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Cowens explination of 'strategic'

 
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ET097



Joined: 10 Dec 2005
Posts: 41

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2005 12:14 pm    Post subject: Cowens explination of 'strategic' Reply with quote

Just though I would share with everyone the email I sent Cowen, and his repsonse. He explained further what he ment by cutting engineering being 'strategic'.

ET097 wrote:
Dear Dr. Cowen,
I am desperately trying to understand why the program at Tulane that I have
loved for the past three years is being cut. Financial reasons I can somewhat
understand. I realize engineering is expensive, and the school suffered major
finical losses this semester. But in Fridays live chat you said "The decision
with respect to the Engineering programs being phased out was both strategic and
financial. It is not a question of how much money at this stage would save the
school." I do not understand how phasing out engineering would be strategic.
Will you please explain what you meant by that statement in greater detail. I
really am trying understand these recent and drastic actions made by the
school, and I am hoping you will elaborate further and help me understand.

A very upset and confused engineering major,
Elizabeth Threlkeld
Computer Engineering '06


Cowen wrote:
Elizabeth:

I understand your concern about our recent decisions. The Renewal Plan was only
necessary due to the impact that Hurricane Katrina had on our university.
Tulane sustained over $200 million in property damage and projected deficits;
the recent changes were required in order to secure the university's financial
viability. Rather than make cuts across-the-board, we decided, in consultation
with our advisors, to focus our resources on programs and schools where we have
the greatest potential to achieve a national reputation in undergraduate and
graduate education, as well as in academic research. Unfortunately, many of our
engineering programs were simply too small – in terms of faculty, student
enrollments, and funding – relative to their counterparts to effectively
compete for national recognition.

Although we have eliminated some engineering programs, we have retained our
programs in chemical and biomedical engineering and combined them with
disciplines in the physical, biological, and chemical sciences to create the
School of Science & Engineering. I think this new school holds much promise for
the future. We will capitalize on the synergies between related disciplines,
and use them as a platform for rebuilding our programs as Tulane’s financial
recovery takes place.

So our decision was "strategic" in the sense that it directs resources to where
they can most effectively serve the university during its recovery, while also
laying the foundation to strengthen and rebuild our programs in the future. I
hope this is helpful in answering your question.

President Cowen

_________________
-Elizabeth Threlkeld
Computer Engineering '06
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mollyzogirl



Joined: 09 Dec 2005
Posts: 93
Location: New Orleans

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2005 12:17 pm    Post subject: same as before Reply with quote

That looks like pretty much the same response everyone has been getting. I think he has a couple of basic responses, and he just tweaks them a little depending on the particular questions asked.
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MrCarNut



Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Posts: 3
Location: New Orleans

PostPosted: Sun Dec 25, 2005 6:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Holy cow. I think this is the same exact letter my friend Matt got when he sent an email to Cowen. I have to go through some emails, but if I can find it, I'll post it. It wouldn't surprise me that he just has several letters that he sends everybody. God forbid he'd take some time out of his busy day of cutting entire departments to give us some individualized attention and actually answer our questions.
_________________
Jason Reasor
BSE Computer Engineering '04
MS Electrical Engineering '06
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