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Rebuilding a University in Katrina's Wake
Wednesday, September 14, at 3 p.m., U.S. Eastern time
Colleges and universities across the Gulf Coast region are reeling from Hurricane Katrina. In New Orleans the magnitude of the task ahead is unprecedented. For Tulane University, the third-largest employer in Louisiana, evacuating New Orleans was only the beginning. Then the university -- as it continued to try to locate faculty and staff members and students -- had to establish a communication system and begin to sort out numerous issues, among them how to handle tuition and credits, find temporary housing and office space, maintain health insurance and meet payroll, organize hundreds of offers of help, restore the campus to working order, and document losses to insurers.
Tulane's president, Scott S. Cowen, is working with a staff of a few dozen in Houston. What kind of crisis plan did Tulane have in place? Was it at all helpful in the face of such a catastrophe? What were the first steps -- and missteps -- the university took? What can other colleges and universities learn from Tulane's experience so far? And how can they help?
» Putting a University Back Together (9/16/2005)
Scott S. Cowen has been president of Tulane University for eight years. He and his staff are working from Houston.
Jeffrey Selingo (Moderator):
Hello everyone, I'm Jeffrey Selingo, business and politics editor at The Chronicle. I spent a few days last week following the Tulane University administration, which has relocated to Houston for the semester in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. I'd like to thank Tulane's president, Scott S. Cowen, for joining us today to discuss how his institution is coping and what lessons other colleges can learn from this disaster. After watching him last week, I know he's a pretty busy guy these days. With that, let's get started.
Scott S. Cowen:
Friends of Tulane: It's hard to believe that little more than two weeks have passed since I witnessed firsthand the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. In many ways it seems like a lifetime ago and, in a sense, I suppose it was, since the lives of all of us who call New Orleans home have been changed forever.
It is impossible to express in words the anguish of the loss we have suffered. And, yet, I come to you today filled with optimism. It appears that some basic services in New Orleans might come on-line faster than anyone expected. On campus we are now making assessments of our losses and planning our reconstruction. Our physical damage appears less than initially thought. We have many long days ahead of us but there are brighter days ahead of us as well.
The higher education community ranks top among the many individuals and groups to which we are indebted. Frankly, without the assistance of our fellow colleges and universities we would never have survived this storm.
Now we look forward to the continued support of our higher education family as we begin to rebuild the new New Orleans.
Question from Dan Paulien, Paulien and Associates, Planning Consultants:
Can you clarify which members of the administration and which units are represented in Houston and which are at other locations?
Scott S. Cowen:
The senior leadership of the university is in Houston. They represent operations, external affairs, human resources, communications, health affairs, general counsel, facilities, finance, IT, and academic affairs. Our admissions functions are location in Richmond, Va. Our investment group is in New York and some of our IT/Records people are in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, our development officers are spread across the country in various locations.
Question from Ibironke Lawal, Virginia Commonwealth University:
a. How will you deal with the numerous requests from parents for a refund of the fees they've already paid for the Fall semester?
b. In case some Tulane students do not return for the Spring semester, what will be your strategy for coping with loss of revenue from fees?
Scott S. Cowen:
We have posted a full explanation of our tuition policy on www.tulane.edu and I urge you to take a few moments to look at it. I believe this is an equitable policy as it gives our students many options. All Gulf Coast universities will realize substantial financial losses, some of which may be covered by insurance, reserves and donations. But all institutions anticipate having losses beyond these revenues.
Question from Ginny Layton, Bursar, Miami University:
We have enrolled 26 Tulane students on our campus. Whom should I contact to see whether the students have paid tuition to Tulane?
Scott S. Cowen:
To Miami University and all the other institutions across the country who are assisting our students in this time of great need – Thank you very, very much. Regarding tuition payment, starting next week you can call Gayle Hicks in our Houston office. Her number is 713-212-1300.
Question from Matthew Deffendall, University of Kentucky:
Given the limitations in state funding, as a private institution, how can Tulane work with the other institutions in New Orleans to create some unique partnerships, especially Loyola given its proximity?
Scott S. Cowen:
I have had several conversation with Kevin Wildes, Loyola's president. There are many opportunities for us to work together, especially in areas of shared facilities such as classrooms and libraries, residence halls and providing amenities to our faculty, staff and students when we resume classes in January. Unfortunately my attempts to contact other presidents in New Orleans have so far been unsuccessful.
Jeffrey Selingo (Moderator):
We have received several questions from law-school students regarding tuition and other issues. Rather than answer each individual one in this forum, Scott has asked those students to visit the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of Tulane's web site www.tulane.edu or contacting their toll-free call center at 866-502-7264.
Question from Doretta Goldberg, President, College Directions, LLC, Great Neck NY:
I am an educational consultant in an area where many students have an interest in Tulane. What do I tell students and their families who may have been interested in applying? How will you be handling applications, interviews, visits? What comfort can you give them that not only the University will be functional but that there will be a safe and pleasant surrounding community as well?
Scott S. Cowen:
Students interested in applying to Tulane should contact 800-873-9283. We fully expect to have classes beginning in January. Basic services are returning to New Orleans more quickly than expected. We are fortunate to have some of the world's foremost authorities on public health, medicine and environmental toxins on our faculty who will examine environmental issues on campus and in the surrounding area. We will not return to campus until it is absolutely safe to do so. Please see the message I will post at tulane.edu at the end of the day today on this subject.
Question from Ramona, university academic affairs administrator:
Are you concerned with maintaining your faculty? What is the current status of your faculty? How many have 'checked in' with administration and are planning on returning? What types of issues have they vocalized?
Scott S. Cowen:
Tulane University has one of the most outstanding faculties in the country and they are deeply committed to the institution. We are currently in the process of identifying the whereabouts and are making great progress everyday. Early signs indicate that all of our faculty are ready to return and willing to do so as soon as possible.
Question from Robert Dixon, Okla State Univ:
It seems as Tulane has been able to keep some stability during this disaster. Apparently, the University had a "preparedness" plan in place. What were processes you used to set-up the plan? And, after the execution of your plan, what were some of the issues you faced where the plan showed considerable strengths and/or weaknesses?
Scott S. Cowen:
Living in a hurricane-prone area, emergency preparedness was a vital part of our operations. The plan we had in place for Katrina had been tested several times before when we experience "near-misses" with various hurricanes. Overall, the plan worked wonderfully. However, our plan did not anticipate the total devastation of the city.
Jeffrey Selingo (Moderator):
We have received several questions from companies and individuals trying to reach specific officials or faculty members at Tulane. I have passed on those directly to Tulane administrators, who hopefully will be able to help out.
Question from Allan H. Pasco, U of KS:
I have two friends on your faculty that I've not been able to contact with an offer of help. How can I do so? When will you have e-mail up again?
Scott S. Cowen:
We hope that e-mail will be back in operation late next week. That will be the best way to contact faculty at Tulane.
Question from Jeffrey Selingo:
Scott, is there anyway to reach faculty members in the meantime?
Scott S. Cowen:
It would be best to wait another week until our email system is up and running before attempting to find the person you are looking for.
Question from James McHale, USF St. Petersburg:
As a Tulane alum now teaching in Florida, I've been discouraged that no one responded to my offer to provide mentorship for Tulane students temporarily relocated to Florida's Gulf Coast. Many loyal alums are game to take Tulane students under our wings this and next semester (if needed) to help advance the university's scholarly mission by mentoring their research efforts. Is there a way you could forsee my university (USF St. Petersburg) and those of others where Tulane alums work as "satellites" next semester? This availability of collegial mentorship for undergrad and grad student researchers and research collaboration with faculty colleagues in the area could help dampen your concerns about Tulane's losing its research edge. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of our beloved Tulane.
Scott S. Cowen:
First I want to thank you and everyone around the country who have so generously offered to assist us in so many ways. To date we have not had the manpower to react to these gracious offers because we have been so immersed in resurrecting the university.
We are right now reviewing a number of options and possibilities for the coming months and would love to retain the right to call you once some of our more pressing issues have been taken care of.
Question from Parent of Tulane Student:
My son would like to come back to Tulane as soon as possible to help with recovery efforts on campus and in the surrounding city. Will that be possible?
Scott S. Cowen:
We are discouraging our students from coming back to New Orleans and our campus for the time being. However, as soon as we know the area is safe and secure for return we will inform the Tulane community.
Question from Sura P. Rath (Tulane 1982) The William O. Douglas Honors College, Central Washington University:
First, I object to the characterization of New Orleans as a ghost town. N.O. is a vibrant city, and I think it will rebuild itself as an even better place. Now, to my question for Mr. Cowen: would you consider taking this opportunity to rebuild Tulane as a truly unique global university with faculty from around the world, the first of its kind in the United States? I envision such a university to focus on global issues as though the whole earth is one little place with no national boundaries.
Scott S. Cowen:
Tulane was a truly unique institution prior to Katrina. It will be a even stronger one after. Tulane already attracts students, professors and researchers from around the world so the global view is our perspective and will continue to be.
Question from Instructor, U. of Maryland:
Two displaced Tulane students have enrolled in my classes, and both so far seem to be keeping a fairly optimistic outlook about the situation. Both are very well-prepared academically and are doing their best to adjust to their new surroundings.
My question today is how are the faculty coping with the situation? I imagine that their lives must also be in disarray at this time.
Scott S. Cowen:
The Tulane community we is all victims of Hurricane Katrina. As such, they are dealing with many personal challenges as well as professional ones. Yet their strength in dealing with this adversity and sense of hope and optimism are sources of strength for all of us as we go through this crisis together. We stand together as a proud community and will do whatever possible to support one another and to remerge as an even stronger and more distinctive institution than we were before.
Question from Cheryl, State University:
Prior to Katrina, did Tulane have in place a plan for rebuilding? If not, why not considering the major lesson from the Northridge, California earthquake in the 90s was that all universities at risk for a major disaster should have a plan in place for rebuilding.
Scott S. Cowen:
Tulane University has a hurricane emergency plan and the part of that plan we could control worked. What we could have never envisioned was the total devastation and closing of a city for weeks. I doubt that any institution in the country has a plan that would cover the conditions that we found ourself under.
Question from Tom Balutis, Gatan, Inc.:
So sorry to hear of your plight. How soon will administrative functionality be restored? Is it too early to anticipate if research funding already in place will be left intact? As a supplier, we are willing to help. Please let us know when conditions are safe and you are ready for us.
Scott S. Cowen:
Administrative functionality increases by the day, and our research enterprise is one of our highest priorities. We have been working very closely with federal agencies and others to ensure the continuation of our research programs and activities, and certainly will let all our partners know how and when we need them.
Question from Mike Naff, Virginia Tech:
Are you or have you made an attempt to contact each student to know where they are and what there plans for the fall are? Should those of us that have some of your students, let you know who we have?
Scott S. Cowen:
We have not been unable because of the lack of records and manpower to begin to identify where our students are around the country. However, that process will begin within a week or two.
Question from Bill Davis, VCU, Richmond VA:
What specific characteristic (s) of your personal leadership ability and style will be most beneficial as you attempt to rebuild and open for the spring 2006 semester? What do you see as your most important fiscal management issue?
Scott S. Cowen:
My management, organizational and communications skills and my optimism and absolute determination to succeed not matter the obstacles.
Jeffrey Selingo (Moderator):
We are about at the midpoint of today's chat. Please keep the questions coming and we will try to get to as many as possible.
Question from Peter Young - Undergraduate Student Government President, Tulane University:
What can Tulane students do to help get our school back up and running. I have been inundated with emails asking how students can help Tulane and the greater New Orleans community.
Scott S. Cowen:
The Tulane students have been absolutely fabulous during this tragedy, and we are very proud of them. Right now we would like them to focus their energies on returning when we tell them it is the right time and trying to facilitate relief efforts from afar for Tulane University as well as others affected by this tragedy.
Question from A. G. Rud, Purdue University:
I know it is hardly the time to think of this, but the stories that students, faculty, and staff have of Katrina and its aftermath will, of course, be woven into the lore of Tulane, but perhaps faculty and others can think of additional, more systematic ways to record and examine this rich vein of material (blogs of course, but also writings, paintings, other artistic representations, ethnographies, and so forth). I for one would be interested to see such cultural artifacts. Any thoughts from exile on this?
Scott S. Cowen:
I suspect there will be many books and articles about Hurricane Katrina, its impact, those affected by it, and lessons learned.
Question from Don Riley, U. of Maryland; SURA:
As you think about rebuilding campus infrastructure, are there ways that your sister institutions can help?
Scott S. Cowen:
I am deeply indebted to the higher-education community in the United States. They have been a great source of strength and assistance. As we move further down the path to recovery, I suspect we will be asking others to help us, but right now we are still working on the basics. I do, however, want to thank everybody for their best wishes and continuous offers of assistance.
Question from G. Jay Christensen, CA State University, Northridge, 32,000 students:
President Cowen, having come through the Northridge Earthquake of 1994 and almost losing our institution, I understand your extreme concern in starting over. My question is: I looked at the flooded athletic area on the front cover of a recent Chronicle and, immediately, realized your dilemma. What are you doing to enlist staff, faculty, and students to start over in the Spring, 2006? At our school a week after the Earthquake, we erected tents and asked for volunteers from all segments of the campus community to talk to students, prepare teaching facilities, and, generally, make everyone feel they had a campus home. It is tougher with a ghost town, but, as "the field of dreams suggests," build it and they will come. Our president, at the time, placed her trailer prominently on campus so we could see she was on the job everyday. It gave the entire campus community hope. Further, we had constant faculty meetings to address issues. If all that helps, I pass on our extreme experience.
Scott S. Cowen:
The conditions we face in New Orleans are substantially different than those experienced by Northridge. There is no comparison. As soon as it is feasible we will return to our campus, but right now conditions simply do not allow that. People must realize that Hurricane Katrina is an unprecedented disaster in the history of this country and there is no roadmap to follow. Having said this, we are increasing our presence on campuses as practical and feasible.
Question from Josh Stern, Standard & Poor's:
Scott, I'm glad to hear that everyone is safe.
While the immediate issues seem to be most apparent for Tulane, the question of getting students for fall 2006 and beyond is also I'm sure of great concern. How will you work to ensure that a large and high quality applicant pool will continue?
Scott S. Cowen:
Our admissions office is up and running and actively recruiting the class of 2006. They are operating out of offices in Richmond, VA. I am pleased to say that the number of inquiries and applications for next year's class remains strong. After this tragedy, Tulane University may be one of the most interesting and attractive places to go to school because of what we have faced and learned, and how we can disseminate this knowledge to to future students.
Question from Philip Schwaeber:
Dr. Cowen - I'm not confident that the health situation in New Orleans is going to be resolved before January. Is there any possibility of Freshman continuing as visiting students at their host institution until next fall and still remain Tulane students?
Scott S. Cowen:
Please read the message I am going to post today on the tulane.edu website. In that message, I specifically address environmental questions and issues. Experts from our School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine are very confident that any environmental health issues will be resolved well in advance of the opening of our spring semester.
Question from Maggie Moore-West; Franklin Pierce College:
Many of your students live off campus. Will you be able to guarantee housing for all returning students and, if not, how are you planning on helping with these services?
Scott S. Cowen:
We are currently working on a contingency plan to provide off-campus housing for our students who may need it. We are hopeful that this contingency plan, plus the availability of existing off-campus housing at the time of opening will meet the needs of our students.
Question from Dan Updegrove, U of Texas at Austin:
President Cowen - Many of my IT colleagues in academe have wondered how we might be most useful to Tulane and other impacted institutions (beyond setting up Internet kiosks in nearby evacuation shelters, and such). (1) Are there some well-defined IT needs that have emerged already? (2) Would there be interest in establishing an IT volunteers group that you and your colleagues could consult with this fall to explore a range of potential assistance or partnerships? Best wishes.
Scott S. Cowen:
Thank you for your kind offer of assistance. Thankfully, Tulane University now has the resources it needs to meet its IT needs. However, several of the other colleges and universities affected by the storm may be in need. I encourage you to reach out to them.
Question from Richard, small private college.:
If a Tulane student is asked to pay tuition at a host institution and that institution chooses not to agree to the ACE recommendation to forward the tuition money to Tulane, will you allow that student to return to Tulane in January without paying Tulane for the fall? Or do they have to reapply? (My college is waiving tuition for LA students; this is just for information / counseling services.)
Scott S. Cowen:
No Tulane student will have to pay double tuition for this fall semester. If they were required to pay tuition at another institution, we will credit their tuition bill for either the fall or the spring for the amount that they paid.
Question from Amanda, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi:
How did you assist students without the personal means to evacuate? Where did they go, how did they get there? Who went with them?
Scott S. Cowen:
We evacuated 600 students on the day before the storm. We had buses already scheduled for such an event, and we took them to Jackson, Mississippi, where they were housed and fed. I am happy to say that all of those students eventually returned home safe and sound. The students were escorted by a predetermined group of people from Tulane University.
Question from Mike, Appalachian State University:
In one of your recent interviews, you said that Tulane students would help to rebuild New Orleans. Any thoughts on what roles they might play?
Scott S. Cowen:
After our students return to campus, we will organize community-based activities that will help facilitate the rebirth of New Orleans. These will range from working in the public school system, to providing housing needs for those who are homeless.
Question from Wayne Brown, Johnson County Community College:
Have you been able to bring your systems back on line in alternative locations?
Scott S. Cowen:
Our systems are now coming back online with most of the work being done out of Philadelphia. Within the next ten days, all critical mission systems will be operational.
Question from Lisa Mets, Eckerd College:
How are you engaging your trustees in your efforts right now?
Scott S. Cowen:
Because of a lack of resources and time, we are keeping our trustees updated through periodic email messages. Within the next week or so, we will begin a series of conference calls with them.
Question from Barbara Fuhrmann, Virginia Commonwealth University:
How do you anticipate meeting the huge fiscal demands you will face in rebuilding, paying faculty and staff, and meeting students' financial needs in the near future?
Scott S. Cowen:
We anticipate meeting our financial needs through a combination of federal assistance, insurance, and the use of reserves we have at our disposal. It is a daunting task to manage finances at this time, but we are confident that we will be able to maneuver through these difficult waters.
Question from Tim De Palma, St. Thomas University (Miami, FL):
Did your emergency response plan include continuity of operations plans? If so, what would you place on your wish list that wasn't included in the COOP plan?
Scott S. Cowen:
Our emergency plan did anticipate having to continue operations in other locations. However, we never envisioned that there would be total devastation to the city. In retrospect, it would have been nice if our plan could have anticipated such a circumstance.
Question from Alan Fish, University of Miami:
What will you do different in rebuilding the infrastructure of Tulane?
Scott S. Cowen:
We are in the process of making that determination, and will take us a few more weeks to answer that very critical question.
Question from Jeff Young, Chronicle reporter:
Over the past week, several blogs, such as this one, have been buzzing with complaints from parents and students about your comment that Tulane plans to keep tuition payments it had already received from students for the fall term. For example, one anonymous parent wrote: "Lets see we already paid Tulane, my son is going to another school for now, and we have to pay them. If Tulane does not want to lose 3 1/2 years tuition they better see the light."
Are you aware of these blogs (or at least of this sentiment)? And have you or other officials made any attempt to engage in such online forums to give the Tulane's defense of such attitudes?
Scott S. Cowen:
On the tulane.edu website, we have posted a statement of faq's, related to tuition-related issues. I refer everyone to that statement, which I believe is a fair and equitable resolution to this issue in this unprecedented national disaster. In addition, we have established a call center with a toll free number, 866-502-7264, that any person can call with their questions or concerns. I should also add, that it is my belief, that the policy Tulane is following, is consistent with the advice provided by the nine leading higher education associations, and the practices being followed by other colleges and universities effected by the storm.
Question from Bill Paraska, Georgia State University:
Sir,
In your response to question about trying to contact students you indicated that you did not have records. Did Tulane have a policy of periodically backing up critical administration and academic records for storage off-site?
Scott S. Cowen:
We have all the back-up tapes with the necessary data. We are now in the process of reloading that data to bring back those files.
Question from Philip Schwaeber, Parent of a Freshman:
Have you considered opening in January with only a partial opening, considering that the surrounding community may not be able to handle a full load of Tulane students?
Scott S. Cowen:
Based on what we know today, we anticipate we can have a full opening in the spring, and that is our current plan. Please refer to the message I will be posting on the tulane.edu website today.
Question from Ron Huiatt, Emory & Henry College (VA):
What is the single most important thing that your colleagues at other colleges and universities across the country and around the world do for you and the Tulane community at this time?
Scott S. Cowen:
I encourage all of the displaced students to return to the university in the spring, and let others know that Tulane University is managing this crisis in a way that will make it an even stronger and more distinctive institution.
Question from Maggie , Franklin Pierce College:
At the current time, many of the students have no sense of "community". They have been traumatized and have seen their university under water and, if they watched CNN, have seen horrendous things. Their peers have been scattered across the country and although, many are attending colleges, this is seen as temporary. What can we do as faculty who are working with these students on our campus? Do you have any advice for us to help in their journey through ambiguity?
Scott S. Cowen:
I am very thankful to all those faculty around the country that are dealing with our students in such a compassionate and productive way. I hope they will use this tragedy as a teachable moment to learn about dealing with adversity, having courage, and the character to bounce back when the odds are against you.
Question from Ibironke Lawal, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA:
You have been preparing for hurricane for years, and have an effective emergency preparedness plan, but did not expect that the city would face so much devastation. Talking of lessons learned, what advice can you give presidents in other hurricane prone areas?
Scott S. Cowen:
My advice would be to have the outlines of a plan in the event that an entire city becomes non-functional for a significant period of time.
Question from Peter Young, USG President, Tulane University:
Please utilize the student leadership during this time. What can the student leadership do to help Tulane and its administration?
Scott S. Cowen:
Our current students as well as our alumni, are the greatest resources Tulane University has. This is a time for them to provide support for one another, to be strong ambassadors for Tulane University, to work in whatever ways they desire to help rebuild our institution.
Jeffrey Selingo (Moderator):
That's all we have time for today. Sorry we couldn't get to all the questions. Thanks Scott for making time in your busy schedule for this chat.