Live Chat With Tulane University President Scott Cowen
February 7, 2008
President Cowen: Good evening. It's been busy here at Tulane. If it were just a few days earlier I would be wishing you a Happy Mardi Gras. It was Tuesday of this week.
President Cowen: Earlier today, Senator Barack Obama was on campus giving a major policy speech. While Tulane doesn't endorse any political candidates, many high profile and influential speakers visit us. There is always something going on here and I'm sure if you decide to come to Tulane you will find many programs of interest.
President Cowen: Let's get started. First question?
thejeff07: Do you guys offer Physical Education?
President Cowen: We do not offer a degree in Physical Education. We have lots of recreational activities for students here. We have inter-collegiate athletics and very robust intramural sports options.
zeena: Many students have been accepted - it seems anyone who has applies to Tulane gets in. I realize that it is difficult to draw students after Katrina but doesn't this lower the standards of Tulane's reputation
President Cowen: Actually, only about a third of the students who apply to Tulane are admitted. We are one of the most selective institutions in the country. You must just have bright friends who have been admitted already.
Frank: Is it mandatory for an incoming Freshman to live on campus?
President Cowen: Yes, it is. We find this is a way for you to get integrated into the collegiate experience much more effectively then if you lived off campus.
Peter_F: Please discuss the direction Tulane is taking the Engineering school with the reduced majors offered.
President Cowen: After Katrina, we created a new school Science & Engineering. Engineering disciplines represent Biomedical Engineering, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Engineering Physics. Engineering Physics is the general Engineering program. I anticipate that we will probably add one or two additional undergraduate majors in Engineering in the next couple of years.
Harvardma: We've heard about the increased crime rate in New Orleans, specifically, how has it affected Tulane Students, such as numbers of violent crimes, robberies, etc?
President Cowen: The crime in New Orleans is not random crime, it's criminal-on-criminal. The vast majority of violent crimes also occur in the uninhabited parts of the city. Tulane University is located in one of the most attractive, and safest, parts of New Orleans. If you look at the crime statistics for our campus and compare them with other urban universities, you would see that we are quite safe by comparison.
Chat for the future: Can you please talk a little about the "plan" in case another major storm is predicted for your area and exactly when the evacuation would start and how you are planning on making it a smooth operation?
President Cowen: We have a very well developed hurricane preparedness plan, which worked as planned even during Katrina itself. We were able to evacuate 600 students safely the day before the storm, and I am proud to say that no student or faculty or staff member was in harm's way because of Katrina. We have enhanced that plan even further since the storm, and the exact timing of when people would leave campus really depends on many variables, including the size of the storm and the direction it is headed.
Fyai-5: I once heard from my friend that Tulane is totally different from it before hurricane Katrina happened, so I wonder from what aspects had hurricane Katrina influenced Tulane. Thank you.
President Cowen: Tulane students have always been very enthusiastic and dedicated to the university. However, in the post-Katrina era they seem to be even more committed to the university and New Orleans. We're the only major university in the country that has public service as a requirement for graduation, and this has resonated with many of our students. We are also a very close-knit community, where people genuinely care about one another. And that was really evident during and after the storm itself.
Sandra: I received a partial scholarship (thank you) and recently received a letter that I've been accepted to the Honors College. Do most Honors College Students receive any additional scholarships?
President Cowen: Students admitted to the Tulane Honors program represent the best and brightest of our applicant pool. Consequently, many of them receive significant scholarships, including the one you have already received. Deliberation for the full tuition Dean's Honor Scholarship are currently underway. Winners will be notified before the end of the month.
Adam: Where does Tulane stand amongst other universities?
President Cowen: There are 3,000 four-year colleges in the United States. By any metric you would use, Tulane would be among the top 50 of what we call the major research universities. We are one of the few universities in the south that is a member of the AAU as well as having the highest Carnegie classification. We are also one of the most highly selective institutions in the country when it comes to undergraduate admission.
Jane: Hi. I am wondering what sports will be added in autumn 2008. Will there be women's cross country?
President Cowen: Women's Cross Country already exists at the university. As I recall, we're going to be adding Men's Cross Country and Track, Women's Tennis, Women's Golf, and eventually Men’s Tennis, Women's Swimming and Diving, Bowling and Soccer. I might add my favorite sport is Women's Bowling.
Jane: Hi. I see that classes begin August 27, 2008. When do students move into the dorms? Is there an orientation for students? Parents?
President Cowen: We have an excellent orientation program for students and parents in June of this year. There are several sessions that you can participate in. As a matter of fact there are 6 sessions you can participate in with the orientation lasting about 2 full days. Move-in day is August 23rd.
Barbara: Tell us about the honors program at Tulane...how do the students get in; how do they stay in...how does it affect their applications to graduate school...how is their educational experience different than not being in the honors program?
President Cowen: Students are offered admission to the honors program at the time of admission to the university. They represent the very brightest of our student applicant pool. Students stay in the honors program by achieving a minimum GPA requirement, which I believe starts at a 3.45 and progresses up to a 3.6 by the senior year. Students in the honors program take special honors classes that are often inter-disciplinary in nature. The director and his staff help mentor students to be competitive for national fellowships and applications to graduate and professional schools.
Barbara: How many applications in for this year?
President Cowen: We have received 33,700 applications for an entering class of only 1,400 for the Fall of '08.
Barbara: Do you think that the average SAT/ACT/GPA for Tulane will be different for next year based in this year's incoming applicants?
President Cowen: Yes, it will be up significantly over last year, and very comparable to what it was right before the storm itself, which was at an all-time high for the university.
Barbara: What is the percentage of full time faculty currently? What was it pre and post Katrina?
President Cowen: Virtually all of our undergraduate courses are taught by full-time faculty. We have a few adjunct faculty who teach specialized undergraduate courses, but that is a relative small percentage who teach undergraduates. The percentage of full-time faculty teaching undergraduates is higher now than before the storm itself.
rollwave12: How would you define "success"
President Cowen: I'm going to answer your question in the context of what our expectations are of you after graduation from Tulane. In that context, success is that you have developed the heart and the mind, so over your life you have a major positive impact on the advancement of society and a rewarding personal life. So that when you look back on your life, you're proud of what you've accomplished and the impact you've had on the world.
Lizann: How politically involved is the student body lately, especially with Super Tuesday just over?
President Cowen: Well, this morning, we had Barack Obama on campus and 7,000 students showed up, with 24 hours notice. Our students have always shown a great deal of interest in national and international issues, and most importantly being personally engaged in public service.
Dave: Hello Dr. Cowen, it is a pleasure to speak with you. My question is in regard to the University's Cell and Molecular Biology Major, Specifically how does this specific major stack up against other Pre-Med/Pre-Professional programs?
President Cowen: Many students with aspirations to go to medical school major in Cell and Molecular Biology. But it's not required and, in fact, students from any of the university's majors can go on to med school provided they complete the core pre-med curriculum. The university Cell and Molecular Biology department ranked highly against those of other major research universities.
Cathy: My daughter just graduated in May from Tulane and is now at NYU school of journalism. My youngest daughter has received admission to Tulane and we are considering several schools right now. Does Tulane guarantee freshman AND sophomores housing now? My daughter moved off campus after freshman year and we would prefer on-campus housing for as long as possible. Thanks.
President Cowen: Ever since Katrina, undergraduate students are required to live on-campus their first and second years. Likewise, we normally can accommodate students who want to live on-campus their third and fourth years as well. I can't imagine that your youngest daughter wouldn't want to come to Tulane after what I expect was a great experience that her older sister had here.
Pehrson: My daughter wants to study a year abroad (France). How soon should she start to plan and prepare?
President Cowen: Students studying abroad can start their preparation as first year students, in particular, taking the required language classes to ensure they are prepared for that abroad experience. A Study Abroad Fair during orientation lets students know of the different requirements for the different programs.
RLevine: Hello. What is the possibility of double majoring with Engineering Physics as one of your majors?
President Cowen: Many of our students double major at the university, and there's a very high probability you would be able to do so as well with one of those majors being Engineering Physics. As a matter of fact, one third of our undergraduates have a double major.
Donna Horowitz: Will Students from Louisiana or the New Orleans area receive preferred consideration for admission on regular decision
President Cowen: Yes, they are given a preference for admission on a regular basis.
bdlmom: if an accepted student is considering spending a "gap" year abroad before starting school, how would one ask for a deferral? And if allowed, what is the policy regarding potential scholarships?
President Cowen: Students considering deferring their enrollment should contact their admission counselor. We will hold a place for them in the following year's class, and we will re-review their potential for merit scholarships in comparison to that year's pool of applicants.
anon: Hello, thank you for scheduling this chat. What are the various options for housing for freshman? How do you determine which dorm to select? Thank you.
President Cowen: There are a number of different options for freshman housing. Those include our Wall Residential College, where we have a professor who lives in residence with the students. We also have an honors residence hall, a residence hall for women, and a wellness residence hall, as well as a couple of traditional freshman halls. After they're accepted, they go on the website and they can look at these options and then can select which option they'd prefer.
Victoria: What is the diversity like at Tulane? What are the percentages of minorities?
President Cowen: About 18 percent of our undergraduates are from under-represented minority groups. Overall, 25 percent of our undergraduate school population is non-Caucasian.
Kevin: Is TU focused on increasing its business school rating?
President Cowen: Our business school is already considered one of the most highly ranked schools in the country, both at undergraduate and MBA. And those rankings seem to continue to improve every year.
Andrew Greenebaum: How difficult would it be to major in business or finance, and minor in one or more foreign languages?
President Cowen: It would be very easy to do that, and we would encourage you to do it while you're at Tulane.
Caroline: When do we find out about financial aid information if we haven't already?
President Cowen: You will probably hear by March 1st.
Marla: Generally speaking what is the weather like? Please address heat and humidity year round and in the September season.
President Cowen: The best time of year in New Orleans is really November through May, when the temperature is very moderate, the sun shines most every day, and it's a great place to be. In the remaining months, it can be very hot and humid and feel like you're in the tropics. However, this humidity and temperature is good for your skin and your hair, and we think it's generally pretty healthy.
Margaret: How many opportunities are there for Work Studies?
President Cowen: There are many opportunities for Work Study on-campus. There are opportunities in each of the academic units. Some of the largest employers of students are the library, recreation center and student housing. You can work-out while you work!
Caroline: When is the last date we can send back a final response for accepting/denying admission?
President Cowen: May 1st. Don't be late!
Margaret: How good is your Student Career Center? Are they involved in helping students with their resumes and internship opportunities?
President Cowen: We have a very highly touted career center at Tulane, where we encourage students to get involved and go to career center starting their freshman year. We help in developing resumes, in interviewing for internships, and developing their career plan at Tulane as well as after they graduate. http://www.hiretulanegrads.com
bdlmom: Do you allow overnights for admitted students who visit the campus?
President Cowen: Tulane does not offer a hosting service for visiting prospective students, but you are more than welcome to ask your high school guidance office if there are any current students attending Tulane from your school and contact them directly. We also offer discounted hotel rates to visiting Tulane families.
Marla: For a French major, is the French program specifically geared to Creole, West Indian, African or Western Europe?
President Cowen: There are courses available in all of the areas you described and faculty who specialize in these areas. The students majoring in French would build their major out of representative of all these courses.
WDana: Prospective students for Universities are typically only shown the positive qualities of a school, it seems. What would you highlight as some of the biggest negative factors of Tulane? Be honest.
President Cowen: There are many distractions in New Orleans, and for a student who is not self-disciplined and focused those distractions can overwhelm them. The other is, the vast majority of our students come from a distance more than 500 miles, therefore it's difficult to go home and some students haven't thought through being so far from home when coming to Tulane.
BHG: My son is an admitted student and we would like to know when is the best time to come visit and see the campus in action? Specifically, would our son be able to sit in on some freshman classes to get a feel for college?
President Cowen: The admission office offers tours each weekday at 9am and 2pm. We have also posted a list of courses you can visit. Special an opportunity designed specially for admitted students is the Destination Tulane program, held on select dates from March 25 through April 25. I'll be there speaking at many of these, hope to see you.
Krista: How and when can I sign up for one of Tulane's admitted students days?
President Cowen: Information will be mailed (and emailed) to your home. If you need assistance, feel free to call us 800-873-WAVE.
BrandonJG: What is the breakdown of out-of-state students that attend Tulane?
President Cowen: Approximately 83 percent of our undergraduate students come from out-of-state. We have excellent geographic diversity, getting representation from virtually every state in the United States and dozens of countries.
Pauper Papa: In the midst of budget crises, some public universities in our state are forecasting up to 20% tuition increases for 2008-9, while some private schools elsewhere are pledging to hold the line on increases or even going as far as promising a "debt free" education. Where does Tulane expect to land in that spectrum of cost and scholarship increases for the coming school year?
President Cowen: We anticipate over the next several years that tuition and fees will go up about the same percentage points it has in the last several years, which is somewhere between 4 to 5.5 percent.
BrandonJG: After reading Princeton Review, I am a little concerned with comments regarding students partaking in the constant partying atmosphere in New Orleans. Can you reassure me?
President Cowen: I can reassure you that students here don't party any more than they do at most other urban institutions. And they party a lot less than at rural institutions. Why? Because there's nothing to do at rural institutions other than party.
pl: Good evening President Cowen. Could you tell me what the percentage of students are that are interested in going into Law?
President Cowen: Approximately 10 percent of each graduating class goes onto law school. And 90 percent of Tulane's applicants gain admission to at least one law school.
classof08: Because Tulane doesn't offer a major in Archeology, is there some leeway within an Anthropology major to having emphasis in Archeology?
President Cowen: Yes, students who major in Anthropology can take a concentration in Archeology.
Susan: What size freshman class are you targeting for next year?
President Cowen: 1,400
Hannah: Why should I leave Texas for Louisiana?
President Cowen: The question should be what institutions are you interested in, regardless of the state in which they exist. So you should be asking yourself why should I choose Tulane versus some other institution, regardless of the state it is in.
Ned Gregorio: If a student doesn't accept a 4 year scholarship, may then later apply? And if so, will that denial be held against them?
President Cowen: Tulane scholarships offers are made to entering students. We suggest you take advantage of those scholarships when they are offered.
Susan: Is Political Economy offered as a minor, or only as a major?
President Cowen: No, there is no minor in Political Economy, only a major.
Marie: Please discuss the competitive edge Tulane provides for pre med students.
President Cowen: Students who work with Tulane's pre-medical advisors show incredibly high acceptance rates to medical schools. 88% of students with a 3.3 GPA and a 30+ on the MCAT and 100% for those with a 3.8 GPA and a 31+.
MO Dad: Tulane is the university farthest from home that my daughter is considering, and we have no close friends or family in NOLA. In the case of some kind of physical or emotional emergency, what kinds of support infrastructure does the university provide?
President Cowen: Tulane has a support service that includes resident advisors in freshman residence halls. Close connection with faculty members, academic advisors and even a town mom and big brother/big sister program help students adjust. I think you'll find it's a big family here at Tulane.
Robbie Dean: Being a resident of Louisiana, is it possible for me to legally have a car on campus as a freshman; this is for going to and from Shreveport, Louisiana.
President Cowen: No, no cars for freshmen.
ErinM: When I graduate from HS in June, I will have taken 18 hours of post secondary classes at Miami University for both HS and college credit. Will all of these credits transfer and will I still be considered a first semester freshman in the fall?
President Cowen: The transfer of courses will be decided by the individual academic department here at Tulane. Many students with extensive course work begin with higher standing, but will still be considered a first-year student.
Ian: What kind of relationship does Tulane have with Loyola (since it's right next door)?
President Cowen: We have a very close relationship with Loyola. We have cross-registration, food services are crossed between the campuses. And we share the same shuttle service, and many times the same entertainment.
Catherine: What do you recommend prospective students to do when visiting the campus? In other words, are there certain tours we should take, people we should talk to, or things to see?
President Cowen: You have an opportunity to attend many events while you visit the campus. There will usually be a general orientation session, campus tours, opportunities to visit classes, meet faculty members and other students on campus.
Eli: I heard that there were recent improvements made to the freshman dorms, can you comment on that?
President Cowen: We have a new residential college, which is called Wall. Likewise, Monroe residence hall which is all first year students was renovated four years ago.
Debbie: Regarding rooming - do the students select their roommates, or do they complete a questionnaire and they are placed together on compatibility? Thank you.
President Cowen: You will be asked to complete a survey, however, there is flexibility that you can choose your own roommate if you prefer.
Ian: Does Tulane have plans for new facilities of any sort in the near future?
President Cowen: Yes, we do. First of all, we just completed a new residential college, new student center, new baseball stadium, as well as several other renovations. And we anticipate in the next few years, building one or two additional residential colleges and doing several other renovations to classroom buildings.
NYC Mom: Has the administration taken any action to curb alcohol abuse among students?
President Cowen: Over the years, we've enacted a number of policies about the use of alcohol on campus, and believe our policies are both prudent and appropriate for our campus.
rollwave12: What kind of student typically thrives at Tulane?
President Cowen: Students who are very smart, have wonderful social skills and are outgoing, and want to be engaged in the community.
Max_mnn: Is Tulane currently doing any research in the field of diabetes?
President Cowen: Yes, we actually have a very robust program in diabetes at our school of medicine. And undergraduates can get involved with that research even though it's done through the medical school.
Cory-2: Has the air been tested for mold following the massive flooding that had occurred?
President Cowen: Yes, there are absolutely no environmental health problems in New Orleans. As a matter of fact, we've been the most tested city in the United States the last several years.
Margaret: I heard there's a NOLA program you can join a couple weeks before regular move-in to get you better acquainted with the city and school. Where can I apply for that?
President Cowen: You can go on the student affairs website, click on orientation and it will give the variety of NOLA programs, which consist of New Orleans Native Style, Down and Dirty, and Explore Louisiana to name a few. It's the week prior to classes starting.
Tulane: President Cowen, we're almost out of time for today's live chat. Is there anything you'd like to add, before we have to close?
President Cowen: I would like to thank everyone for joining us tonight, and let you know that we will be doing another live chat on March 5.
I would also like to thank LiveWorld for helping us do this chat; they've been a terrific partner with Tulane University for the last several years.
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