The Role of Intercollegiate Athletics at Tulane University

Board Postpones Decision on Tulane University Athletics Program

May 29, 2003

The Board of Tulane today received a briefing from a special Ad Hoc committee established to review the university's athletics department and agreed to defer its decision.

The board will reconvene to make a decision at a special meeting to be held on June 10.

Today's committee report to the Tulane Board comes after an intensive six- month review of the university's athletics program by the committee. The athletics review is the conclusion of a process started five years ago by President Scott Cowen to develop an institutional vision and academic plan for the future of Tulane University.

The review has included public forums as well as discussions of the role of athletics at Tulane by the Board of Tulane and the university's senior administrative leadership, including leadership in the Department of Athletics.

"This is a very sensitive matter that has the potential to affect the future of Tulane University for years to come. The board needs more time to study this very complex matter. We want to make sure we have learned all we can before we draw any final conclusions to ensure that we make a decision that is in the best long-term interest of everyone at the university," Board Chair John Koerner said.

Cowen also said the delay is necessary. "Any decision of this complexity must be made after much deliberation and consideration from all perspectives."

In its review of the athletics department, the Ad Hoc committee's central question is: Given the changing landscape of Division I-A intercollegiate athletics and the academic mission, goals and resources of Tulane University, what type of intercollegiate program is in the best long-term interests of the university?

The eight members of the Ad Hoc committee are Phillip Greer (chair), William Goldring, Linda S. Wilson, Douglas J. Hertz, James W. Wilson Jr., William A. Slatten, James M Lapeyre Jr. and James J. Reiss Jr.

The committee will continue to review feedback from the community, which is being collected by email (feedback@tulane.edu) and from a special athletics comment line (1-877-862-8020 or 862-8020). A special website (http://feedback.tulane.edu) has been established which includes background information, comments collected via e-mail and the transcripts from two public meetings.

As developments occur, information will be posted on http://feedback.tulane.edu