TULANE TALK

June 10, 2003

Good Morning:

I would like to share with you the full text of some comments I made at a news conference earlier today.

As President of Tulane University and as a member of the Board of Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund, I fully endorse and support the http approved by the Board today.

I support this resolution because it unequivocally states that the board is committed to maintaining Tulane’s place among the nation’s outstanding institutions of higher education. In addition, the resolution clearly states that the university aspires to continue operating a Division I-A athletics program that is:

a) A model in terms of the academic performance and graduation rates of its student-athletes.

b) Financially viable on a sustainable basis so as not to impede the basic mission and goals of the university.

This process has not been an easy one for any of us, regardless of our individual positions within the university community or our opinions on the issues being discussed. But it is the mark of a great organization that it is willing to show the courage and willingness to undergo a serious self-examination.

I personally want to thank and express my gratitude to all our alumni and friends who took the time to write thoughtful and substantive comments to the university. “I want you to know that your comments had an impact on me. “I now implore you to convert your passion and commitment to sustainable, tangible support for all parts of the university.

In my lifetime, I have been fortunate to work with a few extraordinary leaders in great organizations. Great organizations like these share at least four characteristics, whether they are universities, cities or businesses.

First, a great organization must be willing to adapt to significant changes in the outside world without compromising its core values and basic mission. That means the organization must be flexible, forward-looking, and able to discern which environmental trends are transitory and which are likely to be persistent.

Second, a great organization must always focus on accomplishing its mission and realizing its aspirations-and allocating its resources accordingly. Deviation from this focus can lead to mediocrity in everything and excellence in nothing.

Third, a great organization must constantly challenge the status quo. To do otherwise is to live in the past at the expense of the future.

Finally, a great organization listens to those it seeks to serve, when the voices are thoughtful, understanding of the complexities of leading and managing a large organization, and are responsible in thought and deed. The open and free exchange of ideas and thoughts in a civil and professional manner is not only the hallmark of a great organization; it is also a core value of a university.

Now, let’s briefly look at those characteristics in light of the board’s review of intercollegiate athletics and its ultimate decision.

From the very beginning, the board’s discussions were guided by a single, very important strategic question: Given the changing landscape of Division I intercollegiate athletics and the mission, aspirations and resources of Tulane University, what intercollegiate athletics program is best for the university?

To answer this question:

1) It required the board to look at the external environment governing intercollegiate athletics in America.

2) It required the board to recognize and acknowledge that the university’s mission-first and foremost-is one of learning and discovery.

3) It required the board to embrace our desire to stand among the most outstanding universities in the world when it comes to academic achievement and impact.

4) It required the board to understand that we have limited resources in comparison to those universities with which we compare ourselves academically.

5) And it required the board to understand that the university has numerous stakeholders, many of whom have conflicting expectations of the university.

The conclusion of these discussions is that Tulane University wants to have a Division I-A program consistent with the expectations articulated in the board’s resolution, and that everyone associated with these expectations will be held accountable for their realization.

Is this aspiration for Tulane’s athletic programs realistic? “The optimists will say yes, the cynics will say no. Only time will tell. But I do believe the successful outcome will be worth the effort we put into it. It is a goal worth pursuing, particularly within the current athletics environment in America, one that is increasingly at odds with the academic goals and values of a university.

Everyone associated with Tulane University should draw great comfort from the fact that the board has set a very high standard for the future in its willingness to confront and address difficult issues that impact the extraordinary potential of this wonderful university. This uncompromising approach makes me optimistic that Tulane University is on the path of transformation from being a very good university into being a great one.

What comes next is a challenge, and that is for all of us who refer to ourselves as Tulanians, who believe strongly in Tulane, to put any disagreements aside. It is a time to convert our expressed passion and commitment to the university into tangible, sustainable support. Most importantly, it is time for us to come together as a single community in pursuit of a single goal: the advancement of Tulane University as a world-class institution that is proud of its role as a leader in higher education and as a citizen of its community.”

As always your comments are welcomed at http://feedback.tulane.edu or by calling the special athletics comment line at 1-877-862-8020 or 8620.

TULANE TALK

May 16, 2003

Good Morning:

Commencement weekend is here! The stage is set on the Gibson Quad for tonight’s Wave Goodbye celebration honoring our graduates and their families. In addition to great New Orleans food, guests will also enjoy music by Marcia Ball and Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers.

But the main event is tomorrow, May 17, at 9:30 a.m. in the Superdome. More than 2,300 graduates and their families will take part in a commencement ceremony that has to be a one-of-a-kind event among graduations. What other university’s commencement includes a second-line procession, performances by jazz greats Wanda Rouzan and Michael White, confetti cannons and a beach ball drop?

The day will also feature a keynote address by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and renowned political and social commentator David Halberstam, who has authored best-selling books ranging from the Vietnam War to 9/11. Halberstam’s landmark work “The Best and Brightest” inspired a generation of journalists from Watergate reporter Bob Woodward to “Black Hawk Down” author Mark Bowden.

While Halberstam, who was a guest on “Good Morning America” just a few days ago, is sure to be a big draw, the real stars of the day are, of course, our graduates of whom we are so proud. I hope you will join me in celebrating and honoring their achievements.

Have a great Commencement Weekend,

TULANE TALK

May 7, 2003

Good Morning:

In the two weeks since I first wrote you about the board’s review of Tulane Athletics a lot has happened. Before I begin, however, I would like to personally thank all those who we’ve met with and heard from for their understanding and thoughtful feedback. We have received hundreds of e-mails, phone calls, and letters on this subject. In an effort to share the conversation with everyone, to include as many opinions as possible, and to keep you up-to-date, the university has established a web site at http://feedback.tulane.edu/. This site contains important information that will help increase your awareness of the complexity of this issue.

Here’s where we are in the process: the Ad Hoc Committee has yet to finalize its report to the board. When the board completes its review of the Ad Hoc Committee’s findings, and all other input we have received, the board and I will publicly discuss the process and outcomes. In the last few days, Yvette Jones, Senior Vice President for External Affairs, and I have held briefing sessions with several external groups, including the Louisiana Council, the Liberal Arts and Sciences Advisory Board and the Tulane Alumni Association Board, including many of the chapter presidents.

Here is a summary of the key points made at those sessions:

• Tulane University operates a model Division I-A program in terms of the quality and performance of its student-athletes and teams. Our coaches and staff embrace the academic values of the institution and the role athletics should play at Tulane.
• We are exceptionally proud of our student-athletes, coaches and staff. On-the-field performance has been impressive; Tulane’s student-athletes lead the conference in grades and are among the national leaders in graduation rates.
• The timing of this review was envisioned several years ago when the university initiated its comprehensive academic planning process.
• This review of athletics must be at the level of the Tulane Board because it is the governing body of the university and the only group who has access to and oversees all aspects of the institution. In its decision-making process, the board represents the long-term interests of all of the university’s constituents.
• The Ad Hoc Committee of the Board has focused most of its efforts on understanding how the changing requirements (Bowl Championship Series, NCAA regulation, Title IX and the commercialization of intercollegiate athletics) of Division I-A have, and may in the future, impact Tulane’s ability to achieve its academic mission and goals given its resources. These changing requirements have resulted in the athletics department’s expenses exceeding its revenues by $5 million dollars per year, excluding scholarship costs and an existing allowable subsidy.
• Additionally, the economic model driving Division I-A athletics puts Tulane at a disadvantage in comparison to schools such as Duke, Vanderbilt, Stanford, and Northwestern, which belong to conferences affiliated with the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and have more resources, in terms of endowment income, to fund all parts of the university.

A number of academic institutions are currently in a similar situation as Tulane University and need to evaluate their intercollegiate athletics program. In the last few weeks alone, a number of universities have announced similar reviews or have decided upon changes to their athletics programs.

As the university continues this process of review and evaluation, I can assure you that we are looking at every aspect of the situation. This is a sensitive and complex issue that touches all parts of the university. Judging from the correspondence I have received, which I believe represents every possible viewpoint of how Tulane University should proceed, I see how seriously and thoughtfully our community is engaging in this discussion.

In order to hear even more feedback, the university will hold briefings for faculty, staff, students, alumni and other interested parties. We have scheduled two meetings in the Dixon Annex on campus. The first meeting is Friday, May 9th at noon. The second meeting is Monday, May 12th at 5 p.m.

Today, Tulane University is a much stronger academic and nationally known institution than at any time in its history. Yet, athletics is facing conditions, many of which are beyond its control, that are constantly changing. The board and administration’s task is to analyze and understand all of these changes and to decide what is in the best long-term interests of Tulane University in the context of its mission and aspirations. This is the ultimate goal we must keep in mind throughout our deliberations.

I hope to see you at the meetings,

TULANE TALK

April 25, 2003

Good Morning:

I received a very special visitor from Canada this week, Ambassador Michael F. Kergin, who was in town as part of a visit to strengthen his country’s educational and cultural ties to our region. As you know, Louisiana’s connection to Canada dates back to the 1700s when French colonists who had settled in Acadia, now Nova Scotia, were exiled and came to Louisiana. Here they founded the Cajun culture that has so enriched our state.

What you may not know, is that today Canada is a vital trading partner of the United States with more than $500 billion in trade exchanged between our countries. I was pleased to learn from the ambassador that there is an increased interest in our region by the Canadian government. It was an honor to tell him “Bienvenue a Louisiane” on behalf of Tulane University.

I was also pleased to learn this week of several Tulane University students who have received scholarships in national competitions. Richard Reish, a senior in Tulane College, won a scholarship from the foundation created by Jack Kent Cooke, the late media mogul and owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Redskins. The award will provide Richard up to $300,000 to attend medical school. Alexander Flyax, a sophomore in Tulane College, received a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship that will provide up to $30,000 to finish his undergraduate degree.

In addition to these two scholars, Anne O’Donnell, a Newcomb senior, Margaret Sage Briscoe, a Newcomb junior and Jason Mellad, a Tulane College junior, have each received a prestigious Barry M. Goldwater scholarship, which provides funding for college students who intend to pursue careers as scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. These, of course, are just a few of the many accomplished Tulane students of whom we are so proud.

I have received quite a few responses from this week’s Special Tulane Talk regarding the Board of Tulane’s discussion and study of the university’s intercollegiate athletics program. I have read all of these messages and will share them with members of the board. If you want to read these messages and add your own opinion visit http://feedback.tulane.edu.

Have a great weekend,