anne Banos and a team of other Tulanians and community leaders too numerous to mention. On behalf of the entire Tulane community, I want to thank them for their effort. I am incredibly proud of all of them.

One of the factors that influenced city council members to support the project is the impressive economic impact Tulane University has on the local and regional economy. This impact was documented in a study released yesterday by Oakland Econometrics, a local economic analysis company headed by Tulane professor William Oakland. According to the study, Tulane activities contribute $1.12 billion to the state economy and $842 million to the New Orleans economy each year. While these figures are impressive in and of themselves, the study also notes that, because of its ability to attract so many out-of-state students, parents, patients and money, Tulane serves a unique role in the local and statewide economy that could not be filled by other entities.

In other words if there were no Tulane University, it is unlikely any other institution would attract the $360 million spent annually by out-of-state Tulane students, the $100 million in federal grants awarded annually to Tulane, the $20 million spent by out-of-state Tulane patients on medical care or the $7.5 million spent by patients for food, lodging and entertainment.

The study also said spending by Tulane University is the number one growth industry in New Orleans, noting the $450 million in salaries and fringe benefits Tulane provides for its employees, the $196 million it spends in goods and services and the $25 million it outlays annually in new construction projects. Analysis of the study reveals that for every $1 million Tulane spends, 16 new jobs are created. Tulane is the largest private employer in New Orleans and the fifth largest employer in Louisiana.

The study concludes that Tulane is a vital economic asset for New Orleans and Louisiana, especially when our economic impact is considered along with the other non-quantifiable benefits we provide to our city and state as a nationally ranked educational institution.

So while Green Wave refers to the sea of green created by Tulane University athletic teams rushing onto the field, it could also refer to the vast economic and educational benefits Tulane University brings to New Orleans and Louisiana. Let’s keep up the good work.

Have a great weekend,

TULANE TALK

April 2, 2004

Good Morning:

U.S. News and World Report announced its annual rankings of “America’s Best Graduate Schools” today. The A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University is ranked 47th in the nation, down from its 42nd
ranking last year, and the Tulane Law School is ranked 56th, down from its 45th ranking last year. The Environmental Law program is ranked 4th in the nation, up from its 5th ranking last year.

I am pleased that our schools of business and law continue to be ranked in the highest categories of the U.S. News & World Report graduate school rankings, which include the top 50 business schools and the top 100 law schools. This type of recognition is one indication of the overall strength and quality of the business and law schools, as well as the entire university.

But despite the fact that we continue to be counted among the best, both the law school and the business school slipped in this year’s rankings. The deans of both schools are analyzing the rankings data to determine how we can improve in those areas which are within our control and which are consistent with each school’s strategic plan. In those areas in which we can make positive changes consistent with our strategic plan, we will do so.

It is also important to remember, however, that these rankings, while popular with external constituencies, are imprecise measures of the quality of an institution and need to be viewed in the context of the positive progress made by each school. For example, our business school just celebrated the completion of the $26 million Goldring/Woldenberg Hall II expansion, enjoyed a solid year in faculty recruiting and witnessed continued success in its academic programs in New Orleans as well as its Executive MBA programs in Houston, Santiago, Shanghai and Taipei. Our law school’s undergraduate GPA and LSAT scores, acceptance rates, bar passage rates and international reputation are as good or better than they have ever been. In the case of both schools, there is only a fraction of a difference between their rankings and those ranked several spots higher.

I am convinced that if we continue to focus on our strategic vision we will transform Tulane University from a very good institution of higher education to one of the preeminent research universities in the country and the rankings will take care of themselves.

By the way, I was interviewed by CNN this week on the topic of college rankings. Portions of the interview will air today and I think you will find my comments consistent with the views on this topic I have shared with you in the past.

Have a great weekend,