Although Tulane improved in most of the indicators measured in last year’s U.S. News rankings and experienced, at most, very small declines in the others, we, like many top private universities, fell significantly in the latest U.S. News survey that was released today. The reason for this precipitous drop is U.S. News’ decision to suddenly and radically alter its methodology for assessing the quality of universities.
By almost any standard we are a better and stronger institution now than we have ever been. The academic quality and diversity of our students have never been higher, and over the past several years we have seen one of the nation’s largest jumps in yield and selectivity. We have also dramatically increased need-based financial aid, making a Tulane education more affordable to the most talented students from all economic backgrounds. In addition, we continue to have one of the lowest student-to-faculty ratios in the country.
The scale and impact of our research is also breaking records. For example, this past year, we garnered the highest level of external grant funding in Tulane’s history, an increase of about 70% over the past six years, which reflects one of the most dramatic expansions in research funding in all of higher education. Our faculty are also being awarded national honors at an unprecedented rate.
So why the significant change? This year’s rankings heavily favor and reward universities for their ability to enroll classes with a high number of first-generation and economically disadvantaged students and further this mission through less stringent admission requirements. We applaud this focus on socio-economic mobility but believe that these new rankings, while potentially valuable for some purposes, are less relevant for most students who are seeking information about where they will find the most engaging and rewarding academic experience.
This year’s rankings also reduced the weight placed on, or threw out entirely, whole categories of criteria that U.S. News highly valued as recently as a year ago – including the academic quality of students, the academic qualifications of the faculty, the number of small classes offered, and the level of financial resources devoted to students and faculty. Again, by these and almost every other measure previously considered or heavily weighted by U.S. News, we perform exceptionally well. But that is not reflected in these rankings since they measure different things, and measure them differently, than they did just a year ago.
We also believe U.S. News made a serious and consequential error in measuring the financial success of our students and the graduation rates of our students who are first-generation, a new ranking criterion. U.S. News based those indicators on publicly available data that only included undergraduates who took out federal student loans, which is a minority of Tulane students. Additionally, these data combine information about full-time students enrolled in Newcomb-Tulane College (NTC) with data about our students enrolled in the School of Professional Advancement (SOPA), a separate undergraduate school for part-time students who are often working adults. All of Tulane’s other student-based indicators used in the rankings, however, are based solely on NTC data. It is also worth noting that this data relates to students who graduated as long as a decade ago. We have reached out to U.S. News regarding this huge discrepancy and are awaiting their response.
This latest iteration of U.S. News’ annual exercise highlights the shortcomings of attempting to numerically rank universities with vastly different missions, sizes, locations, and student populations. Students should be cautious about using a one-size-fits-all ranking to help determine where they’ll attend college.
Michael A. Fitts, President
Robin Forman, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
A truly great university is defined by breakthrough discovery, world-class scholarship and transformative personal growth and enrichment.
Following the decision announced by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier today, we write to you to reaffirm the university’s commitment to diversity as an essential element of our commitment to excellence. Tulane must be an equitable, diverse and inclusive community that welcomes and supports a wide array of students, faculty and staff. The transformative value derived from a diverse university community enriches, energizes and informs our research, discovery and teaching in ways that benefit everyone.
Over the last several years, we have made great strides in fostering an environment where each member of our academic community can thrive. And we have much more work to do together.
We have been preparing for today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling with this commitment in mind. Now that the decision has been announced, we will be reviewing changes we may need to make to ensure we are achieving our goals of diversity and inclusivity to the fullest extent permitted by law. A working group, which is comprised of a wide array of experts from across the university has been meeting regularly. Their efforts will inform our practices to ensure we continue to attract the best and brightest students.
We know the best research and learning occurs on a campus that reflects our multicultural world, which in turn has the most positive impact on improving our society. We will continue to welcome and support students, faculty and staff from the widest range of cultural and educational backgrounds.
Michael A. Fitts, President
Robin Forman, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
We are deeply concerned by the potential impacts on the Tulane community of several bills under consideration in the Louisiana Legislature targeting land ownership by non-U.S. citizens. We continue to share our concerns with legislators. These bills have made many of our faculty and students uncertain and anxious about their futures in our state, and we share those concerns. Universities thrive on their ability to foster a welcoming and safe community where we can recruit and retain the best and the brightest faculty, staff, and students from around the world to learn, research, and work together to solve our most pressing challenges. Our international community plays a crucial role in the research and innovation ecosystem of our city and state. These international scholars and students have contributed greatly to the extraordinary success Tulane has experienced in research and in helping to increase economic growth in our region. It is essential that we recognize and appreciate their contributions to our state, our universities, and our neighborhoods.
Michael A. Fitts, President
Robin Forman, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
The message below was sent to the Tulane community on September 1, 2022.
Dear Tulane Community:
At Tulane University, we aim to support and engage one another with understanding and compassion. Tulane attracts students from all over the country, where there are a variety of different laws on abortion. We also are a university and a community composed of students, faculty, and staff with differing, strongly held, and deeply personal beliefs on this issue. The Supreme Court’s recent overturning of the 50-year-old Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion has caused great distress for many in our community. We have also heard from many Tulanians who support the court’s ruling.
We write to you today to reiterate the commitments made in university-wide messages that were sent the day the SCOTUS decision was announced. While as an institution, Tulane does not take a position on issues such as this, we understand its importance and impact and pledge to support our community’s healthcare needs, including those involving reproductive health, to the fullest extent allowed by law.
This includes offering counseling to all members of our student body and community regarding all of their healthcare options and supporting their decisions regarding those options. It also includes providing information, counseling and assistance to pregnant community members. In addition, the university will offer free contraception, including emergency contraception and pregnancy tests at various locations on our campuses.
Tulane is also committed to ensuring equal access to academic programs and extracurricular activities to students who might be, are, or have been pregnant. Case Management and Victim Support Services (CMVSS) assists students seeking benefits, services, or leave related to pregnancy or other reproductive care. Reproductive healthcare is also part of the comprehensive insurance we provide for students, faculty and staff.
To ensure that the university is most effective in our efforts, two university-wide working groups were formed and are meeting regularly. The groups, which include experts from Campus Health, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response, Human Resources, Government Affairs and other relevant offices and departments, are advising senior leaders on operations to better serve our community. Their work, which is vital to our commitment to serving our community’s healthcare needs, while respecting all Tulanians and their viewpoints on this issue, will continue for the foreseeable future.
Michael A. Fitts, President
Robin Forman, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
The messages below were sent to the Tulane community on June 24, 2022, following the decision by U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Dear Students:
As you know, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a ruling overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in this country. This represents perhaps one of the most consequential and contentious rulings in our lifetime. As a result of this decision, Louisiana has enacted a state law banning abortions except in instances where the mother’s life is at risk or the fetus is “medically futile,” including an ectopic pregnancy.
Ahead of this formal ruling, we convened two working groups comprised of subject matter experts from Campus Health, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response, Human Resources, Government Affairs and other offices and departments that are both student and employee-focused. These working groups have been endeavoring to understand the ruling’s impacts and what changes we will need to make in response.
Although their work is ongoing, please know that Tulane will continue to support the university community’s healthcare needs, including those involving reproductive health, to the fullest extent allowed by law. We also will continue to provide counseling and support to community members whether they choose to terminate their pregnancy or bring their pregnancy to term.
We recognize abortion is one of the most divisive issues of our time, and members of the Tulane community have passionate, deeply held opinions and convictions on this matter. Tulane encourages the free exchange of ideas and opinions on issues such as this with respect for a wide array of different perspectives.
We also know that this decision is deeply troubling for many in our community. Any student who needs support managing these issues, or has questions about available reproductive health services, is encouraged to schedule an appointment with Campus Health. All conversations with healthcare providers are confidential. Regardless of their views on this issue, students who need support managing the stresses associated with the way this issue is impacting campus life may contact Case Management & Victim Services at 504-314-2160 during normal business hours, or the Student Affairs Professional On-Call at 504-920-9900 after hours and on weekends. Students seeking confidential support may contact the Counseling Center during normal business hours at 504-314-2277 or The Line after hours and on weekends at 504-264-6074.
Please know that we are deeply committed to supporting our community and helping individuals navigate issues that may arise for them personally or collectively as a result of this ruling.
Erica Woodley
Dean of Students
Dear Faculty and Staff,
As you know, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a ruling overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in this country. This represents perhaps one of the most consequential and contentious rulings in our lifetime. As a result of this decision, Louisiana has enacted a state law banning abortions except in instances where the mother’s life is at risk or the fetus is “medically futile,” including an ectopic pregnancy.
Ahead of this formal ruling, we convened two working groups comprised of subject matter experts from Campus Health, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response, Human Resources, Government Affairs and other offices and departments that are both student and employee-focused. These working groups have been endeavoring to understand the ruling’s impacts and what changes we will need to make in response.
Although their work is ongoing, please know that Tulane will continue to support the university community’s healthcare needs, including those involving reproductive health, to the fullest extent allowable by law. We also will continue to provide counseling and support to community members whether they choose to terminate their pregnancy or bring their pregnancy to term.
We recognize abortion is one of the most divisive issues of our time, and members of the Tulane community have passionate, deeply held opinions and convictions on this matter. Tulane encourages the free exchange of ideas and opinions on issues such as this with respect for a wide array of different perspectives.
We also know that this decision is deeply troubling for many in our community. Regardless of their views on this subject, any staff member who needs support managing these issues is encouraged to schedule an appointment with Employee Assistance Program, which is available for all employees 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Services, which are free of charge and completely confidential, can be accessed by calling 1-800-624-5544 or visit the website at www.ndbh.com, company code: Tulane.
Please know that we are deeply committed to supporting our community and helping individuals navigate issues that may arise for them personally or collectively as a result of this ruling.
Jonathan Small
Vice President of Human Resources and Institutional Equity
Join us as a community as we grieve the lives lost to racist and nationalist murders in Buffalo, NY and Laguna Woods, CA this past weekend. We know our Tulane community is hurting right now on many levels, and we want to have a space to gather to remember the value of BIPOC lives and how we can counter white supremacy that drives anti-Blackness, anti-Semitism, heterosexism, and so many other intersectional hatreds. In our space, we will come together to grieve and remember the importance of taking action as community members to work for justice. Featured speakers are: Dr. Jinaki Flint (Counseling and Psychological Services), Carolyn Barber-Pierre (Student Affairs), Anneliese Singh (EDI Office), and more.
Our hearts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine and the region as they confront the continued tragedy and brutality of war. More than ever, we need to support one another, especially those with family and friends in Ukraine and other areas affected by the ongoing violence.
We also offer resources to those who need to speak to someone during this time. If you are a student, you may call The Line, a 24/7 confidential counseling phone service, at 504-264-6074. Students can also reach a Student Affairs Professional On-Call at 504-920-9900 in the case of an emergency. For in-person service, students may go to CAPS for Counseling Services (located on the ground floor of the Diboll Parking Garage) or Case Management and Victim Support Services (located in the LBC, G02) from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. The Employee Assistance Program is available for all employees 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Services, which are free of charge and completely confidential, can be accessed by calling 1-800-624-5544 or visit the website at www.ndbh.com, company code: Tulane.