TULANE TALK

March 12, 2004

Good Morning:

I want to use today’s Tulane Talk to comment on the news accounts this week regarding the willed body program at Tulane University. For more than a century donations to this program have been an invaluable resource in training our medical students and furthering the efforts of Tulane researchers. Like universities across the country, Tulane and its students are indebted to the individuals and their families who make
the selfless decision to donate to the willed body program.

Tulane regularly receives more bodies than it needs for its teaching and research purposes. In these cases, we may send bodies to other medical institutions who are in need of them. Tulane makes no profit from this and is reimbursed only for costs related to preserving the bodies. This is an important point to remember in light of the recent news stories involving willed body programs at other institutions.

The recent news stories on our willed body program have focused on the fact that National Anatomical Service, an independent company, transported several bodies from Tulane to an Army research program. We have discontinued our relationship with this company.

We have convened an internal review committee to ensure that all bodies willed to Tulane will be used in programs at academic medical institutions, consistent with the wishes of our donors. We all owe a debt of gratitude to those who participate in willed body programs. Tulane is committed to making certain these donations are treated with the dignity they deserve for the advancement of medical knowledge.

TULANE TALK

February 27, 2004

Good Morning:

I hope everyone enjoyed the Mardi Gras break. I spent part of Lundi Gras as a guest on “Nightline” discussing the need for athletics reform in light of the ongoing scandals plaguing college sports. I was grateful to be able to represent the university’s position to a national audience on such an important subject. I didn’t even mind when Ted Koppel interrupted me, although next time I may hold out for Barbara Walters.

You should soon receive a letter from me introducing you to the “2003 Report of the President.” This year’s report, which is available at http://pres2003.tulane.edu/ uses clever graphics, text and artist’s renderings to tell the story of a 170-year-old institution that is still very much a work in progress.

Uptown, downtown and across Lake Pontchartrain to the north shore, Tulane University is engaged in building projects that are “Works in Progress.” These efforts result from the impressive growth and development we have witnessed in our academic and research programs in the last six years. There is no doubt Tulane is progressing academically, financially and physically to further strengthen our already outstanding international research university.

Please review the “Report of the President” and tell me what you think.

Have a great weekend,

TULANE TALK

February 13, 2004

Good Morning:

The Louisiana congressional delegation hosted its annual Mardi Gras celebration in Washington, D.C. this week and I attended the reception honoring the Washington king of carnival last night. This annual celebration is a great time to network with decision-makers whose actions can impact Tulane. I also had the chance to meet with several alumni, potential donors as well as legislators on the Hill.

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the staff appreciation luncheon where I met with many of our great employees. Another one of our wonderful employees, Sherry Riedlinger, will be honored next week when she receives a special recognition from the ROTC Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. in the Diboll Conference Center. Sherry, who worked for more than 20 years as assistant director in the Students Accounts Receivable Office at Tulane, will be given the Commander’s Award for Public Service, the highest ROTC service award available to civilians.

Throughout her career Sherry has displayed exceptional skill and innovation in handling the daunting accounting demands of the ROTC’s scholarship program and other operations. Her citation lauds her for her “extraordinary contributions to the United States Army and the Department of Defense” for which “the Army and nation will remain forever grateful.”

Although she is being commended for her financial acumen and efficiency, the award makes clear that at the heart of Sherry’s dedication is her personal concern and devotion to the young men and women of the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Sherry has set an example for all of us to follow.

Another group that gives their all will be honored today at 5:30 p.m. as the Sound Wave Marching Band and Color Guard leads a parade of fans in honor of our nationally ranked Green Wave baseball team. The parade will begin at Fogelman Arena and end at Turchin Stadium where there will be more pre-game musical entertainment in celebration of the opening of baseball season. Hope you can make it.

Have a great weekend,

TULANE TALK

January 30, 2004

Good Morning:

Recently the President’s Cabinet has been discussing two topics of critical importance to the future of the university. One deals with the implications of the University of Michigan’s Supreme Court case on student diversity and the other relates to how we can more effectively integrate athletics throughout the university. This second topic is one that has been strongly advocated by Athletics Director Rick Dickson and has a great deal of merit.

As a result of these conversations, I have charged Provost Lester Lefton to form and lead two important task forces, “The Task Force on Undergraduate Student Body Diversity” and “The Task Force on Athletics.” These committees, comprised of top administrators, faculty and staff and linked to the University Senate, are charged with helping the university formulate effective policies and practices in two vital areas.

The Special Task Force on Undergraduate Student Body Diversity will review and recommend ways to increase the diversity of our undergraduate student body in terms of gender, race, culture and socioeconomic background in light of the University of Michigan case. We must work harder and in a more systematic fashion to ensure Tulane is accessible to all students who meet our academic standards. The task force will study the history of diversity at Tulane, the positive impact of increased diversity and the best way to achieve our goals in this area.

The purpose of the Task Force on Athletics is to develop recommendations on how we can more fully integrate our student-athletes into the academic and social life of the university. Their high profile and the extraordinary extra-curricular demands placed upon them can often obscure the fact that college athletes are, first and foremost, young adults who need and deserve the full educational and social benefits of higher education. To limit the intellectual and social growth of athletically gifted young people and relegate them to any position that diminishes their primary role as students is a disservice to them and to Tulane. As part of ensuring the full integration of student-athletes into university life, the task force will also ensure that the university is in full compliance with all NCAA regulations.

Both of our task forces have been given challenging responsibilities. You can review the duties and composition of each of these committees at http://provost.tulane.edu/committees.html I am confident that the people we have appointed to these committees will show us the best practices and processes for achieving our goals to better serve our students. As always, I will keep you posted on the progress of these task forces.

Have a great weekend,