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Questions and Comments We've Received

May 7, 2003

Dear President Scott Cowen:

I will not belabor nor repeat the numerous comments previously submitted. I am a proponent for commitment to a strong Division I program. My daughter recently committed to Tulane to represent the University in swimming. She chose Tulane over several Ivys' other Division I programs in part because of the Athletics.

Let me tell you of my experiences being an alumnus of U of Connecticut. During the beginning of the Big East Uconn was the weak sister of the program. Attendance was low and some University officials wanted to return to the Yankee Conference (probably a lower level Division I). The Alumni, University, and the community got together to change the direction of the program to the point where the football program is now Division I. The basic conclusion was an influx of contribution funding, improved facilities, and a division I commitment to the program. History speaks for itself. Mens' and Women's' Basketball are premier programs with large contributions, gate revenues and respect nationally. Most of the other sports compete on a national level with several of the sports having NCAA championship rings. Tulane could head in this direction with an all out effort. Success on the field leads to more applicants, more contributors, and national recognition both on the field and in the halls of Academia.

Seize this opportunity to improve all the programs and keep the Division I status. Continue the good work and best wishes in a difficult decision.

*****

In the 1960's, Tulane administrators made two cataclysmic decisions reinforced since the 1960's. The first was de-emphasis of athletics, including dropping out of the Southeastern Conference. It was this decision, more than any other factor, that eliminated Tulane from my list of college choices. The second mistake was the reduction of the percentage of students admitted from New Orleans, the rest of Louisiana and our neighbor states. In the 70's football was moved downtown, a third mistake.

Tulane has suffered a 40 year decline in local and regional support. It is directly related to the decline in admissions of local students. If the facts were correctly reported by the T/P recently, there are only about 26,000 alumni who live within a 3 hour drive of New Orleans, I submit the problem of lack of fan support is the natural consequence of admission practices which have resulted in the education of persons who do not stay here.

Over 30 years ago I graduated from Princeton University. At that time, and to this date, a substantial percentage of admissions are/were from the states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Yes, Princeton understands something Tulane's administrators seem not to grasp. Geography produces athletic fans and alumni support, and yes alumni contributions. (Princeton for the 2001-02 academic year enrolled 4,613 undergraduates (647 of whom are New Jersey residents.) (Rice University reported a fall 2002 undergraduate enrollment of 2740, 1427 of whom were Texas residents. Of the remaining states, only California had more than 100 residents enrolled at the Rice.) Although it will take a substantial amount of time to correct 40 years of admissions policy, its time to admit regional students who are interested in coming to Tulane as their school of choice. Recruiting too many students from geographically far-flung places, results in too many enrolling students for whom Tulane is their second or third college choice. This fact produces long odds that they will remain in the area, or even become fans of a sports program they never experienced in childhood. Few will remain in the area, even fewer will be loyal student fans or alumni. I have not watched a Princeton Baseball game since I was an undergraduate, but I am in Turchin stadium for almost every Green Wave game, often accompanied by my entire family. Dr. Cowan, come join us there!

*****

Tulane University must continue to support their Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Program, as well as other Division I athletic programs. Tulane's national reputation to commit to "the best of the best" in their athletics programs would be severely affected by any commitment other than to Division I athletics. My daughter's decision to attend Tulane University was based on the Division I status of Tulane's Women's Swimming Program and Tulane's high level academics. Her determination and hard work to swim with the best was voiced through her commitment to Tulane's Division I Women's Swimming and Driving Program. My family has expressed our support for Tulane's Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Program through membership in the Tulane Athletic Fund. As a family we plan to attend Tulane sports events and support the Tulane Athletic Family. Now Tulane University must step up to the block and continue their commitment and support to Tulane's Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Program, as well as other Division I athletics.

*****

Dear Dr. Cowen,

I recently received an email regarding Tulane's exit from Division I athletics.

When I was a student, I became more of a fan of my education and surroundings than the sports teams. Given my, and the historically sparse attendance at Tulane athletics games, I imagined that the bulk of the student body feels the same way.

Sadly, it is also a fact that neither of the major teams plays on the campus anymore. Given that I was a busy student, going to a game was a huge chunk out of my day in which I would have rather done other things.

I fully support Tulane scrapping their Division I teams. Knowing that my future alumni donations will not be going to athletics will lead me to make more generous contributions. Good luck.

*****

You should always speak of Tulane athletics in a positive light. Never talk negatively about the athletic program. Positve talk gives positive results. I am proud of the way Tulane athletics has been handled. Teams like LSU, etc. despise us because we beat them in baseball and other sports. I can understand how someone not from here and not from the Tulane community will speak negatively about our athletic programs. Athletics add substantially to the well being of a university in addition to giving individuals who would not otherwise be able to obtain a great education. Be the big person in this game being played by individuals who dislike Tulane. Support the school and support the athletic programs and remain Division 1.

I suggest you bring in as many schools as possible to play in the superdome. Every school around the country wants to come to New Orleans. Use that to our advantage. Hire a respected marketing firm to support the athletic program with ideas and suggestions. Request to play LSU every year in every sport. Competition breeds greatness.

Go Tulane Green Wave

*****

Why not move to a conference with BCS ties?

*****

If we were to downgrade our athletics program from Division I-A, our national recognition would plummet. I grew up in New Orleans but now live in Los Angeles. In New Orleans, everyone knows Tulane. However, in Los Angeles, I would say that roughly half of the people I meet have never heard of Tulane. Yes, we are good academically, but we are not on the same level as Stanford. More recognition can be achieved via athletic achievements. For example, it was great having Tulane play and defeat Hawaii in the Hawaii bowl this past year. I am against downgrading our athletics from Division I-A. There has to be another solution. We should at the very least keep football, baseball, and basketball at the Division I-A level.

*****

I am a graduate (BBA 51, Law 56). I attended commencement in 2001 as a 50 year graduate and also to be present at the graduation of a relative, who was Phi Beta Kappa, won other academic awards, and was scholar athlete of the year having lettered for two years in track and field as a walk on. I have now learned that track and field has been completely dropped at the intercollegiate level, after many, many years. It's difficult to understand or accept. I can not believe it was a large budget item. A great deal of Tulane tradition was eliminated as a result of this action. What other sports were eliminated? I read the alumni magazine and do not recall seeing any mention of this action.

*****

I am a proud graduate of Tulane University and TUSPHTM. I think that it will be horrible if the university decides for this to occur. As a division I athlete and Tulane graduate my career has taken off and I owe it all to my experiences here with the WAVE.

As a native of New Jersey, Tulane University has received great recognition in my area with recruiting and exposure because of the successful bowl appearance and baseball world series appearance.

I would hope that when the board meets they understand that there is a community of fans and supporters of Tulane university athletics as a successful DIVISION I-A program.

Please don't make this mistake..

*****

I believe this is an important part of university life at Tulane. To terminate these activities would lessen the "Tulane Experience" and would, I believe, diminish the attractiveness of the university to many outstanding potential students. Thanks for the sounding board.

*****

I came to Tulane for undergrad 6 years ago and stayed for my M.S. I aplied to Tulane because I was sure I could get a scholarship, since Tulane gave the most academic scholarships of any college in the U.S. I did not apply to Emory because they did not have a football team. I thought - what kind of spirit can they have without a football team? Of course, then I got to Tulane and went to football games and saw that the stadium was virtually empty - and that is despicable. I don't know anything about other sports at Tulane, but I do wish that more could be done for the football program. The team is good, our players have started in the NFL, and we've won bowl games. Do what you will, but please don't hurt the football program. When I start my career, I intend to give money to the program.

*****

How could you think about doing this. Division I is what holds any sort of built school spirit together, do you want to ruin this?

*****

Dr. Cowen, Members of the Board, Ad Hoc Committee - We have an opportunity to enable hundreds of gifted student athletes to receive a very top notch education. Quite frankly, the finest in the nation for student athletes, based on graduation rates and academic rating. In addition, we have the opportunity to diversify the Tulane student community. Further, we have the opportunity to promulgate the Tulane brand name, thus increasing both Tulane's ability to be selective in the admissions process and draw attention from Major Corporations and Foundations committed to higher education and research. The above will require of us the ability to navigate the shoals of BCS, NCAA, conference alignment and the re-generation of local market interest. These are all doable. With hard work and commitment.

On the other hand, the elimination of football will eliminate Tulane from the national scene. Period. It will work against diversification of the student population.( I suspect that is a conversation we would prefer to not have.) Finally, who will replace Patrick Ramsey in the promulgation of the Tulane brand name? Which board member, alum or academician?

*****

Lets cut our losses and move down to division three. Big time college sports has corrupted University education enough, and that includes Tulane. Over in the library, we have books on the floor (and not just a couple) because there is no more shelf space. In the meantime, the University is subsidizing a sports programs to the tune of 5 million a year. Where are our priorities?

*****

I graduated from Paul Tulane College in 1996. I participated in either junior varsity or varsity cheerleading every year I was at Tulane. I was also very involved in a number of other university programs including the Tulane Student Admission Committee and the Gymnastics Club. I found each extremely important to my overwhelmingly positive experience at Tulane.

I can honestly say that when I first came to Tulane, the athletic program was only a small factor in my decision, even though the Tulane basketball program was at its height. I suppose I decided I didn't need the athletic program of a school like UNC and that I didn't mind having a major program as opposed to schools like Wash U. I can also say that even though I was very involved in athletics while at Tulane, I'm not sure in 1996 I would necessarily have disagreed with a decision to downgrade the athletic department from Division I, even if it would not have been my first choice. I have always thought that a committment to academics should come first, and am guessing that I would have viewed the change as a necessary committment to increasing Tulane's focus on academics. However, after attending Duke University School of Law I can say that my opinion has changed.

Duke convinced me that a strong academic and athletic program can marry beautifully and benefit both. Athletes will appreciate the opportunity to get a top-notch education, while students will enjoy the community that is created within a university that strongly supports its athletic program. I can tell you that I had so much fun at Duke basketball games. Its hard for me to comment on Tulane games because I was always cheering, but I suspect students at Tulane felt the same. I do not expect that Tulane will ever realize all of the benefits that other schools get from athletics. Tulane's playground is New Orleans and Tulane students don't need to rally around a program like students do in cities like Durham, North Carolina. However, bringing together undergraduate, graduate, medical, business, law and former students for a few hours of fun and merriment is never a bad thing. And, having the university in the n! ational spotlight can only help fundraising. On a whole, I think a strong, respected athletic program benefits of university on all levels. I hope Tulane can strive to achieve this.

*****

The choice before the Board is simple.

In whose company would you like Tulane to be--Harvard, Stanford, Yale, MIT or the University of Miami, UF, Nebraska, Duke, LSU?

I think the choice is clear. And, to be more concrete, imagine sending the $5 million in annual athletic department losses back to current students as a tuition reduction. Do that and you'll have every student, minus the athletes, banging on your door demanding you lower Tulane to Division III.

*****

I will make this very brief. The fact that Tulane was a D-1 school finalized by decision to here. If it wasn't D-1 I would have opted to go somewhere else. Downgrading would decrease the number of quality students applying, and thus downgrading the student body as a whole. Thankyou

*****

I would just like to express my support concerning Tulane remaining in Division I. After speaking with a number of my constituents I have concluded that the vast majority of the student population also supports remaining in Division I. While watching the Honolulu Bowl on TV last Christmas, the feeling of pride I had towards Tulane was overwhelming. I also am extremely proud that our rate of graduation for our athletic teams is one of the best in the country. Athletics is an integral part of this campus, and one of the reasons I chose to attend here. Without our Division I status, I feel that this facet of the Tulane experience would receive a heavy blow, and our reputation would be severely damaged.

Thank you for your concern and efforts,

*****

Don't we have any donors that would like to subsidize athletics on a yearly basis to keep us in our present conference? Doesn't seem like athletics is cutting back on it's spending.

*****

President Cowen, I am currently a junior in the engineering school. I am also an avid sports fan who loves Wave athletics. My four greatest memories at Tulane University are the following: 1. Tulane - LSU football game in Baton Rouge (2001) 2. Baseball team in Omaha!! 3. Tulane-Texas in the Dome 4. Sitting in the first row of a sold out Folgeman for Memphis - Tulane hoops game last year Besides that, I am here to save Tulane Athletics!!! I am providing the blueprint for success in Division I. It has been made clear that the $5 million athletic budget deficit is the main reason for considering the move to DIII. Here are some suggestions to turn that all around.

STEP 1: Step out from behind closed doors and be open and honest about what is being reviewed. This nonsense is just causing more animosity and discontent with the administration. After that, the administration needs to announce an all-out marketing blitz. It is well-known that Tulane's endowment is small and that athletics is a huge cost. However, athletics draws people to a univeristy, it gives Tulane exposure and separates us from the exact school we are competing with for a student body (i.e. Emory, Washington University, NYU, etc.).

STEP 2: ATTENDANCE - Increasing attendance (specifically football and men's basketball) is vital. Obviously, the dome is too big - but until we can change our venue, we have to try to fill it. Tulane needs to target the community for support and it starts with kids. Success will eventually lead to dollars, but we must allow some time for that to happen. How about dropping off a few hundred tickets at schools throughout the community. Who should we be targeting you ask? Kids, Kids, Kids!!!! What father is going to say no when his kid comes home and says he wants to go to a game? Local fans develop allegiance at a young age - so lets capture their attention before they become LSU fans. New Orleans a major city and Tulane is its major university. It is time that we make an all out push to capture their attention. I recommend giving away thousands and thousands of seats for games next year. We won't be losing money because these seats would never have been sold. Let's send 35,000 tickets to schools throughout the community for the TCU game next year. What better way to show off our school then with a packed house on ESPN in front of the entire country. Send mascots and cheerleaders to the schools to promote the game and see what happens. People will come, they will have a great time, and hopefully see a vastly improved football team win their C-USA opener. This marketing blitz and ticket give-away will get people excited about Tulane athletics and hopefully lead into basketball season.

STEP 3: VENUES - The superdome is not a home and everyone knows it. However, Tad-Gormley is in no condition to be considered home to a major football program. Anyone would agree that a successful future for football has to include a new outdoor football complex. Fans, students, and alumni must be able to congregate in parking lots and tailgate on sunny Saturday afternoons. No one wants to watch football indoors, especially when they have to go downtown and deal with the parking and traffic. I offer two possible solutions. A massive renovation to Tad-Gormley would create an ideal home for the Wave. City Park offers an excellent place to tailgate is close enough to campus. However, in a perfect world, we would build a stadium Uptown and within walking distance of campus. Either way, a move from the dome is a must. A fundraising campaign for a stadium needs to begin. We need to ask for the money, beg and plead - whatever it takes. Football needs to be outdoors - period. As far as basketball is concerned, it is time to say good bye to New Orleans Arena, at least for the time being. Is it is a world-class venue and a great home . . . for the Hornets. Imagine playing Kentucky in Fogelman! 3600 rowdy fans in Fogelman is one of the loudest college venues in the country. If you don't believe me, ask Dick Vitale who was quoted years ago as saying that Folgeman is one of the loudest atmospheres in the country when it is filled. Stay at Folgeman and maybe in a few years that ticket will be the hardest to come by in the city. Can you imagine people camping out for tickets to a Tulane-Marquette game? Sean Finney has increased our wins 3 straight years. Give him a home-court advantage, and maybe he'll get us a NCAA berth.

STEP 4: MARKETING - Tulane needs to take a serious look at how it markets itself as a University. Everyone has heard the old saying "You've got to spend money to make money." There needs to begin a new campaign to target alumni and the local community for donations and support. Feedback received on the Tulane website has made it abundantly clear that alumni are not in good touch with university. It is time that that changes. Tulane is not only in need of athletic support but the University as a whole is in great need of support considering the small endowment. All graduating seniors should be providing forwarding addresses and a massive database should be formed. This is a must! If necessary - make it a graduation requirement. Secondly, There needs to be a monthly, not quarterly newsletter being sent out to alumni and local members of the community. The newsletter needs to tell them about the great things going on at Tulane - and it should always have a return envelope for donations available. Alumni will donate - you just need to remind them . . . all of the time!! As proud as we are of our academics, it is athletics that reminds people of their alma mater. My father is a graduate of Wisconsin-Madison, and years ago the football team won the Big Ten and made their first Rose Bowl appearance in years. I had never really heard my dad talk much about his college days, but that Rose Bowl appearance sparked something, and on the day of the game there were 40 people congregating on our house to watch the game. Almost all in attendance were college friends of his and their families. They had Badger pride and were proud of their University. Athletic success will bring money into all departments of the University -it is a proven fact.

STEP 5: ACC BABY!! - As it has been reported, the ACC is currently considering expanding from 9 to 12 teams. Most of this will fall on the shoulders of the University of Miami. If they make the move from the Big East to the ACC, two more teams will have to follow. The top of that list to follow UM is Syracuse, Virginia Tech, and Boston College. However, if those teams elect not to go - Tulane should be throwing itself at a chance to join the ACC. Rumors floating around argue that Tulane could be as high as 5th of 6th on the ACC's wish list. Also, a move by teams from the Big East to the ACC will most certainly create openings in the Big East. Tulane should be following this situation very carefully and be making every move necessary to put itself in position to possibly join one of the two conferences. Moving into a BCS Conference will almost immediately eliminate every problem that currently exists with the athletic budget. It might be a long shot, but isn't it worth it? In closing, I would like to say that I have loved my three years at Tulane and look forward to an exciting senior year. I am especially looking forward to football season. The home games against TCU on ESPN and Mississippi State should be great. Also, September 27th will go down as the greatest day in Green Wave football history as we will march in to Austin, TX, and upset the 'horns. Currently, my friends and I are organizing a trip and plan on renting a bus to drive there for the game. Why don't you join us President Cowen? In fact, I think the whole university should go. Let's cancel classes on Friday and have busses for the freshman ready to depart. Let's march in to Austin as a true GREEN WAVE!! PS - I would love to offer my time and energy for anything to help this effort. Give me a call, and I will be there!!

*****

Dear Board and President, I hold three degrees from Tulane and have been on the faculty for forty years. I went to Tulane largely because I was taken to a Tulane-Alabama football game in 1949 (Mobile, Ladd Stadium). Having been here longer than perhaps any of you I think I have a good perspective on some of our problems.

Before I dwell on the problems let me say that it would be absolutely the wrong move to downgrade to anything but Division 1A.

We bemoan to the public that we are losing $5 million and more per year to athletics. Gullible faculty think that if we shut down athletics we could put those funds toward salaries and infrastructure. It is my firm belief that this is faulty logic.

First of all, the $5 million you say it costs every year is small change when compared to the increased overhead of the University in recent years due to a very lopsided administrative cost (we have more Vice Presidents than Carter has liver pills - I know this dates me). What is our total budget and what fraction does $5 million represent?

Secondly, what is the COST, both tangibly and intangibly, of dropping athletics (in division or all together)? Nobody can answer that one, but my personal belief is that we will lose many times over $5 million in hard money and in good will. In 1998 - 2000 I was on leave from Tulane to initiate a program in Ireland. One day I was visiting Blarney Castle (home of the Blarney Stone) and I had on a Tulane jacket. At least five people walked up to me and commented on our undefeated football team. How do you put a $ value on that kind of PR? Did any of these people decide to send their son or daughter to Tulane? If they did it is likely that they would not require much financial aid.

Let's look at schools without athletics programs that we like to compare ourselves to. Washington, St. Louis is a good example. I have first hand knowledge that they are going through a very difficult time now. Their enrollments are down, giving is down, and they are having a tough time of things. Sounds just like us and they don't have the athletics program. So, if we dropped our athletics program would we be better off? I think not, but I can't prove it.

We have repeatedly over the 50 plus years I have kept up with Tulane athletics continually "shot ourselves in the foot." De-emphasis, Wally English, the Super Dome, yadda, yadda, yadda. We are doing it today by having an open discussion about something that should take place only behind very secure closed doors. Some Board Member or someone in the "know" has chosen to go public with a review that should be very private. Now, in the face of the publicity our athletic department is calling for a "Think Green" campaign. You must pardon some skeptics who are saying that the review process is a means of gaining sympathy from the community as well as from alumni so that they will give more to athletics.

In summary, it is foolhardy to think that dropping in division, or all together, some or all of our athletics programs will be a good economic move. Whether we like it or not, intercollegiate athletics is THE PRIMARY WAY IN WHICH UNIVERSITIES ARE RECOGNIZED. Surely not the ONLY way, but still the predominant one. If we have success, as we recently have, and if we do our best to be the Tulane University of LOUISIANA (and New Orleans) then we can increase our fan base and we can reduce the athletic deficit. Note that I say REDUCE since I don't think we can ever show a profit under a simple accounting system.

I'll give one more plea for sanity. I am sure we can point out academic departments that will forever run a deficit (again under a simple accounting system). But, if we abolish these departments would we still be a UNIVERSITY?

*****

Since the time of the announcement of Tulane being engaged in a review of the athletics department, there has been an outpouring of support of the overwhelming majority of the greater Tulane community for remaining in Division I and it's abundantly clear that dropping down will bring about serious harm to the relationship between the school and alumni, friends and current and prospective students.

However, I feel that it must be stressed that all of that means little to the local and regional community and that the ability of the school to feasibly operate a Division I athletics program is seriously undermined without the strong verbal commitment of the school leadership itself to stay the course in Division I. Tulane has already done much on its own at this time and over the years to cast doubt in the community as to its commitment to athletics and has thereby made its task of selling its programs to the local population much more difficult than it has to be. I urge the Board to vote to stay in Division I and also to take into consideration that Tulane will most likely not be able to reap the many benefits of competing in Division I without completely convincing the entire public that it is firmly committed in the long term to staying in Division I and without making a very thorough effort to promote and package its athletics product to the public.

*****

the board of administrators apparently wishes to consider only the financial bottom line in determining the factors that will allow the continutation of division 1 athletics at tulane.

well that's fine, but what about all the lip service over the years about the excellent graduation rate of our scholarship athlete's? what about racial diversity on campus? most of the african-american male students on campus are scholarship athletes, so abandoning scholarship sports will just be a way of reducing campus diversity.

and what about gender equity? tulane is striving it's utmost to support existing women's sports and activate teams in new sports. these are all essentially non-revenue sports. supporting, expanding such sports places a strain on the athletic department budget.

it's been reliably reported that 70% of the tulane athletics deficit is derived from the costs of supporting women's sports. i assume that, in addition to complying with ncaa rules, that tulane derives intangible benefits from sponsoring these sports and offering female athlete's the opportunity to compete at the highest levels in intercollegiate competition.

and doesn't tulane derive general intangible benefits from intercollegiate athletics that are not reflected in the financial bottom line? for instance, how will tulane ever receive as much exposure as a university without scholarship athletics as it does from athletic programs. the board is making a major mistake in not factoring in the benefits derived from intercollegiate athletics as an offset against cash deficits and the write off of tuition waivers. shouldn't these factors be considered in an evaluation of the financial success or lack of success of tulane athletics?

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